This is one of my favorite events in all of sports. We are just days away from the 2017 NFL Draft. The Quarterbacks in this draft class are perhaps slightly underwhelming, but that more than likely will not prevent at least three of them from going in the first round. There also should be three Running Backs taken in the first time for the first time since 2010. It is obvious that this draft class is a lot heavier on the defensive side than they are on the offensive side, but there is still plenty of promising offensive talent available in this class. Here is how I think it will play out on Thursday night.
NOTE-THIS DRAFT DOES INCLUDE TRADES
#1 Cleveland Browns Select-Myles Garrett, Defensive End-Texas A&M
It's no secret that the Browns have a lot of needs. It would probably be easier to point out the positions that they don't have a need at. Many pundits think that they could potentially take Mitchell Trubisky number one, but I've also heard that they have an astronomical grade on Myles Garrett. Garrett has the potential to have a J.J. Watt like impact. Given, the Quarterbacks the play in the Browns division, it is crucial for them to have a dynamic defensive playmaker like Garrett.
#2 San Francisco 49ers Select-Solomon Thomas, Defensive End- Stanford
The 49ers are pretty much in the same seat as the Browns given that they have a lot of needs. It is possible that new coach Kyle Shanahan could draft a signal-caller, and it's also possible that they trade out of the top five. But I think they are go with the local prospect. Solomon Thomas has risen up many draft boards after a very impressive performance at the scouting combine.
#3 Chicago Bears Select- Jamal Adams, Strong Safety. LSU
The Bears paid a ridiculous amount of money to Mike Glennon this past off-season, so it's unlikely that they take Trubisky here, I could also see them taking Ohio State corner Marshon Lattimore, but they do have a solid lineup with Prince Amukumara and Kyle Fuller, so I'm slotting Adams here because he would be a dramatic upgrade over Quintin Demps. Adams has been heralded by many as possibly the best potential prospect in the draft. He has been praised for his football IQ and perceived commitment to be eating, sleeping and breathing football. If Adams is available, look for the Bears to take him.
#4 Jacksonville Jaguars Select: Jonathan Allen, Defensive End, Alabama
I personally think Allen is the best prospect in the draft class. The important question with Allen is if he can manage to stay healthy. I almost slotted Leonard Fournette here, but Tom Coughlin is in charge in Jacksonville now and I find it hard to believe that he will use his first pick as an executive on a running back when you could get a guy like Alvin Kamara in the second round. Coughlin won two championships by relying on defensive pressure. Pairing Jonathan Allen with Dante Fowler could be the Jaguars version of Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck
#5 Cleveland Browns Select-Mitchell Trubisky, Quarterback, North Carolina
The first trade of the draft comes at number five. The Titans are in a good position to make a deal given the fact that they are on the fence of being a playoff team. Why not collect a few extra picks? The Browns jump the Jets and pick up the signal-caller who many think is the best in the draft. I am not as high on Trubisky due to the fact that he only played 13 games in college, but he has all the mechanical tools. Maybe, just maybe the Browns finally get it right at the game's most important position.
#6 New York Jets Select-O.J Howard, Tight End, Alabama
The Jets barely miss out on getting their preferred signal caller, but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. The 2018 NFL Draft class has a much better QB class than this years. So the Jets will grab a play-maker here. O.J Howard has had a knack of performing his best in big-time situations. Braedon Bowman (never heard of him) is currently projecting to be the Jets starting Tight End. I think it's a safe bet to say that Howard would be an upgrade.
#7 Los Angeles Chargers Select-Malik Hooker, Safety, Ohio State
The Chargers are almost certainly going to select a defensive back. Whether it is Marshon Lattimore, Jamal Adams or Malik Hooker has yet to be seen. It was obvious last year that they missed Eric Weddle's presence. Drafting Hooker might not bring the starpower name to Los Angeles. Hooker became a ball-hawk last year at Ohio State amassing seven interceptions and returning three for scores.
#8 Carolina Panthers Select-Leonard Fournette, Running Back, LSU
I would be willing to bet money that the Panthers draft a running back unless Jonathan Allen falls to this spot, which I don't think he will. The Panthers could draft Christian McCaffery, but I think having seen what Dallas did last year they look to build their own three headed monster. Fournette reminds me a lot of Ezekiel Elliott. The biggest question about Fournette is whether or not his history of ankle injuries will derail his NFL career. I don't think it will and Fournette will be the first Running Back taken.
