NFL Draft News & Analysis

Live Day 1 draft analysis from the PFF team

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: (L-R) Mitchell Trubisky of North Carolina poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the Chicago Bears (from 49ers) during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

After months of mock drafts and prospect evaluations, the 2017 NFL Draft is here. Throughout Round 1 this evening, stick with the Pro Football Focus analysis team as we break down the implications of every Day 1 pick.

To see PFF's final draft board and positional prospect rankings, click here.


12:12 a.m. ET, April 28

Top 50 remaining prospects on PFF's draft board

Former Florida State running back Dalvin Cook tops Pro Football Focus' best available list at this point, with Auburn edge defender Carl Lawson just behind him. To view the entire list of the top remaining talent for Day, click here.


11:45 p.m. ET, April 27

New Orleans Saints

Round 1, pick No. 32: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin

Saints add protection for Drew Brees

The Saints were able to add PFF's top-rated offensive tackle in the draft class in Wisconsin’s Ryan Ramczyk with the final pick of the first round. He only played one year of FBS football, but was dominant in 2016 at Wisconsin, and never allowed more than two pressures in any game. Ramczyk uses athleticism and quick feet to help him shut down pass-rushers, and his pass blocking efficiency mark of 97.5 ranked 15th in the draft class. Ramcyzk only allowed one sack, three QB hits, and eight hurries on his 378 pass-blocking snaps in 2016. — Jordan Plocher, @PFF_Jordan

PFF OL Analyst Taylor Wright on Ramczyk:

Ramczyk is the most refined offensive lineman in this year's draft. He performed well in Wisconsin's power blocking schemes, generating great movement in double-teams at the point of attack. Ramcyzk showed versatility in his run-blocking ability; however, and his natural size and ability to press and control defenders in pass protection will be of value to New Orleans.


11:41 p.m. ET, April 27

San Francisco 49ers

Round 1, pick No. 31: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama

Medical, off-field concerns don't keep Foster from first round

The wait is over for one of the draft’s most impressive players on the field. Foster was projected to be taken in the top 10, but a disastrous draft-prep season left teams with a number of questions. The 49ers are an intriguing fit, as we compared him to retired San Francisco great LB Patrick Willis in his scouting report. He is a physical and athletic presence capable of excelling in all three phases of defense. He led all FBS inside linebackers in run-stop percentage last season, and posted nine pass breakups while giving up no touchdowns in coverage the last two seasons for the Crimson Tide. If his shoulders don’t hold him back in the NFL, he has all the ability needed to be a top player at his position. — Josh Liskiewitz, @PFF_Josh


11:37 p.m. ET, April 27

Pittsburgh Steelers

Round 1, pick No. 30: T.J. Watt, Edge, Wisconsin

Steelers add edge-rusher in T.J. Watt

T.J. Watt plays with the tremendous effort and passion we are used to from his surname. Watt played standing up at Wisconsin and rushed off the edge, but only had one year of production. The former Wisconsin Badger has a variety of pass-rushing moves, as he can use agility to go around blockers or power to bull them back. Watt racked up 10 sacks, 16 QB hits, and 30 hurries on 279 rushes in 2016. Watt’s pass-rushing productivity of 16.4 ranks sixth in the draft class among edge defenders. His production and style of play will both be welcome in Pittsburgh. — Jordan Plocher, @PFF_Jordan


11:29 p.m. ET, April 27

Cleveland Browns

Round 1, pick No. 29: David Njoku, TE, Miami (FL)

Busy Browns make third selection of Day 1

Cleveland traded up four spots from the top of the second round to secure our No. 2 TE, who was projected by some to be taken much earlier tonight. David Njoku is an excellent athlete capable of running impressively tight routes considering his size, and while he drop five of 48 catchable balls last season, he is a solid receiver who can pluck the ball away from his body. His eight touchdowns last season were second-most in the country among tight ends, as were the 15 missed tackles he forced after the catch. — Josh Liskiewitz, @PFF_Josh


