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NFL Draft 2017: 5 worst picks of first round

By Parker Hurley

Sep 17, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) rushes the ball against the Portland State Vikings during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) rushes the ball against the Portland State Vikings during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Leonard Fournette (LSU) is selected as the number 4 overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars 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; Leonard Fournette (LSU) is selected as the number 4 overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars

The obvious argument for Leonard Fournette starts with Ezekiel Elliott. Yes, Elliott was drafted in the top five. Yes, he had a great season and was a leading back on a playoff team. That does not mean this has a great hit rate and is worth the money in the same way.

First, the Cowboys had the line and the supposed quarterback in Tony Romo to control the ball and the clock and convert third downs. With the offensive line and skill set of Elliott, it paid off in this specific instance.

Fournette does not have that line and he is not on the level of Elliott. Elliott is a do-everything back. He can run inside and outside, pass catch and pass block. Fournette is a downhill runner who is better with a fullback. He has a role, and when he is in it, with NFL talent he can be special.

A quarterback in Blake Bortles and an offensive line that the Jaguars have is not going to result in anything like what the Cowboys saw in Elliott. For every Elliott, there is a Jordan Howard who can give similar production at a better value. The Jaguars could have found another top tier talent or traded down for another option.

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