Live 2016 NFL Draft Grades: Round 6

These Live 2016 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Follow @walterfootball for updates.

2016 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades

Denver Broncos: Andy Janovich, FB, Nebraska C Grade
I have no issues with a team drafting a fullback, or anything, but there were better players at the position available for the Broncos. They probably could’ve drafted Janovich in the seventh frame (or taken a superior fullback.)

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Los Angeles Rams: Temarrick Hemingway, TE, South Carolina State: B Grade
It makes sense for the Rams to draft a second tight end, just in case Tyler Higbee can’t stay out of trouble. Based on Higbee’s off-the-field issues, perhaps Los Angeles should’ve just selected Termarrick Hemingway. The South Carolina State product has a ton of upside, thanks to his great athleticism. He’s a project, but he could evolve into a solid weapon for Jared Goff.
Kansas City Chiefs: D.J. White, CB, Georgia Tech: A- Grade
A third cornerback? Well, I can’t exactly blame the Chiefs, as they’re getting great value with D.J. White. Viewed as a fourth-round prospect, White is quite the bargain atop the sixth frame. He should be able to see some time in the slot in the near future.
San Diego Chargers: Drew Kaser, P, Texas A&M C Grade
A punter prior to the seventh round earns an automatic “C” for me, as they can be found on the street. Drew Kaser wasn’t even regarded as the top punter in this class.

Minnesota Vikings: Moritz Boehringer, WR, Germany B+ Grade
You’ve all heard the story by now – and it seems like the pick happened days ago, as the NFL still hasn’t figured out how to put the NFL Draft on TV – but Mortiz Boehringer began playing football when he was 17 and put together an all-world workout prior to the draft. Boehringer still has to learn the game, but no one can teach his athleticism. He could be an impact player down the road, thanks to his potential.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyrone Holmes, DE/OLB, Montana A Grade
It’s always difficult to predict these things – NFL general managers often draft busts, after all – but Tyrone Holmes could end up being the steal of the draft. Holmes was extremely productive at Montana. Sure, the level of competition was an issue, but he was absolutely dominant for them. Holmes also has enormous potential, which he displayed at his Pro Day. He should’ve been chosen two rounds earlier. This is another great pick by the Jaguars.
Baltimore Ravens: Keenan Reynolds, WR, Navy A- Grade
I have to imagine that Bill Belichick will be crying himself to sleep for months after missing out on Keenan Reynolds. The Navy star had “Patriot” written all over him as another Julian Edelman-type player. The Ravens will surely make great use of him, and he’s a great character guy to have in the locker room.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devante Bond, LB, Oklahoma C Grade
I can’t say I’m surprised that the Buccaneers took a flier on an athletic player in the late rounds. I didn’t think Devante Bond would be drafted though, given that he didn’t do much as a member of the Sooners. He’s a major project.

New York Giants: Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina A Grade
Jerry Reese had a rough start to his draft, but he has been on fire in Day 3. This is a great pick, as Jerell Adams could’ve been chosen in the third round without any complaints. Adams doesn’t have much starting experience, but he has a ton of athleticism and promise. It wouldn’t surprise me if he eventually emerges as a starter.
Chicago Bears: DeAndre Houston-Carson, S, William & Mary A- Grade
I wonder how high DeAndre Houston-Carson would’ve gone had he not struggled at the Combine. He tested poorly, so he fell to the sixth round, when his production said that he probably belonged in the third or fourth frame. With that in mind, I have to praise the Bears for making this pick despite it not filling a big need. Houston-Carson will eventually contribute on defense and will play special teams in the meantime.
Miami Dolphins: Jakeem Grant, WR/KR, Texas Tech B- Grade
Miami hadn’t picked for 100 selections, so its fans might be frustrated to see another receiver. I wouldn’t expect Jakeem Grant to play much offense, however. He’ll compete to be the team’s primary return specialist. With his speed, he could be a good one.
Washington Redskins: Nate Sudfeld, QB, Indiana B- Grade
Vernon Adams probably would’ve been a better option, but I don’t hate this pick. Nate Sudfeld has the size (6-6, 234) to perhaps give him a chance to be a No. 2 at some point, but accuracy and inconsistency issues are things he’ll have to overcome.

