2017 NFL Draft: Live updates, analysis, grades, rumors, and discussion

The New England Patriots don’t have a first round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, but Pats Pulpit will be keeping track of all the activity and analyzing every move that happens on the opening night of the draft.

Here are the details to know:

Draft date and time

Day one: Thursday, April 27th, 8:00 p.m. EST

Channels

NFL Network and ESPN/ESPN2 will televise the draft.

Location

Philadelphia Museum of Art at Eakins Oval in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This is the first draft in Philadelphia since 1961. The first NFL draft took place in Philadelphia back in 1936.

Patriots draft picks

Round 1: None.

Time allowed per pick

Round 1: 10 minutes

Here’s the draft value chart for trades:

Join in the discussion below, and we’ll be tracking all the picks after the break.

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1. Cleveland Browns: Texas A&M EDGE Myles Garrett

Garrett was the unanimous top prospect in the entire draft and the Browns have made the smart choice by adding the best player at a premium position. Cleveland still needs a quarterback, but they have a lot of capital and the worst thing a rebuilding franchise can do is bypass a superior prospect for the sake of adding a quarterback.

Grade: A

2. San Francisco 49ers -> Chicago Bears: North Carolina QB Mitchell Trubisky

The Bears sent the 3rd, 67th, 111th, and a 2018 third round pick to move up one selection to acquire . Per the draft value chart, the Bears actually come out ahead in this deal and when you factor in that the value chart over-prices the top two picks because they’re usually only traded for quarterbacks, it seems like the Bears got a bargain- if Trubisky is actually a good NFL player.

I’m not the biggest fan of giving up so much for Trubisky because there’s not much tape, but he graded out well and the Bears front office needed to make a move to buy themselves some time; if they didn’t make the playoffs with the current roster, they would likely be fired. Adding a rookie quarterback should buy the staff some time.

Grade: C

3. Chicago Bears -> San Francisco 49ers: Stanford DL Solomon Thomas

The 49ers were projected to select Thomas at second overall, so they’ve moved down, added some draft capital, and added their original target. Great first day for rookie general manager John Lynch.

Thomas might not be the next Aaron Donald, but he joins fellow first round picks Arik Armstead (2015) and DeForest Buckner (2016) to create one of the most versatile, young defensive fronts in football. The 49ers defensive line could resemble something like the Jets defensive line; San Francisco has to build out the rest of their roster.

Grade: B

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: LSU RB Leonard Fournette

One year after signing RB Chris Ivory to a big money contract, and two seasons after selecting RB T.J. Yeldon at 36th overall, the Jaguars have added another running back in Fournette. Fournette is a great athlete and a great running back and it seems like the Jaguars are hoping to capture the same magic in a bottle that brought the Dallas Cowboys to the 2016 playoffs with RB Ezekiel Elliott.

Of course, Elliott was a more dynamic prospect and the Jaguars offensive line ranked 22nd in 2016 by Pro Football Focus. Running backs can help an offense, but investing such a high pick after investing so much capital in the position in recent years, in an offense without a strong offensive line, seems like a decision destined to failed. Running backs can be found in the middle rounds and the Jaguars could have improved any other position.

Grade: D

5. Tennessee Titans: Western Kentucky WR Corey Davis

I’m a huge fan of Davis and I think he’s one of the best receiver prospects in years. I compare him to A.J. Green in his route running, although Green might have stronger hands.

I think Davis is a perfect match for young Titans QB Marcus Mariota and he joins a strong offense with a fantastic offensive line and great running backs. The Titans can group Davis with Rishard Matthews and Tajae Sharpe to form a pretty exciting young offense.

Beware the Shiny Hood Ornament, though.

Grade: B

6. New York Jets: LSU S Jamal Adams

Adams is arguably the second-best talent in the entire draft, which means the Jets made an excellent pick. Prior to the draft, I said that Ohio State FS Malik Hooker would be the best pick for New York. I said that because I expected Adams to be off the board.