11:22 p.m. ET, April 27

Dallas Cowboys

Round 1, pick No. 28: Taco Charlton, Edge, Michigan

Cowboys add needed edge-rush production

Charlton will bring the Cowboys instant pass-rush production. In 2016, Charlton collected eight sacks, 10 QB hits, 32 hurries, and one batted pass on his 251 pass-rushing snaps. He has a variety of pass-rushing moves and can win outside with speed or with very skilled hand usage. Charlton also has great length at 6-foot-6 with 34.25-inch arms that he uses effectively in his pass-rush, both to keep blockers at a distance and to generate power through leverage. Charlton’s pass-rushing productivity mark of 16.6 ranks fifth in the draft class. — Jordan Plocher, @PFF_Jordan


11:17 p.m. ET, April 27

Buffalo Bills

Round 1, pick No. 27: Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU

Bills steal PFF’s No. 2 CB late in Round 1 after trade down

The Bills took a calculated risk earlier in the evening by moving down 17 spots with the Chiefs, and by our standards, that gamble paid off handsomely. White earned the highest overall and coverage grades in the draft class, as he gave up a completion percentage of just 42.6 into his primary coverage and defended a total of 14 passes. With the Bills losing Stephon Gilmore to the Patriots in free agency, cornerback was a huge need, and they locked up our second-highest rated prospect at the position.— Josh Liskiewitz, @PFF_Josh


11:09 p.m. ET, April 27

Atlanta Falcons

Round 1, pick No. 26: Takkarist McKinley, Edge, UCLA

Falcons trade up to get their pass-rusher in McKinley

The Falcons gave up a third-round pick and a seventh-round pick to move up five spots and select edge rusher Takkarist McKinley. McKinley will likely be used to rush the passer on the opposite side of Vic Beasley. The former UCLA Bruin is an athletic prospect who plays with a high level of effort and will chase plays downfield; he was one of the few defensive players in the Pac-12 that was capable of taking over games. McKinley recorded nine sacks, 11 QB hits, 37 hurries, and one batted pass on 339 pass-rushing snaps in 2016. — Jordan Plocher, @PFF_Jordan


11:02 p.m. ET, April 27

Cleveland Browns

Round 1, pick No. 25: Jabrill Peppers, DB, Michigan

Browns take Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year

One of the big questions of this draft was when Michigan’s defensive standout would be selected, and we now know the answer is pick No. 25. This is the Browns’ second pick of the first round, as they traded back from No. 12 earlier in the night with the Houston Texans. Cleveland presents a good situation for Jabrill Peppers because he’ll be afforded the time he needs to develop his skill-set, as the franchise isn’t ready to compete for championships with the current roster. Peppers will be an immediate leader on the field, and was the highest-graded punt returner in college football last season. The question with him is just where he fits, as he’s too small to play the linebacker role he did in college last year, but struggled in coverage. Only seven incompletions were thrown into his coverage last year (27 total targets); six were inaccurate throws, and the seventh was a dropped pass by the receiver. He failed a combine drug test due to a diluted sample, but this apparently did not affect his draft stock. — Josh Liskiewitz, @PFF_Josh


10:55 p.m. ET, April 27

Oakland Raiders

Round 1, pick No. 24: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State

Raiders take former Ohio State CB despite off-field controversy

This is sure to be one of the most-talked-about picks of the day, as Gareon Conley was accused of sexual assault earlier this week, and this issue does not appear to be resolved. In terms of his on-field play, Conley was outstanding in 2016. He gave up receptions on just 14 of 42 targets into his primary coverage area, and his 14.0 QB rating against was the lowest mark in the country. NFL Network is reporting Conley took a polygraph, but regardless, the Raiders are taking a massive gamble with this selection. — Josh Liskiewitz, @PFF_Josh


