Dec 2, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Corey Davis (84) rushes in the first half against the Ohio Bobcats at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
- Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, OLB, Texas A&M
We knew this pick was coming and now the Browns have a pass rusher with elite athleticism. The Browns defense has already been upgraded with this pick. Garrett has been raved about by Draftniks.
- Chicago Bears: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
This was the first surprise of the draft. The Bears traded their third pick and a handful of others to pick up a potential quarterback. I think the Bears really rolled the dice with this one.
- San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas, DL, Stanford
The new 49er GM, John Lynch, is leading the Niners rebuilding project. He picked up a bunch of picks as well as a defensive lineman who could bring interior rush and set the edge on early downs. Thomas may have the most upside in this draft.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Jacksonville in one pick has built a top notch running game with this pick. Fournette has a special combination of speed and power and has succeeded at every level.
- Tennessee Titans: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Tennessee has not had a top receiver in a while and Davis gives them a potential focal point of the offense. Davis has the potential to give Marcus Mariota another option to go along with Delanie Walker. I think Davis can start right away.
- New York Jets: Jamal Adams, SS, LSU
The Jets get good value at number six. Adams has few holes in his game and I project him to be a playmaker in the NFL. His presence in the locker may change the culture in New York.
- Los Angeles Chargers: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
I was a bit surprised to see two receivers off the board so quickly, but Williams has the potential to be a number one receiver. Mike Williams was a national champion and has a good catch radius. His size will create matchup problems.
- Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
There has been a lot of speculation about this pick and it is now confirmed that the Stanford star is going to Carolina. McCaffrey is a dynamic runner who can help improve their short passing game as well. I see him improving their offense as well as their special teams with his return ability.
- Cincinnati Bengals: John Ross, WR, Washington
This pick surprised me as I didn’t think three receivers would go so quickly. The Bengals added a speed receiver who can improve the Bengals passing game in the slot. I didn’t think receiver was a huge need for the Bengals, but now Dalton has another gadget in his offense.
- Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes II, QB, Texas Tech
Kansas City traded up 17 spots for this pick which is an indication that they like Mahomes style and think he is the quarterback of the future. Mahomes has good speed and a lot of arm talent but will need to play with more discipline when called upon. Kansas City is hoping Mahomes can overtake Alex Smith as the quarterback of their team.
- New Orleans Saints: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
This was a very logical pick for the Saints as a cornerback was a top need to rebuild their defense. Lattimore was rated the top corner in this draft and I agree that he is a complete corner that can add a little bump and run to the Saints coverage.
- Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Houston traded up for a quarterback and it probably has to do with the fact that they really needed a quarterback. Tom Savage is considered the quarterback as of now, but DeShaun Watson will be given every chance to win the quarterback job. Houston had to like Watson’s leadership and success in college as a Heisman Finalist and National Champion.
- Arizona Cardinals: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
This is an excellent pick for Arizona as Reddick has the makings of a top player at his position. Reddick is always around the ball when tackling and shows the coverage skills you love in a linebacker. I also think he could add a pass rushing dimension to Arizona’s defense where he could have success rushing from a linebacker spot. What a day for Reddick getting drafted in his home city!
- Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
The Eagles upgraded their defense with one of my favorite players in this draft. He didn’t light up the combine, but we’re talking about football and not a track meet. Barnett is a speed rusher with an arsenal of moves that could upgrade the Eagles pass defense quickly.
- Indianapolis Colts: Malik Hooker, FS, Ohio State
The Colts were lucky that Hooker dropped this far as he is the best centerfielder in this draft. Hooker impressed with teams in college not throwing to his area of the field despite playing with two first round corners in this draft and one from last year.
- Baltimore Ravens: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Corner was a need for Baltimore and Humphrey seems to have a lot of upside. Humprey is already an instinctual corner and a willing run supporter. His man coverage was not great at Alabama, but his speed and length suggest he could develop into a very complete corner.
- Washington Redskins: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
The only reason Jonathan Allen fell this far was because of concerns with his shoulder. Washington really needs to improve the interior of their pass rush. Allen will do just that and be an anchor on the defensive line.
