What were they thinking? Strange picks of 2017 NFL Draft

Say what?

That was the shocked response by many fans as they heard some of the selections in the 2017 NFL draft. The Sports Xchange asked each team insider to discuss the selection that begged the question "What were they thinking?"

The results are intriguing, but include a few head-scratchers by the insiders themselves.

Let's take a look at the nominations for the WWTT Award for each team (teams are listed alphabetically with round/overall pick, name, height, weight, school):

ARIZONA

Round 3/98 - Chad Williams, WR, 6-1, 204, Grambling

The Cardinals' current regime has become somewhat famous for its knack at finding gems in the third round of the draft, some from small schools. They have hit the jackpot there a lot recently with picks such as Tyrann Mathieu, John Brown and David Johnson. But it felt like they were truly reaching in the third round this year and reading a bit too much of their own press clippings by taking Williams. They needed a top-flight cornerback in a draft that was still full of highly-rated ones at pick No.98. Instead they opted for Williams, rated 199 overall by NFLDaftScout.com. He was arrested last year on marijuana possession and possession of a handgun on the campus of Louisiana State. The charges were eventually dismissed.

ATLANTA

Round 5/174 - Eric Saubert, TE, 6-4, 252, Drake

The Falcons drafted Austin Hooper last season and re-signed Levine Toilolo in free agency. Saubert is a lean pass-catching tight end, who will have to improve his blocking to have a chance in the NFL. He was rated No. 212 overall by NFLDraftScout.com.

BALTIMORE

Round 6/186 -- Chuck Clark, S, 6-0, 196, Virginia Tech

This is not a knock on Clark's ability as a player after he was taken in the sixth round (No. 186 overall) as Baltimore's final pick. However, the Ravens desperately needed to add a playmaking wide receiver at some point in this draft. Instead, Baltimore took four consecutive defensive players in the opening three rounds. NFLDraftScout.com rated Clark as the 11th best free safety, No. 277 overall.

BUFFALO

Round 2/63 -- Dion Dawkins, T/G, 6-4, 314, Temple

The Bills needed to address right tackle, and they traded up into the second round - moving from No. 75 in the third round to No. 63 to draft Dawkins, who they certainly liked. However, it felt like it was a bit of a reach and that he would have still been available 12 picks later. At Temple, Dawkins played mostly left tackle, and some projections see him as a guard in the NFL, a position the Bills are currently set at. It seems like a longshot for Dawkins to come in and replace Jordan Mills at right tackle. That said, NFLDraftScout.com rated Dawkins No. 56 overall.

CAROLINA

Round 3/77 -- Daeshon Hall, DE, 6-5, 266, Texas A&M

The Panthers sent their fourth-round pick to Arizona in a swap of third-round choices that let Carolina grab a guy they believe will develop into an every-down end. He has similar measureables as Texas A&M teammate Myles Garrett, but there is a reason Garrett went No. 1 overall and Hall lasted to the third round. NFLDraftScout.com rated Hall No. 107 overall. There are concerns about his frame - which needs more muscle - and if he will be all that productive if not lined up across a player as dominant as Garrett.

CHICAGO

Round 1/2 - Mitchell Trubisky, QB, 6-3, 225, North Carolina

He is general manager Ryan Pace's guy, after giving up three draft spots to move up and make the pick. NFLDraftScout.com rated him as the No. 1 quarterback, but at No. 12 overall -- which rarely prevents teams from over-drafting at this position. People will be shaking their heads for draft days to come over how Pace gave the 49ers two thirds and a fourth to move up one spot and take Trubisky. A rebuilding team and a general manager who constantly preached about emphasizing draft picks over free agency can hardly turn around and toss away draft picks for someone considered by few as head and shoulders above a mediocre quarterback class. Pace got his man. It will define his legacy with the Bears, good or bad.

