2021 Overall Draft Grades

Overall Grades:

Foxsports Rob Rang (Detroit Lions — Grade: A.  While Chicago pinned its hopes on a new-age, dual-threat quarterback, the Lions took a time machine back a generation, investing their first three picks on equally unique difference-makers along the line of scrimmage.  Describing any offensive tackle as a difference-maker might sound like hyperbole, but Penei Sewell is just different.  Folks, I’ve been evaluating offensive and defensive linemen in the Pac-12 my entire career – and working in an official capacity with the conference’s Morris Trophy for the past five years – and the only offensive linemen I’ve seen this dominant were future All-Pros Tyron Smith and Alex Mack.  New Lions quarterback Jared Goff was fortunate to be protected by one of the league’s best in Andrew Whitworth while playing for the Rams. Soon, he’ll get similar protection by Sewell, who is even better as a run blocker.  New Lions coach Dan Campbell is likely just as excited about the 1-2 punch coming at defensive tackle in Levi Onwuzurike, a classic penetrating three-technique, and burly, run-stuffer Alim NcNeill, who combines shocking initial quickness with sheer power.  During his introductory press conference, Campbell infamously explained his team would "bite the kneecap off" opponents. The focus on linemen early reinforced Campbell’s proclamation.  What I like about the rest of new general manager Brad Holmes’ first draft, however, is the search for extremely competitive players didn’t end with their big guys. Detroit’s final four picks – Syracuse cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu, USC wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, Purdue linebacker Derrick Barnes and Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson – play with similar intensity.  Even better, Detroit also has one of the league’s better undrafted free-agent hauls with Kentucky center Drake Jackson, Marshall linebacker Tavante Beckett and wide receivers Javon McKinley (Notre Dame) and Sage Surratt (Wake Forest) all real candidates to make this roster. This isn’t a draft likely to be celebrated by pundits … except this one. However, this is the type of cass that helps establish an entirely new culture in Detroit and gives the Lions some of the teeth they’ve long been missing.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/grading-the-2021-nfl-draft-nfc-north-report-cards-chicago-bears-minnesota-vikings-detroit-lions-green-bay-packers

THOR'S NFC DRAFT GRADES (Lions Grade:  A.  Lions GM Brad Holmes took advantage of good fortune -- Miami’s audible to Jaylen Waddle when Cincy decided on WR J’Marr Chase over Sewell in what have been a bitterly-debated decision -- and a thrift-shopper’s eye for value throughout in bringing in one of the most impressive Lions drafts in years. In all seven picks, the Lions took a prospect in a slot that was lower than where I had him ranked on my board -- the ever-rare zero-reach draft with a full complement of picks. The Lions managed to do that while addressing all of their needs save arguably quarterback. This team’s gonna stink next year and will thus will give itself a shot to swap out Jared Goff. But with this class, that new hypothetical quarterback will be stepping into a situation with an intriguing young roster.):  https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/article/rankings/thors-nfc-draft-grades

PFN (Detroit Lions Overall Grade: A

The Lions knocked this mock draft out of the park. Six of their seven selections received A’s in some capacity. Ifeatu Melifonwu and Amon-Ra St. Brown were unfathomable value deals in the Round 3-4 range, and on Days 1 and 2, they locked down their trenches with Penei Sewell, Levi Onwuzurike, and Alim McNeil. The Lions attained optimal value at almost every juncture, earning them one of the best overall grades across the league.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-picks-grades-2021/

PFF 2021 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams (Detroit Lions - Day 1: Penei Sewell slid a bit but falls right to the Lions, who find someone to protect new quarterback Jared Goff. Sewell is a hyper-athletic tackle who gobbles up pass rushers and moves in the open field like no one at his size should. His 95.8 PFF grade in 2019, the last season he played college football, is even more impressive because he was only 19 years old at the time. Sewell could be a Lions tackle for the next decade.  Day 2: The Detroit Lions are, perhaps predictably, building from the inside out when it comes to the new regime’s first draft. After taking Penei Sewell in the first round, Detroit came back and grabbed an interior defensive lineman in the second and in the third. Levi Onwuzurike didn’t play in 2020, but he has exceptional burst and the potential to be an elite pass rusher at the next level, albeit relying on some projection based on what we saw from him in college. The consensus was all over the board in this interior defender class, but McNeill slotted in as PFF’s DT2, behind only Alabama’s Christian Barmore. McNeill is an impressive athlete for a guy who tips the scales at 320 pounds. That allows him to provide more pass-rushing juice than your typical nose tackle. It’s not difficult to see him becoming a difference-maker on a defense that sorely needs those types of players.  Melifonwu has unreal physical attributes but doesn’t always play to his size. A 6-foot-2, 205-pound corner should bully the receivers he faces, but that doesn’t show up on tape very often. He lacks an instinctive feel for the position, but he has excellent burst, breaks up plays with his long wingspan and can transition in and out of his breaks as well as anyone his size.  Day 3: Amon-Ra St. Brown has no trump card, but he’s a good all-around wide receiver. He possesses good body control, offers value after the catch, can run a full route tree and was consistently productive at USC, generating 2.11 yards per route run throughout his career. St. Brown may have to start right away for Detroit.  Draft Grade: A-):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-grades-all-32-teams

