PFF NFC SOUTH 1ST ROUND GRADES

[Wuzzaaammm Baby]

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vernon Hargreaves | Grade: A-

(Pick acquired in trade with Chicago Bears) 

We had mocked Hargreaves to the Bucs multiple times throughout the process, and they move back and still get their guy. No cornerback moves as smoothly as Hargreaves who posted our No. 2 coverage grade in 2014 and despite a step back in 2015, he’s the most scheme-diverse cornerback in the draft outside of Ramsey. Hargreaves is outstanding when playing in “off” coverage, capable of closing on the ball and he features some of the best ball skills in the draft. He can get into trouble at times biting on double moves, but the aggressiveness and closing skills are a great fit for Tampa Bay’s zone-heavy scheme.

12. New Orleans Saints: Sheldon Rankins | Grade: A

We expected defense to be a focal point for the Saints and they take one of the best interior defensive linemen in the draft in Rankins. He’s versatile enough to play all over the defensive front, whether heads up on offensive linemen or shooting gaps to disrupt the backfield. He posted the No. 3 overall grade in the nation in 2014, behind Henry Anderson and Grady Jarrett, and he was one of the best in the nation in 2015 as well before he slowed down late in the season. Rankins is next in the line of “undersized” defensive tackles that will produce at the next level and he adds a much-needed disruptive presence to the Saints’ defensive front.

17. Atlanta Falcons: Keanu Neal | Grade: D

Another questionable pick, Neal is a powerful box safety, but he is merely a projection at this point. His -3.0 overall grade ranked 93^rd in the nation and his 16 missed tackles were too much for a player that didn’t make enough plays in the run or pass game. Neal is a big hitter, capable of working downhill and imposing his will, but the number of missed plays is still concerning. In Atlanta’s scheme, he’ll likely play strong safety and they’ll hope he can play the Kam-Chancellor role in their defense. At this point, however, this pick looks like the yearly first-round reach on a box safety that has infiltrated the league in recent years.

30. Carolina Panthers: Vernon Butler | Grade: B

Carolina has been strong on the defensive line the last few years and they continue to replenish their depth with Butler. He’s a versatile interior lineman that can play multiple positions for Carolina with perhaps his best fit being at nose tackle in nickel situations. His strong hand usage led to a +32.1 run stop grade that ranks fifth in the class, and like Kenny Clark, he can push the pocket with a strong bull rush. With Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei entrenched as starters at defensive tackle, Butler represents an immediate backup for both players and a nickel pass rusher.

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/04/28/draft-2016-nfl-draft-pick-by-pick-grades-and-analysis-of-round-1-2/

[AgapeElement]

Totally agree

[Sponge]

I think N.O. did the best too. But giving us a D? I think C+ is more like it.

[Knight of God]

Ouch

[FalconPio]

So what . Tuh

[Jesus]

World = Ended

[FalconTough]

Every draft grade for every team should be "B".

As is "might B good, might not B".

Nobody friggen knows.

Edited April 29, 2016 by FalconTough

[mumblesjr,jr]

F pff. 

[SetzerFalcon]

I know PFF is the devil around here and the grade is meaningless but their analysis is spot on.  Neal could be great, I hope he is, but it was a bad pick and I really dislike the way it seems like DQ never considered anyone else.  That kind of tunnel vision is troubling.

[high impact]

Sad thing is I bet the Falcons could have got about the same grade picking a kicker. 

Dang Saints took the player I was hoping would fall to us. With what was on the board I would have taken Lawson. But the Neal pick was a big need.

[andrews31cain21]

I'm pretty sure thats the same Vernon Hargreaves that I heard a Super Bowl winning Coach rip on last night..  and these guys give an A+?  I think i'll hold my judgement until after the season

[HASHBROWN3]

2016 NFL Draft: Quick-snap grades for NFC teams

• 
• By Chad Reuter
• Draft analyst
• Published: April 29, 2016 at 01:07 a.m.
• 999+ Likes  |  113 Comments

• Email
• Print

 

 

• AFC
• NFC

 

 

 

Here are my evaluations on how each team utilized their assets during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft:

NFC East

 

Dallas Cowboys 
Draft pick: Ezekiel Elliott (No. 4 overall) 
Day 1 grade: B+ 
The skinny: I love Elliott as a player. There's always concern when a running back is taken early in the draft, however, because of attrition at the position.

