After more than half the season, there are arguments to be made whether the pick each team made was awful or good. While fans shouldn’t overreact to half the season, there is evidence to show that some rookies are legit and others are not so good. With that said, there has been a significant number of rookies this year who look like key contributors to their respected teams. Thus, when assigning each grade, readers should understand that each grade is based on three factors: 1) the play of the individual, 2) the usage by the coach, and 3) the respected value of each player for where they were drafted. As for the Grading Scale, I’ve illustrated what each grade means:
|
Grading Scale for NFL 2020 Rookies |
|||
| A+ |
Looks like a franchise player. |
C+ |
Could be a good contributor, remains to be seen. Somewhat promising. |
|
A |
Exceeded expectation, a borderline franchise player. | C | Mediocre pick, kind of like the 70-74 grade on Madden. Could still turn it around. |
| A- |
Great pick, extremely promising player. |
C- | Borderline bad pick. |
| B+ |
Good Pick, promising player. |
D+ | Baaaddddd pick. |
| B | Contributor, may not be a pro bowler, but a promising pick. | D |
Very bad pick. |
| B- | Somewhat promising, okay pick. | F |
Terrible Pick. |
Be sure to check out the first edition of my Redraft Grades for the 2020 NFL Draft First Round.
1. Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Burrow is a franchise guy. He has moxie, arm talent, and throws with great anticipation. Burrow is ultra-talented, but the front office needs to provide him with more protection, so he does not end up feeling phantom pressure like Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold. Overall, Burrow should be a franchise player for years to come.
After Week 4 Grade: A+
New Grade: A+
2. Washington Football Team, Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
Through ten weeks, Young has 3.5 sacks. SACKS ARE NOT INDICATIVE OF PRODUCTION FOR EDGE RUSHERS. There are more indicators, such as quarterback hits (one) and hurries (14). Young has been double and triple-teamed on many plays. He draws more attention to allow others more opportunity. Young is a slam dunk pick still.
After Week 4 Grade: A+
New Grade: A+
3. Detroit Lions, Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
While Okudah has begun to turn the corner, (settling into the zone coverage), he’s given up a significant number of receptions. Okudah has been up-and-down and given easy targets up. While the level of play has overall been better, he hasn’t been the dynamic player fans and analysts have expected.
After Week 4 Grade: B-
New Grade: C+
4. New York Giants, Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Thomas only gave up two sacks in the past five weeks, a significant feat when considering who he’s played. He’s played Washington and Philadelphia twice (managing Young), and Tampa Bay playing better each game. Thomas has finally hit his stride and might turn out to be the best offensive linemen the Giants have.
After Week 4 Grade: C+
New Grade: B
5. Miami Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Tua has looked every bit of the fifth overall pick he was built up to be. He throws an accurate tight spiral ball and has made plays outside of structure (while also extending them). As it stands, he looks every bit worth the 5th overall pick and only time will tell if he’s the franchise quarterback.
After Week 4 Grade: B
New Grade: A-
6. Los Angeles Chargers, Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Herbert is in the Rookie of the Year contention and has shown spectacular ability. His arm talent is special on all levels of the field. He lacks play-to-play consistency, but as a rookie to have the breathtaking plays is promising and beyond belief.
After Week 4 Grade: A
New Grade: A+
7. Carolina Panthers, Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
Brown is a great run stopper, but the question was could he provide pass rush? Though Ten Weeks, the optics appear to be bad, as Brown has zero sacks. Looking beyond that, he’s been everything they needed in him. Brown has provided pressure from the interior, collapsing the pocket. Hopefully, he continues to improve in pass-rushing ability as Brown is on the upswing and has been delightful to watch.
After Week 4 Grade: B-
New Grade: B
8. Arizona Cardinals, Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
Cardinals defense is different when Simmons is on the field. The lack of snaps does not make sense as he simply makes plays – illustrated on his game-winning interception against Seattle. Fans still haven’t seen enough pass-rushing snaps and coverage snaps to determine if this was a warranted pick. Thus Simmons gets a C+ as we still don’t know what Simmons is.
After Week 4 Grade: D
New Grade: C+
9. Jacksonville Jaguars, C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Henderson is inconsistent, just like he was in college. However, in his high-end games, he’s able to make Davante Adams struggle. Henderson is beginning to look like Jaire Alexander, with one great game and then the odd terrible game. To see such high-level play as a rookie corner is promising.
