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2017 NFL Draft: Draft Grades for Each First-Round Selection

By Dan Schmelzer

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Mitchell Trubisky (North Carolina) is selected as the number 2 overall pick to the Chicago Bears in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Mitchell Trubisky (North Carolina) is selected as the number 2 overall pick to the Chicago Bears in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Deshaun Watson 2017 NFL Draft
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Deshaun Watson (Clemson) is selected as the number 12 overall pick to the Houston Texans in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

MARSHON LATTIMORE. A+. . Cornerback. New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints hit the jackpot here. The 2017 NFL Draft is loaded with cornerback talent and Marshon Lattimore is the best of the bunch. The Saints’ defense was terrible last season, with the secondary being the weakest link of an ugly bunch. Lattimore is an elite athlete with incredible natural coverage skills. He is a shutdown cornerback in the making who will immediate make the Saints’ defense much better.

There are injury concerns here, as Lattimore struggled mightily with hamstring injuries early in his college career. However, if the medicals check out, Lattimore is a major steal at number 11 for the Saints. Great pick.

A+. . Quarterback. Houston Texans. DESHAUN WATSON

Back-to-back incredible selections at the 11th and 12th picks. Deshaun Watson has long been my favorite quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft and him landing with the Houston Texans is perfect. The Texans had to give up their 2018 first-round selection to go from 25 to 12 to get Watson, but I strongly believe they just answered the biggest question on their roster.

Watson is a proven winner who can immediately come in and help take the Texans to the next level. He is not a perfect quarterback prospect. Watson’s arm is average and he makes poor decisions at times. However, his intangibles are incredible and his short to intermediate accuracy is elite.

The Texans already have a great defense and strong offensive weapons. Watson could be the missing piece to take this team over the top. The Houston Texans could be sneaky Super Bowl contenders very soon with Watson under center.

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