BROWNS IMPRESS; BEARS TAKE GAMBLE
Grading the 2017 NFL draft:
A
Cleveland Browns: They didn’t pull off what seemed to be their dream scenario, adding both DE Myles Garrett and QB Mitchell Trubisky. But credit executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown and Co. for not overthinking the selection of Garrett at No. 1 and not overpaying for a quarterback with 13 college starts. Agree with their analytics or not, the Browns also stuck to their board and dealt out at No. 12 (rather than take Clemson QB Deshaun Watson) yet sprung for Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer, who might have more upside than Watson anyway, when he was available at No. 52. Punting at 12 netted the Browns a 2018 first-rounder, meaning Cleveland owns five picks in the first two rounds next year. Jabrill Peppers, picked 25th overall, doesn’t have a defined position and will fill a gap somewhere on a defense full of them while adding specialteams value. San Francisco 49ers: New GM John Lynch picked up two third-rounders and a fourth for flipping his No. 2 choice for Chicago’s No. 3. Lynch later used that extra fourth-rounder to get back into the first round, where he obtained two of this year’s most coveted players in DL Solomon Thomas (No. 3) and LB Reuben Foster, who took a bit of a tumble before being rescued at No. 31. Third-round CB Ahkello Witherspoon should also help. Taking QB C.J. Beathard in the third round might have raised eyebrows, given he doesn’t project as a starter. But maybe he’s a long-term backup option since veteran stopgaps Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley are under contract for only the next two years. ABuffalo Bills: Rather than take another quarterback prospect, the Bills traded their 10th overall selection to the Kansas City Chiefs, picking up a 2018 firstrounder to boot. First-round CB Tre’Davious White should step into Stephon Gilmore’s vacated post, and second-round WR Zay Jones should see the field plenty, given the lack of depth behind Sammy Watkins. Buffalo slipped back into Round 2 for OL Dion Dawkins, who could be the new right tackle, and plucked Nathan Peterman — arguably this year’s most NFL-ready passer and a guy with a shot to overtake Cardale Jones — in the fifth. Carolina Panthers: If the mission was to reduce stress on QB Cam Newton and his surgically repaired wing, GM Dave Gettleman seems to have accomplished his objective. In firstround RB Christian McCaffrey and second-round WR Curtis Samuel, Newton will have two explosive weapons who could be somewhat interchangeable in the slot and backfield and perhaps present quite a nightmare if paired together in certain packages. Los Angeles Chargers: QB Philip Rivers might just decide he wants to play another half-dozen years after welcoming his new teammates. First-round WR Mike Williams will take him back to the days of throwing the ball up to massive targets such as Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd — and he should have more time to send them on deep routes with new guards Forrest Lamp (Round 2) and Dan Feeney (Round 3) protecting him. New defensive coordinator Gus Bradley could have his version of Kam Chancellor in fourth-round S Rayshawn Jenkins. New England Patriots: WR Brandin Cooks, who arrived at the price of their first-rounder, could have a transformational impact on an already-potent offense. The Pats dropped only a few slots (from the bottom of the second round into the third) for the opportunity to acquire DE Kony Ealy, who might be an impact pass rusher if coaches can finally leverage his ability in the regular season. Tennessee Titans: They improved in three phases of the game with two first-rounders. Corey Davis, who has the most receiving yards in Football Bowl Subdivision history (5,278), is the No. 1 receiver QB Marcus Mariota has lacked. Adoree’ Jackson has time to develop into a No. 1 corner and will be an elite returner the moment he steps onto an NFL field. Third-round WR Taywan Taylor could be the slot nightmare Kendall Wright never really became. Washington Redskins: DL Jonathan Allen (17th pick) had shoulder problems at Alabama, and CB Fabian Moreau (81st) is coming off a pro day chest muscle tear, but both are tremendous value picks at positions of need. Second-rounder Ryan Anderson just might take suspended OLB Trent Murphy’s job.
B+ Green Bay Packers: The Pack’s Swiss cheese secondary torpedoed their Super Bowl aspirations, so GM Ted Thompson spent both second-round picks (lanky CB Kevin King and hardhitting S Josh Jones) to address it. Fourth-round LB Vince Biegel could get Julius Peppers’ vacated role on passing downs. Jamaal Williams (Round 4) will be a nice option for a running back depth chart in flux.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Blake Bortles must be thrilled, though pressure will only continue to build on him to prove he is a franchise quarterback. But that task got significantly easier with firstround RB Leonard Fournette behind him and second-round OL Cam Robinson safeguarding him. New team executive vice president Tom Coughlin did roll the dice on fourth-rounder Dede Westbrook, whose off-field history scared several teams.