New York Giants 
Draft pick: Eli Apple (No. 10 overall) 
Day 1 grade: C 
The skinny: Apple fills a need and the young man has a lot of potential. There's a gamble here, though, especially when Vernon Hargreaves was available.

Philadelphia Eagles 
Draft pick: Carson Wentz (No. 2 overall) 
Day 1 grade: C 
The skinny: The Eagles are gambling big (gave up CB Byron Maxwell, LB Kiko Alonso, 2017 first-round pick, two top-100 picks this year, 2018 second-rounder) on the ability of Carson Wentzto become a legitimate top-tier starter. We'll see.

Washington Redskins 
Draft pick: Josh Doctson (No. 22 overall) 
Day 1 grade: A 
The skinny: Kirk Cousins needs as many weapons as he can get. DeSean Jackson andPierre Garcon won't be around forever, so Doctson is a very good investment as a downfield threat.

NFC North

 

Chicago Bears 
Draft pick: Leonard Floyd (No. 9 overall) 
Day 1 grade: C 
The skinny: Chicago needed a pass rusher in the worst way, and Vic Fangio found one in Floyd. Not everyone is sold on his ability to be an elite player, however. Normally, giving up a fourth-round pick wouldn't be a big deal; in this deep draft, that's like giving up a starter.

Detroit Lions 
Draft pick: Taylor Decker (No. 16 overall) 
Day 1 grade: B 
The skinny: Riley Reiff and Decker are a strong duo from Big Ten schools to helpMatthew Stafford stay upright. But with Calvin Johnson retired, is the fourth-best tackle a better value than the second-best receiver? If Laquon Treadwell or Michael Thomas turn out to be all-stars, the team might have missed out.

Green Bay Packers 
Draft pick: Kenny Clark (No. 27 overall) 
Day 1 grade: B+ 
The skinny: There wasn't much question that the Packers were going to bolster their front seven with their opening pick. Another no-brainer will be fan comparisons of the careers of their selection, Clark, and two available Alabama studs: linebacker Reggie Ragland and nose tackle Jarran Reed.

Minnesota Vikings 
Draft pick: Laquon Treadwell (No. 23 overall) 
Day 1 grade: A 
The skinny: General manager Rick Spielman got the most physical receiver in the draft in Treadwell. There's no reason he won't be a to-go guy for Teddy Bridgewater.

NFC South

 

Atlanta Falcons 
Draft pick: Keanu Neal (No. 17 overall) 
Day 1 grade: A 
The skinny: Neal will likely play as a linebacker for the Falcons, flying all over the field and aiding in coverage. That's exactly what they needed.

Carolina Panthers 
Draft pick: Vernon Butler (No. 30 overall) 
Day 1 grade: C 
The skinny: I like the potential of Butler, but depth at defensive tackle in this year's draft and the team's existing talent at the position makes me wonder if picking offensive tackle Germain Ifedi or pass rusher Kevin Dodd wouldn't have been a better move.

New Orleans Saints 
Draft pick: Sheldon Rankins (No. 12 overall) 
Day 1 grade: B 
The skinny: Everyone knew the Saints needed a dynamic interior force that they haven't had since Sedrick Ellis. Rankins should fill that role well. He'll have to prove he can handle his run-stopping duties, however, to be worth this pick.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
Draft pick: Vernon Hargreaves (No. 11 overall) 
Day 1 grade: A 
The skinny: The Bucs picked up a fourth-round pick, which in this draft is a potential starter. And they got the playmaker they wanted at No. 9 in Hargreaves!

