On Thursday, the 2017 NFL Draft began. Due to their “analytics” approach, the Browns collected eleven total pick this year. On the first night of the draft alone, they had the first and twelfth overall picks. Of course, the NFL Draft is the Super Bowl for many Browns fans. Since 1999, the Browns have only clinched one playoff spot (which ended in a Wild Card loss to the Steelers). However, it seems that this year is the start of a new era for the Browns. So, how did the front office perform? Let’s take a look and hand out grades for the first night of the Cleveland Browns 2017 NFL Draft.
Cleveland Browns 2017 NFL Draft Grades: Day One
Pick #1: Myles Garrett: A+
With the first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected Myles Garrett. As the consensus top pick, Garrett can be an immediate game-changer. There’s not much to say about him that hasn’t already been said, but he’s an incredible talent nonetheless. Garrett is a franchise cornerstone defensive end and a great building block for the Browns. Despite the rumors of Mitchell Trubisky going first overall, it seems like Cleveland’s front office made the right decision here. In terms of franchise building blocks, you can’t do much better than Myles Garrett here. He receives a solid A+.
Pick #25: Jabrill Peppers: C+
Instead of taking the 12th pick, the Browns traded down with the Houston Texans. And with the 25th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected Jabrill Peppers. At one point in the process, Peppers was a top-five pick. However, many scouts seemed to write him off somewhere along the line. Above all, Peppers is the most versatile player in the draft. He can play linebacker, safety, nickel corner, quarterback, kick returner, and the list goes on. Perhaps that is what has scouts so worried about drafting Peppers. In the world of professional sports, specialization is key. Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers is a safety that isn’t really a safety, but his potential is promising. Maybe Gregg Williams is behind this pick and wanted Peppers for the Browns 2017 NFL Draft. But as for right now, his grade is a C+.
Pick #29: David Njoku: B+
After trading up to #29 with the Packers, the Browns had another first round pick. With the 29th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected David Njoku. First and foremost, Davis Njoku is a really young athletic freak. At only 20 years old, Njoku is 6’4 and only 6% body fat. Additionally, he runs like a running back and his best work is after the catch. Perhaps the Browns are looking into Brad Kaaya and want to pair him with his top target. While it’s just speculation, that could be a lethal connection at the next level. Coming out of Miami, a school known for great tight ends, David Njoku has plenty of potential. As the 29th overall pick, Njoku is a steal for the Cleveland Browns 2017 NFL Draft. He receives a promising B+.
Composite Grade: B+
In this first round, the Browns seemed to have a message. Above anything else, make the team more athletic and explosive. Additionally, this team seems to be built on potential. Myles Garrett is a total freak with tremendous upside. Jabrill Peppers is a defensive mastermind with potential through the roof. Finally, David Njoku is a young buck already showing flashes of dominance. It seems that it might be a good idea to trust Sashi Brown and Hue Jackson. Overall, this was a great first round for the Browns 2017 NFL Draft. As a composite grade, this group of three receives a very optimistic B+.
