2017 NFL Mock Draft — Post Super Bowl Edition
Super Bowl LI is over, and while the craziness of the Patriots’ comeback in the first ever Super Bowl overtime was certainly thrilling, it’s time for something a bit more exciting: the tedious but ultimately futile practice of trying to predict the 2017 NFL draft. Now that the draft order is officially set, it’s time to organize our first official mock draft for 2017.
- Cleveland Browns — Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
The Browns need help pretty much everywhere, to put it lightly. The popular idea here is for them to draft a quarterback, but I don’t see any QB’s worth the first overall pick and there’s too many already-developed talents available via free agency or trade for Cleveland to take another risk on a college QB. Myles Garrett is a pure pass rushing talent, which Cleveland desperately needs. He may be the most refined defensive talent in this draft, and certainly is the best player available. This ought to be a no-brainer for Cleveland.
2. San Francisco 49ers — Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
The 49ers are getting a new head coach and general manager with Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch, respectively. The fact that San Francisco hired an offensive minded coach likely means they will look to focus on the offense, especially given how miserable the state of this offense is. With Colin Kaepernick terminating his contract early, the 49ers are left with zero QB’s on their roster, as Blaine Gabbert and other backups are entering free agency. QB has to be the way to go here, but the question will be who they prefer between Deshaun Watson, Deshone Kizer, and Mitch Trubisky. People keep saying that Kizer and Trubisky are better than Watson, but come on. Watson just led his team to a comeback win in the National Championship game over the college football version of the Patriots, and he did so with poise rarely seen from most NFL starters, let alone seniors in college. Watson has the physical tools but more importantly, he has the mental durability to be the face of a franchise beginning yet another rebuild. He makes the most sense here.
3. Chicago Bears — Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Count me in the camp of people that are skeptical about Mitch Trubisky. Having taken nearly 98% of his college snaps from the shotgun, Trubisky often displayed very poor footwork at North Carolina, in addition to being generally unable to identify blitzes. Those are two bad ingredients for a QB expected to see significant snaps at the next level, but in Chicago he might not have to play right away. Jay Cutler isn’t exactly franchise material, but when healthy he’s slightly above average. Chicago under head coach John Fox has been a run-focused team anyway, with a three-headed monster of Jeremy Langford, Jordan Howard, and Ka’Deem Carey, so Cutler really isn’t asked to do too much. This could be a situation where Chicago lets Trubisky essentially take a redshirt year to work on nuancing his understanding of the game.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars — Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
Jonathan Allen should have been a Heisman finalist rather than Jabrill Peppers. There, I said it. And while the Jaguars’ defensive line is probably their strongest position unit, you can’t pass up this opportunity to upgrade it in a huge way. Malik Jackson, Sen’Derrick Marks, and Dante Fowler are all intimidating linemen, but adding this behemoth would give Jacksonville one of the best defensive lines in the league, which would certainly aid their overall defense.
5. Tennessee Titans — Jamal Adams, S, LSU
The Titans were in the playoff hunt until the very end this past season, yet they still have room to improve, namely their secondary. They hit big on 3rd round safety Kevin Byard last year, but now they need a versatile ball hawk safety to slot in next to Byard. Jamal Adams is the best defensive back in this draft, already drawing comparisons to Tyrann Mathieu and Eric Berry, both of which are sort of good things. This pick is a no-brainer for Tennessee.
6. New York Jets — Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Oh, New York, what have you gotten yourself into? Last year this time, the Jets were thought to be dark horse playoff contenders. What happened? I still don’t know for sure. But looking at their roster, their linebacker corps is losing a lot to free agency. Reuben Foster’s particular spot in an NFL defense is still up to speculation, but he has the speed and strength to be an effective sideline to sideline run stopper, something the Jets desperately need. The fit here is easy to see.
7. Los Angeles Chargers — Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Malik Hooker has an injury that might deter some teams, which could drop him into the Chargers’ laps. They’re not exactly in desperate need of players who can contribute immediately, so if Hooker’s recovery takes longer than expected it would be no tragedy. In Hooker, the Chargers get a stud at safety that has been missing since Eric Weddle left in free agency two seasons ago. This would give new Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley some incredible pieces to work with between reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Joey Bosa, Corey Liuget, Brandon Mebane, Denzel Perryman, Jason Verrett, Casey Hayward, and Malik Hooker. Hopefully they make the right decision.
8. Carolina Panthers — Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Cam Newton needs someone to throw to besides Kelvin Benjamin. Okay, and Greg Olsen. While Devin Funchess has been promising, he figures to fit in better as a slot receiver, but Newton needs a dynamic receiving threat opposite of Benjamin, and Mike Williams, the top receiver in this draft by far, would offer that. The Panthers might be tempted to take defensive back here, but their Cover 3 base defense can survive without top tier talent in the secondary, but getting Newton help has to be their top priority.
9. Cincinnati Bengals — Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
Owner/GM Mike Brown is known for taking the best player available regardless of need, and the fact that Solomon Thomas drops this far is only a testament to how great the other prospects are. Cincinnati has two aging edge rushers in Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson, and they have to make a decision about impending free agent Margus Hunt. Either way, Thomas represents great potential in pressuring opposing quarterbacks, which the Bengals will need sooner rather than later.
