Now that the dust has settled on the 2017 NFL draft, let's run through my six favorite draft classes. A lot of this analysis centers around how each team managed the draft (trading up and down) and the value they were able to get overall.
If you missed my post-draft analysis on the best picks for every team, check out this link.
1. New England Patriots
The Patriots had only four selections in the 2017 draft, but don't forget: They traded multiple picks away for established veterans who are just entering their primes (most notably, WR Brandin Cooks, DE Kony Ealy and TE Dwayne Allen). There's a certain level of unknown that comes with every draft pick; in many cases, you have no idea how prospects will respond to having more money, more fame and more free time than ever before. The Patriots eschewed the unknown in favor of young players we know can play in the NFL. That's a huge win, especially for a team built to win now. New England also did well to get good value on pass-rusher Derek Rivers in the third round. He dominated small-school competition at Youngstown State (52 tackles for loss, 38 sacks) and gives the Patriots a high-upside player at a position of need.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
It was the first draft for Joe Douglas and Andy Weidl in Philadelphia, and they did a nice job of finding players with great toughness and character. Derek Barnett, the team's first-round pick, is the most natural pass-rusher in this class, and he comes with elite intangibles. The Eagles addressed their biggest need -- cornerback -- with the next two picks. Sidney Jones was the No. 2 cornerback on our board and a first-round talent before he tore his Achilles at Washington's pro day. If he returns to full health, Philly got a steal in the second round. Rasul Douglas has the length and ball skills to be an upgrade at corner. I love the pick of WR Mack Hollins in the fourth; it was great value, and he will instantly help the Eagles on kick/punt coverage and in the red zone. Finally, the Eagles got QB Carson Wentz some good underneath weapons later: RB Donnel Pumphrey and WR Shelton Gibson. This is a really solid class all around.
3. San Francisco 49ers
This was the first draft for general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan, but you'd never know it from their haul. Put in the simplest terms: The 49ers left the draft with two of my top eight overall players ... and managed to add picks to their war chest. Trading down one spot in the first round -- and drafting the player they wanted all along, DL Solomon Thomas -- set off a series of events that included the 49ers drafting Reuben Foster No. 31 overall and landing additional second- and third-round picks in next year's draft. Thomas and Foster will be immediate starters on a defense that ranked dead last in points allowed last season. I also like the fit of 6-foot-3 CB Ahkello Witherspoon in new coordinator Robert Saleh's scheme, which will be in the mold of Seattle's press-zone defense.
4. Denver Broncos
The Broncos drafted two members of my All-Tape Team (DE DeMarcus Walker and WR Carlos Henderson) and one member of my All-Satellite Team (WR/RS Isaiah McKenzie), so they were automatics to land on this list. What they did in the first round -- filling their biggest need with OT Garett Bolles -- made a ton of sense, but don't overlook the maneuvering they did on draft day. By trading their fourth-round pick, Denver was still able to get great value in TE Jake Butt in the fifth round and acquire an additional selection that eventually turned into McKenzie. I love those two-for-the-price-of-one moves, especially in the mid-to-late rounds, in which every pick is a lottery ticket. The more you have, the more likely you hit on a couple of players.
5. Buffalo Bills
The Bills' biggest need entering the draft was wide receiver, but the top three players at the position came off the board in the first nine picks. That left them two options: Target another need (cornerback) with the 10th pick -- Marshon Lattimore was still on the board -- or trade down and stockpile more picks in a deep draft. The Bills chose the latter option, and it paid off nicely. They got a 2018 first-rounder for their troubles and were still able to find a plug-and-play starter at corner later in the first round (Tre'Davious White). Buffalo used the additional third-rounder acquired in the deal to move up and draft WR Zay Jones in the second. With third-round pick Dion Dawkins, the Bills got great value (we had him ranked 50th overall) and a player who can start at multiple positions along the O-line. QB Nathan Peterman was another steal in the fifth round; he's the most pro-ready of all the quarterbacks in this class.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
I had QB Joshua Dobbs ranked as my 63rd overall player and No. 5 quarterback. The Steelers got him in the fourth round at pick No. 135. He's the perfect quarterback for Pittsburgh to groom as Ben Roethlisberger's eventual replacement. Dobbs has a live arm and the ability to throw with anticipation, but he needs time to develop, which he'll get in Pittsburgh. Dobbs, who has elite intangibles and intelligence, will soak up every bit of information from Roethlisberger. Second-round WR JuJu Smith-Schuster should be a reliable underneath target for Roethlisberger, while CB Cam Sutton will add some much-needed depth in the secondary.