2017 NFL Draft Day 3

Yesterday brought us the final four rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Round 4

108. Green Bay Packers — Vince Biegel, OLB, Wisconsin
109. Minnesota Vikings — Jaleel Johnson, DT, Iowa
110. Jacksonville Jaguars — Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma
111. Seattle Seahawks — Tedric Thompson, FS, Colorado
112. Chicago Bears — Eddie Jackson, S, Alabama
113. Los Angeles Chargers — Rayshawn Jenkins, S, Miami
114. Washington Redskins — Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma
115. Arizona Cardinals — Dorian Johnson, OG, Pittsburgh
116. Cincinnati Bengals — Carl Lawson, OLB, Auburn
117. Los Angeles Rams — Josh Reynolds, WR, Texas A&M
118. Philadelphia Eagles — Mack Hollins, WR, North Carolina
119. Chicago Bears — Tarik Cohen, RB, North Carolina A&T
120. Minnesota Vikings — Ben Gedeon, ILB Michigan
121. San Francisco 49ers — Joe Williams, RB, Utah
122. Baltimore Ravens — Nico Siragusa, G, San Diego State
123. Washington Redskins — Montae Nicholson, S, Michigan State
124. Detroit Lions — Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB, Tennessee
125. Los Angeles Rams — Samson Ebukam, LB, Eastern Washington
126. Cleveland Browns — Howard Wilson, CB, Houston
127. Detroit Lions — Michael Roberts, TE, Toledo
128. Cincinnati Bengals — Josh Malone, WR, Tennessee
129. Oakland Raiders — David Sharpe, T, Florida
130. Houston Texans — Julie’n Davenport, T, Bucknell
131. New England Patriots — Deatrich Wise Jr., DE, Arkansas
132. Philadelphia Eagles — Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State
133. Dallas Cowboys — Ryan Switzer, WR, North Carolina
134. Green Bay Packers — Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU
135. Pittsburgh Steelers — Josh Dobbs, QB, Tennessee
136. Atlanta Falcons — Sean Harlow, OG, Oregon State
137. Indianapolis Colts — Zach Banner, OT, USC
138. Cincinnati Bengals — Ryan Glasgow, DT, Michigan
139. Kansas City Chiefs — Jehu Chesson, WR, Michigan
140. New York Giants — Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson
141. New York Jets — Chad Hansen, WR, California
142. Houston  Texans — Carlos Watkins, DL, Clemson
143. Indianapolis Colts — Marlon Mack, RB, South Florida
144. Indianapolis Colts — Grover Stewart, DL, Albany State

Round 5

145. Denver Broncos — Jake Butt, TE, Michigan
146. San Francisco 49ers — George Kittle, TE, Iowa
147. Chicago Bears — Jordan Morgan, OL, Kutztown
148. Jacksonville Jaguars — Blair Brown, LB, Ohio
149. Atlanta Falcons — Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State
150. New York Jets — Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson
151. Los Angeles Chargers — Desmond King, S, Iowa
152. Carolina Panthers — Corn Elder, CB, Miami
153. Cincinnati Bengals — Jake Elliott, K, Memphis
154. Washington Redskins — Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas
155. Tennessee Titans — Jayon Brown, LB, UCLA
156. Atlanta Falcons — Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming
157. Arizona Cardinals — Will Holden, OL, Vanderbilt
158. Indianapolis Colts — Nate Hairston, CB, Temple
159. Baltimore Ravens — Jermaine Eluemunor, OL, Texas A&M
160. Cleveland Browns — Roderick Johnson, OL, Florida State
161. Indianapolis Colts — Anthony Walker, LB, Northwestern
162. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jeremy McNichols, RB, Boise State
163. Buffalo Bills — Matt Milano, LB, Boston College
164. Miami Dolphins — Isaac Asiata, OL, Utah
165. Detroit Lions — Jamal Agnew, DB, San Diego
166. Philadelphia Eagles — Shelton Gibson, WR, West Virginia
167. New York Giants Giants — Avery Moss, DE, Youngstown State
168. Oakland Raiders — Marquel Lee, LB, Wake Forest
169. Houston Texans — Treston Decoud, S, Oregon State
170. Minnesota Vikings — Rodney Adams, WR, South Florida
171. Buffalo Bills — Nathan Peterman, QB, Pittsburgh
172. Green Bay Packers — Isaiah McKenzie, WR, Georgia
173. Pittsburgh Steelers — Brian Allen, CB, Utah
174. Atlanta Falcons — Eric Saubert, TE, Drake
175. Green Bay Packers — DeAngelo Yancey, WR, Purdue
176. Cincinnati Bengals — J.J. Dielman, OL, Utah
177. San Francisco 49ers — Trent Taylor, WR, Louisiana Tech
178. Miami Dolphins — Davon Godchaux, DT, LSU
179. Arizona Cardinals — T.J. Logan, RB, North Carolina
180. Minnesota Vikings — Danny Isidora, OL, Miami
181. New York Jets — Dylan Donahue, DL, West Georgia
182. Green Bay Packers — Aaron Jones, RB, UTEP
183. Kansas City Chiefs — Ukeme Eligwe, LB, Georgia Southern
184. Philadelphia Eagles — Nathan Gerry, S, Nebraska

Round 6

185. Cleveland Browns — Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida
186. Baltimore Ravens — Chuck Clark, S, Virginia Tech
187. Seattle Seahawks — Mike Tyson, S, Cincinnati
188. New York Jets — Elijah McGuire, RB, Louisiana-Lafayette
189. Los Angeles Rams — Tanzel Smart, DT, Tulane
190. Los Angeles Chargers — Sam Tevi, T, Utah
191. Dallas Cowboys — Xavier Woods, S, Louisiana Tech
192. Carolina Panthers — Alex Armah, FB, West Georgia
193. Cincinnati Bengals — Jordan Evans, LB, Oklahoma
194. Miami Dolphins — Vincent Taylor, DT, Oklahoma State
195. Buffalo Bills — Tanner Vallejo, LB, Boise State
196. New Orleans Saints — Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE, Miami
197. New York Jets — Jeremy Clark, CB, Michigan
198. San Francisco 49ers — D.J. Jones, DT, Ole Miss
199. Washington Redskins — Chase Roullier, C, Wyoming
200. New York Giants — Adam Bisnowaty, OT, Pittsburgh
201. Minnesota Vikings — Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech
202. San Francisco 49ers — Pita Taumoepenu, OLB, Utah
203. Denver Broncos — De’Angelo Henderson, RB, Coastal Carolina
204. New York Jets — Derrick Jones, CB, Ole Miss
205. Detroit Lions — Jeremiah Ledbetter, DE, Arkansas
206. Los Angeles Rams — Sam Rogers, FB, Virginia Tech
207. Cincinnati Bengals — Brandon Wilson, CB, Houston
208. Arizona Cardinals — Johnathan “Rudy” Ford, S, Auburn
209. Washington Redskins — Robert Davis, WR, Georgia State
210. Seattle Seahawks — Justin Senior, OT, Mississippi State
211. New England Patriots — Conor McDermott, OT, UCLA
212. Green Bay Packers — Kofi Amichia, OL, South Florida
213. Pittsburgh Steelers — Colin Holba, LS, Louisville
214. Philadelphia Eagles — Elijah Qualls, DT, Washington
215. Detroit Lions — Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami
216. Dallas Cowboys — Marquez White, CB, Florida State
217. Tennessee Titans — Corey Levin, OG, Chattanooga
218. Kansas City — Leon McQuay III, S, USC

