Honestly, if you look back at the 2017 NFL Draft, it feels like a fever dream. We were all sitting there in Philadelphia, watching the draft stages set up on the Rocky Steps, thinking we knew exactly how the league would look for the next decade. We were so wrong.
You had the "safe" picks like Myles Garrett, the "can't-miss" running backs, and a quarterback class that people were actually laughing at. Yeah, laughing. Scouts were calling it a "weak" year for signal-callers. Fast forward to now, and that 2017 class basically owns the NFL. We’re talking about multiple MVPs, Defensive Player of the Year trophies, and a shift in how the game is played. It wasn't just a draft; it was a total reconfiguration of the league's power structure.
The Quarterback "Project" That Broke the League
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the GOAT-in-waiting in the room. When the Kansas City Chiefs traded up to the 10th spot to grab Patrick Mahomes, the reaction was mixed at best. People called him a "system QB" from Texas Tech. They said his mechanics were messy and he’d throw too many picks.
Then you had the Chicago Bears. Oh, Chicago. They traded up just one spot—giving up a haul of picks—to take Mitchell Trubisky at number two.
👉 See also: Kobe Bryant Basketball Cards: What Most People Get Wrong
It's wild to think about now. Trubisky was the "pro-ready" guy. Mahomes was the "project." And Deshaun Watson, coming off a national championship at Clemson, slid all the way to 12. If you want to see where the 2017 NFL Draft really left its mark, just look at the AFC. Mahomes didn't just meet expectations; he shattered the ceiling of what we thought a quarterback could do. He made the "Air Raid" look like the only way to fly.
But it wasn't just about the guys under center. This draft was bottom-heavy with talent that would normally go in the top five.
Why the 2017 NFL Draft Was Actually a Defensive Masterclass
While everyone was arguing about quarterbacks, the defensive side of the ball was getting stacked. Myles Garrett went number one to Cleveland, and honestly, that’s one of the few things the experts got 100% right. He’s been a wrecking ball ever since. But look further down.
- T.J. Watt fell to 30th. Imagine that. Thirty teams—including the Packers who traded out of the spot—decided they didn't need a guy who would eventually tie the single-season sack record.
- Marshon Lattimore (11th) and Marlon Humphrey (16th) locked down the secondary for years.
- Jamal Adams (6th) was seen as a culture-changer for the Jets.
The sheer volume of elite defenders in this class is staggering. You’ve got Tre’Davious White at 27 and Budda Baker in the second round. If you were looking for a cornerstone for your defense, 2017 was the year you couldn't really miss—unless you were the teams that passed on Watt.
The Running Back Renaissance (And the Short Shelf Life)
There was a time when we thought the 2017 NFL Draft saved the running back position. Leonard Fournette went 4th overall to Jacksonville. Christian McCaffrey went 8th to Carolina. At the time, it felt like a return to the "workhorse" era.
McCaffrey turned into a literal cheat code, arguably the best offensive weapon in the league when healthy. But then you look at the value found in later rounds. Alvin Kamara was a third-round steal for the Saints. Dalvin Cook went in the second. Aaron Jones? A fifth-round flyer for Green Bay.
It taught the league a weird lesson: you can find elite backfield talent anywhere, but if you find a McCaffrey, you pay whatever it takes.
💡 You might also like: Lakers Home Games 2024: What Really Happened at the Crypt
The Weird Stuff: Misses and Hidden Gems
Every draft has its "what were they thinking?" moments. The Bengals taking John Ross at 9th because he ran a 4.22 forty-yard dash is the classic "speed kills" trap. He never really found his footing. Then there’s the 49ers taking Solomon Thomas at 3rd overall. He wasn't a bad player, but compared to the Hall of Fame trajectory of guys picked after him, it hurts.
But then you find the gold in the mud. George Kittle in the 5th round (146th overall) is arguably the best value pick of the last decade. He’s a mountain of a man who can block like a tackle and run like a receiver. The 2017 NFL Draft was full of these anomalies—guys who didn't fit the "mold" but ended up defining their positions.
Why We’re Still Talking About It
Usually, a draft class fades after five years. Players retire, or they become journeymen. But the 2017 group is different. They are the "Middle Class" of the league's veterans right now. They are the ones signing the record-breaking contracts and leading their teams into January.
When you think about the 2017 NFL Draft, don't just think about the names. Think about the shift. It was the moment the league moved away from "safe" traditionalism and embraced the "freaks"—the quarterbacks with weird arm angles, the hybrid linebackers, and the tight ends who play like offensive tackles.
What You Can Do With This Info
If you’re a fan or a dynasty fantasy manager, the 2017 class is the blueprint. It shows that "system" labels are often just a lack of imagination from scouts.
- Stop overvaluing "pro-style" quarterbacks. The 2017 draft proved that raw talent in the right scheme (Mahomes/Reid) beats "safe" experience (Trubisky) every time.
- Look for "positionless" defenders. Guys like Haason Reddick (13th) struggled until they found the right role. In modern football, versatility is more important than a specific position tag.
- Value the 5th round. If your team is scouting correctly, that’s where you find the Kittles and the Aaron Joneses of the world.
The 2017 NFL Draft wasn't just a selection of players. It was the day the old guard of the NFL started to crumble, making way for the high-flying, pass-heavy, superstar-driven league we see on TV every Sunday now.
Next Steps for You: To see how these players have aged in terms of value, you should check the current "All-Pro" rosters. You’ll find a disproportionate number of names from the 2017 class. Also, keep an eye on the 2026 free agency cycle; many of these stars will be looking for their third major contracts, which will once again shift the league's balance of power.
[/article]