And with the First Pick in the 2017 NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns select Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary Washington, D.C. In all fairness, he may be available tonight the way this year has gone. In any event the 2017 NFL Draft is upon us, so let's take a look at who surely won't be taken this year. Spoiler Alert: Someone will trade up for a QB who doesn't pan out.
1. Cleveland Browns - Myles Garrett
With the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select a DE who in my opinion is overrated but is still a decent player. It's a safe pick as a decent player, but I don't think he's an All Pro DE, and when you have the No. 1 overall pick you better be selecting a Hall of Famer.
2. San Francisco 49ers - Mitchell Turbisky
With the 2nd pick in the NFL Draft, the 49ers go after what they hope is their franchise QB in Turbisky. Look Blaine Gabbert ain't the answer and you almost never get to draft this high, unless you're the Cleveland Browns, so you have to take advantage. I don't think Turbisky will ever be a Pro Bowl QB, but Kyle Shanahan has shown he can make average QBs look extremely productive.
3. Chicago Bears - Jamal Adams
When you play in a division with Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford, you need someone who can prevent the QB from stretching the field and Adams is probably the best safety to come along in some time. The Chicago defense has struggled ever since Ron Rivera left, so they need some help to prevent big plays, and they sure up their secondary with the Safety out of the Bayou.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars - Solomon Thomas
With the 4th pick in the NFL Draft, the Jaguars luck out and get an edge rusher out of Stanford. Thomas may be the best pure prospect in the draft and he's an absolute monster for the Cardinal defense. Tom Coughlin won 2 Super Bowls with great defensive pass rushers and he's the one calling the shots in Jacksonville now, so he goes with what he feels is the next best DE available.
5. Tennessee Titans - Mike Williams
The Titans need to get Mariota some weapons and they go and get what the feel is the next A.J. Green out of the Clemson in Mike Williams. Williams was an absolute stud for the Tigers this year and dominated in the National Championship game. I wouldn't be surprised to see Tennessee make the playoffs this year as the AFC South Champ.
6. NY Jets - Leonard Fournette
The Jets need a lot of help. Yes, they need a QB, but it's hard to pass on a talent like Leonard Fournette falling to them at No. 6. Todd Bowles needs to show some improvement, and he hopes by pounding the rock and throwing as few times as possible, he can keep his team in the Wild Card hunt, because you can hand the division to Tom Terrific and the Patriots for another year.
7. Los Angeles Chargers - Marshon Lattimore
With Jamal Adams off the board, the Chargers go with the 2nd best secondary player in the draft and take Marshon Lattimore out of Ohio State. I do think the Chargers eventually take a QB in this draft, but it's too early to draft a replacement for Philip Rivers. The new team in LA went with a Buckeye last year and they were very happy, so they go back to the well in Columbus this year when they take Marshon Lattimore.
8. Carolina Panthers - Christian McCaffery
Part of this is wishful thinking and part of this is a legitimate belief. Dave Gettleman drafts the best player available, but I do believe he's going to either draft a DE or a RB in the 1st round, and McCaffery provides versatility that covers the need for a RB and a potential slot receiver if you need him. Mike Shula is a conservative OC, but he's got to be salivating at the possibility of having one of the best offensive players in recent years falling into his lap. The fact that McCaffery's RB coach from Stanford is now the new WR coach in Charlotte certainly helped the evaluation process.
9. Cincinnati Bengals trade to Cleveland Browns - Deshaun Watson
The Browns know the Panthers and Bengals aren't taking a QB, but they can't be so sure about Buffalo, so they trade up and take the Desahun Watson out of Clemson to be their next franchise QB.
Courtesy of usaftw.com
10. Buffalo Bills - Jonathan Allen
The new Bills coach is a former DC in Carolina and he needs someone to be able to get after Tom Brady and Ryan Tannehill. So, he goes with the best defensive player on the best defensive team in college football and hopes he can get Buffalo back to the playoffs.
11. New Orleans Saints - Derek Barnett
The Saints need help on defense, and with their recent acquisition of a new RB, they need to sure up their pass rush, so what better way than taking a DE out of the SEC who broke REGGIE WHITE'S Sack Record.
12. Cincinnati Bengals from Cleveland Browns - Malik Hooker
With Jamal Adams and Marshon Lattimore off the board, the Bengals go with the 3rd best corner in the draft and take Malik Hooker out of Ohio State.
13. Arizona Cardinals - Pat Mahomes
The Cardinals know Carson's Palmer's days are limited, and despite the fact they are a playoff contender today, they need to prepare for the future. Bruce loves to throw the ball, and he goes after his QB heir apparent with the Cards 1st round pick.
14. Philadelphia Eagles - O.J. Howard
The Eagles need to give Carson Wentz some long term weapons, and with Howard being available at 14, they take a chance and go with a big target for their 2nd year signal caller. I personally don't think Howard's the best TE in the draft, but he's certainly a solid player.
15. Indianapolis Colts - Reuben Foster
The Colts need a ton of help on defense if they want to get back to the playoffs. Andrew Luck hasn't been as good as advertised, and a lot of that may be due to injury, but the defense certainly isn't helping Indy get the ball back in their QB's hands. Issues off the field aside, Reuben Foster is a very good LB, and he'll provide stability for the Colts moving forward.
