News: Mel Kiper draft grades

Carson

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I’m not sure how you get a higher grade.

Every pick was rated higher than where we selected.

Filled every hole needed. Slot WR, CB, DT, CB / S, Edge, C.
 

Aerolithe_Lion

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Curious what Philly’s strategy was. They seem to be trying to mimic what KC did. Throw a bunch of speedy, short WRs out there and then have Kelce wreak havoc.

Howie said they traded for Marquise because they knew bringing in a field of inexperienced WRs in 2020 wasn’t going to go well, and then we ended up getting both Hightower and Watkins at the end because they were debating between both earlier in the draft and couldn’t believe they were still there. The goal is now competition to elevate the better player(s).
 

Aerolithe_Lion

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Silver N Blue

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He had Reggie Robinson 216th overall. I'm surprised he didn't rip them for that pick.
True and I noticed that as well but with his statement about rocketing up draft boards I take that as he is letting us know he is apart of the group where the rocketing is legit and he put the stamp on Robinson with his most improved athlete comment in 2019. Either way still solid draft with talent on both sides of the ball. As a fan I’m just taking this as a positive move in the right direction this team held true to their draft board. For me I don’t care if you have a F grade or an A it’s what they do on the field that matters. Still walking around the house today with a smile on a pretty positive weekend. I just saw you have it as a A- so it looks like you have a smile as well. Thanks again for all the informational work you put into these drafts.
 

seamus18

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Sorry, but this draft can’t be graded less than an A. Just a fantastic job at the top putting together one of the best drafts I have seen in many years. Time will tell, but if you’re going to grade drafts after they happen, than this is a straight up A. Couldn’t mock a better draft from the middle of every round. Very excited.
 

Carson

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But every pick wasn't rated higher for him. Diggs and Robinson were lower. Our 7th round QB didn't even make his top 300.

Of course not. I’m sure he’s also sad we didn’t go first round safety like he predicts mostly every year
 

Redball Express

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https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2020/...per-all-32-classes-best-picks-steals-sleepers


Dallas Cowboys: B+

Top needs: DB, DE, WR, C

Jason Garrett, who had been the coach of the Cowboys since 2010, is gone after Dallas went 8-8, but you really can't blame the offense for what went down. Dak Prescott looked like a legitimate superstar. Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper had great seasons. There are still a few stars along the offensive line, even if Travis Frederick has retired. It was the defense that was the big problem; Dallas had seven interceptions, tied for fewest in the NFL.

So I was pleasantly surprised Thursday night when the Cowboys stuck to their draft board and took the best player available, with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb falling into their laps at No. 17. "You can't have enough playmakers," new coach Mike McCarthy said. And I agree. Now Cooper, Lamb and Michael Gallup will form one of the most talented wide receiver corps in the league, and this offense should once again be one of the league's best. The Cowboys have made some upgrades on defense in free agency but still have holes. It's going to be interesting. But credit McCarthy and the Dallas front office for stacking a strength on a strength and deciding to figure out the defense on Day 2.

I wasn't as high on cornerback Trevon Diggs (51), but I'm fine with him in the middle of Round 2. He would have been a reach in the first round, which is where some teams graded him. Neville Gallimore (82) has some potential as a penetrating 1- or 3-technique tackle. Cornerback Reggie Robinson (123) was rocketing up draft boards over the past few weeks, and he was one of the most improved players in the country in 2019. Bradlee Anae (179) is one of my favorite Day 3 picks -- I had him ranked 89th overall and he went 90 spots lower. Dallas also added a potential Frederick replacement in Tyler Biadasz (146).

Again, credit Dallas here for sticking to its board and getting value. If Anae and/or Biadasz develop into starters, this could be an A-plus in a couple of years.