NFC West

 

Arizona Cardinals 
Draft pick: Robert Nkemdiche (No. 29 overall) 
Day 1 grade: B 
The skinny: The Cardinals trusted that Tyrann Mathieu would fly the straight-and-narrow, and are banking the same is true of Nkemdiche. If he harnesses his athleticism without an issue, then this pick could look great. If not, it's a wasted opportunity to improve the secondary or another part of the team with someone without character issues.

Los Angeles Rams 
Draft pick: Jared Goff (No. 1 overall) 
Day 1 grade: B 
The skinny: Goff is the best quarterback in the class, so there's no issue there. The team gave up a lot of picks to get him; the Rams received a bunch of picks in the RGIII trade, however, and it didn't improve the team because it needed a quarterback. So I can't seriously downgrade the move.

San Francisco 49ers 
Draft pick: DeForest Buckner (No. 7 overall), Joshua Garnett (No. 28 overall) 
Day 1 grade: B 
The skinny: Buckner is an excellent pick in the top seven as the impact defensive end they've missed since Justin Smith has left. Garnett is my favorite offensive line prospect in this draft, and the 49ersneed to replace Alex Boone. But giving up two picks in the deepest draft in history for a guard is a tough sell for me.

Seattle Seahawks 
Draft pick: Germain Ifedi (No. 31 overall) 
Day 1 grade: A 
The skinny: Trading down to grab an extra third-round pick in this very deep draft deserves a big grade. Then, the Seahawks got an equally big player in Ifedi, who can dominate at guard or tackle with some technique coaching.

[rcky_mtn_falcon]

and NFL.coms first round draft grades for the NFC South

NFC South

 

Atlanta Falcons
Draft pick: Keanu Neal (No. 17 overall)
Day 1 grade: A
The skinny: Neal will likely play as a linebacker for the Falcons, flying all over the field and aiding in coverage. That's exactly what they needed.

Carolina Panthers
Draft pick: Vernon Butler (No. 30 overall)
Day 1 grade: C
The skinny: I like the potential of Butler, but depth at defensive tackle in this year's draft and the team's existing talent at the position makes me wonder if picking offensive tackle Germain Ifedi or pass rusher Kevin Dodd wouldn't have been a better move.

New Orleans Saints
Draft pick: Sheldon Rankins (No. 12 overall)
Day 1 grade: B
The skinny: Everyone knew the Saints needed a dynamic interior force that they haven't had since Sedrick Ellis. Rankins should fill that role well. He'll have to prove he can handle his run-stopping duties, however, to be worth this pick.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Draft pick: Vernon Hargreaves (No. 11 overall)
Day 1 grade: A
The skinny: The Bucs picked up a fourth-round pick, which in this draft is a potential starter. And they got the playmaker they wanted at No. 9 in Hargreaves!

 

At this point it's all subjective and stupid ..... and most of the people making these grades are sitting around in their pajamas eating cheerios.

 

[Sidecar Falcon]

Our version of Urlacher? 

[Knight of God]

1 minute ago, Sidecar Falcon said:

Our version of Urlacher? 

I have heard LB, FS, & SS. I guess he is whatever at this point.

[ZoneOne01]

I'd give us a C but I agree with the other picks.

[iDash]

Neal played In the SEC=Check

#1, or #2 SS on most sites=Check

Thumper who is going to Bust LiL Brandon Cooks in the Mouth and then send him out on a Cart=Check

So happy,

here.

Grade=A

If you check a post from mine from last year,

its exactly what I wanted,

A fast S that can play near the line like a LB,

like he said Urlacher type!

Also,

it sux we couldn't trade back

it fell through, 

but Neal wouldnt have fell to 50!

 

Falcons FO,

Please pick another SEC player in the 2nd, BPA SEC DT!

[SetzerFalcon]

3 minutes ago, Knight of God said:

I have heard LB, FS, & SS. I guess he is whatever at this point.

He also knows kung fu!