10:49 p.m. ET, April 27

New York Giants

Round 1, pick No. 23: Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss

Giants snag mismatch weapon in Engram

Evan Engram is one of the premier mismatch weapons in the 2016 NFL Draft, and his 2.59 yards per route run ranked first among tight ends in the class. Engram is listed as a tight end, but doesn’t have traditional in-line tight end size. He would be better suited to playing a “big slot” role in the NFL. Engram can be used to attack defenses in multiple ways, as he is larger than defensive backs and faster than linebackers. Engram can be used to exploit mismatches and get open on all three levels of a defense. In 2016, Engram caught all four of his targets that traveled over 30 yards, so he can also be a deep threat. — Jordan Plocher, @PFF_Jordan


10:42 p.m. ET, April 27

Miami Dolphins

Round 1, pick No. 22: Charles Harris, Edge, Missouri

Dolphins add edge-rush production with Charles Harris

Charles Harris is one of the premier edge rushers in the 2016 draft class with a tremendous get-off at the snap. Harris collected 10 sacks, 18 QB hits, 34 hurries, and two batted passes on 356 pass-rushing snaps in the 2016 season. He has a variety of pass-rush moves, including a very effective spin move, which he was able to collect nine QB pressures with in 2016. Harris can bring a consistent edge-rush presence to the Dolphins' defense, as he had at least five pressures in eight of the 12 games he played in last year. — Jordan Plocher, @PFF_Jordan


10:39 p.m. ET, April 27

Detroit Lions

Round 1, pick No. 21: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida

Lions bypass Reuben Foster, select rival Davis at No. 21

Inside linebacker was clearly Detroit’s biggest need, and like Denver the pick prior, the Lions had their choice of the lot. Davis is one of the cleanest prospects in the draft, as he’s known as an excellent leader in the locker room and a tone-setter on the field. While he missed 11 tackles on the season, three came against Alabama in the SEC championship game, when he tried to come back early to play though an ankle injury that had kept him out of action the prior three games. He has the athleticism to play sideline-to-sideline, and yielded just one score on 66 total targets against in his three seasons at Florida. — Josh Liskiewitz, @PFF_Josh


10:33 p.m. ET, April 27

Denver Broncos

Round 1, pick No. 20: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah

Broncos grab top lineman on their board

It was no secret within the NFL community that the Broncos wanted a left tackle, and they were dealt a huge break with all of them still on the board. While Garett Bolles was obviously the top tackle on Denver’s board, he ranked just 62nd overall on PFF's. He gave up six total QB pressures in the first game of the 2016 season, but afterward, yielded a total of just 14 (two sacks, zero hits, and 12 hurries). His 84.0 run-blocking grade ranked fourth among all FBS tackles. — Josh Liskiewitz, @PFF_Josh

PFF OL Analyst Taylor Wright on Bolles:

Garett Bolles is one of the best run blockers in this year's draft. He excels at reach blocks and in space. His acquisition by the Broncos may signal that they will keep some of the heavy outside zone philosophy that was utilized by Gary Kubiak. Bolles excels at finishing blocks; he is raw in terms of his pass-protection skills, and has struggled at times getting over-extended and losing his balance on blocks.


10:28 p.m. ET, April 27

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Round 1, pick No. 19: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama

Jameis Winston gets new target in O.J. Howard

The Buccaneers were rumored to be very high on running back Dalvin Cook (FSU), but the opportunity to get the best tight end in the draft proved to be too much to pass up for GM Jason Licht. Howard can play in-line tight end and earned the highest run-blocking grade of any TE in FBS last season; he will make an impact in the ground game for the Bucs. Howard’s receiving ability is the real reason he was the pick here, as he gives a great target for Bucs QB Jameis Winston and will aid the third-year quarterback’s development. Howard is a mismatch player in the passing game who can line up in the slot in addition to in-line. Howard recorded 7.3 yards after catch per reception in 2016 and can help Winston and the Buccaneers’ offense move the chains. — Jordan Plocher, @PFF_Jordan


