2017 NFL Mock Draft – 1/9/17

The deadline for underclassmen to declare is coming up quickly, but I wanted to get a mock draft out before that.
 

2017 NFL Draft Rankings

QB | HB | FB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | K
EDGE | 4-3 DE | DT | 4-3 OLB | MLB | CB | FS | SS | P

2017 NFL Draft Early Entrants and Draft Projection List.

Please make sure to click here to view the latest 2017 NFL Mock Draft.

#	Team	Player	H/W	Hometown	Position	School	16-17 Stats
1. Cleveland Browns		Myles Garrett, Jr	6’5, 270 lbs	Arlington, TX	SDE/OLB	Texas A&M	33 tackles, 8.5 sacks
Myles Garrett has been the top prospect during the entire 2017 Draft cycle, and I do not think that has changed. Despite a less than stellar junior season, he remains the best pass rusher in college football. Offenses schemed to keep the ball away from his side of the field. All eyes will be on quarterback here, but there is simply not a player worth passing on Garrett for. Cleveland is in for a long rebuild, and with a ton of picks, can find a quarterback later on.
2. San Francisco 49ers		Deshaun Watson, Jr	6’3, 215 lbs	Gainesville, GA	QB	Clemson	352-523, 4173 yards, 38 TD, 17 INT
It shocks me how little love Deshaun Watson gets amongst the mock draft community. Sure, he throws interceptions. But he also has led his team to back to back National Championship appearances, and thrown for nearly 10,000 yards and 90 touchdowns during his illustrious career. I would feel comfortable selecting him as my franchise quarterback, much more so than Mitch Trubisky or DeShone Kizer.
3. Chicago Bears		Jonathan Allen, Sr	6’3, 291 lbs	Leesburg, VA	DE/DT	Alabama	52 tackles, 9.5 sacks
It is not difficult to figure out why Alabama is one of the greatest college football dynasties of all time. They have NFL caliber players, and the draft results have shown that. It is rare a top prospect stays in Tuscaloosa all four years, but that is what we have in Jonathan Allen. Allen is one of the most complete defensive lineman to come out in years. With his ability to rush the passer and stop the run, he can line up at any position in any scheme comfortably. He would be a great building block for a Bears defense that still needs viable parts for a 3-4 scheme.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars		Dalvin Cook, Jr	5’11, 213 lbs	Miami, FL	HB	Florida State	288 rushes, 1765 yards, 19 TD
The more things change, the more they remain the same in regards to a top five Jacksonville Jaguars draft selection. Many mocks have the Jaguars taking a running back, though the consensus is Leonard Fournette. I love Fournette, but think Dalvin Cook could be a more popular selection among NFL scouts. His game translates perfectly to today’s wide open style, and, unlike Fournette, he has not dealt with nearly the pounding in college. The Jaguars can move on from the underwhelming duo of Chris Ivory and TJ Yeldon, as Cook is a true three down back.
5. Titans (from Rams)		Mike Williams, Jr	6’3, 225 lbs	Vance, SC	WR	Clemson	90 rec, 1267 yards, 10 TD
The Titans were much improved in 2016, but get a top five pick from the Rams anyway. Current needs dictate that Mike Williams could be a solid choice here. He is not on the AJ Green/Julio Jones level of receiver talent, but could be another Mike Evans type. Mobile quarterbacks are at their best with a big target, and Williams would give Marcus Mariota just that.
6. New York Jets		Derek Barnett, Jr	6’3, 265 lbs	Nashville, TN	DE/OLB	Tennessee	56 tackles, 13 sacks
Leonard Fournette makes sense here, but the Jets do not often draft offense in the first round. Instead, expect them to shore up a weak back seven on defense. Scouts and analysts have been trying to discredit Derek Barnett since the day he stepped foot in Knoxville, but all he has done is become the NCAA’s current career sack leader. Barnett is not the most athletic, but has a non stop motor and an advanced knowledge of his position, and could give the Jets some much needed pass rushing.
7. San Diego Chargers		Corey Davis, Sr	6’3, 213 lbs	Wheaton, IL	WR	Western Michigan	97 rec, 1500 yards, 19 TD