10. Buffalo Bills — DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
The Bills have a lot of work to do as Sean McDermott comes in as the new head coach. Tyrod Taylor is a good quarterback but it seems likely that Buffalo will deal him somewhere else (perhaps Minnesota?), thus creating the need for yet another new face under center. Kizer has all the physical tools to fit into offensive coordinator Rick Dennison’s simple scheme, so this is really an easy decision for Buffalo to make.
11. New Orleans Saints — Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
The Saints had the worst pass defense in the NFL last year, which isn’t exactly surprising. They’ve got two good safeties in Kenny Vaccaro and Jairus Byrd, but their cornerbacks leave a lot to be desired. Marshon Lattimore isn’t perfect by any means, but he’s a step in the right direction for a secondary that desperately needs help.
12. Cleveland Browns — Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
After bolstering their defense with their first overall pick, Cleveland decides to create an offense with this pick. Their leading rusher, Isaiah Crowell, is entering free agency, and their other main back, Duke Johnson, has failed to indicate an ability to carry the load all on his own. Leonard Fournette promises to be the next great running back prospect after Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon, and Ezekiel Elliott. With Fournette, Cleveland gets a top tier talent to put behind a criminally underrated offensive line. Furthermore, a stable running game means less throwing from whomever lines up under center, which is a good thing for the quarterback-deficient Browns.
13. Arizona Cardinals — Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
Through the first eight games last season, an interesting trend emerged for the Arizona Cardinals: when their retooled offensive line allowed one or less sacks, the Cardinals went 3–0. But when they allowed more than one sack, they went 0–4–1. It’s no secret that keeping the quarterback upright is a must, and the Cardinals need to once again fix their offensive line. Ryan Ramczyk is just one more in an ever expanding list of stellar Wisconsin O-linemen, and he can be an immediate starter at right tackle, with the idea that he eventually takes over at left tackle when Jared Veldheer leaves. Furthermore, it would allow Arizona to experiment with DJ Humphries moving inside to guard, something that might actually be better for him and solidify their offensive line overall.
14. Indianapolis Colts — Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama
The Colts have a new general manager in Chris Ballard, and if Jim Irsay is right, then he’s the greatest GM in NFL history. I’m sure that’s not right, but it’s fair to assume that Ballard won’t make the same mistakes that ex-GM Ryan Grigson did, namely neglecting the defense entirely. The Colts had two good pass rushing outside linebackers last year in Robert Mathis and Erik Walden, but Walden is up for free agency and is probably going to get big money elsewhere. Tim Williams is a fearsome and disruptive pass rusher that would almost immediately upgrade the Colts’ defense, although there will still need to be more attention paid to this side of the ball.
15. Philadelphia Eagles — John Ross, WR, Washington
Carson Wentz looks to be the real deal in Philly, but he’s going to need better receivers to throw to. There’s nothing wrong with Jordan Matthews or Nelson Agholor, but neither has been able to emerge as a clear number one receiving threat and it showed last season, as Wentz often forced throws instead of relying on his receivers’ ability. John Ross is the second best receiver in this draft after Mike Williams, but the difference is negligible. Ross specifically offers a very potent vertical threat which would allow the other Eagles receivers to get more open, which means good things for Wentz.
16. Baltimore Ravens — Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome has never been one to pass on a highly rated player simply because it isn’t a position of need. That said, the Ravens also aren’t looking at an embarrassment of riches at the running back position either. The combination of Terrance West, Javorius Allen, Kenneth Dixon, and Lorenzo Taliaferro did well enough in 2016, but being able to add a true workhorse back like perennial Heisman contender Dalvin Cook would be a boon for this offense.
17. Washington Redskins — Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
Simply put, Teez Tabor is a number two cornerback. He had a better junior season, opposite 2016 first rounder Vernon Hargreaves, than he did his senior season. That’s why Tabor would be a perfect fit in Washington, working opposite elite cornerback Josh Norman. The Redskins also have two other good cornerbacks, Kendall Fuller and Bashaud Breeland, with which to cover receivers, and the Redskins are in a division where three or four corners are on the field more regularly these days.
18. Tennessee Titans — Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Sure, the Titans addressed their secondary earlier in this round with safety Jamal Adams, but there are still holes back there. The safety duo of Byard and Adams can only do so much, but without any good corners to help Jason McCourty, the defense will continue to get torched. Marlon Humphrey is not the complete package, as he needs to work on some of the smaller nuances of the position, but his potential is immense here, and that bodes well for such a young team like the Titans.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Corey Davis isn’t dominant in any aspect, but he’s the poster boy for consistency and production. While Tampa Bay already has a go-to receiver in Mike Evans, Davis would provide an ideal number two receiver for a passing offense with only one real threat at this point.
20. Denver Broncos — OJ Howard, TE, Alabama
The Broncos have a new (?) offensive coordinator, and his name is Mike McCoy. To refresh your memory, McCoy was previously the head coach of the Chargers, a job which he got after some impressive work as the Broncos’ offensive coordinator. So he’s back, really. And just as he did in Denver before and in San Diego, the tight end will play a central role in the passing game. The Broncos haven’t had a solid tight end since Julius Thomas, and OJ Howard could easily assume the role, as he’s already drawn numerous comparisons to Thomas.
