Live 2018 NFL Draft Grades: Round 4

These Live 2018 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Follow @walterfootball for updates.

2018 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades | Supplemental

Carolina Panthers: Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana A Grade
This is a great bargain, as Ian Thomas should’ve gone in the third round and maybe even could’ve snuck into the second frame. Thomas doesn’t have much production in college, but he has immense upside. By the time he’s ready to play, Greg Olsen will likely be retired.

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Minnesota Vikings: Jayln Holmes, DE, Ohio State B+ Grade
I thought Jayln Holmes might go in the middle or end of the third round, so this is a decent value pick. Holmes would be better off in a 3-4, but he makes sense in the Vikings’ scheme as well. The Vikings needed depth on their defensive front, and Holmes should be a quality rotational player.
Houston Texans: Keke Coutee, WR, Texas Tech C Grade
I’m not a big fan of this pick. Keke Coutee seemed like a solid fourth- or fifth-round prospect to me, but I would’ve liked to have seen the Texans go after their offensive line or secondary. There were plenty of solid prospects available for those positions, and someone of Coutee’s caliber could’ve been taken a bit later.

Indianapolis Colts: Nyheim Hines, RB, N.C. State B+ Grade
Nyheim Hines makes sense in this range as a Round 3-4 prospect. He won’t be able to be Indianapolis’ new starting running back, but he’ll be a nice, third-down threat as a very poor man’s Darren Sproles. I like giving Andrew Luck a weapon like this.
Cleveland Browns: Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida C+ Grade
The third day of the NFL Draft is a time to take risks, and that’s certainly what the Browns are doing here. Antonio Callaway is supremely talented, and he may have been a first-round pick if he were completely clean. However, he has major off-the-field issues. If he stays clean, he’ll be great. However, I don’t know if pairing him with Josh Gordon is the best idea.

Denver Broncos: Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa A Grade
The Broncos wanted Haason Reddick last year, but missed out on him. They finally get their upgrade at linebacker. Josey Jewell, a three-time captain, could’ve gone earlier than this. He doesn’t have great athleticism, but he’s a smart, instinctive linebacker who should be able to help Denver’s defense.
New York Jets: Chris Herndon, TE, Miami B+ Grade
This is a pretty logical selection. Chris Herndon is a solid athlete coming off a knee issue, so the range makes sense for him. The Jets had to give Sam Darnold more weapons, and they just lost Austin Seferian-Jenkins.

New York Giants: Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond A+ Grade
I don’t understand why Kyle Lauletta wasn’t selected on Day 2. He easily could’ve been taken on Day 2, and it could be argued that he’s the fifth-best quarterback in the class. Kyle Lauletta could definitely replace Eli Manning in a year or two and become a solid starter in the NFL.
Washington Redskins: Troy Apke, S, Penn State C Grade
I don’t hate this pick, but it doesn’t seem like a very good one. Troy Apke is a very athletic safety who thrived at the combine. This obviously put him on the radar, but I thought he would be more of a sixth-round selection. He’ll at least be a solid special-teams player.

Oakland Raiders: Nick Nelson, CB, Wisconsin A Grade
This seems like a great value pick for the Raiders. Nick Nelson was seen as a second-round prospect before he hurt his knee during the pre-draft process. However, teams were optimistic about his ability to return soon, so Nelson should contribute for the Raiders in the near future, filling a big need at cornerback.
Los Angeles Rams: Brian Allen, C, Michigan State C- Grade
The Rams needed a center for the future, but there were some better prospects available at the position. Allen seemed like a late-round prospect to me. I don’t hate taking him here, but the Rams may have been able to get him a round later.

Cincinnati Bengals: Mark Walton, RB, Miami B+ Grade
If Mark Walton didn’t have durability issues, he may have gone a round earlier. He’s a nice third-down option for the Bengals, as they may eventually want to pair him with Joe Mixon, depending on what’s happening Giovani Bernard, whose contract will expire in 2020.
Denver Broncos: DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State B+ Grade
The Broncos have made two solid selections thus far on Day 3. A second receiver in this class might seem weird, but it seems as though Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are not long for Denver, so finding two potential starters for the future makes sense. DaeSean Hamilton is a solid receiver who excels in route-running, but has issues with drops. He could’ve been chosen in the third round, so I like the value.

Detroit Lions: Da’Shawn Hand, DE/DT, Alabama C Grade
The Lions just gave up a third-round pick to New England for this selection. Da’Shawn Hand better be worth it. He’s a great fit for Detroit’s new defense under Matt Patricia, but I don’t think I would’ve dealt a 2019 third-rounder for him. There are some decent five-techniques still available, so this almost seemed like a panic move after the Lions failed to address their defensive line earlier.
Chicago Bears: Joel Iyiegbuniwe, LB, Western Kentucky B Grade
I had Joel Iyiegbuniwe in the third round to the Steelers, though I had them reaching a bit to address a need. This makes more sense, as Chicago needed another linebacker for depth purposes. They’re getting an athletic player who will at least play on special teams.

