2017 NFL First Round Mock Draft V2
I’m really enjoying formulating my own first round draft picks for the 2017 NFL draft. Now again, I’m no draft expert or college football expert, but I’ve done a fair amount of research on draft projections and know what NFL teams need. As I mentioned in my first mock draft, the draft is weak at Quarterback and offensive line, and is strong in the secondary. I believe this mock draft reflects the talent in the secondary, as I have five of my top 11 picks at either cornerback or safety. Even though a couple pass rushers like Derek Barnett and Takkarist McKinley could likely be drafted higher, I felt that teams in the top fifteen spots had significant needs at cornerback, like Tennessee, Buffalo, New Orleans, and Philadelphia.
You’ll also notice I have just two Quarterbacks, Mitchell Trubisky of UNC and Deshaun Watson of Clemson going in the first round. Even though Deshone Kizer or Notre Dame and Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech could also potentially go in the first round, they aren’t first round talents and are big projects at the position. I also left Dalvin Cook out of the first round as well, as multiple NFL executives have mentioned he is sliding out of the first round. If you wish to compare this mock draft with my previous mock, click . Let me know if you think any of these picks are way off, as I tried to go with different positions than my previous mock draft just to keep people considering the possibilities.
1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett- DE, Texas A&M: All this junk about the Browns deciding between Garrett and Trubisky for first overall is nuts. The Browns haven’t drafted a star Quarterback since way before I was born. The only team before the Browns 12th overall pick that could take a Quarterback is the Jets, who haven’t had success in drafting a Quarterback either. If you’re the Browns, you have to take the risk of drafting Trubisky later, and take the best player overall.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas- DE, Stanford: Solomon Thomas may very well be the next best overall player. The 49ers gave up 170 rushing yards per game, and struggled to get to the Quarterback. I can see Jonathan Allen going here as well, but Thomas is better than the other defensive ends the 49ers have drafted in the first round.
3. Chicago Bears: Jamal Adams- S, LSU: I’m sticking with Adams here going to the Bears as it is their most pressing need. The Bears have a lot of corner depth behind Prince Amukamara and Kyle Fuller, so I don’t expect them grabbing either Marshon Lattimore, Kevin King, or Gareon Conley. I could also see them going with Jonathan Allen, but the Bears were beaten deep more than by the run.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: O.J. Howard- TE, Alabama: With Julius Thomas now in Miami, an elite tight end could have a big impact throughout their offense. In addition to blocking the run exceptionally for a ground game that needs to be more productive, Howard will provide Bortles with a great security blanket and a big play threat all in one. The Jaguars could go with Leonard Fournette too, but they need to sort of the running back mess between Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon.
5. Tennessee Titans: Marshon Lattimore- CB, Ohio State: The Titans are definitely the most complete team in the top ten, and are grateful for this pick from the Rams.The two biggest needs are a corner across from Logan Ryan, and a receiver. The chances of one of the top three receivers falling to Tennessee at pick eighteen are good, so they should grab the best corner in the draft.
6. New York Jets: Malik Hooker- S, Ohio State: The second Buckeye off the board, Hooker fills a very immediate need for the Jets. The Jets got beat by the deep ball all year long, and Hooker is a big play safety with great ball skills. The Jets cannot go Quarterback this early, as most experts don’t even give the Quarterbacks first round grades, so they need to start with defense.
7. Los Angeles Chargers: Jonathan Allen- DT, Alabama: Even though San Diego did well against the run last season, it’s hard to pass up on Allen here at seven. Jonathan Allen is an incredibly safe pick, who is a great combination of run defender and pass rusher. The Chargers would be smart to take the best overall talent here, and sure up their defense for years to come.
8. Carolina Panthers: Leonard Fournette- RB, LSU:
If Fournette falls to the Panthers, it looks like a match made in heaven. The majority of the Panthers’ runs are downhill and inside runs, which Fournette would excel in. In addition, having both Fournette and Stewart will help take pressure off Cam Newton, and will keep him from the dangerous runs we all saw last season.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Williams- WR, Clemson: Even though the Bengals desperately need help on the offensive line, this offensive line class isn’t worth drafting this high. I like the Bengals to get a great receiver to have across from A.J. Green. Cincinnati really struggled after losing Mohammad Sanu and Marvin Jones, and Williams would be an upgrade over Brandon LaFell.
10.Buffalo Bills: Gareon Conley- CB, Ohio State: Even though I would’ve liked to see Williams go here for a Clemson receiver duo, the Bills need help at corner. With Stephon Gilmore in New England, the Bills need long-term help in their secondary to keep up with Brandin Cooks, Jarvis Landry, and Julian Edelman.
11. New Orleans Saints: Kevin King- CB, Washington: The Saints’ biggest need is help in their secondary, and grabbing a big, physical corner is a great move. King is 6’3”and ran a 4.43 40, which are great numbers to have in a corner. This Saints’ defense has started to come around since last season, when they were in the top half of the league in run defense. Drafting secondary help can continue to change the perception of the Saints’ defense.
12. Cleveland Browns: Mitchell Trubisky- QB, UNC:
Now I can accept the Browns drafting Trubisky. All they have to do is hope the Jets don’t draft Trubisky at 6 and they will be okay. If the Browns are thinking Trubisky is their Quarterback of the future, they have to pull the trigger here at 12.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Reuben Foster- LB, Alabama: Arizona is an interesting team for draft purposes because they have a variety of needs, but nothing too drastic. If Arizona doesn’t have a Quarterback that they see worth taking at pick 13, I like them to go best player available. Foster would be a force in their defense, and the Cardinals have a history of managing “troubled” players.
