NFL Draft 2016: Team-by-Team Analysis and Grades for Round 1 Results

The 2016 NFL draft promised some crazy twists and turns, and it didn’t fail to deliver. 

The surprises ranged from mildly surprising (a running back going No. 4 overall in this era of the draft, Ezekiel Elliott to the Dallas Cowboys) to mildly confusing (what were the odds on Eli Apple being the first corner taken after Jalen Ramsey?) to absolutely bizarre (Laremy Tunsil’s sudden drop to No. 13). 

When all the dust settled on Thursday, 31 players were chosen as the three-day process of the draft started. 

Truly evaluating a draft class will take a few years. Grading this draft in its entirety will at least take until Saturday is over. But where’s the fun in that?

Here’s a look at the full results for the first round, along with initial analysis for each pick based on what kind of value the player represents based on talent and team fit:

Big Winners

Jacksonville Jaguars Land Jalen Ramsey in Near-Perfect Top 5

The Jacksonville Jaguars couldn’t have asked for the top five to go any better for them. 

With Blake Bortles in tow, the team has no need for a quarterback. Joey Bosa would have been a good fit, but he doesn’t necessarily project as the type of difference-maker on defense that Ramsey could be. When the Cowboys decided to take Elliott with the No. 4 pick, the Jags must have been jumping for joy. 

“They talked about it on my [pre-draft] visit there,” Ramsey said, per John Oehser of the team’s official site. “They said, ‘If they’re still on the board we’re going to get you.’”

With Ramsey’s ability to play either corner or safety, he’s a rare talent the Jaguars could build their secondary around. Jordan Plocher of Pro Football Focus illustrated Ramsey’s ability to take the deep ball away from opposing offenses:

Jalen Ramsey only allowed 3 receptions on deep targets (passes thrown 20+ yards). Map via https://t.co/uNTc2v1RRZ pic.twitter.com/OfpNKJ2soI

— Jordan Plocher (@PFF_Jordan) April 26, 2016

Ramsey is the most sure thing in this draft. His absolute floor is he winds up being a consistent starting safety, and his ceiling sees him as a shutdown corner who can match up with anyone on third down. 

That’s a bargain—even at No. 5.

Miami Dolphins Take Advantage of Tunsil’s Slide

The slide of Laremy Tunsil was definitely the most intriguing story as Round …

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