Regrading the 2016 NFL Draft: Cowboys, Falcons, Bengals earn high marks, Cardinals drop from 'B' to an 'F'
Pete Prisco gave the Arizona Cardinals a 'B' back in 2016, but now Pete says that was way off
Pete Prisco
12 hrs ago
CBS Sports
You truly can't grade an NFL Draft class until three years later. It's just not fair to do so right after the draft, yet we all do it.
So that's why it's become an annual thing for me to regrade a draft three years after it occurs. In doing so, I look back at my immediate draft grades to use as a gauge, including my comments.
In those immediate grades, I offer a letter grade, best pick, questionable move and third-day gem. It's fun to look back at team misses and hits in each category, but especially my own.
In the 2016 NFL Draft, three teams landed "A+" marks in the regrade for how they picked players. They were the Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys. Yes, the Bengals.
The only failing grades go to the Arizona Cardinals -- who had six picks in the draft and not one is a sure starter in 2019; P.S.: I gave them a "B" back in 2016 -- and the Buffalo Bills, who got a "C" three years ago.
So dive in and take a look. It was fun to look back and interesting to see how teams had success based on that draft and others have had issues because of it.
Atlanta Falcons
2016 Grade: B
The Skinny: The Falcons had a heck of a draft in 2016. They landed safety Keanu Neal, one of their defensive leaders in the first round. Then they followed that up by getting three more starters in second-round linebacker Deion Jones, third-round tight end Austin Hooper and fourth-round linebacker De'Vondre Campbell. That's a haul, even if Neal and Jones missed significant time with injuries last year.
How I did: I loved the pick of Jones because of his speed, which has played true. I questioned the move to take Neal because of his coverage skills, but that was wrong. My third-day gem was Campbell, who has 39 starts in three seasons.
New Grade: A+
Carolina Panthers
2016 Grade: C-
The Skinny: The Panthers had five picks in this draft and two are still with the team with only second-round corner James Bradberry a starter. That's not very good. First-round defensive tackle Vernon Butler has no starts in his three season and just two sacks from his tackle spot. Bradberry is a solid corner, but they missed on third-round corner Daryl Worley, who is now in Oakland after the Panthers cut him for off-the-field issues.
How I did: I liked using a fifth-round pick on corner Zach Sanchez, but he was let go after his rookie season. I questioned the pick of Butler, which has played true. As a whole, I didn't like this class at all.
New Grade: D
New Orleans Saints
2016 Grade: B-
The Skinny: The Saints had just five picks, but they made the most of them. First-round defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins was becoming a force inside last year before he tore his Achilles tendon in the playoffs. Second-round receiver Michael Thomas is one of the best in the league and is a big hit from this draft. Safety Vonn Bell, also a second-round pick, is a solid starter and fourth-round defensive tackle David Onyemata started four games last season. This was a good draft.
How I did: I liked the pick of Rankins, but questioned the Onyemata pick, but he has paid off. I also liked the Thomas pick. My third-day gem was running back Daniel Lasco in the seventh, but that didn't pan out.
New Grade: A
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2016 Grade: C+
The Skinny: This is the draft where the Bucs took kicker Roberto Aquayo in the second round. That proved to be a disaster. First-round corner Vernon Hargreaves hasn't lived up to the hype and neither has pass rusher Noah Spence, their other second-round pick. Fourth-round corner Ryan Smith has 16 starts in three years, while fifth-round guard Caleb Benenoch is also a solid starter. Sixth-round linebacker Devante Bond had four starts last year and will push for time this season.
How I did: I made Spence their best pick, and that hasn't played out after a good rookie year. I ripped the move to take Aguayo, which did prove to be true. My third-day gem was Smith.
New Grade: D
For all the teams...
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/regrading-the-2016-nfl-draft-cowboys-falcons-bengals-earn-high-marks-cardinals-drop-from-b-to-an-f/
