2017 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 – Created – 3/20/17
Mock drafts are subject to change based on new information, signings and draft workouts/visits.
Mock Draft Schedule: 2.0 (4/3/17)
3.0 (4/17/17)
4.0 (4/26/17)
Round 1
1. Cleveland Browns- Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A & M
Myles Garrett is the hands down best prospect in this year’s draft, and his combine performance backed that up. The Browns obviously have needs all over the field and quarterback is definitely at the top of that list as well, which makes Mitchell Trubisky and Deshaun Watson options. However, the Browns also have the 12th pick in the draft and hold plenty of stock with first and second rounders over the next couple of years, perhaps holding out hope of a trade for Jimmy Garappolo in the future.
2. San Francisco 49ers- Solomon Thomas, DE, Standford
Thomas as climbed up draft boards recently, surpassing Jonathan Allen in most spots. Like most teams in the top of the draft, the 49ers need players in all areas, but obtaining a pass rusher in Thomas is a nice start to building that defense back up. Quarterback is always an option here, but they at least have Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley on the roster at this point. There is still a possibility that this pick gets traded to Washington for Kirk Cousins too.
3. Chicago Bears- Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
I can’t see the Bears going with a quarterback here after giving the kind of money they did to Mike Glennon. In my opinion their biggest need is in the secondary, and they will address that here with the very athletic and skilled Lattimore.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars- Jonathan Allen, DT, Alabama
Many reports have the Jaguars going with a running back in this spot. I don’t think it’s any surprise that the Jags do address the running back position early in the draft, I just don’t think it’s here. They have spent a lot of money in free agency building up their already up- and- coming defense, and they will look to continue to add to that in this spot. Jonathan Allen could go as high as #2 so they won’t pass him up at #4.
5. Tennessee Titans (from LA Rams)– Jamal Adams, SS, LSU
Tennessee could thank the Rams for being able to draft in the top 5. Jamal Adams is the top safety in this years’s class and has the versatility to play both positions, and some even believe he could convert into a full-time cornerback if needed. They’ll fill a need here with one of the more complete players in the class.
6. New York Jets- Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
The Jets could go in any direction here and their situation is too complex and confusing to discuss in this spot. But if Todd Bowles and Mike McGagnan did in fact be granted the approval to start from scratch, they will do so starting with the defense. I strongly believe they are expecting to warrant a top 3 pick in 2018, which could net them one of next year’s quarterbacks (a better class than this year). They already used a 2nd round pick on Hackenberg in 2016, so they would have to be 100% convinced that one of these quarterbacks is a franchise guy in order to take one here. Malik Hooker could arguably be ahead of Jamal Adams with his range and ball skills, but he will miss 4-6 months after having surgery to repair a labrum and hernia.
7. Los Angeles Chargers- Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Boom! Here is the first real surprise of our mock draft. Phillip Rivers will turn 36 towards the end of the season and has already hinted at retirement in the past. They Chargers, now in Los Angeles, will give their new city a new franchise quarterback, and I think this is the perfect spot for Trubisky. Having started only 1 year at North Carolina, Trubisky can learn from Rivers for a year or two, before being asked to take over the team. I could very well see the Chargers actually giving up an additional pick to the Jets in order to ensure they get their guy.
8. Carolina Panthers- Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
The Panthers need help on both lines as well as in the backfield. I think it’s too early for any of the offensive lineman, and the running back position is deep enough to grab one later. Barnett fills one of those needs for a Carolina here. A three year starter at Tennessee, Barnett isn’t flashy, but consistent enough against the run and the pass to get the job done.
9. Cincinnati Bengals- Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Even after signing 26 year old Kevin Minter, the Bengals still go with another inside linebacker in Reuben Foster. Foster made headlines during the combine, but not for his play. He was sent home after a “heated” argument with a hospital worker. That shouldn’t be enough for the Bengals to pass up on the best ILB in the class. ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay has even said that Foster is “the best pure football player in this years class”.
10- Buffalo Bills- Jabril Peppers, SS, Michigan
The Bills have had a quietly productive off-season so far, but one glaring need is the safety position. Buffalo will go with the elite athlete in Peppers and figure out where he best fits later.