Adams is a great athlete, a great player, and an even better leader. He should help clean up one of the worst secondaries in the league. Prepare yourselves for some great battles between Adams and Rob Gronkowski for the foreseeable future.

Grade: A

7. Los Angeles Chargers: Clemson WR Mike Williams

The Chargers have added a very talented “go-up-and-get-it” receiver in Williams, who reminds me of Dez Bryant. Williams joins a really deep receiver group with Keenan Allen, Travis Benjamin, Tyrell Williams, and Dontrelle Inman, along with tight ends Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry.

Williams is a good player, but unlike the Titans selection of Corey Davis, this just doesn’t seem like a good marriage of talent and need. The Chargers need a lot of help on defense and could have used any of the stud defenders still on the board.

Grade: D

8. Carolina Panthers: Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey

The Panthers needed to add the heir to Jonathan Stewart in the backfield and McCaffrey should help take a lot of the pressure off of QB Cam Newton. McCaffrey can do it all and should see a ton of quick dump-offs to reduce the number of hits on Newton over the course of the season.

Drafting a running back this early should be questioned and the Panthers could have used Ohio State FS Malik Hooker- but the talent on the board doesn’t really align with the Panthers needs, so McCaffrey is a fine addition.

Grade: B

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Washington WR John Ross

The run at wide receiver continues (Bill Belichick has to feel great about acquiring an elite wide receiver in Brandin Cooks for the 32nd overall) with Ross, who compares to DeSean Jackson or T.Y. Hilton.

Ross should be the flanker, opposite of A.J. Green as the split end, with Tyler Boyd and Brandon LaFell in the slot. Ross should help out with the Bengals 24th ranked offense, but Cincinnati has a lot of holes in their defensive front seven that could have been addressed.

Grade: C

10. Buffalo Bills -> Kansas City Chiefs: Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes II

The Chiefs sent their first round pick (27th), third round pick (91st), and a 2018 first round pick to move up. The Chiefs didn’t have an immediate need at quarterback, but the team doesn’t think that Alex Smith can get the team over the hump in the up-and-coming AFC.

Mahomes will have time to develop and compete against Alex Smith. The Chiefs could have added Malik Hooker or Marshon Lattimore to elevate their secondary from “great” to “ohmygosh”, but it’s clear that Smith isn’t good enough to get the Chiefs over the hump. This is a good place for the Chiefs to prepare for the future.

Grade: B

11. New Orleans Saints: Ohio State CB Marshon Lattimore

The Saints land the best cornerback in the entire draft and they didn’t even have to trade up. This should end all trade talks between the Patriots and Saints over CB Malcolm Butler. Lattimore will make the defense much better and he’s a no brainer selection.

Grade: A

12. Cleveland Browns -> Houston Texans: Clemson QB Deshaun Watson

The Texans sent their 27th overall pick and a 2018 first round pick to the Browns to add their quarterback of the now. Watson is the most ready of the rookie quarterbacks and Houston head coach Bill O’Brien loves Watson as a player. This was an even trade for both sides (and the Browns now own the Texans 2018 first and second round picks).

Watson is the best quarterback that O’Brien has had in Houston and the head coach will have to construct an offense to as Watson adjusts to the NFL- but WR DeAndre Hopkins should be a happy camper.

Grade: A

13. Arizona Cardinals: Temple LB Haason Reddick

The Cardinals really wanted a quarterback here, but the three top prospects are gone. Reddick is a great consolation price as he should immediately boost the Cardinals already-great defense. The Cardinals don’t really have a true, young linebacker and Reddick is the most versatile prospects.

Reddick is a former defensive back and edge defender that could be the Jamie Collins in the Cardinals defense.

Grade: A

14. Philadelphia Eagles: Tennessee EDGE Derek Barnett

The Eagles take an excellent edge defender who should be an immediate impact starter as a rookie. Barnett joins an outstanding defensive line with DT Fletcher Cox and EDGE Brandon Graham and is in an ideal situation with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Great marriage of talent and scheme.

