2017 NFL Mock Draft — Post Combine Edition
The NFL Combine has come and gone, and the draft stocks of a bunch of players has had the chance to rise and fall dramatically based upon a series of measurements that may or may not actually mean all that much. Nevertheless, it’s changed a few things in my newest mock draft. In case you missed it, here’s the previous mock draft. But now let’s get started.
- Cleveland Browns — Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
The Browns have made some mind-numbingly dumb decisions in the past, but even they should get this one right. Myles Garrett is a once-in-a-lifetime talent and there’s nobody else in this draft that you could justifiably take over him.
2. San Francisco 49ers — Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
The big question here is if Malik Hooker’s hip is healing as expected, but after Jamal Adams’ average combine performance it seems likely that San Francisco will gamble on Hooker’s long term upside. The 49ers still need a quarterback, but Kyle Shanahan has gone so far as to say that a rookie can’t run his offense. San Francisco has already acquired Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley, both of whom can be serviceable starters. Instead, the 49ers can bolster their underrated defense by adding a potential stud safety to pair with Eric Reid.
3. Chicago Bears — Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
In the last mock, I had Chicago taking Mitch Trubisky to succeed Jay Cutler, but now Cutler is gone and, well, they didn’t just agree to pay Mike Glennon $14.5 million a year to be a backup. More importantly, though, Chicago and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio need more pieces to help their defense. They have some solid defensive linemen, particularly with Eddie Goldman, and adding Jonathan Allen would give them a very formidable front seven.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars — OJ Howard, TE, Alabama
Until Thursday, I would have put Marshon Lattimore here, but then Jacksonville went out and signed AJ Bouye to pair with Jalen Ramsey and give them a stout cornerback tandem. Then I would have picked Jamal Adams or Solomon Thomas, but Jacksonville also signed Barry Church to pair with Tashaun Gipson and complete their secondary and Calais Campbell to fortify an already-stacked defensive line. But they also traded Julius Thomas for Branden Albert, thus creating a need at tight end. And after OJ Howard’s spectacular combine performance, the idea of taking him this high is no longer outrageous. Plus, his pass-catching prowess would go nicely with Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns.
5. Tennessee Titans — Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
The Titans don’t have much of a defensive line outside of Jurrell Casey, so they’d be smart to take a talented defensive end like Solomon Thomas to take pressure off the All-Pro talent.
6. New York Jets — Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Do the Jets really want to be stuck between Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty? I think not. And free agency’s best option is Jay Cutler, which is only slightly better. While they don’t have much in the way of weapons for any quarterback, Deshaun Watson is franchise quarterback material, something the Jets haven’t had since Ken O’Brien (1983–1992). Watson’s combine performance confirmed to everyone what I already knew: he’s the top quarterback in this draft, and the Jets would be foolish to pass him up.
7. Los Angeles Chargers — Jamal Adams, S, LSU
The Chargers retained Jahleel Addae, but are still missing an Eric Weddle type of player in the secondary. Jamal Adams is the next top-tier defensive back to come out of LSU and despite a middling combine performance, he’s still bound to be a great addition to any team. Furthermore, under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, Adams could become a contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
8. Carolina Panthers — John Ross, WR, Washington
I had Clemson’s Mike Williams here last time, but John Ross made himself a ton of money at the combine when he ran a 4.22 40-yard dash, breaking Chris Johnson’s long-standing combine record. What’s more is Ross’ high school track coach nonchalantly said he can run faster than that. But Ross is more than just a fast guy; he’s a complete receiver. The Panthers could make Cam Newton’s life a whole lot easier by giving him a tangible receiving threat opposite Kelvin Benjamin.
9. Cincinnati Bengals — Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
The Bengals don’t need more cornerbacks, especially after re-signing Dre Kirkpatrick, but this pick is a best player available situation. Lattimore would fit nicely in a very stacked secondary alongside the likes of Kirkpatrick, Adam Jones, Darqueze Dennard, and Bene Benwikere.
