The 2017 Draft

Two defenders at the top who met named needs at fair prices, an even weekend of trades, and no quarterback behind Palmer.

• The need: a defense that lost five starters, both safeties among them; Kiper added quarterback and cornerback.
• The trades: 45, 119, 197 and a 2018 fourth for 36 and 221; 77 for 98 and 115; 221 and 231 for 208.
• The pick: Reddick at 13, top five on the club's board; Baker at 36, a top-15 talent to Kiper.

From 10 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

Paid to move up for the pass rusher the roster needed, earned the cost back on Friday, and filled guard on Day 3.

• The need: a second pass rusher beside Beasley, then guard after Chester retired.
• The trades: 31, 95 and 249 to Seattle for 26; 63 to Buffalo for 75, 149 and 156.
• The pick: McKinley at 26 for the top need, with a March shoulder surgery the club accepted.

From 10 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

No weekend trade, a corner at 16 ahead of the first need, then the pass rushers the roster lacked.

• The need: outside linebacker after Dumervil's release, then offensive line and cornerback.
• The trades: none on the weekend; picks 74 and 186 came from Philadelphia and San Francisco before the draft.
• The pick: Humphrey at 16, Kiper's second-ranked corner; Bowser at 47 and Williams at 78 for the edge.

From 12 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

A trade down that added a 2018 first-round pick, and three needs met with players the boards rated.

• The need: cornerback after Gilmore left, then receiver and offensive line.
• The trades: 10 to Kansas City for 27, 91 and a 2018 first; 44 and 91 to the Rams for 37 and 149; 75, 149 and 156 to Atlanta for 63.
• The pick: White at 27, the No. 2 cornerback on PFF's board; Jones at 37, a first-round talent in Kiper's view.

From 12 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

The back, the tackle and the end the roster named, with one fourth-round pick spent moving up for an end the boards rated lower.

• The need: running back, offensive tackle and defensive end.
• The trades: 98 and 115 to Arizona for 77; 64 had come from New England before the weekend.
• The pick: McCaffrey at 8 without a trade up; Hall at 77, a fourth- or fifth-round player on Kiper's board.

From 12 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

Three picks paid to move up one slot for the quarterback, part of it won back by trading down, and the defensive needs left to the fourth round.

• The need: a quarterback behind Glennon for the future, then defensive back, defensive line and receiver.
• The trades: 3, 67, 111 and a 2018 third to San Francisco for 2; 36 and 221 to Arizona for 45, 119, 197 and a 2018 fourth; 117 and 197 to the Rams for 112.
• The pick: Trubisky at 2 after 13 college starts; Shaheen at 45, a Division II project.

From 14 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

Value on the edge from 73 on, bought with a top-10 receiver and a second-round back who each carried a known risk the boards named.

• The need: pass rusher first, then receiver and the offensive line.
• The trades: 41 to Minnesota for 48 and 128; 217 and 227 to Tennessee for 207.
• The pick: Ross at 9 with a medical history Kiper called a lot of risk; Willis at 73, a first-round talent to PFF.

From 13 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

The best player at 1, a 2018 first-round pick for moving down 13 spots, and the quarterback need left to the second round.

• The need: quarterback first, then pass rusher and safety.
• The trades: 12 to Houston for 25 and a 2018 first; 33 and 108 to Green Bay for 29; 145 and 175 to Denver for 126 and 252; 181 and 188 to the Jets for 160 and 224.
• The pick: Garrett at 1, the best player on the board to Kiper; Kizer at 52, good value to PFF.

From 16 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

The pass rusher at 28 a round ahead of Kiper's board, then two cornerbacks at need and value on Day 2.

• The need: cornerbacks and safeties after free agency, and more pressure off the edge.
• The trades: a 2018 fifth to the Jets for 191; 211 to New England for 216 and 239.
• The pick: Charlton at 28 was 46th on Kiper's board; Awuzie at 60 was great value to Reuter.

From 11 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

The left tackle the line needed at 20, older and rated below two others, then the tight end at 145 off a torn ACL.

• The need: an offensive tackle, then tight end and defensive line.
• The trades: 177 and Kapri Bibbs to San Francisco for a 2018 fourth; 126 and 252 to Cleveland for 145 and 175; 175 and 238 to Green Bay for 172.
• The pick: Bolles at 20, with Ramczyk and Robinson higher on Kiper's board; Butt at 145, a potential top-40 pick before the ACL.

