😱 The Shocking Truth Behind the 9 Players Drafted Before Patrick Mahomes! 😱

The 2017 NFL Draft was a pivotal moment in football history, particularly for the Kansas City Chiefs, who selected Patrick Mahomes at the tenth overall pick.

However, before Mahomes became the star quarterback we know today, nine players were chosen ahead of him.

This article aims to analyze the decisions made by the teams that picked these players, the careers that followed, and how they compare to Mahomes’ remarkable trajectory.

Let’s start with the first overall pick: the Cleveland Browns.

With a roster featuring quarterbacks like Cody Kessler, Josh McCown, and an injured Robert Griffin III, the Browns had an opportunity to select Mahomes but instead opted for defensive end Myles Garrett.

This choice has proven to be justifiable, as Garrett has become a cornerstone of their defense and a Pro Bowl player for several seasons.

The Browns needed significant help on both sides of the ball, and Garrett has been instrumental in the franchise’s turnaround.

The second pick belonged to the Chicago Bears, who faced a similar dilemma.

With a 3-13 record, they had Jay Cutler as their starting quarterback, but he was past his prime.

In a surprising move, the Bears selected Mitch Trubisky, a decision that many analysts supported at the time.

Trubisky had a promising start, leading the Bears to a playoff appearance in 2018, but his relationship with the coaching staff soured, resulting in his departure from Chicago.

After stints with the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers, Trubisky’s career has been lackluster, especially when compared to Mahomes’ achievements.

Moving on to the third pick, the San Francisco 49ers selected Solomon Thomas, another defensive end.

At that time, the 49ers were banking on Jimmy Garoppolo as their franchise quarterback, but injuries plagued Garoppolo’s tenure.

Thomas had a decent rookie season but struggled to make a significant impact thereafter.

He faced personal challenges, including the tragic loss of his sister, which affected his performance on the field.

After leaving San Francisco, he continued his career with the Las Vegas Raiders and currently plays for the New York Jets, who boast one of the league’s top defenses.

The fourth pick went to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who chose running back Leonard Fournette.

The Jaguars were still riding high on Blake Bortles, who led them to the AFC Championship game that year.

Fournette had a solid start to his career, rushing for over 1,000 yards in two of his three seasons with the team.

He later contributed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning a Super Bowl alongside Tom Brady.

However, as of the 2023 season, Fournette finds himself as a backup, raising questions about his future in the league.

The Tennessee Titans selected wide receiver Corey Davis with the fifth pick, hoping he would become their number one target.

While he had some productive seasons, Davis never lived up to his top-five selection status.

His career took a downturn after joining the New York Jets, where injuries limited his contributions, leading to an early retirement.

The sixth pick was used by the New York Jets to draft safety Jamal Adams.

Despite the opportunity to select a quarterback, the Jets opted for Adams, who had a successful stint in New York, making two Pro Bowls.

However, after being traded to the Seattle Seahawks, his performance has declined, raising questions about his long-term viability.

At pick number seven, the Los Angeles Chargers drafted wide receiver Mike Williams.

With Philip Rivers still at the helm, the Chargers were not in immediate need of a quarterback.

Williams has shown flashes of brilliance, including two 1,000-yard seasons, but injuries have hampered his career.

The eighth pick was used by the Carolina Panthers to select Christian McCaffrey, a choice that proved to be a wise one.

McCaffrey has established himself as one of the league’s best running backs when healthy, significantly contributing to the Panthers’ offense.

He now plays for the San Francisco 49ers, where he aims to secure a Super Bowl ring.

The ninth pick saw the Cincinnati Bengals choose wide receiver John Ross, who was known for his record-breaking speed.

However, Ross struggled with injuries and failed to make an impact, eventually finishing his career with the New York Giants.

Now, let’s turn our attention to the quarterbacks drafted in 2017.

Deshaun Watson was selected twelfth overall by the Houston Texans.

While he initially excelled, leading the league in passing yards in 2020, his off-field controversies have overshadowed his on-field success.

He now plays for the Cleveland Browns but has yet to regain his former glory.

Deshone Kizer was picked by the Browns in the second round but had a disastrous rookie season, going 0-15 as a starter.

He never found success in the league and is now out of football.

Davis Webb, drafted by the Giants, had a minimal impact, while CJ Beathard, taken by the 49ers, struggled to secure a permanent starting role.

Joshua Dobbs, selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers, had a brief resurgence in the 2023 season but has been inconsistent throughout his career.

Lastly, Nathan Peterman, drafted by the Buffalo Bills, is remembered for his struggles as a starter, while Chad Kelly, the last quarterback taken, had an even more tumultuous career.

In conclusion, it’s clear that the nine players drafted before Patrick Mahomes have had varied careers, with most failing to reach the heights that Mahomes has achieved.

While some selections were defensible at the time, the hindsight perspective paints a different picture.

As teams reflect on their decisions, the legacy of Mahomes continues to grow, setting a high standard for future drafts.