The 2017 NFL draft is over, which means we're one step closer to my preseason All-Rookie team. The first-round picks featured on last year's team? Ezekiel Elliott (✔), Jack Conklin (✔), Leonard Floyd (✔) and Joey Bosa (✔), among others.
It was a great 2016 rookie class, especially in Round 1, but no fan base should assume his/her favorite team is getting a superstar from Day 1. Teams draft to fill needs, but rookies -- even first-rounders -- aren't likely to fill them above a league-average level, for the most part. Last year's class had a few notable exceptions.
"Early impact" is more about having a clear role, not coming in and dominating.
With that in mind, here are six rookies from Round 1 (three on offense, three on defense) of the 2017 draft who I think will have a clear role early on -- or at least an opportunity -- along with a few notes on other players. I'll hit Rounds 2 and 3 on Wednesday and then run through Rounds 4 through 7 on Thursday.
Mel Kiper's grades | Todd McShay's favorite picks
Offense
Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick: No. 4
What, did you think Tom Coughlin & Co. took Fournette at No. 4 for him to sit on the bench? My dislike of taking backs this high is well-known, but Fournette is going to be a workhorse beginning in Week 1 -- if he's healthy. Veteran Chris Ivory and former second-round pick T.J. Yeldon each averaged under 4.0 yards per carry last season, and Jacksonville tied for the second-fewest rushing touchdowns (eight), with three of those coming from quarterback Blake Bortles. Fournette will be an improvement.
I'm still skeptical of Jacksonville's offensive line, however. Brandon Linder at center is the only spot I feel comfortable in saying is solid. The rest are question marks, including right tackle, where second-round pick Cam Robinson figures to get a shot. And that's not even mentioning the quarterback issue. The Jaguars were a passing team last season -- Bortles attempted 625 passes, which was fourth most in the league -- but I expect them to be more balanced in 2017. Besides, if Bortles' attempts aren't trimmed significantly, it means they will have been behind in a lot of games again.
The comparisons to Ezekiel Elliott are obvious, but Fournette won't set rookie records in Year 1. He doesn't have nearly the same supporting cast that Elliott had. Still, expect a runner who will improve the offense -- even if the Jags don't contend in the AFC South.
Christian McCaffrey, RB/WR/KR/PR, Carolina Panthers
Pick: No. 8
Notice how I listed several positions here? That's because McCaffrey's impact isn't just in the running game. He'll spell Jonathan Stewart as a change-of-pace back, and he'll be an X factor in the receiving game -- he had 82 catches over the past two seasons -- out of the backfield and in the slot. I wouldn't be surprised to see Stewart and McCaffrey often lined up in the backfield together behind Cam Newton. That should put fear into defenses. And don't forget: McCaffrey is likely locked into the Panthers' No. 1 punt returner job, taking over for Ted Ginn Jr., and he will return some kicks too. McCaffrey owns the NCAA single-season all-purpose yardage record with 3,864.
Versatility is the reason McCaffrey was my top-ranked back. It wouldn't shock me if he had 150 carries, 50 catches and 30 returns as a rookie.
O.J. Howard, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: No. 19
Not many rookie tight ends are ready to play on Day 1 in the NFL these days. There's one reason for that: They can't block. They only have to catch passes in college. That's not Howard, who is a complete player and a traditional tight end. That's why I think he'll be on the field early and often. Tampa Bay lined up in two tight end sets on 27.9 percent of its offensive snaps in 2016, which ranked sixth in the league. There's plenty of room for Howard and Cameron Brate to be on the field together.
And though he had only seven touchdowns in four seasons at Alabama, Howard should be a threat in the red zone. I think he'll be much more involved in the Bucs' offense than he was in college. Get Howard the ball, Jameis! This was one of my favorite picks in the draft.
Next up
Which first-round receiver is in the best spot in Year 1? It's the Chargers' Mike Williams, who has the best passer in Philip Rivers. Expect a lot of targets.
If we're looking at a first-round quarterback most likely to play as a rookie, it has to be Deshaun Watson, right? Texans coach Bill O'Brien has had no problem yo-yoing QBs in the past. None is truly ready for the NFL level, however.
The Broncos picked Garett Bolles to be their left tackle, but I think he would be better on the right side.
Defense
Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns
Pick: No. 1
OK, I know it should be obvious that the No. 1 pick is going to make an immediate impact. But I think Garrett was questioned so much during the draft process that many people have forgotten just how great he can be. This is a freakishly athletic pass-rusher with 15-sack potential. He could be a superstar for a team desperately in need of one.
You can debate whether the Browns should have taken a quarterback in the first round, but I'm on record of being a fan of not overthinking the pick. Cleveland needed help on defense, and that's what it got at No. 1. The Browns' 26.0 sacks last season tied for 30th in the league, and rookie second-round pick Emmanuel Ogbah led the team with 5.5. Garrett could very well be their top sacker in 2017, and I'm putting his over/under at 8.5. Which side are you taking?
Jamal Adams, S, New York Jets
Pick: No. 6
So, the Jets drafted Adams and Marcus Maye (second round). And they already have 2015 first-round pick Calvin Pryor, who appears to be on his way out, and 2015 free-agent signing Marcus Gilchrist, who is recovering from knee surgery. New York coach Todd Bowles says they have a plan in place, and I'm betting that plan involves a lot of Adams, who is one of the most NFL-ready players in this class. He is a versatile safety who can play in the box effectively, make tackles against the run, and move to the edges and track slot receivers.
Adams will help a secondary that gave up 30 passing touchdowns (tied for 25th) and intercepted only eight passes (tied for 29th) last season. I love him as a blitzer too.
Reuben Foster, LB, San Francisco 49ers
Pick: No. 31
The worst run defense in the league last season -- by far -- got better on Day 1 of the draft with the additions of Solomon Thomas and Foster, who is a sideline-to-sideline middle linebacker. Foster has off-field issues that caused him to free fall on draft night, but he's a phenomenal player if the 49ers can coach him up and keep him on the field.
San Francisco is making the move from a 3-4 to a 4-3 under new coordinator Robert Saleh, and Foster could play any spot. Malcolm Smith was brought in to help too, but the looming concern in the middle of the San Francisco defense is that NaVorro Bowman might not be the same player in his return from a torn Achilles tendon. I'm betting Foster gets on the field and helps the Niners immediately.
Next up
The Saints had to add some corners at some point, and they ended up getting the best in the class: Marshon Lattimore is green, but he'll have to play in 2017. Buffalo's Tre'Davious White, a four-year starter at LSU, might be the corner most ready to play.
Pencil in Jonathan Allen as a starter at end in the Redskins' 3-4. I still don't know how he dropped to No. 17. He might not put up big sack totals, but he'll be solid.
Same with Jarrad Davis for the Lions. He's just a steady, dependable, every-down linebacker.
I don't know how Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will use Jabrill Peppers, but I'm excited to watch. The tweener should play all over the field.