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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
Davis Mills, Houston Texans, 2021 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Texans 2021 NFL Draft Grade: B-

  • Round 3, Pick 67: Davis Mills, QB, Stanford
  • Round 3, Pick 89: Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
  • Round 5, Pick 147: Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami (FL)
  • Round 5, Pick 170: Garret Wallow, LB, TCU
  • Round 6, Pick 195: Roy Lopez, IDL, Arizona

What were the Texans really supposed to do when they didn’t have a first- or second-round pick? Though there may have been better value plays with their pair of third-round picks, taking the high-upside Davis Mills is a smart move given the ongoing situation with Deshaun Watson and the fact that he may not play in the 2021 season according to reports.

Outside of the Mills selection, both Nico Collins and Brevin Jordan could be long-term weapons in the passing game, which would be great to see from them. The final two picks don’t do much for me but that’s okay. Houston had their backs against the wall for this draft due to the sins of the previous regime (a.k.a. Bill O’Brien) and performed decently in that spot.

Indianapolis Colts 2021 NFL Draft Grade: B-

  • Round 1, Pick 21: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
  • Round 2, Pick 54: Dayo Odeyingbo, EDGE, Vanderbilt
  • Round 4, Pick 127: Kylen Granson, TE, SMU
  • Round 5, Pick 165: Shawn Davis, S, Florida
  • Round 6, Pick 218: Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas
  • Round 7, Pick 229: Mike Strachan, WR, Charleston (WV)
  • Round 7, Pick 248: Will Fires, IOL, Penn State

Who am I to fully doubt Colts general manager Chris Ballard at this point? Frankly, this was a C+ until I considered that Ballard often has a plan and consistently executes that vision at a pretty high level. But looking at this class, it’s hard not to see the glaring issue with the prospects they ultimately picked.

Even if Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo are the future on the edge, taking players like the gadgety H-back Kylen Granson or quarterback Sam Ehlinger look worse when you consider that they lost their starting left tackle, Anthony Castonzo, to retirement and haven’t replaced him. That’s curious, to say the least. That said, there is plenty of talent within this draft class.

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