11. New Orleans Saints- Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
This pick might change if they sign Malcolm Butler away from the Patriots and have to give up their second 1st round pick (the one they received from the Patriots for Brandin Cooks). However for now we’ll keep them adding Humphrey. They would like a pass rusher, but the top guys are already gone and the secondary is just as big of a need.
12. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia) – Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
I’m not expecting the Browns to stay in this spot, but if they do it could be Watson here. I still believe the Browns will end up with Garappolo either with this pick or numerous 2nd round picks that they have over the next 2 years. They could be receiving a lot of phone calls here and this is very challenging spot to predict.
13. Arizona Cardinals- Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
The Cardinals have already lost some key guys on defense including Calais Campbell, Tony Jefferson and D.J. Swearinger, so their window for a championship may be closed. With Palmer turning 38 during the season, they need to look towards the future and getting Mahomes here is a step in the right direction. I believe that Mahomes could be the best quarterback out of this class when we look back on it 5 years from now. Letting Mahomes sit a year and learn from Palmer would be beneficial to both the team and the player. I wouldn’t rule out a wide receiver in this spot, but passing up on Mahomes could be a mistake.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota)– Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Of course Fournette could go as early as the 4th pick, but there are always a few players that stay in the “green room” longer than expected. The Eagles would be thrilled if this was the case here and wouldn’t hesitate filling a need and taking a player of this caliber with the 14th pick.
15. Indianapolis Colts- Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Indianapolis could use offensive line help as well, but they’ll they jump on the opportunity to grab a play-maker like Dalvin Cook. With Frank Gore entering the season as a 34 year old, the Colts will be able to move on from him without much worry with the addition of the Cook. Cook is the #1 running back in this year’s class in many circles.
16. Baltimore Ravens- Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
The jury is still out on Breshad Perriman, and Mike Wallace is what he is. Corey Davis has the ideal size and hands to be an instant starter in the Ravens offense. He won’t burn defenders with his speed, but he won’t have to with Perriman and Wallace there. His route running ability will create separation, and would bode well in the slot in three-wide sets.
17. Washington Redskins- Deshone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
This pick is not contingent on what happens with the San Francisco 49ers and pick #2. Kirk Cousins doesn’t want to be in Washington and they can’t franchise him again (though they could transition tag him, but that would cost them close to 30 million). Either way, they need to prepare for life without Cousins and they could start by taking the best available quarterback at this point, in Kizer. I wouldn’t be surprised if a trade with SF happens after the first round is over, where the 49ers trade the player they picked at #2 and some for Cousins.
18. Tennessee Titans- John Ross, WR, Washington
Ross was the hit of the combine when he broke Chris Johnson’s 40 yard record time. He may not be going to his own island, but he will be Marcus Mariota’s main target in short time.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan St.
McDowell has the skills and experience to line up on the interior or the edge of the defensive line. There’s no doubt that he has work to do with his footwork and being able to get lower, but the D-line is the area the Buccaneers need the most help in, so taking a chance on the 6-6 big man is worth the risk.
20. Denver Broncos- Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
Having lost Russell Okung in free agency, the Broncos have a hole on the left side of their line. The Addition of Ramczyk will be a nice piece to go with center Matt Paradis. Regardless of who the quarterback is there, they will need the protection.
21. Detroit Lions- Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
Many experts have Charlton climbing draft boards, and even into the top 10 in some places. However, he’s available here in our mock draft so the team with the 2nd fewest sacks in the league last year (26) will be thrilled if he fell to them here at 21. Charlton has the strength and athleticism to play in both the 4-3 and the 3-4, making him a nice addition to the Lions.
22. Miami Dolphins- Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple
Reddick is a great athlete that shows great speed and strength. He could play a little reckless at times, but will be a good fit in new Offensive Coordinator Matt Burke’s aggressive defense.
23. New York Giants- OJ Howard, TE, Alabama
Giants fans will be very pleased the way this mock draft has worked out for them. One of their biggest needs is at tight end, and they are able to secure the best one in this draft, in OJ Howard. Some Giants fans may still be screaming about the lack of improvement on the offensive line, but relax, it will be there. The Giants did sign Rhett Ellison in free agency, and he too will help on the offensive line.