CINCINNATI

Round 2/48 - Joe Mixon, RB, 6-1, 227, Oklahoma

If the Bengals did npt pull the trigger on Mixon, another team might have. But this is a big risk for an organization still trying to shake its reputation for off-the-field issues, most recently this past winter with cornerback Adam Jones. It was reported that at least 18 teams did not have Mixon on their board and NFLDraftScout.com, which would not need to incur any consequences, has him rated No. 84 overall, although scouts said he had first-round physical ability. That said, the reward is significant. Cincinnati believes Mixon was the best running back in the draft and was willing to shoulder the public relations burden that comes with the selection. Mixon broke a woman's jaw with his fist during a 2014 incident. A video of the incident was released in December, sparking outrage. The Bengals say Mixon has done all the right things in the three years since. There's little question he can impact their rushing attack immediately.

CLEVELAND

Round 1/29 - David Njoku, TE, 6-4, 245, Miami

The Browns moved back into the first round to take Njoku 29th. That wasn't a bad decision because head coach Hue Jackson likes to use tight ends in his offense, but after taking defensive end Myles Garrett with the first pick and safety Jabrill Peppers at 25, the Browns could have really given the defense a makeover by taking inside linebacker Reuben Foster 29th. Foster went two picks later to San Francisco. Off-the-field questions hover around Foster, whose urine test at the Combine turned out to be diluted. Peppers' sample was also diluted, and that didn't stop the Browns from drafting him. NFLDraftScout.com rated Njoku 20th overall.

DALLAS

Round 3/92 -- Jourdan Lewis, CB, 5-10, 188, Michigan

The Michigan cornerback is facing a misdemeanor domestic violence charge and has a court date for July 24. The Cowboys report to training camp July 22 and have their first practice scheduled for July 24. Do the Cowboys need another player with off-field issues? NFLDraftscout.com rated Lewis as the 10th best cornerback, No. 65 overall so perhaps the Cowboys allowed for the risk/reward impact and they certainly have a lot of practice in that area.

DENVER

Round 3/101 -- Brendan Langley, CB, 6-0, 201, Lamar

It's not so much the pick of Langley at the spot -- late in the third round. Langley's athleticism, size, length and intelligence give him a high ceiling, but the Broncos could have potentially added him one round later while targeting another position of need.

(Cooney note: While that is one perspective, the other is that NFLDraftscout.com, among others, considered Langley one of the two dozen cornerbacks ranked in the top 100, at No. 93. So, other needs notwithstanding, taking him at No. 101 is not a head-scratcher.)

DETROIT

Round 2/53 - Teez Tabor, CB, 6-0, 199, Florida

After taking the high-character linebacker Jarrad Davis over Reuben Foster with their No. 21 overall pick, the Lions spent a second-round choice on Tabor, a player with a documented history of failed drug tests, marijuana citations and fights with teammates. On top of that, Tabor ran slow 40-yard dash times in the 4.6- and 4.7-second range, well below the NFL average for a cornerback. In a deep corner draft, the Lions passed on several more fleet-footed options to gamble on Tabor. NFLDraftScout.com rated Tabor No. 73 overall.

GREEN BAY

Round 5/175 - DeAngelo Yancey, WR, 6-2, 205, Purdue

General manager Ted Thompson extended his streak of taking a receiver in the draft to five years. Yancey became the eighth wideout selected by Green Bay since 2013, but the position has been a source of strength a long time with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams are entrenched as the top three. The Packers also return Geronimo Allison, Jeff Janis and Trevor Davis. And, don't forget about Ty Montgomery, who has made the full-time switch to running back this year but still will keep defenses honest with his pass-catching talents. Throw in the free-agent acquisitions of playmaking tight ends Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks, and Green Bay isn't an appealing destination for a rookie receiver to try to win a roster spot. Also, NFLDraftScout.com thought Yancey would be a rookie free agent and rated him 321 overall, the 38th best wide receiver.

HOUSTON

Round 7/243 -- Kyle Fuller, C/G, 6-5, 307

Granted, he was only a seventh-round pick, but the Texans are well-stocked at center with Nick Martin and Greg Mancz on the roster. If Fuller can't play guard, then there is not much need for him other than to take reps at camp and perhaps compete for a practice-squad spot.

