The Official 2017 NFL Draft Thread

[315]

Trubisky round 1 to the bills

Reddikk would be my pick. McD needs athletic LBs to run that D. If they feel like one these QBs is their guy I guess you gotta take him.
Just too soon after Manuel for me

 

[Frump]

 

[Brady-Carter]

To add to this.



Translation: "Browns are open to trading 1, make us a offer."

 

[Omar Little]

Reddikk would be my pick. McD needs athletic LBs to run that D. If they feel like one these QBs is their guy I guess you gotta take him.
Just too soon after Manuel for me

I Think we need someone to replace Gilmore on the other side of Darby.

 

[Swagnificent]

To add to this.



Translation: "Browns are open to trading 1, make us a offer."

I swear to God the Browns are retarded.

You got a generational player available at #1. Take Myles Garrett and be happy. Plus you got lots of other picks high in this LOADED draft. Take the best players available and start playing football.

They're trying too hard right now to game the system with these analytics clowns.

 

[Omar Little]

Trubisky round 1 to the bills

I almost wanted to neg u for that

 

[Freddie.Cane]

I almost wanted to neg u for that

 

[O.iatlhawksfan]

Browns smartened up huh

 

[King P]

All I know is if the Bears choose a QB with the 3rd pick, I will lose my shyt!...

Hearing Chicago really likes Watson.

Take that for what it's worth though

 

[Thegospel]

I swear to God the Browns are retarded.

You got a generational player available at #1. Take Myles Garrett and be happy. Plus you got lots of other picks high in this LOADED draft. Take the best players available and start playing football.

They're trying too hard right now to game the system with these analytics clowns.

Yeah, all those picks they have don't matter with trash at qb. They think they're being cutting edge smh

 

[315]

I Think we need someone to replace Gilmore on the other side of Darby.

There are a lot CBs I like that will be available in the later rounds. Not as many LBs so that's why I would go LB/front 7 early. If they go CB early I do like Jarrad Davis and Duke Riley. Elijah Lee from KState too. We need a legit WLB though

 

[Swagnificent]

Yeah, all those picks they have don't matter with trash at qb. They think they're being cutting edge smh

First build the team then find the QB.

The likelihood of finding a QB that will lead a team to a great record without a good supporting cast is highly unlikely. Literally only Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady can do that.

Build the team first then try to find the QB. Trying to work the other way isn't any better. Look at the Colts right now.

 

[Thegospel]

First build the team then find the QB.

The likelihood of finding a QB that will lead a team to a great record without a good supporting cast is highly unlikely. Literally only Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady can do that.

Build the team first then try to find the QB. Trying to work the other way isn't any better. Look at the Colts right now.

The colts failed because they have a shytty gm. Atlanta got the qb first, Carolina did, titans did, need I continue?

 

[King P]

2017 NFL Draft Position Review: Running Backs

Running Back Class
Early-round talent: A-
Mid-round: A-
Late-round: A-
Overall grade: A-

2017 prospects vs 2016
Leonard Fournette
Ezekiel Elliott
Dalvin Cook
Christian McCaffrey
D'Onta Foreman
Alvin Kamara
Joe Mixon
Derrick Henry
Kenyon Drake
C.J. Prosise
Wayne Gallman
Tyler Ervin
Samaje Perine
Kenneth Dixon
Devontae Booker
DeAndre Washington

The 2017 class of running backs is one of the best running back classes in years. There are a couple of special prospects who could go as top-10 picks. There are other first-round contenders with excellent depth. There are even good running back prospects for the mid-rounds and the final day of the 2017 NFL Draft. Two years ago in this column, I said that Todd Gurley could have a Hall of Fame career if he stays healthy, and last year, I said that Ezekiel Ellliott also had Hall of Fame potential. Thus, it really says something to have Fournette rated higher than Elliott. Some top NFL running back evaluators have told me that they graded Fournette first, Gurley second, and Elliott third in terms of the numerical grade on their draft reports. Thus, Fournette could make it three straight years of an elite running back entering the NFL.

If you were to merge the two classes, I would put Fournette on top as the best prospect coming out of college. Elliott will probably have the better career numbers than Fournette or Gurley because of the Cowboys' offensive line and supporting cast. Dalvin Cook is also worthy of top-10 consideration and is just a little behind Fournette and Elliott. McCaffrey is a legit first-rounder as well. Foreman, Kamara and Mixon are excellent second-round talents like Derrick Henry. Mixon would be a first-rounder if he were clean off the field. Gallman and Perine are the third- or fourth-round bubblers similar to Ervin.

