Yeah. Sorry. I like what the Browns.
By John Sarianides
The first round of the 2017 NFL draft was pretty eventful. Between the early run on quarterbacks and receivers and the six trades that went down, it was the most unpredictable first round in recent memory.
Here are some of my observations of the first round.
1.Most observers felt that this year’s quarterback class was above average at best. Well, apparently NFL coaches and executives disagreed with that assessment because the top three quarterbacks in the class all went in the first twelve picks. The run started with the Bears moving up to take Mitchell Trubisky second overall. Chicago paid a heavy price but GM Ryan Pace obviously felt that Trubisky has enough of a ceiling that he was worth two third round picks and a fourth round pick.
The Chiefs and Texans mortgaged their immediate future to move up and take Patrick Mahomes II and Deshaun Watson. Both quarterbacks are athletic and competitive but they need a lot of work fundamentally and will take time to develop. I didn’t think either quarterback was worth what the Chiefs and Texans gave up to get them. Andy Reid and Bill O’Brien are staking their reputations on Mahomes and Watson. They better develop them to the point where they become franchise quarterbacks.
2.I can’t say I am surprised that Jonathan Allen and Reuben Foster dropped in this draft. Both had serious injury questions and Foster has some major character issues. Despite those issues, the Redskins and 49ers are getting two great players that will immediately make their respective defenses better.
3. Rookie 49ers GM John Lynch had a tremendous first draft. He picked up two third round picks (2017, 2018) and a fourth round pick (2017) from the Bears to drop down from the number 2 pick to the number 3 pick. Lynch then drafted the player the 49ers had number one on their board in Solomon Thomas. He then used the fourth round pick he got from the Bears as a part of the package that he used to move back into the first round and take Reuben Foster 31st over all. Lynch is off to a strong start. I am curious to see how the 49ers re-tool their roster in the next two days.
4. I commend the Raiders for sticking to their board and taking Gareon Conley. Conley fills a pressing need for Oakland. The young man has not been arrested or charged with anything. He is innocent until proven guilty.
5. I know some people will question the Saints drafting Marshon Lattimore at 11 and the Colts taking Malik Hooker at 15 but both players are super talented. If they can develop further and stay healthy, they both have pro bowl potential.
6. T.J Watt will get every opportunity to play in Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense. He will be thrown to the Wolves immediately. It will be interesting to see if he develops unlike Jarvis Jones.
7. Sorry folks. I like what the Browns did. Getting Myles Garrett, Jabrill Peppers and David Njoku was a great start for GM Sashi Brown. I give Brown and Hue Jackson credit for not reaching for a quarterback or overpaying for one.
5 Picks I Loved
Corey Davis, Titans: Great size with the ability to make plays after the catch. Davis and Mariota will form a dynamic one, two punch in Tennessee.
Jamal Adams, Jets: The Jets finally have a safety that can anchor their back seven. Eric Berry 2.0.
Haason Reddick, Cardinals: Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher will have a lot of fun drawing up ways to use the versatile Reddick. Great pick!
Derek Barnett, Eagles: The Eagles wanted Gareon Conley but didn’t want to take him because of the rape allegations against him. Barnett is by no means a fall back plan. He is a terrific pass rusher and one of my favorite players in this draft.
O.J Howard, Bucs: STEAL Alert! The Bucs benefited from the fact that coaches and executives don’t like to draft tight ends in the top 10. Speaking of top ten. Howard is already one of the ten best tight ends in the NFL.
5 Picks I Can’t Stand
Christian McCaffery, Panthers: Dynamic play maker, great athlete and clean character. What is there not to like? I don’t like the fact that he is not a true running back. He’s a tweener. I don’t like that he bagged on the Sun Bowl and I don’t like him as the 8th overall pick.
John Ross, Bengals: Undersized and injury prone. That is a bad combination for the ninth overall pick in the draft. FYI. I don’t care that he ran 4.22 at the Combine. Means nothing!
Patrick Mahomes II, Chiefs: Big time arm talent doesn’t always translate to franchise quarterback. I think the Brett Favre comparisons are unfair to Mahomes because he will never become Brett Favre. I don’t think he is that good. The Chiefs are going to regret the decision to move up and take Mahomes in four years.
Deshaun Watson, Texans: I wouldn’t be surprised if Watson developed into a franchise quarterback. Of the three quarterbacks that were taken, I think he has the best chance to develop into a franchise quarterback. That being said, the Texans gave up a lot of draft capital for quarterback who has a lot of fundamental flaws.
Ryan Ramcyzk, Saints: I love Ramcyzk’s toughness but he is not a left tackle. He is heavy legged and can’t move well enough to play on the blindside. He needs to kick inside to guard or at the very least play right tackle.
With some quality players till available in round two, tonight promises to be another interesting night when it comes to picks, trades and player movement.