Keenan Allen is a top receiver when healthy. The problem is, he is never healthy. The Chargers should start thinking about a contingency plan. One of the most productive receivers in college football history, (career totals of 332 receptions, 5385 yards, 52 TD) Corey Davis is more than just another Mid Major receiver beating up on cup cakes. Davis has great size, good hands and is the best route runner in this class. He should come in and produce right away, and will be picked much higher than people realize.
8. Carolina Panthers		Teez Tabor, Jr	6’0, 201 lbs	Washington, DC	CB	Florida	33 tackles, 4 INT
Letting Josh Norman walk backfired in a big way in Carolina. While that was not the Panthers only issue, it was a big one, as they could not stop anyone through the air. Fortunately this draft is ripe with secondary prospects. Teez Tabor is a playmaker who has the occasional mental lapse, but is more talented and a better prospect than former Gator counterpart Vernon Hargreaves, who was a top 15 pick last year.
9. Cincinnati Bengals		Leonard Fournette, Jr	6’1, 235 lbs	New Orleans, LA	HB	LSU	129 rushes, 843 yards, 8 TD
Neither Giovani Bernard or Jeremy Hill have shown to  be anything more than replacement level backs in Cincinnati. Leonard Fournette may be too tempting for the Bengals to pass up. Although Fournette has dealt with nicks and bruises during his time at LSU, scouts are not overly concerned, as his injuries are not expected to linger. If anything, it saved some mileage on his tires. Fournette is a strong, violent runner that garners comparisons to Bo Jackson, and has the talent to be a foundation back in the NFL.
10. Buffalo Bills		Jamal Adams, Jr	6’1, 213 lbs	Lewisville, TX	SS	LSU	76 tackles, 1 INT, 1 sack
There are high school football players being recruited to college who were not born the last time the Buffalo Bills made the playoffs. Nobody circles the wagons of losing like the Buffalo Bills. Always in need of talent across the board, Jamal Adams is the best player available who fills a need. He has drawn comparisons to Troy Polamalu for his recklessly controlled play. Adams has the ability to cover receivers as well as stop the run.
11. New Orleans Saints		Marlon Humphrey, So	6’1, 196 lbs	Hoover, AL	CB	Alabama	33 tackles, 2 INT
Always in the market for defensive upgrades, the Saints should be able to land a pretty good contributor here. Marlon Humphrey is one of a number of impact redshirt sophomores who could sprinkle the first round. He is tall, strong, has the bloodlines of a former NFL player, Bobby Humphrey, and has the look of a future number one cornerback.
12. Cleveland Browns (from Eagles)		CB/SS Jabrill Peppers, So	6’1, 205 lbs	East Orange, NJ	CB/SS	Michigan	72 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 INT
A quarterback will not do much good if the rest of the roster is in shambles. With Myles Garrett, Danny Shelton, Emmanuel Ogbah, Joe Haden, Jamie Collins and now Jabrill Peppers, the defense could be a strength. Peppers played everywhere for Michigan this season, but will likely settle in at safety, where his athleticism and tackling could be utilized most successfully.
13. Arizona Cardinals		Mitch Trubisky, Jr	6’3, 220 lbs	Mentor, OH	QB	North Carolina	304-446, 3748 yard,s 30 TD, 6 INT
The Cardinals hope to contend in 2017, so I doubt they would be enamored with spending a first round pick on a quarterback. However, without a viable option, Arizona bites the bullet and selects Mitch Trubisky. Trubisky checks all of the boxes of what you look for in a drop back quarterback, but he lacks experience after starting only one year at North Carolina, and tailed off towards the end of the season. In Arizona, he would be able to sit and learn behind Carson Palmer for a year or two before taking over.
14. Indianapolis Colts		Reuben Foster, Sr	6’1, 236 lbs	Auburn, AL	MLB	Alabama	103 tackles, 4 sacks