There is a lot of good depth for the mid-rounds and Day 3. South Florida's Marlon Mack, Toledo's Kareem Hunt, Wyoming's Brian Hill and Boise State's Jeremy McNichols could be third- or fourth-round picks who contribute quickly. BYU's Jamaal Williams and Michigan's De'Veon Smith could be nice values from Day 3

Safest Pick: Leonard Fournette, LSU
This was an easy choice as Fournette is one of the elite players in the 2017 NFL Draft at any position. Fournette has tremendous burst, power, vision, balance and ability to rip off yards in chunks. He has the strength to run through tackles and pick up yards after contact with the speed to take the ball the distance. Fournette looks like a three-down starter and a future Pro Bowler.

Biggest Bust Potential: Wayne Gallman, Clemson
This was a tough choice, and no player is really jumping out at me. I chose Gallman because he is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades/master-of-none prospect. Gallman has decent size, but is not overly powerful. He is quick, but not fast. Gallman also was banged up in 2016 and already had at least one concussion. I could see Gallman becoming a solid secondary back, but he could be drafted to be a lead starter.

Running Back Rankings by Attributes

Natural Running Ability:

1. Leonard Fournette
2. Dalvin Cook
3. Joe Mixon
4. D'Onta Foreman
5. Christian McCaffrey
6. Alvin Kamara
7. Samaje Perine
8. Wayne Gallman

Recap: There are still a number of coaches in the NFL who want the old-school approach of a running-based offense. Additionally, a lot of passing-led offenses want a back who can wear down defenses in the second half of games. All of these backs for the 2017 NFL Draft are quality runners.

Fournette is definitely at the top of the list. Throughout his college career, he was utterly dominant and demonstrated a great combination of speed and power. He can run over defenders and break off long runs with a threat to score on almost any carry. His vision, feet, burst, patience and balance are phenomenal. On top of that, Fournette is elusive in the open field. He uses a combination of all his gifts to spin away from defenders, weave around them, and dodge them. Fournette has a superb ability to run while bending at the knee, which allows him to run behind his pads and helps him to bounce off tacklers. Many backs his size have a tendency to run too upright, but Fournette is very good to bend until he gets in the open field and turns on the afterburners.

There is no doubt that Cook is a dynamic runner for the NFL. He is a well-built back with tremendous speed. He has an explosive first-step and a second gear to accelerate downfield after hitting the second level. Cook is a very elusive runner, and that makes him extremely dangerous in the open field. In space, Cook dominates defenders with juke moves and cuts to weave around defenders. He has natural height, knee bend, and body lean that make him very tough to get a hold of for defenders. As a ball-carrier, he has tremendous feel with vision and patience. He is a natural running back who is a slashing weapon to carve up defenses.

Mixon is a well-balanced runner with explosive speed, cutting ability, vision, patience and balance. He is a tough back who can redirect or go North-South. Mixon is a threat to rip off long chunk runs on any carry.

Foreman is a North-South bulldozer with a burst to the second level. He has the power to run over defenders and the speed to break runs for long gains. The reason why he is lower is because he lacks quick change-of-direction skills and is not elusive enough to dodge tacklers.

As a runner, McCaffrey is a play-maker. He is fast, sudden, and a threat to rip off a big gain on any touch. McCaffrey has moves in the open field to juke defenders or weave around them with excellent cutting ability. He also has a tremendous burst to break into the open field, alongside great vision and cutting ability. While McCaffrey isn't the biggest of backs, he is tougher than he is given credit for as a runner between the tackles.

Perine has very good vision with a balance of strength and quickness. He hits the second level with power to pick up yards after contact. Gallman has impressive feet with the ability to be elusive in the open field. He has tremendous lateral quickness to dodge tacklers and a burst to accelerate running North-South.

Pass Receiving:

1. Christian McCaffrey
2. Alvin Kamara
3. Dalvin Cook
4. Joe Mixon
5. Leonard Fournette
6. Wayne Gallman
7. Samaje Perine
8. D'Onta Foreman

Recap: The passing-driven NFL has many offensive coordinators emphasizing running backs' ability to help the aerial offense over their running ability. Coaches want backs who have good hands, run good routes and can rack up yards as outlet receivers. This was a really hard choice as the top four are all excellent receiving backs.

