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 is my NFL Draft grades for 2017:
1.
Miami Dolphins – Grade A+
|
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
|
1 (22)
|
Charles Harris
|
DE
|
Missouri
|
|
2 (54)
|
Raekwon McMillan
|
LB
|
Ohio State
|
|
3 (97)
|
Cordrea Tankersley
|
CB
|
Clemson
|
|
5 (164)
|
Isaac Asiata
|
G
|
Utah
|
|
5 (178)
|
Davon Godchaux
|
DT
|
LSU
|
|
6 (194)
|
Vincent Taylor
|
DT
|
Oklahoma St
|
|
7 (237)
|
Isiah Ford
|
WR
|
Virginia Tech
|
Summary: The Dolphins
had a great weekend in Philly; getting the pass rusher they wanted in Harris to
slide to them due to QB madness, nabbing a starter at MLB in McMillan, a
potential starter at corner in Tankersley, a potential starter at guard in
Asiata and quality rotational players Godchaux, Taylor and Ford on Day 3. Every
one of these players should contribute to a playoff team this season.
2.
Buffalo Bills – Grade A
|
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
|
1 (27)
|
Tre’Davious White
|
CB
|
LSU
|
|
2 (37)
|
Zay Jones
|
WR
|
E Carolina
|
|
2 (63)
|
Dion Dawkins
|
G/T
|
Temple
|
|
5 (163)
|
Matt Milano
|
LB
|
Boston College
|
|
5 (171)
|
Nathan Peterman
|
QB
|
Pitt
|
|
6 (195)
|
Tanner Vallejo
|
LB
|
Boise State
|
Summary: Despite firing
their GM Doug Whaley and the entire scouting team right after this draft, the Bills
had a great haul and got Kansas City’s 1st round pick next year too.
White can play both outside and in the slot, Zay Jones immediately becomes the
Bills #2 WR and Dawkins will start either at RT or G. In addition, new Head
Coach Sean McDermott knows how to coach some linebackers after coordinating the
Panthers defense for years. And they might have landed their starting QB or at
least a reliable backup in Peterman in the 5th round.
3.
New England Patriots – Grade A
|
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
|
3 (83)
|
Derek Rivers
|
DE
|
Youngstown St
|
|
3 (85)
|
Antonio Garcia
|
OT
|
Troy
|
|
4 (131)
|
Deatrich Wise Jr
|
DE
|
Arkansas
|
|
6 (211)
|
Conor McDermott
|
OT
|
UCLA
|
Summary: This just in:
The Patriots know what they are doing. Despite not picking until round 3
(trading away their first 2 picks in the acquisition of Saints WR Brandin Cooks
and Panthers DE Kony Ealy), the Patriots still found 4 guys that will likely
see time in 2017. Rivers and Garcia were both scene as 2nd round
talents acquired in the 3rd. Wise and McDermott were starters on
Power 5 schools that have a chance to emerge in that Patriot way.
4.
Cleveland Browns – Grade B+
|
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
|
1 (1)
|
Myles Garrett
|
DE
|
Texas A&M
|
|
1 (25)
|
Jabril Peppers
|
S
|
Michigan
|
|
1 (29)
|
David Njoku
|
TE
|
Miami
|
|
2 (52)
|
Deshone Kizer
|
QB
|
Notre Dame
|
|
3 (65)
|
Larry Ogunjobi
|
DT
|
Charlotte
|
|
4 (126)
|
Howard Wilson
|
CB
|
Houston
|
|
5 (160)
|
Roderick Johnson
|
OT
|
Florida State
|
|
6 (185)
|
Caleb Brantley
|
DT
|
Florida
|
|
7 (224)
|
Zane Gonzalez
|
K
|
Arizona St
|
|
7 (252)
|
Matthew Dayes
|
RB
|
NC State
|
Summary: It’s not often that the #1
overall pick gets overshadowed, but all the QB insanity did just that. However,
the Browns add three 1st round picks in Garrett, Peppers and Njoku
and get a QB to groom in Kizer. The rest of their draft has potential as
Ogunjobi and Wilson will be rotational pieces and Johnson has talent but needs
a lot of coaching up. The curious pick was grabbing the sliding 2nd
round talent Caleb Brantley, who faces assault charges, without any due
diligence at all. But then the Browns are the Browns.
