2017 MOCK DRAFT-12/14

THE NFL Season is winding down, so it is time where I get to working on one of my favorite things. I have predicted the outcome of each of the final three weeks of the NFL Season and develop a Mock Draft for the 20 picks that go to the teams that do not make the playoffs, so here it is

1) CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-16)-MYLES GARRETT-DEFENSIVE END, TEXAS A&M
The Browns mean well, but they are a dumpster fire right now. I honestly don't think that they will win a game this year. Many people would expect them to take a QB at Number 1, but thanks to the Carson Wentz trade, they are likely to have two top ten picks. It sounds like the organization has a very high scale on Myles Garrett, and they should. He's got lots of upside. The last Texas A&M pass rusher taken this high was Von Miller.

2) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-15)-DESHONE KIZER-QUARTERBACK, NOTRE DAME
I find it hard to believe that either Colin Kaepernick or Blaine Gabbert will be the starting QB for San Francisco in 2017. I almost put North Carolina's Mitch Trubisky here, but I just think Kizer fits Chip Kelly's offense better. He can make plays with both his arm and legs, throwing for almost 3,000 yards and running for another 500 yards, He is the ideal QB for Chip Kelly's offense.

3) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-14)-JONATHAN ALLEN, DEFENSIVE END, ALABAMA
I personally think that Jonathan Allen is the best player in this draft. He was the best defensive player in college football last year, finished seventh in Heisman voting and actually received more first place votes than Jabril Peppers. Whoever the new Head Coach in Jacksonville will be is going to love having Allen, Dante Fowler, Myles Jack and Jalen Ramsey on the same defense

4) CHICAGO BEARS (3-13)-MITCH TRUBISKY, QUARTERBACK, NORTH CAROLINA
Like San Francisco, I find it hard to believe that Chicago will have the same starting Quarterback in 2017. Cutler is just awful and while the Bears would possibly prefer the local prospect in Kizer, I'm sure they would just fine with Trubisky.

5) NEW YORK JETS (4-12)-JABRIL PEPPERS, ATHLETE, MICHIGAN
I look for the Jets to make a "splash" pick by taking either Peppers or Leonard Fournette. They would both fill needs. The Jets have just been sad to watch and their defense is even sadder. Darelle Revis has regressed a lot. Not sure that Peppers could play Safety in the NFL, but he could be a Deone Buchanan type player and be used as a hybrid linebacker, either way he's an athlete and the Jets need those.

6) TENNESSEE TITANS (FROM LA 5-11) (9-7)-JALEN "TEEZ" TABOR, CORNERBACK, FLORIDA
I think the Titans will be a playoff team this year, but they got this pick from the Jared Goff trade and will probably use it to fill one of the gaping weaknesses on their roster. They could also go Wide Receiver with this pick, but in a division that has TY Hilton, Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson, I think it is more important that the Titans get a solid pass defender.

7) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-11)-MARLON HUMPHREY, CORNERBACK, ALABAMA
The Saints have a lot of needs defensively. They could also go with pass rusher on this one, but Humphrey is the best player available. The Saints secondary has been atrocious the last couple years.

8) CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM PHILLY 5-11) (0-16), DESHAUN WATSON, QUARTERBACK, CLEMSON
This is why I had the Browns taking Garrett at Number 1. Everything I've read says that Watson is going to slide in the draft, but I personally think he's the best QB in this class. He kind of reminds me of Cam Newton. Big, fast, good arm. If the Browns could get both Watson and Garrett, they could begin to turn things around in Cleveland, but the last time they had two picks in the first round (2014) they took two players that are not even with the Browns anymore (Johnny Manziel & Justin Gilbert)

9) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (6-10), JAMAL ADAMS, STRONG SAFETY, LSU
It is obvious that the Chargers miss Eric Weddle. Adams is the top ranked Safety in this class and this is a glaring need. Jahlee Addae just ain't gonna get it done for the Bolts.

