Time is incumbent upon teams to decide what they want to do with the players selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, particularly the first-rounders. With some assistance from spotrac.com, a look at who has earned bigger deals and who might be looking at other options. One player not chosen in the first round who will be looking at a huge deal is San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle.
32. Ryan Ramczyk
Ryan Ramczyk signed a 4-year, $8,891,554 contract with the New Orleans Saints. The offensive lineman has started every game he has been healthy for with New Orleans — missing only one last year. He’s a big part of the line and the Saints are destined to pick up his option and make sure he is part of the team for the future.
31. Reuben Foster
Reuben Foster signed a 4-year, $9,035,309 contract with the San Francisco 49ers. After getting into trouble a couple times, the last a domestic violence incident, Foster was cut by SF and picked up in a widely unpopular move by Washington. He tore his ACL and LCL in a practice in May. Unlikely for Washington to want to keep him around.
30. T.J. Watt
T.J. Watt signed a 4-year, $9,258,568 contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Talk about one of the no-brainers in this first round of fourth-year options. Pittsburgh will want to grab that option and make sure Watt is locked up for the long, long-term as he is one of the best defensive players around.
29. David Njoku
David Njoku signed a 4-year, $9,525,095 contract with the Cleveland Browns out of Miami (Fl). The tight end has turned the decision into an interesting one for Cleveland. He’s quite talented and fills a need for the Browns. The injury this year doesn’t help the cause. Picking up the option is the safe play but not committing for many more years could be wise.
28. Taco Charlton
Taco Charlton signed a 4-year, $10,028,388 contract with the Dallas Cowboys. To say it didn’t work out would be an understatement. His tenure with the Cowboys was one of the shortest for a first-round draft choice in franchise history, that didn’t involve a career-ending injury. He was picked up on waivers by Miami and has played well for the Dolphins.
27. Tre’Davious White
Tre’Davious White signed a 4-year, $10,091,110 contract with the Buffalo Bills. One of many LSU DBs to star in the NFL after being selected with a high pick. Buffalo will gleefully grab the option on White and should find a way to lock him up long term the way he locks down opponents’ receivers.
26. Takkarist McKinley
Takkarist McKinley signed a 4-year, $10,216,530 contract with the Atlanta Falcons as one of the sweetest stories in the draft out of UCLA. The Falcons have had a down year and McKinley is down to 1.5 sacks after notching 13 in his first two seasons. This is a difficult decision as the play in 2019 has put questions on his future.
25. Jabrill Peppers
Jabrill Peppers signed a 4-year, $10,341,989 contract with the Cleveland Browns. He was dealt to the New York Giants as part of the trade that sent Odell Beckham Jr. to Cleveland. Peppers has played well with Big Blue before suffering a transverse process fracture in his back against Chicago in late November. Have to think the Giants are going to find a way to pick up the option and look to keep him around in the long run.
24. Gareon Conley
Garon Conley signed a 4-year, $10,467,424 contract with the Oakland Raiders. The defensive back was traded to Houston in 2019 and that doesn’t bode well for the long-term future with a contract.
23. Evan Engram
Evan Engram signed a 4-year, $10,718,304 contract with the New York Giants. When he has been on the field, he has been impressive. That’s the problem. The tight end has yet to play a 16-game season, constantly battling injuries and being dinged up. Would think the Giants would pick up his option and make him earn a long-term contract with his performance in 2020.
22. Charles Harris
Charles Harris signed a 4-year, $10,843,739 contract with the Miami Dolphins. The DE from Missouri has started less than 10 games in two-plus seasons for Miami. He has to be considered a disappointment and it would be surprising if Miami picked up his option.
21. Jarrad Davis
Jarrad Davis signed a 4-year, $10,969,183 contract with the Detroit Lions. Despite sharing playing time and being one of the NFL’s lowest-rated LBs, the Lions seem to love Davis. “The guy brings a lot,” DC Paul Pasqualonis said. “He’s the quarterback of the defense. Does an awful lot for us. He really, really does. Love him. Me personally, love him. No issues.” So, that would make one believe he will have his option picked up. Then again, there is no guarantee this regime will be in place after the Lions’ sorry season.
32-21 :: 20-11 :: 10-1