2017 NFL Mock Draft – 1st Round , Volume 2

When it comes to the NFL Draft, the season never ends

The 2017 edition of the Senior Bowl is officially behind us. Next on the horizon is the NFL Combine in early March along with schedule Pro Days for FBS schools. So in the mean time, you can very well indulge in as many mock drafts as you would like. Even this one. Yeah, this one right here.

Here is our latest projection of the first round in the 2017 NFL Draft.

  1. Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett, EDGE , Texas A&M: Cleveland has obvious holes across the roster and they have several options to choose from at first overall. Standing there is Garrett, who is a franchise pass rusher and can give the Browns an elite game-changer on defense.
  2. San Francisco 49ers – Deshaun Watson, QB , Clemson: Last time around, there was a different ACC quarterback slotted here. This week, Watson makes a climb. The dual-threat QB is still developing as a passer but one thing is for sure, Watson is a proven winner. A winner on and off the field.
  3. Chicago Bears – Mitch Trubisky, QB , North Carolina: Most mocks have the Bears going defense at third overall and that may be the case. However, they may also see a departure of starting QB Jay Cutler due to cap issues. So the Bears tab Trubisky as their QB of the future.
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jonathan Allen, DL , Alabama: Even sitting at this spot, the Jaguars probably don’t expect Allen to be here. Yet, the elite lineman gives the Jaguars another solid anchor who is versatile. Allen will allow Jacksonville’s defensive line to be versatile also.
  5. Tennessee Titans – Jamal Adams, S , LSU: Thanks to the Rams and a draft trade in 2016, the Titans are here. So they won’t waste the pick and will grab an elite safety to improve their secondary. Adams’ ferocity that is contagious and will make Tennessee immensely better on defense.
  6. New York Jets – Leonard Fournette, RB , LSU: It was obvious that starting RB Matt Forte wore down as the season went along. A blue-chip prospect falls into their lap. The Jets grab a back who posted 3,830 rushing yards in just 32 games at LSU.
  7. Los Angeles Chargers – Malik Hooker, FS , Ohio State: The Chargers missed veteran Eric Weddle at free safety after his departure last offseason. Getting someone such as Hooker provides a ballhawk on the back end who is more than reliable in that phase.
  8. Carolina Panthers – Ryan Ramcyzk, OT , Wisconsin: The Panthers have a prime asset in QB Cam Newton. With the amount of punishment Newton received this season, protecting him deserves special attention. Ramcyzk is a stout blocker who has enough traits to be a long term starter for the Panthers.
  9. Cincinnati Bengals – Reuben Foster, LB , Alabama: Sitting in the top 10, the Bengals will likely add youth and athleticism to a defense in need of it. Foster gives the Bengals a nice injection of talent and will fit well with the aggressive Vontaze Burfict at weak side linebacker.
  10.  Buffalo Bills – Mike Williams, WR , Clemson: Five upcoming free agents at receiver will likely have the Bills in need of filling the position. Williams can be a very nice addition which will take some attention of the Bills excellent run game. At 6’3 226 lbs, Williams is an intimidating force and can be the team’s #1 WR in no time.
  11. New Orleans Saints – Marlon Humphrey, CB , Alabama: The Saints can stand to improve in the secondary, although the team will likely get PJ Williams and Delvin Breaux back healthy in 2017. Humphrey is another big corner with length and will upgrade the Saints secondary.
  12. Cleveland Browns – DeShone Kizer, QB , Notre Dame: The Browns took one pillar on defense at first overall. With their second 1st round pick, the Browns grab another possible pillar in Kizer. The former Irish quarterback as enough raw intangibles to be a cornerstone QB.
  13. Arizona Cardinals – Corey Davis, WR , Western Michigan: Davis is super talented and will help the Cardinals at receiver.  Veteran WR Larry Fitzgerald is facing retirement and Michael Floyd no longer in Arizona. So the Cardinals address that major need.
  14. Indianapolis Colts – Derek Barnett, OLB/DE , Tennessee: The Colts are in serious need of pass rushing juice. Going into 2017, their best edge rusher may be Erik Walden, who’s more of a role player. Barnett has a 6’3 260 lb frame with plenty of strength and technique.
  15. Philadelphia Eagles – Dalvin Cook, RB , Florida State: The Eagles may have a bigger need at WR. Yet, the electric Cook can be a scary addition to the Eagles offense. His versatility can definitely open things up for the Eagles on offense as well as help out QB Carson Wentz.
  16. Baltimore Ravens – Tim Williams, OLB , Alabama: Baltimore will receive OLB Terrell Suggs back in 2017. On the other hand, he is getting up in age and the team may look to find his replacement. Williams has some rawness to his skill set, but the presence of Suggs can help guide Williams along.