10) CINCINNATI BENGALS (6-9-1), TIM WILLIAMS, LINEBACKER, ALABAMA
The Bengals could use another pass rusher to pair with Carlos Dunlap, and Williams is the best available. Could also see the Bengals drafting Williams' college teamate. Cam Robinson, O-Line is another big need for the Bengals.

11) CAROLINA PANTHERS (7-9), LEONARD FOURNETTE, RUNNING BACK. LSU
It has been a disapointing year for the Panthers. One year after going 15-1 they are suffering a Super Bowl hangover, but the good news is that they have the opportunity to build a big three of their own much like Dallas did by drafting Ezekiel Elliott. I think Leonard Fournette has the potential to be better than Zeke or Todd Gurley, heck maybe even Adrian Peterson, but he needs to become a better pass catcher.

12) ARIZONA CARDINALS (7-8-1), MALIK MCDOWELL, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, MICHIGAN STATE
If there is a Quarterback like Watson or Trubisky here, I could see the Cardinals taking them because Carson Palmer is on a decline, but there isn't and they might take the same route the Cowboys did and pursue a quarterback like Brad Kaaya or Mason Rudolph in the later rounds. Instead, I think they go with the best player that suits a need, and in this scenario it is Malik McDowell.

13) BUFFALO BILLS (8-8), MIKE WILLIAMS, WIDE RECEIVER, CLEMSON
Many pundits have the Bills taking a Wide Receiver in the first round. The last time they did it, it was a pass catcher from Clemson. Same thing happens here.

14) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-8), CAM ROBINSON, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, ALABAMA
The Colts O-Line is absoulutely sad, if they aren't careful they are going to give a once in a lifetime talent like Andrew Luck something called David Carr Syndrome (Ask Sam Bradford) this has to be addressed.

15) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (FROM MIN 8-8) (5-11), SIDNEY JONES, CORNERBACK, WASHINGTON
The Eagles are in a division with Odell Beckham, Jr. and Dez Bryant. They need to upgrade their secondary.

16) HOUSTON TEXANS (8-8), LOWELL LOTULELEI, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, UTAH
I expect the Texans to bolster their front four,  and Lotulelei has NFL bloodlines. His older brother Star plays for the Panthers

17) WASHINGTON REDSKINS (8-7-1) , RUBEN FOSTER. LINEBACKER,
The Redskins need a linebacker and Foster is the best available. This is the fifth Alabama player I have in the top 17.

18) BALTIMORE RAVENS (9-7), DALVIN COOK, RUNNING BACK, FLORIDA STATE
The Ravens have a stout defense, maybe the best in the league. They've won championships in the past behind a shutdown defense and a solid running game. Cook is a decent pass catcher who can give the Ravens another element to their offense.

19) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (9-7), DESMOND KING, CORNERBACK, IOWA
 I think the Bucs spent a first rounder on a defensive back for the second year in a row. Brent Grimes is playing well, but he's 34 and will begin to regress at anytime. King is a stud.

20) DENVER BRONCOS (9-7), RYAN RAMCZYK, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, WISCONSIN
Many pundits have the Broncos drafting a defensive player, but the Broncos O-Line has been disappointing and regardless of whether Trevor Seimian, Paxton Lynch, Tony Romo or hell even John Elway is the Quarterback next year, they have to protect him

HEISMAN WATCH

In less than six days, the most prestigious award in college football will be handed to one deserving young man. This race has in a way been unlike any other. Here are a look at some of the candidates.

Lamar Jackson-Quarterback, Louisville
2016 Stats-3390 Passing Yards, 30 Touchdowns, 9 INTS 1,538 Rushing Yards, 21 Touchdowns.

Jackson was the runaway winner until about a month ago, but lackluster performances against Houston on national television and an average Kentucky team has hurt his stock favorably. But will it be enough? Jackson's start to the season captured the hearts of America capped by a total domination of Florida State and a brilliant performance in a loss to Clemson.

DeShaun Watson-Quarterback, Clemson
2016 Stats-3,914 Passing Yards, 37 Touchdowns, 15 INTS, 529 Rushing Yards, 6 Touchdowns.