10:22 p.m. ET, April 27

Tennessee Titans

Round 1, pick No. 18: Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC

Titans pick USC corner, return specialist

The Titans had an obvious need at cornerback, but Adoree' Jackson seems a slight reach with a player the caliber of LSU's Tre’Davious White still on the board. The Titans have to love Jackson’s 4.42-second combine 40-yard dash, and the fact that he was our top-graded returner in the country, with four total return touchdowns in 2016. In terms of his play in coverage, Jackson picked off five passes and broke up another seven last year, but also gave up seven touchdowns (five in USC’s last four games). — Josh Liskiewitz, @PFF_Josh


10:16 p.m. ET, April 27

Washington Redskins

Round 1, pick No. 17: Jonathan Allen, DI, Alabama

Redskins get lucky with Allen’s draft fall

A combination of concerns over the long-term health of Jonathan Allen’s back and shoulders, as well as the run on offensive players, allowed the Redskins to snag Allen at No. 17. On pure talent alone, Allen is one of the best players in the draft, and the premier interior defensive linemen in the class. He is one of the rare players who can actually provide a defense with coveted inside pass-rush production. Allen recorded 13 sacks, 13 QB hits, and 41 QB hurries on 463 pass-rushing snaps in the 2016 season. The former Alabama standout is also a stout run defender; his 11.5 run-stop percentage ranks fourth in the draft class among interior defensive linemen. — Jordan Plocher, @PFF_Jordan


10:08 p.m. ET, April 27

Baltimore Ravens

Round 1, pick No. 16: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama

Ozzie Newsome drafts yet-another Alabama alum

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome has made a habit of drafting Alabama prospects throughout his tenure, and he had his pick of several this year. Humphrey is susceptible to the big play at times, but gave up 50.0 percent completions into his coverage each of the last two seasons, and defended a total of 17 passes in that span. In his last five games for the Crimson Tide, he gave up just five total receptions on 13 targets. The Ravens had significant issues in the secondary last year, thus targeting a cornerback with this pick is no surprise. — Josh Liskiewitz, @PFF_Josh


10:00 p.m. ET, April 27

Indianapolis Colts

Round 1, pick No. 15: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State

Colts get best centerfielder free safety in class

The Indianapolis Colts likely didn’t think that Malik Hooker would be available to them at pick No. 15, but the run on offensive skill players in the top 12 picks of the draft pushed the talented safety down. Hooker has tremendous range and can cover a lot of ground on the third level of the defense for the Colts. He can play in the slot, but is at his best in a centerfielder role where he can use his athleticism and range. Opposing quarterbacks only had a 41.4 passer rating when throwing into Hooker’s coverage last season. The former Buckeye also has impressive ball skills and tracking ability, recording seven interceptions in the 2016 season. — Jordan Plocher, @PFF_Jordan


9:54 p.m. ET, April 27

Philadelphia Eagles

Round 1, pick No. 14: Derek Barnett, Edge, Tennessee

Eagles draft best-remaining edge player

We love the value of this pick, as although Barnett lacks the elite measurables of players like Myles Garrett and Haason Reddick before him, he’s been the most productive edge player in college football over the past three seasons. He’s posted double-digit sack seasons each year, and totaled 187 QB pressures. His 91.9 PFF overall grade in 2016 was second-best among all edge players in the country (to Garrett’s 92.1). He gives the Eagles a formidable long-term edge player opposite long-time PFF favorite Brandon Graham. — Josh Liskiewitz, @PFF_Josh