5. Cincinnati
Bengals – Grade B+
|
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
|
1 (9)
|
John Ross
|
WR
|
Washington
|
|
2 (48)
|
Joe Mixon
|
RB
|
Oklahoma
|
|
3 (73)
|
Jordan Willis
|
DE
|
Kansas St
|
|
4 (116)
|
Carl Lawson
|
LB
|
Auburn
|
|
4 (128)
|
Josh Malone
|
WR
|
Tennessee
|
|
4 (138)
|
Ryan Glasgow
|
DT
|
Michigan
|
|
5 (153)
|
Jake Elliott
|
K
|
Memphis
|
|
6 (193)
|
Jordan Evans
|
LB
|
Oklahoma
|
|
6 (207)
|
Brandon Wilson
|
DB
|
Houston
|
|
7 (251)
|
Mason Schrek
|
TE
|
Buffalo
|
Summary: The Bengals march to the beat
of their own drummer when it comes to draft time and it seemed to work out for
them this year. While many teams took Ross off their 1st round board
due to injury concerns, the Bengals said they cleared him and took the blazing
fast wide receiver in the 1st. While many teams took Mixon
completely off their board for his past incidents, the Bengals took potentially
the best overall RB in this class in the 2nd. They then land 2nd
round pass rushers in the 3rd and 4th rounds in Willis
and Lawson.
6. Indianapolis
Colts – Grade B+
|
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
|
1 (15)
|
Malik Hooker
|
S
|
Ohio State
|
|
2 (46)
|
Quincy Wilson
|
CB
|
Florida
|
|
3 (80)
|
Tarrell Basham
|
DE
|
Ohio
|
|
4 (137)
|
Zach Banner
|
T
|
USC
|
|
4 (143)
|
Marlon Mack
|
RB
|
USF
|
|
4 (144)
|
Grover Stewart
|
DT
|
Albany State
|
|
5 (158)
|
Nate Hairston
|
DB
|
Temple
|
|
5 (161)
|
Anthony Walker Jr
|
LB
|
Northwestern
|
Summary: With the chaos and tumult of
the draft spinning all around them, the Colts stuck to their board and took the
best player available at almost every pick. Hooker falling to 15 was a dream
come true as was Wilson in the 2nd and Basham in the 3rd.
The Banner pick might be a reach but does fill a need if he can play. Getting
Mack in the 4th when many projected him into 2nd-3rd
area was magic as he might be their starter at some point next year.
7. Baltimore
Ravens – Grade B+ or C
|
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
|
1 (18)
|
Marlon Humphrey
|
CB
|
Alabama
|
|
2 (47)
|
Tyus Bowser
|
LB
|
Houston
|
|
3 (74)
|
Chris Wormley
|
DE
|
Michigan
|
|
3 (78)
|
Tim Williams
|
LB
|
Alabama
|
|
4 (122)
|
Nico Siragusa
|
G
|
San Diego St
|
|
5 (159)
|
Jermaine Eluemunor
|
G
|
Texas A&M
|
|
6 (186)
|
Chuck Clark
|
DB
|
Virginia Tech
|
Summary: The Ravens had the most
boom/bust draft of anyone this year, thus the grade. It starts with the
extremely talented but troubled Tim Williams. If he can stay out of the
Commissioner’s Office, he can, paired with Bowser and Wormley, put some real
teeth back in that Ravens pass rush. Siragusa is a great pick in the 4th,
as is Eluemunor in the 5th IF he can unlock all the potential in
that frame.
8. Pittsburgh
Steelers – Grade B
|
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
|
1 (30)
|
TJ Watt
|
OLB
|
Wisconsin
|
|
2 (62)
|
JuJu Smith-Schuster
|
WR
|
USC
|
|
3 (94)
|
Cameron Sutton
|
DB
|
Tennessee
|
|
3 (105)
|
James Conner
|
RB
|
Pitt
|
|
4 (135)
|
Joshua Dobbs
|
QB
|
Tennessee
|
|
5 (173)
|
Brian Allen
|
DB
|
Utah
|
|
6 (213)
|
Colin Holba
|
LS
|
Louisville
|
|
7 (248)
|
Keion Adams
|
LB
|
W Michigan
|
Summary: The Steelers did what they came
to do on draft weekend. No more and no less. Watt is likely to start on the
strongside from the jump. JuJu should give a nice compliment to Antonio Brown
as a possession receiver. Cam Sutton, when healthy, is a very smart
safety/corner hybrid. The most intriguing pick is Josh Dobbs, a QB that many
said was this year’s “Dak Prescott” and was selected at the exact same pick as
Prescott.
