Ranking all 9 players picked before Patrick Mahomes in 2017 NFL Draft

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Patrick Mahomes with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He was the second quarterback off the board after Mitchell Trubisky and one of three selected in the first round along with Deshaun Watson. The pick was considered by many to be a gamble at the time, but it indeed seems like the Chiefs made the right choice.

Mahomes has become the best player in the 2017 NFL Draft, including winning an NFL MVP award and a Super Bowl ring. In hindsight, it's hard to imagine nine players being taken before him in the draft.

Here's a look at those nine players and how they would rank according to their NFL careers.

#9 - John Ross III

Be the GM of your favorite team, use our free Mock Draft Simulator with trades

The Cincinnati Bengals selected John Ross III with the ninth pick. He spent four years with the team before joining the New York Giants in 2021 but is currently a free agent during the 2022 NFL season. He has been overall disappointing, totaling just 957 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns across five years.

#8 - Solomon Thomas

The San Francisco 49ers selected Solomon Thomas with the third pick. He was expected to be an impact pass rusher, but it didn't quite work out that way. He has totaled just six sacks in four years with the team. He then spent a year with the Las Vegas Raiders. He now plays for the New York Jets in 2022.

#7 - Corey Davis

The Tennessee Titans selected Corey Davis with the fifth overall pick. He was the first wide receiver selected in the draft. He has had a decent career but hasn't lived up to his high pick. He exceeded 600 receiving yards three times in four years with the Titans before joining the New York Jets.

#6 - Mitchell Trubisky

The Chicago Bears selected Mitchell Trubisky with the second pick. He has found mixed success in his career but will likely never overcome being selected before Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. He helped the Bears reach the playoffs twice in his four years as a starter. He has been mostly a backup for the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers since then.

#5 - Mike Williams

The Los Angeles Chargers selected Mike Williams with the seventh pick. He rarely played during his rookie season but has blossomed into a solid wide receiver. He has exceeded 1,000 yards twice in the last five years while totaling 29 touchdowns. He is a reliable target for young quarterback Justin Herbert, especially in the red zone.

#4 - Leonard Fournette

Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Leonard Fournette with the fourth pick. He spent the first three years of his career with the team before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has proven to be a solid running back with a dynamic skillset, exceeding 1,250 scrimmage yards in three of his first five seasons. He is on pace to do so again during the 2022 NFL season.

#3 - Jamal Adams

Jamal Adams was selected by the New York Jets with the sixth pick. He has proven to be one of the best safeties in the NFL, having been selected to three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams in his first five years in the NFL. He is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks.

#2 - Christian McCaffrey

San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey

The Carolina Panthers selected Christian McCaffrey with the eighth pick. He is one of the best dual-threat running backs in the entire league. He is one of only three players in NFL history ever to record 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season, joining Marshall Faulk and Roger Craig. He was traded to the San Francisco 49ers during the 2022 NFL season.

#1 - Myles Garrett

The Cleveland Browns selected Myles Garrett with the first pick. Except for Patrick Mahomes, he has been the best overall player from this draft class. Garrett has totaled 67 sacks in his first 77 career games. He has been chosen as an All-Pro three times, including two first-team selections. He is one of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL.