The first round of the 2014 NFL Draft is in the books, and it's time for early grades from around the league. Giants.com gathered the results for Big Blue's selection of LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. with the 12th overall pick.
Grade: A+ | "Aside from Sammy Watkins, there may not be a more explosive deep threat in the draft than Beckham Jr. He's extremely quick off the line, can stop and start with suddenness, tracks the ball, has rare body control and utilizes huge, soft hands to secure the ball off his frame. He's also one of the most talented return men in this class, and will be a dynamic contributor from day one in New York to complement Victor Cruz."
Grade: A | "In 2013, with first-year offensive coordinator Cam Cameron running a more expansive passing game, Beckham caught 57 passes for 1,117 yards and eight touchdowns. At the scouting combine drills, I was specifically impressed with his ability among all the receivers in his group to grasp and show that he's a complete receiver and not just a guy who runs fast in a straight line. There shouldn't be any problem when he is asked to do the same for the Giants. This is a major win for a team in need of new weapons."
Grade: B+ | "I might be in the minority on this pick, but I like it. He will be better than Mike Evans. They need a receiver to go with Victor Cruz."
Grade: B+ | "I was pleading for Zack Martin in my live blog, but Odell Beckham works for New York. Hakeem Nicks is gone, so the Giants needed to find a new receiver to help Eli Manning. Beckham was the best receiver available by a wide margin, and some even considered him to be a better prospect than Mike Evans. I wouldn't agree with that, but Beckham gives Manning a great downfield threat and a dynamic weapon in the return game."
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Bryan Fischer, NFL.com](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000348409/article/2014-nfl-draft-firstround-quicksnap-grades)
Grade: Good pick, good fit | "Eli Manning needed another weapon at wide receiver in the worst way and might have gotten one of the best with Beckham. Linebacker C.J. Mosley would have helped more on the defensive side, but Beckham makes plenty of sense."
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Check out college photos of Colorado State Center Weston Richburg
Rd. 2 (No. 43): C Weston Richburg, Colorado St.
Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com**
Grade: B+ | "So, the J.D. Walton signing means nothing, then? That's how it seems right now, but either Walton or Weston Richburg (likely the former) will play guard, filling a huge need. We spoke to some teams that thought Richburg would be chosen in the first round, so the Giants are getting solid value, all while protecting Eli Manning, which is obviously important."
Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com
Grade: C | "Why didn't they take a defensive player? Richburg is a good player, but I think they needed defensive help."
Rd. 3: DT Jay Bromley, Syracuse
Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com
Grade: B- | "The Giants love Syracuse players and this fills a need. Bromley is an athletic inside player who could help with push inside."Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com
Grade: C- | "I get the fact that the Giants needed a defensive tackle, but that doesn't mean that they should have spent a third-round pick on a sixth-round prospect. This is a major reach, though Jay Bromley will have a chance to contribute soon, given the hole at the position."
**Rd. 4: RB Andre Williams, BC
Derek Stephens, NFLDraftScout.com**
Grade: A | "Williams is a tough, big, physical back who carried the load for Boston College in '13. Possesses nice burst, and an ability to move defenders on contact. Was non-existent in the passing game for the Golden Eagles, which leads to a drop here, but he's one of the most talented backs in this draft, and is known as a high-character, reliable teammate."
Photos of the Giants 5th round pick SDSU Safety Nat Behe.
**Rd. 5: Safety Nate Berhe, SDSU
Derek Stephens,** NFLDraftScout.com
GRADE: B+ | "Berhe is a fluid, athletic and instinctive DB who's size limitations leave him susceptible to getting beat on the high-ball, but who could be a nice nickel piece for the Giants, considering his stride-for-stride coverage ability."
**Rd. 5: LB Devon Kennard, USC
Derek Stephens,** NFLDraftScout.com
GRADE: A |"Kennard is an underrated athlete with good diagnostics and the versatility to line up at multiple positions along the front seven, but has struggled to stay healthy in his career at USC. Could be a nice edge-rusher at the next level if he's able to prove durable."
Photos from the Giants 6th round draft pick, Notre Dame CB Bennett Jackson
Rd. 6: CB Bennett Jackson, Notre Dame
Derek Stephens, NFLDraftScout.com
GRADE: C+ | "Aggressive corner with good size and ball skills, but who lacks instincts and awareness in space, and needs to show better restraint in terms of contact with receivers down field."