|
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
|
1 (7)
|
Mike Williams
|
WR
|
Clemson
|
|
2 (38)
|
Forest Lamp
|
G
|
Western Kentucky
|
|
3 (71)
|
Dan Feeney
|
G
|
Indiana
|
|
4 (113)
|
Rayshawn Jenkins
|
S
|
Miami
|
|
5 (151)
|
Desmond King
|
DB
|
Iowa
|
|
6 (190)
|
Sam Tevi
|
OT
|
Utah
|
|
7 (225)
|
Isaac Rochell
|
DE
|
Notre Dame
|
9. Los
Angeles Chargers – Grade B
Summary: Like the Steelers, the
Chargers had a solid but not flashy draft weekend. Mike Williams was a small
surprise at 7 though they did need a #1 target. Bolstering the OL with Lamp and
Feeney were great value and should fix a long-time problem up front. However,
the primary need most saw for the Chargers heading into the draft was FS and
that wasn’t addressed until Day 3. Jenkins or King might turn out to fill that
need but the jury is still out.
10. Denver
Broncos – Grade B
|
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
|
1 (20)
|
Garrett Boles
|
OT
|
Utah
|
|
2 (51)
|
DeMarcus Walker
|
DE
|
Florida St
|
|
3 (82)
|
Carlos Henderson
|
WR
|
Louisiana Tech
|
|
3 (101)
|
Brendan Langley
|
CB
|
Lamar
|
|
5 (145)
|
Jake Butt
|
TE
|
Michigan
|
|
5 (172)
|
Isiah McKenzie
|
WR
|
Georgia
|
|
6 (203)
|
De’Angelo Henderson
|
RB
|
Coastal Carolina
|
|
7 (253)
|
Chad Kelly
|
QB
|
Ole Miss
|
Summary: The Broncos got what might
be their starting LT in Bolles and a starting DE in Walker. Henderson should
add some big play ability to their WR core from the slot. Langley is a sleeper
pick with a lot of potential. Thought he will likely have to miss all of 2017,
Jake Butt could be a Jason Witten for the Broncos.
11. New
York Jets – Grade B
|
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
|
1 (6)
|
Jamal Adams
|
S
|
LSU
|
|
2 (39)
|
Marcus Maye
|
S
|
Florida
|
|
3 (79)
|
ArDarius Stewart
|
WR
|
Alabama
|
|
4 (141)
|
Chad Hansen
|
WR
|
California
|
|
5 (150)
|
Jordan Leggett
|
TE
|
Clemson
|
|
5 (181)
|
Dylan Donahue
|
OLB
|
West Georgia
|
|
6 (188)
|
Elijah McGuire
|
RB
|
UL-Lafayette
|
|
6 (197)
|
Jeremy Clark
|
DB
|
Michigan
|
|
7 (204)
|
Derrick Jones
|
DB
|
Ole Miss
|
Summary: The Jets decided to
cluster their picks, adding 2 safeties and 2 wide receivers with the first 4
picks. But with so many other needs that choice seems curious. Leggett is a
good pass catching TE and Jeremy Clark could be a real steal once he gets
healthy.
12. Oakland
Raiders – Grade B
|
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
|
1 (24)
|
Gareon Conley
|
CB
|
Ohio State
|
|
2 (56)
|
Obi Melifonwu
|
S
|
UConn
|
|
3 (88)
|
Eddie Vanderdoes
|
DE
|
UCLA
|
|
4 (129)
|
David Sharpe
|
OT
|
Florida
|
|
5 (168)
|
Marquel Lee
|
LB
|
Wake Forest
|
|
7 (221)
|
Shalom Luani
|
DB
|
Washington St
|
|
7 (231)
|
Jylan Ware
|
OT
|
Alabama St
|
|
7 (242)
|
Elijah Hood
|
RB
|
UNC
|
|
7 (244)
|
Treyvon Hester
|
DT
|
Toledo
|
Summary: The Raiders draft might
work out great but could also be a disaster. Conley slid due to pending sexual
assault charges. Melifonwu is very athletic but I’m not sure where he fits on
this defense. Vanderdoes was a reach in the 3rd round.
