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The NFL draft is complete and with its conclusion, industry experts have given their grades and analysis of how teams fared with their picks.
After the draft concluded Sunday, NFL.com’s Chad Reuter gave his grades for each NFL team.
The Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks topped his list as each team filled some needs heading into the 2024 season.
The Chiefs’ list of picks includes wide receiver Xavier Worthy, offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia and others. The Steelers drafted offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, center Zach Frazier and more. Defensive tackle Byron Murphy II and offensive guard Christian Haynes highlight the Seahawks’ picks.
Reuter gave the Chiefs an A and commended them for their top pick in Worthy, who will give quarterback Patrick Mahomes an exciting target down the field. He also praised Kansas City for getting some offensive line help with Suamataia.
“Worthy is the sort of speedy difference-maker the Chiefs have searched for since trading Tyreek Hill away in 2022, and they did not give up much value to AFC rival Buffalo in the trade up to select him,” Reuter wrote. “They also did not have to reach for Suamataia, who should work himself into the lineup at tackle or guard if he’s able to improve on his footwork.”
Reuter said the Chiefs’ fourth-round pick, tight end Jared Wiley, was one of the best picks of the fourth round and mentioned they got a bargain in defensive back Jaden Hicks.
The Steelers also received an A and Reuter complimented the value they got and said that wide receiver Roman Wilson and linebacker Payton Wilson were “fantastic finds.”
“It was just another value-filled draft for Pittsburgh,” Reuter wrote. “It was likely the Steelers would take offensive linemen on Day 1 or 2, and they found good value in Fautanu and (Frazier. Both Wilsons selected on Day 2 were also fantastic finds and should make impacts in 2024 and beyond.”
The Seahawks, another team receiving an A, got plenty of solid picks, and Reuter complimented an all-around good draft from Seattle.
“Murphy was always the pick for Seattle if available at No. 16 because of his ability to pressure quarterbacks and play the run,” Reuter wrote. “Haynes will start as a rookie for the Seahawks due to his athleticism and toughness. Re-upping defensive lineman Leonard Williams paid off the second-round investment in that trade with the Giants.”
While Reuter’s grades are high praise for the Chiefs, Steelers and Seahawks, how the team’s picks will perform this season will be the true indicator of how well they did in the draft.