It was a great year for rookies in the NFL -- at some positions. There were legitimate stars at running back, cornerback and quarterback, if we include Deshaun Watson's shortened season. It was tough to pick standouts at positions like wide receiver and guard, where the highest-ranked players headed into the 2017 draft didn't produce.
So my 2017 All-Rookie team has some first-round picks and others littered throughout from Rounds 2 through 7. Teams got a lot of value on Day 2.
I did a team in the preseason and at midseason, and there are several changes. I'm including again where each player landed on my final top 300 prospects list before the 2017 draft.
Here are the parameters (same as always):
This is a measure for all games played this season.
Total snap count matters. Staying on the field is a measure of value.
Positional value matters, but overall performance and impact on the team matter more.
Relative value matters. I ask: Would this player be a starter on most teams or on a good team?
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans
Final Big Board rank: 34
Midseason pick: Watson
Preseason pick: DeShone Kizer, Cleveland Browns