After Week 4 Grade: B+
New Grade: B+
10. Cleveland Browns, Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
Wills is a franchise left tackle nobody is talking about. He’s had high-level games along with consistent run blocking. His ability to maintain his consistency is impressive, and he has a promising future if he maintains such play.
After week 4 Grade B+
New Grade: A-
11. New York Jets, Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
A boom-bust player who was a great pick. For the short stint in the New England game he was the force behind the run game – absolutely dominating the Patriots defense. If he can stay healthy, he can be a franchise left tackle for the Jets.
After week 4 Grade: A
New Grade: A
12. Las Vegas Raiders, Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
The jury is still out on Ruggs, as he’s been great in some games, then disappears in other games. He has game-breaking potential, but we still have not seen this consistently.
The notes from what I said before are still very relevant :
“Ruggs hasn’t been on the field enough to warrant a higher grade, in fact missing two of the four games of the season. However, in those two games, he has changed Derek Carr, which is what the goal of drafting Ruggs was. The question draft analysts had was: Will drafting Ruggs make Carr throw the ball down the field more? The answer Vegas fans saw against the Panthers and Saints was YES. Ruggs is still the same deep threat he was in college and will give Carr more opportunities downfield. He needs to stay on the field.”
After Week 4 Grade: B
New Grade: B
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Colts via 49ers), Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
If offensive linemen could win Rookie of the Year, Wirfs would be the winner. He’s playing at a high level for a rookie even when facing Cameron Jordan and other good pass rushers. The Buccaneers got a steal here and a franchise right tackle.
After Week 4 Grade: A
New Grade: A+
14. San Francisco 49ers, Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Kinlaw has been good, but not great. It is still okay, as a rookie we’ve seen flashes of what he can do. Kinlaw has been able to collapse the pocket and get pressure against some average guards. As he gains more consistency, fans will come to know him as a household name.
After Week 4 Grade: B
New Grade: B-
15. Denver Broncos, Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Jeudy is being held back by bad throws from Drew Lock. His route running is astounding, and he’s already one of the top route runners in the league. Jeudy has been excellent with one on one matchups and can take the offense to a new level. He may end up being the best player on the Bronco offense by the end of the year.
After Week 4 Grade: B+
New Grade: A
16. Atlanta Falcons, A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
Similar to Henderson, Terrell has had flashes of high-level play. Terrell has been inconsistent, which is expected with a shortened offseason and just being a rookie defender in general. Regardless, Terrell has looked like a first-rounder and has been promising. If he keeps his play up, Falcons fans should be confident that they have a cornerback capable of taking on the good receivers in their division.
After Week 4 Grade: C+
New Grade: B+
17. Dallas Cowboys, CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Lamb is a difference-maker, and anytime he touches the ball, as he’s a threat to gain extra yardage and score. Despite losing his quarterback, Lamb has still been able to put up good stats. His route running, body control, and run after catch are all dynamic and make him a viable option going forward. Lamb has an exciting future and is a franchise player for the Cowboys.
After Week 4 Grade: A-
New Grade: A+
18. Miami Dolphins, Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Jackson was on the Covid list for some time. However, his return to play has been promising. He has flashed high-end reps while showing bouts of consistency against lesser competition. Jackson has shown he has a solid floor, which warrants a B grade, yet we haven’t seen good play against a higher level of competition, which makes him go from a B+ to a B. Overall, Jackson has an encouraging future.
After Week 4 Grade: B+
New Grade: B
19. Las Vegas Raiders, (from Bears): Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
Arnette is still on the injured reserve and has missed significant time. Arnette needs more reps and to be put on injured reserve so early is very concerning.
After Week 4 Grade: D+
New Grade: D
20. Jacksonville Jaguars, (from Rams): K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
After Week 10, it’s concerning that Chaisson hasn’t put together a solid performance against bad competition. He has all the tools and athleticism, however, Chaisson hasn’t put it all together – nor have we even seen flashes of his talent. If there isn’t a showing in the next few weeks, it may be time to become concerned.
