The NFL Draft is over. Now it’s time to pick it apart.
That’s how we’ll kill some time until rookie minicamps and NFL schedule release, taking deeper dives into the picks each team made and why.
We already know that the Washington Commanders were generally lauded for their selections, and the value acquired despite having just six picks.
Sharp Football Analysis wrote a whole story on it, which you can read right here.
ESPN’s Matt Miller came up with a fun way to break the draft down beyond typical letter
grades. He ranked the top 100 selections made in the draft regardless of round.
You can read the whole story by clicking the tweet below:
Commanders first-round pick Sonny Styles came in at No. 12, with two other Washington selections making the cut.
Before we get to the selections, here’s some background, directly from Miller, on how he built his list.
“Talent is a big factor in these rankings, but we dove deeper than that. We factored in value (where a player was drafted vs. where he was ranked predraft), scheme fit, how the selection addressed a need, what the prospect brings on the field and what draft assets were given up or added via trade in getting each player. Every round is represented, and 40% of this list consists of Day 3 picks.”
Miller had Styles in the top 12.
Here’s his rationale for Styles earning the No. 12 slot: “Styles is a future star at middle linebacker and one of my favorite picks now that we know he’ll be working in Dan Quinn’s defense. Styles’ range and aggressive ability in the backfield should give him a chance to be the Defensive Rookie of the Year in Quinn’s scheme, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he becomes the “green dot” linebacker, calling plays early in his career. My pre-draft comp for Styles was Fred Warner, and if he hits that ceiling the Commanders’ defense could become one of the league’s best in a hurry.”
Here’s the list of Miller’s picks of the entire NFL draft ranked higher than the Styles selection:
- S Caleb Downs, Dallas Cowboys (Round 1, Pick 11)
- CB Jermod McCoy, Las Vegas Raiders (Round 4, Pick 101)
- CB Mansoor Delane, Kansas City Chiefs (Round 1, Pick 6)
- WR Makai Lemon, Philadelphia Eagles (Round 1, Pick 20)
- WR. Omar Cooper Jr., New York Gets (Round 1, Pick 30)
- EDGE David Bailey, New York Jets (Round 1, Pick 2)
- RB Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals (Round 1, Pick 3)
- CB D’Angelo Ponds, New York Jets (Round 2, Pick 50)
- QB Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders (Round 1, Pick 1)
- LB Arvell Reese, New York Giants (Round 1, Pick 5)
- S Dillon Thieneman, Chicago Bears (Round 1, Pick 25)
- LB Sonny Styles, Washington Commanders (Round 1, Pick 7)
There were two other Commanders in the top 100 picks.
Former Clemson receiver Antonio Williams (Round 3, Pick 71) came in at No. 62 on this list.
Miller’s take: “It wouldn’t have been a surprise to see Washington draft a wide receiver in Round 1 — they might have if Tate were available. With no selection in Round 2, drafting a wideout in Round 3 became a must given Terry McLaurin‘s age (31) and the lack of obvious options behind him. Williams is a silky-smooth route runner who can line up on the outside or in the slot. The Commanders might have found a future WR1 in Round 3.”
Former Penn State running back Krayton Allen (Round 6, Pick 187) showed up here at No. 96 overall.
Miller’s take: “Rachaad White, Jerome Ford and Jacory Croskey-Merritt make up Washington’s backfield, meaning Allen will have a very good shot at making the roster as a sixth-round pick and carving out an immediate role. Coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at Penn State, Allen seemed to get better as a blocker last season, too, which should add to his value.”
Should Styles have been ranked higher than No. 12? Is it a plus that Allen, a sixth-round pick, is on the list? Let’s discuss in the comments below.