14. Philadelphia Eagles: Marlon Humphrey- CB, Alabama: I went with a corner in my previous first round mock draft, and I still believe they desperately need a corner. This division now has Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, Dez Bryant, and Terrelle Pryor Sr., and the Eagles lost Nolan Carroll in free agency. With Jalen Mills’ struggles last season, the Eagles need more cornerback depth to stay afloat in the NFC East.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Forrest Lamp- OG, Western Kentucky: I traditionally thought the Colts would go defensive end, but with all the defensive additions they’ve made in free agency, offensive line might be their biggest need. Even though this line started to gel better toward the end of the 2016 season, Lamp is an NFL ready guard who will do well in protecting the highest paid Quarterback in the league.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Derek Barnett- DE, Tennessee: Even though Barnett should go earlier, a lot of these teams above had a big need at cornerback. Barnett will be a big force in this Ravens defensive line who needs some extra pass rush.
17. Washington Redskins: Christian McCaffery- RB, Stanford: Even though I could see McCaffery falling further, and the Redskins need help on defense, this match would be great to watch. McCaffery is more talented than the other running backs on their roster, and this would give Kirk Cousins another talented pass catcher in this offense.
18. Tennessee Titans: Corey Davis- WR, Western Michigan: Tennessee comes through clutch to fill the second of their major needs by drafting a great receiver. The Titans don’t have a number one receiver, and Davis will give Mariota a great target for years to come.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cam Robinson- OT, Alabama: In my first mock, I had the Bucs going with Dalvin Cook, who has been falling in the eyes of many NFL GMs. The next best thing to improving the running game is improving the offensive line. Robinson and all the other offensive tackles in the draft are projects, but Robinson can likely be a good starting tackle in this league for a long time.
20. Denver Broncos: Garrett Boles- OT, Utah: Another project, Boles’ athleticism is difficult to pass up. Denver desperately needs help on their offensive line, and will have to take a risk on a project lineman.
21. Detroit Lions: Takkarist McKinley- DE/LB, UCLA: Detroit’s biggest needs are on defense, and McKinley’s motor is exactly what they need in the Motor City. Detroit needs pass rush across from Ezekiel Ansah, and his ability to drop into coverage on occasion will help the Lions greatly.
22. Miami Dolphins: Haason Reddick- LB, Temple:
Reddick has great versatility, which has helped him shoot up draft boards over the last month or two. Reddick will be able to play all over the defense for Miami, as you can build around him for years to come.
23. New York Giants: David Njoku- TE, Miami: The Giants haven’t really had any tight ends standout in recent years, and have been going all in with their roster. Njoku will give an athletic, versatile pass catcher and run blocker to an offense that should have no excuses to put up less than 25 points per game.
24. Oakland Raiders: Jarrad Davis- LB, Florida: With Perry Riley Jr. still a free agent, the Raiders have a need a linebacker. Davis has been described as one of the cleanest players in this draft, and adding another playmaker on defense will help the Raiders greatly.
25. Houston Texans: Ryan Ramczyk- OT, Wisconsin: Ramczyk is the last offensive tackle that’s really worth consideration here in the first round. The Texans have a need at right tackle, and this will help the team run the ball better and take pressure off whoever plays Quarterback.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Tre’Davious White- CB: LSU: With all this talk of a Richard Sherman trade, the Seahawks are going to need a long-term fix at cornerback. Even if Sherman stays, DeShawn Shead hasn’t been great. Seattle desperately needs offensive lineman, but if they don’t see anyone worth taking this high in a poor class, expect them to address the position later.
27. Kansas City Chiefs: Deshaun Watson- QB, Clemson:
Even though the Chiefs need a cornerback across from Marcus Peters, I would love to see the Chiefs draft Watson. This would give Watson some time to learn how to play Quarterback in the NFL, and would give Kansas City a great backup Quarterback. Watson could be a great Quarterback on the Chiefs for years to come.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Adoree’ Jackson- CB, USC: This is the same pick I had going to Dallas in the first mock draft. The Cowboys lost a lot of secondary players to free agency, and Jackson is the big play cornerback that Dallas needs.
29. Green Bay Packers: Charles Harris- DE, Missouri: Other than Harris being the best player available at this point, the Packers could use some additional pass rush. In addition to losing Julius Peppers, the Packers’ division rivals all got better protection up front, so better pass rush is important for the division games that are grinding efforts.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jabrill Peppers- S, Michigan: Drafting Peppers would definitely be an interesting option for the Steelers. Not only would he upgrade their secondary, but Peppers could take pressure off Antonio Brown in the return game, helping to keep Brown healthy. This may be a stretch and I could definitely see the Steelers drafting T.J. Watt instead.
31. Atlanta Falcons: Taco Charlton- DE, Michigan: The Falcons really don’t have many needs, but pass rush is always something smart to stock up on. Charlton would give the Falcons a strong pass rush across from Vic Beasley, and this will help the rest of their defense.
32. New Orleans Saints: Budda Baker- S, Washington: The Saints will take another big step to improve their secondary by drafting a safety to pair with cornerback Kevin King. Even though I could see the Saints going Quarterback if the right player is available, my guess is they wait until round two to draft Drew Brees’ backup. 9.