9:47 p.m. ET, April 27

Arizona Cardinals

Round 1, pick No. 13: Haason Reddick, Edge, Temple

Early run on offense gives Cardinals premier defender

The run on offensive skill players in the top-12 picks of the draft pushed talented defenders down, and the Cardinals add a front-seven chess piece in Haason Reddick. One of the more versatile defenders in this year’s draft, Reddick has historically been an edge player, but he also has the ability to be a rangy off-the-ball linebacker with the athleticism to cover tight ends. Reddick fits the athletic profile the Cardinals covet at the ILB position, but they will have the ability to move him around. He is one of the better edge rushers in the draft class, with 10 sacks, four QB hits, and 29 QB hurries on only 248 pass-rush snaps in 2016. The Cardinals will likely ask him to blitz A-gaps from their inside linebacker spot. — Jordan Plocher, @PFF_Jordan


9:36 p.m. ET, April 27

Round 1, pick No. 12: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

Houston Texans

Texans move up 13 spots for top remaining QB

Considering the depth chart heading into the evening, it should be no surprise that the Texans were willing to move up for a quarterback. Watson’s adjusted completion percentage in 2016 (which eliminates throw-aways and receiver drops) was 76.1, third-best in the entire draft class and tops among the three drafted so far tonight. He also excelled against the blitz, posting 17 touchdowns to just five interceptions and a QB rating of 103.8. — Josh Liskiewitz, @PFF_Josh

PFF QB Analyst Zac Robinson on Watson:

Deshaun Watson is a player that dominates the pre-snap process with identifying matchups and leverages, making the Texans' complex system a good fit. While he is hard to project working through true pure progression reads because you don't see it on tape, perhaps he can develop in that area with time. The off-the-charts intangibles and his play in big moments give him a chance to be a successful NFL QB.


9:30 p.m. ET, April 27

New Orleans Saints

Round 1, pick No. 11: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State

Saints capitalize on run of offensive players

Three quarterbacks and three wide receivers in the top 10 pushed down some very talented defensive players, and the Saints were happy to capitalize. Marshon Lattimore is the premier prospect in a deep cornerback class, and a fantastic selection for a team that needs defensive back talent. Lattimore only allowed a QB rating of 30.2 last season when opposing quarterbacks threw into his coverage. Lattimore also showed his ball skills by making 10 plays on the ball in 2016 (four interceptions and six passes broken up). Lattimore only allowed two of 12 go routes thrown into his coverage to be caught last season, and will go a long way in improving the Saints' coverage ability. — Jordan Plocher, @PFF_Jordan


9:27 p.m. ET, April 27

Kansas City Chiefs

Round 1, pick No. 10: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech

Chiefs take leap of faith for most gifted passer in draft

There were plenty of rumors about Kansas City’s desire to trade up for a quarterback earlier today, and that’s exactly what they were able to accomplish. Moving up 17 spots is going to cost them their third-round pick this year and next year’s first, but if Mahomes becomes the franchise QB they think he can be, the price will be a bargain. Mahomes doesn’t come from a pro-style offense, but is a remarkable arm talent capable of making every throw on the field from multiple platforms. He needs to learn to work more consistently within the pocket (PFF charged him with 10 sacks and 29 total pressures last season due to his own pre-mature scrambling), but his 125.5 QB rating when kept clean was second-best in the draft class in 2016. Kansas City is a great place for Mahomes to learn how to tame his wild side, as current starter Alex Smith has long been considered one of the more conservative quarterbacks in the league. — Josh Liskiewitz, @PFF_Josh

PFF QB Analyst Zac Robinson on Mahomes:

In terms of arm talent, Mahomes is right on par with the best in the NFL. Kansas City is a perfect spot for him to learn the nuances of the pocket behind Alex Smith, and he'll be coached by one of the best QB developers in Andy Reid. Mahomes has the highest upside of any QB in the draft, and the ability to carry a franchise years down the road.


