Pick 17 Board Picks (2025)

[CJD]

My number 1 priority in this draft is getting a legitimate pass rusher to pair with Trey Hendrickson. Nolan, Pearce and Green being gone at 17 is not ideal, and I'm not that interested in drafting a guard with our first round pick, especially after Booker's performance at the combine. TE and WR would only be on my board if we don't retain Higgins, as it would be hard to justify drafting a player who would, at best, be your 3rd most important target in the offense. Jalon Walker and Kenneth Grant are good players who would improve this defense, but I think pass rushing edge is the bigger (and more valuable) position of need than either blitz centric linebacker or nose tackle.

Derrick Harmon is an elite pass rusher from the DT position, but he's such an incredibly poor tackler that I have my doubts that Al Golden, who preaches fundamentals, would be that interested in him.

Ultimately, I'm going to bet on a player rising up the boards to be worth this pick. I think once the combine data comes in, Nic Scourton will probably be worth the #17 pick. He isn't as dynamic a pass rusher as Pearce or Green, but he is not seen as a pass rush specialist like those two are, so you get a little bit of that every down versatility back with him.