Round 7

219. Minnesota Vikings — Stacy Coley, WR, Miami
220. Minnesota Vikings —Ifeadi Odenigbo, DE, Northwestern
221. Oakland Raiders — Shalom Luani, S, Washington State
222. Jacksonville Jaguars — Jalen Myrick, CB, Minnesota
223. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, DT, USC
224. Cleveland Browns — Zane Gonzales, K, Arizona State
225. Los Angeles Chargers — Isaac Rochell, DE, Notre Dame
226. Seattle Seahawks — David Moore, WR, East Central (OK)
227. Tennessee Titans — Josh Carraway, LB, TCU
228. Dallas Cowboys — Joey Ivie, DT, Florida
229. San Francisco 49ers — Adrian Colbert, CB, Miami
230. Washington Redskins — Josh Harvey-Clemons, S, Louisville
231. Oakland Raiders — Jylan Ware, OT, Alabama State
232. Minnesota Vikings — Elijah Lee, LB, Kansas State
233. Carolina Panthers — Harrison Butker, K, Georgia Tech
234. Los Angeles Rams — Ejuan Price, DE, Pitt
235. Washington Redskins — Joshua Holsey, CB, Auburn
236. Tennessee Titans — Brad Seaton, OT, Villanova
237. Miami Dolphins — Isaiah Ford, WR, Virginia Tech
238. Green Bay Packers — Devante Mays, RB, Utah State
239. Dallas Cowboys — Noah Brown, WR, Ohio State
240. Jacksonville Jaguars — Marquez Williams, FB, Miami
241. Tennessee Titans — Khalfani Muhammad, RB, California
242. Oakland Raiders — Elijah Hood, RB, North Carolina
243. Houston Texans — Kyle Fuller, C, Baylor
244. Oakland Raiders — Treyvon Hester, DT, Toledo
245. Minnesota Vikings — Jack Tocho, CB, North Carolina State
246. Dallas Cowboys — Jordan Carrell, DE, Colorado
247. Green Bay Packers — Malachi Dupre, WR, LSU
248. Pittsburgh Steelers — Keion Adams, DE, Western Michigan
249. Seattle Seahawks — Chris Carson, RB, Oklahoma State
250. Detroit Lions — Pat O’Connor, DE, Eastern Michigan
251. Cincinnati Bengals — Mason Schreck, TE, Buffalo
252. Cleveland Browns — Matthew Dayes, RB, North Carolina State
253. Denver Broncos — Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss

And the 2017 NFL Draft is now in the books. Congratulations and best of luck to all of the drafted and undrafted players on their next big step.

2017 NFL Draft Day 2

The second day of the 2017 NFL Draft is in the books. Here's how the picks fell.

Round 2

33. Green Bay Packers — Kevin King, CB, Washington
34. Jacksonville Jaguars — Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
35. Seattle Seahawks — Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State
36. Arizona Cardinals — Budda Baker, S, Washington
37. Buffalo Bills — Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina
38. Los Angeles Chargers — Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky
39. New York Jets — Marcus Maye, S, Florida
40. Carolina Panthers — Curtis Samuel, WR/RB, Ohio State
41. Minnesota Vikings — Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
42. New Orleans Saints — Marcus Williams, S, Utah
43. Philadelphia Eagles — Sidney Jones, CB, Washingoton
44. Los Angeles Rams — Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama
45. Chicago Bears — Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland
46. Indianapolis Colts — Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
47. Baltimore Ravens — Tyus Bowser, OLB, Houston
48. Cincinnati Bengals — Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma
49. Washington Redskins — Ryan Anderson, OLB, Alabama
50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M
51. Denver Broncos — DeMarcus Walker, DT, Florida State
52. Cleveland Browns — DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
53. Detroit Lions — Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
54. Miami Dolphins — Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State
55. New York Giants — Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Alabama
56. Oakland Raiders — Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut
57. Houston Texans — Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
58. Seattle Seahawks — Ethan Pocic, C, LSU
59. Kansas City Chiefs — Tanoh Kpassagnon, DT, Villanova
60. Dallas Cowboys — Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado
61. Green Bay Packers — Josh Jones, S, N.C. State
62. Pittsburgh Steelers — JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
63. Buffalo Bills — Dion Dawkins, G, Temple
64. Carolina Panthers — Taylor Moton, OT, Western Michigan

Round 3

65. Cleveland Browns — Larry Ogunjobi, DT, Charlotte
66. San Francisco 49ers — Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado
67. New Orleans Saints — Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
68. Jacksonville Jaguars — Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois
69. Los Angeles Rams — Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington
70. Minnesota Vikings — Pat Elflein, OG, Ohio State
71. Los Angeles Chargers — Dan Feeney, OG, Indiana
72. Tennessee Titans — Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky
73. Cincinnati Bengals — Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State
74. Baltimore Ravens — Chris Wormley, DT, Michigan
75. Atlanta Falcons — Duke Riley, LB, LSU
76. New Orleans Saints — Alex Anzalone, OLB, Florida
77. Carolina Panthers — Daeshon Hall, DE, Texas A&M
78. Baltimore Ravens — Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama
79. New York Jets — ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama
80. Indianapolis Colts — Tarell Basham, DE, Ohio
81. Washington Redskins — Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA
82. Denver Broncos —  Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech
83. New England Patriots — Derek Rivers, OLB, Youngstown State
84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State
85. New England Patriots — Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy
86. Minnesota Vikings — Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo
87. New York Giants — Davis Webb, QB, California
88. Oakland Raiders — Eddie Vanderdoes, DE, UCLA
89. Houston Texans — D’Onta Foreman, RB, Texas
90. Seattle Seahawks — Shaquill Griffin, DB, Central Florida
91. Los Angeles Rams — John Johnson, S, Boston College
92. Dallas Cowboys — Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan
93. Green Bay Packers — Montravius Adams, DT, Auburn
94. Pittsburgh Steelers — Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee
95. Seattle Seahawks — Delano Hill, S, Michigan
96. Detroit Lions — Kenny Golladay, WR, Northern Illinois
97. Miami Dolphins — Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson
98. Carolina Panthers — Chad Williams, WR, Grambling State
99. Philadelphia Eagles — Rasul Douglas, CB, West Virginia
100. Tennessee Titans — Jonnu Smith, TE, FIU
101. Denver Broncos — Brendan Langley, CB, Lamar
102. Seattle Seahawks — Nazair Jones, DT, North Carolina
103. New Orleans Saints — Trey Hendrickson, OLB, Florida Atlantic
104. San Fransisco 49ers — C.J. Beathard, QB, Iowa
105. Pittsburgh Steelers — James Conner, RB, Pitt
106. Seattle Seahawks — Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan
107. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Kendall Beckwith, LB, LSU

Today brings us the final four rounds.

2017 NFL Draft Round 1

After a few months of playing with fake drafts it was great to finally see the real thing. Here's the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

1.   Cleveland Browns-Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Was there ever really any doubt?

2.   Chicago Bears-Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
It took only two picks for the 2017 Draft to surprise. The Bears traded a 3rd and 4th in 2017 and a 3rd in 2018 to the 49ers to move up a single spot.

3.   San Francisco 49ers-Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
A solid pick. Thomas can play several spots on the line. He has the sort of versatility that reminds me of Michael Bennett of the Seahawks.

4.   Jacksonville Jaguars-Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
The Jaguars have been collecting Top-5 picks at a rapid rate. Now they have to win some games. Fournette gives them a ground game and that has to help quarterback Blake Bortles.

5.   Tennessee Titans-Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Marcus Mariota now has an explosive receiver.

6.   New York Jets-Jamal Adams, S, LSU
The Jets have to re-make their roster. Adams is an excellent start.

7.   Los Angeles Chargers-Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
If Keenan Allen can stay on the field, Philip Rivers now has a pair of dynamite receivers.

8.   Carolina Panthers-Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
I'm just glad that McCaffrey is no longer playing for Stanford.

9.   Cincinnati Bengals-John Ross, WR, Washington
Three receivers in the top-9. That's a surprise. If Ross can avoid the injuries that might've worried some teams the Bengals have a game-breaker opposite A.J. Green.

