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| USA Today |
Draft Day was not without it's fair share of drama and captivating storylines. Three QB's were chosen, an All-American tackle fell, and a superstar linebacker fell farther.
Read on to see how everything shook out and see what we thought of each of the first round selections:
1. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff, QB, California
They gave up a lot to get him, but Goff has the ability to turn the Rams offense around like he did with that Cal Bears offense.
Grade: B+
2. Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St.
Similar situation to the Rams yields a similar grade. The only reason the grade is lower is the presence of Sam Bradford and the circus that will surround this young QB from Day 1.
Grade: B
3. San Diego Chargers: Joey Bosa, EDGE, Ohio St.
I think Bosa fits the Chargers system just fine, and he'll be perfect for San Diego with that Jeff Spicoli vibe he has. Only knock here is not taking a tackle to protect Phillip Rivers.
Grade: B+
4. Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio St.
I can't fault the Cowboys for picking one of the best backs we've seen come out of college in recent years, but I don't think they needed him. Ramsey could have been a much bigger boost to this team's overall success, especially in today's pass-happy league.
Grade: B-
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida St.
Hard to say someone got a steal at No. 5, but the Jags did it. Ramsey was arguably the best player drafted in the first round; the Jags just sat back and caught him.
Grade: A
6. Baltimore Ravens: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
This is sort of the reverse of San Diego's choice. The Ravens could have used a pass rusher (like Buckner), but opted to protect Joe Flacco, which is not a bad idea at all.
Grade: B+
7. San Fransisco 49ers: DeForest Buckner, DE/DT, Oregon
I was not overly impressed with "DeFo" throughout the draft process, but if anyone can get the most out of him, it's Chip Kelly.
Grade: B
8. Tennessee Titans: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan St.
Conklin is an excellent prospect, but this might be a little high for a guy that projects to be a right tackle in the pros. Nonetheless, the Titans are building around Mariota and there's nothing wrong with that.
Grade: B-
9. Chicago Bears: Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
Though Floyd's size/athleticism combo is certainly enticing, his production isn't top 10 worthy. The Bears did what they had to do to get their guy, but I don't know if the potential impact matches the high pick.
Grade: C+
10. New York Giants: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio St.
The Giants got stuck in a rough position - with both of their presumed top choice going consecutively before them - but this pick is definitely a reach. Apple is talented but raw, and No. 10 isn't the place to pick a developmental player. Though Reese said the one option to trade down wasn't worth it, it seems any trade would have made more sense over this choice.
Grade: C
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
The Bucs traded down two spots, stockpiled some picks, and got the guy they wanted all along.
Grade: A-
12. New Orleans Saints: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
Rankins was a predictable, reasonable choice for the Saints. He will be a nice complement to Cameron Jordan.
Grade: B+
13. Miami Dolphins: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
I wanted to make this grade higher - because Tunsil is a great value here - but all of the controversy surrounding this young man will cause problems in his rookie year, at least.
Grade: B
14. Oakland Raiders: Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia
Joseph is one of my personal favorites in this draft. His hard-nosed style will fit right in with the Raiders, and he will be another relentless competitor to go along with the Mack Attack.
Grade: B+
15. Cleveland Browns: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
I don't have as much of a problem with Coleman at this selection as I do with the Browns picking a first round receiver when they aren't sure who will be throwing to him.
Grade: C+
16. Detroit Lions: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio St.
The Lions were smart to grab the last upper-tier tackle on the board. One could argue that a defensive playmaker would have been a better choice, though.
Grade: B-
17. Atlanta Falcons: Keanu Neal, S, Florida
This pick is a reach, plain and simple. I don't disagree with Neal's fit in Atlanta; I just think that, like the Giants, the Falcons could have made this selection later.
Grade: C
18. Indianapolis Colts: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
A predictable pick in the best way possible. The Colts got the closest thing to a sure thing in the first and got Andrew Luck his Jeff Saturday.
Grade: A-
19. Buffalo Bills: Shaq Lawson, EDGE, Clemson
The "B" is for getting a talented rusher like Lawson to help fill the void left by Mario Williams. The "+" is for getting him at 19th overall.
Grade: B+
20. New York Jets: Darron Lee, LB, Ohio St.
The Jets just made their front seven a lot faster and more athletic by picking Lee. However, Lee leaves some to be desired in terms of pass rushing, a skill that the Jets are looking to add.
Grade: B
21. Houston Texans: Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
Fuller is a great fit across from DeAndre Hopkins, but his deficiencies are more prevalent than any other receiver chosen in the first round. Put simply, you don't want your first round receiver to be compared to Ted Ginn Jr.
Grade: C+
22. Washington Redskins: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Washington still needs major help on defense, but getting a talented young hands-catcher for Kirk Cousins to throw to was a good idea. "YOU LIKE THAT?!"
Grade: B
23. Minnesota Vikings: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
Teddy B gets a reliable young receiver that will go up and get the ball. This pick could help the Vikings offense in a big way.
Grade: A-
24. Cincinnati Bengals: William Jackson III, CB, Houston
The Bengals got themselves one of the steals of the first round and took a potential pick away from a division rival picking right after them. WJ3 is a legit first round talent that will benefit from playing alongside veteran CB, Adam Jones.
Grade: A-
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Artie Burns, CB, Miami
This seems like a reactionary pick by the Steelers after missing William Jackson by one pick. Burns is undoubtably physically gifted, but needs discipline and technique work.
Grade: C+
26. Denver Broncos: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
Lynch fits what the Broncos are looking for in a QB and with the right work, he can certainly be the franchise guy the team thought they had in Brock Osweiler.
Grade: B+
27. Green Bay Packers: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
Clark is more of a second round talent, but the scheme fit works for Green Bay's 3-4 defense, which Clark played in college. This pick likely won't be one that the Packers regret or celebrate, fill a need and move on.
Grade: B-
28. San Francisco 49ers: Joshua Garnett, OG, Stanford
I don't see where the Niners though they would miss out on Garnett and thus, had to trade up to get him. This pick fills a need, but at an unnecessary cost.
Grade: C
29. Arizona Cardinals: Robert Nkemdiche, DT/DE, Ole Miss
If the Cardinals can get this young man to focus on only football - and I think they will - they will have built themselves a very good defensive line.
Grade: B
30. Carolina Panthers: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech.
The Panthers stuck with their philosophy of building around the front seven by adding another dynamic piece to their defensive line rotation.
Grade: B+
31. Seattle Seahawks: Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
Picking Ifedi will help the Seahawks stop the revolving door that is their offensive line. His versatility will benefit the team as they continue to shape their line, and Russell Wilson's ability to escape pressure will help make up for some of the mistakes the rookie is bound to make.
Grade: B+
**NOTE: The draft only has 31 picks because the New England Patriots were stripped of their 2016 first round pick.
Best players left:
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| USA Today |
MYLES (FREAKING) JACK!
Kevin Dodd (EDGE), A'Shawn Robinson (DT), Jarran Reed (DT), Reggie Ragland (LB), Noah Spence (EDGE), Derrick Henry (RB), Andrew Billings (DT), Jason Spriggs (OT), Hunter Harvey (TE)
Jaylon Smith (LB) - I like 'em, I gave 'em his own line - big deal.
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