The first round of the NFL draft is over, and most of the top-notch players in this draft class now have chances to prove to their new teams why they were worth first-round picks. Many blockbuster trades, big risks, and surprise picks occurred along the way.
2017 NFL draft grades roundup: Which teams had the best round 1?
Let’s compile draft grades from three different outlets to see the consensus winners and losers.
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Six rounds remain. But for now, let’s look at how teams in each conference performed on Day 1, according to three different grades posts.
Arizona Cardinals - The Cardinals drafted a versatile linebacker, Haason Reddick. He can rush the passer from the outside and clog up rushing lanes as well. He’ll play a valuable role on Arizona’s stifling defense.
Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons needed a boost on defense, so they selected linebacker Takkarist McKinley in the first round. McKinley can rush the passer standing up and with his hands in the dirt. Atlanta’s corps now consists of McKinley, Deion Jones, and Vic Beasley.
Baltimore Ravens - While Baltimore’s selection of Marlon Humphrey was the best moment of the first round, it’s worth questioning the Ravens’ decision-making when it came to selecting Humphrey with the 10th pick, rather than a better value or a player at a position of need.
Buffalo Bills - Buffalo traded down from pick 10 to 27, acquiring a third-rounder as well as the Chiefs’ first-rounder from next year. All of that, and Buffalo still managed to add one of the rangiest and most versatile corners, Tre’Davious White. Solid first round.
Carolina Panthers - Carolina has a great running back in Jonathan Stewart, but he’s a 30-year-old with a history of injuries. The Panthers selected Christian McCaffrey, the Stanford product who is a do-it-all type with receiving skills.
Chicago Bears - The Bears traded up from No. 3 with the San Francisco 49ers to select quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Drafting Trubisky wasn’t a bad move at all. However, Chicago probably could have stayed in place or maybe even traded down and selected the young quarterback later. Trubisky wasn’t worth trading up for.
Cincinnati Bengals - For a team that’s needed speed opposite A.J. Green and whose past first-round picks have an extensive injury history, John Ross fit the bill perfectly. Cincinnati cleared Ross medically, so now it’s up to Andy Dalton and the offense to get things going again.
Cleveland Browns - Selecting Myles Garrett with the first pick was an awesome move, but Cleveland’s selections of Jabrill Peppers and David Njoku were more controversial. Cleveland needed a safety, but is Peppers a good fit? And while Njoku looks like a solid player, the Browns’ decision to trade back up into the first round for a tight end seems a bit iffy.
Dallas Cowboys - The Cowboys selected Michigan defensive end Taco Charlton with the No. 27 pick. The Michigan product is considered a Day 1 starter who can use his size and speed to wreak havoc on quarterbacks.
Denver Broncos - Garett Bolles looks like he’ll step in at left tackle after being selected 20th. Bolles is a bit old — he’ll be 25 by the start of the season — but so was Andrew Whitworth, who entered the league at a late age and, at 35, is still an elite left tackle.
Detroit Lions - Detroit selected Jarrad Davis, a three-down linebacker with speed and strength. Since DeAndre Levy is no longer a Lion, Detroit needed a linebacker who can have the same impact.
Houston Texans - Trading up 13 picks and giving up next year’s first-rounder was a risky move, with the Texans already down a second-rounder. But this team is a quarterback away from Super Bowl contention. Deshaun Watson at 12 doesn’t seem like great value, but props to Houston for going all-in.
Green Bay Packers - Green Bay traded the No. 29 pick to the Browns for a second- and third-round pick. That trade led to the Browns drafting tight end Njoku.
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Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis might’ve made the steal of the draft, selecting Ohio State safety Malik Hooker with the 15th pick. Hooker was not expected to still be on the board.
Jacksonville Jaguars - A year after the Cowboys took Ezekiel Elliott at No. 4, the Jags are doing the same with Leonard Fournette. Picking a running back is one way to make a quarterback’s job easier.
Kansas City Chiefs - What differentiates the Chiefs’ trade up and the Texans’ trade up is the price Kansas City paid to land Patrick Mahomes with the 10th pick. Trading two first-rounders and a third for a developmental QB will define Andy Reid’s tenure, for better or for worse.
Los Angeles Chargers - Mike Williams fits what the Chargers look for in a receiver. He’s tall, resilient, and has great hands. But it’s hard not to question whether the Bolts could’ve traded down and landed Williams about 10 picks later.
Los Angeles Rams - The Rams had traded the Titans a king’s ransom to select quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft. L.A.’s first selection will be in the second round.
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Miami Dolphins - Miami stuck to its board and took Charles Harris, who figures to compete for snaps at defensive end in a rotation alongside Cameron Wake, William Hayes, and Andre Branch. There’s no such thing as too many pass rushers.
Minnesota Vikings - In 2016, the Vikings traded their first round pick for Sam Bradford.
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New England Patriots - The Pats traded away their first- and third-round selections for Brandin Cooks in a move many teams likely would’ve been ecstatic to make. Cooks is an established playmaker whose addition all but solidifies New England’s pass-catching corps as the best in the NFL.
New Orleans Saints - The Saints used their two first-round picks on cornerback Marshon Lattimore and offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk. Lattimore is a physical corner who can shut down an entire side of a field. Ramczyk is a sold pass blocker and a mauler in the run game. He has the skills to keep Drew Brees upright.
New York Giants - Just when you though the Giants offense couldn’t get scarier, New York selected Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram at No. 23. Engram can line up on the perimeter and in the slot. He has a rare blend of size and speed.
New York Jets - Jamal Adams figures to be an awesome chess piece in Todd Bowles’ ultra-aggressive defense. Safeties aren’t traditionally selected with top-10 picks, but the consensus is that the Jets didn’t reach.
Oakland Raiders - Oakland’s selection of Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley can only partially be judged at this point, considering the rape allegation that surfaced right before the draft. Sports Illustrated gave Conley an incomplete grade because of those allegations.
Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles used the No. 14 pick on DE Derek Barnett, which is a great selection because he fits in defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s scheme. Adding him to a line that includes Brandon Graham and Chris Long is downright scary. The Eagles should be able to get pressure with ease.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Like his brothers, linebacker T.J. Watt has a high motor and figures to contribute early. The Steelers have picked an outside linebacker every other year since 2013, and they’re hoping Watt will be good enough to end that trend.
San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers made two trades, acquired a lot of draft picks, and still drafted great prospects in Solomon Thomas and Reuben Foster. Thomas is a dangerous pass rusher with a quick first step. Foster is a three-down linebacker who has the speed to catch receivers and the size to tackle burly backs.
Seattle Seahawks - The Seahawks came in with the No. 26 pick but traded it to the Falcons for the No. 31 slot. Atlanta also threw in a third- and fourth-rounder. Then Seattle traded the No. 31 pick to the 49ers for a second- and third-round pick. Now the Seahawks have 10 picks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tampa Bay bolstered its offense by selecting tight end O.J. Howard at No. 19. The Alabama product is an excellent pass blocker and explosive in the pass game. He can run routes like a receiver and deliver blocks like a lineman.
Tennessee Titans - Adding Corey Davis with the fifth pick and Adoree’ Jackson with the 18th looks like a solid round for the Titans, who quietly went 9-7 last year. Tennessee figures to compete for the AFC South.
Washington - Washington improved its pass rush considerably by drafting Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen. Yes, Allen is suffering from back and shoulder injuries, but he’s lethal when healthy. He can give Washington’s defense a boost it desperately needs.
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