10. Buffalo Bills — Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
The Bills lost Stephon Gilmore to the intra-division rival New England Patriots. The addition of Micah Hyde helps a bit, but he’s only a band-aid fix. Sidney Jones might actually be better than Lattimore, as he’s drawn favorable comparisons to Desmond Trufant and Marcus Peters. The Bills need a shutdown corner and Jones could be just that with time to develop.
11. New Orleans Saints — Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
The run on cornerbacks is official now. The Saints badly need help in the secondary or the great safety tandem of Jairus Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro will go to waste. Teez Tabor is the ideal right cornerback in any defensive scheme, so working opposite Delvin Breaux or any free agent signee would go a long way to fixing this defense.
12. Cleveland Browns — Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
The Browns have rebuilt their offensive line already, signing C JC Tretter and G Kevin Zeitler to go along with Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio, and maybe Cameron Erving? I don’t know about Erving, it’s hard to tell where the coaches want him to play. Either way, this offense relies on a steady running game, which Cleveland rarely found last year. Leonard Fournette might just be the next great running back, and behind a retooled offensive line, Fournette could stabilize an offense that seriously lacks anything positive.
13. Arizona Cardinals — DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
Carson Palmer isn’t going to last much longer, and he may not even be good this year. Who knows? What I do know is that Arizona would be stupid to pass on Kizer, who has every physical tool to be a star in Bruce Arians’ vertical passing attack. The only thing Kizer lacks is the pocket presence and downfield vision, both of which quarterback-whisperer Arians can easily solve with a year on the bench.
14. Philadelphia Eagles — Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
The Eagles have already used free agency to bolster their receiving corps with Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, but their running back position could still stand to improve. Darren Sproles is turning yet another year older and Ryan Mathews faded significantly down the stretch last year. Dalvin Cook would be the final piece in creating a stellar offense in Philly to give Carson Wentz some firepower.
15. Indianapolis Colts — Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
The Colts selected center Ryan Kelly in the first round last year and finally helped Andrew Luck with some pass protection. But there’s still some work to do, and new GM Chris Ballard knows this. Ryan Ramczyk is another in a long line of impressive, NFL ready offensive linemen from Wisconsin. He can start at right tackle right away, and then switch over to the blind side whenever Anthony Castonzo leaves. Between Kelly, Castonzo, Ramczyk, and guard Jack Mewhort, the Colts would have an effective offensive line for once.
16. Baltimore Ravens — Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Ozzie Newsome has a habit of taking the best player available and nothing else, and the fact that Mike Williams has lasted this long is amazing. That, and he would be a much-needed addition to a receiving corps where Mike Wallace is far and away the top player.
17. Washington Redskins — Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Kirk Cousins doesn’t want to be in Washington, having recently asked to be traded, and Washington can’t commit to Cousins long term. But for the moment, he’s the best they’ve got. The draft can change that by taking Mitch Trubisky and letting him take his rookie year to develop. Trubisky’s stock will fall due to his lack of experience, but Washington would be ecstatic to take him at this spot and finally be able to rid themselves of a perfectly talented franchise quarterback that they don’t like for some reason I can only explain as the Redskins being the Redskins.
18. Tennessee Titans — Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky
The Titans have lost their starting right guard Chance Warmack in free agency, who joined the Eagles, so now they need a replacement to ensure their offensive line doesn’t increase Marcus Mariota’s chances of getting injured for the third time in as many years. Forrest Lamp could come in and fill the vacancy almost right away without losing a step.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Garett Bolles, OL, Utah
Bolles can play tackle or guard at the next level, but for the Buccaneers he’ll fill a hole either way. Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet were solid pieces to the Bucs’ offensive line, but Bolles would continue the fortification of a talented, young offensive line to protect Jameis Winston for years to come.
20. Denver Broncos — Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama
The Broncos seem set to lose Demarcus Ware in free agency, so they’d be right to add a dynamic pass rushing talent opposite Von Miller. Enter Tim Williams, who is by far my favorite 3–4 linebacker in this draft. It’s frankly a crime that he drops this low, but Denver won’t have a problem capitalizing on it.
21. Detroit Lions — Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
The Lions could use an edge rusher opposite Ezekiel Ansah to give their secondary some help, and Derek Barnett is a highly underrated athlete that can help rush the passer.