You name it, the Colts need it. At the top of the list could be a physical defensive presence such as Reuben Foster. Foster is a tackling machine who can also get after the quarterback. More athletic than former Crimson Tide inside linebackers CJ Mosley, Donta Hightower and Reggie Ragland, Foster would be an instant starter as the quarterback of the Colts defense.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (from Vikings)		Malik Hooker, So	6’2, 205 lbs	New Castle, PA	FS	Ohio State	74 tackles, 6 INT, .5 sacks
As a young team with a multitude of needs, the Eagles did very well to trade Sam Bradford for what amounted to a mid first round pick. Malik Hooker is the best player available that fills a need. A prototypical free safety in the Ed Reed mold, Hooker had an uncanny nose for the football during his lone year as a starter, picking off six passes. Experience is the only issue, on paper he has the looks of a great one.
16. Baltimore Ravens		Carl Lawson, Jr	6’2, 253 lbs	Alpharetta, GA	DE/OLB	Auburn	31 tackles, 9 sacks
For years Ozzie Newsome was able to replace departed free agents with solid draft picks and keep the winning records coming, but that has not been the case recently. The Ravens need talent upgrades across the board, but especially at pass rush, where Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs are nearing the end of solid careers. Carl Lawson put his injury woes behind him, and was one of the most feared pass rushers in the SEC. Health is the only issue, but he is squarely in the mid first round conversation.
17. Washington Redskins		Quincy Wilson, Jr	6’1, 213 lbs	Fort Lauderdale, FL	CB/SS	Florida	33 tackles, 3 INT, 1 sack
While Teez Tabor generated most of the pub among Florida secondary prospects, Quincy Wilson was nearly as good. He has nice cover skills and the size to play either cornerback or safety. The Redskins have a solid cornerback duo in Josh Norman and Breshad Breeland, but lack depth, especially at the safety positions.
18. Tennessee Titans		Cam Robinson, Jr	6’6, 310 lbs	Monroe, LA	OG/OT	Alabama	N/A
With two first round picks, Tennessee goes with somewhat of a luruxy pick in Cam Robinson. Robinson would likely slide inside for Tennessee, though guard might be his better long term position. Robinson is a tremendous run blocker who could start right away over the ineffective former top ten pick Chance Warmack.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers		Chris Wormley, Sr	6’6, 302 lbs	Toledo, OH	DE/DT	Michigan	37 tackles, 6 sacks
Gerald McCoy has been a one man show at defensive line for the Buccaneers the past few years. Chris Wormley has had some consistency issues in the past but has developed quite nicely during his four years at Michigan and can fill in all along the defensive line.
20. Denver Broncos		OJ Howard, Sr	6’6, 251 lbs	Prattville, AL	TE	Alabama	41 rec, 489 yards, 2 TD
Who knows how the Broncos will look next year without Gary Kubiak. One can assume this will still be a team that leans on the defense and running game. OJ Howard does not boast elite statistics, but is the most complete tight end in this class. A strong receiver and willing blocker, he could be a nice safety net for Denver’s young quarterbacks.
21. Detroit Lions		Sidney Jones, Jr	6’0, 180 lbs	Diamond Bar, CA	CB	Washington	39 tackles, 3 INT
Darius Slay is very good, but Detroit needs help on the other side of the secondary. Sidney Jones is a bit thin and lanky, and may struggle a bit against the tougher receivers of the NFL, but is a great cover guy who was the best player in one of the most talented secondaries in college football.
22. Miami Dolphins		Gareon Conley, Jr	6’1, 195 lbs	Massillon, OH	CB	Ohio State	26 tackles, 4 INT
Miami’s secondary performed better than expected, but is still a collection of replacement level players. This draft has an extremely deep group of cornerbacks and safeties. Gareon Conley had a great nose for the ball as an Ohio State junior and has the look of a future starter.
23. New York Giants		Garett Boles, Jr	6’6, 300 lbs	Lehi, UT	OG/OT	Utah	N/A
The Giants will go as far as Eli Manning and the passing attack takes them, so continuing to build the offensive line is the way to go. Garett Boles is already 25 years old, but should be able to step in right away and start at right tackle or guard.
