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2021 NFL Draft grades for every team: Browns and Bears crush it, Cowboys flop

By Cody Williams

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 29: Mya Tomoto stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after announcing Greg Newsome II as the 26th pick by the Cleveland Browns during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 29: Mya Tomoto stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after announcing Greg Newsome II as the 26th pick by the Cleveland Browns during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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2021 NFL Draft grades
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens, 2021 NFL Draft. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Ravens 2021 NFL Draft Grade: A+

  • Round 1, Pick 27: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
  • Round 1, Pick 31: Odafe Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
  • Round 3, Pick 94: Ben Cleveland, IOL, Georgia
  • Round 3, Pick 104: Brandon Stephens, CB, SMU
  • Round 4, Pick 131: Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
  • Round 5, Pick 160: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
  • Round 5, PIck 171: Daelin Hayes, EDGE, Notre Dame
  • Round 5, Pick 184: Ben Mason, FB, Michigan

Taking a fullback aside — although, that’s right on brand for the Ravens — this is one of my high-key winners of the 2021 NFL Draft. Not only landing Rashod Bateman but also Tylan Wallace should give Lamar Jackson and the passing offense a tremendous boost, which was a primary goal of this class.

Beyond that, Odafe Oweh gives the team a necessary possible star off the edge and Daelin Hayes is great depth. Shaun Wade could also be one of the best value picks of the draft as he was a projected first-rounder at one point who simply struggled in 2020. The talent is still there somewhere.

Buffalo Bills 2021 NFL Draft Grade: B-

  • Round 1, Pick 30: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami (FL)
  • Round 2, Pick 61: Carlos Basham Jr., EDGE, Wake Forest
  • Round 3, Pick 93: Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa
  • Round 5, Pick 161: Tommy Doyle, OT, Miami (OH)
  • Round 6, Pick 203: Marquez Stevenson, WR, Houston
  • Round 6, Pick 212: Damar Hamlin, S, Pittsburgh
  • Round 6, Pick 213: Rachad Wildgoose, CB, Wisconsin
  • Round 7, Pick 236: Jack Anderson, IOL, Texas Tech

Taking two high-upside edge defenders early makes sense for the Bills and the upside of Gregory Rousseau and Carlos Basham Jr. is enticing. However, doubling up was a curious strategy with a need for high-end cornerback depth, which knocks the Buffalo grade down slightly.

Moreover, Spencer Brown is a sensible answer to long-term tackle depth as he needs development but offers a ton of future upside. But doubling up with Doyle also doesn’t make a ton of sense.

All told, the Bills drafted some talented players who fill long-term needs but their overall strategy left some things to be desired.

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