Here are my evaluations on how each team utilized their assets during the 2016 NFL Draft. Grades for Days 1 (Round 1) and 2 (Rounds 2-3) are weighed more heavily than Day 3's (Rounds 4-7) in the overall grade.
AFC East
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Buffalo Bills
Draft picks:Shaq Lawson (No. 19 overall), Reggie Ragland (No. 41 overall), Adolphus Washington (No. 80 overall), Cardale Jones (No. 139 overall), Jonathan Williams (No. 156 overall), Kolby Listenbee (No. 192 overall), Kevon Seymour (No. 218 overall)
Day 1 grade: A
Day 2 grade: A-
Day 3 grade: A-
Overall grade: A-
The skinny: Lawson isn't the physically-dominating player Mario Williams is, but he's a good find here in a draft without a lot of top-rated pass rushers. He was also the best player available, so fans should be happy with the selection.
Ragland was a steal in the mid-second round, even with losing a fourth-round pick in the trade up, as he'll lead the Bills' defense for ten years. Washington was fair value in the third round, though he'll need to play at his best to becom more than a rotational player. No surprise that the Bills picked Jones in the fourth round, but he'll need time to become a more accurate passer and consistent decision-maker. Williams would have been a second- or third-round pick without the injury, so that was a good pull. Listenbee's speed will complement Sammy Watkins and company. Seymour is a better player than his sixth-round draft status indicates.
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Miami Dolphins
Draft picks:Laremy Tunsil (No. 13 overall), Xavien Howard (No. 38 overall), Kenyan Drake (No. 73 overall), Leonte Carroo (No. 86 overall), Jakeem Grant (No. 186 overall), Jordan Lucas (No. 204 overall), Brandon Doughty (No. 223 overall), Thomas Duarte (No. 231 overall)
Day 1 grade: B
Day 2 grade: D
Day 3 grade: C+
Overall grade: C+
The skinny: Tunsil is the best pass protector in the draft, and Ryan Tannehill really needed help up front. Can't give out an "A", though, given the question marks surrounding his off-field character. Before the draft even began, Miami got two solid players from the Eagles in cornerback Byron Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonso for the price of just five draft slots -- a nice deal.
Finding a talented receiver like Carroo in the third round was a boon to the Dolphins' offense, as was adding the speedy Drake. But will the Alabama back be more than a role player? And will he stay healthy? Taking Howard in the top 50 was a bit rich. They also gave up multiple 2017 mid-round picks to get Carroo, which might come back to bite their team depth in the future.
Miami didn't have a lot of picks to work with, which was too bad because the fourth and fifth rounds were full of good players. Lucas, however, was a good pick at safety. Duarte will give the team value as a mismatch tight end
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New England Patriots
Draft picks:Cyrus Jones (No. 60 overall), Joe Thuney (No. 78 overall), Jacoby Brissett (No. 91 overall), Vincent Valentine (No. 96 overall), Malcolm Mitchell (No. 112 overall), Kamu Grugier-Hill (No. 208 overall), Elandon Roberts (No. 214 overall), Ted Karras (No. 221 overall), Devin Lucien (No. 225 overall)
Day 1 grade: Incomplete
Day 2 grade: B
Day 3 grade: B
Overall grade: B
The skinny: The Patriots forfeited their first-round selection after the NFL determined that their deflating of footballs violated league policies upholding the integrity of the game.
Thuney is a typical Patriots offensive lineman, intelligent and tough; that's a good pick. Brissett has real potential to stick in the league for a long time as at least a valued backup. Valentine's consistency is lacking, but Bill Belichick might be able to get the most out of him. The Pats picked up yet another fourth-round pick in a trade, as well. They'll be able to find help at the skill positions on Day 3 in this draft.
Belichick found a high-character and athletic receiver in Mitchell in the fourth. Roberts should stick with the team. Karras, the grandson of Detroit Lions legend Alex Karras, is a perfect fit for the Patriots and will get playing time eventually.
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New York Jets
Draft picks:Darron Lee (No. 20 overall), Christian Hackenberg (No. 51 overall), Jordan Jenkins (No. 83 overall), Juston Burris (No. 118 overall), Brandon Shell (No. 158 overall), Lac Edwards (No. 235 overall), Charone Peake (No. 241 overall)
Day 1 grade: A
Day 2 grade: B+
Day 3 grade: B+
Overall grade: A-
The skinny: In five years, Lee has a chance to be one of the best linebackers in the NFL. This is really good value. Hackenberg is an enigma, but an okay second-round pick. But if Ryan Fitzpatrick refuses to sign after that pick, it could mean disaster for 2016. Jenkins is a really good pick in the third round, and should excel as a linebacker setting the edge and rushing the passer.
