2021 Draft Grades

[richpjr]

All those high grades sure do fly in the face of the detailed hate of each pick by a few during the draft day threads...

[dmac_bolt]

I like the draft, i think we got a lot more players that will play than TT usually does. UDFA class is very underwhelming at face value, lets see if there’s a surprise or two.

[Leslie Grossman]

McKitty allows Cook to be primarily a receiver.
Guessing he will be best utilized to chip block next to the RT then be a threat on a short pass or blocking on a screen.
Maybe an overdraft but a big need with Henry gone and Cook almost done, plus RT a big concern. Parham likely a RZ threat only and Anderson to the PS.

If I had to pick the best and the worst draft, I would go with CHI as having had the best draft--trade up for Fields at #11, Jenkins, Herbert, Graham--all very good value. I would select HOU as having had the worst draft--limited picks and no major draft pick scores.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS


R1 (13): T Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
R2 (47): CB Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State
R3 (77): WR Josh Palmer, Tennessee
R3 (97): TE Tre’ McKitty, Georgia
R4 (118): EDGE Chris Rumph II, Duke
R5 (159): T Brenden Jaimes, Nebraska
R6: (185): LB Nick Niemann, Iowa
R6 (198): RB Larry Rountree III, Missouri
R7 (241): CB Mark Webb, Georgia

Day 1: Some draft analysts had Rashawn Slater as the No. 1 offensive tackle on their boards. A player who had outstanding performances against Chase Young in college, Slater allowed only five total pressures on over 350 pass-blocking snaps in 2019 before opting out of the 2020 season. The Chargers have done a fantastic job of rebuilding their offensive line since the end of the season. Slater completes that job for quarterback Justin Herbert.

Day 2: The Chargers stand out as one of the early winners in this draft with the selection of Slater in the first round and Samuel in Round 2. Samuel’s instincts and quicks make him an ideal fit in his projected off-ball zone role in Brandon Staley’s new defense in Los Angeles. He recorded a forced incompletion rate above 20% over the course of his career at Florida State.

Palmer was one of the few wide receivers in this Day 2 range who fit the bill as a seemingly well-rounded player on the outside. Don’t be swayed by his lackluster production over the past few seasons at Tennessee. The quarterback situation there did Palmer no favors. He can create separation underneath and in the intermediate range with sudden routes and was one of the few receivers to beat new Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II deep this past season. He is a legitimate third option at the position beyond Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

This is a big reach for the Chargers. If they had to take a player who struggled to produce in college, you’d at least like to see them take someone who either has size or athleticism. Instead, they take a player who has neither. McKitty’s one trait is his hand size, which is in the 99th percentile, but his 14.3% drop rate tells you that it might not matter much. A head-scratching pick for a player ranked 246th on our board.

Day 3: Rumph is one of the most interesting Day 3 prospects. His pass-rush toolbox is as good as anyone’s in the draft, but he is extremely undersized. It didn’t stop him from being one of the most productive pass-rushers in college football over the past couple of years, with pass-rush grades of 92.7 and 78.1 and 92 total pressures on just over 440 pass-rushes. Play strength is a different story in the NFL, though. He’s a candidate to move to off-ball linebacker.

Draft Grade: A+

Okay, this is a complete joke. They gave 2 of the picks their apparently lowest rating of "poor" and 2 more picks were called "below average", apparently their next lowest rating. How that can combine with anything to make an A+ is a complete mystery. Their analysis here is internally inconsistent.

[Topcat]

USA Today:

grade 2.JPG

https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2021-nfl-draft-grades-32-nfl-teams/

[Topcat]

NBC Sports:

draft grade 1.JPG

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/2021-nfl-draft-grades-final-analysis-all-32-teams-after-seven-rounds

[TexanBeerlover]

R1 (13): T Rashawn Slater, Northwestern

Grand slam home run, never satisfied, elite blue chip LT, no worries.

R2 (47): CB Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State

Terrific quick twitch CB who in most drafts gone in first round. Think he'll start outside then bump inside. Day one starter.

R3 (77): WR Josh Palmer, Tennessee

Meh, give benefit to Telesco but wanted safety/cb/defensive player here, then wait until next pick (97) to select Palmer. Don't hate player hate value and position here.

R3 (97): TE Tre’ McKitty, Georgia

This one was to be expected given unforced error not resigning Hunter Henry, Telesco must view him of less tooled, athletic, blocking TE.

R4 (118): EDGE Chris Rumph II, Duke

Love this pick, small explosive edge rusher, great redirection, nice bend, aggressive hands.

R5 (159): T Brenden Jaimes, Nebraska

Love this pick as well, seriously, very stout, great hands again, never gives up will transition inside to LG and add valuable depth.

R6: (185): LB Nick Niemann, Iowa

Special teams player for sure, but never underestimate an Iowa Linebacker, very high motor, smart and productive, get most out of ability.

R6 (198): RB Larry Rountree III, Missouri.

Have to admit, took a break to watch some tape. Primary use will be in pass protection and special teams. love this quote " magnet running at defenders on the second level." hoping same applies to his blocking ability as well, not much wiggle room, very solidly built and durable over 700 carries.

R7 (241): CB Mark Webb, Georgia

Listed as CB but he will play safety, Star roll or hybrid slot safety as Staley likes to use. This is a coaching move that adds value to the pick. He tested out crazy good @ Georgia Pro-Day, 6014 207 36.5 vert and 1104 BJ. The RAS grades him in corner category 6.31 but would look a lot better in safety class, 4.61 forty and 1.58 split. Down with pick.

B+

[DragonIce]

The last 3 picks are meh. The rest is good and helps the team in those areas at the positions.

This draft class had little depth to offer in the late rounds. Covid really messed things up. I really like what the Chargers did w/their selections, given the situation. McKitty is the only pick I don't care for.

[DragonIce]

Thank you! Very interesting to see if McKitty plays the F-spot very much and blocks for Ekeler there. Or would he be a blocker for Herbert? Receiver? Mix? lol

It seems McKitty was drafted more for his blocking, I believe.

Usually on pass plays the tight end runs a route and looks for the ball, though they sometimes stay to protect QB on blitzes. So McKitty's role early next season will likely be to block on short yardage situations, or just be there as a backup. My opinion. We'll see.

[ChargersPowderBlue]

The last 3 picks are meh. The rest is good and helps the team in those areas at the positions.

[Hadl2Alworth]

The Y receiver is lined up on the LOS next to the OT.
The F receiver is lined in the offset Full Back position.

I think that is right.

Thank you! Very interesting to see if McKitty plays the F-spot very much and blocks for Ekeler there. Or would he be a blocker for Herbert? Receiver? Mix? lol