Green Bay Packers 2018 NFL Draft grades

By Dave Heller
Published

The 2018 NFL Draft is over and of course people are quick to judge how teams did.

Normally, you really need three or five years to grade a class (like we did here and here).

But who is kidding who — we all want to know what others think of the selections made by our favorite team now. And there are plenty people doing just this.

We’ve tried to compile as thorough a list of Green Bay Packers draft analysis as you’ll find anywhere on the Internet. Without further ado, enjoy.

First-round grades (and more)

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com: Round 1, Alexander -- A. "They get a smooth cover player who plays with a swagger. They wanted a corner and get a darn good one." Round 2, Jackson -- A; Round 3, Burks -- B-. Overall grade: B+. "They needed to get better at corner, and they did just that with their first two picks, trading down to add more picks in the process. They took Jaire Alexander in the first round, and he is a perfect man-cover player for new coordinator Mike Pettine. Second-round corner Josh Jackson was great value, but he isn't as good in press as Alexander. Third-round linebacker Oren Burks can run. Getting two receivers on the third day also made sense, but I don't like drafting a punter in the fifth round."



Dan Kadar of SB Nation: A-. "The Packers basically moved back from the 14th to 18th pick while adding a first-round pick in the 2019 draft. That gives the grade a little bit of a bump for new Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst. In Alexander, they get a player who would have made sense with the 14th selection. The Packers need a cornerback, and Alexander is arguably the best cornerback after Ward. Injuries knocked him a little bit, but he can go get the football. If he can stay healthy, Alexander can finally end Green Bay’s quest for a cornerback."

Mike Tanier of Bleacher Report: Round 1, Alexander -- B. "... they selected an undersized cornerback with some injury concerns. Jaire Alexander missed a chunk of last season with a sprained knee. Opponents wouldn't go near his receivers when he was available—he allowed just five completions, according to Sports Info Solutions—and he burned a 4.38-second 40 at the combine. Alexander was not nearly as effective in 2016, with six touchdowns allowed, most of them in the red zone. He's not a bump-and-run enforcer or mauling tackler. But mix speed, experience returning punts and good eyes in zone coverage, and the Packers are at least getting a player who can play several roles right away." Round 2, Jackson -- A. "Overall, Jackson has the potential to become Marcus Peters without the prickly personality."; Round 3, Burks -- C+. "He’s a need pick but a bit of a reach."

Andy Benoit of SI.com: B+. Overall grade: A.

Chad Reuter of NFL.com: A. Day 2: A; Day 3: B+; Overall: A.

Yahoo Sports staff: B+. "The Packers needed a cornerback. Alexander is a good player and an instant starter. Done and done. This is a value pick for the Packers, who moved back in the draft and probably still ended up with the guy they wanted."

Danny Kelly of The Ringer: Fit - A+; Value B+.

Kevin Dillon of MassLive.com: A. "Alexander does not have tremendous size, but he is excellent in man coverage and runs like the wind. He has terrific technique, and was a significant late-riser in the draft process. The Packers needed secondary help, and Alexander will provide that."

Steven Ruiz of For the Win: B+.

Luke Easterling of Draft Wire: B+. "He’s got the physical and mental tools to be a shutdown artist at the next level, and the Packers desperately need that kind of player at that position."

WalterFootball.com: Round 1, Alexander -- B-. "If Jaire Alexander can stay healthy, the Packers will be getting a terrific cornerback for their maligned secondary. The problem, however, is his durability."; Round 2, Jackson -- A+; Round 3, Burks -- B+; Round 4, Moore -- B+; Round 5, Madison -- A-; Round 5, Scott -- C-; Round 5, Valdes-Scanting -- B; Round 6, St. Brown -- A+; Round 7, Looney -- B+; Round 7, Bradley -- C+; Round 7, Donnerson -- B+.

No grade, but The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer calls the Packers a first-round draft-day loser for selecting Jaire Alexander over Josh Jackson. However, in his overall draft grade, Iyer (obviously happier since Green Bay got Jackson, too) gives the Packers an A. "The Packers got a dynamic cornerback duo to support last year's second-rounder Kevin King. Burks should find a starting position right away for Mike Pettine in the Demario Davis mold. Moore (big red-zone target) Valdez-Scantling (home-run hitter) and St. Brown (a little bit of both) give them intriguing post-Jordy Nelson options behind Davante Adams at receiver. Scott and Bradley give them a sneaky upgrade on special teams, too. Edge defensive options were a typical way to end a great first draft for Brian Gutekunst."

