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NFL draft grades 2018: Packers earn high marks for top picks

By Keegan Jackish

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Jaire Alexander of Louisville poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Jaire Alexander of Louisville poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Quenton Nelson of Notre Dame after he was picked #6 overall by the Indianapolis Colts during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Quenton Nelson of Notre Dame after he was picked #6 overall by the Indianapolis Colts during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Houston Texans

Favorite pick: Duke Ejiofor, EDGE, Wake Forest

Overall grade: B-

The Texans didn’t pick until the third round of the draft, but I still felt like they put together a very impressive class. Brian Gaine had a great first draft.

Justin Reid was a great pick and he should be NFL-ready for them. David Shaw always does a good job making sure his players are ready for the NFL if they have the talent.

I also like the Martinas Rankin pick that they made later on in the third round. He is a very versatile offensive lineman who I think is best suited to play offensive tackle and could help replace Duane Brown.

Getting Duke Ejiofor in the sixth round was a steal as well. I thought he could have gone in the second round.

Indianapolis Colts

Favorite pick: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame

Overall grade: A

Andrew Luck should be ecstatic that Chris Ballard drafted Quenton Nelson after years of having a terrible interior offensive line. It appears that Ballard has finally fixed that by drafting not just just Nelson, but Braden Smith from Auburn as well.

They spent the majority of their day two picks on guys that can get to the quarterback, which they were in desperate need of. Matt Eberflus should be thrilled about that.

I also love the Nyheim Hines pick in the fourth round. He is a pass-catching back similar to Darren Sproles. The added bonus to the pick is that Frank Reich has coached Sproles before and has experience with backs like that.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Favorite pick: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama

Overall grade: A- 

The Jaguars have been very well run recently under Dave Caldwell, Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone, and they deserve a huge pat on the back for fixing this Jacksonville franchise.

Taven Bryan is a stud who will add to an already great defensive line, and Ronnie Harrison dominated the SEC.

D.J. Chark is, in my opinion, the second best receiver in this year’s class, and I can’t believe he slid to Jacksonville all the way to the late second round either. He can be a decent replacement for Allen Robinson in time.

Tanner Lee was an interesting pick in the fifth round. He has a cannon and was a pretty good quarterback at Nebraska, but I would have gone with Luke Falk instead there.

Tennessee Titans

Favorite pick: Luke Falk, QB, Washington State

Overall grade: B

The Tennessee Titans had a great draft and they addressed several big needs. They may have stolen Rashaan Evans from the Patriots in the first round, but they should be even happier with the Harold Landry pick. I thought he could have gone as high as the top 15. Landry fills a key need but was also one of the best players available at the time of the pick.

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Luke Falk was a great pick in the sixth round as well. Even though the Titans have Marcus Mariota, it never hurts to have too many good quarterbacks. Down the road Falk could come in handy if they can flip him for a draft pick Ron Wolf-style.

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