Why the low draft grades?

Those advocating more rather than fewer picks base their arguments on statistical analysis and humility. Every NFL team has the numbers. Every NFL team has the statistical data showing by position what is the probability of the player picked at 12, 22, 48 or 84 becoming a Pro-Bowl player, a starter for at least three years, a starter his rookie year, or playing more than three years in the NFL.

Again, drafting is hard. Depending on definition of success, there is even in the first round, especially after the top 12 or 15 picks, a relatively high disappointment rate.

But we picked Thomas, McCoy, and Marcus Williams in the second round; Kamara in the third round; Onyemata and Gardner-Johnson in the fourth round. And look at the receiver position in the NFL. Second-round picks were Devonte Adams, D.K. Metcalf, Michael Thomas, A.J. Brown, Allen Robinson, Robert Woods, and Chase Claypool. Third-round picks were Keenan Allen, Tyler Lockett, Cooper Kupp, and Chris Goodwin. Fifth-round picks were Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs. Those middle-round picks that we trade away much too often have value.

On this forum, there seems to be the prevailing assumption that Olave and Penning of course will quickly be quality starters and eventually high-quality players. We don't know that. And regarding our second-round pick, I know little about him, so once again I admit I can't pass judgment. But from history, a tad of concerns creeps in when I hear a player drafted in the second round say after his selection that he had been expecting to be drafted in the third or fourth round.

Finally, I would NEVER say never trade up. At times, trading up makes sense, especially for a quarterback. But at times, trading down might make sense. It depends on the draft and other circumstances. During the draft, a team tactically needs to be flexible, creative and yes, aggressive, to achieve its strategic objectives.