  17. Washington Redskins – Zach Cunningham, LB , Vanderbilt: Cunningham is a two-time first team All-SEC selection. He also has a skill set to aid the Redskins below average run defense. At 6’4 230 lbs, Cunningham is a three-down linebacker and has sharp instincts that Washington can definitely utilized.
  18. Tennessee Titans – Teez Tabor, CB , Florida: Yes, I do realize that the Titans addressed the secondary at fifth overall. While taking Adams will immediately boost the safety position, snatching arguably the best CB in the draft at 18 does not seem like a bad idea. The Titans improve their secondary tremendously with Adams at fifth and Tabor at 18.
  19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – John Ross, WR , Washington: Another playmaker for QB Jameis Winston, especially when #1 receiver Mike Evans is taken out of the game plan. Ross is a dynamic receiver capable of stretching the field and score on any given play.
  20. Denver Broncos – Cam Robinson, OT , Alabama: Robinson has a wide 1st round range as he can easily go top 10 or can find himself at the bottom half of the first. There are parts of his game that justifies taking him later than sooner. Denver is in need of younger talent on the offensive line. The Broncos snags Robinson to help solidify the left tackle position.
  21. Detroit Lions – Solomon Thomas, DE , Stanford: The draft stock of Thomas may very well take a massive leap come draft day. At this point, Thomas can serve as a strong side defensive end in the Lions 4-3 scheme.
  22. Miami Dolphins – David Njoku, TE , Miami: A surprise 2016 season occurred for the Dolphins. They found themselves ending the season as a playoff team. What can take their offense to another level is an athletic tight end with size and immense potential. The Dolphins did not have to go far for this one.
  23. New York Giants – Christian McCaffrey, RB , Stanford: It did not take long to realize that run game for the Giants need a considerable upgrade. McCaffrey is a versatile back that can be everything RB Shane Vereen is supposed to be.
  24. Oakland Raiders – Jarrad Davis, LB , Florida: The Raiders made slight improvement on defense this past season but there are several holes they need to address on that side of the ball. Selecting Davis gives the Raiders a middle linebacker for the future who has sideline-to-sideline ability and plenty of speed.
  25. Houston Texans – Patrick Mahomes, QB , Texas Tech:  Free agent pickup Brock Osweiler was so awful this past season that it actually warrants a QB in the first round this year. Mahomes is a QB with a big arm and underrated accuracy. For Texans head coach Bill O’Brien, this selection can make or break his job status in Houston.
  26. Seattle Seahawks – Garrett Bolles, OT , Utah: Seattle had major issues on it’s offensive line this past season and help is need at numerous spots. Bolles adds a solid piece to protect QB Russell Wilson.
  27. Kansas City Chiefs – Malik McDowell, DL , Michigan State: Might not be a drastic need but McDowell adds athleticism to the Lions defensive line. The former Spartan brings a 280 lb frame that has room to add a few more pounds. McDowell and 2016 rookie defensive tackle Chris Jones will give Kansas City an elite defensive line.
  28. Dallas Cowboys – Charles Harris, OLB/DE , Missouri: The Cowboys have been stuck in the mud in the pass rushing department the past couple of seasons. Simply because of a few suspensions by key players. Harris is capable of getting penetration in the backfield on a reliable basis. The presence of Harris will help ease the absence of OLB Randy Gregory.
  29. Green Bay Packers – Marshon Lattimore, CB , Ohio State: Injuries hurt Green Bay in the secondary. Even at 100%, the unit can use an upgrade at corner. Lattimore has the speed and technique to mold into a #1 corner for the Packers.
  30. Pittsburgh Steelers – OJ Howard, TE , Alabama: Howard’s name is buzzing currently and some view him as the top tight end in the class. An athletic target for the Steelers, Howard shores up a position for the Steelers that will need some stability.
  31. Atlanta Falcons – Taco Charlton, DL , Michigan: Atlanta has made strides along the defensive line this season but pieces are still needed. Charlton has a unique blend of size, speed, length, and athleticism that will fit well with edge rusher Vic Beasley.
  32. New England Patriots – Jabrill Peppers, DB , Michigan: Peppers may not be a jump-off-the-page defensive back like other DBs in this draft class. However, Peppers have a craftiness to his game that Patriots coach Bill Belichick has been known to utilize. Peppers would be slotted for strong safety at the next level and his versatility will be a solid addition in New England.
Eric Robinson