Dallas Cowboys: Dorance Armstrong, DE, Kansas B- Grade
Once upon a time, Dorance Armstrong was considered a first-round pick. He didn’t play as well in 2017, but probably because he saw double teams on every play, being the only viable player on Kansas’ roster. Armstrong, however, seems more of a 3-4 player, so I don’t like this fit very much.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jordan Whitehead, S, Pittsburgh C+ Grade
Jordan Whitehead makes sense as a fourth-round prospect. He’s small, but could eventually become a starter if he remains clean off the field. The problem is that Whitehead has some off-field issues, and I’m not sure the crazy Tampa party environment is the right fit for him.
Baltimore Ravens: Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama A- Grade
Man, I’m going to miss Ozzie Newsome, as his picks were very predictable. Anthony Averett could’ve been chosen in the third round – I had him to Baltimore there – so this is a nice value pick, as the Ravens get some much-needed secondary depth.
Los Angeles Chargers: Kyzir White, LB/S, West Virginia B+ Grade
Kyzir White is very instinctive and should do well covering tight ends. White, a solid third- or fourth-round prospect, should help keep Travis Kelce in check… maybe. White should move from linebacker to safety, addressing a need.
Seattle Seahawks: Will Dissly, TE, Washington C- Grade
Will Dissly will help Russell Wilson’s blocking. That makes this pick not worthless. However, blocking tight ends grow on trees, so I don’t think taking one in the fourth round presents good value.
Buffalo Bills: Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State C- Grade
The Bills needed some cornerback depth, but this is a reach. I had Taron Johnson slotted in the sixth round. There were better cornerbacks available.

Baltimore Ravens: Kenny Young, LB, UCLA B Grade
Kenny Young makes sense in the middle of the fourth round. He had a productive career at UCLA, but didn’t test very well athletically. He might miss some tackles, but he should be able to cover well for the Ravens.
Miami Dolphins: Durham Smythe, TE, Notre Dame C+ Grade
I said it for the Will Dissly pick; taking blocking tight ends in the fourth round isn’t a good move because they grow on trees. However, Smythe has better receiving ability than Dissly, so I like this pick a bit better.

Kansas City Chiefs: Armani Watts, S, Texas A&M B+ Grade
The Chiefs’ defense was completely lost last year when Eric Berry got hurt. They needed better depth at safety, and Armani Watts could eventually develop into a starter. Watts could’ve gone a bit earlier than this, so I like the value.
Philadelphia Eagles: Avonte Maddox, CB, Pittsburgh B+ Grade
Avonte Maddox makes sense as a fourth-round pick, and he should be a logical fit for the Eagles, who needed someone to cover the slot in the wake of Patrick Robinson’s departure. Maddox is a short corner, but he’s very athletic and has high upside.
Atlanta Falcons: Ito Smith, RB, Southern Miss D Grade
Meh. Ito Smith was a late-round prospect and doesn’t fit a need at all. The Falcons had bigger priorities than adding someone who could maybe become the No. 3 running back. This seems like a poor selection.
New Orleans Saints: Rick Leonard, OT, Florida State MILLEN DISAPPOINTED THE PARROT DIDN’T SPEAK Grade
Uhh… what? Rick Leonard was not a draftable prospect. He’s a super-raw tackle who’s still learning the position. He wasn’t on many teams’ radar as a non-UDFA player. He could’ve been acquired following the draft.
San Francisco 49ers: Kentavius Street, DE, N.C. State D Grade
This is a bit of a surprise. Kentavius Street tore his ACL during pre-draft workouts and won’t be able to play until 2019. The 49ers are trying to win a Super Bowl now, so I don’t know about using a fourth-round choice on Street. I would’ve liked him much more in the sixth frame.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Richardson, OT, N.C. State A Grade
The Jaguars are having a fantastic draft. Will Richardson is a second-round talent, but fell because of off-the-field problems. The time is right to take a chance on someone like Richardson, and Jacksonville seems like the right place for Richardson to stay out of trouble.

Philadelphia Eagles: Josh Sweat, DE, Florida State A+ Grade
There was a slight pause while we were waiting for this pick, so I thought about what it could be. I said aloud, to no one, if it’s Josh Sweat or Maurice Hurst, I’d give them an instant A+. I’m a man of my word. Sweat is a dynamic player who could have gone in the first round had he not dealt with injury issues. Maybe he never plays well because of his problems, but his upside is stellar, and he could become a terrific pass-rusher in the pros.
Miami Dolphins: Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State B Grade
Kalen Ballage never lived up to his physical ability at Arizona State. That’s a bit scary, but the upside is certainly there. Ballage has the talent to become an NFL starter, but we’ll see if he puts more effort into football. I like the risk here at the end of Round 4.
Baltimore Ravens: Jaleel Scott, WR, New Mexico State B- Grade
The Ravens are swinging for the fences here, as Jaleel Scott has plenty of athletic talent, but has questionable hands and happens to be very raw. I would’ve taken Jaleel Scott a bit later, but the pick makes sense.

Green Bay Packers: J’Mon Moore, WR, Missouri B+ Grade
J’Mon Moore is a better version of Jaleel Scott, who went one selection earlier than this. Moore is highly athletic with upside, but he drops too many passes. Still, he could be developed into a solid starter.
Arizona Cardinals: Chase Edmonds, RB, Fordham B Grade
Chase Edmonds is the sort of running back Bill Belichick would like, but Steve Keim is the one taking another Pennsylvania prospect. Chase Edmonds is a nice third-down back who can contribute on special teams. This is a solid pick, as Arizona needed better insurance for David Johnson.
Los Angeles Rams: John Franklin-Myers, DE, Stephen F. Austin D Grade
The Rams reach once again. John Franklin-Myers is at least a draftable prospect, but a questionable one at that. He was a seventh-round prospect at best, but he at least fills a big need.
Carolina Panthers: Marquis Haynes, DE, Ole Miss B Grade
The Panthers traded up for a pass-rusher, which makes sense. They need some young blood on the edge, and Marquis Haynes makes sense in this range as a solid fourth-round prospect.
Dallas Cowboys: Dalton Schultz, TE, Stanford B+ Grade
The Cowboys have made some stinker picks thus far, but this seems like a solid one. Dalton Schultz was someone we squarely saw as a fourth-round prospect, so he makes a lot of sense here, as Dallas absolutely had to find a replacement for the newly retired Jason Witten.