2017 NFL Mock Draft(4/26)

2017 NFL Mock Draft

      Nick Gaschler

My last weekly mock draft for the 2017 Event. I'll come back soon with an update to 2018.(Note: I finished this mock before the Gareon Conley rape accusations that might knock him out of all 7 rounds)

                  

1.Cleveland Browns-Myles Garrett-Edge-Texas A&M

Still an easy pick for the Browns to take. Even though, Mitchell Trubisky may be getting hype at #1, Garrett is just too difficult to pass up on. If head coach Hue Jackson is one of the figures saying he wants Garrett at 1, he will likely get him as Jackson is a key part to this team. If he can resist the ownership push for Trubisky, the Browns will be getting a gem.

2.San Francisco 49ers-Solomon Thomas-DL-Stanford

If we are looking at this realistically(which I tried to do), The 49ers will likely be trading down to get more picks. If they stay put, Solomon Thomas is the likely pick here. There is buzz for Fournette, but I think adding the local kid from Stanford would be a great idea to make the ‘9ers defensive line solid.

3.Chicago Bears-Jamal Adams-S-LSU

 Jamal Adams is one of my favorite prospects in this draft. I think John Fox would love someone like him to play in the backend with gunslingers like Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford in the division. This would be a huge initial improvement for the Bears in their rebuilding process. With Mike Glennon at QB, This would be the best pick for Chi-Town

4.Jacksonville Jaguars-Leonard Fournette-RB-LSU

The Jaguars need to add talent to surround Blake Bortles with and while the receiving duo of Robinson and Hurns are set, a good strong RB1 to come in and be a Day 1 starter makes sense especially with an improving offensive line. To me that it Fournette. He is a powerful, strong runner that will go at the top of this draft and the Jags couldn’t go wrong.

5.Tennessee Titans(via LAR)-Mike Williams-WR-Clemson

      The Titans are still looking for a dominate #1 target for Marcus Mariota to throw to and Mike Williams will not be available when they pick again at #18. If Jon Robinson needs a WR, why not go with the very physical Clemson product. This would make the Titans into a scary team and likely take the AFC South by storm.

6.New York Jets-Marshon Lattimore-CB-Ohio State

If the Titans, Bears, and 49ers pass on Lattimore, I couldn’t see the Jets passing on him as well. He is one of the best prospects in this draft and without Darrelle Revis, the Jets could really use him to improve their secondary. Lattimore could be the next Revis in New York only this time it’s the Lattimore Island.

7.Los Angeles Chargers-Malik Hooker-S-Ohio State

       If he wasn’t injured, Malik Hooker might be the best player in this draft. He is the best safety I have seen when looking at draft classes and as NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah says, everything about him screams Ed Reed. The Chargers are in need of a free safety to fill in the gap left by Eric Weddle and Hooker will do more than that. This would be a good match for LA.

8.Carolina Panthers-Jonathan Allen-DL-Alabama

This would be a big pick for the Panthers who recently added Julius Peppers, but shipped Kony Ealy to New England. Regardless, Allen can play inside at DT if needed and outside at DE if needed and I think he would be an excellent choice for Ron Rivera and the Panthers especially if Fournette is off the board. This would complete a strong defense.

9.Cincinnati Bengals-Derek Barnett-Edge-Tennessee

Barnett still put up a good performance at the Combine, despite his sickness and I think he is deserving of this pick to bring Cincy’s defense back. With him, Geno Atkins, and Carlos Dunlap in the trenches, who knows what the Bengals could bring in 2017. He is super athletic and will be a big time player off the edge for the Bengals to get them back to glory.

10.Buffalo Bills-OJ Howard-TE-Alabama

Charles Clay would be nowhere near the production that OJ Howard would have in Buffalo. Although Mitchell Trubisky could be taken here, I think new Head Coach Sean McDermott would love this pick to rejuvenate the Bills offense. With Sammy Watkins, Shady mcCoy, and OJ Howard on this offense, the Bills would be scary.