10. Kansas City Chiefs-Patrick Mahomes II, QB, Texas Tech
The Chiefs paid big to jump up seven spots. They traded a 2017 3rd and 2018 1st to switch spots with the Bills to get their quarterback of the future. Perhaps near future.

11. New Orleans Saints-Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
A fairly surprising top-10 allowed the Saints to land the top corner in the draft.

12. Houston Texans-DeShaun Watson, WR, Clemson
Watson was the third quarterback taken in the first twelve picks. It took three trades to get those three quarterbacks. The Texans traded a first in 2018 to switch spots with the Browns. An improvement of 13 spots. A move that got them the quarterback that I considered the best in the draft.

13. Arizona Cardinals-Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
Reddick soared up the draft boards during the evaluation process. The Cardinals added an excellent, versatile linebacker.

14. Philadelphia Eagles-Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
The Eagles got themselves a pass rusher.

15. Indianapolis Colts-Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
The Colts benefited from a surprising. There was no real reason for Hooker to be available at 15.

16. Baltimore Ravens-Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
The only thing surprising about Humphrey being selected at #16 was that he was the first Alabama player selected. And it started a bit of a run.

17. Washington Redskins-Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
Allen should've been selected long before this.

18. Tennessee Titans-Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC
Jackson gives the Titans a terrific returner as he gets used to the NFL.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Howard's wait might've been the most surprising of the draft. I saw him as one of the safest picks in the draft.

20. Denver Broncos-Garrett Bolles, T, Utah
In my book, Bolles to Denver was written in ink about two months ago.

21. Detroit Lions-Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
Solid pick for the middle of the Lions defense.

22. Miami Dolphins-Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
The Dolphins get a pass rusher to play opposite the ageless Cameron Wake.

23. New York Giants-Evan Engram, TE, Mississippi
Manning has some explosive targets. Now he just has to get the ball to them.

24. Oakland Raiders-Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
Then Raiders are another team that lucked into a top player falling. This time for off-the-field allegations. If Conley is cleared of any wrongdoing, and a first round selection is a strong indication that they know he will be, the Raiders got a terrific corner.

25. Cleveland Browns-Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
The Browns improved their defense with their first round selections of Myles Garrett and Jabrill Peppers. Nice.

26. Atlanta Falcons-Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
The Falcons didn't have a lot of needs but adding another pass rusher was one. It was enough for them to flip spots with the Seahawks to get McKinley.

27. Buffalo Bills-Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
White's a terrific corner (slot and outside) and returner.

28. Dallas Cowboys-Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
The Cowboys found a pass rusher.

29. Cleveland Browns-David Njoku, TE, Miami
The Browns bounced back into the first round on a trade with the Packers. Many thought it was for a quarterback. It was for a tight end. The Browns came away with an impressive first round haul of Myles Garrett, Jabrill Peppers, and David Njoku.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers-T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin
It wouldn't be a surprise if Watt ends up being the best pass rusher to come out of this draft.

31. San Francisco 49ers-Rueben Foster, LB, Alabama
Foster is another player that could've been a top-10 pick. The 49ers improved their front seven with Solomon Thomas and Rueben Foster.

32. New Orleans Saints-Ryan Ramczyk, T, Wisconsin
The Saints grabbed one of the top tackles in the draft. It wasn't a strong offensive line class but only two going in the first round was a surprise.

The biggest surprises of the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft was the three quarterbacks that were taken in the first twelve picks and the trades that it took to get them, the three receivers taken in the first nine picks, and the scarcity of offensive linemen. The quarterbacks and receivers at the top of the draft probably played in a role in the fall of some players (the Alabama guys and Malik Hooker, in particular).

This draft was/is considered a strong one. That quality can be seen in the players still available.

Final Flea Flicker Mock Draft

Tonight we get the real one. Until then here's one more fake one.

1.   Cleveland Browns-Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
2.   San Francisco 49ers-Jamal Adams, S, LSU
3.   Chicago Bears-Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
4.   Jacksonville Jaguars-Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
5.   Tennessee Titans-Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
6.   New York Jets-O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
7.   Los Angeles Chargers-Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
8.   Carolina Panthers-Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
9.   Cincinnati Bengals-Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
10. Buffalo Bills-DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson
11. New Orleans Saints-Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
12. Cleveland Browns-Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
13. Arizona Cardinals-Rueben Foster, LB, Alabama
14. Philadelphia Eagles-Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
15. Indianapolis Colts-Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky
16. Baltimore Ravens-Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
17. Washington Redskins-Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
18. Tennessee Titans-Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
20. Denver Broncos-Garrett Bolles, T, Utah
21. Detroit Lions-Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
22. Miami Dolphins-David Njoku, TE, Miami
23. New York Giants-Ryan Ramczyk, T, Wisconsin
24. Oakland Raiders-Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC
25. Houston Texans-Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
26. Seattle Seahawks-Cam Robinson, T, Alabama
27. Kansas City Chiefs-Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
28. Dallas Cowboys-Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
29. Green Bay Packers-Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
30. Pittsburgh Steelers-DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
31. Atlanta Falcons-Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
32. New Orleans Saints-Obi Melinfonwu, S, Connecticut

The last one is always the best one because the real one is the next one. 

The Whole Thing

In advance of the start of tomorrow's start here's the 2017 NFL Draft selection order for all seven rounds.

Round 1

Pick
1. Cleveland Browns
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. Chicago Bears
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
5. Tennessee Titans from Los Angeles Rams
6. New York Jets
7. Los Angeles Chargers
8. Carolina Panthers
9. Cincinnati Bengals
10. Buffalo Bills
11. New Orleans Saints
12. Cleveland Browns from Philadelphia Eagles
13. Arizona Cardinals
14. Philadelphia Eagles from Minnesota Vikings
15. Indianapolis Colts
16. Baltimore Ravens
17. Washington Redskins
18. Tennessee Titans
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Denver Broncos
21. Detroit Lions
22. Miami Dolphins
23. New York Giants
24. Oakland Raiders
25. Houston Texans
26. Seattle Seahawks
27. Kansas City Chiefs
28. Dallas Cowboys
29. Green Bay Packers
30. Pittsburgh Steelers
31. Atlanta Falcons
32. New Orleans Saints from New England Patriots

Round 2

Pick (overall)
1 (33). Cleveland Browns
2 (34). San Francisco 49ers
3 (35). Jacksonville Jaguars
4 (36). Chicago Bears
5 (37). Los Angeles Rams
6 (38). Los Angeles Chargers
7 (39). New York Jets
8 (40). Carolina Panthers
9 (41). Cincinnati Bengals
10 (42). New Orleans Saints
11 (43). Philadelphia Eagles
12 (44). Buffalo Bills
13 (45). Arizona Cardinals
14 (46). Indianapolis Colts
15 (47). Baltimore Ravens
16 (48). Minnesota Vikings
17 (49). Washington Redskins
18 (50). Tampa Bay Buccaneers
19 (51). Denver Broncos
20 (52). Cleveland Browns from Tennessee Titans
21 (53). Detroit Lions
22 (54). Miami Dolphins
23 (55). New York Giants
24 (56). Oakland Raiders
25 (57). Houston Texans
26 (58). Seattle Seahawks
27 (59). Kansas City Chiefs
28 (60). Dallas Cowboys
29 (61). Green Bay Packers
30 (62). Pittsburgh Steelers
31 (63). Atlanta Falcons
32 (64). Carolina Panthers from New England Patriots