From 9 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

The linebacker the club named at 21 and an extra pick from trading down, with the pass rusher never found.

• The need: linebacker and the front seven, then cornerback.
• The trades: 85 to New England for 96 and 124.
• The pick: Davis at 21 with an ankle on the record; Tabor at 53 was 100th on Kiper's board.

From 13 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

Two trades back that added picks, and the cornerback the roster needed at 33 anyway.

• The need: a cornerback and a pass rusher, then running back.
• The trades: 29 to Cleveland for 33 and 108; 172 to Denver for 175 and 238.
• The pick: King at 33, a player Kiper said could have gone in the 20s; Jones at 61, 38th on his board.

From 13 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

Two first-round picks for the quarterback the roster had to have, then sound value on Day 2.

• The need: a quarterback, with only Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden on the roster.
• The trades: 25 and a 2018 first-round pick to Cleveland for 12; no other trade on the weekend.
• The pick: Watson at 12, Kiper's third-ranked quarterback; Cunningham at 57 and Foreman at 89 met the next needs.

From 9 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

A rangy safety at 15 the boards had higher, the corner and the pass rusher the roster named, and a trade down that added a pick.

• The need: cornerback first, then a pass rusher, for a defense that ranked 30th.
• The trades: 121 to San Francisco for 143 and 161.
• The pick: Hooker at 15, a possible seventh pick in Kiper's view, with hip surgery on the record.

From 11 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

A running back at four that the roster did not demand, then the left tackle it did need for the price of a sixth.

• The need: the offensive line first, with Albert away from voluntary work, then tight end and defensive tackle.
• The trades: 35 and 187 to Seattle for 34; 240 had come from Miami in the March trade for Albert.
• The pick: Fournette at 4 against a backfield with Ivory and Yeldon; Robinson at 34 for the cost of a sixth.

From 11 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

A future first paid for a quarterback planned to sit behind Alex Smith, then the running back the roster needed at 86.

• The need: running back after Jamaal Charles left, inside linebacker, and a quarterback to follow Smith.
• The trades: 27, 91 and a 2018 first to Buffalo for 10; 104, 132 and 245 to Minnesota for 86; O'Shaughnessy and 216 to New England for 183; 170 and 180 to Minnesota for 139.
• The pick: Mahomes at 10 for a future first; Hunt at 86 for the running back need.

From 13 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

A first-round cornerback Kiper rated a top-15 talent, a third-round defensive tackle far ahead of the boards, and a middle linebacker need left for the fifth round.

• The need: pass defense and pass rush, then a middle linebacker.
• The trades: 208 to Arizona for 221 and 231.
• The pick: Conley at 24, a top-15 talent to Kiper; Vanderdoes at 88 was 159th on Kiper's board.

From 9 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

The receiver and two guards the roster named, all at value, with the defense left for Day 3.

• The need: a receiver behind an injured Keenan Allen, then guard after Fluker's release.
• The trades: none on the weekend.
• The pick: Williams at 7 was Kiper's top receiver; Lamp and Feeney his first- and third-ranked guards.

From 9 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

No first-round pick, three trades that added value, and three pass catchers bought ahead of the boards.

• The need: targets for Goff, tight end first, on an offense last in the league in yards.
• The trades: 37 and 149 to Buffalo for 44 and 91; 112 to Chicago for 117 and 197; 141 and 197 to the Jets for 125.
• The pick: Everett at 44 was 111th on Kiper's board.

From 10 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

The defense the roster needed in the first three rounds, and the guard it needed most left for the fifth.

• The need: run defense and pass rush, and a left guard after Tunsil moved to tackle.
• The trades: 166 and 184 to Philadelphia for 164 and 194; 223 to Tampa Bay for 237 and a 2018 seventh.
• The pick: Harris at 22 with Lamp still on the board; McMillan at 54, a steal in Reuter's view.

From 9 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

No first-round pick, two trades up for the run game at value, and four trades down that added picks.

• The need: a run game that ranked last, after Peterson left.
• The trades: 48 and 128 to Cincinnati for 41; 79 and 160 to the Jets for 70; four trades down that added picks and one late swap.
• The pick: Cook at 41, a first-round talent to Burke and Reuter; Elflein at 70, Kiper's top center.

