April 25, 2020
I’ll be posting 2020 NFL Draft Grades for every pick. Why not grade all of the trades?
49ers acquire OT Trent Williams from Redskins for No. 156 (Keith Ismael), 2021 3rd-rounder
The 49ers were not an obvious landing spot for Trent Williams earlier this offseason. However, things changed recently when Joe Staley told the front office that he planned to retire because of medical issues. Staley made it official today, so he should be congratulated on a great career.
Staley, however, needed to be replaced, and Williams is the perfect candidate for that. It’s a bit concerning that Williams didn’t play last year, but even at 80 percent, he’ll be a terrific blind-side protector for Jimmy Garoppolo. What’s nice is that Williams is familiar with Kyle Shanahan’s system, given that he once played for him in Washington.
The Redskins, meanwhile, didn’t quite get the compensation they should’ve received for Williams’ talent, but a third-round selection in 2021 is an OK haul. The 49ers won this trade, but I wouldn’t grade Washington very poorly.
Grade for 49ers – A+
Grade for Redskins – C+
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Dolphins acquire RB Matt Breida from 49ers for No. 153 (Colton McKivitz)
It was a shocking turn of events that the Dolphins didn’t select a running back in the entire draft, unless you want to count seventh-rounder Malcolm Perry (I don’t.) The team was in dire need of running back help, so they were expected to be in the De’Andre Swift and Jonathan Taylor sweepstakes. They missed out on both and the rest of the talented backs.
The Dolphins, however, made up for it by acquiring Matt Breida. The former 49er is a talented back who has flashed his game-breaking ability at times. His problem is remaining healthy, but the upside is certainly there. He’s well worth the gamble for a fifth-round pick, especially when considering how much draft capital Miami had at its disposal.
Meanwhile, the 49ers needed a selection because they didn’t have many picks. They also had a wealth of talent at running back, so they had the luxury of being able to part with one of their players at the position.
Grade for Dolphins – A-
Grade for 49ers – B+
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Eagles acquire WR Marquise Goodwin from 49ers for swap of 6th-round picks
Marquise Goodwin’s career could be described as “what could’ve been.” Goodwin was a very promising receiver coming out of Texas who flashed in his early seasons in the NFL. However, he could never stay healthy. He was constantly being set back by injuries, and those injuries have sapped his explosion. Once a potent deep threat, Goodwin is just a pedestrian talent.
That said, I don’t mind the gamble the Eagles took. They basically gave up nothing – just a swap of sixth-round picks – to acquire Goodwin. I actually wouldn’t be surprised if Goodwin fails to make the final 53-man roster, but this was worth a shot.
Grade for Eagles – B
Grade for 49ers – B+
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Saints acquire Nos. 105 (Adam Trautman) from Vikings for Nos. 130, 169, 203, 244
I like Adam Trautman, and some teams viewed him as the top tight end in this class. I can certainly appreciate a team trading up for him. It’s much better than making a move for Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene.
That said, it’s pretty wild that the Saints gave up four players for Trautman. I don’t mind the move, but you have to appreciate what the Vikings did. All of this draft capital will allow Minnesota to be very flexible on Day 3.
Grade for Saints – B
Grade for Vikings – A
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Patriots acquire Nos. 101 (Dalton Keene) from Jets for Nos. 125, 129, 2021 6th-rounder
I can’t believe this, but Bill Belichick was fleeced by the Jets. The Patriots gave up way too much draft capital for a third-day tight end. I can’t believe they surrendered a fourth and a sixth next year for Dalton Keene, especially after they just drafted a tight end. There were plenty of talented tight ends available, so the Patriots could’ve just gotten one at No. 125.
Grade for Patriots – D
Grade for Jets – A
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Patriots acquire Nos. 91 (Devin Asiasi), 159 from Raiders for Nos. 100 (Tanner Muse), 139, 172
This is the first of two bizarre trades the Patriots made late on Day 2, both of which were for tight ends who belonged on Day 3. The Patriots surrendered a fifth-round pick, plus a swap in their favor, for Devin Asiasi. Considering how many talented tight ends there were available, I don’t understand why New England gave up anything to move up. Devin Asiasi or someone of his caliber would’ve been there at No. 100.
