NFL.com released its draft grades following the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night.
While the effectiveness of these grades won’t be truly known for several years, this doesn’t prevent an early assessment from being made.
The Cleveland Browns earned the lowest grade in the first round, receiving a D from NFL.com. The Browns did not have a first-round pick due to their previous trade to acquire quarterback Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans. The deal, which is still under scrutiny, involved the Browns trading away six picks, including three first-rounders, and extending Watson’s contract for $230 million guaranteed.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter commented on the situation, noting”, “
“Cleveland sat out another first round due to the Deshaun Watson trade. The deal will continue to be questioned if Watson can’t regain the form he showed prior to sitting out the 2021 season and serving an 11-game suspension in 2022. He showed some signs of turning things around early last season before an injury sidelined him the rest of the year, but Watson needs to stay on the field long enough to lift the team to new heights.”
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Meanwhile, the Texans, who originally acquired the first-round pick from Cleveland, traded it along with a seventh-rounder to the Minnesota Vikings last month. In return, they received the No. 42 selection, a sixth-round draft pick, and a 2025 second-rounder.
Both the Texans and Browns are expected to make their initial selections in the second or third rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft scheduled for Friday. The Browns are set to pick at No. 54 in the second round and No. 85 in the third round unless there are any changes.
Last season, after Watson underwent season-ending surgery to repair his throwing shoulder, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco stepped in and led the team to the playoffs.
The Browns hope that Watson can remain healthy and justify the high cost of his acquisition.
