Category: 2017 NFL Draft

Obi Melifonwu completed his journey from London to the National Football League when he was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia.

Melifonwu, a stand-out safety at the University of Connecticut, was the 24th player selected in the second round, the 56th overall.

He becomes the fourth UK-born player currently in the NFL, joining defensive end Jack Crawford (Atlanta Falcons), offensive tackle Menelik Watson (Denver Broncos) and running back Jay Ajayi (Miami Dolphins).

Melifonwu, born in Archway’s Whittington Hospital to Nigerian parents, spent the first three years of his life in London before his family moved to Massachusetts. “My heart is with Nigeria but London is my home,” he said prior to the draft.

He earned first team All-AAC honours in his senior year at the University of Connecticut Huskies, with a team-leading 118 tackles and four interceptions, and was one of the star performers at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis in February.

British-born players currently in the NFL:

	Born	Rookie Year	NFL Team	College
Jay Ajayi (RB)	London	2015	Miami Dolphins	Boise State
Jack Crawford (DT)	London	2012	Dallas Cowboys	Penn State
Graham Gano (K)	Arbroath	2009	Carolina Panthers	Florida State
Lawrence Okoye (OL)	Croydon	2013	Miami Dolphins	Whitgift HS
Efe Obada (LB)	Nigeria	2015	Free Agent	N/A
Menelik Watson (OT)	Manchester	2013	Denver Broncos	Florida State
Obi Melifonwu (S)	London	2017	Oakland Raiders	Connecticut
Jermaine Eluemunor (OT)	London	2017	Baltimore Ravens	Texas A&M

GREAT GARRETT

The Cleveland Browns selected DE MYLES GARRETT with the No. 1 overall

This is the the first time in Texas A&M history that a player was chosen first overall.

Garrett became the sixth Texas A&M player to be selected in the top 10 since 2011, joining T JAKE MATTHEWS (6th overall, 2014), WR MIKE EVANS (7th overall, 2014), T LUKE JOECKEL (2nd overall, 2013), QB RYAN TANNEHILL (8th overall, 2012) and LB VON MILLER (2nd overall, 2011).

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FIRST ROUND QBs

North Carolina QB MITCHELL TRUBISKY was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 2nd overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, and Texas Tech QB PATRICK MAHOMES was chosen with the 10th overall pick by Kansas City, both becoming the first quarterback from their respective schools to be selected in the 1st round.

Trubisky joins T.J. YATES (2011, 5th round) and RONALD CURRY (2002, 7th round) as the only North Carolina quarterbacks to be selected in the NFL Draft.

Mahomes is the 4th Texas Tech player, and the 1st Red Raider quarterback to be selected in the first round since 1967:

YEAR	PLAYER	POSITION	PICK #	TEAM
2017	Patrick Mahomes	QB	10	Kansas City
2009	Michael Crabtree	WR	10	San Francisco
1983	Gabe Rivera	NT	21	Pittsburgh
1981	Ted Watts	DB	21	Oakland

Clemson QB DESHAUN WATSON, who was selected by the Houston Texans with the 12th overall pick, became the second first-round quarterback in school history. He joins STEVE FULLER (23rd overall by Kansas City in 1979) as the only Tigers quarterbacks to be selected in the 1st round since 1967.

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MAKING HISTORY

The Tennessee Titans selected Western Michigan WR COREY DAVIS with the 5th overall pick, the highest draft pick in school history.

Davis became the second player and first wide receiver out of Western Michigan to be selected in the 1st round of the NFL Draft, joining LB JASON BABIN, who was selected by the Houston Texans with the 27th overall pick of the 2004 Draft. ​

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RISING RBs

Louisiana State RB LEONARD FOURNETTE (4th overall, Jacksonville) and Stanford RB CHRISTIAN McCAFFREY (8th overall, Carolina) were both selected within the first ten picks of the 2017 NFL Draft; the first time two or more running backs were selected in the top 10 since 2005 (RONNIE BROWN, CEDRIC BENSON, and CADILLAC WILLIAMS).

Fournette became the 4th LSU running back selected in the opening round since 1967, while McCaffrey became the 3rd Stanford running back chosen in the 1st round.

LSU Running Backs selected in the 1st Round since 1967:

YEAR	PLAYER	PICK #	TEAM
2017	Leonard Fournette	4	Jacksonville
2006	Joseph Addai	30	Indianapolis
1991	Harvey Williams	21	Kansas City
1979	Charles Alexander	12	Cincinnati

Stanford Running Backs selected in the 1st Round since 1967:

YEAR	PLAYER	PICK #	TEAM
2017	Christian McCaffrey	8	Carolina
1988	Brad Muster	23	Chicago
1982	Darrin Nelson	7	Minnesota

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TERRIFIC TIGHT ENDS

Alabama TE O.J. HOWARD (19th overall, Tampa Bay), Mississippi TE EVAN ENGRAM (23rd overall, New York Giants), and Miami TE DAVID NJOKU (29th overall, Cleveland) were all selected in the 1st round of the 2017 NFL Draft. The three 1st round selections are tied for the most Tight Ends chosen in the 1st round (2002, 1978 and 1973). 

