NFL Draft 2016: Team-by-Team Analysis and Grades for Rounds 1-3 Results

No NFL draft has done more to discredit the practice of mock drafts.

Laremy Tunsil, a prominent No. 1-pick candidate before the Los Angeles acquired the top slot, slid to No. 13. One flap of a butterfly’s wings or a horribly timed hacking on social media can change everything. Just like that, everyone’s predictions became moot before escaping the top 10.

Several first-day candidates, led by Myles Jack, fell past the opening round, instead finding landing spots on Friday night. Four rounds remain before wrapping up the lengthy selection process, but most notable prospects are off the board.

The lesson of mocking could also extend to immediately grading a team’s draft before any of the players suit up, but NFL fans haven’t waited this long to then wait another few months. Let’s take out the red pen and allocate marks for each team.

Results

Grades

Questionable Starts

Dallas Cowboys

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As long as he stays healthy, Ezekiel Elliott is going to put up massive numbers for the Dallas Cowboys.

When he eclipses 1,000 rushing yards and wins Offensive Rookie of the Year, supporters will gloat to anyone wary of investing a top-five pick on a running back. Just remember Darren McFadden compiled 1,089 rushing yards on 239 carries last season.

The Ohio State rusher couldn’t have asked for a better landing spot. As noted by Pro Football Focus, he’ll start his career with superb blocking:

Here’s what Dallas’ offense will look like in 2016. Ezekiel Elliott running behind the NFL’s top-graded O-line: pic.twitter.com/vZPLxTQ0t4

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 29, 2016

Dallas, who averaged 4.6 yards per carry last year, also signed free agent Alfred Morris in March. Elliott offers a flashy upgrade but not the optimum utilization of the No. 4 pick. Another Buckeye, cornerback Jalen Ramsey, would have helped a defense that yielded 7.6 yards per pass attempt last season.

After unsuccessfully trying to acquire a late first-round pick for Memphis quarterback Paxton …

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