9:12 p.m. ET, April 27

Cincinnati Bengals

Round 1, pick No. 9: John Ross, WR, Washington

Bengals get speedy WR they've been coveting

Last year, the Bengals were widely rumored to have serious interest in former Notre Dame wide receiver Will Fuller, who was the fastest WR in last year’s draft, but lost out when the Texans selected him first. John Ross was the fastest wide receiver in this class and is threat to score every time he touches the ball. Ross is a premier deep threat who often had to wait on passes in the air, but still recorded 535 yards on deep passes (20 or more yards downfield) in 2016, which ranked ninth in the class. Ross opposite of A.J. Green give the Bengals one of the better playmaking WR duos in the NFL. — Jordan Plocher, @PFF_Jordan


9:09 p.m. ET, April 27

Carolina Panthers

Round 1, pick No. 8: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

Panthers land ultimate modern weapon at No. 8

Christian McCaffrey was PFF's top RB prospect in the draft, and the Panthers were able to hold tight and select him eighth overall. His running ability between the tackles is understated, as he is extremely patient setting up blocks; he forced a whopping 120 combined missed tackles the past two seasons for the Stanford Cardinal. What makes him truly the most dangerous offensive weapon in this class is his ability as a receiver, as he racked up 83 catches and another 35 forced missed tackles in 2015 and 2016. If that wasn't enough, he is also a dynamic kick and punt returner. Expect to see McCaffrey toting the ball plenty on first and second downs, and starting out of the slot on third downs this fall. — Josh Liskiewitz, @PFF_Josh


8:59 p.m. ET, April 27

Los Angeles Chargers logo header

Round 1, pick No. 7: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

Chargers get another WR weapon for Rivers

The run on wide receivers has started, with two coming off the board in three picks. Williams is a big-bodied player who can win at the catch point and really excels in contested-catch situations. Williams is a player with strong, reliable hands, and only dropped 5.77 percent of his opportunities in 2016, which ranked 18th among FBS WRs. 
He should become an instant re- zone threat for Philip Rivers and the Chargers’ offense. Williams can also be a deep threat due to his ability to out-muscle the defensive back for the ball. In 2016, Williams hauled in 14 deep passes (targeted 20 or more yards downfield), which ranked 10th in the draft class. — Jordan Plocher, @PFF_Jordan


8:52 p.m. ET, April 27

New York Jets

Round 1, pick No. 6: Jamal Adams, S, LSU

Jets take best defensive back in draft class

Some projected Jamal Adams to go as high as No. 2 or No. 3 overall, so the Jets have to be elated to find him still on the board at No. 6. In three seasons at LSU, Adams allowed just 59.8 percent of throws into his coverage to be completed, breaking up 17 total balls while yielding just one touchdown. Throughout the 2016 season, he showed the ability to line up all over the field, excelling at both free and strong safety, as well as slot cornerback. He is also a competitive run defender, capable of using his speed and quickness to defeat blockers and pile up defensive stops. — Josh Liskiewitz, @PFF_Josh


8:45 p.m. ET, April 27

Tennessee Titans

Round 1, pick No. 5: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

Titans add PFF's top WR prospect for Marcus Mariota

The Titans continue to add talented players and are quickly building an impressive roster. Davis was PFF's top-rated wide receiver; this is a good fit for Tennessee and he will be able to generate offense and production in a number of ways. Davis has the open-field running ability to make defenses pay, and had 710 yards after the catch in 2016. Davis can also become a deep threat for Marcus Mariota as he had 515 deep passing yards (on passes 20 or more yards downfield). The Titans still hold the No. 18 overall pick in the first round. — Jordan Plocher, @PFF_Jordan


8:40 p.m. ET, April 27

Jacksonville Jaguars

Round 1, pick No. 4: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

Jaguars select Fournette to take pressure off QB Bortles

By spending such a high selection on Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville is clearly banking on the former LSU RB returning to his outstanding 2015 form. His 96.1 PFF overall grade was tops in the country two seasons ago, as he gained 1,094 yards after contact (1,964 total) and forced 85 missed tackles. His production dropped considerably in 2016, at least in part due to injuries, and we question his viability on third down, considering he dropped seven of 47 total catchable balls thrown his way during his three seasons at LSU. Once in the open field he’s a punishing runner, but behind Jacksonville’s suspect offensive line, his struggles to consistently identify cutback lanes could be an issue. — Josh Liskiewitz, @PFF_Josh