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ROLL TIDE

Alabama CB MARLON HUMPHREY (16th overall, Baltimore), DT JONATHAN ALLEN (17th overall, Washington), TE O.J. HOWARD (19th overall, Tampa Bay), and LB REUBEN FOSTER (31st overall, San Francisco) were all selected in the 1st round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Alabama now has a current streak of nine consecutive drafts with at least one first-round pick. The Crimson Tide tied Florida (1983-1991) for the second-longest consecutive streak with at least one player drafted in the 1st round since the advent of the common draft in 1967.

Longest streak of consecutive seasons with a 1st Round pick, since 1967:

YEARS	SCHOOL		# of Seasons
1995-2008	Miami		14
2009-2017	Alabama		9*
1983-1991	Florida		9
1983-1989	Pittsburgh		7
1991-1997	Ohio State		7
1997-2003	Florida		7

* Including this active Season

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BOUNTIFUL BUCKEYES

Three Ohio State players heard their names called in the 1st round of the 2017 NFL Draft – CB MARSHON LATTIMORE (11th overall, New Orleans), S MALIK HOOKER (15th overall, Indianapolis) and CB GAREON CONLEY (24th overall, Oakland). In 2016, the Buckeyes had a draft-high 5 players selected in the first round.

With a total of eight 1st rounders in the last two Drafts, Ohio State tied Alabama (2011-12) for the fourth-most 1st round picks over any two-year span since 1967. Miami is the only school with more 1st round choices over any two-year span, with nine players selected from both 2001-02 and 2002-03, and 10 players drafted from 2003-04.

Schools with the most 1st Round picks, over any 2 year span:

YEARS	SCHOOL	1st ROUND PICKS (OVER TWO-YEAR SPAN)
2003-04	Miami	10
2002-03	Miami	9
2001-02	Miami	9
2016-17	Ohio State	8
2011-12	Alabama	8

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QUICK HITS

Other items of note from the 1st round…

• TE EVAN ENGRAM (No. 23; New York Giants) was the first Mississippi tight end selected in the first round since 1967. He was the fifth tight end in school history to be drafted since 1967.

• Wisconsin LB T.J. WATT was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 30th overall pick. Watt and his brother J.J., who was the 11th overall selection in 2011, became the eighth pair of brothers since 1990 to be selected in the first round of their respective NFL Drafts.
• Louisiana State S JAMAL ADAMS was selected sixth overall by the New York Jets, joining his father GEORGE ADAMS (1985, New York Giants) as the eighth father-son combination to be drafted in the first round in the common draft era.

NFL teams are to announce their Day 3 Draft picks from unique locations, and will be recognising key individuals.

From military bases, to state landmarks and attractions, and even to outer space, NFL teams will announce their Day 3 selections for Rounds 4 to 6 of the NFL Draft from special locations, of their choosing, and will recognise individuals who have made a significant impact.

Beginning on Saturday, April 29 at 5:00 PM BST, Day 3 pick announcements will feature current NFL players and legends, military personnel, actors, singers, and other special guests. New this year, Round 6 will be youth football-themed, and youth football players from Pop Warner, NFL FLAG, and local teams will represent various NFL clubs in their individual markets during pick selections.

Here is a sampling of special team announcements during Day 3 of the NFL Draft:

• Arizona Cardinals – Ten season ticket members will join cheerleaders and Big Red, the team’s mascot, to announce picks from the GRAND CANYON.
• Chicago Bears – Bears running back JORDAN HOWARD and military personnel will make selections from the team’s headquarters at HALAS HALL.
• Cleveland Browns – Former Browns player JOSH CRIBBS and season ticket members, along with alumni, will announce picks from CEDAR POINT AMUSEMENT PARK.
• Denver Broncos – Military members and NFL legends will make selections from PIÑON CANYON MANEUVER SITE.
• Houston Texans – Astronauts at the INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION AND SPACE CENTER will announce picks for the first time from outer space.
• Indianapolis Colts – Colts defensive end KENDALL LANGFORD will make picks from the INDIANAPOLIS ZOO, along with staff personnel.
• Jacksonville Jaguars – Picks will be announced from LONDON and JACKSONVILLE.
• Kansas City Chiefs – Service members will make picks from the WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE.
• New York Jets – Children of fallen EMT Yadira Arroyo will announce Day 3 selections from EMT HOUSE 26.
• Philadelphia Eagles –  Actor MORRIS CHESTNUT and CNBC’s JIM CRAMER will make picks from the NFL DRAFT THEATER.
• Pittsburgh Steelers – Actor MILO VENTIMIGLIA, actress MANDY MOORE, current players, and members of a local youth football team will announce selections from HEINZ FIELD.
• San Francisco 49ers – Country music singer JON PARDI will make picks from LEVI’S STADIUM.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers – General JOSEPH VOTEL, Commander of the United States Central Command, will announce selections from the team’s headquarters at ONE BUCANNEERS PLACE.
• Washington Redskins – Actor MICHAEL EALY will make picks with fans from FEDEX FIELD.

