With a wild first round now complete, we rate each franchise’s picks and overall performance after day one of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Arizona Cardinals
Needs: LB, QB, Offensive Line, TE, Edge Rusher
Picks:
13 - Haason Reddick | Linebacker | Temple | PFF Rank: 20
Verdict:
The Cardinals fulfilled an immediate need at linebacker by selecting Reddick at 13. He is capable of being a day one starter next to Deone Bucannon and offers the Cardinals D that sense of versatility to utilise on both passing or rushing downs. Under the radar performance by Arizona’s front office
Grade: B
Atlanta Falcons
Needs: Guard, LB
Picks:
26 - Takkarist McKinley | Edge Rusher | UCLA | PFF Rank: 47
Verdict:
Preferred the Falcons to fill their needs at the guard positions with Forrest Lamp, but decided to find an explosive edge rusher that can complement Vic Beasley Jr on the opposite side to add pass-rush effectiveness. Looked a stretch pick given McKinley’s overall talent.
Grade: C+
Baltimore Ravens
Needs: LB, CB, Tackle, WR, TE
Picks:
16 - Marlon Humphrey | Cornerback | Alabama | PFF Rank: 25
Verdict:
Ravens played it smart and would wait until day two to meet their wide receiver and offensive line needs, and decided to select a solid outside corner in Humphrey. With an old an injury-prone cornerback depth chart, they added someone that can effectively shut down the main man and move to safety if need be.
Grade: B+
__Buffalo Bills
Needs: Safety, LB, WR, QB
Picks:
10 - (Traded to Kansas City Chiefs)
27 - Tre’Davious White | Cornerback | LSU | PFF Rank: 12 (Traded In)
Verdict:
Buffalo traded their pick 10 to the Chiefs organisation who was obviously desperate to move up and select a quarterback to be the successor of Alex Smith, and in return received 27, 91 and a 2018 first-round pick. White was a solid selection at 27 as he filled a void and was one of the best remaining prospects on the board. An aggressive corner with efficient tackling abilities.
Grade: A
Carolina Panthers
Needs: RB, Tackle, WR, Interior Defender
Picks:
8 - Christian McCaffrey | Running Back | Stanford | PFF Rank: 16
Verdict:
The Panthers were always going to select a running back here, but surprised it was a runner-receiver rather than an elusive downhill rusher in Dalvin Cook. We know McCaffrey has talent, and will be interesting to see how Carolina will utilise him with Cam Newton.
Grade: B+
Chicago Bears
Needs: QB, Interior Defender, CB, Edge Rusher, Tackle, WR
Picks:
3 - (Traded to San Francisco 49ers)
2 - Mitchell Trubisky | Quarterback | North Carolina | PFF Rank: 13 (Traded In)
Verdict:
I love Trubisky as he reminds me of ex-Jet Chad Pennington, but why would you trade up to get a quarterback when you just signed a QB in the off-season in Mike Glennon for starter money? Should’ve addressed defensive needs at their original pick in three, but we will revisit this trade in three years.
Grade: C
Cincinnati Bengals
Needs: Interior Defender, Edge Rusher, Tackle, Guard, RB
Picks:
9 - John Ross | Wide Receiver | Washington | PFF Rank: 19
Verdict:
This pick was to ensure that QB Andy Dalton now has a pure deep threat with elite speed. His ability to go downfield will give A.J Green more looks in one-on-one situations in which he will thrive on, a strategy that was definitely considered when thinking of this selection. Could’ve met other priority needs, but they got a nice playmaker here.
Grade: B
Cleveland Browns
Needs: Edge Rusher, Safety, Interior Defender, Cornerback
Picks:
1 - Myles Garrett | Edge Rusher | Texas A&M | PFF Rank: 1
12 - (Traded to Houston Texans)
25 - Jabrill Peppers | Safety | Michigan | PFF Rank: 45 (Traded In)
29 - David Njoku | Tight End | Miami | PFF Rank: 31 (Traded In)
Verdict:
Garrett was a no brainer, and it looked like the Browns were still in the market to stockpile draft picks to rebuild after trading away 12 to Houston for pick 25 and a 2018 first-round pick. Peppers was an interesting selection, but filled a need at safety and was highest ranked in that position still on the board. Njoku at 29 could end up being a sound selection when looking back in three years time, but had a huge opportunity to take sliding linebacker Reuben Foster there.
Grade: B+
Dallas Cowboys
Needs: Cornerback, Edge Rusher, TE
Picks:
28 - Taco Charlton | Edge Rusher | Michigan | PFF Rank: 28
Verdict:
Jerry Jones and co stayed quiet during the draft and ended up selecting a real hit in Charlton at 28. They know this draft is rich in positions they have needs for, but A-grade edge rushers were flying off the board so they went with one that can turn out to be blue chip. Will wait until day two to still find a solid tight end and cornerback.