(Cooney note: If this creates an interior line glut for the Texans, Fuller may be an asset at a position several teams need. NFLDraftScout.com rated this a good value pick as he was ranked a fourth-round prospect, listed No. 132 overall).

INDIANAPOLIS

Round 4/144 - Grover Stewart, DT, 6-5, 334, Albany State (Ga.)

Yes, Stewart played at a Division II program and doesn't have much experience against FBS or FCS competition. Still, the versatile defensive lineman raised a lot of eyebrows after playing in the NFLPA All-Star game after the 2016 season. That interest carried over to the weeks leading up to the draft, where Stewart became a legitimate NFL draft prospect. He will get an opportunity to show what he can do in Indianapolis. NFLDraftScout.com was among those watching Stewart's ascent in the postseason and ranked him 188 overall and on the come.

JACKSONVILLE

Round 4/110 - Dede Westbrook, WR, 6-0, 178, Oklahoma

This was a surprise for his off-field issues. NFLDraftscout.com rated Westbrook 117 overall as a player. But the wide receiver unit is as deep as any on the team. Westbrook has impressive numbers with 1,524 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior with the Sooners. But his baggage includes two domestic violence charges from several years ago. While both charges were eventually dropped, they will still be a part of Westbrook's resume. The leash will be short for Westbrook to prosper in the NFL.

KANSAS CITY

Round 5/183 -- Ukeme Eligwe, ILB, 6-2, 239, Georgia Southern

While a late fifth-round pick is not a big gamble for any team, the Chiefs' selection of this inside linebacker prospect was a head-scratcher. There are valid questions about Eligwe's character given his dismissal from the Florida State program in 2014. After a strong freshman season in 2013 that ended with a national championship, he was booted from the squad for violating team rules. He transferred to Georgia Southern, but left the Sun Belt Conference program after playing just one season and with one more year of eligibility. Seemed a shaky decision; there was certainly not enough on-field evidence of his talents, given he played just 24 games in the last five years. Eligwe and his football future would likely have been better served by returning for the first back-to-back seasons of his college career. He needed another year to impress NFLDraftscout.com, which rated him 505 overall, a mediocre free-agent prospect.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Round 6/190 -- Sam Tevi, T, 6-5, 311, Utah

This is an intriguing prospect, but after winning nine games in two seasons, are the Chargers in position to roll the dice? Tevi seemed to be a reach, albeit this late in the draft there's not much harm that can be absorbed. And that's a concern in another way if Tevi whiffs on a stunt -- a potential problem -- and Rivers absorbs a big blow. Tevi needs to prove he's worth the faith the Chargers have put in him.

(Cooney note: All due respect to TSX's veteran Chargers insider, but NFLDraftscout.com saw this pick as spot on, rating Tevi No. 194 overall. He is a good athlete making the switch from defense and has promise. Depth is an annual issue on the line for the injury-prone Chargers, who can be an outstanding team if they keep quarterback Philip Rivers upright.)

LOS ANGELES RAMS

Round 6/206 - Sam Rogers, FB, 5-10, 231, Virginia Tech

Nothing against Rogers, but the Rams already have a valued fullback in Cory Harkey, who also doubles as a locker-room presence on a young team. The Rams had more pressing needs than a blocking fullback considering Harkey handles that role - and others - just fine. Still, NFLDraftscout.com rated Rogers as the top fullback -- a position headed toward extinction -- and 172 overall, so beauty may be in the eye of beholder.

MIAMI

Round 7/237 - Isaiah Ford, WR, 6-1, 194, Virginia Tech

This wasn't much of a reach considering it's a seventh-round pick. But the field is crowded at the wide receiver position so Ford is already a longshot. Further complicating his journey is the fact he's never played special teams. NFLDdraftscout.com valued him as No. 164 overall so perhaps he can compete in that crowded group.

