Just like mock drafts are America’s favorite pre-draft pastime, draft grades are our favorite post-draft hobby.  But while everyone else is focused on grading the draft picks of NFL franchises, we are focused on grading the television coverage from ESPN and NFL Network.

The wait for the draft was worth it as this year’s first 32 picks saw a bevy of trades, drama, and intriguing storylines.  At the center of it all was the Cleveland Browns trading down, then up, then up again and finally landing Johnny Manziel.  JFF was naturally a major part of ESPN’s coverage for good and bad as you’ll see below.

This year instead of just grading the on-air personalities, we’ve spotlighted some of the highlights and lowlights from the television coverage of the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft and also delivered an overall grade.  As with all draft grades, take these as the ultimate and immediate final verdict on the matter.

A Grades

ESPN’s best moments came in the later stages of the evening at Picks #31 and #32 for the selections of Bradley Roby to the Denver Broncos and Teddy Bridgewater to the Minnesota Vikings.  Both were once highly touted possible Top 10 picks before their stocks fell for various reasons.  For both picks, ESPN cut to highlight footage showcasing each player’s abilities in traditional draft coverage form.  But then they went deeper and actually delivered some cutting analysis as to why they fell to the end of Round 1.  Jon Gruden broke down footage of Roby struggling to make tackles in the open field while Ray Lewis talked about Roby’s struggles off the field.  For Bridgewater, the second video package didn’t just showcase the worst pro day in human history, but also failing to find open receivers under no pressure during game footage.

It would have been easy to check out that late in the evening, but ESPN delivered in a big way covering multiple angles for those picks and why they transpired the way they did.

ESPN’s production value is always top notch.  It’s impossible to overstate how difficult the NFL Draft is to telecast from a mere functionality standpoint, yet ESPN delivers year after year with fantastic video packages and the right information at the right time for viewers over several hours.

– ESPN’s on-site reporters with the teams always add good value to the telecast.  The highlight this year was without a doubt Sal Paolantonio’s report from Cleveland about Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and a homeless man helping him see the light about Johnny Manziel.  Who knows if it’s actually true (it is Cleveland after all) but it’s a great story nonetheless.  (Video via TBL)

Also, this:

B Grades

Suzy Kolber doesn’t get the credit she deserves for the interviews on draft night.  It’s a very formulaic thing to ask the same questions over and over to recently drafted players (How excited are you?  What do you think of being drafted by ____?  Is this all you thought it would be?  Etc.) and cliches run amok.  However, with a record number of players at the draft Kolber had a much tougher job than usual and she handled the job well.

– The main set had a strong segment analyzing Houston’s options with the #1 overall pick before the card was turned in.  Jon Gruden was able to get in his first ode to Johnny Manziel while it still seemed fresh.  Ray Lewis smartly broke down the differences between Jadeveon Clowney and Khalil Mack and how each would fit in Houston.  Mel Kiper emphatically stated that Clowney was a once-in-a-generation kind of prospect.  It was the best interaction between the threesome all night and showcased their varying fields of expertise.

– Whether you like him or not, you’re going to miss Mel Kiper Jr. when he’s gone.  The NFL Draft won’t be the same without him and his impeccable hair.  He’s built an empire as the preeminent draft expert in America and there was nothing viewers saw Thursday night that would change that.  His banter with Gruden has really livened up proceedings in an interesting way.  Gruden’s energy and insights also deserve a B… well, at least the non-Manziel version of Chucky.  More on that later.

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