Football Draft Kit: 2017 Rookies

QUARTERBACK

Mitchell Trubisky, Bears
6-2/222/North Carolina

A surprise pick at No. 2 overall, Trubisky was a one-year college starter, lining up almost exclusively in shotgun in a spread system that did not require NFL-type reads. The Bears are confident, however, the dual-threat athlete with a big arm who completed 68 percent of his passes last season is their QB of the future. This year, he is expected to sit behind Mike Glennon, whose free-agent deal includes $18.5 million guaranteed, as he seemingly faces a steep learning curve.

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
6-2/225/Texas Tech

The Chiefs traded up 17 spots to 10th overall to draft Mahomes, whose cannon arm, occasional recklessness and gunslinger mentality evoked comparisons on draft day to coach Andy Reid's former student, Brett Favre. Mahomes, of course, is a long way from that, but the Chiefs view him as a project; Alex Smith will start at least this year. The biggest knock on Mahomes is the Texas Tech system, which continually fails to produce quality NFL quarterbacks. Mahomes, though, has the size, athleticism and physical skills to buck that trend.

Deshaun Watson, Texans
6-2/221/Clemson

Drafted 12th overall, Watson has the clearest path to playing time in this year's QB class, with only Tom Savage – who has started all of two games in four years – in his way. Watson is strong in the pocket but needs to develop his downfield vision as he transitions from a shotgun offense to a pro system. A strong supporting cast will help, and his running skills should steady his floor while he develops. With leadership to instantly command the huddle, Watson might actually be the answer for what has long been a weak spot for Houston.

DeShone Kizer, Browns
6-4/233/Notre Dame

Kizer has the prototypical size, arm strength and athleticism that usually makes a quarterback a first-round pick, but he dropped to the second round and the fourth QB overall partly because of inconsistency at Notre Dame. The Browns were happy to take advantage, and coach Hugh Jackson said Kizer will compete to start. Cleveland, though, likely will be content to let Kizer develop while Cody Kessler starts, though it wouldn't surprise if the rookie took over by midseason.

RUNNING BACK

Leonard Fournette, Jaguars
6-0/240/LSU

Drafted fourth overall, Fournette is one of the most physically imposing backs to come into the league in the last decade. He won't walk into the same favorable situation as last year's No. 4 pick, Ezekiel Elliott, but Fournette has the tantalizing size-speed-agility combo to make an instant impact. He has only Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon challenging him for touches in the Jacksonville backfield. Concerns about Fournette's receiving skills and his ability to function outside I-formations seem overblown, though his physical, power-running style that has been described as running "angry" perhaps makes him a durability risk.

Christian McCaffrey, Panthers
5-11/202/Stanford

The elusive and versatile McCaffrey is the poster boy for the modern NFL running back, lining up as a runner, receiver and returner. Drafted eighth overall, McCaffrey might not be an every-down back, but he doesn't need 20 carries a game to pay off for the Panthers or fantasy owners. He'll have value, especially in PPR leagues, with 12-15 touches a game as Jonathan Stewart's backfield complement. And it likely won't take much to get more than that. The 30-year-old Stewart last played a full season in 2011, and McCaffrey's elite route-running skills will get him targets from the slot. Give him a bump in leagues that count return yards.

Dalvin Cook, Vikings
5-10/210/Florida State

Once considered a top-20 lock, Cook fell to the second round (41st overall) because of off-field issues and a disappointing Combine. On talent alone, Cook is arguably the most complete rookie running back, with elusiveness to make tacklers miss and speed to burn past them. The Vikings signed Latavius Murray this offseason and Jerick McKinnon is still around, but Cook has more upside than either as a three-down back who can catch passes. Ball security was a problem at Florida State, though his biggest obstacle to playing time in Minnesota looks to be a backfield committee.

