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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
Carolina Panthers, Jaycee Horn, 2021 NFL Draft. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Carolina Panthers 2021 NFL Draft Grade: A+

  • Round 1, Pick 8: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
  • Round 2, Pick 59: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
  • Round 3, Pick 70: Brady Christensen, OT, BYU
  • Round 3, Pick 83: Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame
  • Round 4, Pick 126: Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State
  • Round 5, Pick 158: Daviyon Nixon, IDL, Iowa
  • Round 5, Pick 166: Keith Taylor Jr., CB, Washington
  • Round 6, Pick 193: Deonte Brown, IOL, Alabama
  • Round 6, Pick 204: Shi Smith, WR, South Carolina
  • Round 6, Pick 222: Thomas Fletcher, LS, Alabama
  • Round 7, Pick 232: Phil Hoskins, IDL, Kentucky

While Jaycee Horn may not have been my top cornerback in the 2021 NFL Draft, he is still a top-end prospect who will be an immediate starter for the Panthers. And the same could be said of so many players in this draft class, which is why it’s hard not to love what Carolina was able to do in this class.

Throughout the first five rounds, it’s not hard to see any of those players playing key roles for this team in 2021 and beyond. And even the sixth-round picks could qualify as well. This is extremely well done for a team trying to lead the Sam Darnold redemption tour.

Chicago Bears 2021 NFL Draft Grade: A+

  • Round 1, Pick 11: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
  • Round 2, Pick 39: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
  • Round 5, Pick 151: Larry Borom, IOL, Missouri
  • Round 6, Pick 217: Khalil Herbert, RB, Virginia Tech
  • Round 6, Pick 221: Dazz Newsome, WR, North Carolina
  • Round 6, Pick 228: Thomas Graham Jr., CB, Oregon
  • Round 7, Pick 250: Khyiris Tonga, IDL, BYU

Speaking of another draft class that was just spot on, the Chicago Bears did exactly what they needed to in order to potentially save the jobs of general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy. That, of course, starts with trading up to take a falling Justin Fields. Giving up a future first-round pick hurts but not if they can answer the issues at quarterback.

Being aggressive was the theme as they traded up to get the long-term offensive tackle they needed as well, taking Teven Jenkins. Those are two home-run picks that would’ve graded the class out strongly. But finding value with players like Dazz Newsome and Khyiris Tonga late only strengthens that.

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