Grade: A
Denver Broncos
Needs: Tackle, QB, DT
Picks:
20 - Garrett Bolles | Tackle | Utah | PFF Rank: 61
Verdict:
I like this pick. A player that has dealt with a lot of adversity at a position that GM John Elway needed to address, and a selection that is going to make developing QB Paxton Lynch very happy.
Grade: A
Detroit Lions
Needs: LB, WR, DT, Edge Rusher
Picks:
21 - Jarrad Davis | Linebacker | Florida | PFF Rank: 38
Verdict:
A no-nonsense pick that I assume the Lions would’ve been happy to come out of day one with. A three-down workhorse that fills a need and adds to a run-stopping unit that needed to be desperately upgraded.
Grade: A
Green Bay Packers
Needs: CB, LB, Guard
Picks:
29 - (Traded to Cleveland Browns)
Verdict:
The Packers desperately need high-quality corners, and in a draft that is rich in CB talent decided to trade down and now have picks 33 and 61 in round two to find them. Sidney Jones, Chidobe Awuzie, Kevin King and Teez Tabor still on the board.
Grade: N/A
Houston Texans
Needs: QB, LB, WR, Edge Rusher
Picks:
12 - Deshaun Watson | Quarterback | Clemson | PFF Rank: 17 (Traded In)
25 - (Traded to Cleveland Browns)
Verdict:
With Trubisky and Mahomes being drafted due to trade-ups by GMs, the Texans did not want to let Watson slip to another team. They sacrificed their pick 25 and a future first-round selection in 2018 to jump up and get their man, and it may be the best draft move in Texans history behind the selection of J.J Watt. This QB just knows how to win, and Houston was desperate to have someone like Deshaun.
Grade: A
Indianapolis Colts
Needs: LB, Edge Rusher, CB, WR, RB
Picks:
15 - Malik Hooker | Safety | Ohio State | PFF Rank: 8
Verdict:
Hooker fell into the Colts’ lap! With Mike Adams leaving it left a hole for a big playmaking safety, an attribute in which Hooker possesses in spades. Will start day one and is close to the most athletic player chosen in the first round.
Grade: A
Jacksonville Jaguars
Needs: WR, Tackle, RB
Picks:
4 - Leonard Fournette | Running Back | LSU | PFF Rank: 23
Verdict:
Was hoping the Jags would draft a quality WR2 in either Mike Williams or Corey Davis, but they decided to go with a player they’ve been eyeing since March. Fournette will help take the pressure off struggling QB Blake Bortles, and if you don’t know of his abilities just youtube his stuff. One of my personal favourites, but has to work on consistency both as a rusher and receiver.
Grade: B+
Kansas City Chiefs
Needs: Edge, DT, LB, RB
Picks:
10 - Patrick Mahomes | Quarterback | Texas Tech | PFF Rank: 29
Verdict:
The Chiefs didn’t have any immediate needs to fill, but trading up 15 spots for a quarterback with second-round ability was a little questionable. Yes, he has so much Brett Favre about him but was it worth trading away pick 25, 91 and your 2018 first-rounder for a gunslinger? Will learn a lot under Alex Smith though.
Verdict: B
Los Angeles Chargers
Needs: Edge Rusher, Offensive Line, CB
Picks:
7 - Mike Williams | Wide Receiver | Clemson | PFF Rank: 11
Verdict:
A statement was made today by the Chargers’ front office picking Williams: The L.A Bolts will be high-octane offense! Williams is an elite 1v1 receiver with tricks, but the Chargers had too many needs ahead of WR, the main one being the entire offensive line. Can they find an NFL-calibre tackle/guard in the middle rounds in a draft packed with defensive playmakers?
Verdict: B
Los Angeles Rams
Did not have a first round selection.
Miami Dolphins
Needs: LB, Edge Rusher, CB
Picks:
22 - Charles Harris | Edge Rusher/Linebacker | Missouri | PFF Rank: 36
Verdict:
This pick looked like it was more developmental than meeting a need. Miami have seemed to find something in Harris that they like and that they can mould into a potential star, but don’t expect him to start in front of both Cameron Wake and William Hayes this upcoming season. Was thinking they’d go with either Tre’Davious White or Reuben Foster here.
Grade: C+
Minnesota Vikings
Did not have a first round selection.
New England Patriots
Did not have a first round selection.
New Orleans Saints
Needs: LB, CB, Interior Defender, Safety
Picks:
11 - Marshon Lattimore | Cornerback | Ohio State | PFF Rank: 3
32 - Ryan Ramczyk | Tackle | Wisconsin | PFF Rank: 22
Verdict:
Lattimore is close to the steal of the draft for me, and thought he was not going to go past the Chargers at seven. They got amazing value at 11 and will immediately help out a defense that is on the border of embarrassing. Adding Ramczyk is more a ‘looking ahead’ selection, but still has the skillset to start day one. Solid day for the Saints.
