The 2017 NFL Draft from Philadelphia is
in the books. With over 250,000 in attendance and higher ratings across the
board, there is a chance that the NFL will return to Philly again before coming
to Dallas but that is yet to be decided. And if that means Round 2 of Drew
Pearson vs 100K Eagles Fans I am in! But what is decided is the actual business
of selecting players for the upcoming 2017 season for each team. And while it
is completely arbitrary and mostly impossible to determine how these draft
classes will turn out (due to injury, position fit, coaching, etc), it is still
fun to evaluate HOW the teams drafted and addressed their needs as well as the
talent they acquired where. So here are my NFL Draft grades for 2017:
1.
Washington Redskins – Grade A-
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
1 (17)
|
Jonathan Allen
|
DE
|
Alabama
|
2 (49)
|
Ryan Anderson
|
OLB
|
Alabama
|
3 (81)
|
Fabian Moreau
|
CB
|
UCLA
|
4 (114)
|
Samaje Perine
|
RB
|
Oklahoma
|
4 (123)
|
Montae Nicholson
|
S
|
Michigan State
|
5 (154)
|
Jeremy Sprinkle
|
TE
|
Arkansas
|
6 (199)
|
Chad Rouiller
|
C
|
Wyoming
|
6 (209)
|
Robert Davis
|
WR
|
Georgia State
|
7 (230)
|
Josh Harvey-Clemons
|
LB
|
Louisville
|
7 (235)
|
Josh Holsey
|
CB
|
Auburn
|
Summary: The Redskins found great
value with almost every one of their picks. Landing a Top 5 player at pick 17
in Allen is a great start. 2nd rounder Anderson is solid versus the
run but a liability in pass coverage. Moreau, once healthy, and Perine should
contribute immediately. Nicholson is a downhill run enforcer at the SS spot and
Sprinkle is a versatile TE to compliment Jordan Reed. The later rounds showed
good value in Davis and Harvey-Clemons.
2.
Carolina Panthers – Grade A-
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
1 (8)
|
Christian McCaffrey
|
RB
|
Stanford
|
2 (40)
|
Curtis Samuel
|
WR
|
Ohio State
|
2 (64)
|
Taylor Moton
|
OT
|
Western Michigan
|
3 (77)
|
Daeshon Hall
|
DE
|
Texas A&M
|
5 (152)
|
Corn Elder
|
CB
|
Miami
|
6 (192)
|
Alex Armah
|
RB
|
West Georgia
|
7 (233)
|
Harrison Butker
|
K
|
Georgia Tech
|
Summary: The Panther draft will hinge mostly on the careers of 2 players: Curtis Samuel and Daeshon Hall. McCaffrey should be a great do-everything back in compliment to Cam Newton and Moton could start at T or G out of training camp. But Samuel’s success as a WR/RB/KR will decide if this draft is a success in addition to the career of Hall at DE since the Panthers traded up to acquire him. Elder will contribute as a nickel back and in the return game.
3.
Atlanta Falcons – Grade B+
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
1 (26)
|
Takkarist McKinley
|
DE
|
UCLA
|
3 (75)
|
Duke Riley
|
LB
|
LSU
|
4 (126)
|
Sean Harlow
|
G
|
Oregon State
|
5 (149)
|
Damontae Kazee
|
CB
|
San Diego St
|
5 (156)
|
Brian Hill
|
RB
|
Wyoming
|
5 (174)
|
Eric Saubert
|
TE
|
Drake
|
Summary: The Falcons had a very
solid draft, trading up in the 1st round to add the fiery pass
rusher McKinley ahead of the Cowboys to compliment Vic Beasley. Then they add a
close of last year’s draft choice Deion Jones in Duke Riley: a fast but
undersized linebacker from LSU. Sean Harlow should immediately compete for the
vacancy left by Chris Chester at RG. Kazee is an underrated ballhawking corner,
Hill is an underrated all-around back and Saubert is intriguing small school
prospect with big upside.
