The Mahomes Moment and the Promise...

The 2017 NFL Draft, commencing on April 27th, held its annual spectacle of hope and potential in Philadelphia.

✦ The 2017 NFL Draft saw Myles Garrett go first, but the Chiefs' trade for Patrick Mahomes at #10 defines this class, a future Hall of Famer.

As teams eagerly awaited the opportunity to inject fresh talent into their rosters, the early selections offered a glimpse into the prevailing philosophies and needs across the league. The Cleveland Browns, holding the coveted first overall pick, opted to bolster their defensive line by selecting the highly touted defensive end Myles Garrett from Texas A&M. Garrett's athleticism and disruptive potential were seen as foundational pieces for a franchise in need of improvement. The subsequent pick by the Chicago Bears raised eyebrows across the league, as they surprised many by selecting North Carolina quarterback Mitchell Trubisky at number two, a move that signaled their commitment to finding a long-term solution under center.  

The San Francisco 49ers, aiming to rebuild their defense, chose Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas with the third overall pick, keeping a local talent in the Bay Area. The Jacksonville Jaguars, seeking to inject dynamism into their offense, followed by selecting LSU running back Leonard Fournette at number four, envision him as a workhorse back. The Tennessee Titans then added offensive firepower by securing the rights to Western Michigan wide receiver Corey Davis at pick number five. The New York Jets continued the defensive trend by selecting LSU safety Jamal Adams at number six, adding a versatile and impactful presence to their secondary. The Los Angeles Chargers opted for Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams at number seven, hoping he would become a primary target in their passing game.  

The Carolina Panthers, with the eighth overall selection, added a dynamic playmaker in Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey, whose versatility as a runner and receiver was highly coveted.

The Cincinnati Bengals followed suit by selecting Washington wide receiver John Ross at number nine, banking on his blazing speed to stretch opposing defenses. However, it was the tenth overall pick that would ultimately define the legacy of the 2017 draft. In a bold move that would reshape the NFL landscape for years to come, the Kansas City Chiefs orchestrated a significant trade with the Buffalo Bills to acquire the rights to Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs sent their 27th overall pick, a third-round pick, and a future 2018 first-round pick to the Bills for the opportunity to draft Mahomes. The Bills, armed with the additional draft capital, selected LSU cornerback Tre'Davious White with the 27th pick and later used the 2018 first-round pick to acquire Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.

While the early selections featured promising talents, the strategic gamble by the Chiefs to secure Mahomes has undeniably made the 2017 draft one of the most impactful in recent NFL history, with Mahomes already on a trajectory that could lead him to Canton. As of April 2025, while no players from the 2017 draft have yet been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame due to the mandatory five-year waiting period after retirement, Patrick Mahomes is widely considered a surefire future Hall of Famer.