MINNESOTA

Round 4/120 - Ben Gedeon, OLB, 6-3, 247, Michigan

Not that he's a bad selection, but taking him as high as the fourth round could have been a reach. He's limited as a linebacker. And, yes, the Vikings don't need a three-down 'backer with a pair of 25-year-old starters in Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks. But the fourth round might have been a better spot to land one of the available tackles on the board. If anyone knows the need for tackle depth, it's the Vikings, who went through five left tackles just a year ago. NFLDraftScout.com rated Gedeon No. 152 overall.

NEW ENGLAND

Round 6/211 - Conor McDermott, T, 6-8, 307, UCLA

After taking potential future left tackle Antonio Garcia in the third round, New England curiously swung back around for the UCLA right tackle in the sixth. Marcus Cannon just signed a five-year extension last fall in New England potentially worth $30 million. So there doesn't seem to be a spot on either side of the line, even down the road, if the late-round prospect McDermott were to develop. The pick seemingly could have been put to better use elsewhere. However, NFLDraftScout.com rated the huge tackle No. 151 overall.

NEW ORLEANS

Round 6/196 -- Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE, 6-3, 253, Miami

While there are a lot of people who think a lot about Muhammad's play, he only has two years of college experience because of off-the-field issues. He sat out two of the past three seasons, but the Saints must have seen the potential from his freshman season and redshirt sophomore season when he totaled seven sacks and 10.5 tackles behind the line. NFLDraftScout.com rated Muhammad No. 378 overall, deep into the crop of rookie free-agent prospects.

NEW YORK GIANTS

Round 5/167 - Avery Moss, DE, 6-3, 265, Youngstown State

Given the major black eye the Giants received for their handling of the Josh Brown domestic violence situation last year, their selection of Moss, who was kicked out of Nebraska following a chain of events that included an arrest for indecent exposure when he was 17 and his entering a campus dormitory that he was prohibited from entering, makes him a somewhat surprising pick for a team that has put such a heavy emphasis of late on drafting players with clean backgrounds. The Giants' brass -- head coach Ben McAdoo, general manager Jerry Reese and vice president of player evaluation Marc Ross -- all expressed confidence that Moss has matured and that he won't be a problem moving forward. If he is, the organization said they will provide him with the necessary help and support he needs, but still, the question begs why even take the chance after all the negative publicity the Brown fiasco caused? NFLDraftscout.com rated Moss No. 279 overall, in the seventh round/free-agent area.

NEW YORK JETS

Round 6/188 - Elijah McGuire, RB, 5-10, 214, Louisiana-Lafayette

Sixth-round picks are usually lottery picks, so it's hard to get too worked up about players selected on the third day. Still, the Jets are a rebuilding team with a jam-packed running back room and a ravaged offensive line, so swinging for the fences for a lineman would have been a better idea than taking McGuire. NFLDraftScout.com rated McGuire 202 overall.

OAKLAND

Round 4/129 -- David Sharpe, T, 6-6, 357, Florida

Sharpe went to great lengths to refute rumors he is blind in one eye, saying he had cataract surgery as a youth but that it is no longer an issue. Sharp, however, did say his vision remains blurred in that eye, and the ability to determine peripherally how he is being attacked is crucial to a team looking to protect a franchise quarterback in Derek Carr. NFLDraftscout.com still rated Sharpe 116 overall. Also. ...

(Cooney note: Lest we forget, back in the 1970s, Wesley Walker was legally blind in one eye, but had an impressive career for the New York Jets, and he was a wide receiver. Also, consider Sharpe played at Florida, a left tackle who protected the, ah, so-called blind side of quarterback Luke Del Rio, son of the Raiders' coach. Can you say "Reward?"

PHILADELPHIA

Round 2/43 - Sidney Jones, CB, 6-0, 186, Washington

Jones was considered one of the top two corners on the board until he tore his Achilles at his Pro Day. He may not play at all this season, but the Eagles took him with the 43rd overall pick. Obviously difficult to rate Jones, but NFLDraftScout.com listed him 79 overall after the pro day injury after first ranking him No. 20 overall.

