NFL Draft Grades: Experts Pick Round 1 Winners and Losers - New York Times

4. Denzel Ward, CB, Browns: B-

Another top pick, another B- for the Browns. Defensive end Bradley Chubb was available, making this choice a little puzzling to some. "Maybe the Browns know something we don't," USA Today wrote, unconvincingly. Even Bleacher Report, which gave the pick an A- said, "This is a tough one to grade." GPA: 2.62.

5. Bradley Chubb, DE, Broncos: A

The hands-down best pick of the top 5, the experts believe. "A pass rush consisting of Von Miller and Bradley Chubb is going to result in pure carnage for opposing offensive lines," Bleacher Report said. Many thought the Broncos would take a quarterback, but few faulted this pick. GPA: 3.92.

6. Quenton Nelson, G, Colts: B+

An offensive guard in the top 6? USA Today loved it, calling Nelson "the best offensive line prospect in recent memory." Sports Illustrated was not impressed, saying the Colts should have gone with a defensive player: "The Colts can block better now, but it won't matter if their opponents score 40 each week." GPA: 3.48

Others They Loved

The highest grade of the draft, even higher than Chubb, went to Derwin James, the safety selected by the Chargers at No. 17. The strong consensus had been that he would go much higher, giving the Chargers a steal this low. With three A+'s, two A's and just one B, his GPA was a 3.98. "James is an explosive athlete who can be an enforcer in the box, cover slot receivers or play deep safety," wrote USA Today.

Good grades also for these three picks: Roquan Smith (Bears, No. 8) "Feels like the Bears got the next great young linebacker," Yahoo. Josh Rosen (Cardinals, No. 10) "The best quarterback in the draft," Bleacher Report. Lamar Jackson (Ravens, No. 32) "An electric talent who will benefit from sitting behind Flacco," Bleacher Report.

Others They Hated

The worst pick of the first round, according to the experts? Rashaad Penny, a running back taken by the Seahawks at No. 27. CBS gave the pick a C, and that was the high point. He also got a C-, a D+ and three Ds. Many felt Penny was a solid player but that wasting a first-round pick on a decent running back was a mistake. "Penny was seen as a second- or third-round prospect among teams," wrote Walter Football. GPA: 1.33.

Two others that graded below a C: defensive end Marcus Davenport, taken by the Saints at No. 14 ("This is absolutely atrocious," Walter Football) and safety Terrell Edmunds, taken by the Steelers at No. 28 ("Edmunds is more of Day 3 pick," Bleacher Report).

The Jury is Out

No player divided opinion more than Josh Allen, the Wyoming quarterback who at one point was considered a candidate to go No. 1 overall. The Bills got him at No. 7 after a trade with the Buccaneers, and the grades ranged from an A+ to F. Pete Prisco of CBS could not have liked it more: "They get the best QB in the draft and they had to go make the move to get him. Love the trade, love the pick."

Steven Ruiz at For the Win of USA said: "Allen is inaccurate, struggles to read defenses and is uncomfortable from the pocket. Other than that, he's a pretty good quarterback." He also reminded readers that last season the Bills at one point opted for Nathan Peterman over Tyrod Taylor.

One of them may be right. It may take a few years, but eventually we'll find out.

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