Re-Drafting The First 10 Picks In The 2017 NFL Draft

The 2017 NFL Draft was loaded with talent, with many players who are amongst the league’s top elite names today. In this re-draft, the best of the best are the ones coming out early as the top 10 picks.

1) Cleveland Browns: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech (Original Pick: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M)

Patrick Mahomes is by far the most accomplished and special player from this draft. In his first year as a starter, Mahomes would throw for 50 touchdowns and win NFL MVP, the youngest winner ever at the time. Since becoming a starter, Mahomes has led the Kansas City Chiefs to four straight home AFC Championship Games, two Super Bowl appearances, and a Super Bowl championship in 2019, where he was named Super Bowl MVP. His talent with his arm and physical abilities are displayed nearly every time he is on the field, so Mahomes at one in this re-draft is a no-brainer.

2) Chicago Bears: DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson (Original Pick: Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina)

Despite signing veteran quarterback Mike Glennon to a three-year deal at the time, the Chicago Bears surprisingly traded up a lot to move from the third to second overall pick to draft a quarterback. The problem ended up being that Chicago didn’t take the best quarterback available. In a draft that had both Patrick Mahomes and DeShaun Watson available, Chicago selected Mitch Trubisky, who would part ways with the team after four seasons. Watson, on the other hand, would be selected to three Pro Bowls and be recognized as one of the league’s few elite quarterbacks. Things didn’t end well for Watson in Houston before a trade to the Cleveland Browns, so both Watson and the Bears could have used each other.

3) San Francisco 49ers: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M (Original Pick: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford)

Arguably the best defensive player in the draft, Myles Garrett has established himself as one of the most powerful and skilled edge-rushers in the NFL. The three-time Pro Bowler has enjoyed success in Cleveland, and the only reason why he is picked third in this re-draft instead of first overall like before is because of the two names re-drafted ahead of him.

4) Jacksonville Jaguars: George Kittle, TE, Iowa (Original Pick: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU)

While Leonard Fournette’s early years in the NFL as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars were impressive, his run in Jacksonville was short-lived. Fournette would end up winning a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, but he hasn’t turned out to be the elite running back people hoped he would be. George Kittle has been a huge part of the San Francisco 49ers’ success in recent years and is often regarded as one of the best tight ends in football, if not the best tight end. He has made it to three Pro Bowls and continues to thrive with the Niners even without having an elite quarterback.

5) Tennesse Titans: T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin (Original Pick: Corey Davis, WR, LSU)

Myles Garrett’s competition for the best defensive player from the 2017 draft is none other than 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt. Like Garrett, Watt has made himself a household name league-wide on defense, and he has played a huge part in the Pittsburgh Steelers continuously making the playoffs.

6) New York Jets: Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington (Original Pick: Jamal Adams, S, LSU)

Things with Jamal Adams and the New York Jets ended on bad terms, even though Adams was recognized as a defensive superstar for the team. Since being traded to the Seattle Seahawks, Adams has not nearly been as productive as he was during his days with the Jets. In 2021, Cooper Kupp would make history this past season with the Los Angeles Rams where he made the Pro Bowl, was named first-team All-Pro, and won a Super Bowl championship and Super Bowl MVP. Matthew Stafford was Kupp’s first truly elite quarterback in LA, and once he finally worked with that his numbers were historic.

7) Los Angeles Chargers: Christain McCaffery, RB, Stanford (Original Pick: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson)

Christain McCaffery’s only real negative is his history of not being available. When healthy, McCaffery is arguably the best running back in football, and his injury history is the only thing putting him after other offensive weapons like Kittle and Kupp in this re-draft.

8) Carolina Panthers: Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee (Original Pick: Christian McCaffery, RB, Stanford)

In star running back Christain McCaffery’s rookie year in 2017, the Carolina Panthers went 11-5 and almost pulled off a Wild Card comeback before falling 31-26 to their divisional rival New Orleans Saints on the road in the 2017 NFL Playoffs. Even though the season ended in heartbreak with a comeback falling short, it was one of Cam Newton’s best years, certainly his best as a passer - including his 2015 MVP season when Carolina went 15-1 and made the Super Bowl. With McCaffery off the board in this re-draft, Alvin Kamara is just as great of a pick-up for the Panthers. Kamara is also one of the league’s top running backs, and a pairing with Cam Newton could have possibly led to more playoff runs.

9) Cincinnati Bengals: Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State (Original Pick: John Ross III, WR, Washington)

*The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Content Services LLC*

Despite often being seen as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ number two wideout after Mike Evans, Chris Godwin is still recognized as one of the best receivers in the league. After having no playoff appearances, Godwin would end up helping Tampa Bay win their second Super Bowl in franchise history in just his first playoff run, a year after making the Pro Bowl. Godwin could easily be the number one receiver on plenty of teams in the league, and last year was arguably his best season before going down with an ACL injury in the Bucs’ 9-0 Week 15 loss to divisional rival New Orleans Saints.

10) Kansas City Cheifs: Tre’Davious White, DB, LSU (Original Pick: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech)

While there is no con about selecting Patrick Mahomes, he isn’t available at 10 for the Kansas City Chiefs in this re-draft. This draft was loaded with talent, including several big secondary player names like Tre’Davious White, Marlon Humphrey, Marshon Lattimore, Budda Baker, and Jamal Adams. White has made two Pro Bowls with the Buffalo Bills, a team that gave the skilled star a great situation to succeed in, and while he may not be able to do some of the stuff Mahomes has with the Cheifs, he is still a great threat to have.