Round 3

Pick (overall)
1 (65). Cleveland Browns
2 (66). San Francisco 49ers
3 (67). Chicago Bears
4 (68). Jacksonville Jaguars
5 (69). Los Angeles Rams
6 (70). New York Jets
7 (71). Los Angeles Chargers
8 (72). New England Patriots from Carolina Panthers
9 (73). Cincinnati Bengals
10 (74). Baltimore Ravens from Philadelphia Eagles
11 (75). Buffalo Bills
12 (76). New Orleans Saints
13 (77). Arizona Cardinals
14 (78). Baltimore Ravens
15 (79). Minnesota Vikings
16 (80). Indianapolis Colts
17 (81). Washington Redskins
18 (82). Denver Broncos
19 (83). Tennessee Titans
20 (84). Tampa Bay Buccaneers
21 (85). Detroit Lions
22 (86). Minnesota Vikings from Miami Dolphins
23 (87). New York Giants
24 (88). Oakland Raiders
25 (89). Houston Texans
26 (90). Seattle Seahawks
27 (91). Kansas City Chiefs
28 (92). Dallas Cowboys
29 (93). Green Bay Packers
30 (94). Pittsburgh Steelers
31 (95). Atlanta Falcons
32 (96). New England Patriots
33 (97). Miami Dolphins (Compensatory Selection)
34 (98). Carolina Panthers (Compensatory Selection)
35 (99). Philadelphia Eagles from Baltimore Ravens (Compensatory Selection)
36 (100). Tennessee Titans from Los Angeles Rams (Compensatory Selection)
37 (101). Denver Broncos (Compensatory Selection)
38 (102). Seattle Seahawks (Compensatory Selection)
39 (103). New Orleans Saints from New England Patriots through Cleveland Browns (Compensatory Selection)
40 (104). Kansas City Chiefs (Compensatory Selection)
41 (105). Pittsburgh Steelers (Compensatory Selection)
42 (106). Seattle Seahawks (Compensatory Selection)
43 (107). New York Jets (Compensatory Selection)

Round 4

Pick (overall)
1 (108). Cleveland Browns
2 (109). San Francisco 49ers
3 (110). Jacksonville Jaguars
4 (111). Chicago Bears
5 (112). Los Angeles Rams
6 (113). Los Angeles Chargers
7 (114). Washington Redskins from New York Jets
8 (115). Carolina Panthers
9 (116). Cincinnati Bengals
10 (117). Chicago Bears from Buffalo Bills
12 (118). Philadelphia Eagles
13 (119). Arizona Cardinals
14 (120). Minnesota Vikings
15 (121). Indianapolis Colts
16 (122). Baltimore Ravens
17 (123). Washington Redskins
18 (124). Tennessee Titans
19 (125). Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20 (126). Denver Broncos
21 (127). Detroit Lions
22 (128). Minnesota Vikings from Miami Dolphins
23 (129). Oakland Raiders
24 (130). Houston Texans
25. (131). New England Patriots from Seattle Seahawks (Forfeited)
26 (132). Kansas City Chiefs
27 (133). Dallas Cowboys
28 (134). Green Bay Packers
29 (135). Pittsburgh Steelers
30 (136). Atlanta Falcons
31 (137). Indianapolis Colts from New England Patriots
32 (138). Cincinnati Bengals (Compensatory Selection)
33 (139). Philadelphia Eagles from Cleveland Browns (Compensatory Selection)
34 (140). New York Giants
35 (141). Los Angeles Rams (Compensatory Selection)
36 (142). Houston Texans from Cleveland Browns (Compensatory Selection)
37 (143). San Francisco 49ers (Compensatory Selection)
38 (144). Indianapolis Colts (Compensatory Selection)

Round 5

Pick (overall)
1 (145). Cleveland Browns
2 (146). San Francisco 49ers
3 (147). Chicago Bears
4 (148). Jacksonville Jaguars
5 (149). Los Angeles Rams
6 (150). New York Jets
7 (151). Los Angeles Chargers
8 (152). Carolina Panthers
9 (153). Cincinnati Bengals
10 (154). Washington Redskins from New Orleans Saints
11 (155). Philadelphia Eagles
12 (156). Buffalo Bills
13 (157). Arizona Cardinals
14 (158). Indianapolis Colts
15 (159). Baltimore Ravens
16 (160). Minnesota Vikings
17 (161). San Francisco 49ers from Washington Redskins
18 (162). Tampa Bay Buccaneers
19 (163). New England Patriots from Denver Broncos
20 (164). Tennessee Titans
21 (165). Detroit Lions
22 (166). Miami Dolphins
23 (167). New York Giants
24 (168). Oakland Raiders
25 (169). Houston Texans
26. Seattle Seahawks (Forfeited)
27 (170). Kansas City Chiefs
28 (171). Buffalo Bills from Dallas Cowboys
29 (172). Green Bay Packers
30 (173). Pittsburgh Steelers
31 (174). Atlanta Falcons
32 (175). Cleveland Browns from New England Patriots
33 (176). Cincinnati Bengals (Compensatory Selection)
34 (177). Denver Broncos (Compensatory Selection)
35 (178). Miami Dolphins (Compensatory Selection)
36 (179). Arizona Cardinals (Compensatory Selection)
37 (180). Kansas City Chiefs (Compensatory Selection)
38 (181). Cleveland Browns (Compensatory Selection)
39 (182). Green Bay Packers (Compensatory Selection)
40 (183). New England Patriots (Compensatory Selection)
41 (184). Miami Dolphins (Compensatory Selection)

Round 6

Pick (overall)
1 (185). Cleveland Browns
2 (186). Baltimore Ravens from San Francisco 49ers
3 (187). Jacksonville Jaguars
4 (188). Cleveland Browns from Houston Texans through Chicago Bears
5 (189). Los Angeles Rams
6 (190). Los Angeles Chargers
7 (191). New York Jets
8 (192). Carolina Panthers
9 (193). Cincinnati Bengals
10 (194). Philadelphia Eagles
11 (195). Buffalo Bills
12 (196). New Orleans Saints
13 (197). Arizona Cardinals
14 (198). San Francisco 49ers from Baltimore Ravens
15 (199). Minnesota Vikings
16 (200). New England Patriots from Indianapolis Colts
17 (201). Washington Redskins
18 (202). San Francisco 49ers from Denver Broncos
19 (203). Denver Broncos from Tennessee Titans
20 (204). Tampa Bay Buccaneers
21 (205). Detroit Lions
22 (206). Miami Dolphins
23 (207). New York Giants
24 (208). Oakland Raiders
25 (209). Washington Redskins from Houston Texans
26 (210). Seattle Seahawks
27. Kansas City Chiefs (Forfeited)
28 (211). Dallas Cowboys
29 (212). Green Bay Packers
30 (213). Pittsburgh Steelers
31 (214). Tennessee Titans from Atlanta Falcons
32 (215). Detroit Lions from New England Patriots
33 (216). Kansas City Chiefs (Compensatory Selection)
34 (217). Cincinnati Bengals (Compensatory Selection)
35 (218). Kansas City Chiefs (Compensatory Selection)

Round 7

Pick (overall)
1 (219). San Francisco 49ers from Cleveland Browns
2 (220). Washington Redskins from San Francisco 49ers
3 (221). Chicago Bears
4 (222). Jacksonville Jaguars
5 (223). Miami Dolphins from Los Angeles Rams
6 (224). New York Jets
7 (225). Los Angeles Chargers
8 (226). Seattle Seahawks from Carolina Panthers
9 (227). Cincinnati Bengals
10 (228). Dallas Cowboys from Buffalo Bills
11 (229). New Orleans Saints
12 (230). Philadelphia Eagles
13 (231). Arizona Cardinals
14 (232). Minnesota Vikings
15 (233). Carolina Panthers from Indianapolis Colts through Cleveland Browns
16 (234). Los Angeles Rams from Baltimore Ravens
17 (235). Washington Redskins
18 (236). Tennessee Titans
19 (237). Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20 (238). Denver Broncos
21 (239). New England Patriots from Detroit Lions
22 (240). Miami Dolphins
23 (241). New York Giants
24 (242). Oakland Raiders
25 (243). Houston Texans
26 (244). Oakland Raiders from Seattle Seahawks
27 (245). Kansas City Chiefs
28 (246). Dallas Cowboys
29 (247). Green Bay Packers
30 (248). Pittsburgh Steelers
31 (249). Atlanta Falcons
32 (250). Detroit Lions from New England Patriots
33 (251). Cincinnati Bengals (Compensatory Selection)
34 (252). Denver Broncos (Compensatory Selection)
35 (253). Denver Broncos (Compensatory Selection)

The important ones are 48, 79, 86, 120, 128, 160, 199, and 232.

