Terrance Ferguson - A.
(I would’ve preferred Fannin…but I absolutely cannot complain about getting a potentially-high 2026 first round pick in the process. And Ferguson has exemplary athletic traits. Easy A.)
Josaiah Stewart - A+.
(Stewart could and should have gone much higher. He’s not big or lengthy, but he’s an outstanding athlete with the ability to bend around the edge, an explosive first step, and one of the most sophisticated rushing plans in this class. An outstanding pick and an easy A+.)
Jarquez Hunter - A-.
(Maybe not the running back I expected, but I’m still pleasantly surprised. Fast, surprising ability to break tackles and pound the rock between the tackles, underrated receiver. I think he could be what we expected Tre Mason would be after 2014; that’s who he reminds me of in size and ability. Easy A-.)
Ty Hamilton - A.
(Trade up is the only reason I don’t have the grade higher. Outstanding and versatile tackle who can play 1 and 3 tech, great run stuffer, still has pass-rushing potential. Should’ve been a fourth round pick at least. Easy A.)
Chris Paul Jr. - A+.
(Absolute. Fucking. Steal. We don’t need Nick Bolton; we have our own. Violent tackler, steady run defender, has good instincts in the passing game. Playmaker. I don’t even care that we traded up. We would’ve never gotten him in the sixth. Easiest A+ in this draft considering need and talent.)
Konata Mumpfield - C-.
(I’m not warming up to Mumpfield, mind you. He has had a lot of bobbled passes at Pitt that will be drops at the next level, he’s slow (4.6) for his size (5’11”, 186 lbs.), and his production is very lacking, unlike others in his situation like Restrepo or Nash. But he’s a great route runner with decent quickness. I don’t think he makes this team, but for a seventh round pick, it could be worse: we could’ve drafted Shilo Sanders. C-.)
Draft overall grade: A.
In conclusion, it was a draft for quality instead of quantity and a stronger class next year. CPJ and Ferguson will be playing significant snaps, if not starting outright. Hamilton, Stewart, and Hunter will see significant snaps, and in the case of the latter two, I believe they could eventually start. I don’t think Mumpfield makes the team, but we’ll see with him as well - and I’ve been wrong many times before. Add in very intriguing undrafted free agents, per usual, and this could be a third masterclass by McSnead in a row.