1/17 CeeDee Lamb WR Oklahoma
2/51 Trevon Diggs CB Alabama
3/82 Neville Gallimore DT Oklahoma
4/123 Reggie Robinson II CB Tulsa
4/146 Tyler Biadasz C Wisconsin
5/179 Bradlee Anae DE Utah
7/231 Ben DiNucci QB James Madison
What would we do without Mel Kiper.?

He tries to hedge his calls with projection of 3 years from now.

What a moron. Mel..

as fervent as we are as fans we are not following your comment for 3 years.

Sorry buddy. Life is too short to pay homage to YOU.

Insane.
 

WillieBeamen

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I give it an A-.


I really wish we wouldve traded up to get Baun. Would be a perfect Sam in this defense and can get after the QB
 

baltcowboy

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Mel was the lowest on Diggs that I've seen. Gave him a 3rd round grade. Actually had Gallimore rated a little higher.

He only gave out one A though. To his Baltimore Ravens.
He seems to give the Ravens an “A” every year. They did well this year with names but I don't believe they drafted a star. They hit and miss like us for the most part.
 

RS12

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I am more interested in the real draft grade. That would be 3 years from now where "you are what you are".
 

DCowboyz

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I haven't seen anyone give us lower than an A for this draft. I myself think it was an A, the only confusing pick was that QB, I'd rather just signed a veteran under Dak. That guy won't even make the 53.
 

Hawkeye19

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He is right. If Biadasz and Anae (and I include Robinson) become starters, this goes to an A+ obviously.

He clearly didn’t like the Diggs pick— but if Trevon thrives in our system— who cares what Mel thinks lol?
 

Shake_Tiller

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I was just about an original Kiper subscriber. He used to answer the phone when I called each year to get the book. And it was fantastic. Better than Christmas. I took Mel's book and Buchsbaum's. I liked Joel's because it was the best guide to what would happen. I liked Mel's for his iconoclastic views and sharp opinions.

Mel stepped away from that a long time ago. That's why the Kiper "highlights" at the end of the draft are almost exclusively extremely vintage. I don't blame the guy. He has become an icon.

I don't mind the grade. I'm less persuaded by his reasons. Robinson wasn't rocketing up the charts, and he knows it. The draft analysts, including Mel, just caught up to what the NFL thought.

Anyhow, I do miss the old Kiper. But I'm happy he made it big. He was a nice guy and a genuine draft lunatic. In the best way.
 

CouchCoach

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Mel Kiper is a hoot. If you've tracked him, grades are subject to how much the team followed his mock for them. He gets visibly upset and terse as the draft wears on when his "picks" are still on the board. Mel has established himself with many people as the "draft guru", just not many GM's.

On the pre-grade, because there will be a grade at the end of the next 3 years, I give them an A. While they didn't improve the D with the 1st pick, it was impossible for the #1 O in 2019 to pass up a player like that and the future past this season must come into play and this pick should keep them from overpaying for Gallup and will apply a little pressure to a #1WR that can disappear at times.

Add to this they have an O HC and an OC that likes the pass game and options. The Cowboys have been riding the O for many years and this season will be no different. Other than that center ring act in KC, where's there a better show?
 

Aven8

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Mel was the lowest on Diggs that I've seen. Gave him a 3rd round grade. Actually had Gallimore rated a little higher.

He only gave out one A though. To his Baltimore Ravens.

Balty did have a nice draft. I’m amazed as I though a lot of that was Ozzie Newsome, but it’s just the same.
 

CouchCoach

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Balty did have a nice draft. I’m amazed as I though a lot of that was Ozzie Newsome, but it’s just the same.
His system is still in effect and Harbaugh is a good judge of football talent.

It looks like a two horse race in the AFC, I don't think BAL makes the same mistake in being over confident once in the playoffs.

BAL has been a franchise that intrigues me. They let their HC and QB go into their final contract year, which doing either is risky but both is really out there, and won a SB. But then they give the QB 20M a year and have to start disassembling the team. And that was under Newsome. That was the first case of the QB market and where it would go and everything followed that.
 
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