2017 NFL Mock Draft #1

The NFL regular season is over, the draft order is nearly ⅔ done, and we are now in the year 2017. That means it’s mock time! The rest of the draft order will be set as the NFL playoffs continue and there are a lot of decisions to be made by many college players. But we know enough at this point to piece together a decent mock. So here is our first try:

The Sports Guys 2017 NFL Mock Draft

1. Cleveland Browns select: Myles Garrett (DE, Texas A&M)

With two picks in the top 12, the Browns will not be forced to take a quarterback with the top pick. And since they are absolutely in love with Garrett, it’s clear that he’s the most likely to be selected if the draft were today. Of course, I didn’t think QB’s would go #1 and #2 in last year’s draft originally so things could change.

2. San Francisco 49ers select: Jonathan Allen (DL, Alabama)

It’s pretty likely a quarterback could go here on draft night, but Allen is a better player on paper than any of the QB’s in this draft class. The 49ers need help everywhere, and I think Allen would make an impact for them right away. This pick will likely be heavily influenced by what type of coach the team hires.

3. Chicago Bears select: Jabrill Peppers (DB, Michigan)

Didn’t know what position to list him as, but the Bears would be taking him to improve their secondary. Like I said with the 49ers, a quarterback could go here, but the Bears need help at many different places and Peppers is the type of playmaker that the Bears don’t have on their current roster.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars select: Quincy Wilson (CB, Florida)

Despite all the additions the Jags made a year ago, they were still bad in 2016 on the field. While help on both lines could be warranted, I think adding a top corner would be a wise move. Wilson makes some eye-popping plays and is worthy of a top ten pick. The wildcard here is if they want to move on from Bortles after a terrible year and with a new coach coming in, but that’s not the case at this point.

5. Tennessee Titans (from Los Angeles) select: Mike Williams (WR, Clemson)

I admit this could be a slight reach, but with two picks in the first round, I think the Titans can swing for the fences. Mariota needs more receivers at his disposal, and Williams is the top WR right now in this draft. I doubt he gets to them at #18 so why not take him here. Other options would be on the defensive side of the ball.

6. New York Jets select: DeShone Kizer (QB, Notre Dame)

Because of the physical tools and upside, I think Kizer will emerge as the best quarterback prospect in the 2017 draft. And since QB was an ugly revolving door for the Jets this year, my guess is they try to plug it with a top pick.

7. San Diego Chargers select: Cam Robinson (OT, Alabama)

Not entirely sure what direction the Chargers will go in at this point. Free agency will play a big role, as will the new head coach. But protecting Rivers better in his final years makes a lot of sense to me. If character concerns aren’t a big issue, then Robinson is the best tackle in the draft.

8. Carolina Panthers select: Leonard Fournette (RB, LSU)

Scouts have been drooling over Fournette for two years now and it’s the Panthers who get him here. This would mark the third year in a row that a running back has gone in the top ten (Gurley and Elliott). Taking him would mean delegating Stewart to a part-time role after a great season, but injury and age concerns linger there so it makes perfect sense.

9. Cincinnati Bengals select: Marshon Lattimore (CB, Ohio State)

Consider me unsurprised, but Pacman Jones got in trouble again. Maybe this time the Bengals will decide to finally stop employing criminals. Lattimore would be a great replacement and many see him as the best corner in the draft class. With the Bengals playing against Antonio Brown twice a year, adding to the position makes sense.

10. Buffalo Bills select: Derek Barnett (DE, Tennessee)

Barnett had a great year and it will pay off with a high draft pick. Playing in the SEC, he led the league with tackles for loss and sacks. The Bills need a better pass rush, which makes this a great fit regardless of who they hire as a head coach.

11. New Orleans Saints select: Reuben Foster (LB, Alabama)

This marks the third Alabama player selected in the top 11, and he could be the best. Foster is a stud, as are most linebackers coming from that school. The Saints still need a better defense (broken record?) and Foster could help them out.

12. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia) select: Mitch Trubisky (QB, North Carolina)

In this scenario, the Browns lucked out as one of the top signal callers is still available here at #12. They would be ecstatic if they landed Garrett and Trubisky, whom many consider the top QB prospect.

13. Arizona Cardinals select: Tim Williams (LB, Alabama)

Make that four Alabama players… Williams is an extremely disruptive linebacker that impacts the game in many ways. For Arizona, he could become a playmaker and could cause a lot of QB hurries. Adding depth in the secondary is possible too, along with boosting their offense depending on what happens in the offseason.

14. Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota) select: Dalvin Cook (RB, Florida St.)

Despite all the hype for Fournette, Dalvin Cook may end up being the best running back in this draft. He does it all and has a chance to be taken in the top ten. Philly needs a robust running attack to take some pressure off of Wentz, and Sproles/Smallwood doesn’t exactly put fear into opponents. And we know Ryan Mathews can’t stay on the field. Cook would be an instant upgrade.

15. Indianapolis Colts select: Jamal Adams (S, LSU)

While adding to the offensive line is still a high priority, surely the Colts wouldn’t pass on Adams here. That is, if he actually falls this low. Jamal is one of the best overall players in this draft and can wreak havoc on offenses. The Colts need somebody like that as they haven’t had a good safety since Bob Sanders.

16. Baltimore Ravens select: Takkarist McKinley (OLB, UCLA)

McKinley had a terrific season and proved to be an elite edge rusher in the Pac-12. The Ravens clearly need to improve that pass rush, especially if they hope to become a Super Bowl contender once again. McKinley just beats out the other options still available.