That being said, McCaffrey and Kamara are the best because they both have the potential to be slot receivers. McCaffrey is a phenomenal route-runner and might be the best route-runner in the 2017 NFL Draft, including all of the wide receivers. As a wideout, he has soft hands with quickness, cutting ability, and great feel. He could end up being one of the better receiving backs in the NFL, as could Kamara. Tennessee would line Kamara up as a slot receiver, and he was excellent in that role with running routes down the seam. He is a mismatch nightmare on linebackers.

As a receiver, Cook is an incredible prospect. He runs tremendous routes to get open and has superb hands. He is a threat to make big plays in the passing game running routes vertically down the sideline. With his skills as a receiver, Cook could line up in the slot and should be a mismatch weapon who will be very valuable on third downs as an outlet receiver who can move the chains. Mixon is a superb receiving back as well and was the Sooners' passing-game back. He is a dangerous weapon in the open field and creates mismatches. Mixon had 32 receptions last year and will be an asset as a receiver in the NFL.

Fournette is a better receiver than he's given credit for. During his sophomore year, he showed some nice route-running and soft hands. He will be better as an outlet receiver than many realize.

Gallman was a solid outlet receiver, but didn't get a lot of opportunities as Clemson pushed the ball downfield. Perine and Foreman are big power backs who probably won't be used much as receivers out of the backfield in the NFL.

Pass Blocking:

1. Christian McCaffrey
2. Dalvin Cook
3. Joe Mixon
4. Wayne Gallman
5. Alvin Kamara
6. Leonard Fournette
7. D'Onta Foreman
8. Samaje Perine

Recap: None of these backs are as good as Ezekiel Elliott in this regard last year, but a lot of them have potential. In blitz protection, McCaffrey is a willing blocker and doesn't shy away from contact. Once he gets some development with learning NFL blitz schemes, he should be a real asset in the passing game.

Gallman was a willing blocker to help protect Deshaun Watson. He could be a versatile back in the NFL. Cook, Mixon and Kamara all flashed some ability as blitz protectors, but they were mainly used as receivers because they are such threats in that role.

Fournette has a willing attitude, and I think in time he could be an asset as a backfield blocker. Foreman and Perine are power backs who have the size to matchup on linebackers, but will need some coaching up for this.

Yards After Contact:

1. Leonard Fournette
2. D'Onta Foreman
3. Samaje Perine
4. Joe Mixon
5. Christian McCaffrey
6. Dalvin Cook
7. Wayne Gallman
8. Alvin Kamara

Recap: For running backs to be consistently successful in the NFL, they have to have the ability to get yards after contact. Breaking tackles is critical to moving the chains and setting up good down and distance. Fournette is the No. 1 back for this. It usually takes multiple defenders to bring him down, and he's constantly bouncing off or running over defenders to pick up more yards on the ground. There are times where Fournette punishes defenders with violence.

Foreman and Perine are both very good power backs. They can power through arm tackles with ease, and there were plenty of plays that they broke through defenders and churned ahead for more yards. Both are good in short-yardage situations and can run through tacklers.

Mixon also has the ability to pick up yards after contact. He can run through arm tackles and finished his runs extremely well.

While McCaffrey and Cook aren't huge, they are tough backs who break tackles and get yards after contact. They do a good job of fighting for extra yards and falling forward. Both are thickly built, and defenders can have a hard time of getting a hold of him.

Gallman has good size and was a mixed bag for yards after contact. He did pretty well in 2015, but wasn't as impressive last year. Kamara has a nice build, but he won't pick up a ton of yards after contact in the NFL with bigger and stronger defenders.

Zone-Blocking Runner:

1. Leonard Fournette
2. D'Onta Foreman
3. Joe Mixon
4. Samaje Perine
5. Wayne Gallman
6. Dalvin Cook
7. Christian McCaffrey
8. Alvin Kamara

Recap: Fournette is a great fit for a zone scheme. He is tremendous to make one cut and explode down the field. Fournette follows his blocks well, and once he accelerates, he flies through the defense. His cutting ability will be very good to hit the cut-back lane and explode downfield. In a zone scheme, Fournette could be devastating.