New York Jets: GM Mike Maccagnan stayed put at No. 6 and had a stud, LSU S Jamal Adams this time, fall into his lap. The Jets then went to work reloading a depleted depth chart. Second-round S Marcus Maye and third-round WR ArDarius Stewart should vie for starting jobs as rookies. B Arizona Cardinals: First-round LB Haason Reddick and second- round DB Budda Baker offer valuable talent and flexibility to a defense that lost five starters this offseason. Fourth-round G Dorian Johnson might not need long to play his way into the lineup. There is perhaps some concern that the Cards didn’t find a quarterback to start grooming behind Carson Palmer, 37. Baltimore Ravens: GM Ozzie Newsome, an Alabama alum, adhered to his wont, taking two Crimson Tide stars in first-round CB Marlon Humphrey and thirdround OLB Tim Williams. If Humphrey learns to defend the deep ball and Williams cleans up his act off the field, both could deliver big time. Cincinnati Bengals: Their risk-laden draft ultimately will be defined by the chance they’ve taken on second-round RB Joe Mixon. Setting his well-known issues aside, Cincinnati might have hit the lottery in terms of football merit. First-round WR John Ross can affect every play, with or without the ball, courtesy of his field-stretching 4.22-second 40yard speed — assuming, of course, he can outrun concerns about his injury history and diminutive stature (5-11, 188). Dallas Cowboys: This could be a very productive rookie class — and might have to be after a defensive exodus via free agency. First-round DE Taco Charlton, second-round CB Chidobe Awuzie and third-round CB Jourdan Lewis — assuming legal issues are resolved in his favor — should see extensive playing time if they don’t start. Fourth-round WR Ryan Switzer gives QB Dak Prescott a second weapon in the slot, along with Cole Beasley Minnesota Vikings: Last year’s trade for QB Sam Bradford meant GM Rick Spielman had only two picks in the first three rounds. But both — RB Dalvin Cook and OL Pat Elflein — should be instant difference-makers for a rushing game that ranked last in 2016.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Firstrounder T.J. Watt might need more refinement as he continues to learn the linebacker position, but he fills a need and brings unquestionably good genetics. Second-round WR JuJu SmithSchuster is a solid player, though seems a bit of a luxury pick, especially with WR Martavis Bryant on the road back from suspension. Third-round RB James Conner, a Pitt star and cancer survivor, is not only a feel-good story but a bruising runner who offsets Le’Veon Bell’s slashing style. GM Kevin Colbert will have truly hit a home run if Round 4 QB Joshua Dobbs proves worthy of being Ben Roethlisberger’s heir apparent. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They didn’t need TE O.J. Howard at No. 19 but were wise to grab him. Third-round WR Chris Godwin was a nice choice, too, and, along with Howard, should allow QB Jameis Winston to be far less reliant on Mike Evans. Secondround S Justin Evans and thirdround LB Kendell Beckwith make the defense healthier. BAtlanta Falcons: The reigning NFC champions didn’t have many flaws but might have found two Week 1 starters. First-round DE Takkarist McKinley will be a needed complement to NFL sack champion Vic Beasley and a pass rush that didn’t get the job done at the end of Super Bowl LI. In Round 4, Sean Harlow could emerge as a starting guard after Chris Chester’s retirement. GM Thomas Dimitroff also replenished depth, namely third-round LB Duke Riley.
Denver Broncos: Firstrounder Garett Bolles appears like the lone rookie likely to start much in 2017. He lacks experience and will soon turn 25 but seems like an ideal fit physically for an offense that badly needed a left tackle. Third-round CB Brendan Langley and fifth-round TE Jake Butt probably won’t contribute much in 2017, but Butt could become a Heath Miller clone down the line if he overcomes his Orange Bowl knee injury.
Houston Texans: Yet another team for which time is truly needed to tell the tale, though first-round QB Deshaun Watson‘s success (or lack thereof ) will be the overriding consideration. LB Zach Cunningham (Round 2), RB D’Onta Foreman (Round 3) and T Julie’n Davenport (Round 4) might all be starters in 2018 but more likely bit players as rookies.