24. Oakland Raiders		Desmond King, Sr	5’11, 203 lb	Detroit, MI	CB	Iowa	59 tackles, 3 INT
The Raiders boast one of the better young rosters in the NFL but the secondary took a big step back. Sean Smith was not the answer, but Desmond King could be. King’s stock is slipping thanks to a lack up athleticism and upside, and he might be a better fit at safety, but should be a quality regular.
25. Houston Texans		Brad Kaaya, Jr	6’4, 215 lbs	Los Angeles, CA	QB	Miami	261-421, 3532 yards, 27 TD, 7 INT
While I doubt the Texans actually take a quarterback here, they sure do need one. This is more about my admiration for Brad Kaaya. I am not sure why DeShone Kizer gets so much first round love but not Kaaya. He has good size and plenty of experience in a pro style offense. Kaaya might not ever be a Pro Bowler, but could be Teddy Bridgewater with a stronger arm.
26. Green Bay Packers		Solomon Thomas, So	6’3, 273 lbs	Coppell, TX	DE/OLB	Stanford	62 tackles, 8 sacks
The Packers are always on the hunt for defensive talent, and will probably lean that way in the first round once again. Solomon Thomas had a very productive redshirt sophomore season for the Cardinal, displaying strength and the ability to get after the quarterback. He has the body to adjust to either 3-4 end or outside linebacker.
27. Seattle Seahawks		Ryan Ramczyk, Jr	6’6, 314 lbs	Stevens Point, WI	OT	Wisconsin	N/A
Perhaps the biggest positional need amongst any team in the NFL is offensive line and Seattle. The Seahawks patchwork line was the main reason the team has struggled in 2016, and they need to devote multiple picks to help shore up this area. Ryan Ramczyk could have been the first offensive lineman drafted, but will miss most of the off season with an injury. Wisconsin routinely produces quality offensive lineman and Ramczyk should be a solid starter for quite a while.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers		Charles Harris, Jr	6’3, 260 lbs	Kansas City, MO	DE/OLB	Missouri	61 tackles, 9 sacks
Pittsburgh has spent multiple first round picks on pass rushers, but guys like Jarvis Jones and Bud Dupree have not quite panned out. With James Harrison on borrowed time, the Steelers need to keep drafting pass rushers. Charles Harris is the latest in a long line of talented Missouri defensive lineman and has the ability to be a double digit sack artist in the NFL.
29. Atlanta Falcons		DeMarcus Walker, Sr	6’4, 280 lbs	Jacksonville, FL	DE	Florida State	67 tackles, 16 sacks
DeMarcus Walker is not the most dynamic pass rusher, but few players in college were more productive. Walker is strong and a solid run defender as well. Vic Beasley led the NFL in sacks but Atlanta needs to keep adding players who can get after the quarterback.
30. Kansas City Chiefs		Adoree’ Jackson, Jr	5’11, 195 lbs	Belleville, IL	CB	USC	55 tackles, 5 INT
Marcus Peters has quickly become one of the best players in the NFL but the Chiefs are still very thin at quarterback. Right now Adoree’ Jackson is more athlete than football player, but displayed a knack for picking off passes. At the least, with Jackson and Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs will have a dominating return game.
31. Dallas Cowboys		Harold Landry, Jr	6’3, 250 lbs	Spring Lake, NC	DE/OLB	Boston College	50 tackles, 16.5 sacks
The Cowboys have taken a lot of chances with defensive draft picks, and few have panned out. A player who can get after the quarterback is still the team’s biggest need. Harold Landry is undersized, but led the nation with 16.5 sacks and could, at the least, develop into a nice situational pass rusher.
32. New England Patriots		Christian McCaffrey, Jr	6’0, 200 lbs	Castle Rock, CO	RB	Stanford	253 rushes, 1603 yards, 13 TD
From Kevin Faulk to Danny Woodhead to Dion Lewis, Tom Brady has always appreciated a quick, pass receiving half back. Christian McCaffrey reminds me of what Reggie Bush should have been coming out of USC. He might not be a 20 carry per game back, but should excel in space, and has the ability to rush for 1,000 yards and catch 80 passes.