Joe Mixon, Bengals
6-1/226/Oklahoma

Mixon's well-publicized off-field baggage sent him sliding to the second round (48th overall) where his first-round talent was too much for the Bengals to pass up. At first glance, his landing spot looks crowded, but Jeremy Hill is in the last year of his contract and Giovani Bernard is coming off a torn ACL – and both averaged less than 3.9 yards per carry last year. Even if he debuts in a timeshare, Mixon could dominate the touches soon. A three-down back, Mixon has excellent burst and the size to work in short-yardage situations. He's also an outstanding receiver who can line up wide or in the slot.

Alvin Kamara, Saints
5-10/214/Tennessee

The third-round pick (67th overall) enters a backfield that already has Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram, but Kamara will fill the Reggie Bush/Darren Sproles pass-catching role. Kamara is a skilled route runner with sure hands who caught 74 passes the last two years at Tennessee. In addition to his backfield role, he likely will line up in the slot as coach Sean Payton creatively seeks to exploit coverage mismatches. Kamara could have fantasy value in PPR leagues.

Kareem Hunt, Chiefs
5-10/216/Toledo

The Jamaal Charles era over in Kansas City, the Chiefs addressed their backfield by drafting Hunt in the third round (86th overall). Hunt is another power option alongside Spencer Ware who can push the pile and cause problems when he gets to the second level. Charcandrick West is still a factor but averaged
3.3 YPC last year. Although his power and burst make Hunt an intriguing prospect, K.C.'s crowded backfield seemingly puts a cap on his upside, though perhaps he can factor into the passing game with decent receiving skills.

D'Onta Foreman, Texans
6-0/233/Texas

After winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back, Foreman will stay in the Lone Star state in a favorable situation. A third-round pick (89th overall), Foreman has excellent athleticism and quickness for a back his size. He could be used in short-yardage spots and to spell Lamar Miller, whose workload could be dialed back after 299 touches in 14 games last year. Foreman should earn the No. 2 role over Alfred Blue in what's expected to be a run-heavy offense given the Texans' quarterback situation.

Samaje Perine, Redskins
5-10/235/oklahoma

A fourth-round pick (114th overall), Oklahoma's all-time leading rusher heads to a Redskins backfield where he can immediately contribute. Washington has a number of experienced and serviceable backs, but none offers the upside of Perine, whose presence could push a couple of those backs out the door before Week 1. Washington has at times been a haven for undervalued rookie backs, and Perine is the next in line who could flourish and outperform his ADP.

WIDE RECEIVER

Corey Davis, Titans
6-3/209/Western Michigan

Davis missed pre-draft workouts because of ankle surgery to repair two torn ligaments but was still the first wide receiver off the board, drafted fifth overall. Fast and physical with long arms, Davis is built like a prototypical No.1 wideout. He dominated in a non-Power 5 conference – setting the FBS record for career receiving yards – but his strong route-running and ball skills likely would have played anywhere. Davis excels after the catch and is a threat at the goal line. With limited weapons in the Titans' receiving corps, he could quickly become Marcus Mariota's top target, especially in the red zone. He is expected to be healthy for training camp.

Mike Williams, Chargers
6-4/218/Clemson

Drafted seventh overall, Williams is a big-bodied receiver with a large catch radius and big, strong hands that help him win contested balls deep downfield and in the end zone. He lacks the speed and route-running skills of his two fellow first-round receiver draft picks, but he might be the most physical of the trio. Volume could be an issue for Williams, though, as the Chargers have a number of quality receivers, including two tight ends who combined for 39 red-zone targets last season. He's also uncertain for camp due to a back injury.

John Ross, Bengals
5-11/188/Washington

Ross' record-setting 4.22 40 at the Combine cemented his place among the top receivers in this year's draft, but his lengthy injury history and lack of ideal size made some teams wary. The Bengals, though, drafted him ninth overall, and Ross appears to have a good opportunity to contribute. As an outside deep threat, Ross should take pressure off No. 1 receiver A.J. Green, and when Green sees double coverage, Ross will have only one man to beat deep. Ross, who can also play in the slot, is more than simply a burner, as he improved his route running last season, has good hands and is dangerous after the catch.