22. Miami Dolphins — Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Reuben Foster drops so low because of personality concerns that got him kicked out of the combine, which is not good for his stock at all. But the Dolphins’ biggest weakness in their playoff run last year was a weak linebacker corps, and Foster would be a good way to help ease that deficiency. He could potentially play any three linebacker spots, as he’s got the athleticism and downhill speed to go after opposing running backs.
23. New York Giants — Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
Just say no to Ereck Flowers! I’m kidding, but Flowers is not a left tackle and I think the Giants learned that the hard way in 2016. They appear to be embracing Paul Perkins as their new starting running back going forward, but he’ll need an offensive line that doesn’t lead to him getting stuffed at the line. Cam Robinson from Alabama can do just that.
24. Oakland Raiders — Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple
Haason Reddick might see the biggest rise in stock as a result of a spectacular combine performance, and just in time for the Raiders, who need pass rushers not named Khalil Mack. Like Mack, Reddick can play at both defensive end and outside linebacker, giving defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. plenty of flexibility in his defensive fronts.
25. Houston Texans — Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA
At the time this mock draft was written, the Houston Texans had not yet traded for Tony Romo and therefore still owned this pick. Who knows if that’ll change? But in the meantime, expect the Texans to take an athletic and dynamic pass rusher to compliment Whitney Mercilus, JJ Watt, and Jadeveon Clowney. The quarterback won’t even matter when the defense can sack the opposing passer every single play.
26. Seattle Seahawks — Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
Because why not? Marshawn Lynch is still gone, there’s no offensive linemen worthy of taking at this point, and pairing McCaffrey with CJ Prosise is just too mind-bogglingly awesome to fathom.
27. Kansas City Chiefs — Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Marcus Peters is certainly a great cornerback for the Chiefs, but they need more defenders in that backfield. Marlon Humphrey could potentially become a stud defender, especially in a good defensive system like Kansas City’s.
28. Dallas Cowboys — Budda Baker, S, Washington
The Cowboys have already lost one of their two free agent safeties, Barry Church, and seem likely to lose JJ Wilcox too. Luckily, Byron Jones is still there, but who will play alongside him? Budda Baker has the ballhawking skills and experience (a three year starter in college) to come in and make a difference right away. He’s even drawn comparisons to Super Bowl winning safety Bob Sanders. He’d be a great pick for a Cowboys team looking to upgrade a middle-of-the-road secondary.
29. Green Bay Packers — Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
The Packers lost Micah Hyde from a secondary that already needed improvements. Jabrill Peppers may not have lit up the stat sheet in college, but part of that was due to how often he changed positions. If the Packers commit him to the backfield, he could find a way to turn all that elite athleticism into production.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers — Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
Artie Burns and Senquez Golson did an admirable job in their rookie years, but the Steelers can still get better in pass coverage. Tre’Davious White is yet another talented LSU defensive back and can only help a defense trying to get younger without losing a step.
31. Atlanta Falcons — Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
The Falcons’ defense offers the biggest room for improvement after an overachieving Super Bowl appearance in 2016. They’ve got a good young nucleus in Desmond Trufant, Deion Jones, DeVondre Campbell, Keanu Neal, Grady Jarrett, Vic Beasley, and Ra’Shede Hageman, but pass rushers are still needed, and Charles Harris represents the most NFL ready edge rusher at this point in the draft. Dan Quinn, treat yo’self.
32. New England Patriots — Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Close your eyes, and imagine a receiver who isn’t flashy but does all the little things right. He’s consistent, reliable, and always does what’s asked of him. Now open your eyes. Were you thinking of Julian Edelman? Or maybe Danny Amendola. Ooh, or what about Chris Hogan? Or Malcolm Mitchell? No, actually I was describing Corey Davis. My point is that he is the ideal Patriots wide receiver, and the reigning Super Bowl champs take the opportunity to give Tom Brady (who is definitely not the best QB of all time, let’s be real) just one more weapon to play with. I said it before and I’ll say it again: the rich just keep getting richer.