24. Oakland Raiders- Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
Lineback Zach Cunningham has the ideal size and physicality to be an every down player in the NFL. His aggressive nature could be a downfall at times, as he over-shoots his tackles, but he’ll be coached up enough in Oakland to correct that.
25. Houston Texans- Garrett Bolles, OT, Utah
Sorry Texans fans, the top 4 quarterbacks are already off the board. If you’d like to reach on Davis Webb or Nathan Peterman here then go ahead. We aren’t going to do that for you though. The offensive line is the biggest need for this team, and I still think that Tony Romo ends up here once Jerry Jones comes to reality. He’s going to need some protection to stay healthy and grabbing Bolles here could help.
26. Seattle Seahawks- Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
Another team in need of offensive line help is the Seahawks. They have added some pieces in free agency and will look to add more in the draft. Robsinson may be a bit of a work in progress but the Seahawks have the time and coaching to make him an impactful NFL lineman. The Seahawks can very well elect to go with a cornerback here and there are still some very good ones.
27. Kansas City Chiefs- Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Mike Williams will finally be able to shake Roger Goodell’s hand. Williams is as big a reason as anyone as to why Clemson won the National Title. He could end up being the best wide receiver in this class, but his combine performance may have caused him to get passed by Corey Davis and John Ross.
28. Dallas Cowboys- Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA
The Cowboys lost 4 starting defensive backs to free agency. They’ll start replacing then here with the selection of Moreau. I’m pretty confident in the positional selection, but I have gone back and forth between Moreau and Tabor. This pick could change in the next mock draft, but for now we’ll stick with Moreau.
29. Green Bay Packers- Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
The Green Bay Packer will be very happy if McCaffrey falls to them here at #29. McCaffrey is the perfect definition of a play-maker. He’s a running back that can play wide receiver and is exceptional in the return game. The Green Bay offense would have field day with McCaffrey in there with them.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers- Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA
The Steelers may be willing to wait in the recovery of McKinley (4-6 months- shoulder surgery) in order to get an edge rusher like McKinley. He could make an impact in the second half of the season in the pass rush department.
31. Atlanta Falcons- Forest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky
Lamp will be a nice addition to the NFC champion Atlanta Falcons. Many teams suggest he would transition nicely from tackle to guard in the NFL, although he has been successful on the outside at Western Kentucky.
32. New Orleans Saints (from New England)- Obi Melifonwu, SS, Connecticut
We’ll see what happens with Malcolm Butler, as this pick could end up back with the Patriots. Otherwise, the Saints will stick to defense here if they hold the pick.
Round 2
33. Cleveland Browns: Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
34. San Francisco 49ers: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
35. Jacksonville Jaguars: David Njoku, TE, Miami (FL
36. Chicago Bears: T.J Watt, DE, Wisconsin
37. Los Angeles Rams: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
38. Los Angeles Chargers: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
39. New York Jets: Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
40. Carolina Panthers: Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
41. Cincinnati Bengals: Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn
42. New Orleans Saints: Davis Webb, QB, California
43. Philadelphia Eagles: Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan
44. Buffalo Bills: Adoree Jackson, CB, USC
45. Arizona Cardinals: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
46. Indianapolis Colts: Ethan Pocic, C, LSU
47. Baltimore Ravens: Tim Williams, DE, Alabama
48. Minnesota Vikings: Dion Dawkins, OG, Temple
49. Washington Redskins: Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma
50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State
51. Denver Broncos: Eddie Vanderdoes, DT, UCLA
52. Cleveland Browns: Budda Baker, S, Washington
53. Detroit Lions: Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma
54. Miami Dolphins: Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State
55. New York Giants: Taylor Moton, OT, Western Michigan
56. Oakland Raiders: Montravius Adams, DT, Auburn
57. Houston Texans: Nathan Peterman, QB, Pittsburgh
58. Seattle Seahawks: Chris Wormley, DT, Michigan
59. Kansas City Chiefs: Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida
60. Dallas Cowboys: Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
61. Green Bay Packers: Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illonois
62. Pittsburgh Steelers: Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina
63. Atlanta Falcons: Desmond King, CB/S, Iowa
64. Carolina Panthers: Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson
**Picks and analysis are that of my own.