13. Jacksonville
Jaguars – Grade B-
|
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
|
1 (4)
|
Leonard Fournette
|
RB
|
LSU
|
|
2 (34)
|
Cam Robinson
|
OT
|
Alabama
|
|
3 (68)
|
Dawuane Smoot
|
DE
|
Illinois
|
|
4 (110)
|
Dede Westbrook
|
WR
|
Oklahoma
|
|
5 (148)
|
Blair Brown
|
LB
|
Ohio
|
|
7 (222)
|
Jalen Myrick
|
CB
|
Minnesota
|
|
7 (240)
|
Marquez White
|
RB
|
Miami
|
Summary: Things started off ok for
the Jags, getting a workhorse runner in Fournette and a road grader RT in Robinson.
But the Smoot pick was a massive reach (about 2 rounds early) with much better
talent at that spot on the board. And Westbrook comes with a bigger PR issues
than he might be worth in talent. Brown pick was great value.
14. Tennessee
Titans – Grade C+
|
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
|
1 (5)
|
Corey Davis
|
WR
|
Western Michigan
|
|
1 (18)
|
Adoree Jackson
|
CB
|
USC
|
|
3 (72)
|
Taywan Taylor
|
WR
|
Western Kentucky
|
|
3 (100)
|
Jonnu Smith
|
TE
|
Florida Int
|
|
5 (155)
|
Jayon Brown
|
LB
|
UCLA
|
|
6 (217)
|
Corey Levin
|
G
|
UT-Chattanooga
|
|
7 (227)
|
Josh Carraway
|
LB
|
TCU
|
|
7 (236)
|
Brad Seaton
|
OT
|
Villanova
|
|
7 (241)
|
Khalfani Muhammad
|
RB
|
California
|
Summary: The poor grade for the
Titans have more to do with HOW they drafted than WHO they drafted. Corey Davis
might be the best WR in this class but no one, not even the Titans, can be sure
as he is still recovering from a foot injury. Jackson is a real weapon in the
return game and should be a solid slot corner. But considering they could have
drafted the best CB in Lattimore at 6 then gotten the #1 TE in the class in
Howard with the same 2 picks, their grade reflects that. Another small school
WR and TE as well have a chance to be good, but could also be busts.
15. Houston
Texans – Grade C+
|
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
|
1 (12)
|
Deshaun Watson
|
QB
|
Clemson
|
|
2 (57)
|
Zach Cunningham
|
LB
|
Vanderbilt
|
|
3 (89)
|
D’Onta Foreman
|
RB
|
Texas
|
|
4 (130)
|
Julie’n Davenport
|
OT
|
Bucknell
|
|
4 (142)
|
Carlos Watkins
|
DT
|
Clemson
|
|
5 (169)
|
Treston Decoud
|
DB
|
Oregon State
|
|
7 (243)
|
Kyle Fuller
|
C
|
Baylor
|
Summary: The Texans’ desperation
for a QB forced their hand to trade up and hurt their draft plan. But they did
a pretty solid job of salvaging it overall, getting Cunningham for their
defensive front 7, a tough runner (if he can fix fumbling issues) in Foreman
and rotational DT in Watkins as well as a developmental OT in Davenport. If
Watson proves to be more than smaller version of Vince Young, this grade will
improve drastically.
16. Kansas
City Chiefs – Grade C
|
Round
(Pick)
|
Name
|
Position
|
School
|
|
1 (10)
|
Patrick Mahomes
|
QB
|
Texas Tech
|
|
2 (59)
|
Tanoh Kpassagnon
|
DE
|
Villanova
|
|
3 (86)
|
Kareem Hunt
|
RB
|
Toledo
|
|
4 (139)
|
Jehu Chesson
|
WR
|
Michigan
|
|
5 (183)
|
Ukeme Eligwe
|
LB
|
Georgia Southern
|
|
6 (218)
|
Leon McQuay
|
CB
|
USC
|
Summary: This draft will ultimately
hinge on the career of Mahomes in KC. As a gunslinger with work to do in
technique, Mahomes seemed an odd choice for the Andy Reid system. With the rest
of the draft, the Chiefs did just ok. Kpassagnon is a finesse DE in the Chiefs
3-4, Hunt is a versatile back but lacks homerun threat ability and the rest of
the draft were reaches.
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