17. Washington Redskins select: John Ross (WR, Washington)

The Redskins went with a wide receiver last year in the first round, but he rarely saw the field. In free agency, Jackson is likely gone and Garcon’s future is also up in the air. Ross would give the team a very speedy weapon, which may be suddenly needed.

18. Tennessee Titans select: Marlon Humphrey (CB, Alabama)

Getting sick of Alabama players yet? Humphrey is a big corner, perfect for the NFL. He was the clear choice here as I have the Titans picking the best available defender after going with a receiver at #5.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Malik Hooker (S, Ohio State)

Hooker’s draft stock is up and down depending on which scout you talk to. I love his playmaking ability and he comes from a team that produces decent pros. Safety isn’t always a sexy position, but it’s very important in the NFL, especially for the Bucs who have had bad safety play this season. When you play Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, and Drew Brees two times each, they obviously need to improve there.

20. Denver Broncos select: Malik McDowell (DT, Michigan State)

I know Denver has offensive issues, but I doubt they could pass on McDowell. They missed Malik Jackson this year and they struggled against the run. McDowell can play multiple positions up front, and has the potential to be a force.

21. Detroit Lions select: Caleb Brantley (DT, Florida)

This is a team that still misses the Suh/Fairley combo on the interior of their defensive line. Brantley’s stats aren’t amazing, but he impacts the game by taking care of his business in the middle of the frontline. That’s what the Lions need.

22. Miami Dolphins select: Charles Harris (DE, Missouri)

O.J. Howard is tempting here, but the team would be better off getting younger on the edge and improving their pass rush. Harris is a beast that ended the season well. He just beat out Carl Lawson with this pick, but either would be a nice selection.

23. New York Giants select: Ryan Ramczyk (OT, Wisconsin)

The Giants need to improve their offensive line to help the run game and give Eli a bit more time in the pocket. Ramczyk was terrific this season and comes from a solid program with a history of producing good linemen prospects. To me, this selection was pretty easy.

24. Oakland Raiders select: Teez Tabor (CB, Florida)

The Raiders didn’t get great corner play this year, even though they added Sean Smith in the offseason. Tabor would give them another solid prospect that could really help them against quality receivers that play on the inside or the outside. Some say he’s even better than former teammate Vernon Hargreaves, who went #11 last year to the Bucs.

25. Houston Texans select: O.J. Howard (TE, Alabama)

The Texans are a mess offensively, in large part because of their quarterback. But I doubt they draft one early after paying Osweiler so much money in the offseason. That means the best option is to add weapons and hope that improves the situation. Howard could be a stud at the next level, providing Houston with a matchup nightmare.

26. Green Bay Packers select: D’Onta Foreman (RB, Texas)

Eddie Lacy is likely done and I don’t think Ty Montgomery is a longterm option at running back. Foreman led college football in yards this season, is a very tough guy to tackle, and he can pass protect well. The Packers have to improve on the ground and Foreman would help them do it.

27. Seattle Seahawks select: Quenton Nelson (G, Notre Dame)

Plain and simply, Seattle has a bad offensive line. It’s bad all over, both in the running game and in pass protection. If you’ve wondered why Seattle just isn’t the same this year, look no further than this unit. Nelson is a day one starter that can play on the left or the right. He’s the best interior lineman in the draft and the best available player altogether at this point.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers select: Tre’Davious White (CB, LSU)

I’ve been bullish on White for a couple years now and could have him too high on my board. However, I think he could be a very nice corner at the next level, even against top wide receivers. Pittsburgh has to improve their secondary in my opinion, especially if they want to dethrone New England in the AFC. White would help them do that.

29. Atlanta Falcons select: Jarrad Davis (LB, Florida)

The Falcons have a terrific offense, but a shaky defense. Davis is the best defender available here and is a versatile linebacker that can rush or drop back in coverage. That ability makes me think Dan Quinn would like him quite a bit.

30. Kansas City Chiefs select: JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR, USC)

I know Tyreke Hill is the next big thing, but this team needs another wideout for the future, particularly one that is more size than speed. Smith-Schuster would be that perfect complement and could add further dimensions to an offense that at times is lackluster and boring. I also think getting him at #30 could be great value.

31. Dallas Cowboys select: Carl Lawson (DE, Auburn)

There are injury concerns with Lawson, but his upside is absolutely outstanding. Considering we saw the Cowboys take a risk on Jaylon Smith last year, I think Dallas is a team that can look past the concerns and see the potential reward. Lawson could make a serious and immediate impact on the edge getting after quarterbacks, something Dallas needs since Randy Gregory just got suspended for one year by the NFL.

32. New England Patriots select: Corey Davis (WR, Western Michigan)

For the record, this pick will likely be traded to a team trying to jump back into the first round (likely for a quarterback). However, I don’t have a great feel of who that will be yet. So in this mock, the Patriots keep the pick and do what they do: take the best player available. Davis is a stud with size, and could turn into a top option for a pro team. It just so happens that New England, despite a great offense with plenty of options, does not have a receiver with the #1 ability that Davis possesses. Seems like a good fit to me.

Remember, this is the first mock that we’ll put out. Lots will change between now and the actual draft. For now, we’ll look forward to the playoffs, both in college and in the pros. Then we’ll get into the Senior Bowl, combine, pro days, free agency, etc. It’s going to be a lot of fun!

By: The Sports Guys