After one of the most talked about NFL Drafts ever, which included players bringing framed photos of their dead relatives on stage, an orangutan trading places with Roger Goodell, and even a LIVE appearance from astronauts in orbit, the 2017 Draft was certainly not lacking intrigue.
Clay Travis believes the three biggest winners from the wild weekend were the Buccaneers, Titans, and the Texans.
Tampa Bay, who added another physical imposing pass catcher with Alabama tight end O.J. Howard, caught Travis’ eye as the Bucs continue to give Jameis Winston plenty of talent to play with in an offense that already loves the home run ball.
“The Bucs made the decision of, ‘you know what, we’re going to surround Jameis Winston with weapons’", Travis said. “I love O.J. Howard at tight end. They went and they grabbed him. They already had Mike Evans, they signed Desean Jackson in the off-season; I think that trio is going to be a really incredible trio. I think the Bucs are going to make the playoffs this year.”
Much like Tampa, Travis loved the Titans going out and drafting Corey Davis at no. 5 to give Marcus Mariota a true no. 1 WR, adding speeder Taywan Taylor as a slot man, and then tight end Jonnu Smith to give pro bowl tight end Delanie Walker a decoy.
“I absolutely love that pick assuming Corey Davis is going to be pretty good. You know you have a great quarterback throwing to him that is a difference-maker," Travis said. “You already had great running backs in DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, really good bookend tackles, Delanie Walker is a proven tight end; I think the Titans are going to win the AFC South.”
Maybe the most unsuspecting winner from the weekend was the Houston Texans, who traded up to get Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, just weeks before having to start camp with Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden as the lone QB’s on the roster. Travis loves the audacity from the win-now Texans.
“I like the Texans move of going out and getting Deshaun Watson, “ he said. "Do we know if Deshaun Watson is going to be a really good quarterback, I have no idea, but he’s got much better potential than Tom Savage or Brandon Weeden. If I were betting right now I’d take Deshaun Watson as the favorite to win Rookie of the Year because I think there could be a Dak Prescott factor here.”