FOLLOW MY LIVE 2017 NFL DRAFT ANALYSIS HERE
With just one day to go until the draft, expect changes throughout the day. For that reason, I will probably update this a couple times, and not bother with fancy formatting. Get ready to read a mock draft that looks like it’s from a 1998 Angelfire page.
1. Cleveland Browns – EDGE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M. Despite smear campaigns from oafs like Warren Sapp, Garrett is basically the only top prospect without question marks, and the only logical choice for the first overall pick.
2. San Francisco 49ers – HB Leonard Fournette, LSU. I am not sure the 49ers even know what they are going to do here yet. Trubisky is an option, but I think Kyle Shanahan still wants to go after Kirk Cousins next off season. Fournette is a safe bet to be a solid, 20 carry per game back and would be a monster upgrade over the perpetually disappointing Carlos Hyde.
3. Chicago Bears – SS Jamal Adams, LSU. I really do not like Adams this high, but a recent Jets quote basically confirmed that the NFL circle expects him to be a top five pick. He is steady and would instantly add talent to a very weak Chicago secondary.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars – HB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford. The Jaguars invested heavily in defense during free agency and want to add explosiveness to the offense. I think drafting Trubisky would be a mistake, as he might not be an upgrade over Bortles. If a team knows how to properly use McCaffrey, he could be what Reggie Bush should have been. There is big time talk that McCaffrey will be a top 7 pick.
5. Tennessee Titans – CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State. I actually had Gareon Conley here, but with his recent rape accusations, that is no longer an option. With two first round picks and a need in the secondary, the Titans can afford to reach some for Lattimore, the drafts most talented corner who’s biggest question mark is experience.
6. New York Jets – QB Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina. This would be a prime spot for a QB needy team to trade up. But the Jets aren’t the most QB needy team in the NFL? I think Trubisky could be a good game manager, though I still prefer Deshaun Watson to him.
7. Los Angeles Chargers – DE Jonathan Allen, Alabama. Allen was simply too productive in college to fall too far. With the Chargers moving to a 4-3 defense, Allen would be a good fit at both end ant tackle.
8. Carolina Panthers – DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford. The Panthers need pass rushing help, even after signing Julius Peppers. Thomas would be great value here.
9. Cincinnati Bengals – OLB Haason Reddick, Temple. I have been a huge Reddick fan, and even had him mocked to the 49ers a month or two ago. I still would not be surprised to see him go that high. He can play any position and do everything on the field.
10. Buffalo Bills – QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson. The Bills are not married to Tyrod Taylor, and have always loved Clemson prospects. Despite the metrics claiming Watson will be a bust, I still like the guy and would take him over any other QB in this draft.
11. New Orleans Saints – DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee. Barnett is not the most athletic but he has a non stop motor and was simply productive. The Saints need to draft the best defender available with basically every pick.
12. Cleveland Browns – FS Malik Hooker, Ohio State. Rumor has the Browns trading up to try to land Trubisky. Cleveland’s front office operates a different way, and would probably like to trade down and keep landing picks. Hooker would be a big upgrade for a weak secondary.
13. Arizona Cardinals – MLB Reuben Foster, Alabama. The Cardinals have never been afraid to take players with off the field concerns. Foster’s talent would make him a fantastic fit in the middle, where they still have not been able to replace Daryl Washington.
14. Philadelphia Eagles – CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama. With Gareon Conley likely slipping out of the first round, that means cornerbacks will move up. Humphrey has a lot of issues, but has the talent to become a number one corner. The Eagles simply need bodies at the position.
15. Indianapolis Colts – OT Garett Bolles, Utah. The Colts need help pretty much everywhere, but keeping Andrew Luck upright should be the top priority. Bolles is already 25 years old, and should be able to slide right in and produce at right tackle.
16. Baltimore Ravens – TE OJ Howard, Alabama. The Ravens have bigger needs but could Ozzie Newsome really pass up on a fellow Alabama tight end? Howard would be a big upgrade over the 84 mediocre options Baltimore has at tight end.
17. Washington Redskins – EDGE Charles Harris, Missouri. The Redskins need to continue to add talent to a weak front seven on defense. Harris has the ability to develop into a solid 3-4 pass rusher.
18. Tennessee Titans – WR Mike Williams, Clemson. Receiver and cornerback are Tennessee’s two biggest needs. Williams is the only sure fire first round receiver, though he lacks the speed scouts love. His huge catch radius would be a plus for a mobile quarterback like Mariota.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – HB Dalvin Cook, Florida State. This pick comes down to Dalvin Cook and David Njoku. Cook’s addition would allow the Buccaneers to move on from Doug Martin, giving him the advantage.
20. Denver Broncos – OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin. The Broncos need to add several offensive lineman during the draft. Ramczyk has his question marks, but may be the only pure left tackle in this class.
21. Detroit Lions – DE Taco Charlton, Michigan. The Lions defensive line is a mess outside of Ziggy Ansah. Charlton is a steady presence and a safe bet to have a productive career.
22. Miami Dolphins – TE David Njoku, Miami. If Njoku is gone, Miami could be all over Jarrad Davis. Miami has scouted Njoku heavily, and Adam Gase would love to have his talent at tight end. Julius Thomas is likely not the answer.
23. New York Giants – OT Cam Robinson, Alabama. The Giants have brought in all of the top offensive lineman and will likely go that route. Robinson could hold his own at left tackle, but will more likely play on the right side or guard.
24. Oakland Raiders – MLB Jarrad Davis, Florida. The Raiders need several new linebackers. Davis looks to be a first round pick as a plug and play option.
25. Houston Texans – QB Patrick Mahomes III, Texas Tech. The Texans put all of their eggs in the Tony Romo basket and are now looking at the terrifying possibility of Tom Savage starting the season. They simply have to upgrade the position any way they can.
26. Seattle Seahawks – FS Obi Melifonwu, Connecticut. Yes, offensive line is the biggest need in Seattle, but Melifonwu fits what they like to do in the secondary. He could take over for Richard Sherman following the 2017 season.
27. Kansas City Chiefs – QB Davis Webb, California. Judging by pre draft visits, the Chiefs finally seem interested in drafting Alex Smith’s replacement. This pick comes down to Webb and Kizer, with Webb’s intangibles giving him the edge.
28. Dallas Cowboys – EDGE TJ Watt, Wisconsin. The Cowboys will likely draft defense throughout. Watt’s great combine workouts should punch a ticket to the first round.
29. Green Bay Packers – CB Kevin King, Washington. Anyone who watched the Packers know the secondary is in shambles. Several picks should be used on the position.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers – SS Jabrill Peppers, Michigan. The Steelers defensive coaching staff could be one of the teams that will know how to properly utilize Peppers unique talents.
31. Atlanta Falcons – OG Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky. The Falcons scouted Lamp heavy and should be ecstatic to see him on the board here. He will be able to come in and start right away.
32. New Orlenas Saints – CB Adoree’ Jackson, USC. Jackson is still more athlete than cornerback, but the Saints are starved for talent at the position.
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