Mike Mayock of NFL.com: No grade, but says "I like this pick. Alexander has some swag about him. He's the No. 1 corner on my board. In addition to being competitive, tough, he tackles, he finds the football in the air and he also adds value in the punt return game. Historically, Green Bay only takes corners who can find the ball in the air, and this kid does it."

First-round GPA: 3.51

Other grades

Chris Trapasso of CBSSports.com (Rounds 4-7): Moore -- B+; Madison -- C-; Scott -- D+; Valdes-Scantling -- B+; St. Brown -- A; Looney -- B-; Bradley -- D+; Donnerson -- C-.

Team grades

Mark Maske of the Washington Post: B+. "The Packers improved their secondary significantly by getting CBs Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson in the first two rounds. Emerging with the Saints’ first-round pick next year was a major bonus. The only issue is whether more should have been done in the early rounds to help the offense around QB Aaron Rodgers."

Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post: A.

Ryan DiPentima of the Palm Beach Post: B.

The Score: A+. "The Packers dominated the 2018 NFL Draft. They filled needs in the secondary with Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson - both first-round talents - and drafted solid late-rounders in Equanimeous St. Brown and James Looney. What pushes Green Bay above their counterparts is the acquisition of New Orleans' 2019 first-round pick for the 14th overall selection. Brian Gutekunst's first draft was a great one."

Nate Davis of USA Today: B+. "Interesting maiden draft for GM Brian Gutekunst. A trade with the Saints netted a 2019 first rounder. The Pack's first two picks were understandably spent on corners Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson. Super-sized WR Equanimeous St. Brown (6-5, 214) is an intriguing project who went later than expected in Round 6. But did Gutekunst really need to draft a punter and a long snapper?"

Evan Silva of Rotoworld: B. "The Packers acquired the Saints’ 2019 first-round pick in Thursday night’s trade down from No. 14 to 27, where Green Bay still landed my No. 2-rated cover corner in the draft behind only Denzel Ward. Jackson at 45 was not overkill; the Packers were immensely cornerback needy, and Jackson was a legitimate round-one talent. Trading up for Burks shows new GM Brian Gutekunst has a handle on where the league is headed; Burks is a high-level athlete with a safety background and ideal sub-package linebacker traits. Moore is raw with rumored off-field concerns, but he was one of the most dynamic wideouts in this class. On tape, I thought his ball skills were much better than Valdes-Scantling or St. Brown’s. Madison did not dominate in the Pac 12 and is a below-average athlete. Scott and Bradley offer cheap special teams help. Looney and Donnerson are longer shots with athletic upside."

Thor Nystrom of Rotoworld: A+. "They needed corner help and got two of my top three CBs... as if that wasn't enough, they pilfered New Orleans' first-rounder next year and absolutely stole St. Brown in Round 6 -- a perfect draft for Green Bay."

Walterfootball.com: A.

Rob Rang of NFL Draft Scout: A. "This class probably won't get much national buzz but I'm confident that years from now it will prove to be one of this year's best."

Paul Schwab of Yahoo Sports: A-. "I like how the Packers played the first round, practically moving back four spots to take CB Jaire Alexander – a very good player who fills a big need – while picking up a 2019 first-rounder from the Saints. Doubling down on cornerback to take Josh Jackson in the second round was a strong move. The Packers had a pass-rush need, but the cornerback need was apparently more pressing. Receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, a 6-foot-5 speedster who had nine touchdowns with Notre Dame in 2016 before slumping last season, seems to be a nice fit in the sixth round. The Packers will be fine if one of the three receivers they took pan out. Taking a punter and long snapper seemed odd, but the Packers had a lot of picks."

Dave Heller is the author of Ken Williams: A Slugger in Ruth's Shadow (a Larry Ritter Book Award nominee), Facing Ted Williams - Players From the Golden Age of Baseball Recall the Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived and As Good As It Got: The 1944 St. Louis Browns