Gil Brandt's Top 50 Draft Prospects

NFL Media Senior Analyst Gil Brandt spent 29 years ranking and drafting football players for the Dallas Cowboys. He's spent the last three decades ranking players for the rest of us. Brandt and scouting are synonymous. Here's a look at his most recent work. His Top-50 Draft Prospects for 2017.

1. Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
2. Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
3. Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
4. Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
5. Jamal Adams, S, LSU
6. Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
7. Jonathan Allen, DT, Alabama
8. Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
9. DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson
10. John Ross, WR, Washington
11. Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
12. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
13. O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
14. Rueben Foster, LB, Alabama
15. Cam Robinson, T, Alabama
16. Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
17. Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
18. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
19. Ryan Ramczyk, T, Wisconsin
20. Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
21. Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
22. Garrett Bolles, T, Utah
23. Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
24. Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
25. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
26. Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC
27. Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
28. Kevin King, CB, Washington
29. David Njoku, TE, Miami
30. Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
31. Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
32. Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado
33. DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
34. Evan Engram, TE, Mississippi
35. Curtis Samuel, RB, Ohio State
36. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
37. Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
38. Marcus Williams, S, Utah
39. Josh Jones, S, North Carolina State
40. Jordan Willis, LB, Kansas State
41. Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky
42. Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
43. Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
44. Marcus Maye, S, Florida
45. Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
46. Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
47. Tim Williams, LB, Alabama
48. Chris Wormley, DT, Michigan
49. Ryan Anderson, LB, Alabama
50. Dan Feeney, G, Indiana

Brandt has some interesting takes. First of all, in a draft in which many are reluctant to hand out top grades to the quarterbacks Brandt has Mitchell Trubisky and DeShaun Watson among his top-10 prospects. And three among his top-18. Second of all, Brandt, as well as nearly every other draft analyst, has been very critical of the offensive linemen in this draft yet he has Cam Robinson, Ryan Ramczyk, and Garrett Bolles among his top-22. Finally, Temple linebacker Haason Reddick has been a darling of draft analysts for months. Brandt shows lukewarm love by ranking him at #37.

Brandt ranked his Top-150 prospects. 51-150 can be found at the CFB 24/7: Path to the Draft section of NFL.com.

Budda Baker, Washington's little do-everything DB, comes in at #55 on Brandt's rankings. Seeing as Baker is a draft darling of mine and the Minnesota Vikings aren't scheduled to enter the daft fun until pick 48, I wouldn't mind seeing things play to Brandt's script.

Two more days.

Final Flea Flicker Top-5 Prospects At Each Position

One more time.

Quarterbacks
1. DeShaun Watson, Clemson
2. DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
3. Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina
4. Davis Webb, Cal
5. Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech

Running backs
1. Dalvin Cook, Florida State
2. Leonard Fournette, LSU
3. Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
4. Alvin Kamara, Tennessee
5. Curtis Samuel, Ohio State

Wide receivers
1. Corey Davis, Western Michigan
2. Mike Williams, Clemson
3. John Ross, Washington
4. Zay Jones, East Carolina
5. Chris Godwin, Penn State

Tight ends
1. O.J. Howard, Alabama
2. David Njoku, Miami
3. Evan Engram, Mississippi
4. Jake Butt, Michigan
5. Adam Shaheen, Ashland

Offensive tackles
1. Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
2. Garrett Bolles, Utah
3. Cam Robinson, Alabama
4. Taylor Moton, Western Michigan
5. Antonio Garcia, Troy

Guards
1. Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky
2. Dan Feeney, Indiana
3. Dion Dawkins, Temple
4. Isaac Asiata, Utah
5. Dorian Johnson, Pittsburgh

Centers
1. Pat Elflein, Ohio State
2. Ethan Pocic, LSU
3. Tyler Orlosky, Pittsburgh
4. Kyle Fuller, Baylor
5. Jon Toth, Kentucky

Defensive ends
1. Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
2. Solomon Thomas, Stanford
3. Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
4. Derek Barnett, Tennessee
5. Taco Charlton, Michigan

Defensive tackles
1. Jonathan Allen, Alabama
2. Montravius Adams, Auburn
3. Malik McDowell, Michigan State
4. Elijah Qualls, Washington
5. Chris Wormley, Michigan

Outside linebackers
1. Hasson Reddick, Temple
2. T.J. Watt, Wisconsin
3. Tyus Bowser, Houston
4. Ryan Anderson, Alabama
5. Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt

Inside linebackers
1. Rueben Foster, Alabama
2. Jarrad Davis, Florida
3. Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
4. Alex Anzalone, Florida
5. Kendell Beckwith, LSU

Cornerbacks
1. Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
2. Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
3. Gareon Conley, Ohio State
4. Tre'Davious White, LSU
5. Quincy Wilson, Florida
Washington's Sidney Jones might be the best corner in the draft. An injury during his workout dropped him from the above group but a team might take a chance on him. Perhaps as early as the second round.

Safeties
1. Jamal Adams, LSU
2. Malik Hooker, Ohio State
3. Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
4. Budda Baker, Washington
5. Marcus Maye, Florida

Random Draft, Schedule, and Other Football Thoughts

It's draft week! The final week before the draft always feels more like a month.

No matter how many times we are told and/or tell ourselves never to take seriously what we hear during these final days before the draft we still take seriously.

Despite the long final days before it, the NFL Draft is fun.

A lot of fun.

The importance of the quarterback position in today's NFL can be seen in the attention paid to a modest quarterback class. In a draft with franchise-changing talents like Myles Garrett, Jamal Adams, Malik Hooker, Leonard Fournette, and others the quarterbacks still get most of the attention. One or more of DeShaun Watson, Mitchell Trubisky, DeShone Kizer, Patrick Mahomes, Davis Webb, Brad Kaaya, Joshua Dobbs, etc. might become NFL stars but they are longshots compared to the pro potential of many of their draft peers.

If the Minnesota Vikings had their first round pick (14th overall) Western Kentucky offensive lineman Forrest Lamp would be my choice for that pick. Maybe the draft analysts are right and Lamp's best professional position is at guard but he was terrific at left tackle against Alabama's NFL-like defense. He would look great as a member of the Vikings offensive line. Tackle, guard, center, I really don't care where.

Funny stuff from Baltimore Ravens receiver Mike Wallace. When asked by ESPN how he might fill the void left by the retirement of Steve Smith Sr., Wallace said "I just have to curse a couple more people out, choke a couple more people out."

NFL Media Senior Analyst Gil Brandt has ranked NFL draft prospects for 57 years. Here's his top-10 for this year's class.

1. Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
2. Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
3. Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
4. Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
5. Jamal Adams, S, LSU
6. Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
7. Jonathan Allen, DT, Alabama
8. Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
9. DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson
10. John Ross, WR, Washington

Brandt likes the top quarterbacks more than most. The ranking of John Ross ahead of fellow pass-catchers Mike Williams of Clemson and Corey Davis of Western Michigan is also striking. Some teams are reportedly dropping Ross down their draft boards.,or from their boards entirely, due to injury concerns.

Brandt has my personal favorite Forrest Lamp at #41. That's within reach of the Vikings first pick at #48. Hopefully enough teams see Lamp as Bandt does.

The NFL schedule makers came up with 52,128 failures before they landed on the one that stuck.

No bye weeks until Week 5. It's stunning that it took as long as it did for the NFL to realize that early byes are stupid. Week 5 is still a little early but it's a move in the right direction.

