2017 NFL Mock Draft — Final Edition
Well, it’s finally here: the NFL Draft. Since the end of the regular season, people have been talking about this and there’s been more mock drafts than there are disappointed Cleveland Browns fans. But that second group might be about to grow. More on that in just a second. Without further ado, let’s get right into the final edition of my mock draft.
- Cleveland Browns — Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
I didn’t start predicting this until just recently with the last edition. Rumors have turned into chatter straight from the mouths of Cleveland Browns executives about them not being 100% sold on Myles Garrett first overall. Some executives like Mitchell Trubisky, a one year starter at North Carolina. Cleveland at one point had likely hoped Trubisky would be available at their 12th overall selection spot, but the Jets and 49ers have both at least been pretending to be interested in him, and that likely forces Cleveland’s hand. Congrats, Cleveland, enjoy your next quarterback destined for failure.
2. San Francisco 49ers — Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
The 49ers aren’t stupid. Garrett is far and away the best prospect in this draft, and new general manager John Lynch knows to accept gifts when they’re dropped in your lap.
3. Chicago Bears — Jamal Adams, S, LSU
The Jamal Adams hype train is full steam ahead, and with Garrett falling to the 49ers, this other electric defensive talent falls to the Bears. Adams will add a great safety valve at the top of that secondary, offering great help to cornerbacks Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars — OJ Howard, TE, Alabama
The Jaguars are sticking with Blake Bortles, at least for this season. Either way, loading up the offense with weapons in the passing game is a good idea. Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns are already one of the top receiving duos in the NFL, but adding the potent receiving ability of OJ Howard would make the receiving corps — dare I say it? — elite. Bortles should be able to find success with these weapons. If not, time to move on.
5. Tennessee Titans — Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
The Titans are gearing up for a playoff push in a weak division. Armed with a great young quarterback and a highly effective running game, the defense has to get better. Jurrell Casey is the star on the front seven, and adding a huge monster like Jonathan Allen would make life hard on opposing offensive lines. It all starts in the trenches, folks.
6. New York Jets — Deshaun Watson
The Jets both want and need a quarterback, because Josh McCown isn’t going to last all season and Bryce Petty, whom I really like, won’t develop within a timeline the Jets are okay waiting for. Deshaun Watson has talent, experience, and the necessary intangibles to succeed in the NFL and, perhaps more difficult, in the Big Apple.
7. Los Angeles Chargers — Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
The Chargers might be tempted to take Malik Hooker for safety help, but Casey Hayward can split time between cornerback and safety. Marshon Lattimore is a top five talent, but team needs dictate otherwise and he falls in LA’s lap here. Adding him opposite of Jason Verrett would be huge.
8. Carolina Panthers — Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
The Panthers apparently have a lot of interest in Leonard Fournette, whom many are calling the second coming of Herschel Walker. I doubt he’ll be that good, but even if he comes close it’s a good result. Fournette could stabilize the Panthers’ offense and take pressure off of Cam Newton, which would be good for everyone in Carolina.
9. Cincinnati Bengals — Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
Solomon Thomas is a high motor guy who can play anywhere on the line, and he adds developmental youth to a unit that has been dominant for quite some time, but who are getting close to needing replacements.
10. Buffalo Bills — Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Much has been made by the NFL of Reuben Foster’s “failed” drug test at the combine, in what comes as the newest installment of the NFL’s draft prospect smear campaign by failed drug test. However, the Bills are likely to look past the smoke and mirrors, especially given how weak they are at linebacker. Foster would pair nicely with former teammate Reggie Ragland.
11. New Orleans Saints — Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Ohio State’s Gareon Conley was rising up draft boards at a crazy pace until a rape allegation disrupted it all. Now, Marlon Humphrey is the second cornerback on the board, and the Saints need all the help they can get in the secondary.
12. Cleveland Browns — Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
The Browns will try to find their next Dak and Zeke with Mitchell and Christian… I know, it doesn’t sound as nice. But the on field results might be just as good. McCaffrey is a crazy athletic player who can contribute in the running game, receiving game, and as an electric kick returner. He’d pair nicely with a rookie quarterback in way over his head.
13. Arizona Cardinals — DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
This just makes too much sense. DeShone Kizer has a cannon for an arm but needs to hone the finer aspects of the position. Give him a year or two sitting on the bench behind Carson Palmer learning from quarterback whisperer Bruce Arians, and he could be the next (and first) true franchise quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals.
14. Philadelphia Eagles — Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
The Eagles fixed their receiving corps by spending tons of money, but their running backs are still a problem. Unless you want to rely on Ryan Mathews for six games before injury and Darren Sproles for the next ten. But no, you don’t want that. Dalvin Cook has some personality concerns, but his talent is undeniable.
15. Indianapolis Colts — Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
I want to just scream “Keep it simple, stupid!” The Colts have many holes but their offensive line is the biggest issue. Ryan Kelly at center and Anthony Castonzo at left tackle are sure things, and Jack Mewhort at either guard position is okay. But Ryan Ramczyk can plug and play at right tackle immediately, and eventually replace Castonzo at the blind side.
16. Baltimore Ravens — Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
The Ravens’ best receiver at the moment is Mike Wallace. Let that sink in. Joe Flacco isn’t great anymore but he’d be a lot better if he had receivers to throw to. Mike Williams can take care of that.
