The 2016 NFL Draft is barely a couple hours complete, and draft grades are quickly coming out. There were numerous grades as picks were happening, and we are starting to see some cumulative grades. Grades were fairly positive early on, but it was quite the mixed bag for the much of Saturday.
We'll have more of a rundown of the grades Sunday morning, but in the meantime, I thought I'd see what you all think of what has gone down. Opinions vary on a lot of players, and of course, the later in the draft we get, the more "WTF?" we hear about unknown players.
Opinions on picks include some combination of need and name. The 49ers did not select an inside linebacker, which was viewed as a need. We'll find out before too long whether or not this means Gerald Hodges and/or Michael Wilhoite are the answer. I can only presume that the team likes Hodges for the role, but who really knows. We're left to judge without knowing quite certain what's going on. Of course, draft grades as a whole are based on a lot of uncertainty.
On the other hand, people grow attached to certain names they've watched or scouted. It happens when we get into training camp, and it happens with draft prospects. It's just human nature. We won't know for at least a couple years how right or wrong we are about our intuitions. I suppose that's why it's so fascinating to follow along and see how it all plays out.
Here is a full rundown of the team's draft. I've included a poll for grading the class. We won't factor in UDFAs at this point. How do you grade this haul?
1 (7) DeForest Buckner, DT, Oregon
1 (28). Joshua Garnett, OG, Stanford
3 (5) Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State
4 (35). Rashard Robinson, CB, LSU
5 (3). Ronald Blair, DE, Appalachian State
5 (6). John Theus, OT, Georgia
5 (35). Fahn Cooper, OT, Ole Miss
6 (32). Jeff Driskel, QB, Louisiana Tech
6 (36). Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida
6 (38). Aaron Burbridge, WR, Michigan State
7 (28). Prince Charles Iworah, CB, Western Kentucky