#9 Cincinnati Bengals Select-Mike Williams, Wide Receiver, Clemson
The Bengals could very easily also go with a pass rusher here, but imagine Andy Dalton getting another dynamic weapon to go alongside A.J. Green. Well I think it happens here. I personally think Williams sliding to number nine could be a steal, but I couldn't find a spot to slot him before this. Williams has a similar playing style to A.J Green with his big frame and his ability to elevate and make catches in traffic. He reminds me a lot of Calvin Johnson and has the potential to have that type of impact,
#10 Buffalo Bills Select: Marshon Lattimore, Cornerback, Ohio State
I almost slotted DeShaun Watson here, but if Lattimore falls this far, he will be the best player available and he fits a need for the Bills. The Bills let Stephon Gilmore walk in free agency and are currently relying on Kevaun Seymour and Ronald Darby to be their opening day starters. Lattimore would certainly be an upgrade over Seymour.
#11 New Orleans Saints Select-Derek Barnett, Defensive End, Tennessee
The Saints need help at literally every defensive position. Barnett is the best player available and I've seen some mock drafts that have him being taken as high as second overall. The Saints play in a division where the signal-callers are Jameis Winston, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton. They need to be able to get to the quarterback. Barnett gives them that ability.
#12 Tennessee Titans Select- Corey Davis, Wide Receiver, Western Michigan
The Titans miss out on Mike Williams by trading their fifth pick to Cleveland, but Corey Davis is a good consolation prize. Tennessee is just a play-maker or two away from making the playoffs. They have a franchise signal-caller in Marcus Mariota, a solid ground game with DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. They also have the most underrated offensive line in the game. Corey Davis has similar build to Mike Williams and dominated in the inferior Mid-American Conference.
#13 Arizona Cardinals Select-Deshaun Watson, Quarterback, Clemson
I think Deshaun Watson is the best quarterback in the draft, but the best situation for him is to go somewhere that will let him sit and learn for a year or two. Bruce Arians could do wonders if he pairs Watson with David Johnson in the future. Carson Palmer would be a great mentor for Watson, but Palmer only has one, maybe two more years left.
#14 Philadelphia Eagles Select-Christian McCaffery, Running Back, Stanford
Doug Pederson relied heavily on Jamaal Charles when he was in Kansas City. He already has the signal-caller of the future with Carson Wentz and they went out and signed Torrey Smith and Alshon Jeffery in free agency. I personally think McCaffery is the third best Running Back in the draft behind Leonard Fournette and Dalvin Cook, but it sounds like the Eagles are high on McCaffery.
#15 Indianapolis Colts Select-Haason Reddick, Linebacker, Temple
Haason Reddick has risen up draft boards because of his impressive combine and pro-day workouts. I think he is more of a late first, early second round talent, but the Colts appeared to really like him. The Colts current linebacker rotation consists of Jabal Sheard, Antonio Morrison, Sean Spence and John Simon.
#16 Baltimore Ravens Select-John Ross, Wide Reciever, Washington
The Ravens give Joe Flacco a speedy play-maker with Washington wide-out John Ross. Ross ran a 4.22 forty yard dash and dominated the Pac 12 last year collecting almost 1,200 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Huskies. The Ravens are weak at the wide-out position. They do have Mike Wallace, but their other projected pass-catcher is a guy that I doubt you've ever heard of (Michael Campanero). They spent a first round pick on Brashad Perriman a few years ago, but he's yet to breakthrough. Ross gives them a speed element to their offense.
#17 Washington Redskins Select-Jabrill Peppers, Safety, Michigan
The Redskins have a fairly weak secondary outside of Josh Norman. Adding Jabrill Peppers would certainly bolster their secondary in a division that has Dez Bryant, Odell Beckham, Jr. and Alshon Jeffery. I personally would not be surprised if Peppers goes before this pick. The big question with Peppers is what will teams do with him. Is he ideal to be an NFL Safety or is he a Deone Bucannon type player and will convert to Linebacker.
#18 Tennessee Titans Select-Gareon Conley, Cornerback, Ohio State
The Titans passed on addressing the secondary at with both picks number five and twelve. I believe they address it here. The Titans did improve to their safety positions this past off-season by adding Jonathan Cyprien, but their projected starting Cornerbacks are Logan Ryan and Deshaun Sims. Conley has risen up draft boards as of lately and some people think that he may go before his teammate Marshon Lattimore.
#19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select-Dalvin Cook, Running Back, Florida State
The Florida State star stays in-state. This also fits a need and pairing Cook with former teammate Jameis Winston and Mike Evans could give the Bucs the same type of threat that Dallas and Carolina have. Doug Martin has had a history of injuries and drug problems, but pairing those two together could be a great one-two punch. I personally think Cook is the best Running Back in the draft class. Cook is a fairly decent pass catcher who averaged two receptions a game in college.