- Tennessee Titans: Adoree’ Jackson, CB, Southern California
Adoree’ Jackson was pegged as more of a second round guy by draftniks, but was invited to the draft. Jackson can play immediately in the slot for Tennessee and return punts on day one. I think the hope is he can become a corner opposite Logan Ryan in the future.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OJ Howard, TE, Alabama
I don’t think Howard deserved to drop this far. My gut tells me he didn’t show the passion for the game of football teams were looking for. I also think teams just don’t draft tight ends high. Either way, Jameis Winston has another weapon in his offense.
- Denver Broncos: Garrett Bolles, T, Utah
The Broncos drafted upside here. Bolles has the potential to help the Broncos rebuild their offensive line. I don’t know if he is quite starter ready, but he will be thrown into the fire.
- Detriot Lions: Jarrad Davis, OLB, Florida
Detriot added to their linebacking core with this pick. Davis is a good athlete and a high character guy. I think the big question with him were the injuries he suffered toward the end of his career at Florida.
- Miami Dolphins: Charles Harris, OLB, Missouri
Every team wants a good pass rusher and Harris has shown a good first step and the potential to get after the quarterback. I do have some concerns about him in the running game.
- New York Giants: Evan Engram, TE, Mississippi
The Giants have not had a matchup nightmare at tight end since Jeremy Shockey. I would have expected the Giants to go somewhere else with this pick. I don’t expect much from Engram as an in-line blocker, but he will be a matchup nightmare for defenses. Eli Manning has two excellent receiving options in Beckham, Jr., and Engram. Engram will start right away.
- Oakland Raiders: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
This pick was the biggest shocker of the night. I guess the Raiders are confident that Conley’s name will get cleared. Although Conley has not been charged or arrested, there are rape allegations with him involved, in a Cleveland hotel.
- Cleveland Browns: Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
This pick was the compensation Cleveland got for trading the twelfth pick. They used it to take the most versatile player in this draft. I wonder if this the right place for Peppers as he will have to learn a specific position well in the NFL.
- Atlanta Falcons: Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA
If you missed it on television, this was a great story. McKinley was elated when drafted and brought a picture of his deceased grandmother to show how much making it to the NFL meant to him. The story is that it was his grandmother’s dying wish for him to go to the NFL and get out of inner-city Oakland. Feel good story of the night. As far as the implications for the Falcons, edge was their biggest need and McKinley is a high motor prospect but does have some injury concerns.
- Buffalo Bills: Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
This was quietly one of the better picks of the night. White has great coverage skills and the only knock on him is his height. He will step in early as a slot receiver and do well in coverage.
- Dallas Cowboys: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
Charlton has the potential to be a very good pass rusher in the NFL. To be honest, its probably good that he is not playing in an odd front where he will have to drop into coverage because of his size.
- Cleveland Browns: David Njoku, TE, Miami (FL)
Wheeling and dealing all night, the Browns traded up for Njoku and in return, they will get a very good tight end. Cleveland is in a position where they need to rebuild and just take the best players available and they did that with this pick.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: TJ Watt, OLB, Wisconsin
This pick was very quiet for the Steelers. Watt, the brother of JJ Watt, will enter the NFL as an edge rusher. The Steelers need a replacement for James Harrison who is 39 and so the position makes sense. Watt is also a high character player with the ability to stop the run and drop into coverage. My concern is whether he has the pass rush ability to help the Steelers get back to their blitzberg ways.
- San Francisco 49ers: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Foster was a model for how to mess up your draft stock this offseason. Although there weren’t any significant problems at Alabama, he was asked to leave the combine for behavioral reasons. Add onto that, his drug test showed up as a diluted sample and there were injury concerns. If San Francisco can get past that, they have found themselves a very good linebacker.
- New Orleans Saints: Ryan Ramczyk, T, Wisconsin
I was kind of surprised that this is where Ramcyzk went considering the amount of teams that need help on their offensive line. On the bright side, the Saints got a tough tackle who plays with good technique. I think late first round is about the value I would place him at considering his frame.
