Notable players, and notable busts to be drafted at No. 17 in past two decades
Former Oregon Ducks’ cornerback Christian Gonzalez was selected No. 17 overall by the New England Patriots, and most believe the pick was an absolute steal.
Over the last 20 seasons, the players picked in that same exact slot have had a few Pro Bowl appearances and even a few Super Bowls. But as with all spots, No. 17 has been hit-and-miss for NFL teams in the middle of the first round of the draft.
Another former Duck, Arik Armstead, was also picked No, 17 overall and he’s had a great career for the San Francisco 49ers so far. He might be the best player at that spot in recent seasons, but even the “misses” have been relatively successful for their respective organizations.
Hopefully, Gonzalez can prove the “experts” right and have a great career for Bill Belichick’s Patriot team, who are looking for their first Super Bowl after Tom Brady.
Here’s a look at the hits and misses at No. 17 over the past couple of decades.
WR Bryant Johnson - 2003
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
School: Penn State Nittany Lions
Drafted By: Arizona Cardinals
Career Stats: 9 seasons (Arizona, Detroit, Houston, San Francisco), 314 catches, 3,938 yards, 16 TD
LB D.J. Williams - 2004
Matthew Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
School: Miami Hurricanes
Drafted By: Denver Broncos
Career Stats: 11 seasons (Denver, Chicago), 899 tackles, 678 solo, 22.5 sacks, 2 INT
LB David Pollack - 2005
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
School: Georgia Bulldogs
Drafted By: Cincinnati Bengals
Career Stats: 2 seasons, 16 games, 29 tackles, 22 solo
Note: Pollack suffered a career-ending back injury in his second year with the Bengals.
LB Chad Greenway - 2006
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
School: Iowa Hawkeyes
Drafted By: Minnesota Vikings
Career Stats: 10 seasons, 1,103 tackles, 762 solo, 11 INT, 2 TD, 8 forced fumbles, 2 Pro Bowls
DE Jarvis Moss - 2007
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
School: Florida Gators
Drafted By: Denver Broncos
Career Stats: 6 seasons (Denver, Oakland), 48 tackles, 34 solo, 6 sacks
OT Gosder Cherilus - 2008
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
School: Boston College Eagles
Drafted By: Detroit Lions
Career Stats: 9 seasons (Detroit, Indianapolis, Tampa Bay)
QB Josh Freeman - 2009
Matt Kryger/IndyStar via Imagn Content Services, LLC
School: Kansas State Wildcats
Drafted By: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Career Stats: 7 seasons (Tampa Bay, Indianapolis, Minnesota), 57.6 percent completions, 81 TD, 68 INT, 223.8 ypg
OG Mike Iupati - 2010
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
School: Idaho Vandals
Drafted By: San Francisco 49ers
Career Stats: 11 seasons (San Francisco, Arizona, Seattle)
OT Nate Solder - 2011
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
School: Colorado Buffaloes
Drafted By: New England Patriots
Career Stats: 10 seasons (New England, New York Giants)
CB Dre Kirkpatrick - 2012
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
School: Alabama Crimson Tide
Drafted By: Cincinnati Bengals
Career Stats: 10 seasons (Cincinnati, Arizona, San Francisco), 365 tackles, 313 solo, 13 INT, 2 TD
LB Jarvis Jones - 2013
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
School: Georgia Bulldogs
Drafted By: Pittsburgh Steelers
Career Stats: 4 seasons, 130 tackles, 84 solo, 6 sacks
LB C.J. Mosley - 2014
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
School: Alabama Crimson Tide
Drafted By: Baltimore Ravens
Career Stats: 8 seasons (active), (Baltimore, New York Jets), 914 tackles, 593 solo, 11.5 sacks, 11 INT, 2 TD
DE Arik Armstead - 2015
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
School: Oregon Ducks
Drafted By: San Francisco 49ers
Career Stats: 8 seasons (active), 275 tackles, 162 solo, 28.5 sacks
DB Keanu Neal - 2016
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
School: Florida Gators
Drafted By: Atlanta Falcons
Career Stats: 7 seasons (active), (Atlanta, Dallas, Tampa Bay), 473 tackles, 328 solo, 3 INT
DE Jonathan Allen -2017
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
School: Alabama Crimson Tide
Drafted By: Washington
Career Stats: 6 seasons (active), 329 tackles, 195 solo, 33.5 sacks, 2 Pro Bowls
CB Jaire Alexander - 2018
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
School: Louisville Cardinals
Drafted By: Green Bay Packers
Career Stats: 5 seasons (active), 244 tackles, 203 solo, 10 INT, 2 Pro Bowls
DT Dexter Lawrence - 2019
© Danielle Parhizkaran / USA TODAY NETWORK
School: Clemson Tigers
Drafted By: New York Giants
Career Stats: 4 seasons (active), 213 tackles, 116 solo, 16.5 sacks
WR CeeDee Lamb - 2020
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
School: Oklahoma Sooners
Drafted By: Dallas Cowboys
Career Stats: 3 seasons (active), 260 catches, 3,396 yards, 69.3 ypg, 20 TD
OT Alex Leatherwood - 2021
Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
School: Alabama Crimson Tide
Drafted By: Las Vegas Raiders
Career Stats: 2 seasons (Las Vegas, Chicago) (active)
OG Zion Johnson - 2022
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
School: Boston College Eagles
Drafted By: Los Angeles Charges
Career Stats: 1 season (active)
CB Christian Gonzalez — 2023
(Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
School: Oregon Ducks
Drafted By: New England Patriots