4.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Grade B+
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
1 (19)
|
OJ Howard
|
TE
|
Alabama
|
2 (50)
|
Justin Evans
|
S
|
Texas A&M
|
3 (84)
|
Curtis Godwin
|
WR
|
Penn State
|
3 (107)
|
Kendall Beckwith
|
LB
|
LSU
|
5 (162)
|
Jeremy McNichols
|
RB
|
Boise State
|
7 (223)
|
Stevie Tu’ikolovatu
|
DT
|
USC
|
Summary: The Bucs got the best TE
in the draft in Howard at 19, a solid safety from A&M in Evans and an
underrated WR in Godwin with their first 3 picks. Then they followed that up
with the best MLB prospect in the draft (though injured) in Beckwith, another
runner from Boise in McNichols to pair with Doug Martin and a huge run stuffer
from USC. Rock solid drafting.
5.
Dallas Cowboys – Grade B+
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
1 (28)
|
Taco Charlton
|
DE
|
Michigan
|
2 (60)
|
Chidobe Awuzie
|
CB
|
Colorado
|
3 (92)
|
Jourdan Lewis
|
CB
|
Michigan
|
4 (133)
|
Ryan Switzer
|
WR
|
UNC
|
6 (191)
|
Xavier Woods
|
S
|
Louisiana Tech
|
6 (216)
|
Marquez White
|
CB
|
Florida State
|
7 (228)
|
Joey Ivie
|
DT
|
Florida
|
7 (239)
|
Noah Brown
|
WR
|
Ohio State
|
7 (246)
|
Jordan Carrell
|
DT
|
Colorado
|
Summary: The Cowboys loaded up on
defenders, getting Taco Charlton to solidify the D Line, Awuzie and Lewis to
replace the departed Mo Claiborne and Brandon Carr and Xavier Woods to fill the
hole at SS. Switzer will immediately upgrade their woeful return game and
contribute as a 3rd down back while late rounders White, Ivie and
Brown all have a good chance to make the squad and bump out higher priced
veterans.
6.
New Orleans Saints – Grade B
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
1 (11)
|
Marshon Lattimore
|
CB
|
Ohio State
|
1 (32)
|
Ryan Ramczyk
|
OT
|
Wisconsin
|
2 (42)
|
Marcus Williams
|
S
|
Utah
|
3 (67)
|
Alvin Kamara
|
RB
|
Tennessee
|
3 (76)
|
Alex Anzalone
|
LB
|
Florida
|
3 (103)
|
Trey Hendrickson
|
DE
|
Florida Atl
|
7 (196)
|
Al-Quadin Muhammad
|
DE
|
Miami
|
Summary: The Saints took a good
section of talent but the way they went about it and the question marks on
these players lowers their grade. Lattimore is the best cover corner in this
draft IF his hamstrings stay healthy. Ramczyk is the best OT in this draft IF
he can stay interested in football. Marcus Williams is a young, dynamic
centerfielder at FS IF he can stay healthy and can find time with Kenny
Vaccaro. Alvin Kamara is a solid pass catching RB IF he can find time behind
Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram. Alex Anzalone started at Florida over 1st
rounder Jarred Davis IF he can overcome a myriad of injuries. That’s a lot of
IFs.
7.
Philadelphia Eagles – Grade B
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
1 (14)
|
Derek Barnett
|
DE
|
Tennessee
|
2 (43)
|
Sidney Jones
|
CB
|
Washington
|
3 (99)
|
Rasul Douglas
|
CB
|
West Virginia
|
4 (118)
|
Mack Hollins
|
WR
|
UNC
|
4 (132)
|
Donnel Pumphrey
|
RB
|
San Diego St
|
5 (166)
|
Shelton Gibson
|
WR
|
West Virginia
|
5 (184)
|
Nathan Gerry
|
S
|
Nebraska
|
6 (214)
|
Elijah Qualls
|
DT
|
Washington
|
Summary: The Eagles had a good
draft but didn’t seem to address all of their needs. Barnett fills a huge hole
on the DL as an edge rusher. Jones is 1st round talent but will
likely have to red shirt this year. Douglas is a tall (6’2”) corner but needs
work on technique. Hollins, Pumphrey and Gibson all add explosive elements to
the offense and special teams. Gerry and Qualls are solid depth guys. But
without addressing OL, LB or DT in any meaningful way, the Eagles get a B
grade.