16. Baltimore Ravens - John Ross
With Steve Smith gone, Flacco is going to need someone to throw to and why not pick the fastest human being to ever run the NFL Combine? Is Ross polished? No, but he's got elite speed and decent hands, so expect a lot of go routes from Marty Mornhiweg with his new toy.
17. Washington Redskins - Takkarist McKinley
McKinley will help Washington sure up their defense and make sure Kirk Cousins has ample opportunity to make plays and stay in D.C. He's gotten better every year in college and gives the Redskins someone who can make Dak Prescott, Eli Manning, and Carson Wentz have to get rid of the ball early.
18. Tennessee Titans - Adoree' Jackson
The Titans go WR early in the 1st and CB in the middle of the 1st. He was an INT machine in college and Tennessee is hoping he continues his ball hawking skills in The Music City.
Courtesy of abcnews.com
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Dalvin Cook
The Bucs clearly are looking for an every down back, and they love players out of FSU. Despite his off the field character issues, if Dalvin Cook, who most people view as a top 10 talent falls to the Bucs at 19, he's probably going to be the starting RB on day 1.
20. Denver Broncos - Garett Bolles
One of Denver's top need is offensive line to make sure whichever QB is under center in Week 1 has more than 2 seconds to throw the ball. The Broncos are going to be in rebuilding mode for a couple of years, but if the Cowboys are any model, you can't go wrong investing in your offensive line early and often.
21. Detroit Lions - Corey Davis
The Lions love to throw the ball and they need an elite WR to be their No. 1 guy. Golden Tate isn't that guy, but Corey Davis could be. So, they take a Michigan kid to give Stafford a big weapon in his attempt to unseat Aaron Rodgers for the NFC North crown.
22. Miami Dolphins - Charles Harris
Cameron Wake isn't getting any younger and Charles Harris gives the Dolphins a pass rusher (if he's there) to put pressure on AFC East QBs. He's got a great spin move, and Mizzou is nothing if not a haven for developing pass rushers that produce in the NFL.
23. N.Y. Giants - David Njoku
Eli Manning's window narrows by the day, and if the Giants want to make a run to give their QB a chance at his 3rd ring, he's going to need more than just OBJ to throw the ball to. Njoku is an athletic anomaly and provides the Giants with a hybrid WR/TE that can be a mismatch nightmare for linebackers and corners in the league.
24. Oakland Raiders - Cam Robinson
With Beast Mode signing in Oakland, it's clear the Raiders are holding off on a RB this year. Instead they go with Cam Robinson to protect Derek Carr. He's likely a RT starting out, but with some development could shift over to the left side. Look for Oakland to be a Super Bowl contender in 2017.
25. Houston Texans - Ryan Ramczyk
Houston needs to make sure they give Lamar Miller holes to run through and protect their QB. They've won back to back AFC South titles, but they're going to have a different starting QB under center for another year, so they have to make sure he has time to throw the ball and Ramcyzk is one of the best linemen in the draft.
26. Seattle Seahawks - Marlon Humphrey
With Richard Sherman and Seattle apparently on the outs, the Seahawks address their future CB need by taking Marlon Humphrey with the 26th overall pick. The Seahawks have a strong secondary but with the recent developments, I wouldn't be surprised to see them look to the future.
27. Kansas City Chiefs - TJ Watt
JJ's brother may actually be more athletic than his All Pro sibling, which is nearly impossible to believe, but Kansas City may be getting a steal here at 27. Watt has the ability to hit gaps quickly, and he has great ball awareness. Andy Reid may very well go offense here, but Watt's a solid 1st round selection.
28. Dallas Cowboys - Tre'davious White
The Cowboys proved their offense is just fine last year, but their defense, well that's a different story, especially their secondary. LSU produces more than it's fair share of jambalaya and cornerbacks, and they add another CB in Big D with Tre'davious White heading to Dallas.
29. Green Bay Packers - Alvin Kamara
Despite signing Latavius Murray, the Packers need an other option at RB. So, they go back to the SEC to replace Eddie Lacy with Alvin Kamara. Kamara was the featured back for the Vols last year, where he showed versatility with great hands in the passing game and the ability to be a force on special teams.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers - Haason Reddick
The Steelers have made some great selections over the years, and Reddick gives them another stud LB, who luckily is from right in their back yard in the Keystone State. He's fast enough to play in the secondary, and his speed has allowed him to keep up with receivers. The Black and Gold should be happy with this selection.
31. Atlanta Falcons - Jabrill Peppers
The Falcons would be ecstatic if Peppers falls all the way to 31. A team that sees themselves as literally one play away from a Super Bowl title knows that a few minor adjustments could get them back to the big game. Peppers is a unique talent that can play on both sides of the ball, and he's athletic enough to be an option at multiple positions, including punt returner.
Courtesy of todayspigskin.com
32. New Orleans Saints - Jarrad Davis
NOLA entertained a lot of offers for a QB, but ultimately having the ability to sign 2 1st round picks was too enticing to turn down. They go with Jarrad Davis out of Florida to make sure their LB corps improves in 2017. He's not Jonathan Vilma, but he does have a great work ethic and the ability to be a top notch LB for a defense that has been below average for some time.
This Draft was one of the strangest drafts in recent memory with a lack of both QB and Offensive Line Talent, which most NFL fans see as the staple of the 1st round. While I enjoy the idea of each city getting the ability to host the NFL Draft for their fans, I do wonder how excited players get about the thought out going to places that aren't NYC. In any event, here's to what should be an entertaining evening! Cheers!