#20 Denver Broncos Select: Ryan Ramczyk, Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin
In case you missed it, the Broncos O-Line was god awful last year and when Khalil Mack, Justin Houston and Joey Bosa are in your division, you can't afford to have an atrocious line. Ramczyk is an interesting story who played at Division III Wisconsin-Stevens Point before becoming an all Big Ten Offensive Lineman. I personally think that Ramczyk is a bit of a reach in the first round, but he fills a need for the Broncos
#21 Detroit Lions Select-Rueben Foster, Linebacker, Alabama
The Lions get a top ten talent with the 21st pick and they address one of their biggest needs. Foster should be a top pick, but a diluted drug test and being sent home from the combine early will almost certainly cause him to fall and possibly out of the first round, but the Lions seem like a team that would be willing to take a chance on Foster due to his tremendous upside.
#22 Miami Dolphins Select-Forrest Lamp, Guard, Western Kentucky
The Dolphins got lucky last year when Laremy Tunsil dropped to them, this year I think they bolster their offensive line even more. The Dolphins biggest weakness on their O-Line come at the Guard position and Forrest Lamp is the best Guard in the draft class and although he is probably more of a second round draft pick, the Dolphins will reach and address a need
#23 New York Giants Select-David Njoku, Tight End, Miami
Larry Donnell had one solid year for the Giants, but he's pedestrian the last few years ago. The Giants already have a champion QB and the best Wide-out in the game, adding a Tight End with the play-making ability that David Njoku could certainly bolster their offense. Njoku has a big frame (6'4, 247 Pounds) and has drawn some comparisons to Antonio Gates
#24 Oakland Raiders Select-Kevin King, Cornerback, Washington
King is another one who has risen up draft boards due to impressive pre-draft workouts, I personally think he wasn't even the best corner on his team (Sidney Jones was), but he does the potential to be a solid NFL player due to his impressive size for a Corner (6'3). The Raiders already have a solid secondary with David Amerson, Sean Smith, Karl Joseph, and Reggie Nelson, but adding King gives them another weapon
#25 Houston Texans Select-Patrick Mahomes, Quarterback, Texas Tech
The Brock Osweiler experiment was a 72 million dollar disaster and Tom Savage is nothing more than a solid back-up. Mahomes has a lot of upset, but he still has a lot of work to do to be a serviceable NFL QB, so this experiment may also fail, but it sounds like the Texans are in love with Mahomes.
#26 Seattle Seahawks Select-Cam Robinson, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
The Seahawks O-Line was also awful last year. It was hands down their biggest weakness and has been since they let Russell Okung walk. They did sign draft-bust Luke Joeckel this past off-season, but he hasn't been able to stay healthy and hasn't been productive when he has been healthy. I think Robinson is the best offensive lineman in the draft and will give Russell Wilson more protection.
#27 Kansas City Chiefs Select-T.J Watt, Linebacker, Wisconsin
Linebacker is the biggest need for Andy Reid this off-season. Derrick Johnson is 34 and coming off of a serious knee injury, Tamba Hali's production has declined and Dee Ford could be a free agent after this season. There's a very good chance that T.J Watt won't be there when the Chiefs pick, but if he is, they should pounce on him. Watt very much resembles his older brother.
#28 Dallas Cowboys Select-Charles Harris, Defensive End, Missouri
Randy Gregory cannot be trusted to stay out of trouble, and DeMarcus Lawrence was suspended for performance enhancing drugs this past season. It sounds like the Cowboys are in love with Harris and the best thing they can do to prove last year was no-fluke is to bolster their mediocre defense.
#29 Green Bay Packers Select-Takkarist McKinley, Linebacker, UCLA
The Packers would probably prefer T.J Watt here, but he's gone. The Packers could also reach on Joe Mixon here, but this draft class is a deep enough with Running Backs that they could nab one in the later rounds. McKinley is a high motor player nicknamed "Tak the Sack", the Packers defense was no doubt their biggest flaw last year, hence the fact they allowed 48 points in the NFC Championship game.
#30 Pittsburgh Steelers Select-Taco Charlton, Defensive End, Michigan
James Harrison might not be human, but he is 39 and I'm guessing that he will retire one of these days. The Steelers already have a promising young pass-rusher named Bud Dupree, but adding Charlton to that will supplant their edge-rushers for the future.
#31 Atlanta Falcons Select-Tyus Bowser, Linebacker, Houston
If the Falcons get to the QB, they don't blow a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl. With the exception of Vic Beasley, they struggled to get to the Quarterback last year. With Cam Newton, Jameis Winston and Drew Brees in your division. You have to hit the QB early and often.
#32 New Orleans Saints Select-Chidobe Awuzee, Cornerback, Colorado
In case you missed it earlier in my mock draft, the Saints defense was awful last year. If they had somewhat of a resemblance of a defense they could have been a playoff team last year. Awuzee is someone that I had as a second or third round pick before the combine but he has risen up draft boards.
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