8.
San Francisco 49ers – Grade B
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
1 (3)
|
Solomon Thomas
|
DE
|
Stanford
|
1 (31)
|
Reuben Foster
|
LB
|
Alabama
|
3 (66)
|
Ahkello Witherspoon
|
CB
|
Colorado
|
3 (104)
|
CJ Beathard
|
QB
|
Iowa
|
4 (121)
|
Joe Williams
|
RB
|
Utah
|
5 (146)
|
George Kittle
|
TE
|
Iowa
|
5 (177)
|
Trent Taylor
|
WR
|
Louisiana Tech
|
6 (198)
|
DJ Jones
|
DT
|
Ole Miss
|
6 (202)
|
Pita Taumoepenu
|
LB
|
Utah
|
7 (229)
|
Adrian Colbert
|
DB
|
Miami
|
Summary: After an amazing start by
fleecing the Bears for Trubisky, the Niners the proceeded to take too many
reaches and came away with an underwhelming draft overall. Thomas is a dynamic
pass rusher but will be an interesting fit alongside the last 2 49er 1st
round picks. Foster was great value at 31 but now reports that he might miss a
lot of 2017 with another shoulder surgery reveal why he was available.
Witherspoon is a big finesse corner but take over many better prospects at
corner in the 3rd, including his teammate Awuzie. The Beathard trade
up is baffling, as he is a very quality backup type but the Niners already have
2 of those on the roster. Williams dedication to football is questionable.
Kittle and Taylor would good value picks in the 5th round.
9.
Arizona Cardinals – Grade B
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
1 (15)
|
Haasan Reddick
|
LB
|
Temple
|
2 (36)
|
Budda Baker
|
S
|
Washington
|
3 (98)
|
Chad Williams
|
WR
|
Grambling
|
4 (115)
|
Dorian Johnson
|
G
|
Pitt
|
5 (157)
|
Will Holden
|
OT
|
Vanderbilt
|
5 (179)
|
TJ Logan
|
RB
|
UNC
|
6 (208)
|
Johnathan Rudy Ford
|
DB
|
Auburn
|
Summary: The Cardinals are another team that
got great players but didn’t necessarily address their biggest needs. Reddick
is solid ILB that brings plus pass rushing skill. Baker is a safety/corner
hybrid perfect for the Arizona defense. Williams is a scrappy small school wide
out that could be a 3rd or 4th WR next year. Dorian
Johnson has 2nd round ability but a medical red flag about his liver
caused him to slide into Day 3. Holden is a good swing OT and Logan add KR
ability. But without adding a true #2 CB , true #2 WR or backup QB, this draft
in incomplete.
10. Minnesota
Vikings – Grade B
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
2 (41)
|
Dalvin Cook
|
RB
|
Florida State
|
3 (70)
|
Pat Elflein
|
C
|
Ohio State
|
4 (109)
|
Jaleel Johnson
|
NT
|
Iowa
|
4 (120)
|
Ben Gedeon
|
LB
|
Michigan
|
5 (170)
|
Rodney Adams
|
WR
|
South Florida
|
5 (180)
|
Danny Isadora
|
G
|
Miami
|
6 (201)
|
Bucky Hodges
|
TE
|
Virginia Tech
|
6 (198)
|
DJ Jones
|
DT
|
Ole Miss
|
6 (202)
|
Pita Taumoepenu
|
LB
|
Utah
|
7 (229)
|
Adrian Colbert
|
DB
|
Miami
|
Summary: The Vikings are another
boom/bust draft mostly based on the conduct of RB Dalvin Cook off the field, if
the reports of character red flags are true. If he stays away from trouble, the
Vikings might have found a true heir to Peterson. Elflein is the best center in
this class but also has position flexibility. Johnson is a stout run stuffer
and good locker room guy. Gedeon is a 2 down linebacker only due to his speed
liability. Adams has a chance to surprise in the receiving core. Isadora is a
street fighter that could be a starter found in the 5th round.