Special team announcements for Day 3 will be broadcast in Philadelphia throughout the NFL Draft Experience presented by Dannon® Oikos® Triple Zero, the league’s largest free football festival taking place along Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Fans may also view Day 3 pick announcements on NFL Draft live platforms – such as NFL.com, the NFL Mobile from Verizon app (NFL.com/mobile), NFL Now, the NFL app on Xbox One and Windows 10, and Yahoo! Sports – as well as on ESPN. NFL Network will also feature select picks live on NFL Network Draft programming.

Fans can watch NFL Network digitally through Watch NFL Network on tablets, PCs and various connected TV devices (NFL.com/watch), with participating television providers. Select teams will also live stream local pick announcements on their websites and social media. Get full audio coverage of the 2017 NFL Draft live with Westwood One, TuneIn, and SiriusXM NFL Radio.

Matt Phillips is the UK’s premier voice on the the NFL Draft. As the founder of 40 Yards Scouting, and ukdraftguide.com, the 4th edition of Europe’s only scouting guide to the 2017 NFL Draft was published earlier this month. Every eligible draft prospect has been individually scouted, and all proceeds go to Muscular Dystrophy UK.

 @mattphillips78

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Zach Johnson/Guard, North Dakota State

Yet another well coached and technically sound offensive line talent to have graduated from Fargo, North Dakota whose high level of play yet again this season saw him rightly named to the FCS AllAmerican team by his opposing coaches. A tough, physically strong lineman who will shift inside from his college tackle spot, who will excel in the ‘phone booth’, best suited for a power-based scheme at the next level. While his lack of quickness and ability to move freely up and down the offensive line mean that he cannot remain on the exterior, the former Bison plays with an outstandingly strong anchor and wide base and a nasty, ‘thou shall not pass’ approach that has prevented the cream of defensive line talent in the FCS in being able to move him off his spot. Be sure to see him slot into an NFL offensive line right away and be an important cog on Sundays.

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Matt Dayes/Running Back, North Dakota State

Few in what is an outstandingly deep and talented class at the position, can match the former Wolfpack rusher’s ability to create his own yardage after contact. In fact, Dayes gained an outstanding 47% of his career total after initial contact, one of the most reliable traits in projecting next level traits and future success at the position. The ACC standout runs with impressive leverage, staying close to the ground, keeping his pads low and the strength that belies his smaller stature, with a refusal to go to the ground, needing to be gang tackles to be brought to a halt. He has already proven his durability to carry a heavy load and plays the position with excellent vision and awareness. Continually impressive whenever watching NC State yet again this season who receives very little attention in draft media circles.

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Austin Carr/Wide Receiver, Northwestern

The former Wildcat has simply been the finest wide receiver in the Big-Ten this season, a reliable, consistent presence for quarterback Clayton Thorston. Technically impressive, Carr stands out with his innate ability to feel where his passer needs him most and consistently makes himself available. A crisp route runner, the senior exploits soft areas of coverage and gets himself open, breaking off his route and sitting down on a consistent basis. Carr will certainly find a role at the next level and be a trusted presence to keep the chains moving, aided by his glue-like sticky hands.

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Caleb Brantley/Defensive Tackle, Florida

Despite being a consistently disruptive thorn in the side of SEC offences once again this season, it is with much surprise that the former Gator is largely being overlooked. It is his explosive burst off the snap and his on-field awareness that continually catch the eye and affected the course of a number of contests thanks to his highly active style of play and relentless competitiveness. Brantley’s burst and explosion off the snap, aligned with his impressive leverage and power allow him to get the edge on his opposite number and when double teamed he simply uses his intelligent hand use to swipe away blocker and spilt them to knife his way into the backfield with impressive quickness. Tough to move from his spot at the point of attack, Brantley is also a reliable force against the run and projects perfectly to playing the 3-technique role inside in a 4-3 front at the next level.

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Cameron Sutton/Cornerback, Tennessee

Without his injury struggles during his career, Sutton would be receiving much greater attention in the lead up to the NFL Draft. A hugely competitive, pumped up corner with the swagger that I like to see at such a tough position to succeed, is rarely beaten in both man and zone coverage, deep down the sideline or inside. Limited to just 3 appearances this past season, the former Volunteer bounced back with an impressive week of practice at the Senior Bowl that highlighted his versatility. Additionally, Sutton is a dangerous kick and punt returner, his special teams nous will be hugely attractive as will his versatility that makes him a fit for all thirty two teams at the next level and the size to go with it. The corner is going to fall far below his worth and represents a steal later this month.

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If you enjoyed this article, you can find scouting reports on all of the draft-eligible prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Guide, which is just £5 with all proceeds donated to charity.

Click here to look inside, and find our reader reviews: www.ukdraftguide.com