Burris gives good depth in the secondary. Shell will be at least a long-term swing tackle, if not a future starter for the Jets. Edwards has a big leg and would have been highly recruited as an undrafted free agent. I like the Peake pick late in the draft, though he'll need to prove he has the hands to stick in the league.
AFC North
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Baltimore Ravens
Draft picks:Ronnie Stanley (No. 6 overall), Kamalei Correa (No. 42 overall), Bronson Kaufusi (No. 70 overall), Tavon Young (No. 104 overall), Chris Moore (No. 107 overall), Alex Lewis (No. 130 overall), Willie Henry (No. 132 overall), Kenneth Dixon (No. 134 overall), Matt Judon (No. 146 overall), Keenan Reynolds (No. 182 overall), Maurice Canady (No. 209 overall)
Day 1 grade: B
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: A
Overall grade: A-
The skinny: The Ravens had several choices here. The Stanley versus Laremy Tunsil argument will live on for a while, although no one can blame teams for laying off Tunsil. DeForest Buckner was also on the board for the Ravens.
General manager Ozzie Newsome picked up two future starters in the pass rusher Correa and five-technique Kaufusi on Day 2, getting max value for those picks.
Want a speed demon to stretch defenses? Too bad, the Ravens got him in Moore. Young is a typical Ravens corner pick, smaller in stature but willing to mix it up with anyone. The Harbaugh brothers probably discussed the Ravens' picking Henry over dinner. Dixon was also a solid pick, the fourth straight year the team picked a back in the fourth round. Judon will prove to be a steal in the fifth; he was a legitimate third-round talent despite playing Division II football.
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Cincinnati Bengals
Draft picks:William Jackson III (No. 24 overall), Tyler Boyd (No. 55 overall), Nick Vigil (No. 87 overall), Andrew Billings (No. 122 overall), Christian Westerman (No. 161 overall), Cody Core (No. 199 overall), Clayton Fejedelem (No. 245 overall)
Day 1 grade: C
Day 2 grade: C
Day 3 grade: A
Overall grade: B-
The skinny: I've been high on Jackson for a long time, so the pick could be good. But picking yet another cornerback in the 1st round is leaving other areas of the team bereft of talent.
With multiple free agent departures, picking up a solid pass-catcher like Boyd was a must. Vigil was a bit of a reach this early in the draft. Billings was a steal in the fourth round. I don't believe for a second that he won't be a very good starting tackle who will, in fact, be a factor in the passing game with his length and push. Westerman was worth a third-round pick. Core has a chance to fill the Sanu slot for the Bengals.
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Cleveland Browns
Draft picks:Corey Coleman (No. 15 overall), Emmanuel Ogbah (No. 32 overall), Carl Nassib (No. 65 overall), Shon Coleman (No. 76 overall), Cody Kessler (No. 93 overall), Joe Schobert (No. 99 overall), Ricardo Louis (No. 114 overall), Derrick Kindred (No. 129 overall), Seth Devalve (No. 138 overall), Jordan Payton (No. 154 overall), Spencer Drango (No. 168 overall), Rashard Higgins (No. 172 overall), Trey Caldwell (No. 173 overall), Scooby Wright III (No. 250 overall)
Day 1 grade: B
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: B
Overall grade: B+
The skinny: Connecting Robert Griffin III with another former Baylor star, Corey Coleman, makes a lot of sense. Getting four extra picks to move down eight spots is a good deal, if you buy into the "more is more" theory when it comes to accumulating selections. Only capitalizing on the extra selections will make it a great deal.
Building on the lines was a high priority, and they did just that on day two. Ogbah and Nassib will bring it in the front seven. Shon Coleman needs to tighten up his technique but has a chance to be a bulldozer at right tackle.
The Browns tied a seven-round record with 14 picks in this draft. They kept pounding the front seven with Schobert early in the fourth, then picked up yet another a pick by trading out of 100. Louis was an "upside" pick at a position, but the better picks were Higgins and Payton. Kindred is a good story and a solid player, though the value was only average. Drango will compete for playing time at guard or right tackle in 2016. Wright was one of the top defenders in the country in 2014.
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Pittsburgh Steelers
Draft picks:Artie Burns (No. 25 overall), Sean Davis (No. 58 overall), Javon Hargrave (No. 89 overall), Jerald Hawkins (No. 123 overall), Travis Feeney (No. 220 overall), DeMarcus Ayers (No. 229 overall), Tyler Matakevich (No. 246 overall)
Day 1 grade: B+
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: C
Overall grade: A-
The skinny: Pittsburgh decided to let Cortez Allen go, so it was no surprise that they brought in another tall, long corner to take on opponents' big receivers. Burns will get a lot of penalties unless he stops being so handsy, but the potential is definitely there. Once again the Steelers play the board well, getting another versatile, tough-nosed defensive back in Davis. I thought they might look at Hargrave in the second round to build defensive line depth, so picking him up in the third was a no-brainer.