11.New Orleans Saints-Gareon Conley-CB-Ohio State

The Saints are desperate for defensive help and Conley could be the great corner they need to make their defense great. Conley has been rising up on many boards and I think the Saints really need him as he would be an upgrade over PJ Williams who hasn’t yielded any good results. Although this may not fix them for good, NOLA could really use this upgrade.

12.Cleveland Browns-Mitchell Trubisky-QB-UNC

The Browns have been rumored to be split between Mitchell Trubisky and Myles Garrett. I think it is really realistic that the QBs in this draft fall and if the Browns want Trubisky this is the right time to pick him because I don’t think he will be available come the 2nd round. Trubisky has been hailed as the most NFL-Ready QB and I think Hue Jackson would love him.

13.Arizona Cardinals-Corey Davis-WR-Western Michigan

The Cardinals could take DeShone Kizer to be their successor at QB, but I think they should wait and grab someone like Davis Webb or Patrick Mahomes with a later pick. In the meantime, they are in need of a new WR and I believe Corey Davis could be the guy here. Hailed as one of the best WRs in the draft, this would be a great pick.

14.Philadelphia Eagles(via MIN)-Christian McCaffrey-RB-Stanford

I have heard reports that if McCaffrey is available at #14 then the Eagles would take him. I think this is a good idea. McCaffrey is a triple threat back that can play in the Eagles offense well. I think he is a better option than Dalvin Cook as his shoulder issues and character issues may cause problems in the future.

15.Indianapolis Colts-Haason Reddick-OLB-Temple

        The Colts’ Robert Mathis has retired which means the Colts need a new Outside Linebacker to rush the pass. Reddick is one of the most athletic players in this draft and I think he can be a franchise defensive player for the Colts. I also think he could go a lot higher so the Colts would be getting a bargain at #15.

16.Baltimore Ravens-Takk McKinley-Edge-UCLA

After the trade of Timmy Jernigan, the Ravens I think may be targeting someone to rush the passer and McKinley is an edge rusher that has a non-stop motor. He will play well in Baltimore and could turn the defense into a powerhouse. I think this pick would be a special one for Baltimore.

17.Washington Redskins-Reuben Foster-LB-Alabama

Reuben Foster looks to plummet in the 1st Round after his Combine issue and now his reveal of a failed drug test even if it was only diluted. If the Redskins find him available at #17, they could take him and really benefit from his presence in the defense. It would really benefit the Redskins who are still trying to win the NFC East

18.Tennessee Titans-Jabrill Peppers-S-Michigan

    If Jabrill Peppers falls to the Titans and they still need secondary help, this would be a great fit. He would fit in perfectly in Dick LeBeau's defense and could be a good player in the defense. Free agent signing Jonathan Cyprien can move to free safety and Peppers can play in the box and prove himself.

19.Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Dalvin Cook-RB-Florida State

                   Doug Martin isn’t performing well enough to be a franchise runner. If Dalvin Cook falls this far, it begs the question of what it would be like to have Jameis Winston and Cook in the backfield. I think Cook can get past these off-the-field issues and shoulder issues and turn out to be a great back for the Buccaneers in the future.

20.Denver Broncos-Garett Bolles-OT-Utah

Garett Bolles is a great pick for the Broncos. He overcame adversity in high school and is now one of the most athletic O-Lineman in this draft and I think would be  great new LT in Denver. I think this would be a great selection to keep the QB safe and continue on a great path with these two young guys at QB.

21.Detroit Lions-Quincy Wilson-CB-Florida

Detroit needs a CB to play alongside Darius Slay and I think Quincy Wilson is very underrated. He may be just what the Lions need to continue their success. As a big corner, he can play against big receivers and successful against the Packers. This would be a really good pick for the Lions.