Clemson is the number two seed in the playoff, despite underacheiving all season, Watson who was a finalist for the Heisman last year was my pick to win it in the preseason. While Watson had a brilliant performance in the ACC Championship accounting for all five of Clemson's touchdowns. You can't help but wonder if Clemson's mid-season mediocracy along coupled with their loss to Pitt might not hurt his status.

Dede Westbrook-Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
2016 Stats-74 Receptions, 1465 Yards, 16 Touchdowns

Westbrook averaged nearly 20 yards per reception this season, but his stock was hurt when he departed from Saturday's win over Oklahoma State with an injury. It is difficult for a Wide Receiver to even get consistent Heisman trophy recognition, If Westbrook were to finish in the top three in voting, it would be the highest for a receiver since Larry Fitzgerald finished second in 2003/

Baker Mayfield-Quarterback, Oklahoma
2016 Stats-3669 Passing Yards, 38 Touchdowns, 8 Interceptions. 6 Rushing Touchdowns

If Westbrook is deserving of recognition, then isn't it only fitting that his signal caller does too? What many people don't realize is that Baker Mayfield had just as good, if not a better season in 2016 than he did in 2015 when he finished fourth in voting. I truly believe that Oklahoma not had two losses and would have been in the talk for the playoff, Mayfield would get more credit.

D'Onta Foreman-Running Back, Texas
2016 Stats-2,028 Rushing Yards, 15 Touchdowns.

Foreman averaged over six yards a carry and has had 13 consecutive games of 100 yards or more, however he played for a 5-7 team and his excellent performances were not enough to keep Charlie Strong from getting fired. Had he been at Alabama, he would be the favorite.

Jake Browning, Quarterback, Washington
2016 Stats-3,280 Yards, 42 Touchdowns, 7 Interceptions, 4 Rushing Touchdowns.

Browing was a Heisman darling in the mid-season, but the Huskies loss to USC and his performance in that game really hurt him. Browning also looked pretty lackluster in the Pac 12 Championship going just 9 of 24 for 118 Yards.

Donnell Pumphrey, Running Back, San Diego State

2016 Stats-2018 Rushing Yards, 16 Touchdowns.

The last time San Diego State had a Heisman caliber Running Back, Marshall Faulk finished second in the voting. Despite Pumphrey's great numbers the fact that he plays in a smaller conference and plays the majority of his games late at night really hurt his stock.

Jabril Peppers, Athlete, Michigan
2016 Stats-3 Sacks, 1 INT, 3 Rushing Touchdowns and 1 Punt Return Touchdown.

Peppers stock has fallen off heavily, once considered as maybe the runner up behind Jackson, Peppers was mediocre to finish out the season and wasn't really a factor in losses to Iowa or Ohio State.

Jalen Hurts, Quarterback, Alabama
2016 Stats-2,592 Passing Yards, 22 Touchdowns, 9 INTS, 841 Rushing Yards, 12 Touchdowns.

I am by no means an Alabama fan, but I just don't understand how Hurts has not gotten more recognition. His athleticism gives Alabama an element at the Quarterback game that Nick Saban has never had. He had four games of over 100 yards rushing and his 21 yard scamper against LSU to put Bama on top was Heismanesque.

Jonathan Allen, Defensive Lineman, Alabama
2016 Stats-11.5 TFL, 7 Sacks, 1 Defensive Touchdown, 2 Fumble Recoveries

Mark my words, Jonathan Allen will be the first non-quarterback taken in the 2017 NFL Draft and he should be. Allen's stellar defensive play will certainly earn him some Heisman trophy consideration.

With all of that being said, here is how I would vote (too bad I don't have a vote)

  1) Lamar Jackson
  2) DeShaun Watson
  3) Baker Mayfield
  4) Jake Browning
  5) Jalen Hurts

I know, I know I went with all Quarterbacks, but I think those were the five best players in college football. I wanted to vote against Jackson due to his recent lackluster performances but nobody else had done quite enough to convince me otherwise.