NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces Texas A&M' Myles Garrett is selected by the Cleveland Browns as the first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater in Philadelphia, PA on April 27, 2017. The 82nd NFL Draft returned to Philadelphia for the first time in more than 50 years and runs from April 27-29. Photo by Derik Hamilton/UPI |
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Thirty-three picks into the 2017 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers finally made their first selection, tapping Washington cornerback Kevin King on Friday night in Philadelphia.
At No. 52, the Cleveland Browns ended the long wait for Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer. A gifted athlete with the size and arm to be special, Kizer's consistency was an issue and one anonymous scout labeled him a "pure millennial" in the days before the draft. The Browns are planning an open competition at quarterback involving Cody Kessler, Kevin Hogan and Brock Osweiler.
Joining Kizer in Cleveland: Charlotte defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, the first pick of the third round (65).
Jacksonville traded up one spot to select Alabama junior offensive tackle Cam Robinson 34th, followed by the Seattle Seahawks making Michigan State defensive tackle Malik McDowell their initial pick in this draft. Seattle moved down twice in the first round Thursday and stockpiled six total picks in the second and third rounds.
With the 41st overall pick, the Minnesota Vikings found a potential replacement for Adrian Peterson in Florida State running back Dalvin Cook. Cook faced scrutiny for his medical (shoulder, hamstring) and character issues. But the three-down back had 4,464 rushing yards for the Seminoles and draws comparisons to former Indianapolis Colts running back Edgerrin James. Minnesota previously signed Latavius Murray in free agency to offset Peterson's loss.
Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon, downgraded because of a video showing him knocking out a female student and breaking bones in her face, was picked 48th by the Cincinnati Bengals. Mixon set a school record with 2,331 all-purpose yards in 2016.
King's secondary teammate with the Huskies, safety Budda Baker, joined Packers division rival Arizona. The Cardinals traded with the Chicago Bears to acquire the 36th pick to ensure landing the speedy Baker, who some have compared to Ronde Barber because of his flexibility as a cornerback/safety/nickelback option. Injured UW cornerback Sidney Jones, recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, was selected 43rd by the Philadelphia Eagles. Jones, a junior, started 27 games the past two seasons but was injured at his pro day workout.
Florida safety Marcus Maye, a physical safety who ran 4.51 at his pro day, gave the New York Jets a pair of missiles on the back end of their defense. The Jets drafted LSU's Jamal Adams sixth overall on Thursday. Maye's teammate with the Gators, Quincy Wilson, was the 46th pick, joining the Indianapolis Colts.
Carolina doubled down on playmakers in the second round following the selection of Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey (eighth overall). Ohio State wide receiver-running back Curtis Samuel (40th overall) ran a 4.31 40-yard dash and has dynamic playmaking skills. The Panthers ended the second round adding offensive tackle Taylor Moton (64th) from Western Michigan.
Offensive guard Forrest Lamp (Western Kentucky), who had 51 career starts, went to the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 38 one pick after wide receiver Zay Jones (East Carolina) was selected by the Buffalo Bills.
Continuing a defensive overhaul, Utah safety Marcus Williams (11 career interceptions) could start instantly for the New Orleans Saints.
South Alabama tight end Gerald Everett (44th, Los Angeles Rams) and Ashland tight end Adam Shaheen (Bears) were selected in succession. Shaheen had 16 touchdowns, a Division II record for tight ends, in 2016 and is an impressive physical specimen at 6-foot-6, 278 pounds, earning the nickname "Baby Gronk," an homage to Patriots All-Pro Rob Gronkowski.
Super Bowl champion New England made its first selection at No. 83, adding Youngstown State pass rusher Derek Rivers, who set the school record with 41 career sacks. The Patriots moved up in a deal with the Lions and with the 85th pick selected Troy offensive tackle Antonio Garcia.
The New York Giants, who attempted to move up to select Patrick Mahomes II in the first round, waited until the third round to snag Cal quarterback Davis Webb (87th overall), who transferred from Lubbock after losing the Texas Tech job to Mahomes.
Four Michigan players, including cornerback Jourdan Lewis, were drafted Friday. Lewis went to the Cowboys 92nd and Wolverines safety Delano Hill was chosen by the Seahawks 95th to establish a new record for total defensive backs drafted in the first three rounds. Seattle took cornerback Shaquill Griffin (UCF) 90th.
