NFL Draft 2015: Rounds 1-3 Results, Grades and Top Steals

The 2015 NFL draft trucked along on Friday night, giving every franchise new blood and 99 prospects lucrative employment. 

Round 1 is where teams locate future cornerstones, but the later rounds offer chances to uncover hidden gems. As several top talents spent Thursday watching helplessly, teams had plenty of opportunities to strike gold on Friday night.

With two out of three days complete, let's take out the red marker and update each team's draft grade.

Round 1-3 Results

Draft Grades

Team	Grade	Note
Arizona Cardinals	B	Arizona continues to rebuild its offensive line with Humphries.
Atlanta Falcons	A-	After ranking last in yards allowed, Atlanta loaded up on defense before acquiring a big-play running back in Coleman.
Baltimore Ravens	A-	Perriman and Williams give Joe Flacco two significant reinforcements, and Davis could have went over a full round earlier.
Buffalo Bills	C+	The Bills had more pressing needs when drafting Darby, but Rex Ryan loves his cornerbacks.
Carolina Panthers	C+	Thompson and Funchess are both intriguing talents without a defined position.
Chicago Bears	B+	Chicago still needs secondary help, but White and Goldman were both strong choices.
Cincinnati Bengals	B+	Fisher and Dawson both fell further than expected.
Cleveland Browns	B-	Once again somebody forgot to remind the Browns that they need a wide receiver.
Dallas Cowboys	A-	Gregory is worth a try late in the second round.
Denver Broncos	B+	Denver swung for the fences by taking Ray and then made a more sensible selection in Sambrailo.
Detroit Lions	B	Owning no fourth- or fifth-round picks, the Lions drafted by need in the opening rounds.
Green Bay Packers	B-	Some analysts wondered if Montgomery would get drafted at all, yet alone on Friday.
Houston Texans	A-	Houston picked up two steady defenders before stealing Strong in the third round.
Indianapolis Colts	C+	The Colts ignored their biggest needs at safety and offensive line.
Jacksonville Jaguars	B+	The Jaguars bolstered an already strong pass-rush while hoping Yeldon closes their revolving door at running back.
Kansas City Chiefs	C+	Peters carries great risk, and Conley doesn't solve KC's wideout woes.
Miami Dolphins	A-	The Dolphins got their top target in Round 1 and a great second-round value in Jordan Phillips.
Minnesota Vikings	B+	Minnesota's No. 27 offense can also use some draftees, but it snagged a trio of defensive values.
New England Patriots	B+	Nothing overly exciting about their Day 2 picks, but the Pats stole Brown to end Round 1.
New Orleans Saints	A-	With five picks through two days, the Saints were able to invest long-term in Drew Brees' potential replacement while taking high-upside gambles in Peat and Williams.
New York Giants	B	The G-Men filled needs at offensive tackle at safety. Although Flowers was a reach, Collins gives them another Round 1-caliber talent.
New York Jets	A-	After years of subpar receiver play, the Jets keep adding pass-catchers. Devin Smith adds a speedy threat to juxtapose Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker.
Oakland Raiders	A-	Cooper may go down as this draft's top star.
Philadelphia Eagles	B	So much for Chip Kelly making more chaotic moves. Trading up for Rowe was his best call.
Pittsburgh Steelers	B	Pittsburgh needed a defensive back on Friday after going best available with Dupree.
San Diego Chargers	B-	Did the Chargers really need to trade up to land Gordon?
San Francisco 49ers	B	Tartt was a Round 2 reach, but Harold was a Round 3 steal.
Seattle Seahawks	B	Discounted for his size, Lockett's big-play ability will translate well into Seattle's offense.
St. Louis Rams	B-	The Rams went all offense, with everything revolving around the high-risk, high-reward Gurley pick.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	B-	Although wise to draft protection for Winston, the quarterback isn't the on-field lock many believe he is.
Tennessee Titans	A-	Mariota and Green-Beckham will revitalize last year's No. 29 offense.
Washington Redskins	B+	Nothing flashy about Scherff, but he'll be a rock in the trenches for Washington.

Top Steals

32. New England Patriots: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

The first round shouldn't be so easy for the defending Super Bowl champion, but the perfect player fell right into the New England Patriots' lap. 

Not one for sentimental loyalty, New England let Vince Wilfork go after 11 seasons. The cut-throat decision created a massive gap in the heart of the defensive line, one the 319-pound Brown will aptly fill.

He doesn't lack confidence. "Y'all about to get the best player y'all have ever drafted so just be ready for when I touch the field," Brown said, courtesy of CSNNE.com's Phil Perry. That Tom Brady fellow was a solid value pick, but the Texas nose tackle will pay off in his own right.

ESPN.com's Mike Reiss compared the run-stuffing selection to Brown's predecessor at defensive tackle:

"

The 6-foot-2 3/8, 319-pound Brown is the type of beefy, athletic, versatile lineman who should fit well in the scheme because he can play a variety of techniques -- from holding the point against the run to penetrating in the pass rush. He has three-down potential down the line. In 2004, the Patriots were surprised when Vince Wilfork was available at No. 21 and pounced. Not saying Brown is the next Wilfork, but this pick reminds me a bit of that one.

"

With Brown clogging the middle, Texas allowed 3.9 yards per carry last season. A strong campaign put him in play for much earlier consideration, but he lasted to the perfect spot, ending Thursday's festivities on a high note. 

60. Dallas Cowboys: Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska

On March 5, ESPN Insider Mel Kiper Jr. projected Randy Gregory to go No. 7 overall in his third mock draft. Two months later, the Nebraska linebacker fell to pick No. 60.

In between those two events, Gregory admitted to testing positive for marijuana at the NFL Scouting Combine drug test. A once highly desired pass-rusher suddenly had organizations running away in terror.

A day before the first round, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport and Albert Breer released an eerie report of teams shying away for more than the failed drug test:

"

At least three general managers view him as a top-five talent. But according to more than a dozen coaches, scouts, personnel chiefs and GMs, there is concern about Gregory's ability to handle the mental rigors of professional football. And just how far he drops in this week's draft will likely hinge on the individual psychological profiles (and the results of related testing) put together by each team, according to multiple veteran evaluators. He has been taken off a several team's draft boards, according to multiple sources.

"

Character concerns often cause clubs to pass on players with the on-field ability to succeed. Possible mental health issues are not indicators of bad character but rather a human being in need of a helping hand. 

On the field, Gregory is a tremendous second-day get after registering 17.5 sacks through two seasons at Nebraska. Some pro coaching can help harness his off-the-charts strength and speed, making him well worth the risk late in the second round.  

70. Houston Texans: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

When Jaelen Strong fell outside the opening round, he at least figured to get his name called early Friday evening. Instead, he waited another full around before the Houston Texans ended his plight.

If the combine didn't exist, Strong would have netted a first-round nod. He's not a straight-line burner, but he's a tremendous pass-catcher at the high point. Pro Football Focus' Sam Monson shared one highlight touchdown that displays the wideout's tremendous hands and body control:

College numbers don't mean everything, but 157 receptions and 3,452 yards through two seasons should mean something. Phillip Dorsett, whom the Indianapolis Colts snagged at the end of Round 1, collected 121 catches and 2,132 yards through four years.

Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman stated Strong's playmaking acumen was underrated by the 31 teams that passed:

Strong also expressed confusion about slipping deep into the second day:

"

Shoot idk what's going on either lol

— Strizzy (@JaelenStrong) May 2, 2015"

After parting ways with franchise legend Andre Johnson, Houston didn't have to reach for a replacement to complement DeAndre Hopkins. Strong will prove there's more to success than a great 40 time.