Minnesota Vikings: David Morgan, TE, Texas-San Antonio B Grade
David Morgan was probably going to be a high-priority UDFA prior to the Combine, thanks to his blocking ability. However, Morgan thrived at the Combine, showing off some surprising athleticism. He should be able to carve out some role in Minnesota’s offense at some point.
Dallas Cowboys: Anthony Brown, CB, Purdue C- Grade
I’m not sure why the Cowboys spent a draft pick on Anthony Brown. The Purdue prospect was downright awful at school, constantly getting torched. He was just an average athlete, so it’s not like he has a ton of upside. Dallas could’ve taken someone better.
Los Angeles Rams: Josh Forrest, ILB, Kentucky: B Grade
Josh Forrest looks to be a viable backup and special-teamer in the NFL, which is something the Rams needed. Forrest was a solid player at Kentucky after switching positions (former receiver), but he tested extremely poorly at the Combine. There’s nothing wrong with taking someone who could be a capable reserve in the sixth round.
Detroit Lions: Jake Rudock, QB, Michigan C Grade
It makes sense that the Lions would take a developmental quarterback at this juncture, but picking Jake Rudock over Vernon Adams is highly questionable. Rudock played well this past season, but did so under Jim Harbaugh. As we’ve seen, quarterbacks not named Andrew Luck get substantially worse after being separated from Harbaugh.
Buffalo Bills: Kolby Listenbee, WR, TCU B+ Grade
It’s surprising that the Bills didn’t take a receiver before this, given their glaring need across from Sammy Watkins. I don’t know if Kolby Listenbee will ever emerge as a starter, but his speed will give him a shot. He can provide some game-breaking ability, but needs to learn how to play the receiver position.
Tennessee Titans: Sebastian Tretola, G, Arkansas A- Grade
The bad news is that Sebastian Tretola was the second-worst overall athlete at the Combine, trailing only North Carolina’s Landon Turner. The good news is that Sebastian Tretola is a great fit for what the Titans want to do. Mike Mularkey talked about establishing a strong running game, and Tretola will help in that regard, thanks to his power blocking. He probably should’ve gone a round earlier than this.
Oakland Raiders: Cory James, LB, Colorado State C Grade
Cory James is a tweener who doesn’t really have an apparent home in the NFL. He rushed the passer for Colorado State, but at 229 pounds, it’ll be difficult for him to do that in the NFL. Still, he displayed quality athleticism at his Pro Day, so maybe he’ll be a core special-teamer.
Atlanta Falcons: Wes Schweitzer, G, San Jose State C- Grade
It’s a good thing that the Falcons added some offensive line depth, but I didn’t have Wes Schweitzer ranked in my top 400 players. From the confusion going around with him, I’m guessing most people didn’t think he’d be drafted. Schweitzer projects as a fit for Atlanta’s blocking scheme, but he probably could’ve been obtained as a UDFA.

Philadelphia Eagles: Blake Countess, CB, Auburn B Grade
The Eagles had a number of positions to address, but couldn’t really address much because of their lack of picks. Ideally, they would’ve found help for the secondary earlier, but they just couldn’t do so. Blake Countess fits the range here in the middle of the sixth round. He’s a sound tackler and could one day end up starting in the slot.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dan Vitale, FB, Northwestern A- Grade
The Buccaneers were really hoping that Dan Vitale was going to fall to them to the sixth round. Their wish was granted, as they nabbed the man they were coveting. Vitale, who is very athletic for his position, should be a valuable piece in Tampa’s offense as a pass-catching fullback.
San Diego Chargers: Derek Watt, FB, Wisconsin C Grade
This is a lot different than Tampa’s fullback pick. While Dan Vitale has great athleticism and a part in an NFL offense, Derek Watt is just a plodder who can only block, and not very well at that. The brother of J.J. Watt will primarily be a special-teamer, in all likelihood.
Cincinnati Bengals: Cody Core, WR, Ole Miss C Grade
It makes sense to select a second receiver, but everything about Cody Core screams average. Core is a middling athlete who had mediocre production playing across from Laquon Treadwell at Ole Miss. He’s not a good route-runner either, so it’s difficult to imagine him developing into anything substantial beyond a quality special-teamer.