Grade: A

15. Indianapolis Colts: Ohio State FS Malik Hooker

Hooker was considered a top 5 talent, so the Colts have made an excellent pick. The early run on offensive players paid off for Indianapolis as Hooker should immediately step into the starting lineup and boost a weak secondary that has CB Vontae Davis and not much else.

Alabama players are free falling.

Grade: A

16. Baltimore Ravens: Alabama CB Marlon Humphrey

With three other top Alabama prospects on the board, the Ravens take the lesser-regarded, but still outstanding player in Humphrey. Humphrey joins Jimmy Smith at cornerback, with Tavon Young in the slot and Eric Weddle and Tony Jefferson at safety, to form a great secondary.

Baltimore does need some help in their defensive front seven, but Humphrey is a pick that makes some sense.

Grade: B

17. Washington: Alabama DL Jonathan Allen

Allen’s slide ends in Washington, where the consensus top 5 prospect (that fell due to injury concerns about his shoulders) should be an immediate impact player in the defensive front seven. Allen will immediately be the top interior defender in Washington.

Grade: A

Best players available: Alabama TE O.J. Howard, Alabama LB Reuben Foster, Wisconsin OT Ryan Ramczyk, Michigan EDGE Taco Charlton, Florida State RB Dalvin Cook

18. Tennessee Titans: USC CB Adoree Jackson

Jackson is a solid cornerback with a nose for the football and could be considered a higher-upside version of Cyrus Jones (I say that as a compliment). Jackson is a tremendous athlete that should pair well with Logan Ryan and could develop into a star in the NFL- but he might take some time.

Grade: B

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alabama TE O.J. Howard

Tight end wasn’t a major need for the Buccaneers, with a pretty good player in Cameron Brate, but Tampa added the best player on the draft board and can now trot out an offense with Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, Howard, Brate, and a running back. Have fun defending that basketball team.

Grade: A

Best players available: Alabama LB Reuben Foster, Wisconsin OT Ryan Ramczyk, Michigan EDGE Taco Charlton, Florida State RB Dalvin Cook, Miami TE David Njoku

20. Denver Broncos: Utah OT Garrett Bolles

Denver had a major need at offensive tackle that they’ve addressed by adding Bolles. Bolles is one of the top three offensive tackle prospects in a super weak offensive tackle draft. The Broncos called the Browns to see if they could add OT Joe Thomas, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Grade: A

Best players available: Alabama LB Reuben Foster, Wisconsin OT Ryan Ramczyk, Michigan EDGE Taco Charlton, Florida State RB Dalvin Cook, Miami TE David Njoku

21. Detroit Lions: Florida LB Jarrad Davis

The Lions had a big need at linebacker after releasing DeAndre Levy and trading away Super Bowl champion Kyle Van Noy and Davis is one of the best in the draft, alongside Haason Reddick, Reuben Foster, and Zach Cunningham.

Other than a few early hiccups, this has been an excellent draft by most teams.

Grade: A

22. Miami Dolphins: Missouri EDGE Charles Harris

The Dolphins added a very solid pass rusher to develop behind Cameron Wake. Harris is a favorite of scouts and many believe he has some of the best upside in the draft class. The Dolphins have made a great pick at a position of need.

Grade: A

Best players available: Alabama LB Reuben Foster, Wisconsin OT Ryan Ramczyk, Michigan EDGE Taco Charlton, Florida State RB Dalvin Cook, Miami TE David Njoku

23. New York Giants: Ole Miss TE Evan Engram

The Giants offense works best when they have a tight end that can catch the ball and Engram might be the most experienced receiving tight end in the draft. He joins a stacked offense with Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, and Sterling Shepard and should be a solid contributor as a rookie.

Giants probably should have added an offensive lineman, but they needed to bolster their 26th ranked offense to match their 2nd ranked defense.