[#1ATLFALCONSFAN]

30 minutes ago, Wuzzaaammm Baby said:

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vernon Hargreaves | Grade: A-

(Pick acquired in trade with Chicago Bears) 

We had mocked Hargreaves to the Bucs multiple times throughout the process, and they move back and still get their guy. No cornerback moves as smoothly as Hargreaves who posted our No. 2 coverage grade in 2014 and despite a step back in 2015, he’s the most scheme-diverse cornerback in the draft outside of Ramsey. Hargreaves is outstanding when playing in “off” coverage, capable of closing on the ball and he features some of the best ball skills in the draft. He can get into trouble at times biting on double moves, but the aggressiveness and closing skills are a great fit for Tampa Bay’s zone-heavy scheme.

12. New Orleans Saints: Sheldon Rankins | Grade: A

We expected defense to be a focal point for the Saints and they take one of the best interior defensive linemen in the draft in Rankins. He’s versatile enough to play all over the defensive front, whether heads up on offensive linemen or shooting gaps to disrupt the backfield. He posted the No. 3 overall grade in the nation in 2014, behind Henry Anderson and Grady Jarrett, and he was one of the best in the nation in 2015 as well before he slowed down late in the season. Rankins is next in the line of “undersized” defensive tackles that will produce at the next level and he adds a much-needed disruptive presence to the Saints’ defensive front.

17. Atlanta Falcons: Keanu Neal | Grade: D

Another questionable pick, Neal is a powerful box safety, but he is merely a projection at this point. His -3.0 overall grade ranked 93^rd in the nation and his 16 missed tackles were too much for a player that didn’t make enough plays in the run or pass game. Neal is a big hitter, capable of working downhill and imposing his will, but the number of missed plays is still concerning. In Atlanta’s scheme, he’ll likely play strong safety and they’ll hope he can play the Kam-Chancellor role in their defense. At this point, however, this pick looks like the yearly first-round reach on a box safety that has infiltrated the league in recent years.

30. Carolina Panthers: Vernon Butler | Grade: B

Carolina has been strong on the defensive line the last few years and they continue to replenish their depth with Butler. He’s a versatile interior lineman that can play multiple positions for Carolina with perhaps his best fit being at nose tackle in nickel situations. His strong hand usage led to a +32.1 run stop grade that ranks fifth in the class, and like Kenny Clark, he can push the pocket with a strong bull rush. With Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei entrenched as starters at defensive tackle, Butler represents an immediate backup for both players and a nickel pass rusher.

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/04/28/draft-2016-nfl-draft-pick-by-pick-grades-and-analysis-of-round-1-2/

 

Lol don't get too excited OP. Rankins alone can't help your Defense. Draft about 10 more solid defensive players and we'll talk

[jidady]

53 minutes ago, Wuzzaaammm Baby said:

17. Atlanta Falcons: Keanu Neal | Grade: D

At this point, however, this pick looks like the yearly first-round reach on a box safety that has infiltrated the league in recent years.

Exactly. I'd actually feel better about the pick if we converted him to LB. Either way, we committed several of the cardinal sins of the NFL Draft. We got locked in on a player. We worried too much about what other teams were doing/going to do. And we failed (mightily) to get value at the position. Finally, hearing that Dallas was trying to trade up into the teens while TD maintained that the phone didn't ring is infuriating.

Rich McKay ran a much better draft room than TD does.

But Neal is a Falcon now, so he's one of my favorite players on the planet from this moment forward.

[AndySG]

What I took from that is that Saints spent the number 12 pick on a guy not as good as Grady Jarrett. 

[falken]

Quote

 

You can't spell *pppffft* without PFF.

[papachaz]

59 minutes ago, falken said:

You can't spell *pppffft* without PFF.

this was worth signing in just to plus one!   great job sir!  

 

[falconsd56]

1 hour ago, Knight of God said:

I have heard LB, FS, & SS. I guess he is whatever at this point.

I will not profess to be an expert on him... But it seems like he is the the proverbial chess piece ...where we may move him around depending on who we play. 

[Osiruz]

We will see. I think neal fits well with us.