2017 1st Round NFL Mock Draft, Volume 1

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

For those draft heads who can’t get enough of scouting reports, draft strategies, and possible scenarios, mock drafts are highly important. The playoffs are down to the final four. Which means 28 other teams are squarely focused on the draft. The Browns hold the first overall pick and with it comes a crucial decision. In San Francisco, the 49ers are juggling the task of finding a head coach and a possible franchise quarterback. Other teams such as the Jaguars, Panthers, and Bengals are included in the top ten and face questions on both sides of the ball with their first pick. Without further ado, here is the latest first-round mock draft.

  1. Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett, EDGE, Texas A&M: The Browns hold two picks within the top 12 and kick things off with the best player overall in Garrett. The 6’5 prodigy is a franchise pass rusher capable of enhancing an entire defense.
  2. San Francisco 49ers – Mitch Trubisky, QB , North Carolina: As the team searches for a new head coach, a new face under center will likely come as well. A team in need of help across the board starts at the most important position.
  3. Chicago Bears – Jonathan Allen, DE , Alabama: This selection can very well be a quarterback with Cutler’s contract being the center of discussion. However, grabbing a disruptor such as Allen is enough to convince the Bears to add to their improving defense.
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars – Leonard Fournette, RB , LSU: Even with a ton of talent, the Jags only totaled three wins on the season. The offense lacked significant big plays and can use a spark to take the load of quarterback Blake Bortles.
  5. Tennessee Titans – Jamal Adams, S , LSU: Another team in the top five with two first round picks. The Titans obtained the pick from the Rams in the Jared Goff trade. So the Titans add more young prime talent, this time in their secondary with a game-changer.
  6. New York Jets – Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson: The Jets entered the season as a considerable playoff team. Based on the inconsistencies at QB from Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Jets grab a future star in Watson to repair the position.
  7. Los Angeles Chargers – Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State: The Chargers “begin” anew in Los Angeles. So the Chargers select a prospect in Hooker who has the ability to be an elite ballhawk. Offensive line and free safety are two major needs. So the Chargers stumble across a player who can be the best in the draft five years from now.
  8. Carolina Panthers – Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama: The Panthers can not afford to let star QB Cam Newton take a beating. The team had to give right tackle Mike Remmers considerable snaps on the left side. Here is reinforcement.
  9. Cincinnati Bengals – Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama: Head coach Marvin Lewis is a defensive mind. So why would he not attempt to inject athleticism to a linebacker unit in need of it? Foster can step in and be a starter from day one.
  10. Buffalo Bills – Mike Williams, WR, Clemson: Receiver and corner may be considerable issues come draft time. The team has five upcoming free agents at receiver and will probably be in search of replacements. Williams and Sammy Watkins will be tough for defenses to game plan against.
  11. New Orleans Saints – Teez Tabor, CB, Florida: So many flaws plagued the Saints during the season on defense. One notable kink was the inept play in the secondary. New Orleans finds plenty of relief in the talented corner.
  12. Cleveland Browns – Deshone Kizer, QB , Notre Dame: With the second of the Browns two 1st round picks, the team selects the 6’4 passer out of Notre Dame. Kizer will buy some time for head coach Hue Jackson as well as provide competition for current starter Robert Griffin III.
  13. Arizona Cardinals – Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan: The Cardinals are facing a possibility of losing Larry Fitzgerald to retirement while also coming off the release of Michael Floyd. So coach Bruce Arians grabs a legit weapon at wide receiver.
  14. Philadelphia Eagles – Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State: The Eagles have a couple of big needs which may get addressed in round one. A primary running back is needed. Cook is considered the best running back in the draft and gives the Eagles a home run threat.