17. Washington Redskins — Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
I’m not sure how a ballhawk as talented as Malik Hooker could fall this far, but the Redskins will surely jump on it. Safety isn’t their biggest need by any stretch, but when you get the chance to add a stud like him, you have to capitalize on it.
18. Tennessee Titans — John Ross, WR, Washington
Speaking of gifts, Tennessee gets the fastest player (according to NFL combine records) alive to go snag passes for Marcus Mariota. John Ross is an excellent receiver and personally I have him over Mike Williams. Tennessee can make Mariota’s life a bit easier with this pick.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Adoree’ Jackson, CB, USC
Adoree’ Jackson has climbed up boards just in time. His skills as a cornerback aren’t the best around town, but the high value he offers as a return man is what makes his stock skyrocket. The Buccaneers can use Jackson as either a nickel or dime corner and with many other spots of their roster looking stacked, his value in the return game makes him a perfect fit.
20. Denver Broncos — Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple
The Denver Broncos just lost a great pass rusher in retired DeMarcus Ware (a Temple alumnus), so why not draft another explosive pass rusher from Temple to replace him? The defense is the bedrock of the Broncos right now, so making sure they can still rush the passer is a must.
21. Detroit Lions — Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Marvin Jones and Golden Tate are very efficient receivers, but adding another efficient receiver in Corey Davis would make the offense just that much more scary when Matthew Stafford drops back to pass.
22. Miami Dolphins — Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
Cameron Wake needs another pass rusher on the other end of the line as he gets older, and Charles Harris can provide just that. His bigger frame also makes him ideal for stopping the run as a strong side pass rusher.
23. New York Giants — Garett Bolles, OL, Utah
The Giants have an aging quarterback who can still throw the ball, but not too often, and a running game that performs really well when the running back can get past the line of scrimmage. In short, they need blockers who can give at least two seconds of quality blocking, and Ereck Flowers isn’t that guy (sorry, not sorry). Garett Bolles needs to get bigger, but he would pair nicely with Justin Pugh and Weston Richburg.
24. Oakland Raiders — Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Khalil Mack can’t do it all. Well, he can, but Oakland shouldn’t rely on him to do everything. Derek Barnett is a prime edge rusher who can distract offensive lines with his elite burst long enough for Mack to utterly destroy the opposing quarterback’s hopes and dreams.
25. Houston Texans — Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
After missing out on the Tony Romo Sweepstakes (losing to a booth really hurts, doesn’t it?), the Texans are in need of a dynamic quarterback to build their offense around. Patrick Mahomes has a powerful arm and Lavar Ball levels of confidence, which is necessary for rookie quarterbacks. Hopefully Bill O’Brien can infuse some smarts into that confidence.
26. Seattle Seahawks — Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
Like the Colts, Seattle needs to fix their offensive line in a big way. Cam Robinson is a big lineman with pedigree, having blocked for great college offenses including Derrick Henry’s Heisman season. Unless Seattle values interior lineman Forrest Lamp more, Robinson should be the pick.
27. Kansas City Chiefs — Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami
When I made this pick last edition, it was mostly just a bold prediction. But the more I think on it, the more it makes sense. Alex Smith is on his way out, and the Chiefs don’t have any other significant needs right now. Let Brad Kaaya sit behind Smith and refine his already impressive skillset, and the Chiefs have their quarterback of the future.
28. Dallas Cowboys — Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
The Cowboys need a pass rusher, and Takkarist McKinley is exclusively that. He’s got great burst, excellent handwork on the edge, and he knows how to finish off plays. If he falls to this spot, Dallas would be foolish not to take him.
29. Green Bay Packers — Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma
The scandal of Joe Mixon punching a female student at Oklahoma has been “resolved” through a civil suit, which is apparently enough for some teams. Combine that with his immense talent — he could end up being the best running back in this draft — and some teams are willing to let bygones be bygones and take him as high as the first round. Green Bay could be one such team, as Ty Montgomery can’t be counted on as their workhorse back.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers — Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
Is he a safety? A linebacker? Just a glorified return man? The Steelers will sure find out. Whatever you think of Jabrill Peppers, his athleticism and versatility is undeniable. For the Steelers, they need that kind of high flying skill anywhere it’ll fit on defense. Peppers will find a home in Pittsburgh, somewhere.
31. Atlanta Falcons — TJ Watt, LB, Wisconsin
The younger brother of JJ Watt. That’s enough to sell most people. TJ Watt is that rare kind of player who can sniff out the run as a linebacker, rush the passer standing up, and also put his hands in the dirt and rush the passer from the trenches. His biggest downside is only one season of experience; nevertheless, he excelled in that one season. Atlanta added a lot of help to their pass rush this offseason, but Watt could potentially be dominant in a Khalil Mack kind of way, and he’s an ideal fit for Dan Quinn’s LEO position.
32. New Orleans Saints — Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
Not to belabor the point, but the Saints’ secondary is putrid. They took Marlon Humphrey earlier, but adding Tre’Davious White here gives them another young, talented body to try and cover the likes of intra-division receivers Julio Jones, Kelvin Benjamin, and Mike Evans. Good luck, and welcome to the NFL, rook. Take that for data.
Be sure to watch the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft on ESPN, ESPN 2, or NFL Network, starting at 8:00 PM EST.
