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NFL Draft 2016: Rounds 1-7 Results, Grades and Hidden Gems
- Updated: May 1, 2016
One of the best parts of the NFL draft is digging and finding out who the next major surprise pros will be.
The hype machine churns up big expectations and ratings for the first round of the draft, but the meat of any roster gets carved in the later rounds. An NFL roster consists of 53 active players, after all, so the mid-rounds and beyond provide quality backups and potential stars.
Still, one cannot knock those who didn’t want to sit through all 253 picks, especially after digesting the first two days of the three-day spectacle. After looking at each class and assigning an overall grade, let’s highlight some of the hidden gems to know.
2016 NFL Draft Grades
Notable Hidden Gems in Later Rounds No. 134. Baltimore Ravens: Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech
Running back isn’t one of the biggest question marks around the Baltimore Ravens anymore.
After Justin Forsett only managed 641 yards and two scores last year over 10 games, the backfield was one of the bigger issues in Baltimore, so it was somewhat strange to see the Ravens not hit the spot over one of the first two days.
Now the picture seems clear—Baltimore wanted Kenneth Dixon out of Louisiana Tech.
Dixon doesn’t sound like much on paper at 5’10” and 215 pounds, and his level of competition wasn’t anything to rave about, but he’s arguably the best pass-catching back in the class.
Pro Football Focus expanded on his talents: “The Ravens end Kenneth Dixon’s fall, who was our No. 2 running back in the draft. Dixon was the highest-graded running back as a receiver out of this class and will be an asset in the passing game. He’s also an excellent zone runner with the vision and patience to set up blocks.”
In other words, Baltimore landed a back who will contribute in a committee right away, reinforcing an important piece of the puzzle to take pressure off quarterback Joe Flacco.
No. 172. Cleveland Browns: Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State
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