Foreman flows with the line and powers his way downhill. If he can get to his third or fourth step of running downhill, defenses are in big trouble. Foreman would be better as a zone runner in the NFL than in a man scheme.

Mixon, Perine and Gallman have a lot the attributes to execute in zone. All of them can be one-cut downhill runners who have patience, vision, and sufficient power.

Cook, McCaffrey and Kamara would be better in a man schemes, but they have enough ability to execute zone schemes.

Power-Man Runner:

1. Dalvin Cook
2. Christian McCaffrey
3. Leonard Fournette
4. Joe Mixon
5. Alvin Kamara
6. Wayne Gallman
7. D'Onta Foreman
8. Samaje Perine

Recap: Cook's cutting ability, balance, and ability to stop and start should make him superb at executing an NFL power-man blocking scheme almost immediately.

McCaffrey, Fournette, Mixon and Kamara are all shifty runners with the cutting ability, speed, and elusiveness to help their blockers and make their own holes. Fournette and Mixon have more size to run through a free defender. All the members of this group are fits for a man scheme.

Gallman could fit in a man scheme. He has a quick lateral jump cut that was very effective in the 2015 season.

Foreman and Perine are more one-cut downhill runners. They don't have a lot of lateral movement skills and are North-South backs.

Elusiveness:

1. Dalvin Cook
2. Leonard Fournette
3. Christian McCaffrey
4. Joe Mixon
5. Alvin Kamara
6. Wayne Gallman
7. D'Onta Foreman
8. Samaje Perine

Recap: Cook and Fournette are basically tied as the most elusive runners in this draft class. They juke defenders, spin away, cut around them and use speed to run by them. Defenders really struggle to get a firm grasp on them. Cook is a little more slippery, thus he gets the edge over Fournette.

McCaffrey, Mixon, and Kamara have elusiveness in the open field. They all can dodge tacklers and juke linebackers in ugly fashion. McCaffrey had a knack for seeming to be stopped and then breaking a run downfield.

Gallman was a tough runner in 2015 as he could weave through defenders in the open field with lateral quickness and a nice jump cut.

Foreman and Perine are downhill runners; they use their strength to be elusive and not let tacklers get control of him. Foreman will run through tacklers and has a little more wiggle to him than Perine. Perine lacks elusiveness with his feet. He won't juke defenders or zigzag his way through a defense. He is totally a one-cut downhill power runner.

 

[Brady-Carter]

McShay's 3 round what he would do Mock.

Spoiler

Cleveland Browns


Round 1 (1): Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Round 1 (12): O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Round 2 (33): Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Round 2 (52): Marcus Williams, FS, Utah
Round 3 (65): Chris Wormley, DT, Michigan

Garrett was an easy choice at No. 1 for me. He'd be an impact player from Day 1 for a team that needs a lot more difference-makers. Why no quarterback at No. 12, you ask? I can't justify it based on value. My two highest-ranked QBs, Clemson's Deshaun Watson and Trubisky, are 25th and 29th on my board, respectively. Howard, on the other hand, is my No. 8 player. I love his upside as a big-play pass-catcher. He'll block too. Trubisky would fit well in Hue Jackson's system, and Williams has the range in coverage that the Browns need in the secondary.

San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 (2): Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
Round 2 (34): Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Round 3 (66): Desmond King, CB/FS, Iowa

Thomas has been in my top-five overall prospects from the moment I watched his tape. He's the total package, with the ideal combination of size, quickness and power. Thomas also has more natural pass-rushing ability than either of the 49ers' past two first-round picks, Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner. The 49ers brought in Brian Hoyer in free agency, who'd be an adequate bridge QB until Watson is ready to play. King has excellent ball skills and is a good run defender, something the 49ers need after finishing last in rushing yards allowed last season.