Green Bay Packers: Kyle Murphy, OT, Stanford B+ Grade
I don’t have any athleticism numbers on Kyle Murphy, but what I do know is that he played on Kevin Hogan’s blind side this past season after taking over for Andrus Peat. Murphy could’ve been chosen in the fifth round without any complaints, so this is a nice selection by a team interested in further upgrading its depth at tackle.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Allen, QB, Arkansas A- Grade
The Jaguars didn’t have a developmental quarterback behind Blake Bortles, as Chad Henne was the only reserve quarterback. It makes sense to add another signal-caller, and I like Brandon Allen. He’s small (6-1, 217) and doesn’t have a big arm, but he’s a smart, accurate quarterback who should be able to develop into a solid No. 2. I’m actually surprised that Allen, who was great in the Senior Bowl, wasn’t chosen a couple of rounds earlier.
Detroit Lions: Anthony Zettel, DE/DT, Penn State A- Grade
Anthony Zettel was a very productive player at Penn State. He also tested pretty well at the Combine. So, why did he drop into the sixth round? It’s become he’s a tweener who doesn’t have a true position. He has the skill set of a defensive tackle, but at 277 pounds, he’s light. That said, he can be a very effective pass-rushing specialist on obvious passing downs, and I think he’ll be great in that role. The Lions obtained a good football player.
Kansas City Chiefs: Dadi Nicolas, LB, Virginia Tech: A- Grade
I just graded the Lions’ pick of Anthony Zettel and gave them an A-. I mention that because this is a very similar pick. Like Zettel, Dadi Nicolas was a productive player for his school and also showed off quality athleticism at the Combine. Unfortunately, Nicolas also has the same negative trait, which is that he’s undersized. At 6-3, 235, Nicolas is a small edge rusher. He could become a pass-rushing specialist, but he’ll probably never have a full-time role.
Miami Dolphins: Jordan Lucas, S, Penn State B Grade
Fifty more picks to grade! Jordan Lucas was one of the top athletes at his position in the entire 2016 NFL Draft. He’s worth a sixth-round choice just based on his upside, but he wasn’t picked higher because he wasn’t very productive at Penn State.
Arizona Cardinals: Harlan Miller, CB, SE Louisiana A+ Grade
Along with Jacksonville’s Tyrone Holmes, this might just be the steal of the sixth round. Harlan Miller is a talented cornerback with a third-round skill set, and he also thrived in the Senior Bowl. Miller, unfortunately, flopped at the Combine, but he was just way too good of a football player to pass up in the early 200s.
Los Angeles Rams: Mike Thomas, WR, Southern Miss: A Grade
One team whose sources we trust told us that they were going to consider Mike Thomas as early as the fourth round. I suppose better players fell to them, but the fact remains that Thomas provides great value here toward the end of the sixth round. I like this pick a lot, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Thomas contributed sooner rather than later. His great route-running will help, as will the fact that Los Angeles doesn’t have the best receiving corps.
San Francisco 49ers: Jeff Driskel, QB, Louisiana Tech B- Grade
The 49ers keep drafting decent prospects who don’t appear to be good fits for their schemes. Jeff Driskel projects as a better quarterback than some of the ones taken earlier this weekend – cough, Cody Kessler, sneeze – but he doesn’t have the accuracy that Chip Kelly loves in his signal-callers. Still, it’s hard to hate this pick, given that Blaine Gabbert is likely to start this fall.