Indianapolis Colts: New GM Chris Ballard went to work overhauling a 30th-ranked defense and might have really scored with S Malik Hooker at pick No. 15. Hooker is inexperienced and has injury concerns but might also be Ed Reed one day. Second-round CB Quincy Wilson and thirdround edge player Tarell Basham shouldn’t take long to crack the lineup. Kansas City Chiefs: A team that has won 43 regular-season games in four years under Andy Reid ( but hasn’t made a deep playoff run) targeted a man who will be tasked to change that — and at the cost of next year’s firstrounder. Welcome to the NFL, Patrick Mahomes. He is probably the most physically gifted passer coming into the league and should get ideal training for learning a pro offense and breaking bad habits. Seattle Seahawks: For the fourth time in five years, they popped out of the first round but accrued six Day 2 picks in the process. Four of the top five selections this year were devoted to an aging defense, the exception being second-round C Ethan Pocic, who should nail down an interior spot for a beleaguered front. DT Malik McDowell, Seattle’s first selection at 35th overall, could be a major disruptor if Pete Carroll’s staff can unleash his talent and competitive spirit.
C+
Detroit Lions: The player with the most name recognition might be Miami (Fla.) QB Brad Kaaya, who might be a career backup — which is fine for a sixth-rounder. Teammates at Florida, firstround LB Jarrad Davis and second-round CB Teez Tabor — assuming his athletic limitations don’t sink him — should be in the mix to start right away.
Miami Dolphins: Seems like a decent, if not particularly noteworthy, group. Pass rusher Charles Harris (Round 1), LB Raekwon McMillan (Round 2) and CB Cordrea Tankersley (Round 3) all have upside along with attributes to their games
that seem like worrisome flaws. Don’t be shocked if fifth-round G Isaac Asiata winds up playing the most as a rookie. New Orleans Saints: GM Mickey Loomis went to work patching the NFL’s worst pass defense from 2016 by selecting Marshon Lattimore, who projects as this year’s top corner, 11th overall. Marcus Williams, taken in Round 2, could be the new free safety. If he shakes the injury bug, look out for third-round LB Alex Anzalone.
Philadelphia Eagles: If pass defense was their primary concern entering the weekend, they made strides. DE Derek Barnett (Round 1) is relentless, if not twitchy. CB Sidney Jones might represent highway robbery at No. 43 if his pro day Achilles injury heals quickly. CB Rasul Douglas (third round) picked off passes left and right for West Virginia.
C
Oakland Raiders: High ceilings and low floors for the first three selections. CB Gareon Conley would likely not have lasted to pick No. 24 had he not been accused of rape in the days before the draft. But he’s a wonderful addition if his record is as clean as he has claimed. Second-round DB Obi Melifonwu is a physical marvel but maybe not the most instinctive player. Third-round DT Eddie Vanderdoes could plug a glaring hole in the trenches if his burst is back after a lackluster 2016 season when he was recovering from knee surgery. CChicago Bears: GM Ryan Pace will have to hold his breath for a few years. He deservedly has invited heavy scrutiny — even if the recent boos at the United Center were unwarranted — after forking over four picks, including a 2018 third-rounder, to move from No. 3 to No. 2 in order to guarantee the services of Mitchell Trubisky. (It should be noted Pace recouped some of his midround picks by later dealing the 36th selection to the Arizona Cardinals.)
New York Giants: GM Jerry Reese has a reputation for not worrying about need and choosing the best player available, regardless of position, with every selection — hence a draft that looks a bit befuddling. Firstround TE Evan Engram (6-3, 234, 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash) is an enticing weapon, though not much of a blocker. Still, the Giants appeared set with pass catchers. Second-round DT Dalvin Tomlinson offsets the loss of Johnathan Hankins but won’t push the pocket much. And, yes, perhaps third-round QB Davis Webb could take the reins from Eli Manning in the future. We’ll find out in a few months if Reese should have prioritized upgrades at linebacker, tailback and offensive tackle.
D+
Los Angeles Rams: GM Les Snead and new coach Sean McVay hope they’ve found new weapons to hasten Jared Goff ’s development. But as intriguing as Round 2 TE Gerald Everett is, he’s no longer in the Sun Belt Conference. Third-round WR Cooper Kupp set a slew of records — but at the Football Championship Subdivision level.