Pittsburgh addressed their offensive line with the Hawkins selection. He'll need time to mature, but has enough athleticism to play tackle on Sundays. It wouldn't be a Steelers draft without a couple of linebackers; Feeney and Matakevich will make their marks.
AFC South
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Houston Texans
Draft picks:Will Fuller (No. 21 overall), Nick Martin (No. 50 overall), Braxton Miller (No. 85 overall), Tyler Ervin (No. 119 overall), K.J. Dillon (No. 159 overall), D.J. Reader (No. 166 overall)
Day 1 grade: B
Day 2 grade: C
Day 3 grade: A
Overall grade: B-
The skinny: The Texans needed speed to go along with DeAndre Hopkins' crisp routes. It's a great combination. Dropped passes are the only thing that can slow Fuller down -- this pick becomes an "A" if he tightens that up. Giving up a future sixth isn't an issue.
Improving the pivot was crucial for the Texans in order to keep Brock Osweiler healthy. Martin's a strong force inside, though giving up a pick to move up two spots was a bit strange. Miller was a worthwhile project, though the team still needs to address the defensive line and their tight end group.
Ervin is an explosive back/returner/pass receiver to pair with Lamar Miller. Dillon is a safety prospect worth noting, could be a starter by Year 2. Nose tackle Vince Wilfork is aging, so finding Reader in the fifth was fortunate.
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Indianapolis Colts
Draft picks:Ryan Kelly (No. 18 overall), T.J. Green (No. 57 overall), Le'Raven Clark (No. 82 overall), Hassan Ridgeway (No. 116 overall), Antonio Morrison (No. 125 overall), Joe Haeg (No. 155 overall), Trevor Bates (No. 239 overall), Austin Blythe (No. 248 overall)
Day 1 grade: A
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: A
Overall grade: A
The skinny:Ryan Kelly will be a stud in the middle, and protecting Andrew Luck became truly important after he missed time last season. The Colts required help in the secondary and Green is a versatile, hard-charging defender worth a late second round pick. Clark brings some nasty to the offensive line. Ridgeway could be a big-time find if he builds consistency into his game at the next level. Morrison is a very underrated inside linebacker that should play a long time if his injury problems are behind him; he's a nice replacement for Jerrell Freeman. I thought Haeg could go to indy in the third or fourth, so they got value in the fifth.
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Jacksonville Jaguars
Draft picks:Jalen Ramsey (No. 5 overall), Myles Jack (No. 36 overall), Yannick Ngakoue (No. 69 overall), Sheldon Day (No. 103 overall), Tyrone Holmes (No. 181 overall), Branden Allen (No. 201 overall), Jonathan Woodard (No. 226 overall)
Day 1 grade: A
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: A
Overall grade: A
The skinny: The Jags needed a defensive playmaker and they got the top player on many teams' boards. His fit as a tall, long corner is perfect for Gus Bradley's system. Apparently, the Jaguars' doctors didn't have an issue with Jack's injury. If he gets back on the field, this will be an amazing bargain. Giving up pick No. 146 was worth it. Ngakoue is a pure pass rusher that will benefit from being used in subpackage to start his career.
Day provides energy into the defensive line despite his lack of size. Holmes was a very productive FCS-level player. It was shocking that Allen wasn't picked in the fourth or fifth rounds, so Jacksonville got a steal. Woodard's been on the radar for quite a while and is a late-round version of Malik Jackson.
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Tennessee Titans
Draft picks:Jack Conklin (No. 8 overall), Kevin Dodd (No. 33 overall), Austin Johnson (No. 42 overall), Derrick Henry (No. 45 overall), Kevin Byard (No. 64 overall), Tajae Sharpe (No. 140 overall), LeShaun Sims (No. 157 overall), Sebastian Tretola (No. 193 overall), Aaron Wallace (No. 222 overall), Kalan Reed (No. 253 overall)
Day 1 grade: A
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: B+
Overall grade: A
The skinny: Even after giving up quality picks in the trade up for Conklin, the Titans still made out due to their move down from the top spot. Conklin's a beast who will thrive on the right side of the line, across from Taylor Lewan. So they met their need and gained picks ... that's a win. Here's a great Day 2 haul: A powerful Heisman Trophy-winning back, a strong nose tackle, an up-and-coming pass rusher and a safety with great hands for the turnover.
