The 2017 NFL Draft kicked off from Philadelphia, PA Thursday night, and the Cleveland Browns strengthened their defense with the top pick.
For weeks, many had been saying Myles Garrett would be the first player taken in the 2017 NFL Draft. On Thursday night, that became a reality, as the Browns selected the former Texas A&M Aggie defensive end No. 1. With their second pick in round one, the Browns selected Jabrill Peppers, a versatile safety out of the University of Michigan.
It did not take long for the draft order to take a new shape, as the Chicago Bears traded up one spot with the San Francisco 49ers to select Mitchell Trubisky. The former North Carolina quarterback was rated as the top player at his position in this draft, and will now call Chicago home. Trubisky started only 13 games for the Tar Heels, but showed enough promise to make him the No. 2 pick overall on Thursday night.
Many believed Reuben Foster would be the first linebacker off the board on Thursday, as he possesses an incredible blend of size and speed. However, he tested positive for a diluted sample at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he was kicked out for fighting with a hospital worker. Foster ended up dropping to No. 31 overall, where he was selected by the San Fransisco 49ers. He joined defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, who was taken No. 3 overall by the 49ers.
Another Alabama defensive player who took a dive was Jonathan Allen, who had questions about his shoulders coming into the draft. The tape doesn’t lie, and Allen was one of the more explosive defensive linemen in college football last season. Originally expected to go in the top five, Allen dropped all the way to No. 17, where he was selected by the Washington Redskins, who desperately need help up front on the defensive side of the ball.
Next: 2017 NFL Draft: Instant grades
The 2017 NFL Draft will restart at 7:00 p.m. ET Friday night, with second and third round action. The City of Brotherly Love has done such a nice job hosting the event, and carried on the tradition of mercilessly booing NFL Commisioner Roger Goodell. There are still some incredible players left available, and the Packers will have the first pick in round two, after trading their first round pick to the Browns last night.