USA Today NFL draft grades: Which teams had best, worst hauls? (Detroit Lions - It wasn't sexy, but it didn't need to be given the state of this roster. The first three picks – OT Penei Sewell (Round 1), DT Levi Onwuzurike (Round 2) and DT Alim McNeill (Round 3) – replenished the trenches for an organization that wants to be tougher. New GM Brad Holmes waited until the fourth round for a receiver, but got a good one in Amon-Ra St. Brown. However the full tale won't be told until the Lions use the 2022 and 2023 first-rounders they acquired in the Matthew Stafford trade. Grade: A-):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2021/05/01/nfl-draft-grades-teams-bears-giants-jets-cowboys-raiders/4904079001/

Sporting News NFL Draft grades 2021: All 32 draft classes ranked from best (Dolphins) to worst (Raiders) (9.  Lions - Grade: A-.  New GM Brad Holmes made an early splash trading Matthew Stafford to boost future draft considerations and he delivered while on the clock this year. Detroit made it a point to get better in both trenches early and got some good secondary and linebacker depth later. Sewell was an unbeatable way to come out swinging. St. Brown is the ideal tough slot receiver for them to playoff tight end T.J. Hockenson. The Lions didn’t address wide receiver multiple times, but that’s only real knock for an important class for their latest rebuild.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-grades-2021-best-worst-classes/el9pxr18ar921xbe3wg675rw8

Prisco's 2021 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams (Detroit Lions: B+.  Best pick: Second-round defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike was used the wrong way at Washington as a nose tackle. His talent was hidden some, but it will show up on the next level.  Worst pick: They needed a young corner, but I think Ifeatu Melifonwu is just OK in the fourth round.  The skinny: The Lions went big, big, big with their first three picks, which is the right way to build a team. With Chris Spielman and Dan Campbell calling the shots along with GM Brad Holmes, you knew they would pick big players. I like it.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/priscos-2021-nfl-draft-grades-for-all-32-teams-dolphins-among-three-to-earn-a-raiders-part-of-worst-trio/

Reuter's Overall  draft grades (Overall Grade:  B+.  Analysis: Sewell was an absolute no-brainer selection for the Lions when they were on the clock at No. 7. He’ll be a dominant blocker for years to come, whether staying on the right side or eventually moving to the left side. Selecting two defensive tackles after trading for Michael Brockers earlier this offseason seemed a little strange, especially considering the other areas of the team in need of support, but Onwuzurike and McNeill are very good players worthy of their draft slotting. If Melifonwu can become as good a football player as he is an athlete, watch out NFL receivers.  St. Brown was clearly one of the best receivers available in the early fourth round, lacking great speed but providing a reliable target. Barnes met the team’s need for a strong linebacker willing to pound running backs or quarterbacks in the backfield, though it was inadvisable to give up a future fourth-round selection to trade up for him.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-final-quick-snap-grades-for-all-32-teams

Draft Wire 2021 NFL draft: Instant grades for every team (Detroit Lions - When you’re a new regime trying to establish your identity, this is how you do it. Penei Sewell gave them a franchise left tackle and a huge steal at No. 7 overall, the defensive line got disruptive 1-2 punch with Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill, and Ifeatu Melifonwu went a round later than he should have. Speaking of value, landing Amon-Ra St. Brown and Derrick Barnes with back-to-back picks in the fourth round meant Day 3 was already a success, but Jermar Jefferson gave them a nice cherry on top in the seventh. Could have used some safety help, though.  GRADE: B+):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2021-nfl-draft-grades-instant-analysis/