Except for the Gedeon pick, the Vikings got a nice haul of players but with so
many needs it’s tough to say this class is packed with superstars.
11.
Green Bay Packers – Grade B-
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
2 (33)
|
Kevin King
|
CB
|
Washington
|
2 (61)
|
Josh Jones
|
S
|
NC State
|
3 (93)
|
Montravius Adams
|
DE
|
Auburn
|
4 (108)
|
Vince Biegel
|
LB
|
Wisconsin
|
4 (134)
|
Jamaal Williams
|
RB
|
BYU
|
5 (175)
|
DeAngelo Yancey
|
WR
|
Purdue
|
5 (182)
|
Aaron Jones
|
RB
|
UTEP
|
6 (212)
|
Kofi Amichia
|
C
|
South Florida
|
7 (238)
|
Devante Mays
|
RB
|
Utah State
|
7 (247)
|
Malachi Dupre
|
WR
|
LSU
|
Summary: The Packers got a very
solid group of players and managed to address all of their needs heading into
the draft, but perhaps no real blue chip talent. King is a 6’3” corner that
instantly becomes the Packers best cover guy, except that he wasn’t even the #1
CB on his college team. Jones is a versatile safety with run support and
coverage skills. Adams is a disruptive pass rusher at DE when properly
motivated. Biegel is a workman like strongside OLB. Williams is a tall RB in
the Matt Forte style who will add into the runner group alongside the 2 other
RBs they drafted. Dupre is intriguing as a 7th rounder.
12.
New York Giants – Grade B-
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
1 (23)
|
Evan Engram
|
TE
|
Ole Miss
|
2 (55)
|
Dalvin Tomlinson
|
DT
|
Alabama
|
3 (87)
|
Davis Webb
|
QB
|
California
|
4 (140)
|
Wayne Gallman
|
RB
|
Clemson
|
5 (167)
|
Avery Moss
|
DE
|
Youngstown St
|
6 (200)
|
Adam Bisnowaty
|
OL
|
Pitt
|
Summary: The Giants had one of the
more odd drafts of the year. Evan Engram is a specialty weapon as a pass
catcher. But I fear they will miscast his like Jimmy Graham was in Seattle and
his effectiveness will be diminished. When you then consider they could have
also drafted David Njoku, who is more of that traditional TE type, the pick
gets odder. Tomlinson is the best run stuffer in the draft and replaces
Johnathan Hankins at DT. Webb is a project behind Eli, but for a team full of
veterans looking to contend, the choice is weird. Gallman is a workhorse back
with almost no homerun ability. Add to that the Giants not addressing their
biggest need at OT until round 6 (maybe?).
13.
Seattle Seahawks – Grade B-
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
2 (35)
|
Malik McDowell
|
DT
|
Michigan St
|
2 (58)
|
Ethan Pocic
|
OL
|
LSU
|
3 (90)
|
Shaquill Griffin
|
CB
|
UCF
|
3 (95)
|
Delano Hill
|
S
|
Michigan
|
3 (102)
|
Nazir Jones
|
DT
|
UNC
|
3 (106)
|
Amara Darboh
|
WR
|
Michigan
|
4 (111)
|
Tedric Thompson
|
S
|
Colorado
|
6 (187)
|
Mike Tyson
|
CB
|
Cincinnati
|
6 (210)
|
Justin Senior
|
OT
|
Miss St
|
7 (226)
|
David Moore
|
WR
|
East Central
|
7 (249)
|
Chris Carson
|
RB
|
Oklahoma St
|
Summary: Like the Packers, the
Seahawks traded out of round 1 and acquired 4 picks in the 3rd
round. However, most of those were big reaches. McDowell is supremely talented
but will take all the Pete Carroll magic to motivate. Pocic is a versatile OL
and would receive a higher grade if not announced as a tackle instead of his
best position at center. Shaq Griffin is a raw but quick slot corner that went
well before other more proven CBs. Hill and Thompson were 6th round
graded safeties taken in the 3rd and 4th round
respectively. Jones is a pure run stuffer and might have been had 2 rounds
later.
