1st Pick: Cleveland Browns- Myles Garrett (DE) – Texas A&M
The 6’5″ 270-pound pass rusher is considered the “consensus” number one pick. During his 3 year career at Texas A&M, Myles Garrett had a total of 31 sacks and was one of the most productive pass rushers in college football, more productive than even the likes of Jadaveon Clowney that was touted as the no-brainer number one pick for the Texans in the 2014 NFL Draft. While Garrett beats him out with production, Clowney was a physical phenom and looked like the next best pass rusher till the injuries occurred in his NFL career. Garrett is by no means comparable to the hype that Clowney had but in 2016, he only had 8.5 sacks but missed some time due to some injuries during the season. But Garrett is still a physical freak just by the looks, he has the tools to be a solid pass rusher in the NFL. In the Browns new 4-3 defense, Garrett fits the mold perfectly as a 4-3 defensive end.
2nd Pick: San Francisco 49ers- Deshaun Watson (QB) – Clemson
The 49ers have to address quarterback somewhere. Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder, and Colin Kaepernick are all pending free agents. Young talent is needed at quarterback with Kyle Shanahan as the coach and John Lynch as the general manager. Even though Deshaun Watson does not have the best arm or decision-making, he has excellent intangibles and mobility to show it off. He led Clemson to the National Championship two years in a row and in 2016, his impressive play showed as they defeated the Crimson Tide and made the throws he had to make in that game. Statistically, Watson threw over 4,500 yards in both 2015 and 2016 and threw more touchdowns and interceptions in 2016. Of course, he has to be coached up as none of these quarterbacks are ready day one but a longer term attachment to the offensive coordinator and his other coaches will help him learn how to run NFL offenses. I think Watson is a winner and a natural leader and will find success in the NFL.
[AndrewK]
3rd Pick: Chicago Bears- Jonathan Allen (DL) – Alabama
A versatile and dominant defensive lineman, Jonathan Allen can play 3 Tech in a 4-3 as a defensive tackle or a 5 tech in 3-4 as a defensive end. As mostly an interior rusher, Allen had 28 totals sacks at Alabama in his 4-year career there and is the best interior pass rushers who can fit any scheme well. Some have him up there with Myles Garrett so a top 5 pick is deserving. There is a reoccurring injury concern with his shoulder where he had multiple shoulder surgeries so if the medical at the Combine do not come out well, his stock may fall but not by much. The Bears adding him to the defensive line with last year’s 1st round pick Leonard Floyd would create a very young and upcoming defensive line and pass rush.
4th Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars- Dalvin Cook (RB) – Florida State
The Jaguars find the running back of the future in Dalvin Cook from FSU, a dynamic one cut runner and a relatively good pass catcher that could turn him into a three down back in the future. But right now, the Jaguars have Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon on the roster. While the Jaguars offensive line was bad, there was just a lack of production from the running back position and a running back like Cook could really take the pressure off of Blake Bortles. He has had some off-field concerns, a shoulder injury, and has a tendency to fumble the ball at times but the Jaguars could get a jump start with a rushing attack in 2017. Cook has dominated consistently statistically and had 1,765 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2016 and had a similar year in 2015 as well. Cook’s impact to the Jaguars would boost an offense that tailed off in 2016 and they do have a track record of drafting Florida guys in the 1st round from the past couple years like last year when they picked Jalen Ramsey from FSU.
5th Pick: Tennessee Titans- Jamal Adams (SS) – Louisiana State
The Titans get their big time safety in Jamal Adams. Adams can be the tone setter they need at strong safety and upgrade the defense through run support and pass coverage. Adams can be the young centerpiece of that defense. He was the centerpiece of the LSU defense in 2016 and had 76 total tackles, 4 pass deflections, a sack and an interception in 2016. Adams is considered the top safety and is a safe but worthy pick for the Titans.