I've taken a stab at predicting the top half of the draft [1-16]... keep in mind, picks are constantly moving and makes this VERY difficult (and, Free Agency hasn't ended yet).
I took the liberty of adding in the other GM predictions in comparison to my selection - let the critiquing begin, I'm sure I've missed the boat wildly in my attempt.
Here's some commentary on the Offensive and Defensive players/positions and how I view things.
OFFENSE
QB – It seems VERY obvious that Mitchell Trubisky will be the 1st overall selection in the 2017 draft (to the New York Giants) – deservedly so! Outside of possibly being injury prone, he’s solid in the key attributes [AWR = 74 / THP = 95 / THA = 87]. I could see both Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes being selected in the 1st round as early as 1.02 or as late as 1.24 (I think there’s 8 teams that could justify draft a QB in the 1st round).
I see these teams in the QB market… Saints (w/o a mentor), Bears, Giants, Jets, Seahawks and Browns. I believe Trubisky gest selected 1.01 by the Saints (they’ll send a future 2nd for Big Ben who will mentor for 1 year) and Mahomes goes to the Giants at 1.09… Desean Watson will be selected by the Bears [1.06], Jets [1.19], Seahawks [1.23] or Browns [1.24]. All that being said, the Saints and Giants are a LOCK to select 2 of the 3 franchise QB’s available in the 2017 draft class.
HB – I think this is an AWFUL year for running backs! I’d be VERY surprised if any team selects a HB in the 1st round… I have James Conner slotted as a 2nd round talent.
The feelings are mixed on the HB draft class… personally, I feel it’s well below average. There are a handful of teams in need of a HB, but I only see the Ravens and Steelers able to select someone to carry the rock in the 1st round. The Ravens will take James Conner and I could see the Steelers taking Kareem Hunt LATE in the 1st round.
FB – Nothing to see here… I’d be SHOCKED if a FB was selected in the top 4 rounds! I could see someone selecting Marquez Williams as early as round 5, maybe.
WR – I find this to be a DEEP class for talent at the wide receiver position… I project 5 players in the 1st round and probably another 4 in the 2nd round. The cream of the crop: JuJu SmithSchuster [top 5 of round 1], Kenny Golladay and Mike Williams [both should be select in the top half of round 1].
I think this is, without a doubt, the toughest position to predict where players will fall… I’ll take a stab at it (best case senario)! 1.05 the Falcons select JuJu SmithSchuster, 1.07 the Dolphins select Mike Williams, 1.11 the Packers select Kenny Galloway, 1.12 the Colts select Chris Goodwin and 1.13 the Chargers select Josh Malone – this could easily unfold MUCH differently, but if there’s a run on WR’s I could see it going this way.
TE – Respectable options if you’re in need of a receiving style TE (not overly impressed with the options if you prefer a STRONG blocking TE). I could see Evan Engram and George Kittle being selected in the 2nd half of the 1st round.
T – Plenty of options if you’re needing an offensive tackle… roughly speak, there’s 7 players I value as 1st round talent and 9 players valued as 2nd round talent. Head and shoulders above the rest is Sam Tevi [top 10 of the 1st round].
G – A bit under whelming group here… I see 6 quality players that should be gone by the end of the 2nd round (maybe 1 G is selected in the 1st round).
C – Not sure I see anyone special is the bunch… I could 2 guys being selected before the 2nd round wraps up (Chase Roullier is probably the best of the centers available).
DEFENSE
DE – There’s some talent available if what a team needs is a DE… I see at least 2 players being selected in the 1st round and likely as many as 4 before the 2nd round ends. It’s worth mentioning, Myles Garrett will likely be selected in the top 5 of the 1st round.
DT – I’m not excited about the depth at DT in the draft class… I see 1 player who will likely be selected in the bottom half of the 1st round and a 2nd player that gets selected in the 2nd round.
OLB – Seriously, someone needs to look into what T.J. Watt is eating for breakfast… he should be a top 5 pick in the 1st round [SPD = 85 / STR = 85 / AGI = 87 / ACC = 92]! I project 2 players worthy of 1st round selection and 5 players worthy of being selected in the 2nd round.
MLB – I believe both Kendell Beckwith and Trey Hendrickson should be selected in the top 10 of the 1st round… they are absolute FREAKS! There’s another 4 solid options at the position and they’ll be selected late 1st round and/or 2nd round.
CB – I think it’s likely that Marlon Humphrey [HT = 6’1” / SPD = 97 / AWR = 66 / AGI = 94 / ACC = 97] is selected in the top 5 of the 1st round… beyond that, I see 9 other players that get selected at some point in the 1st and/or 2nd round.
FS – Outside of Malik Hooker… no one really impresses me at the position (that might increase his value).
SS – WOW… Eddie Jackson is getting picked EARLY (top 10 of the 1st round EASY)! For teams that miss out on the price, fear not, there’s plenty of latent left and I project at least 4 other players being selected somewhere in the 1st and/or 2nd round.
K & P – Nothing amazing here… I guess K Jake Elliott could be selected in the 4th round (no one else does much for me).