14.
Detroit Lions – Grade B-
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
1 (21)
|
Jarrad Davis
|
LB
|
Florida
|
2 (53)
|
Teez Tabor
|
CB
|
Florida
|
3 (96)
|
Kenny Golladay
|
WR
|
Northern Ill
|
4 (124)
|
Jalen Reeves-Maybin
|
LB
|
Tennessee
|
4 (127)
|
Michael Roberts
|
TE
|
Toledo
|
5 (165)
|
Jamal Agnew
|
CB
|
San Diego St
|
6 (205)
|
Jeremiah Ledbetter
|
DT
|
Arkansas
|
6 (215)
|
Brad Kaaya
|
QB
|
Miami
|
7 (250)
|
Pat O’Connor
|
DE
|
Eastern Michigan
|
Summary: The Lions were clearly
focused on upgrading their LB and CB positions, but completely ignoring the
defensive line until round 6 is very curious. Davis is a run-and-hit linebacker
with questionable instincts. Tabor is a brash man cover corner but foot speed
is a concern. Golladay is a big (6’4”) redzone target but very raw.
Reeves-Maybin is a dynamic linebacker if he can ever get healthy. Roberts is
also a big redzone target but looked overmatched at the Senior Bowl versus
better competition.
15.
Chicago Bears – Grade C
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
1 (2)
|
Mitchell Trubisky
|
QB
|
UNC
|
2 (45)
|
Adam Shaheen
|
TE
|
Ashland
|
4 (112)
|
Eddie Jackson
|
S
|
Alabama
|
4 (119)
|
Tarik Cohen
|
RB
|
North Carolina A&T
|
5 (147)
|
Jordan Morgan
|
G
|
Kutztown
|
Summary: Obviously this is a 1
player draft all hinging on the future of Trubisky as a franchise QB. And the
Bears surrendered a lot to move up the one spot ahead of Cleveland for him. But
the rest of their draft was below average. Shaheen is an intriguing small
school prospect but may not contribute much this season. Jackson is 2nd
round talent but slid due to injury. Cohen is a waterbug back and return man.
Morgan is a very raw small school prospect that will need coaching up. The 2017
Bears draft is mostly for the 2018 season and maybe a different coaching staff.
16.
Los Angeles Rams – Grade C-
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
2 (44)
|
Gerald Everett
|
TE
|
South Alabama
|
3 (69)
|
Cooper Kupp
|
WR
|
Eastern Washington
|
3 (91)
|
John Johnson
|
S
|
Boston College
|
4 (117)
|
Josh Reynolds
|
WR
|
Texas A&M
|
4 (125)
|
Samson Ebukam
|
LB
|
Eastern Washington
|
6 (189)
|
Tanzel Smart
|
DE
|
Tulane
|
6 (206)
|
Sam Rogers
|
RB
|
Virginia Tech
|
7 (234)
|
Ejuan Price
|
OLB
|
Pitt
|
Summary: And the award for the
worst draft of 2017 is the LA Rams. Even with a new regime in place and a new
stadium 2 years away, the Rams may be haunted by this draft into the next
ownership group. Everett is a pass catching only TE that reminds me too much of
Gavin Escobar. Kupp is a quick, not fast slot guy that will struggle to separate.
Johnson is an old-style box safety that is increasingly obsolete is today’s
NFL. Reynolds has deep threat ability but struggles to catch in traffic. The
late round picks of Smart and Price are the only thing that kept this grade
from being worse.
