Fansided

NFL Draft 2017: 5 best picks of first round

By John Buhler

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Corey Davis (Western Michigan) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he is selected as the number 5 overall pick to the Tennessee Titans in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Corey Davis (Western Michigan) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he is selected as the number 5 overall pick to the Tennessee Titans in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jonathan Allen (Alabama) is selected as the number 17 overall pick to the Washington Redskins in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jonathan Allen (Alabama) is selected as the number 17 overall pick to the Washington Redskins in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
1

Jonathan Allen

Defensive End, Alabama Crimson Tide

Blame it on the shoulders, apparently. How on Planet Earth did the Washington Redskins make the hands-down best pick of the first-round? Who is the general manager exactly? Whatever. Jonathan Allen fell to them at No. 17 and the Redskins defense just got better instantaneously.

Allen was the best player in the SEC last year. Anybody that had to go up against the Crimson Tide front-seven probably regretted it, outside of Clemson of course. Allen has this unique skill set along the defensive line that makes it impossible to force him out of the game by formation.

He is listed as a defensive end, but may ultimately play his best ball on the interior in nickel and dime defensive packages. It doesn’t matter what scheme he plays in, 3-4 or 4-3, Allen will find a way to wreak havoc on opposing backfields.

Next: Every NFL Team's Best Draft Pick Of All-Time

He can get after the quarterback, stuff the run and break up passes along the defensive line. Myles Garrett may look more fluid on film, but Allen makes impactful plays every series he is on the field. There are moments where he plays like a J.J. Watt on the outside. Then there are others where he kicks inside and takes on an Aaron Donald role. If he has his health, Allen is the best value pick in the first-round by a canyon-sized margin.

Home/NFL Draft