Reviewing The 2017 NFL Draft in 2018: #1 Myles Garrett, CLE vs. #8 Christian McCaffrey, CAR

We have a football season in the books and now we can look back and try to evaluate or re-evaluate the 2017 NFL Draft…and kinda re-remember what seemed important about a year ago – ultimately, to judge what would be done differently today or where teams made mistakes.

I like doing these types of things in head-to-head battles because it forces me to consider a simple choice…A or B. I can focus on the two players, get reacquainted with their 2017 season and pick the one I would select if I were an NFL GM today. I look at it like I’m starting an expansion franchise…so, I want the best player, obviously, but I have to consider positional scarcity and history, etc.

We’ll do one matchup per day in February until we crown a winner. Set up tournament style with 1-32 seed, and #1 facing #32 first round, etc.

#1 Myles Garrett, CLE vs. #8 Christian McCaffrey, CAR

I wouldn’t have expected McCaffrey to be in the Final 8, even though he was the #8 overall pick in 2017. He’s just a fortuitous player with his matchups/path to get here because he’s not one of the best 8 players in the 2017 NFL Draft. He’s a really good player but just a nice receiving weapon RB…there’s a bunch of them for anyone who is looking or who would actually use them like a weapon.

Somehow McCaffrey got anointed pre-Draft and thus the Panthers built a chunk of their offense doing something they hadn’t done during Cam’s entire time in Carolina – throwing a ton to the RB. I’m pro-McCaffrey but not pro-taking a part-time, 200-pound running back with a top 8 pick…in the most talent-laden position (RB) with the lowest payroll spend out there. It’s a ridiculous business move…but McCaffrey can really catch a football. He’s good.

On the other hand, there are only so many DE prospects built like Myles Garrett. He comes with flaws too, but there may be like 4-8 of him on the planet…and those rare species aren’t floating around available to NFL teams easily. However, I could find 20+ non-starter RBs in the NFL today that I could obtain cheap to fill the McCaffrey role close to or exactly.

Re-doing the 2017 draft with these two as a choice…it’s not debatable. Garrett is the way to go. Myles Garrett, #1 pick in 2017, makes it to the Final Four.

THIRD ROUND (Elite 8):

#1 Myles Garrett, CLE (winner) vs. #8 Christian McCaffrey, CAR

#28 Taco Charlton, DAL vs. #20 Garrett Bolles, DEN

#19 O.J. Howard, TB vs. #11 Marshon Lattimore, NO

#2 Mitch Trubisky, CHI vs. #10 Patrick Mahomes, KC

SECOND ROUND:

#1 Myles Garrett, CLE (winner) vs. #16 Marlon Humphrey, BAL

#24 Gareon Conley, OAK vs. #8 Christian McCaffrey, CAR (winner)

#12 Deshaun Watson, HOU vs. #28 Taco Charlton, DAL (winner)

#20 Garrett Bolles, DEN (winner) vs. #4 Leonard Fournette, JAX

#3 Solomon Thomas, SF vs. #19 O.J. Howard, TB (winner)

#27 Tre’Davious White, BUF vs. #11 Marshon Lattimore, NO (winner)

#26 Takkarist McKinley, ATL vs. #10 Patrick Mahomes, KC (winner)

#18 Adoree’ Jackson, TEN vs. #2 Mitch Trubisky, CHI (winner)

FIRST ROUND:

#1 Myles Garrett, CLE (winner) vs. #32 Ryan Ramczyk, NO

#16 Marlon Humphrey, BAL (winner)vs. #17 Jonathan Allen, WAS

#9 John Ross, CIN vs. #24 Gareon Conley, OAK (winner)

#8 Christian McCaffrey, CAR (winner)vs. #25 Jabrill Peppers, CLE

#12 Deshaun Watson, HOU (winner)vs. #21 Jarrad Davis, DET

#5 Corey Davis, TEN vs. #28 Taco Charlton, DAL (winner)

#13 Haason Reddick, ARI vs. #20 Garrett Bolles, DEN (winner)

#4 Leonard Fournette, JAX (winner) vs. #29 David Njoku, CLE

#3 Solomon Thomas, SF (winner) vs. #30 T.J. Watt, PIT

#14 Derek Barnett, PHI vs. #19 O.J. Howard, TB (winner)

#6 Jamal Adams, NYJ vs. #27 Tre’Davious White, BUF (winner)

#11 Marshon Lattimore, NO (winner) vs. #22 Charles Harris, MIA

#7 Mike Williams, LAC vs. #26 Takkarist McKinley, ATL (winner)

#10 Patrick Mahomes, KC (winner) vs. #23 Evan Engram, NYG

#15 Malik Hooker, IND vs. #18 Adoree’ Jackson, TEN (winner)

#2 Mitch Trubisky, CHI (winner) vs. #31 Rueben Foster, SF

See more of our football work at College Football Metrics – dedicated to the NFL Draft and Dynasty Rookie Draft scouting and valuations all preseason. Celebrating our 7th season covering all things draft. Go to (link): College Football Metrics