21. Detroit Lions — Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
The Lions’ pass defense was usually their weakness in an otherwise strong 2016 campaign. Aside from Darius Slay, the Lions lack any talented cover corners, but Sidney Jones would give them one perhaps even better than Slay. He’s got elite closing speed and instincts, and with an NFL-caliber weight room, he can and hopefully will bulk up his frame a bit. This could be a great pick for the Lions if they’re lucky enough to steal him.
22. Miami Dolphins — Jarrad Davis, OLB, Florida
The Dolphins made the playoffs last year through what can only be explained as a deal with the devil. But in order to repeat that feat, Miami needs to address the fact that almost their entire linebacker corps is entering free agency this summer. Kiko Alonso is a restricted free agent, so they’ll likely be able to keep him, but that still leaves holes at outside linebacker. Jarrad Davis can run all over the field and wrap up the ballcarrier with ease, which is something this defense needs. At the 22nd pick, this is a steal.
23. New York Giants — Forrest Lamp, OL, Western Kentucky
Forrest Lamp played tackle in college, but he projects better as a guard in the NFL much in the same way Zack Martin did coming out of Notre Dame. I’m not saying Lamp is as good as Martin, but he’s certainly got potential to be a very effective interior blocker. Alongside Weston Richburg and Justin Pugh, Lamp would give the Giants a stellar interior line that could help boost what was an anemic run game.
24. Oakland Raiders — Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA
The Raiders may have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Khalil Mack, but the rest of their defense still needs work. Takkarist McKinley is a pure edge rusher who can stand up as an outside linebacker or put his hands in the dirt as a defensive end. Either way, he’s going to disrupt the quarterback, and working alongside Mack might create a pass rushing duo similar to that of JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney.
25. Houston Texans — Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
Lamar Miller wasn’t exactly terrible, but he wasn’t great either for the Texans last year. But more than that, the Texans need versatile offensive weapons for whoever they start at quarterback, and McCaffrey undoubtedly is a weapon. He has great breakaway speed and patience, and often led his Stanford team in receiving yards as well. The extra dimension he would add to this offense would help Bill O’Brien’s team take the next step forward.
26. Seattle Seahawks — Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
The Seahawks still have to fix their offensive line, and at this point they simply have to ask if they prefer Garett Bolles or Cam Robinson. Bolles fits more into the Seahawks’ zone blocking scheme than Robinson, so I think they pick him here. He’s not a quick fix, as Bolles needs to bulk up and increase his upper body strength, but he should be a very viable starter at left tackle.
27. Kansas City Chiefs — Budda Baker, S, Washington
Whether or not the Chiefs are able to retain Eric Berry, this pick makes sense. Berry has the ability to play either safety spot, and pairing Budda Baker, a three year starter at Washington, with him would give the Chiefs an intimidating tandem. If Berry does leave, then Baker can at least patch the hole that would be left. Baker may be a bit undersized, which is the only reason he’d fall this far, but his on field production is undeniably great.
28. Dallas Cowboys — Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
The Cowboys could be tempted to jump on edge rusher Derek Barnett here, but the best player available is Cam Robinson. Of course, the Dallas offensive line doesn’t need Robinson, but the 2016 season was yet another reminder that right tackle Doug Free is aging and losing a step each week. The chance here to add Robinson, a two-time first team All-SEC player, to a cast full of All Pro linemen is something the Cowboys can’t pass up.
29. Green Bay Packers — Ryan Anderson, OLB, Alabama
The Packers don’t have too many holes to fill, but adding another pass rusher is never a bad deal. Ryan Anderson is more brawn and brute force than speed, and he can often beat up offensive linemen until he gets past them. His versatility as a run stopper also allows the Packers to move Anderson to inside linebacker on early downs.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers — Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
The Steelers had a couple of rookie cornerbacks that were given a trial by fire in the AFC Championship game, and they just weren’t up to the test. Artie Burns seems to have potential to develop further, but bringing in Tre’Davious White gives Pittsburgh another type of corner that can cover on an island in tight man coverage, which gives defensive coordinator Keith Butler a lot more options when calling plays.
31. Atlanta Falcons — Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
The Falcons clearly have to get better on defense. Jabrill Peppers was a Swiss army knife in college, playing everywhere in both the secondary and as a linebacker, and he could see a similar role with Atlanta, albeit likely playing primarily as a safety opposite Keanu Neal. His athleticism and versatility would make him a tool that Dan Quinn could have a lot of fun using against opposing offenses, so the fit is almost perfect.
32. New England Patriots — Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
What do you get the team that already has everything? How about an edge rusher with loads of potential? Chris Long and Jabaal Sheard are both entering free agency, and New England likely only keeps one. Derek Barnett wouldn’t be able to start full-time right away, and he wouldn’t have to in New England, instead being used in sub packages and utilizing his pass rushing skills. The rich just get richer, I guess.