Grade: B

Best players available: Alabama LB Reuben Foster, Wisconsin OT Ryan Ramczyk, Michigan EDGE Taco Charlton, Florida State RB Dalvin Cook, Miami TE David Njoku

24. Oakland Raiders: Ohio State CB Gareon Conley

Conley made headlines after he was accused of rape the day before the draft. He is still going through the legal process, which will determine how he contributes in the NFL. This could be the worst pick of the draft, or the Raiders could feel confident that Conley will be cleared and they just added a top 10 talent to their secondary.

Grade: N/A

Best players available: Alabama LB Reuben Foster, Wisconsin OT Ryan Ramczyk, Michigan EDGE Taco Charlton, Florida State RB Dalvin Cook, Miami TE David Njoku

25. Houston Texans -> Cleveland Browns: Michigan S Jabrill Peppers

The Browns add Peppers to their selection of Myles Garrett and they’ve added two of the most intriguing defenders in the draft. Teams were unsure of where to play Peppers in the NFL, but the Browns must have a plan in place. Based on the Browns roster, Peppers should slide in at strong safety.

Grade: B

Best players available: Alabama LB Reuben Foster, Wisconsin OT Ryan Ramczyk, Michigan EDGE Taco Charlton, Florida State RB Dalvin Cook, Miami TE David Njoku

26. Seattle Seahawks -> Atlanta Falcons: UCLA EDGE Takkarist McKinley

The Falcons add a solid edge rusher in McKinley, who is extremely raw, but is a great straight line athlete. The Falcons want to be fast on defense and McKinley was one of the fastest edge defenders in the entire draft.

Grade: B

Best players available: Alabama LB Reuben Foster, Wisconsin OT Ryan Ramczyk, Michigan EDGE Taco Charlton, Florida State RB Dalvin Cook, Miami TE David Njoku

27. Kansas City Chiefs -> Buffalo Bills: LSU CB Tre’Davious White

The Bills needed to replace CB Stephon Gilmore, who signed with the Patriots in the offseason. White is an extremely talented cornerback that should pair well with CB Ronald Darby and could provide Buffalo with a pair of #1 cornerbacks.

Grade: A

28. Dallas Cowboys: Michigan EDGE Taco Charlton

The Cowboys desperately needed a pass rusher and they added the top one left on the board. Charlton compares well to Chandler Jones, with slightly less explosion but better consistency against the run.

Grade: A

29. Green Bay Packers -> Cleveland Browns: Miami TE David Njoku

The Browns acquired the Packers 29th overall pick in exchange for the 33rd overall and 108th picks. This is a fair trade for both sides.

The Browns are intent on adding the most dynamic athletes to their roster and Njoku is the team’s third pick in the first round, following Myles Garrett and Jabrill Peppers. Njoku should compete in an offense that lacks playmakers.

Grade: A

30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Wisconsin EDGE T.J. Watt

The Steelers needed to find a prospect that could fit into their 3-4 defensive front and Watt is a perfect match. Watt has the athleticism to drop back into coverage and is great moving forward against the run and in the pass rush.

Grade: A

31. Atlanta Falcons -> Seattle Seahawks -> San Francisco 49ers: Alabama LB Reuben Foster

The Seahawks moved down in the first round and flipped the pick to the 49ers for the 34th and 111th overall picks. The 49ers subsequently ended the slide of Reuben Foster.

Foster will pair with Navorro Bowman and could be the next great San Francisco linebacker. The 49ers wanted Foster at #2, so they’re thrilled to get him at the end of the first round.

Grade: A

32. New Orleans Saints: Wisconsin OT Ryan Ramczyk

The Saints pick the top rated player left on the board and arguably the best tackle in the draft. The Saints have invested a solid amount of capital in the offensive line, so it’ll be curious where Ramczyk fits in with Terron Armstead at left tackle and 2015 first round pick Andrus Peat more naturally a tackle, but playing inside.

The Saints really needed help on defense, beyond Marshon Lattimore at #11 and a player like Zach Cunningham or Tyus Bowser would have helped.

Grade: B

Best players available: Florida State RB Dalvin Cook, Michigan State DT Malik McDowell, Washington CB Kevin King, Colorado CB Chidobe Awuzie, Western Kentucky OG Forrest Lamp