The Raiders definitely won the trade, as Mike Mayock prevailed in this battle. The Raiders didn’t get a massive haul or anything, but they picked up an asset just for moving down nine spots late in the third round.
Grade for Patriots – C-
Grade for Raiders – B
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Lions acquire Nos. 75 (Jonah Jackson), 197 from Colts for Nos. 85 (Julian Blackmon), 149, 182
I don’t understand why the Lions thought they had to move up 10 spots for Jonah Jackson. I’m not even sure Jackson belonged in the third round to begin with, so Detroit may have been able to obtain him at No. 85. Fortunately, the Lions essentially gave up just a fifth-rounder to make the move, so it wasn’t a very expensive trade.
I’d say the Colts won this deal. I don’t like Julian Blackmon very much either, but at least Indianapolis picked up a fifth-round choice in the process.
Grade for Lions – C-
Grade for Colts – B
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Saints acquire No. 74 (Zack Baun) from Browns for Nos. 88 (Jordan Elliott), 2021 third-round pick
The Saints didn’t have much draft capital to work with, so it’s not a surprise that they had to dip into their 2021 draft stock to make this trade happen. I’d say it’s worth it. Zack Baun is a prospect who easily could’ve been chosen in the first round, but he slipped for reasons that are not quite clear yet. Still, New Orleans is getting a talented player who fills a huge need for the price of a third-round choice. The Saints are trying to win it all this year, so 2021 selections mean less to them.
While I’d say the Saints won this trade, the Browns are also getting a terrific grade. They moved down 14 spots and still acquired a talented player in Jordan Elliott, and yet they were able to pick up a third-round choice in the process. I think both teams deserve an A+.
Grade for Saints – A+
Grade for Browns – A+
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Panthers acquire No. 64 (Jeremy Chinn) from Seahawks for Nos. 69 (Damien Lewis), 148
I like this move for both teams. The Seahawks didn’t lose anything for moving down five picks, as they were still able to upgrade their offensive line by shifting down five spots and picking up a fifth-round pick for them. It was a sweet deal for the Seahawks.
That said, I’d have to say the Panthers were the winners. Jeremy Chinn was getting some first-round hype, so they correctly determined that they had to leap some teams with safety needs. Giving up a fifth-round choice for a player who can start on Day 1 is a good move.
Grade for Panthers – A
Grade for Seahawks – A-
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Patriots acquire No. 60 (Josh Uche), 129 from Ravens for Nos. 71 (Justin Madubuike), 98 (Malik Harrison)
If this trade seems even on the trade value chart, you would be correct. In fact, it’s dead even, with both teams scoring 343 points apiece. It’s no surprise that two smart teams would be so shrewed on compensation.
That said, I think the Ravens won this trade. It didn’t seem necessary for the Patriots to move up 11 spots and relinquish a fourth-round pick for Josh Uche. I like Baltimore’s haul better than Uche, so I’d say the Ravens won this deal.
Grade for Patriots – C
Grade for Ravens – A
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Seahawks acquire No. 48 (Darrell Taylor) from Jets for Nos. 59 (Denzel Mims), 101
The Jets are the clear winners of this trade. Darrell Taylor was someone the Seahawks probably could have obtained at No. 48. If not him, then someone similar like Josh Uche. There was no reason to move up 11 spots for him, relinquishing a compensatory third-round pick in the process. That was too valuable of a resource to make a move like this.
Oddly, the Jets obtained the better prospect at No. 59, and they picked up a third-rounder in the process. They ended up trading that selection to the Patriots, so New York did a good job of picking up plenty of assets.
Grade for Seahawks – O’BRIEN
Grade for Jets – A+
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Colts acquire No. 41 (Jonathan Taylor) from Browns for Nos. 44 (Grant Delpit), 160
This is a rare case where both teams made a terrific trade. The Colts wanted a better running back than Marlon Mack, so they had to leap over the rival Jaguars, who may have wanted to replace Leonard Fournette. Indianapolis landed a stellar prospect in Jonathan Taylor for just a fifth-round prospect.
