2014 NFL Draft – Complete Draft Grades
C’s
Arizona Cardinals:
Washington State Cougars safety Deone Bucannon (20). Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Cardinals reached in the first round with their pick of safety Deone Bucannon, as he was projected a full round lower. They got good value in the second with tight end Troy Niklas, but then gave it back in third by taking WR John Brown a couple of rounds higher than he was projected. DE Kareem Martin in the third was a good pick, as was Logan Thomas in the fourth. But the Bucannon and Brown picks made this a so-so draft for the Cards.
Grade: C
Atlanta Falcons:
The Falcons got the offensive lineman they needed in Jake Matthews at pick # 6. However, their second round pick was a bit puzzling. It’s not the Ra’Shede Hageman isn’t a good player, but the Falcons are stacked at DT, and what they really needed was an edge rusher. Safety Dez Southward fills a need, but was taken about one round too high in the fourth, as was OLB Prince Shembo, so the Falcons lost value on those picks. RB Davonta Freeman was a solid pick in the fourth, and ILB Yawin Smallwood was a good pick in the seventh. The Matthews pick stands out but the Falcons didn’t get a lot of value in this draft.
Grade: C
Detroit Lions:
The Lions could have used a receiver or a corner in the first round, but they took a tight end. I like Eric Ebron, but this was a little high for him, and the Lions didn’t really fill a need. Their second round pick in linebacker Kyle Van Noy was a great pick, and for good value. As was their third round pick, Arkansas center Travis Swanson. But the main problem with the Lions draft was that they didn’t look to fill needs at corner and wide receiver until later in the draft.
Grade: C
New England Patriots:
The Patriots first pick Dominique Easley has talent, but he’s coming off of a torn ACL. So his value was lower than where the Pats took him. In a pick for the future they took QB Jimmy Garoppolo in the second. Apparently the Patriots are trying to trade backup Ryan Mallet and Garoppolo will serve as understudy to Tom Brady. However, that pick probably won’t help them much this season, so it loses value. The Grade will go up in future years depending on how good Garoppolo turn out, and how Easley’s knee responds.
Grade: C