Zay Jones, Bills
6-2/201/East Carolina

Jones feasted on a high-volume college scheme that often targeted him on short and intermediate routes to become the FBS all-time receptions leader. A second-round pick (37th overall), Jones seemingly has little competition for the No. 2 role opposite Sammy Watkins. He doesn't profile as a downfield threat (though he ran a 4.45 40 at the Combine), but his precise footwork and strong hands should make him a chain-mover, benefiting from the extra coverage Watkins draws. According to scouts, Jones needs to improve against press coverage, but he looks like a nice complement as a possession receiver to Watkins' more explosive play.

Curtis Samuel, Panthers
5-11/196/Ohio State

Samuel, a second-round pick (40th overall), is a versatile playmaker with blazing speed (4.31 40) and the ability to embarrass defenders in the open field. He draws comparisons to Percy Harvin, capable of doing damage as a receiver and a ballcarrier. Carolina plans to use him in both roles. As a receiver, he will play in the slot and figures to be dependent on distance scoring with Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen the red-zone targets. His success could hinge on Carolina finding creative ways to get the most out of him, though last year's speedster, Ted Ginn, leaves behind 95 targets.

Juju Smith-Schuster, Steelers
6-1/215/USC

Smith-Schuster has the size, body control and hands to be an effective WR, but lack of elite speed might limit his upside to that of a No. 2 possession receiver. That role still has plenty of fantasy value, of course, but the Steelers, who drafted Smith-Schuster in the second round (62nd overall), already have Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell and the newly reinstated Martavis Bryant in line for hefty target volumes. It could be tough for Smith-Schuster to make much of an impact as a rookie unless the injury bug hits the Pittsburgh receiving corps hard.

Cooper Kupp, Rams
6-2/204/Eastern Washington

Kupp is the all-time Division I leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns. Yes, it came at an FCS school, but Kupp dominated Pac-12 teams, too, totaling an incredible 40 receptions, 716 yards and 11 touchdowns in four games, all on the road. A third-round pick (69th overall), Kupp might be less athletic than other mid-round receivers, with average-at-best speed, but he is an excellent route runner who gets in and out of breaks quickly and has dependable, strong hands with the size to play outside. He could earn a role as a possession receiver with little competition for targets beyond Tavon Austin and Robert Woods.

TIGHT END

O.J. Howard, Buccaneers
6-6/251/Alabama

The first tight end off the board, Howard was drafted 19th overall with prototypical size and speed for the position. He has a large catch radius with long arms and big hands and is a skilled route runner. In addition to his passing-game contributions, the Buccaneers value his tenacity as a blocker. He will challenge Cameron Brate for the starting job, and Tampa Bay likely will use a lot of two-TE sets, but the competition for targets will be tough alongside receivers Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson, in addition to Brate.

Evan Engram, Giants
6-3/234/Mississippi

Engram is undersized for a tight end, but he has elite speed and his workout metrics compare to those of the best wide receivers in this year's draft. And that's probably how the Giants end up using him, playing him in the slot or split wide. How fast is Engram? His 40 time at the Combine (4.42) was slightly faster than Odell Beckham Jr.'s (4.43) despite having four inches and 35 pounds on him. Linebackers have no shot at covering him up the seam. He will have to fight for targets with three strong wideouts getting most of the looks, but his ceiling is sky high.

David Njoku, Browns
6-4/246/Miami

The Browns drafted Njoku 29th overall and then made him the starter two days later when they released incumbent Gary Barnidge. Even if Cleveland's unsettled quarterback situation holds him back, Njoku should at least be a force in the red zone. He is perhaps the biggest freak athlete in this year's draft class, boasting good speed (4.64 40) for his size, a huge wingspan and a 37.5-inch vertical jump (he was a national high school high-jump champion). Njoku is young (20) and inexperienced, but he should be an immediate matchup problem and will become even more dangerous if he adds bulk to his frame.

This article appears in the 2017 RotoWire Fantasy Football magazine. Order the magazine now.