The Vikings have a nearly two month stretch (10/23-12/16) with a single home game. That's ridiculous. And one of those road games is in London (Week 8). Maybe the schedule makers actually had 52,129 failures. At least the Vikings have a Week 9 bye. After that London trip and before a road-heavy close to the season.

The final Sunday of the 2017 season finds all four California teams playing in Los Angeles. Imagine that. Until last season there were a grand total of zero teams playing in Los Angeles.

Every draft is unique. The players are unique and team needs are unique. So much so that it strikes me as a stretch to compare one draft to another.

NFL Media Draft Analyst Chad Reuter posted a seven-round mock draft. He had these picks for the Vikings.

2. Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State
3. Jaleel Johnson, DT, Iowa
3. Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky
4. Elijah Lee, LB, Kansas State
4. Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma
5. Pat Elflein, C, Ohio State
6. Damien Mama, G, USC
7. Jonah Pirsig, T, Minnesota

I would not be a fan of this draft.

Based on the players available when Reuter made his picks these are the picks that I'd make for the Vikings.

2. Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
3. Marcus Maye, S, Florida
3. Isaac Asiata, G, Utah
4. Elijah Lee, LB, Kansas State
4. George Kittle, TE, Iowa
5. Pat Elflein, C, Ohio State
6. Jalen Myrick, CB, Minnesota
7. Isaiah Ford, WR, Virginia Tech

I'd be a fan of this draft.

Several weeks ago Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said that DeShone Kizer should've stayed in school, that he could use another year of college football. Kelly got a lot of gried for those comments even though he's right. The knock on nearly every quarterback that bolts for the NFL with college eligibility remaining is that he isn't ready. Everyone's saying it so what's wrong with the one person that probably knows best saying it as well? The criticism of Kelly became even more foolish when Kizer agreed with his coach. The media always bellyaches over the "scripted" answers given by football coaches to pointed questions. When one of those coaches answers a question honestly he's bashed. It's enough to make one wonder why coaches respond to the media at all.

More Kizer. The ever-churning media cycle decided that the quarterback "stepped in it" during an interview with USA Today Sports last week. In that interview it was decided that Kizer claimed he has the mind of Tom Brady and the body of Cam Newton. Very bold. After immediate criticism Kizer said that the comment was taken out of context and he's right. Just as John Lennon sang decades before, Kizer actually said "imagine taking Brady's intellect and Brady's preparation and putting it on a guy with Cam Newton's body." Many people lost the ability to imagine when everything they needed was put in their phone so Kizer's supposition eludes them. Nowhere in the comment does Kizer say that he's some incredible mash-up of Brady and Newton. He believes that he's blessed with unique traits and that he has the potential to be great, possibly the greatest, and that it's all up to him. The one bold statement that Kizer made, and he admits that it's bold, is that he has the ability to be the greatest quarterback to ever play. The NFL Draft is all about potential and Kizer was simply talking about his. It's crazy and unfortunate that this "mind of Brady, body of Newton" comment, a comment that he never truly made, will likely follow Kizer his entire career. Imagination, people! It's a beautiful thing.

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has done just about everything right since he was drafted out of Fresno State in 2014. He's helped lead his team back to relevance on the field and he's been an ideal "face of the franchise" presence off the field. Last week he made his first real mistake. He criticized the loyalty of Raider fans that might not have it in them to follow a team that's up-and-leaving their Oakland home. For a second time. It's easy for Carr to say "just jump on the bus and follow us to Las Vegas." It's a business move for him and his teammates but it's an intensely personal loss for many in Oakland. They feel betrayed. They feel ignored. And now Carr says that they don't matter, that they aren't true Raider fans. In my years as a football fan, in general, and as a Vikings fan, in particular, I've learned that there's no one way to be a fan. It's different and personal, often intensely personal, for each fan. It's wrong to say one is more right, or more "true," than another. It just is. Carr walked back his comments a day after he made them in the following tweet:

Just in case I was misunderstood...I love ALL Raider fans, wherever they are from...We are in this together, always! #RadierNation

He wasn't misunderstood and it's real clear that RaiderNation isn't in it together.

As Sports Illustrated and MMQB's Peter King noted following the Raiders decision to move and the league's overwhelming approval of it, the NFL has chosen new stadiums over fans three times in just over a year. That's a horrible precedent. The league takes the people most responsible for their ridiculous financial success for granted. It's that simple. The league wouldn't be able to build these beauties if there weren't fans to fill them. And fund them. Too often, the league is blind to the fans. Carr's comments are simply in line with that.

The draft really needs to get here. I need some of that draft day fun. Too bad the Vikings aren't scheduled to draft until Day 2. When Forrest Lamp should be hob-nobbing with the team that drafted on Day 1.

Second-to-Last Flea Flicker Mock Draft

The 2017 NFL Draft is just under a week away. How about another mock draft.

1.   Cleveland Browns-Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
2.   San Francisco 49ers-Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
3.   Chicago Bears-Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
4.   Jacksonville Jaguars-O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
5.   Tennessee Titans-Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
6.   New York Jets-DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson
7.   Los Angeles Chargers-Jamal Adams, S, LSU
8.   Carolina Panthers-Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
9.   Cincinnati Bengals-Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
10. Buffalo Bills-Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
11. New Orleans Saints-Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
12. Cleveland Browns-Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
13. Arizona Cardinals-Rueben Foster, LB, Alabama
14. Philadelphia Eagles-Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
15. Indianapolis Colts-Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
16. Baltimore Ravens-Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
17. Washington Redskins-Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
18. Tennessee Titans-Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
20. Denver Broncos-Garrett Bolles, T, Utah
21. Detroit Lions-Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
22. Miami Dolphins-David Njoku, TE, Miami
23. New York Giants-Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky
24. Oakland Raiders-Evan Engram, TE, Mississippi
25. Houston Texans-Ryan Ramczyk, T, Wisconsin
26. Seattle Seahawks-Cam Robinson, T, Alabama
27. Kansas City Chiefs-DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
28. Dallas Cowboys-John Ross, WR, Washington
29. Green Bay Packers-Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
30. Pittsburgh Steelers-Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
31. Atlanta Falcons-Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
32. New Orleans Saints-Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan

The real thing starts in five days.

Minnesota Vikings 2017 Schedule

The NFL released the 2017 schedule yesterday. It's a sign of the incredible interest in the league that the schedule release is a big offseason event. One that took a two-hour show on NFL Network to present it. We've known the "where" and the "who" of each team's schedule since the end of the 2016 season. Now we know the "when" of each team's games. Here's the Minnesota Vikings' 2017 Schedule.

Week 1 | Monday, Sept. 11 | vs. New Orleans Saints | 6:10 PM | ESPN

Week 2 | Sunday, Sept. 17 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | Noon | FOX

Week 3 | Sunday, Sept 24 | vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Noon | FOX

Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 1 | vs. Detroit Lions | Noon | FOX

Week 5 | Monday, Oct. 9 | at Chicago Bears | 7:30 PM | ESPN

Week 6 | Sunday, Oct. 15 | vs. Green Bay Packers | Noon* | FOX

Week 7 | Sunday, Oct. 22 | vs. Baltimore Ravens | Noon* | CBS

Week 8 | Sunday, Oct. 29 | at Cleveland Browns (London) | 8:30 AM | NFLN

Week 9 | BYE WEEK

Week 10 | Sunday, Nov. 12 | at Washington Redskins | Noon* | FOX

Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 19 | vs. Los Angeles Rams | Noon* | FOX

Week 12 | Thursday, Nov. 23 | at Detroit Lions | 11:30 AM | FOX

Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 3 | at Atlanta Falcons | Noon* | FOX

Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 10 | at Carolina Panthers | Noon* | CBS

Week 15 | Sunday, Dec. 17 | vs. Cincinnati Bengals | Noon* | CBS

Week 16 | Saturday, Dec. 23 | at Green Bay Packers | 7:30 PM | NBC

Week 17 | Sunday, Dec. 31 | vs. Chicago Bears | Noon* | FOX

(All times are Central; *Time subject to change due to flexible scheduling)

This is a strange schedule. For one thing there's an unusual number of similarities to their 2016 schedule. They have an October Monday Night game in Chicago and close the regular season with the Bears in Minnesota. They play the Packers in Green Bay in Week 16. They also have another Thanksgiving date with the Lions. I can't recall seeing the same two teams play each other on consecutive Thanksgivings. The schedule makers suffered a lack of originality in the Vikings schedule this year.