From 9 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

Two needs met at value with four picks, after the first two rounds had gone for veterans.

• The need: defensive end and offensive tackle.
• The trades: 72 and 200 to Tennessee for 83 and 124; 96 and 124 to Detroit for 85; two more on Day 3 for 211.
• The pick: Rivers at 83 and Garcia at 85, both higher on Kiper's board than where they went.

From 9 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

Two first-round picks spent on two named needs, and a future second spent on a back the roster had.

• The need: cornerback and edge rusher on defense, offensive tackle on offense.
• The trades: a 2018 second and 229 to San Francisco for 67.
• The pick: Lattimore at 11, Kiper's top cornerback; Kamara at 67 was 88th on his board.

From 9 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

A tight end in the first round, and the offensive tackle the roster needed most left for the sixth.

• The need: offensive tackle first, then linebacker and tight end.
• The trades: 207 and 241 to Tennessee for 200.
• The pick: Engram at 23 met a need; tackle waited for Bisnowaty at 200.

From 9 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

Adams at six and four trades down that added picks, with quarterback, tackle and cornerback left open.

• The need: quarterback, offensive tackle and cornerback, and a safety group to rebuild.
• The trades: down four times for extra picks, and 191 to Dallas for a 2018 fifth.
• The pick: Adams at 6, which the club never expected; Maye at 39 made two safeties.

From 9 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

The pass rusher and two cornerbacks the roster needed, one of them a first-round talent with a torn Achilles.

• The need: edge rusher and cornerback, then running back.
• The trades: three on Day 3, for 132, 166, 184 and 214.
• The pick: Barnett at 14; Jones at 43, a top-15 talent with a known injury.

From 9 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

The pass rusher the roster needed at 30, a receiver at value, and no trade.

• The need: an edge rusher behind James Harrison, about to turn 39, then receiver and cornerback.
• The trades: none.
• The pick: Watt at 30; Smith-Schuster at 62, a value on Kiper's board.

From 9 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

Two top-ten prospects in the first round, one of them bought with a pick from the trade down, and a quarterback the boards called early.

• The trade: moving from 2 to 3 still landed Thomas, fifth on two NFL.com boards, and added 67, 111 and a 2018 third.
• The value: 34 and Chicago's 111 bought Foster at 31, a top-ten prospect with a repaired shoulder and a dilute combine test on his file.
• The miss: 109 and 219 moved up for Beathard at 104, outside Mayock's top 100, and the offensive line got none of the ten picks.

From 14 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Sam Kezar, written Oct 7, 2026. The piece.

Three trades down added four picks and still landed the player the club wanted all along.

• The need: an aging defense, cornerback and defensive tackle, and the offensive line.
• The trades: 26 to Atlanta for 31, 95 and 249; 31 to San Francisco for 34 and 111; 34 to Jacksonville for 35 and 187.
• The pick: McDowell at 35, great value in Kiper's view and divisive in Burke's.

From 9 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

A top-10 tight end at 19, then a safety the boards had a round lower and nothing for the lines.

• The need: tight end, defensive back and receiver, and team speed.
• The trades: 125 and 204 to the Jets for 107; 237 and a 2018 seventh to Miami for 223.
• The pick: Howard at 19, a possible fourth pick to Kiper; Evans at 50, about 50 spots early on his board.

From 9 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

Both named needs met in the first round, each at a price or with a risk the boards flagged.

• The need: receiver and cornerback, for the 25th passing game and the 30th pass defense.
• The trades: 83 and 124 to New England for 72 and 200; 164 and 214 to Philadelphia for 155; two late swaps.
• The pick: Davis at 5 without a pre-draft workout; Jackson at 18, a reach on SI's board.

From 9 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.

A top-two player on Kiper's board at 17 and the three named needs met in the first four picks.

• The need: a run defense on a unit ranked 28th, then defensive back and running back.
• The trades: 201 and 220 to Minnesota for 199 and 230.
• The pick: Allen at 17, second on Kiper's board; Moreau at 81, 65th on it.

From 9 reports dated on or before May 1, 2017. Grant Lombard, written Oct 7, 2026.