2017 NFL mock draft

Written by Kyle Steinhoff, Features Editor
January 26, 2017

  1. Cleveland Browns-Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
    – After a historically bad year, many Browns fans have been calling for a new franchise QB. While Roger Griffin III is not the answer, he is the fill in for now as I do not see any quarterback in this draft rated high enough over the potential of Garrett. Garrett is quick and can spin off the line well, a high risk high reward player that the Dog Pound is craving. 
  2. San Francisco 49ers- Deshone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
    – Based on recent reports, the 49ers heavily rank Kizer above fellow top QB prospects Mitch Trubisky and Deshaun Watson. He is incredibly raw and will take time to develop, but the 49ers already have their in house man-Blaine Gabbert-who can give the team time to develop Kizer. 
  3. Chicago Bears- Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
    – I know the Bears have a glaring hole at the QB spot, but Hooker is too explosive to pass up. His quick minded ball hawking skills give him the ability to be dominate in the NFL. He would slot right in as a starter and could be one of the final pieces needed to make the Bears D one of the best in the league. 
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars- Jonathan Allen, DE/DT, Alabama
    – In my opinion Allen is the best player in this draft and should have won the heisman as a defensive player. He is explosive off the line and will pair well with Malik Jackson and create a dynamic duo up front. The Jags will be loving that this caliber of a player fell into their lap. 
  5. Tennessee Titans- Jamal Adams, S, LSU
    – Curiosity of the trade for Jared Goff last year with the Rams, the Titans have a solid team that will be picking very high again this year. The offense is a powerhouse around Marcus Mariota, which was evened out by a struggling defense. Adams is your basic safety who can catch the overthrown ball and make huge tackles, but with Adams his size offers great potential. 
  6. New York Jets- Mitch Trubisky, QB, UNC
    – Trubisky shot up the charts this year after a great junior year. He has one of the best arms and athleticism in the draft, and is probably the most polished qb in this draft. I intentionally had him going earlier, but after a poor bowl game this year(23-39, three turnovers) his stock slightly fell. 
  7. Los Angeles Chargers- Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
    – Barnett is a quick rushing defensive end who would slot right into the hybrid defense that San Diego runs. Opposite of Joey Bosa on the other end this pick is a no brainer for the chargers in establishing a mighty D over in LA. 
  8. Carolina Panthers- Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
    – I debated this pick between giving Carolina another offensive option next to Cam or giving him protection, going finally with the former. The decision came down to simply to Ted Ginn Jr. With him most likely gone to make a big pay check while he still can, the Panthers would need another option to spread the ball too. 
  9. Cincinnati Bengals- Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
    – One of the dominators of this strong Alabama defense, Foster would slide in at outside linebacker for the Bengals. His agility, much like Von Miller and Leonard Floyd, is the new turn for linebackers in the NFL. Lengthy, almost like a WR, his an emerging trend in the league and Foster slots right in. 
  10. Buffalo Bills- Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
    – Back to back Bama boys. Robinson has battled with off field issues his entire college career, but once placed on the field he could be an instant starter and dominator at the blindside position so that the Bills have better protection for the future at their QB, EJ Manuel. 
  11. New Orleans Saints- Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
    – The Saints currently have Pro-Bowl rusher Cameron Jordan, but what happens when he is not able to work off the tackle. With Thomas the Saints can attack both sides with similar style DE. 
  12. Cleveland Browns-Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
    – My favorite quarterback in the draft goes to the place where quarterbacks go to die. Watson is tall and lengthy and reminds me of a stronger version of Dak Prescott without the ceiling of Cam Newton. With a good O-line, Watson will shine in the NFL. 
  13. Arizona Cardinals- Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
    – Larry Fitzgerald only has a few years left in this league and with Michael Floyd off the team they will need a new threat option. In steps Williams, a red zone threat will give Carson Palmer plenty of confidence within the 20. 
  14. Indianapolis Colts- Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
    – A speed back with the shape of a power back, Cook is an exciting prospect. A leader in the locker room, evident in the Orange Bowl defeat over Michigan, he will be able to take over for Frank Gore. The Colts have been running a more option offense this year, and Cook fits right into that scheme. 
  15. Philadelphia Eagles- Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
    – The Eagles D let down Carson Wentz’s outstanding rookie year with a poor performance game after game.  Lattimore has a typical size, but above average feet and agility and will be the consistent performer that this Eagles team needs. 
  16. Baltimore Ravens- Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
    – The Ravens are good at the nickel spot, but still do not have anyone able to line up opposite of Jimmy Smith. Wilson is an easy pick here, not too much a reach considering he is NFL ready. 
  17. Washington Redskins- Chris Wormley, DE, Michigan
    – A stand up defensive end, Wormley will play a similar role to Kerrigan except on the line. More of a stash pick as won’t make much of a difference during the beginning of the season. 
  18. Tennessee Titans- Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
    – Cunningham is similar to Wormley as he will not make an immediate difference. His addition will add depth to a Titans defense that let Mariota down in their late playoff push. 
  19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
    – Two words-Yards leader. He is the all time leader in yards and in a depleted Bucs system that only features a serious threat in Mike Evans, Davis will be an instant contributor. 
  20. Denver Broncos- Ryan Ramcyzk, OT, Wisconsin
    – Ryan has shot up the draft boards as of late going from 3rd rounder to late first round. He his big, and similar to Kyle Long can defend the pass. This will be key for the broncos as their main issue was defending Trevor Siemian. 
  21. Detroit Lions- Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
    – A shorter CB Humphrey would be a starter at slot but would fill in poorly out wide. On a defense that has few holes, this is one more for depth. 
  22. Miami Dolphins- Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
    – A simple fit next to Suh, this isn’t a hard selection to make if he is still available on the board. 
  23. New York Giants- D’Onta Foreman, RB, Texas
    – Eli Manning can’t do it all and when OBJ blows up like he does seasonally they will need a threat on the run. 
  24. Oakland Raiders-Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida
    – The Raiders are one of the most complete teams in this league. Their ability to just add to a rotation and make their team constantly fresh is the smart move here. 
  25. Houston Texans- Jabrill Peppers, S/LB, Michigan
    – The stud and confidence machine of this draft. He is a freak of an athlete and will either make this Texans team an over the end scary defense or we a distraction. 
  26. Seattle Seahawks-Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
    – The seahawks could not keep Russell Wilson on his feet. Here is the solution of the future, but knowing the seahawks they will spend big money on a short term solution. 
  27. Kansas City Chiefs-Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
    – The chiefs are solid on D, but suffered from too many penalties along the O-line. It is possible new blood is needed. 
  28. Dallas Cowboys-Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
    – A ball hawking cornerback, Jones will be the future of the cowboys aging secondary. 
  29. Green Bay Packers- Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida
    – Unlike the cowboys, the Packers have a young secondary. One problem, they are not good. They were full of injuries and the replacements need Aaron Rodgers to bail them out. 
  30. Pittsburgh Steelers- Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
    – The linebacker core of the Steelers is a revolving door of success. Here is an option to add to that. 
  31. Atlanta Falcons- Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois
    – The falcons are solid on offense and could use of few future pieces at the D line. 
  32. New England Patriots- Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
    – If Bill Belichick was Victor Frankenstein and created his version of the monster, this would be the outcome. Simply stated.