Yahoo (Detroit Lions - Favorite pick: Melifonwu.  Picking our favorite Lions selection is like picking our favorite child. Forced to select one, the silly value of grabbing Melifonwu outside the top 100 takes the cake. Sewell or Onwuzurike would have made perfectly viable choices here. But we’re willing to bet that Melifonwu can earn a starting role in time. Whether it will it be at corner or safety is unclear. We do know that safety is the more immediate, pressing concern, and Melifonwu has the length, athletic traits, ball instincts and run-stopping prowess to move back to his high school position. He also could be a good zone corner. Melifonwu should have gone a round earlier.  Least-favorite pick: McNeill.  We get why they took McNeill, our No. 84 overall player. The D-line needed more reinforcements after some losses at that spot, and he plays a different role than Onwuzurike, so it’s not too much overlap. But a run-stuffing nose tackle in Round 3 over some quality receivers who were on the board — Josh Palmer, Dyami Brown, Nico Collins, etc. — felt like a luxury pick. Even still, the Lions stole St. Brown a round later, which helped atone a bit, and McNeill has the look of a solid pro.  Overall: First-year GM Brad Holmes may have crushed his first crack at it. There was an emphasis on rebuilding the lines of scrimmage and adding tough, useful, highly athletic players throughout. Sewell can start at right tackle right away, and while there could be a learning curve, he looks like a future fixture. Onwuzurike will do something in this league. Day 3 netted great value and talent, especially with St. Brown and Barnes back to back in Round 4. Jefferson was good enough to go in Rounds 4 or 5, and the Lions got him with one of the final picks in the draft. All in all, a noble effort here. Grade: B+.  Grade in 2020: B-.  Grade in 2019: C):  https://sports.yahoo.com/final-2021-nfl-draft-grades-002740584.html

Daigle's 2021 NFC Draft Grades (Lions - Overview: In no position to win over the next two years, Detroit sagaciously began its rebuild from the inside out, fortifying both sides of the ball with a Jonathan Ogden-type cornerstone in Sewell (6’4/331) and large disruptive penetrators in Onwuzurike (4.88 40 at 6’3/290) and McNeill, the third-heaviest interior lineman (6’1/317) in his class. St. Brown (5’11/197) was hyper productive with 77/1,042/6 as Southern California’s primary slot receiver (88%) in 2019 and could carve out a role there given the team’s negligent surrounding talent from Week 1. Most have knocked the Lions for passing on Justin Fields at No. 7, but reversing that decision wouldn’t bring the organization any closer to fielding an impactful roster long-term, especially with Jared Goff accounting for $41.7 million through 2022.  Grade: B+):  https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/article/nfl-draft-grades/daigles-2021-nfc-draft-grades

Touchdown Wire 2021 NFL draft: Final grades for all 32 teams (Detroit Lions: B.  New Lions general manager Brad Holmes appears to believe that football is won in the trenches, because Detroit went heavy with the big guys with their first three picks. Oregon’s Penei Sewell, the best offensive lineman in this class, fell into their laps with the seventh overall pick, and that was the ultimate no-brainer. Second-round defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike from Washington was undervalued in this class because the Huskies insisted on playing at nose tackle too often, but he’ll be a real asset if he’s allowed to one-gap at tackle and end. And third-round nose tackle Alim McNeill from North Carolina State reminds me of Falcons star Grady Jarrett, and he could do even more to fulfill that projection if he’s allowed to move to three-tech and get after the quarterback more often.  Where this draft gets questionable for the Lions is in their refusal to take a receiver for Jared Goff until the fourth round, where they picked up USC’s Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown is a very nice slot and outside receiver, but he’s not a WR1, and the Lions have a bunch of WR3s behind him. Not good for a quarterback in Goff who really needs his receivers to create.):  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2021-nfl-draft-grades-32-nfl-teams/

FTW (16. Lions:  The Lions upgraded the trenches for sure, but they might have been able to squeeze a bit more value out of this by using one of their defensive tackle picks on other positions. Still, this team is very far away from being a contender so it doesn’t matter all too much. At least the defensive tackles they picked were good players. And they got their receiver later in the draft with Amon-Ra St. Brown.  Grade: B-):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/grading-and-ranking-every-2021-nfl-draft-class-from-the-texans-to-ravens

Walter Football 2021 NFL Draft Team Grades ( Detroit Lions: C Grade.  Goals Entering the 2021 NFL Draft: The Lions could select a quarterback in the first round, but they're most likely to wait because they're willing to give Jared Goff a shot. Besides, no quarterback would be put in a position to win with this dreadful roster. The Lions have holes at almost every position, so it would be in their best interest to just obtain the best players available at each selection (save for running back and center.)  2021 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Lions' front office vigorously celebrated the Penei Sewell selection. Can you blame them? The Falcons, Bengals and Dolphins easily could have chosen Sewell without any complaints, yet a franchise left tackle fell into the Lions' lap.  Detroit needed to carry over that celebration to its other selections because none of their other picks scored above a "B" grade. Some choices were quite bad. Alim McNeill was a reach in the third round. Meanwhile, some like Derrick Barnes, but the Lions traded way up for him, expending way too many resources for a mediocre linebacker.  Sewell will certainly help the Lions improve, but I don't think many of their other picks will have much of an impact in that regard. Detroit will continue to be one of the worst teams in the NFL, which, I suppose, is for the best for 2022 NFL Draft tanking purposes.):  https://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgradesteam.php

Grade Count:

A (3)

A- (3)

B+ (5)

B (1)

B- (1)

C (1)