After Week 4 Grade: C+
New Grade: D
21. Philadelphia Eagles, Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Reagor has flashed big-play capability in a few snaps, enough to prove he might be the real deal. His routes look smooth, and his ability to separate looks like it has translated from college to the NFL. Reagor has some promise going forward, but he just needs to stay on the field.
After Week 4 Grade: C+
New Grade: B-
22. Minnesota Vikings, (from Bills): Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Jefferson needs to be talked about for Offensive Rookie of the Year as he’s simply been electric. His body control and ability to separate is the best in the class. Jefferson has been a game-changer for the Vikings and could be one of the better receivers in the league next year.
After Week 4 Grade: A-
New Grade: A+
23. Los Angeles Chargers, Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Murray is still struggling in pass coverage and has not had a lot of improvement. It’s concerning to see little growth when the weakness is so significant. Offenses are exploiting Murray’s coverage against smaller running backs, and it will continue till he improves. Still significantly concerning to see Murray picked on a week-to-week basis.
After Week 4 Grade: F
New Grade: D+
24. New Orleans Saints, Cesar Ruiz, G, Michigan
Ruiz was great until about Week Five, where he began to give up more pressure. While this is a result of more responsibility – more one on ones – it shows how difficult it is to be consistent in the NFL. The play has not been great during the past four weeks, Ruiz has shown he can be a dominant player in the NFL. Saints fans have nothing to be concerned about as of yet.
After Week 4 Grade: B
New Grade: B-
25. San Francisco 49ers, Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Aiyuk has been solid for the Niners. He’s never going to be a dynamic number one receiver, but he will be a high-end #2 who can provide run after catch skills. Overall, this is a great pick and fits with what the Niners want to do on offense.
After Week 4 Grade: B
New Grade: B+
26. Green Bay Packers (from Texans through Dolphins), Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Aaron Rodgers was on pace to be an MVP candidate, where some argued that this pick motivated him to play at his best. Fans may not even see Love until the 2022 season with how good Rodgers is playing. Until fans see Love on the field, the jury is out.
After Week 4 Grade: D+
New Grade: D+
27. Seattle Seahawks, Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
Brooks has tackled well but hasn’t played zone and man coverage, as well as fans, had hoped. Still, there has been impact plays where he has been in the right position to make plays. Overall, it is more promising to see the past few weeks than how he started.
After Week 4 Grade: F
New Grade: C
28. Baltimore Ravens, Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Queen has been filling up the stats sheet making a ridiculous amount of tackles for a rookie (43 tackles) and has been involved in almost every play. Queen has been one of the best linebackers from this year’s draft (besides Willie Gay) as he’s always in a position to make a play. He’s struggled in coverage, however, with time and experience, Queen should improve as he has the processing speed and agility to keep up with running backs. Once his coverage ability improves, Queen will be a slam dunk A grade, but until he improves the coverage, this grade is a B.
After Week 4 Grade: B
New Grade: B
29. Tennessee Titans, Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
Wilson still has not played a down of football and is listed behind Dennis Kelly. Until fans see him play a snap, this is now a very concerning pick.
After Week 4 Grade: D
New Grade: F
30. Miami Dolphins (from Packers), Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
Igbinoghene hasn’t played enough to warrant a high grade. Not sure this is a result of a lack of technique or if other players are better. Still, he was billed as a project corner who needed a year to refine his technique. Fans should expect to see more of Igbinoghene by the end of the year.
After Week 4 Grade: B-
New Grade: C
31. Minnesota Vikings, Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Gladney has struggled and hasn’t seen many snaps. It is still early, but Gladney may never become the dominant cornerback some scouts (like me) were projecting he could become. As it stands, fans should be happy if he becomes good enough to be the second cornerback on the team. Ultimately this pick has been a disappointment, and one has to hope they see improvement from Gladney.
After Week 4 Grade: C-
New Grade: D+
32. Kansas City Chiefs, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
Edwards-Helaire has been what fans expected, a short area running back who’s capable of making defenders miss on all levels of the field. He lacks the home run threat but makes up for it in great pass-catching ability. While the signing of Le’Veon Bell has reduced his snaps week after week, Edwards-Helaire has still been effective. Overall his play has been warranted enough to make this pick a B+.
After Week 4 Grade: B+
New Grade: B+
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