Alec's NFL Mock Draft 2017 2.5
A lot has happened in the football world since I’ve last wrote to you all. We’re getting closer to the end of the College Football season so things should be starting to heat up a little bit in terms of news. Players will soon be, some have already, declaring for the Draft. The Playoff and Bowl games will help us to see players against better competition as well. I do want to highlight “The Game” that was Ohio State versus Michigan. There was a ton of NFL talent out there on that field. That game alone influenced my Mock Draft. In terms of the NFL, the Browns still suck. They are now 0-12. Are we possibly seeing an 0-16 season? Will they get it together? It seems to be that Tribusky is the hottest quarterback on the market at the moment in the Browns front office so we’ll see. It makes sense as he is from Mentor, Ohio. The Raiders are now picking later in the draft after that comeback win against Carolina. Although, the Patriots secured a tough win against the Jets. The NFC West had its best teams go down. The Cardinals seem to be sliding up draft boards now. The Hawks took an L from the now Playoff contending Buccaneers. A quick note, because this is a “.5” version of my Mock I will only be writing a description for the first 10 picks. All 32 pick descriptions will be back for my 3.0 Mock. Here’s the Mock, hope you like it.
1. Cleveland Browns – QB, Mitch Tribusky, North Carolina
Word on the street is that the Browns are looking at Tribusky to be their guy. He’s got a cannon and he would be getting drafted to his home state. As of right now, the other quarterbacks are falling, but he continues to rise. The Browns still haven’t won a game so it almost seems like it’s worth taking the risk.
2. San Francisco 49ers – QB, Deshone Kizer, Notre Dame
He has all the tools it’s just a matter of whether or not he can be formed into a starter in the NFL. Some want him to stay another year and expand on those tools and get better. The Niners do need a quarterback as well. He’s a better runner than people give him credit for too so that could also have him fit the offense a bit better.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – DT, Jonathan Allen, Alabama
This is an addition to the already good defense that is ready to break out any season now. They have all the talent on that side of the ball but have yet to really show it consistently. Allen is a nuisance on defense and a disrupter to his opponents. He has great hands that allow him to do just that. In addition, he is very disciplined and does a good job of pushing runners back towards the middle of the field where his teammates are. I take back what I said about him being Aaron Donald as well. Donald is better.
4. Chicago Bears – OLB, Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
The Bears have had a troubling season filled with injuries and suspensions. Garrett can be the game changer that helps them out. He won’t save them but he can be a critical piece to their rebuilding. That’s what Chicago needs to focus on right now one step at a time. This is a pick headed in that direction. It fills a need and is the smart safe pick.
5. New York Jets – RB, Leonard Fournette, LSU
I still like the chance of the Jets going defense but their offense hasn’t been able to move the ball consistently well this season. They have struggles at quarterback even if their receivers are good. They need to start focusing on running the football and Forte isn’t the answer. Revis needs to move to FS and they should go secondary in the next round.
6. Cincinnati Bengals – ILB, Reuben Foster, Alabama
The Bengals have been one of the most disappointing teams this season. They started out with high hopes but those were quickly changed. It just hasn’t been like the last few seasons. They are in need of linebacker help and Foster will do just that. He’s an immediate plug in starter. He will hit people and stop the run. He can call plays for you and tackle well from sideline to sideline.
7. Tennessee Titans (from LA) – CB, Quincy Wilson, Florida
This first pick for the Titans seems to be almost automatic for me. It just so happens that the top corner available is still here. Quincy has all the intangibles to lead that secondary into a bright future. They seem to have the pieces on offense (minus receiver) but just need to add some talent on the defensive side of the ball. This is a good pick to do just that.
8. Carolina Panthers – DE, Derek Barnett, Tennessee
Although Barnett is going in the top 10 in this Mock, I still feel like he is under appreciated this year. Maybe it’s because he is in the same conference as Allen and Garrett and plays a similar position. But, Barnett has been tearing up the SEC and has been racking up sacks all season long. His production and motor can really help this Panther defense get pressure on the quarterback since Kony Ealy isn’t as elite as they thought.
9. Green Bay Packers – RB, Dalvin Cook, FSU
The Packers picked up the win tonight against the Eagles for Monday Night Football but don’t let that fool you. They are not good. They have been getting carried by Rodgers for quite some time. With Lacy on his contract year and not getting the chance to perform due to injury and the failure of the team this year, Cook is an explosive weapon to fill that void. He would immediately turn into the most explosive player on the offense and it would help out Green Bay.
10. Arizona Cardinals – CB, Teez Tabor, Florida
This team has been so disappointing this year. They should be in contention for a Super Bowl and somehow they’re going to end up watching the playoffs from their couches. The offensive line needs to get younger and better I know. The quarterback position needs to get younger and better I know. However, with this spot in the draft they need to go defense. I haven’t seen their defense this bad in three to four years. Betcher is the right coordinator and we have the talent on paper we just can’t perform on the field consistently. Teez will help us in coverage and in tackling. He will bring energy and youth to the Bird Gang.
11. Indianapolis Colts – EDGE, Carl Lawson, Auburn
12. New Orleans Saints – DL, Malik McDowell, MSU
13. San Diego Chargers – S, Jamal Adams, LSU
14. Tennessee Titans – WR, Mike Williams, Clemson
15. Cleveland Browns (from PHI) – S, Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
16. Buffalo Bills – CB, Sidney Jones, Washington
17. Philadelphia Eagles (from BUF) – WR, Corey Davis, Western Michigan
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – S, Malik Hooker, Ohio State
19. Pittsburgh Steelers – CB, Gareon Conley, Ohio State
20. Denver Broncos – OT, Ryan Ramcyzk, Wisconsin
21. Washington Redskins – DE, Taco Charlton, Michigan
22. Miami Dolphins – EDGE, Ryan Anderson, Alabama
23. Kansas City Chiefs – WR, John Ross, Washington
24. New York Giants – LB, Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
25. Houston Texans – OT, Cam Robinson, Alabama
26. Baltimore Ravens – EDGE, Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
27. Detroit Lions – RB, D’Onta Foreman, Texas
28. Atlanta Falcons – CB, Desmond King, Iowa
29. Seattle Seahawks – G, Dan Feeney, Indiana
30. New England Patriots –DE, DeMarcus Walker, FSU
31. Oakland Raiders – LB, Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
32. Dallas Cowboys – EDGE, Tim Williams, Alabama