The strangest aspect of the Vikings' 2017 schedule is the five home games in the front half of the schedule and the five away games in the back half. Four away games in the final six games is a rough way to close the season. The excessive number of home games to start the season give the Vikings a nice opportunity for a nice start. If that happens, here's hoping that the Vikings handle it better than last year when a 5-0 start led to 3-8 finish.

The Vikings have three Prime Time games.
Monday Night Football:
Week 1 New Orleans Saints
Week 5 at Chicago Bears

Sunday Night Football on Saturday Night:
Week 16 at Green Bay Packers

The Vikings are also on the national stage with that Thanksgiving game with the Detroit Lions.

The Vikings have to travel across the Atlantic Ocean in Week 8 for a London game against the Cleveland Browns. These trips can disrupt a season. Hopefully the Vikings will handle it better than they did in 2013. They defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in London but lost four straight games upon their return to the states.

The best aspect of the Vikings 2017 schedule is the Week 9 bye. It's always better to have the week off later in the season. It's also nice to have it after that potentially disruptive trip to London and before an unusually high number of road games.

Now, back to the draft.

Throwback Thursday: Vikings First Draft

In 1961 the Minnesota Vikings entered the NFL as an expansion team. The 1961 NFL Draft was held December 27-28, 1960. It was the first step in filling an empty roster. An Expansion Draft was held a month later to further supplement the new team with players but that draft is for another time. In a week the Vikings will be taking part in their 57th NFL Draft. Here's a look at their first one.

As the new team in the league the Vikings had the first pick in every round.

Rd	Overall	Player	Pos.
1	1	Tommy Mason	RB	Tulane
2	15	Rip Hawkins	LB	North Carolina
3	29	Fran Tarkenton	QB	Georgia
4	43	Chuck Lamson	S	Wyoming
5	57	Ed Sharockman	CB	Pittsburgh
6	71	Jerry Burch	TE	Georgia Tech
7	85	Allan Ferrie	WR	Wagner
8	99	Paul Lindquist	DT	New Hampshire
9	113	Dan Sheehan	OT	Tennessee-Chattanoga
10	127	Doug Mayberry	FB	Utah State
11	141	Jerry Mays	DT	Southern Methodist
12	155	Steve Stonebreaker	LB	Detroit
13	169	Ray Hayes	FB	Central State
14	183	Ken Petersen	OL	Utah
15	197	Mike Mercer	K	Arizona State
16	211	Ted Karpowicz	RB	Detroit
17	225	Willie Jones	FB	Purdue
18	239	Bob Voigt	OT	Cal State-Los Angeles
19	253	Bill Hill	FB	Presbyterian
20	267	Mike McFarland	QB	Western Illinois

Four fullbacks. It was a different time.

The following draft picks made that 1961 Vikings team.

Tommy Mason

Rip Hawkins

Fran Tarkenton

Ed Sharockman

Doug Mayberry

Ray Hayes

Ken Petersen

Mike Mercer

Chuck Lamson and Steve Stonebreaker made the team in 1962. Half of the players selected in that first draft played for the Vikings. That's a low success rate for a team starting from scratch. All NFL teams had to deal with a pilfering AFL that was only gaining traction. Draft choices had choices. 

***

The highlights of the Vikings' first draft were Tommy Mason, Rip Hawkins, Ed Sharockman, Mike Mercer, and of course Fran Tarkenton. Mason was a hit. He would've been a bigger hit if injuries hadn't slowed his career. He still played in the NFL for 11 years. The first six with the Vikings. He was a versatile, electric back earning an All-Pro nob in 1963 and Pro Bowl honors from 1962-64. Hawkins was an early starter at middle linebacker and defensive leader for five years, making the Pro Bowl in 1963. Ed Sharockman was a solid starter at right cornerback for the Vikings' entire first decade in the NFL. Mercer held down the kicking duties until Fred Cox showed up in 1963. With a short field goal against the Chicago Bears in game 1 Mercer scored the first points in Vikings' history. He'll always have that.

Then there's Fran Tarkenton. The only knocks on Tarkenton's great Vikings' career were the five years that he spent with the New York Giants in the middle of it and three Super Bowl losses. The former isn't on him and the latter is more of a team thing. Maybe the Vikings win a Super Bowl or more if the team continuity wasn't broken by that trade to the Giants. We'll never know. Vikings football was never boring with the little, scrambling quarterback from Georgia on the field. It was his spontaneous play, a devastating defense, and an icy coach that brought me to the team as a kid. Tarkenton retired from the NFL with every major career passing record and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.   

The NFL-AFL competition for college football talent was hitting a boil in 1961. A few of the players that the Vikings drafted opted for the rival league. The player that truly qualifies as the "one that got away" is Jerry Mays. He was drafted by the Dallas Texans (Kansas City Chiefs) in the fifth round of the AFL Draft. Mays chose the Texans and was an immediate hit. He was a 6x AFL All-Star, a member of the AFL All-Time team, and a Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer. He was great. It's difficult to imagine the Vikings great defenses of the late 1960s with Mays lined up next to Alan Page without shedding a few tears.

The first draft of the Minnesota Vikings was one of their best. It might've been the best if Jerry Mays had opted for the NFL rather than that rival league. Four of the first five picks were franchise cornerstone players. For an expansion team that needed some young players to step up quickly it was a nice start. 

Flea Flicker Second 50 Draft Prospects 2.0

Top 50 yesterday. Next 50 today.

51.  Marcus Maye, S, Florida

52.  Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State

53.  Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA*

54.  Chad Hansen, WR, Cal

55.  Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama

56.  Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland

57.  Josh Jones, S, North Carolina State

58.  Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina

59.  Dan Feeney, G, Indiana

60.  Teez Tabor, CB, Florida

61.  Ryan Anderson, LB, Alabama

62.  Taylor Moton, T, Western Michigan

63.  Dion Dawkins, G, Temple

64.  Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn

65.  JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC

66.  Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State

67.  Desmond King, CB, Iowa

68.  Trey Hendrickson, DE, Florida Atlantic

69.  Alex Anzalone, LB, Florida

70.  Chris Wormley, DT, Michigan

71.  Antonio Garcia, T, Troy

72.  Larry Ogunjobi, DT, Charlotte

73.  Jake Butt, TE, Michigan

74.  Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida

75.  D'onta Foreman, RB, Texas

76.  Isaac Asiata, G, Utah

77.  Roderick Johnson, T, Florida State

78.  Tarrell Basham, DE, Ohio

79.  Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech

80.  Elijah Qualls, DT, Washington

81.  Jermaine Eluemunor, T, Texas A&M

82.  Cordea Tankersley, CB, Clemson

83.  Pat Elflein, C, Ohio State

84.  Dorian Johnson, G, Pittsburgh

85.  Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo

86.  Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova

87.  George Kittle, TE, Iowa

88.  Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech

89.  Ethan Pocic, C, LSU

90.  Derek Rivers, DE, Youngstown State

91.  Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech

92.  Elijah Lee, LB, Kansas State

93.  Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma

94.  DeMarcus Walker, DE, Florida State

95.  Duke Riley, LB, LSU

96.  Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson
97.  Blair Brown, LB, Ohio

98.  Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson

99.  Tyler Orlosky, C, West Virginia

100. Marlon Mack, RB, South Florida

*Fabian Moreau torn a pec while trying to show his strength on the bench press at his Pro Day. He could be ready for football action by training camp. The injury shouldn't drop him too much.