The Browns, meanwhile, landed the prospect they wanted at No. 41 and were able to pick up an extra asset in the process. I love this move for both teams.
Grade for Colts – A
Grade for Browns – A
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Packers acquire No. 26 (Jordan Love) from Dolphins for Nos. 30 (Noah Igbinoghene), 136
Let’s forget for a second that the Packers were in the NFC Championship last year and just needed a couple more pieces around Aaron Rodgers to potentially reach the Super Bowl. Green Bay’s decision to select Jordan Love was horrible for so many reasons, but I want to discuss the details of this trade for the purposes of these grades.
So, with that in mind, the question that must be asked is did the Packers need to trade up for the ability to select Love? The teams they hopped over – Seahawks, Ravens, Titans – were not going to select Love, unless you believe they were willing to give up on Russell Wilson, Lamar Jackson and the newly paid Ryan Tannehill, respectively. Obviously, this was not going to occur, so there’s an extremely good chance the Packers could’ve remained at No. 30 and taken Love. That’s right – they could’ve made a horrible draft choice without surrendering a fourth-round pick in the process.
I’m not crazy about the Noah Igbinoghene selection for the Dolphins, but there’s no question that Miami won this trade. The Dolphins did a good job of picking up an extra fourth-rounder. With lots of ammunition on Days 2 and 3, Miami could make a move to trade up for a running back.
Grade for Packers – O’BRIEN
Grade for Dolphins – A
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49ers acquire No. 25 (Brandon Aiyuk) from Vikings for Nos. 31 (Jeff Gladney), 117, 176
I thought the 49ers won their first trade of the opening night, but this one was more of a head-scratcher. For a team with limited resources beyond the first round, San Francisco should’ve been trading down rather than doing the opposite. Furthermore, it’s not as though Brandon Aiyuk is some rare prospect the 49ers had to snatch. Look at all of the talented receivers who fell out of the opening frame. Denzel Mims, Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman and Chase Claypool are just four names off the top of my head. Trading up for Aiyuk was unnecessary.
The Vikings, meanwhile, saw the cornerback they wanted (A.J. Terrell) get plucked off the board earlier, so they wisely traded down for another corner. They conveniently parked themselves ahead of the Chiefs, who wanted Gladney. They also picked up fourth- and fifth-round choices in the process, so this was a great trade for them.
Grade for 49ers – C-
Grade for Vikings – A
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Chargers acquire No. 23 (Kenneth Murray) from Patriots for Nos. 37, 71
This move is dead even per the trade value chart, so there’s no winner as far as that is concerned. Thus, it’s important to look at the circumstances for each team. For the Chargers, they gave up a valuable resource to move up for a player who won’t help their new rookie quarterback. Kenneth Murray fills a need, but the Chargers needed to help Justin Herbert with an offensive lineman or a running back. I don’t think the Chargers should have traded up without assisting Herbert.
The Patriots, meanwhile, didn’t have a second-round pick, so they needed to trade out of No. 23. Picking up an extra third-round choice will be huge for the team’s rebuilding efforts. I say Bill Belichick won this one, which can’t be a surprise.
Grade for Chargers – C
Grade for Patriots – B+
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Buccaneers acquire No. 13 (Tristan Wirfs), No. 245 (7th) from 49ers for No. 14 (Javon Kinlaw), No. 117 (4th)
It was shocking to see Tristan Wirfs fall to No. 13. The Buccaneers were surprised as well, as they made sure they landed the last of the blue-chip tackles to protect Tom Brady. I don’t blame them at all for shifting up one spot to land Wirfs. Sliding three rounds on Day 3 won’t be the end of the world, especially if it means that their 43-year-old quarterback is well protected.
I like this trade for the Buccaneers, but I’d say the 49ers are the winners. San Francisco wanted Henry Ruggs, so when he was off the board, the team wisely moved down a spot. The 49ers would’ve taken Javon Kinlaw at No. 13 anyway, so why not slide up three rounds on Day 3 for nothing?
Grade for Buccaneers – B+
Grade for 49ers – A
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