22.Miami Dolphins-Forrest Lamp-G-Western Kentucky

After Laremy Tunsil moved to Left Tackle this offseason, the Dolphins need to grab a new Left Guard and I think Forrest Lamp would fit great here. He has been highly rated this entire offseason and if you had him and Tunsil alongside each other on the offensive line, I couldn’t imagine the potential of this team.

23.New York Giants-David Njoku-TE-Miami(Fla.)

The Giants are in need of another target for Eli Manning to throw to and I think David Njoku could be the guy here. Adding a TE like Njoku would give the Giants one of the strongest receiving cores in the NFL and I think the management should cash in on this TE class while they are all still available.

24.Oakland Raiders-John Ross III-WR-Washington

If someone was fast Al Davis would get him. In the case scenerio, I think Ross would be an elite receiver for Derek Carr and would be a great target for him the throw to. Whether he plays outside or in the slot, he will be a speedy player that is very much like Brandin Cooks or Desean Jackson who are both stars. Great pickup by Oakland.

25.Houston Texans-Ryan Ramczyk-OT-Wisconsin

With Duane Brown getting older, the Texans are going to need someone to fill in for whoever is under center in the near future. I think despite his injury, he is still a good prospect that will be a success in this league wherever he plays. The Texans would enjoy this addition and hopefully a stable offensive line.

26.Seattle Seahawks-Tre’Davious White-CB-LSU

    Even though the Richard Sherman trade conversations aren’t as big at they were last month, they still need a reliable CB to play on the outside opposite Sherman and I think White would be the perfect fit for Seattle. Yes, he needs to fix some tackling issues and he is a little small, but if he gets starting experience, he could be a shutdown corner.

27.Kansas City Chiefs-Deshaun Watson-QB-Clemson

The Chiefs QB Alex Smith hasn’t turned out to be the QB KC wants and they need someone under him to develop. Andy Reid turned Donovan McNabb and Mike Vick, two mobile QBs into great passers and I think he can do it again with Watson. As a mobile QB, I think if you give him time, he will become a great future QB for the Chiefs.

28.Dallas Cowboys-Charles Harris-Edge-Mizzou

The Cowboys are in need of a pass rusher and Charles Harris fits the bill right here. He really had a good day at the Combine and I think Jerry Jones and company would love him off the outside to rush Carson Wentz, Kirk Cousins and Eli Manning. This would further strengthen a strong Cowboys team which could really have the power to win a Super Bowl.

29.Green Bay Packers-Taco Charlton-Edge-Michigan

The Packers lost Julius Peppers this offseason and Kenny Clark is filling in a DE. I think if they draft Charlton, they can move Clark in at nose tackle and play him on the outside with Mike Daniels in their 3-4 scheme. Taco Charlton has done well improving his draft stock, but I still think he drops to the Pack. Another great pick by Ted Thompson.

30.Pittsburgh Steelers-Jarrad Davis-LB-Florida

The Steelers need at LB continues to burn a hole in their developing defense especially after the departure of Lawrence Timmons. I think Jarrad Davis cn be the reliable run stopper the Steelers need to replace Timmons and would compliment this defense perfectly. He, Bud Dupree, and James Harrison would be scary to face on Sundays.

31.Atlanta Falcons-Malik McDowell-DL-Michigan State

Even though McDowell is very inconsistent in how he plays, he can still sit behind Dontari Poe for a couple years and solve his issues and then come into play for the Falcons inside. This would be a great fit for the Falcons who are looking to get back to the playoffs and maybe another Super Bowl.

32.New Orleans Saints(via NE)-Zach Cunningham-LB-Vanderbilt

After James Laurinaitis’ retirement the Saints need a new outside and inside linebacker. Cunningham would be a great fit for the Saints and I think with this addition, he could really bring the Saints defense to be relevant again. NOLA made the great pick of Conley earlier and Cunningham would make it better.

                 

Note: Any logos in this mock are not owned by me. All logos or images depicted in this mock belong to their respected football/collegiate clubs or programs.