Overall, this was a good haul. Sharpe can win downfield. Tretola the best among their day three guys; just tell him which way the play is going, and he'll plow a hole for Henry to run through. Reed was an underrated player who shouldn't have been Mr. Irrelevant because his talent should have received a higher grade. Wallace actually began to live up to his promise in his senior year, earning that draft spot.
AFC West
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Denver Broncos
Draft picks:Paxton Lynch (No. 26 overall), Adam Gotsis (No. 63 overall), Juston Simmons (No. 98 overall), Devontae Booker (No. 136 overall), Connor McGovern (No. 144 overall), Andy Janovich (No. 176 overall), Will Parks (No. 219 overall), Riley Dixon (No. 228 overall)
Day 1 grade: B+
Day 2 grade: B+
Day 3 grade: A
Overall grade: B+
The skinny: Lynch has work to do to become an NFL quarterback, but why not take a chance when you've got an amazing defense? If they force him onto the field, though, it will hurt his development. The only question is whether Connor Cook turns out to be just as good, and the Broncos wouldn't have had to give up third round pick to get him.
It's not hard to see that the Broncos viewed Gotsis as another hard-working five-technique like Derek Wolfe. Simmons is a fair safety prospect, as well. Booker was an excellent value in the fourth round, who could be a starter sooner than later. McGovern bolstered the interior line depth. Janovich will contribute on special teams and on offense at times. Parks is easy to like as a worthwhile backup. Dixon's big leg could send the ball into the stratosphere in the thin air of Denver.
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Kansas City Chiefs
Draft picks:Chris Jones (No. 37 overall), KeiVarae Russell (No. 74 overall), Parker Ehinger (No. 105 overall), Eric Murray (No. 106 overall), Demarcus Robinson (No. 126 overall), Kevin Hogan (No. 162 overall), Tyreek Hill (No. 165 overall), D.J. White (No. 178 overall), Dadi Nicolas (No. 203 overall)
Day 1 grade: A
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: A
Overall grade: A
The skinny: Trading out of the first round was a great move for general manager John Dorsey. He gets early second and fourth round picks, along with a sixth. Beautiful. Dorsey picked up additional picks with another trade down, which means they'll do more damage early on Day 3 (where the value isn't much different than the third round). Russell would have been an early second-round pick, at worst, without the injury.
The Chiefs started off the day with two quick picks, finding another excellent corner in Murray but a bit of a reach in Ehinger. The former Bearcat is a tough SOB, but he was more of a fifth- or sixth-round value as a bulldozing guard. Robinson has a very good skill set if his head is on straight. Hogan will be a long-time backup. White joins Murray as instant depth in the secondary. Nicolas is a edge rusher worth a flyer in the sixth.
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Oakland Raiders
Draft picks:Karl Joseph (No. 14 overall), Jihad Ward (No. 44 overall), Shilique Calhoun (No. 75 overall), Connor Cook (No. 100 overall), DeAndre Washington (No. 143 overall), Cory James (No. 194 overall), Vadal Alexander (No. 234 overall)
Day 1 grade: B
Day 2 grade: B+
Day 3 grade: C+
Overall grade: B
The skinny: Joseph is a very talented player who certainly deserves first-round consideration. He did miss a lot of last season over a non-contact injury, however. And was the 14th pick too early to secure his services? If he turns out to be another Earl Thomas, then the answer is a resounding "no."
In an effort to rebuild the defense, Oakland took two Big Ten defensive ends in Ward and Calhoun. Both were fair value where they were chosen, and should help the team rush the passer more effectively. I expected someone to go get Cook, but not a team that has a young starter and a solid young backup as well in Matt McGloin. They didn't give up much, though, in the trade and Cook could be a good investment. Washington gives the Raiders a very good third-down back option.
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San Diego Chargers
Draft picks:Joey Bosa (No. 3 overall), Hunter Henry (No. 35 overall), Max Tuerk (No. 66 overall), Joshua Perry (No. 102 overall), Jatavis Brown (No. 175 overall), Drew Kaser (No. 179 overall), Derek Watt (No. 198 overall), Donavon Clark (No. 224 overall)
Day 1 grade: B
Day 2 grade: A-
Day 3 grade: A
Overall grade: B+
The skinny: No matter what anyone says, Bosa is an explosive pass rusher who deserved to be picked here. Should the team have invested this pick in an offensive tackle, though, to protect veteran quarterback Philip Rivers? Especially with Jeremiah Attaochu and Melvin Ingram already on the roster? San Diego met its important needs by picking the best tight end in the draft early in the second round in Henry, as well as an athletic center/guard prospect in Tuerk. There is some concern about whether Tuerk can stay healthy on Sundays.
Follow Chad Reuter on Twitter _@chadreuter_.