  15. Indianapolis Colts – Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama: The Colts racked up 33 sacks this season but has seen the last of veteran pass rusher Robert Mathis. His replacement is an enticing outside linebacker in Willams who totaled 27.5 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks the past two seasons.
  16. Baltimore Ravens -Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State: The team has a few holes on defense that will need some attention. Cornerback opposite current starter Jimmy Smith is one of the spots. The Ohio State corner fits the big-bodied prototype that Baltimore likes in their corners.
  17. Washington Redskins – Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State: Washington will likely focus on defense in the first round. So they draft a lineman in McDowell who has excellent athleticism and a very high ceiling.
  18. Tennessee Titans – John Ross, WR, Washington: After the Titans select an elite safety earlier in the round, they turn their sights to the offense. Ross is a lightning bolt at receiver and a big play waiting to happen.
  19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin: Although the team can use a receiver opposite of Mike Evans to improve the offense, having a solid offensive line for QB Jameis Winston is equally important. Ramczyk is an aggressive tackle and will be an upgrade over right tackles Gosder Cherilus and Demar Dotson.
  20. Denver Broncos – David Njoku, TE, Miami: The Broncos possess a productive duo at WR. However, they can also use another weapon at tight end. Njoku has freakish athleticism and can open things up for the Denver offense.
  21. Detroit Lions – Solomon Thomas, DE , Stanford: The Lions do not have an immediate need at defensive end but seeing Thomas at 21 is too good to pass up. Thomas provides strong side defensive end ability to team with Ziggy Ansah in Detroit.
  22. Miami Dolphins – Derek Barnett, DE , Tennessee: The Dolphins received absolutely nothing from veteran Mario Williams this season. The team may depart from Williams which creates a hole. Barnett is definitely the infusion of talent the Dolphins can use.
  23. New York Giants – Zach Cunningham, LB , Vanderbilt: The Giants spent a huge amount of money on defense this past season. Yet, the linebacker position was the weakest position of the unit. Cunningham brings plenty of speed and versatility to be effective at middle and weak side linebacker.
  24. Oakland Raiders: Jarrad Davis, LB , Florida: Oakland made a big leap this past season with the amount of young talent on the team. At middle linebacker, Oakland needs a playmaker to compliment their productive defensive line. Davis provides a true difference maker.
  25. Houston Texans – Patrick Mahomes, QB , Texas Tech: Houston spent $72 million dollars on QB Brock Osweiler in free agency last season. Only to watch it engulf in flames due to a dreadful season from Osweiler. Mahomes is an intriguing prospect and will provide a safety net for Houston. Osweiler is on the hot seat in 2017.
  26. Seattle Seahawks – Garrett Bolles, OT , Utah: It’s no secret that Seattle needs help on the O-line immediately. The odds of the team trading up is not out of the question. Here, they stay put and select an athletic offensive tackle.
  27. Kansas City Chiefs – Raekwon McMillan, LB , Ohio State: Inside linebacker Derrick Johnson suffered an Achilles injury during the season and may retire soon. To shore up the position, the Chiefs select another tackling vacuum in McMillan.
  28. Dallas Cowboys – Takkarist McKinley, EDGE , UCLA: As evident in their Divisional Round game vs. Green Bay, the Cowboys need some pass rushing juice. Especially with pass rusher Randy Gregory facing suspension woes.
  29. Green Bay Packers – Marlon Humphrey, CB , Alabama: The cornerback spot has been a consistent issue for the Packers this season. Even when healthy, the cornerback spot can use an upgrade. Wilson provides a long frame and a physical skill set.
  30. Pittsburgh Steelers – Charles Harris, OLB , Missouri: Current starter James Harrison is 38 and it may be time to walk away. With only Bud Dupree has the most reliable at outside linebacker, the Steelers add another pass rushing piece to their underrated defense.
  31. Atlanta Falcons – Taco Charlton, DE , Michigan: The Falcons have a prime pass rusher in Vic Beasley but he needs a tag-team partner. Charlton provides the ability to be effective as every-down player. Allows Atlanta to have another dose of versatility on the defensive line.
  32. New England Patriots – Jabrill Peppers, DB , Michigan: These are the type of picks that Belichick has made in the past. Taking talent over true need and finding a role for the prospect. Peppers will be a nice pickup at strong safety for the Pats.
Eric Robinson