Chicago Bears
Round 1 (3): Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Round 2 (36): Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Round 3 (67): Carlos Watkins, DT, Clemson

The Bears' secondary still needs a lot of work, but the good news for Chicago fans is that this draft is ripe with playmakers in the defensive backfield. Adams is the most complete DB in the class and one of the best safety prospects I've evaluated in recent years. He can cover the slot or patrol the deep half, and he's an elite run defender. I'm not as high on Humphrey as others, but he has a very high ceiling because of his size (6-foot, 197) and fluidity in coverage. Watkins is capable of developing into a three-down player in the NFL.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 1 (4): Jonathan Allen, DT, Alabama
Round 2 (35): Evan Engram, TE, Mississippi
Round 3 (68): Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech

I know the Jaguars have spent big on their defensive line the past two offseasons, but Allen is the rare D-lineman who can be an elite run defender and an elite pass-rusher while playing multiple positions up front. Alabama TE O.J. Howard will be an option for Jacksonville at No. 4, but I passed because of the tight end depth in this class. Day 2 is where I chose to get Blake Bortles a few more weapons. Engram ran a 4.42 40 at 234 pounds and has elite separation skills. I love Henderson's speed and competitiveness. He brings value as a return man, too.

Tennessee Titans
Round 1 (5): Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
Round 1 (18): John Ross, WR, Washington
Round 3 (83): Duke Riley, LB, LSU
Round 3 (100): Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson

With two of the first 18 picks, Tennessee has a chance to hit an absolute home run in the first round. Based on this exercise, I addressed two of the Titans' three biggest needs with those selections. Lattimore would give Tennessee a pure cover corner to play opposite of free-agent acquisition Logan Ryan. I worry a little about Ross' durability, but if he can stay healthy, watch out. He's the rare college speedster (4.22 40) who's also an adept route runner. Riley shows great range vs. the run and had a great showing at the Senior Bowl. Leggett would give Tennessee the chance to run more two-TE sets with Delanie Walker.

New York Jets
Round 1 (6): Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Round 2 (39): DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
Round 3 (70): Jake Butt, TE, Michigan
Round 3 (107): Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State

Speed, range and ball skills -- that's what Hooker brings, and the Jets need more of all three after intercepting just eight passes in 2016 (tied for 29th). Hooker's durability is a question mark, and he's still recovering from offseason shoulder and hernia surgeries, but he had elite production at Ohio State, posting seven interceptions last season. Kizer is not ready to play right away, and he wouldn't need to in New York after the Jets signed Josh McCown this offseason. Tight end has to be a priority for the Jets after having just 18 catches from the position in 2016, 35 fewer than the next-lowest team. Johnson has 36-inch arms, and his exceptional length gives him some upside as a late third-rounder.

Los Angeles Chargers
Round 1 (7): Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Round 2 (38): Patrick Mahomes II, QB, Texas Tech
Round 3 (71): Dorian Johnson, OG, Pittsburgh

The Chargers' No. 7 overall pick was the first time I ran into a hitch in Round 1. There's no O-lineman worth taking that high, and my three top DBs all came off the board in the first six picks. Since I'm prohibited from trading down in this exercise, I'll grab another weapon. Keenan Allen is supremely talented, but he hasn't been able to stay healthy. Davis is the most advanced route-runner in the 2017 WR class and has an excellent combination of size (6-2¾, 209), speed and toughness. With QB Philip Rivers now 35, it makes sense for the Chargers to grab a developmental QB like Mahomes at some point. This isn't a great draft to need O-line help; it'll be tough for Los Angeles to find reinforcements up front without reaching.

Carolina Panthers
Round 1 (8): Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Round 2 (40): Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut
Round 2 (64): Jermaine Eluemunor, ROT/OG, Texas A&M

Fournette is a perfect fit for Carolina's power-running scheme, and because of the Panthers' commitment to the run, they should give running back a real consideration with their first-round pick. Fournette has a rare combination of size, speed (4.51 40) and power. The Panthers signed safety Mike Adams in free agency, but he's 36 and far from a long-term answer. Melifonwu, one the best athletes in the draft, started all four seasons at Connecticut. Carolina still has holes at several positions along the offensive line, so taking someone like Eluemunor, who has the ability to play multiple spots, would make sense.

Cincinnati Bengals
Round 1 (9): Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Round 2 (41): JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
Round 3 (73): Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma

Wide receiver is an option for Cincy in Round 1, particularly in they have their choice of Corey Davis and Mike Williams. Under this scenario, Davis came off the board at No. 7 overall, so I opted for Barnett instead. He's terrific at using hands as a pass-rusher, which is part of the reason he posted 52 tackles for loss and 33 sacks in college. Smith Schuster fills the aforementioned WR need, while Perine would give the Bengals some insurance if Giovani Bernard's torn ACL doesn't heal as expected. Jeremy Hill hasn't developed as a No. 1 RB after a promising rookie season.