Round 2

33. Cleveland Browns – QB DeShone Kizer, So, Notre Dame
34. San Francisco 49ers – WR John Ross, Jr, Washington
35. Chicago Bears – FS Marcus Williams, Jr, Utah
36. Jacksonville Jaguars – DT Carlos Watkins, Sr, Clemson
37. Los Angeles Rams – WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jr, USC
38. New York Jets – HB D’Onta Foreman, Jr, Texas
39. San Diego Chargers – DE/OLB Takkarist McKinley, Sr, UCLA
40. Carolina Panthers – CB Tre’Davious White, Sr, LSU
41. Cincinnati Bengals – MLB Zach Cunningham, Jr, Vanderbilt
42. Buffalo Bills – WR/TE Evan Engram, Sr, Ole’ Miss
43. New Orleans Saints – TE David Njoku, So, Miami
44. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Isaiah Ford, Jr, Virginia Tech
45. Arizona Cardinals – MLB Raekwon McMillan, Jr, Ohio State
46. Indianapolis Colts – OG Dan Feeney, Sr, Indiana
47. Minnesota Vikings – OT Roderick Johnson, Jr, Florida State
48. Baltimore Ravens – FS Budda Baker, Jr, Washington
49. Washington Redskins – DE/DT Malik McDowell, Jr, Michigan State
50. Cleveland Browns (from Tennessee Titans) – TE Bucky Hodges, Jr, Virginia Tech
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – WR Zay Jones, Sr, East Carolina
52. Denver Broncos – OT Dion Dawkins, Sr, Temple
53. Detroit Lions – DE Taco Charlton, Sr, Michigan
54. Miami Dolphins – OG/C Ethan Pocic, Sr, LSU
55. New York Giants – DT Elijah Qualls, Jr, Washington
56. Oakland Raiders – RB Wayne Gallman, Jr, Clemson
57. Houston Texans – MLB Jarrad Davis, Sr, Florida
58. Seattle Seahawks – OG Dorian Johnson, Sr, Pittsburgh
59. Green Bay Packers – WR Cooper Kupp, Sr, Eastern Washington
60. Pittsburgh Steelers – CB Jourdan Lewis, Sr, Michigan
61. Atlanta Falcons – WR Dede Westbrook, Sr, Oklahoma
62. Kansas City Chiefs – DE/DT Caleb Brantley, Jr, Florida
63. Dallas Cowboys – CB Cordrea Tankersley, Sr, Clemson
64. New England Patriots – DE/OLB TJ Watt, Jr, Wisconsin

Round 3

65. Cleveland Browns – OT Adam Bisnowaty, Sr, Pittsburgh
66. San Francisco 49ers – OLB Ryan Anderson, Sr, Alabama
67. Chicago Bears – WR Isaiah Ford, Jr, Virginia Tech
68. Jacksonville Jaguars – OG Tyrone Crowder, Sr, Clemson
69. Tennessee Titans (from Los Angeles Rams) – SS Justin Evans, Sr, Texas A&M
70. New York Jets – CB Damontae Kazee, Sr, San Diego State
71. San Diego Chargers – QB Patrick Mahomes II, Jr, Texas Tech
72. Carolina Panthers – RB Marlon Mack, Jr, South Florida
73. Cincinnati Bengals – OG/C Pat Elflein, Sr, Ohio State
74. Buffalo Bills – DE/OLB Jordan Willis, Sr, Kansas State
75. New Orleans Saints – OLB Haason Reddick, Sr, Temple
76. Philadelphia Eagles – CB Cameron Sutton, Sr, Tennessee
77. Arizona Cardinals – MLB/SS Josh Harvey-Clemons, Sr, Louisville
78. Indianapolis Colts – HB Kareem Hunt, Sr, Toledo
79. Minnesota Vikings – OG Zach Banner, Sr, USC
80. Baltimore Ravens – WR Amara Darboh, Sr, Michigan
81. Washington Redskins – RB Samaje Perine, Jr, Oklahoma
82. Tennessee Titans – TE Jordan Leggett, Sr, Clemson
83. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – C Tyler Orlosky, Sr, West Virginia
84. Denver Broncos – DE/DT Davon Godchaux, Jr, LSU
85. Detroit Lions – CB Corn Elder, Sr, Miami
86. Minnesota Vikings (from Miami Dolphins) – RB Brian Hill, Jr, Wyoming
87. New York Giants – DE Hunter Dimick, Sr, Utah
88. Oakland Raiders – DT Vincent Taylor, Jr, Oklahoma State
89. Houston Texans – DT Dalvin Tomlinson, Sr, Alabama
90. Seattle Seahawks – CB Kevin King, Sr, Washington
91. Green Bay Packers – CB Chidobe Awuzie, Sr, Colorado
92. Pittsburgh Steelers – TE Jake Butt, Sr, Michigan
93. Atlanta Falcons – DE Garrett Sickels, Jr, Penn State
94. Kansas City Chiefs – MLB Anthony Walker Jr., Jr, Northwestern
95. Dallas Cowboys – WR/RB Curtis Samuel, Jr, Ohio State
96. New England Patriots – OG/C Kyle Fuller, Sr, Baylor