New England Patriots: Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB, Eastern Illinois C+ Grade
Kamu Grugier-Hill was one of the more-athletic linebacker prospects in this class. However, he’s just a project at this point and wasn’t expected to be drafted. He could’ve been obtained as a UDFA.
Baltimore Ravens: Maurice Canady, CB, Virginia B+ Grade
Maurice Canady is a corner with good size (6-1, 193) and athleticism; he was one of the better testers at his position at the Combine. So, why did he fall to the sixth round? He constantly struggled with consistency at Virginia and needs to develop into a good football player. However, with good coaching, he has the tools to evolve into a quality corner. He’s well worth the risk at the end of Round 6.
Detroit Lions: Jimmy Landes, LS, Baylor C+ Grade
I’m not going to put much thought into grading a long-snapper. A C+ seems right for a long-snapper in the sixth round.
San Francisco 49ers: Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida B Grade
Kelvin Taylor is the son of Jaguar great Fred Taylor. Unfortunately, Kelvin is not nearly the same player his father was. Kelvin was a mediocre runner at Florida, and he tested as one of the worst athletes at the Combine. Still, this was about the right place to draft him as a backup.
Dallas Cowboys: Kavon Frazier, S, Central Michigan A- Grade
The Cowboys have made some sketchy picks in this draft, but this is a very good one. Kavon Frazier tested as one of the top safeties at the Combine. He also played well at Central Michigan. Frazier, who could’ve been chosen a round or two earlier than this, figures to stick on the roster as a viable backup at the very least.
San Francisco 49ers: Aaron Burbridge, WR, Michigan State B Grade
Aaron Burbridge was one of the top receivers in the Big Ten this past season, but wasn’t taken until the sixth round of the draft because teams feared that he didn’t have the ability to separate at the next level. Burbridge, after all, was one of the worst testers at the Combine. Still, he’s worth a shot at this juncture, given his high production level in school.
New England Patriots: Elandon Roberts, LB, Houston B Grade
Elandon Roberts is a solid athlete who played extremely well at Houston. It seems like he’s a Bill Belichick-type player who can provide depth at linebacker – which was sorely needed – and excel on special teams.
Seattle Seahawks: Joey Hunt, C, TCU C Grade
The Seahawks added their third offensive lineman of the draft, which makes sense. I thought they’d pick up three, perhaps even four blockers to really bolster their front line. However, I didn’t have Joey Hunt in my top 400, and there weren’t even any athletic numbers posted for him. It seems like Hunt is someone the Seahawks could’ve obtained in the UDFA market.
Dallas Cowboys: Darius Jackson, RB, Eastern Michigan B+ Grade
Darius Jackson tested as the most athletic running back in this year’s draft class. The Cowboys love their SPARQ players, so it’s hardly a surprise that they picked him. Jackson doesn’t have an extensive track record of production at Eastern Michigan, but he has at least proven that he can be a third-down back. He’s blocked by Ezekiel Elliott in that regard, but he should fill in well if Elliott gets hurt.
Dallas Cowboys: Rico Geathers, TE, Baylor A- Grade
And another athlete for the Cowboys. Rico Geathers played basketball at Baylor, but like Antonio Gates and Jimmy Graham, he wants to be a tight end in the NFL. It’s definitely worth taking a shot on Geathers, as he has the potential to develop into a potent weapon.
Buffalo Bills: Kevon Seymour, CB, USC B Grade
USC fans might be wondering if I plan on giving the Bills a Millen grade for this pick, given that Kevon Seymour was so bad that he was benched as a senior. However, Seymour, who played well beforehand, is a tall (6-0) cornerback with plus athleticism. He has untapped potential, and perhaps Rex Ryan will be able to get the most out of him.
Denver Broncos: Will Parks, S, Arizona State C Grade
I’m not sure where this pick is coming from. Will Parks didn’t seem like he was an NFL prospect. He has absolutely no athleticism, and he hasn’t shown any signs that he can play in the NFL. He’ll probably be a special-teamer at best.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Travis Feeney, LB, Washington B+ Grade
It seems like the Steelers envision Travis Feeney as their special-teams ace, which is fine for the penultimate pick in the sixth round. Feeney played outstanding special teams at Washington and also was solid at linebacker, so perhaps he has some sort of future on defense. His superb athleticism should help in those matters.
New England Patriots: Ted Karras, G/C, Illinois C+ Grade
This is only the second offensive lineman for the Patriots thus far – an area that was expected to be addressed early and often in the 2016 NFL Draft (at least based on the comments I had received.) However, Ted Karras was seen as just a borderline draftable prospect. He can be a backup at both guard and center.