QB or not QB? The Las Vegas Raiders answered that question quickly with the first overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday. They chose Heisman Trophy winner and Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first of 32 picks on the evening. Some of the picks were predictable, others were surprising.
How did the teams that had first-round selections make out with the choice? Good? Bad? Bust? Time to dole out the grades after the first day of the three-day extravaganza known as the NFL draft.
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Tom Brady chooses another Big Ten quarteback with the first pick in the draft. Will Mendoza's mercurial rise pay dividends or is this recency bias? Grade: B-
The Jets went with Bailey of Texas Tech over Arvell Reese of Ohio State. He had a huge year in Lubbock with 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. The Jets need everything. They hope this is a start. Grade: B-
The Notre Dame running back Love is arguably the most talented player at any position in the draft. Yes, the Cardinals have backs but Love has an incredibly high ceiling. Grade: A
The Titans get a pair of hands for Cam Ward. Robert Saleh is a defensive coach and he goes offensive for Brian Daboll. This might have been a spot to trade down and get the same player who never had a 1,000-yard season in college. Grade: C-
The Giants get a player that many speculated could have gone as high as the second overall pick. He will fit nicely into John Harbaugh's scheme on defense. Pick: B+
The first huge move in the NFL draft saw the Kansas City Chiefs acquire this pick from the Cleveland Browns. How could this backfire on the AFC North team? The Chiefs are rebuilding their secondary after trading Trent McDuffie to the Rams. They grab LSU's Mansoor Delane, the best DB in the draft. Grade: B
The third Ohio State Buckeye in the first seven picks goes to the Commanders. If Sonny Styles can match his athletic skills to talent on the field, this will be a stellar choice. That is always a big if. Grade: C+
The Saints need a lot on offense. Will Tyson be able to stay on the field? That's the biggest issue with the Arizona State Sun Devil. Grade: C
The Browns moved back and went big with the offensive tackle from Utah. They added a third- and fifth-rounder in the deal. Fano will protect whomever is the quarterback in Cleveland well. Grade: C+
Have to wonder why Caleb Downs wasn't the pick here or before. The Giants grab a right tackle Mauigoa to fortify their offensive line and protect Jaxson Dart. Did they excel with two top 10 picks? Ehhhh. Grade: C
The Cowboys must have loved the way this draft was going as they moved up in a swap of 11 and 12 with the Dolphins. Were they afraid Miami was going to take Ohio State DB Caleb Downs? This could be a pick other teams rue not making. Downs was thought to be a higher pick, why did he drop out of Top 10? Grade: A
The Dolphins move back a slot and get the massive tackle from Alabama. The challenge will be reaching in and getting all that talent out of Proctor. Worth the risk? Time will tell. Grade: C
Certainly feels like the Rams should have traded back here and still picked up the Alabama quarterback. Good thing he can watch Matthew Stafford because this at 13 feels like a huge reach. Grade: D-
Ronnie Stanley is getting older and Ioane feels like the perfect pick for this team. It will need another beastly OT and Ioane has the potential to be that. Grade: B
Bain drops to 15 and gets to stay in the Sunshine State. What could be better for the team and player as the Bucs get a fierce rusher. A nice choice Grade: B+
Geno Smith goes from having Brock Bowers at TE to Kenyon Sadiq with the Jets. Sadiq should not expect to spend too many years catching pass from the veteran. The Jets need so much. Not sure this will help in short run. Grade: C
Dan Campbell looks for the rough and rugged types and Miller fits the mold. Detroit needs players to stay healthy as it is always banged up. Expect a lot from Miller early. Pick: B-