The draft needs to get here soon. 

Flea Flicker Top 50 NFL Draft Prospects 2.0

The 2017 NFL Draft is just over a week away. It's the longest week of the NFL offseason. The same silly fables about players and team interest in players make the time just creep along.It's a mind-numbing time. So here's another player ranking.

1.   Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
2.   Jamal Adams, S, LSU
3.   Rueben Foster, LB, Alabama
4.   Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
5.   O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
6.   Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
7.   Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
8.   Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
9.   Jonathan Allen, DT, Alabama
10. Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
11. Sidney Jones, CB, Washington*
12. Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
13. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
14. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
15. David Njoku, TE, Miami
16. Forrest Lamp, OL, Western Kentucky
17. Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
18. Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
19. John Ross, WR, Washington
20. Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
21. Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
22. DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson
23. Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
24. Budda Baker, S, Washington
25. Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
26. DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
27. Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
28. Ryan Ramczyk, T, Wisconsin
29. Garrett Bolles, T, Utah
30. Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
31. Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
32. Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
33. Kevin King, CB, Washington
34. T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin
35. Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
36. Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
37. Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
38. Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washingron
39. Adoree'Jackson, CB, USC
40. Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado
41. Cam Robinson, T, Alabama
42. Tim Williams, LB, Alabama
43. Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
44. Evan Engram, TE, Mississippi
45  Tyus Bowser, LB, Houston
46. Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State
47. Marcus Williams, S, Utah
48. Curtis Samuel, RB, Ohio State
49. Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
50. Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut

*Sidney Jones tore his achilles at the Washington Pro Day. There's a very real chance that he might not take part in an NFL game this fall. He's still one of the best cornerbacks and players in a very deep draft. A team could get a real steal in the second or third round if they have the patience to wait for it. His still strong ranking here is for his potential and talent and not for his early availability.

This is an impressive draft class. There are players outside of the above 50 that would be first round picks in most drafts. 

All-Draft Prospect Team

This qualifies as one of those "the draft just needs to get here" exercises. A team made up of the best players that will be spread across the league in just over a week.

Offense

WR	Corey Davis
WR	John Ross
T	Garrett Bolles
G	Forrest Lamp
C	Pat Elflein
G	Dion Dawkins
T	Ryan Ramczyk
TE	O.J. Howard
WR	Mike Williams
QB	DeShaun Watson
RB	Leonard Fournette

Defense

DE	Myles Garrett
DT	Solomon Thomas
DT	Jonathan Allen
DE	Derek Barnett
LB	Haason Reddick
LB	Rueben Foster
LB	Jarrad Davis
CB	Marshon Lattimore
CB	Gareon Conley
S	Jamal Adams
S	Malik Hooker

The 2017 draft class is impressive. However, each draft exercise, such as this All-Draft Prospect Team, further reveals a weakness at offensive line and defensive tackle. Solomon Thomas and Jonathan Allen are two of the best players in the draft. Their versatility is one of their strengths. Each has the ability to move inside or outside to take advantage of situational matchups. That is an asset. One that has them penciled in as top-10 picks. Pigeon-holing them as defensive tackles, as they are here, would be a mistake. There is talent at the offensive line and defensive tackle positions but not much in the way of "top of the draft" talent. The sort of talent that has people drooling now but sometimes disappoints later. Pre-draft attention doesn't guarantee NFL success. So much changes when the players get to the NFL and experience NFL coaching as well as NFL pressures. Unexpected players always emerge. Maybe 5-10 years from now the offensive linemen and defensive tackles turn out to be this draft's stars. 

Mike Mayock's New 2017 NFL Draft Position Rankings

NFL Media Draft Analyst Mike Mayock released his latest position rankings on Wednesday. The 2017 NFL Draft is 11 days away.

Quarterback

1. Deshaun Watson, Clemson
2. Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina
3. Patrick Mahomes II, Texas Tech
4. DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
5. Davis Webb, California

Rise: Watson (2), Trubisky (3), Mahomes (4)
Fall: Kizer (1)

Running Back

1. Leonard Fournette, LSU
2. Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
3. Dalvin Cook, Florida State
4. Alvin Kamara, Tennessee
T-5. Joe Mixon, Oklahoma
T-5. Curtis Samuel, Ohio State

Rise: Mixon (previously No. 5 in special exceptions), Samuel (NR)
Fall: Samaje Perine, Oklahoma (5)

Wide receiver

1. Mike Williams, Clemson
2. John Ross, Washington
3. Corey Davis, Western Michigan
4. Zay Jones, East Carolina
T-5. JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC
T-5. Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington

Rise: Williams (2), Ross (3)
Fall: Davis (1)

Tight end

1. O.J. Howard, Alabama
2. David Njoku, Miami
3. Evan Engram, Ole Miss
4. Gerald Everett, South Alabama
T-5. George Kittle, Iowa
T-5. Jordan Leggett, Clemson

Rise: Leggett (NR)

Offensive tackle

1. Cam Robinson, Alabama
2. Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
3. Garett Bolles, Utah
4. Taylor Moton, Western Michigan
5. Antonio Garcia, Troy

Rise: Robinson (previously No. 2 interior OL), Moton (T-5)
Fall: Ramczyk (1), Bolles (2), Garcia (3), Roderick Johnson, Florida State (4), Jermaine Eluemunor, Texas A&M (T-5)

Interior OL

1. Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky
2. Dan Feeney, Indiana
3. Dion Dawkins, Temple
4. Pat Elflein, Ohio State
T-5. Ethan Pocic, LSU
T-5. Dorian Johnson, Pitt

Rise: Feeney (3), Dawkins (4), Elflein (T-5), Johnson (NR)

Interior DL

1. Jonathan Allen, Alabama
2. Chris Wormley, Michigan
3. Malik McDowell, Michigan State
4. Caleb Brantley, Florida
T-5. Larry Ogunjobi, Charlotte
T-5. Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama

Rise: Wormley (5), Tomlinson (NR)
Fall: Brantley (2), Ogunjobi (4)

Edge rusher

1. Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
2. Solomon Thomas, Stanford
3. Derek Barnett, Tennessee
4. Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
5. Charles Harris, Missouri

Rise: Harris (NR)
Fall: Tim Williams, Alabama (5)

Linebacker

1. Reuben Foster, Alabama
2. Haason Reddick, Temple
3. Jarrad Davis, Florida
4. Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
5. Alex Anzalone, Florida

Cornerback

1. Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
2. Gareon Conley, Ohio State
3. Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
4. Tre'Davious White, LSU
T-5. Adoree' Jackson, USC
T-5. Kevin King, Washington

Rise: Conley (4), White (NR), Jackson (previously No. 1 in special exceptions)
Fall: Humphrey (2), King (3), Fabian Moreau, UCLA (5, added to special exceptions)

Nickel

1. Budda Baker, Washington
2. Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado
3. Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
4. Desmond King, Iowa
5. Damontae Kazee, San Diego State

Safety

1. Jamal Adams, LSU
2. Malik Hooker, Ohio State
3. Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
4. Obi Melifonwu, Connecticut
5. Marcus Williams, Utah

Rise: Adams (2), Hooker (3)
Fall: Peppers (1), Marcus Maye, Florida (T-5)

Special exceptions (Injuries)

1. CB Sidney Jones, Washington
2. CB Fabian Moreau, UCLA
3. TE Jake Butt, Michigan
4. LB Kendell Beckwith, LSU
5. QB Chad Kelly, Ole Miss

Additions: Moreau (previously No. 5 CB), Beckwith (NR), Kelly (NR)
Moved: Adoree' Jackson, Curtis Samuel and Joe Mixon move to positional list