2017 NFL Draft: Round One Instant Reaction

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By John Sarianides

We will give you instant reaction on each pick in the first round. 

1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M: No brainer. People can talk about effort with Garrett all they want. The bottom line is, he is the best player in this draft and the Browns took him.

2. Chicago Bears: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina: The Bears traded up with the 49ers to take Trubisky. They paid a steep price but clearly they see Trubisky as their quarterback of the future. Trubisky has a lot of fundamental flaws but he will have time to correct them.

3. San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford: Thomas is versatile and offers scheme versatility. New GM John Lynch wants smart, committed guys. Thomas fits the bill. 

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU: Tom Coughlin wants to build a team in Jacksonville that is physical and sets the tone upfront. Fournette is a grinder and he will wear teams down on power and counter plays. Fournette is a sensible pick for a team that has struggled to run the ball the last few years.

5. Tennessee Titans: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan: This pick is a little bit of a reach but Davis is the number one type receiver that the Titans are desperately lacking. Davis has tremendous upside provided he stays healthy. He will be a great fit in Mike Mularkey’s offense. 

6. New York Jets: Jamal Adams, FS, LSU: Adams reminds me of Eric Berry. He is versatile and can play in different alignments in different situations. Adams will give the Jets the playmaker they need as they re-tool their secondary. 

7. Los Angeles Chargers: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson: Williams gives the Chargers some size and athleticism at the receiver position. He will be an ideal complement to Keenan Allen and Antonio Gates in the Chargers passing attack.

8. Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffery, RB, Stanford: The Panthers have been linked to McCaffery for a month now. McCaffery is a multi-dimensional talent who can make an impact as a runner, receiver and returner. 

9. Cincinnati Bengals: John Ross, WR, Washington: I didn’t see this coming but Ross is a great pick for the Bengals. He will complement A.J Green and Tyler Eifert well. Ross can line up as a Z receiver or play in the slot. He gives the Bengals another vertical threat that can make plays after the catch. 

10. Kansas City Chiefs: Pat Mahomes II, QB, Texas Tech: The Chiefs overpaid big time to move up to take Mahomes. It really doesn’t make sense to me? The Chiefs are a contender in the AFC. Why would you give up so much draft capital to move up 17 spots to take Mahomes? I don’t get it. 

11. New Orleans Saints: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State: Lattimore is the best cornerback in this draft.  He will fill an immediate need in a defense that has been shredded in recent years. Lattimore needs some work fundamentally but the talent is undeniable. 

12. Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson: The Texans paid a steep price to move up and get their guy in Watson. Watson will need time to develop and he needs to improve his decision making but he couldn’t have ended up in a better situation.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple: Reddick is a Swiss Army knife that can play all three downs in all packages. Defensive coordinator James Bettcher will have a field day coming up with ways to use Reddick.

14. Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee: One of my favorite players in this draft. I love this pick for the Eagles. Barnett is a three down player who is explosive off the snap and plays with good lean. He is a natural fit in Jim Schwartz defense. 

15. Indianapolis Colts: Malik Hooker, FS, Ohio State: Hooker has exceptional ball skills and range but he has limited experience and an extensive injury history. If Hooker can stay healthy, he has pro bowl potential.

16. Baltimore Ravens: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama: Humphrey fits the profile physically but he has got to be better over the top in coverage. John Harbaugh and his staff will coach him up and get the most out of him.

17. Washington Redskims: Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama: A steal for the Skins! Forget about the shoulder questions. Allen was one of the five best players in this draft and the Redskins stole him thanks to other teams foolishly passing on him.

18. Tennessee Titans: Adoree Jackson, CB, USC: Jackson is a terrific athlete who can step in and start at corner from day one. Jackson will also make an impact in the return game. A terrific value pick for GM Jon Robinson.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: O.J Howard, TE, Alabama: A great pick for the Bucs. Howard will join a skill group that features Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, Cameron  Brate and Doug Martin. Jameis Winston will have plenty of weapons to distribute the ball to in 2017.

20. Denver Broncos: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah: The Broncos signed Ronald Leary and Menelik Watson in free agency and now add the athletic Bolles. Bolles leaves a lot to be desired from a physicality standpoint but he plays with a mean streak and he will give Denver’s offensive line an edge. 

21. Detroit Lions: Jarred Davis, ILB, Florida: A three down linebacker who is tough, physical and productive. Davis will be a great fit in Detroit’s defense and should start as a rookie. 

22. Miami Dolphins: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri: A pure speed rusher who plays with good lean and is a natural bender. Harris will probably start off as a situational pass rusher in the Dolphins sub packages. 

23. New York Giants: Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss: A bit of a reach. Engram is an undersized move tight end who can create match ups in the passing game but doesn’t offer much as a blocker. He will be another weapon for Eli Manning to throw to.

24. Oakland Raiders: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State: WOW! I didn’t think Conley would go in the first round given the rape allegations against him. That being said, Conley is a good player and addresses a major need for the Raiders.

25. Cleveland Browns: Jabrill Peppers, SS, Michigan: Great pick for the Browns. Peppers will play in all three levels of the defense and be a factor in the return game. Peppers played 15 different positions for Michigan in 2016. 

26. Atlanta Falcons: Tak McKinley, OLB, UCLA: The Falcons traded up from 31 to 26 to get McKinley. McKinley is Dan Quinn’s Bruce Irvin. The Falcons have officially become Seattle South. The transformation is complete. 

27. Buffalo Bills: Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU: The Bills have a new head coach in Sean McDermott and he is a defensive coach. McDermott likes to pressure the quarterback and getting a corner as versatile as White will allow him to do that. 

28. Dallas Cowboys: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan: Charlton is long and can play either the five or nine technique defensive end in the Cowboys 4-3 defense. Charlton can also kick inside and play defensive tackle in sub packages. Some experts question the fit. Hogwash! Charlton is a great fit for the Cowboys.

29. Cleveland Browns: David Njoku, TE, Miami (Fla): The Browns made a trade with the Packers to get this pick. Njoku is a move tight end who can be moved around in formations and create match ups. Njoku needs to improve as a blocker but he will be a nice complement to Gary Barnidge.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J Watt, OLB, Wisconsin: The Steelers pass rush has been anemic the past three years. 38 year old James Harrison led the Steelers with 5 sacks last year. That’s pathetic. Watt will give the Steelers push rush some much needed juice.

31. San Francisco 49ers: Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama: The 49ers traded back into the first round to take Foster. From a talent standpoint, Foster is a top 15 pick. Getting Foster at this pick is a steal for the 49ers. 

32. New Orleans Saints: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin: Ramczyk is a fundamentally sound run blocker who plays with a mean streak. Ramczyk played left tackle at Wisconsin but he has heavy feet, so he will probably end up playing right tackle or guard long term.