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NFL Draft: Grading each first round pick after five weeks

By Michael Johnson

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 07: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns reacts to a play in the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 07: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns reacts to a play in the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 30: Kerryon Johnson #33 of the Detroit Lions scores a touchdown against Leighton Vander Esch #55 of the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 30: Kerryon Johnson #33 of the Detroit Lions scores a touchdown against Leighton Vander Esch #55 of the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

19. Dallas Cowboys – Leighton Vander Esch

Some Dallas Cowboys fans wanted a replacement wide receiver for Dez Bryant. But the Jones family felt they needed a replacement for Sean Lee more than that. Subsequently, the pick of Leighton Vander Esch fit like a glove for the Cowboys.

Lee’s recent injury just meant more tackles for the downhill thumper. As a matter of fact, against the Jaguars, Vander Esch had a team-high 14 tackles (11 solo). Over the course of the season, he’s totaled 40 tackles, tying him for 14th in the NFL. When Lee gets back, the Cowboys will have arguably the best linebacker corps in football and  Vander Esch is part of the reason why.

Grade: A

20. Detroit Lions – Frank Ragnow

The Detroit Lions still haven’t found a consistent answer to their running woes. Frank Ragnow was supposed to be that guy to tremendous help with that issue. Unfortunately, he struggled early, unable to live up that first round billing. In fact, against the Packers, he angered Lions fans with an illegal hands to the face call that negated a 45-yard touchdown. However, he proved his value against the Patriots.

When the ran the Lions ball behind Ragnow against New England, they averaged 7.4 yards per rush, according to PFF. Ragnow will likely continue to improve as the season goes on. If his efforts against the Patriots tell a story, it’s that he’s a promising lineman that will produce more good things down the line..

Grade: C+

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