Grade: A+
New York Giants
Needs: LB, Interior Defender, Tackle, TE
Picks:
23 - Evan Engram | Tight End | Mississippi | PFF Rank: 58
Verdict:
Looks like the Giants really reached to select Engram, and could argue that David Njoku was a better selection to fit the tight end need here. That being said, they filled a much-needed void that would make QB Eli Manning happy, and now has a strong-bodied target on the inside to make some noise.
Grade: B
New York Jets
Needs: QB, Edge Rusher, WR, Safety, LB, Tackle, CB
Picks:
6 - Jamaal Adams | Safety | LSU | PFF Rank: 5
Verdict:
The Jets were rumoured to trade up to the 49ers’ pick at two for Adams and he still fell to their lap at six, capping off a major steal for a team that has been nothing short of unlucky when looking at draft performances over the past five years. This guy is a playmaker, and Gang Green may have found the player to build their secondary around for the future. Can they back this up in rounds two and three?
Grade: A+
Oakland Raiders
Needs: LB, Edge Rusher, Interior Defender, CB
Picks:
24 - Gareon Conley | Cornerback | Ohio State | PFF Rank: 35
Verdict:
A selection that was questioned by many experts by off-field discretions rather than on-field abilities, as he has a sound skillset in pass coverage and the prototypical CB frame to play at the NFL level. Instantly helps out their troubles against the pass.
Grade: B+
Philadelphia Eagles
Needs: LB, Edge Rusher, CB, WR
Picks:
14 - Derek Bennett | Edge Rusher | Tennessee | PFF Rank: 6
Verdict:
Surprised a player with the talent of Barnett fell at 14. Not only filled a much-needed hole the pass-rush but has shown elite strength and consistency throughout his college career. An early smokey for NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Grade: A+
Pittsburgh Steelers
Needs: TE, LB, Edge Rusher
Picks:
30 - T.J Watt | Edge Rusher/Outside Linebacker | PFF Rank: 41
Verdict:
I like this pick a lot. May be a touch light to play against bigger bodies in the NFC North but is in an elite organisation with the ceiling the develop into a true star. With James Harrison getting to the brink of retirement and Lawrence Timmons leaving it’s a very wise selection for the future.
Grade: A
San Francisco 49ers
Needs: Edge Rusher, DT, Guard, LB, CB, Tackle
Picks:
2 - (Traded to Chicago Bears)
3 - Solomon Thomas | Edge Rusher | Stanford | PFF Rank: 10 (Traded In)
31 - Reuben Foster | Linebacker | Alabama | PFF Rank: 4
Verdict:
GM John Lynch won the first night of the draft, plain and simple. He traded down one pick while adding 67, 111 and a 2018 third-rounder from Chicago, and picked a player they would’ve most likely chosen at two anyway in Solomon Thomas. He has so much versatility and can play either edge or defensive tackle which are two needs Lynch needed to address. To cap it off they got 31 from the Seahawks (for 34 and Chicago’s 111th pick) to select the sliding linebacker in what has to be considered next to Jonathan Allen as the steal of day one.
Grade: A+
Seattle Seahawks
Needs: Offensive Line, Interior Defender
Picks:
31 - (Traded to San Francisco 49ers)
Verdict:
Traded their only first-rounder to the 49ers for picks 34 and 111. Will most likely use the second pick of the second round tomorrow for an offensive lineman.
Grade: N/A
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Needs: RB, Edge Rusher, Tackle, RB
Picks:
19 - O.J Howard | Tight End | Alabama | PFF Rank: 18
Verdict:
Could’ve met their needs at tackle by selecting Ryan Ramczyk or drafting a surprising slider in Dalvin Cook at 18, but decided to go with a player that was easily best available on the board in Howard. Adds another ‘big-play’ weapon to Jameis Winston’s arsenal for the next 5-10 years, and has proven that he is more than capable in rush-blocking.
Grade: B+
Tennessee Titans
Needs: WR, Interior Defender, CB, LB
Picks:
5 - Corey Davis | Wide Receiver | Western Michigan | PFF Rank: 7
18 - Adoree’ Jackson | Cornerback | USC | PFF Rank: 37
Verdict:
Huge hit with pick five picking up a day one WR1 starter in Corey Davis. Marcus Mariota would be loving life right now and cannot wait to practice with his new teammate and work a tandem that could be playoff-worthy. Jackson was another sound pick at 18, and has shown he has elite ball skills and playmaking ability at CB position. Can also be used in special teams as a returner.
Grade: A
Washington Redskins
Needs: Edge, Interior Defender, Guard
Picks:
17 - Jonathan Allen | Interior Defender/Defensive End | Alabama | PFF Rank: 2
Verdict:
The Redskins were coming into draft day with a need at defensive line, but they did not expect a player of Allen’s talent to be on the board at 17. This kid is one of my favourites and will instantly help out Washington’s defensive woes against the run day one. He has pro-bowl written all over him!
Grade: A+