



It usually takes two or three years to fairly grade a draft, but here are the AP’s early grades on each AFC team’s overall draft:
RAVENS, B+: S Malaki Starks (27) is mature, talented and can thrive on a team that knows how to develop safeties. Edge Mike Green Jr. (59) is excellent value. He was a first-round projection who slipped due to off-field concerns. OT Emery Jones Jr. (91) and LB Teddye Buchanan (129) are possible Day 3 steals.
BILLS, B+: CB Maxwell Hairston (30) brings energy and aggressive coverage skills to a secondary that needed the help. DL T.J. Sanders (41) will boost run defense. Edge Landon Jackson (72), DL Deone Walker (109) and CB Jordan Hancock (170) provide more depth for the Bills defense.
BENGALS, B-: Edge Shemar Stewart (17) is raw but immensely talented and provides help for a defense that needs it. LB Demetrius Knight Jr. (49) can play right away and LB Barrett Carter (119) has potential. Added depth on the offensive line with G Dylan Fairchild (81) and LG Jalen Rivers (153). Running back Tahj Brooks (193) could be a steal in the sixth round.
BROWNS, B+: Traded No. 2 and passed up Travis Hunter to add more draft capital and got DT Mason Graham (5). Often mocked to take QB Shedeur Sanders in the first round and ended up getting him at No. 144 after taking QB Dillon Gabriel (94). That’s great value for Sanders. LB Carson Schwesinger (33) is versatile. RB Quinshon Judkins (36) has playmaking talent. TE Harold Fannin Jr. (67) has high upside. RB Dylan Sampson (126) could be a sleeper.
BRONCOS, B+: CB Jahdae Barron (20) was ranked in the top 15 on several draft boards. He’s versatile enough to play inside, outside and even safety. RB R.J. Harvey (60) could flourish in Sean Payton’s offense.
TEXANS, B: Traded out of the first round and got big WR Jayden Higgins (34) to pair with Nico Collins. LT Aireontae Ersery (48) has plenty of upside and should be an immediate upgrade on a rebuilt line. Got another playmaker for C.J. Stroud in the third round, taking WR Jaylin Noel (79). CB Jaylin Smith (97) wasn’t expected to go this high. Neither was RB Woody Marks (116). S Jaylen Reed (187) is good value. QB Graham Mertz (197) has backup potential.
COLTS, B: TE Tyler Warren (14) was a top-10 projection on many draft boards. Edge JT Tuimoloau (45) can play right away. CB Justin Walley (80) doesn’t stand out. OT Jalen Travis (127) and RB DJ Giddens (151) are excellent Day 3 picks. QB Riley Leonard (189) could eventually get a shot in a QB room with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. DT Tim Smith is value in the sixth round.
JAGUARS, A: Made a bold and costly move to get Hunter (2) to upgrade two positions. Versatile CB Caleb Ransaw (88) upgrades the secondary. OT Wyatt Milum (89) and RB Bhayshul Tuten (104) are big value picks. Getting LBs Jack Kiser (107) and Jalen McLeod (194) in Day 3 solidifies a strong draft class. OT Jonah Monheim (221) is a sleeper in the seventh. So is RB LeQuint Allen (236).
CHIEFS, A: Got tremendous value with OT Josh Simmons (32). DL Omarr Norman-Lott (63) and edge Ashton Gillotte (66) bolster the pass rush instantly. CB Nohl Williams (85) went higher than expected but can cover. WR Jalen Royals (133) could be fun to watch operate in Andy Reid’s offensive scheme. LB Jeffrey Bassa (156) and RB Brashard Smith (228) are potential late-round steals.
RAIDERS, A: Got the top player at his position in RB Ashton Jeanty (6), who was Heisman runner-up. WR Jack Bech (58) has a high ceiling. CB Darien Porter (68) has excellent upside. OTs Caleb Rogers (98) and Charles Grant (99) with consecutive picks is a Day 2 highlight. WR Dont’e Thornton Jr. (108) is a tall target for Geno Smith. Added more value with DLs Tonka Hemingway (135) and JJ Pegues (180).
CHARGERS, B-: RB Omarion Hampton (22) fits Jim Harbaugh’s style. WR Tre Harris (55) gives Justin Herbert another playmaker. DL Jamaree Caldwell (86) has upside and edge Kyle Kennard (125) went too early. WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (158) is a Day 3 highlight.
DOLPHINS, B+: DT Kenneth Grant (13) fills an immediate need. So does G Jonah Savaiinaea (37). DT Jordan Phillips (143), CB Jason Marshall Jr. and S Dante Trader Jr. (155) stock up the defensive side. QB Quinn Ewers (231) is strong value in the seventh round.
PATRIOTS, B-: OT Will Campbell (4) had the quote of the draft when he said he’d “fight and die” to protect Drake Maye. RB TreVeyon Henderson may have been available in the third round. WR Kyle Williams (69) could be a third-round steal. S Craig Woodson (106), DL Joshua Farmer (137) and edge Bradyn Swinson (146) are the highlights of a solid Day 3 haul.
JETS, B-: OT Armand Membou (7) fills a big void but may have been able to trade down, add draft capital and still address the position. TE Mason Taylor, the son of Hall of Fame DE Jason Taylor, has the genes. CB Azareye’h Thomas (73) will benefit playing under Aaron Glenn. WR Arian Smith (110) is a burner. CB Malachi Moore (130) and edge Tyler Baron (176) could be major contributors.
STEELERS, B: DT Derrick Harmon (21) fits the scheme nicely. RB Kaleb Johnson (83) has playmaker potential. Edge Jack Sawyer (123) is a Day 3 highlight. CB Yahya Black (164) and LB Carson Bruener are solid value picks. Finally took a QB and came away with a winner in Will Howard (185), who guided Ohio State to the national champioship.
TITANS, B: Needed time to be sure they wanted Cam Ward No. 1 overall after exploring options. If he doesn’t pan out, it sets the organization back. Edge Oluwafemi Oladejo (52) and S Kevin Winston Jr. (82) immediately boost the defense. WR Elic Ayomanor (136) and Chimere Dike (103) give Ward more options. RB Kalel Mullings (188) is among a strong Day 3 class.