6th Pick: New York Jets- Marshon Lattimore (CB) – Ohio State
I tried very hard to advocate for an offensive player for the Jets when they have not taken one in years but both sides of the ball need improvement. If they want to replace Darrelle Revis who will most likely get cut with his recent arrest, Marshon Lattimore from Ohio State is the perfect replacement. His college career has had some downs as he was injured for a season and a half with hamstring issues but I think his stock is rising due to his talent and last season he was healthy the whole year. In 2016, he had 4 interceptions and 9 pass deflections. He is cornerback #1 for me and is complete with his physical traits with speed and height and in any coverage and has shown the ability to be a shutdown corner with his mirroring ability. He displays great footwork, acceleration, decent tackling, and ball skills to be a starting caliber corner in the NFL.
7th Pick: Los Angeles Chargers- Malik Hooker (FS) – Ohio State
A perfect Eric Weddle replacement at free safety from a year ago, Malik Hooker from Ohio State would provide as an instant upgrade to Dwight Lowery and pending free agent Jahleel Addae. As a true center fielder, Hooker’s range is incredible and can cover sideline to sideline in the back end of a defense. He was a ballhawk in 2016 and had 7 interceptions. Hooker’s torn labrum and hernia injury could impact his stock but at the end of the day, Hooker is a perfect fit in my opinion for the Chargers.
8th Pick: Carolina Panthers- Leonard Fournette (RB) – Louisiana State
The Panthers offense took a step back in 2016. A replacement for Jonathan Stewart is needed and Leonard Fournette fits the bill. If Stewart is not released as a cap casualty, he would be a fine backup to Fournette and both of them can be used as a tandem in a power running scheme. With the read option and Cam Newton’s threat to run, the Panthers running game would be lethal and make defenses defend the run that could open up the passing game. He did skip some games due to injury in 2016 but I see them as minor as he was the best running back in college football for LSU in 2015. He dominated in 2015 with 1953 yards and 22 touchdowns. Fournette also has the vision, the power running style, and the burst to be a chain mover and offers consistency in the run game as a talented, well-rounded running back at the top of the draft.
9th Pick: Cincinnati Bengals- Reuben Foster (LB) – Alabama
A young linebacker that can be a thumper but is still athletic enough to cover, Reuben Foster would be a great linebacker to pair with Vontaze Burfict. Both Rey Maulaluga and Karlos Dansby are the age of 30 and over and can be upgraded so Foster would give the Bengals linebacking core talent at the position. I think his stock falls with his shoulder injury and would be a great value to get the stud linebacker here. Foster led the Alabama defense in 2016 as a top defense in college football, leading the defense in tackles with 115 total tackles. He is a great leader and can be a force at the next level in the middle of a defense as the best linebacker prospect in the draft.
10th Pick: Buffalo Bills- O.J. Howard (TE) – Alabama
I think the Bills end up keeping Tyrod Taylor and give him a player Sean McDermott had when he was in Carolina. And that is the big tight end O.J. Howard from Alabama who some say is comparable to Greg Olsen of the Panthers. Essentially a wide receiver that can play tight end who blocks well, Howard was underutilized as he only had 595 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2016. But when he does get the ball he can do some things. He can be a game changer on the offense and be the big athletic target that can be reliable for the starting quarterback in 2017. He showed his talent at the Senior Bowl and stood out as a board riser as the best tight end in this draft. Charles Clay has been average in the NFL and is not a consistent target as he does tend to get injured. Getting a starting caliber tight end and then running twin tight end sets with Clay in the mix could be worth more than gambling on another receiver in a worse crop of receivers compared to tight ends in this year’s draft. An offense with Sammy Watkins potentially healthy, Clay, if Robert Woods is resigned, and Howard would give the guy running the offense a lot of options in 2017.