8:32 p.m. ET, April 27

San Francisco 49ers

Round 1, pick No. 3: Solomon Thomas, Edge, Stanford

GM Lynch trades down one spot, gets haul of picks

The 49ers first-year GM John Lynch made a big splash with his first pick by trading down one spot and picking up additional draft picks both this year and a third round pick in 2018. The 49ers GM then took Solomon Thomas to add more talent to their front-seven. The pick for San Francisco is interesting in that the 49ers have spent considerable draft capital on defensive linemen Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner in recent drafts. Thomas finished 2016 with the No.1 run-defense grade (92.0) and the No. 6 pass-rushing grade (86.9) among FBS interior defensive linemen. Thomas can also provide pass-rush both inside at DT in sub-packages and outside at DE in base defense; he racked up 10 sacks, 12 hits, and 22 hurries in 2016. — Jordan Plocher, @PFF_Jordan


8:23 p.m. ET, April 27

Chicago Bears

Round 1, pick No. 2: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

Bears pay a hefty fee to get their QB

Welcome back to the NFL, John Lynch. The departure of Jay Cutler left the Bears without a starting quarterback, and while they signed Mike Glennon from Tampa Bay, we never viewed him as a long-term option. Considering the number of high picks the Bears gave to first-year general manager John Lynch to move up just one spot, Chicago clearly feels the same. Mitchell Trubisky was the top QB on our board, and 13th-overall player, as despite his inexperience, he possesses all the physical and athletic tools to be an NFL starter. His intermediate accuracy was excellent for the Tar Heels last season, as he completed 75 of 114 throws that traveled from 10-19 yards through the air for nine scores and four interceptions. — Josh Liskiewitz, @PFF_Josh

PFF QB Analyst Zac Robinson on Trubisky:

Mitchell Trubisky fits Dowell Loggains and the Bears' spread system extremely well. Accurate to all levels, he's instinctive and disciplined in the pocket, sees the game well, is athletic for move-the-pocket plays, and can extend the play to throw. Trubisky is a great fit for what the Bears do offensively.


8:15 p.m. ET, April 27

Cleveland Browns

Browns add top overall prospect, edge defender Myles Garrett

Round 1, pick No. 1: Myles Garrett, Edge, Texas A&M

The Browns made the wise move at No. 1, selecting former Texas A&M pass-rusher Myles Garrett with the first pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Garrett has been PFF's top prospect, and likely the top prospect on most draft boards around the country. Garrett racked up 31 sacks, 35 QB hits, and 98 hurries over the last three years in College Station, Texas. Garrett’s presence should make last year’s pick of Emmanuel Ogbah even more effective on the other side of Cleveland's defensive line. The selection will also likely make the entire Browns’ defense a better-playing unit. The rumors were really heating up that the Browns might look to take quarterback Mitchell Trubisky with their first pick, so it might not be out of the question for Cleveland to use some of their considerable draft capital to maneuver back up to get him. — Jordan Plocher, @PFF_Jordan


7:30 p.m. ET, April 27

Palazzolo, Renner breaking down every pick on SI.com

Be sure to follow PFF Senior Analysts Steve Palazzolo and Mike Renner live throughout the night as they team up with Sports Illustrated to break down every Round 1 draft pick. Click here to watch.

https://twitter.com/SInow/status/857610356646178816


7:23 p.m. ET, April 27

Draft board time: PFF's top 300 prospects

As the final minutes tick down until the Cleveland Browns are officially on the clock, be sure to check out the Pro Football Focus analysis team's final draft board, featuring the top 300 prospects. Former Texas A&M edge defender Myles Garrett tops the board at No. 1 overall, while Jonathan Allen (Alabama), Derek Barnett (Tennessee), Marshon Lattimore (Ohio State), and Reuben Foster (Alabama) round out the top five.

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