The 2017 NFL Draft is 2 weeks away. There is plenty of speculation as to who the first pick in the draft will be. In this mock draft, my first of the year, we will give you a small taste as to who will go where. Ready? Here we go!
- Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett, DE Texas A&M
There is no question that Garrett has some questions. His motor, his drive, and his mouth. Put there is also no denying he is a game changer. That is what you look for at number 1.
*2. Trade – Carolina Panthers – Leonard Fournette, RB LSU
Fournette brings a gleam to eyes of Ron Rivera and company in Carolina. Because of the injury history of Jonathan Stewart, the Panthers look to secure the position.
- Chicago Bears – Marshon Lattimore, CB Ohio State
Lattimore comes into Chicago and improves the Bears pass defense on day one. Eventually, he has the ability to become a shutdown corner early in his career.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Solomon Thomas, DL Stanford
The Jaguars increase their defensive remodel with the drafting of Thomas. In the hope that, Blake Bortles can find himself in 2017, the Jags should be playoff bound.
- Tennessee Titans – OJ Howard, TE Alabama
The Titans are a team that needs help on the outside. I considered Corey Davis here but the ability of Howard is three-fold. In short, he gives Tennessee a large red zone target, he blocks, and he compliments Delanie Walker.
- New York Jets – Mitchell Trubisky, QB North Carolina
Trubisky is probably the most day one ready of the quarterbacks. The Jets do not have a solid QB on the roster. Be that as it may, Trubisky could be the second coming of Chad Pennington.
- Los Angeles Chargers – Johnathan Allen, DE Alabama
The Chargers are moving to Los Angeles. Along with changing cities, they are changing defensive fronts. Nonetheless, Allen adds that needed DE opposite Joey Bosa.
*8. Trade – San Francisco 49ers – Charles Harris, OLB Missouri
Harris gives the 49ers someone they can build around on defense. When you are a team that needs help at almost every position defense is where to start.
- Cincinnati Bengals – Hasson Reddick, LB Temple
Reddick has the size for play in the AFC North. The 235 lbs LB will add another defensive presence alongside Vontaze Burfict.
- Buffalo Bills – Jamaal Adams, S LSU
The Bills are the question mark of the first round. However, Sean McDermott goes defense with his first pick. Adams can play both safety positions and will bring strong character to the locker room.
- New Orleans Saints – Malik Hooker, S Ohio State
Hooker is just what the Saints need on the back end of their defense. In particular, his ability to flip the field should make Drew Brees’ job a lot easier.
- Cleveland Browns – Corey Davis, WR Western Michigan
The Browns took care of the defense with pick number one. Likewise, now they add some help for Cody Kessler and the offense.
- Arizona Cardinals – Patrick Mahomes II, QB Texas Tech
It is time to find a replacement for Carson Palmer. Mahomes II is that person. Moreover, he can sit and study behind Palmer for a year and take the reins in 2018.
- Philadelphia Eagles – Dalvin Cook, RB Florida State
Cook can come in and play the role of Jamaal Charles in the Eagles’ offense. With Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles still on the roster, the Eagles do not have to count on Cook every down early on.
- Indianapolis Colts – Malik McDowell, DT Michigan State
The Colts have holes to fill along both sides of their lines. Hence, the 6’6” 295lbs McDowell will be a solid fit to a defensive that finished 30th in 2016.
- Baltimore Ravens – Marlon Humphrey, CB Alabama
The Ravens may need to find a compliment to Terrell Suggs on the pass rush. However, there is no denying the shutdown abilities of Humphrey.
- Washington Redskins – Christian McCaffery, RB Stanford
The Redskins need a player that can handle their offense on all three downs. McCaffery is that. He also adds a need on kick returns as well.
- Tennessee Titans – Gareon Conley, CB Ohio State
Conley has made a jump on boards as of late. The Titans added the big weapon at five with OJ Howard. Therefore, the defense now gets attention. Thus, it is time to shut down the receivers of the AFC South.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jabrill Peppers, S Michigan
Peppers would be a large upgrade at safety for the Bucs. The d-line may need attention but they can address that on Day 2.
- Denver Broncos – Ryan Ramczyk, OT Wisconsin
Ramczyk in the first offensive lineman off the board. The Broncos signed Ronald Leary during free agency. Consequently, they add a large tackle that could anchor the line for years.
- Detroit Lions – Jarrad Davis, LB Florida
He has great mobility in the middle and can cover, spy, and fill all over the field. As a result, Davis can come in a fill a hole that is in the middle of the defense.
- Miami Dolphins – Forrest Lamp, OG Western Kentucky
Lamp is a big man. He can solidify the line in front of Ryan Tannehill for years. Lamp is also a road grader. Jay Ajayi should love running behind the mountain that is Lamp.
- New York Giants – Cam Robinson, OT Alabama
Erick Flowers is not any good on the Giants offensive line. Robinson would come in and fill that “void” that is currently filled with Flowers.
- Oakland Raiders – Caleb Brantley, DT Florida
Brantley and his 300 plus pound frame can be a big help to the Raiders defense. They need to get a big body in the middle. Brantley fits that mold and raises the level of the Raiders defensive line.
- Houston Texans – Deshaun Watson, QB Clemson
Bill O’Brien jumps at the fact that Watson has fallen to him. However, there may be some work that needs to be done with him and O’Brien can be that coach.
- Seattle Seahawks – Garett Bolles, OT Utah
The Seahawks are hurting for play at both tackle positions. Bolles comes off the board to the Seattle and helps a poor offensive line instantly. Russell Wilson breathes a sigh of relief.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Taco Charleton, DE Michigan
Charleton comes to a defensive line that lost its big run stopper in free agency. While Charleton does not play tackle, he is an uprising lineman with a high ceiling.
- Dallas Cowboys – Tre’Davious White, CB LSU
There was a proverbial bomb dropped on the Cowboys secondary in free agency. Nevertheless, this now becomes a position of high need in the draft. White fills ONE of those CB positions.
- Green Bay Packers – Chidobe Awuzie, CB Colorado
The Packers suffered at this position late in the year. The lack of depth cost them in the playoffs. So, Awuzie can come in and add solid corner play to a weak secondary.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Tim Williams, OLB Alabama
James Harrison does not have many years left. Finding someone that can spell him and eventually replace him is necessary. Williams fits that bill.
- Atlanta Falcons – Dan Feeney, OG Indiana
Atlanta needs to continue to build an offensive front. In fact, a guard is a position of need and now. Above all, Feeney is a versatile player who can play all three interior line spots.
- New Orleans Saints – Kevin King, CB Washington
Finding some help at CB is necessary when playing in NFC South. King is a bigger corner at 6’3”. This will help against the bigger receivers in the division.
*Trade Detail – Carolina Panthers get second overall. San Francisco 49ers get eighth overall, 64th overall and a 2018 Second Round Pick!
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