PITTSBURGH

Round 6/213 - Colin Holba, LS, 6-4, 248, Louisville

The Steelers used a compensatory sixth-round pick in 2010 to select Antonio Brown. This year they used their sixth-round pick on a long snapper. What makes the pick even more confusing is the Steelers signed veteran long snapper Greg Warren to a one-year contract in March. General manager Kevin Colbert said Holba was drafted to provide competition for Warren. He also noted his size (6-foot-4, 248) was rare and they wanted to make sure they got him when they did. NFLDraftScout.com rated Holba as the third best long snapper in the draft, at No. 422 overall, deep in the group of free-agent prospects.

SAN FRANCISCO

Round 3/104 -- C.J. Beathard, QB, 6-2, 215, Iowa

(Editor's note: We pre-empted our TSX insider's WWTT pick of Stanford DE Solomon Thomas at No. 3 overall, which was based on the presumptuous notion that the Niners should have instead traded down to QB-hungry teams).

As much as I wanted to like Beathard as a pro prospect, he just didn't perform well enough to warrant a high ranking and we went with our analysts' ratings at NFLDraftScout.com -- No. 215 overall, a sixth-round prospect. Even allowing that quarterbacks are usually drafted too high, this one was a shocker. Full disclosure: I am a long-time friend of his grandfather, former NFL team executive Bobby Beathard, so we hope to be wrong here. But there was no obvious reason to push C.J. as far up as No. 104 on the board. Pittsburgh quarterback Nate Peterman was still available until selected No. 171 by Buffalo, where he will compete for a starting job. If the 49ers wanted a longshot quarterback, they could have used their No. 66 pick for Cal's Davis Webb (rated No. 78), who has a powerful arm and needs coaching on technique. But the 49ers took cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon there and Webb was taken No. 87 by the N.Y. Giants. - Cooney,

SEATTLE

Round 6/210 -- Justin Senior, T, 6-5, 331, Mississippi State

While only a sixth-round pick, Senior tested poorly athletically during the draft process. With Seattle's usual desire to have mobile, versatile linemen, Senior doesn't seem to fit the bill. Senior will have a difficult time making the Seahawks' roster, which would reflect NFLDraftScout.com's rating of 416 overall, deep into undrafted free-agent territory.

TAMPA BAY

Round 3/107 - Kendell Beckwith, OLB, 6-2, 243, Louisiana State

Beckwith is coming off a late-season torn ACL and may not be available for 6-8 weeks. At best, he's a strong-side linebacker who plays on first and second down for this team. Bucs had bigger needs but the upside is huge. NFLDraftScout.com rated Beckwith No. 126 overall.

TENNESSEE

Round 7/236 - Brad Seaton, T, 6-8, 330, Villanova

It's not that Seaton isn't an intriguing prospect. His size alone (6-foot-8, 330) shows that. It's just that tackle is one of the most well-stocked positions on the Titans roster with Pro Bowler Taylor Lewan at left tackle, All-Pro as a rookie Jack Conklin at right tackle and capable Dennis Kelly serving as the primary backup. While the need or fit may be questionable, the value at that spot is about right unless one is picking nits. NFLDraftScout.com rated Seaton No. 276 overall, in the seventh round/priority free-agent area.

WASHINGTON

Round 5/154 - Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, 6-5, 252, Arkansas

Forget the off-field issue that included a shoplifting arrest and a bowl-game suspension. Sprinkle said he has made amends for that and charges were eventually dropped. But he is a fifth-round pick who will have a tough time even making the roster with Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis and Niles Paul ahead of him and even a solid veteran like Derek Carrier in camp. Wes Saxton is a practice-squad player who was with the Redskins much of last year, too. The tight end heavy roster notwithstanding, the Sprinkle pick is close to his rating by NFLDraftScout.com at No. 174, lower in the fifth round.