Dalton Tompkins’ 2017 NFL Mock Draft
1. Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett – Defensive End – Texas A&M
Garrett is as close to a “Can’t Miss” as you can possibly imagine. A physical specimen that definitely stands out on tape. A consensus first team All-American across the board. Easily the best prospect in his class, Garrett will go number one. After the first pick it could be a crap shoot the rest of the way. Cleveland can’t even mess this one up.
2. San Francisco 49ers – Solomon Thomas – Defensive End – Stanford
Thomas, the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, is considered a “tweener” by some scouts. However, his relentless approach on the field and his superb technique make him a great pick for the 49ers’ defensive rebuild.
3. *Cleveland Browns (trade from Chicago) – Mitchell Trubisky – Quarterback – North Carolina
Cleveland makes the first big splash of the draft, by trading back into the top three to make sure they get their guy. Trubisky is a fantastic pocket passer, with an underrated running game that we might get to see early and often in the NFL.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars – Leonard Fournette – Running Back – LSU
Fournette was the nation’s top recruit coming out of high school. And his downhill style of running made him a dominant force in the SEC. His final season didn’t go as planned, but make no mistake; he’s a monster on the football field. Jacksonville needs his playmaking ability out of the backfield.
5. Tennessee Titans – Mike Williams – Wide Receiver – Clemson
Williams’ final season at Clemson netted a total of 84 receptions, 1,171 yards, and 10 touchdowns. The Titans will go into this draft looking to find weapons for Marcus Mariota. Williams would immediately step in and be a huge red zone target for the young signal caller.
6. New York Jets – Marshon Lattimore – Cornerback – Ohio State
Lattimore is super athletic, with great closing speed. He also ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the combine. That alone bumped him up draft boards across the league, but his excellent press coverage is what will keep him in the league for years to come.
7. L.A. Chargers – Jonathan Allen – Defensive End – Alabama
The 2016 Chuck Bednarik Award winner, as well as the Bronco Nagurski Award winner (Nation’s Best Defensive Player); will be paired with Joey Bosa. That defensive end duo will allow Allen to wreak havoc on opposing offensive linemen with his supreme technique.
8. Carolina Panthers – Christian McCaffrey – Running Back – Stanford
McCaffrey disappointed some Stanford fans by sitting out the team’s bowl game. But that shouldn’t affect his draft stock. The kid has potential to be special as a receiver out of the back field and in the return game for the Panthers.
9. Cincinnati Bengals – Jamal Adams – Safety – LSU
Jamal’s father, George Adams, played on the 1986 New York Giants team that won the super bowl. The Bengals need a play maker in the defensive backfield if they want to make it past the second round of the playoffs.
10. Buffalo Bills – Malik Hooker – Safety – Ohio State
Back to back safeties off the board. Hooker is an astute ball hawk, as well as an elite athlete. He could have played D-1 college basketball coming out of high school, but Hooker made a name for himself in Columbus. Luckily, he chose football and winds up a top-10 pick. The Bills could definitely do worse.
11. New Orleans Saints – Charles Harris – Linebacker – Missouri
Harris has a very quick first step, and his ability to plug holes makes it really difficult for opposing offensive lineman to block him in the running game. He’s a headache for offensive coordinators to say the least.
12. *Chicago Bears (trade from Cleveland) – Deshaun Watson – Quarterback – Clemson
Without a doubt, the most established collegiate quarterback in this draft class. Watson is a natural born leader, and his back to back seasons as a Heisman Trophy finalist makes him stand out. Plus, his clutch performances in big time games might be a glimpse of Chicago’s future if he pans out.
13. Arizona Cardinals – Reuben Foster – Linebacker – Alabama
With several off the field concerns, Foster will be lucky to be selected this high. But the Cardinals have been known to take guys like Foster in the draft and be successful with them. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s one of the best linebackers in this class and he hits people holding a football like a ton of bricks.
14. Philadelphia Eagles – Derek Barnett – Defensive End – Tennessee
After a tremendous season, Barnett ended up with 18 tackles for a loss, and 12 sacks. He has the best hands of any defensive lineman in this loaded draft class. As an All-American selection last year, the Eagles could use his services right away on their depleted defensive line.
15. Indianapolis Colts – Taco Charlton – Defensive End – Michigan
Charlton jumped out on film a few different times during his career at Michigan. He flashed some potential that many scouts salivated over. His only true flaw is his ability to consistently stop the run. Keep an eye on him when he’s starting for the Colts next season.
16. Baltimore Ravens – Marlon Humphrey – Cornerback – Alabama
Humphrey has quick feet, and his long arms allow him to grapple with receivers at the line of scrimmage rather easily. As a raw athlete at cornerback, he should do just fine for an already stellar secondary in Baltimore.
17. Washington Redskins – Haason Reddick – Linebacker – Temple
Reddick finished his final collegiate season with the third most tackles for a loss (22.5). His speed alone at the position makes him an intriguing prospect for the Redskins to build around.
18. Tennessee Titans – O.J. Howard – Tight End – Alabama
Tennessee adds another weapon for Mariota to find in the red zone. Howard is a truly gifted athlete, a great route runner with huge, soft hands. Some scouts think he’s the best tight end prospect in the last several drafts. If he’s still on the board at pick 18, Tennessee won’t take long to make their selection.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Dalvin Cook – Running Back – Florida State
Simply put, it’s a perfect match. The Bucs need a young and talented running back, and Cook would love to reunite with his former teammate at Florida State, Jameis Winston. Winston could use a back like Cook who would alleviate some pressure off his and Mike Evans‘ shoulders. Cook compares well with players like Jamaal Charles and LeSean McCoy.
20. Denver Broncos – Cam Robinson – Offensive Tackle – Alabama
Robinson has issues off the field that may cause some concern for teams thinking of selecting him. But Denver needs some protection for their young quarterbacks. A former top five national recruit out of high school, Robinson could bolster Denver’s offensive line for years to come if he can stay out of trouble.
21. Detroit Lions – T.J. Watt – Linebacker – Wisconsin
The younger brother of Houston Texans’ superstar, J.J. Watt, T.J. is a very disruptive pass rusher with a never ending motor when he’s on the field. He has outstanding hand work at the line of scrimmage and uses his body well to bust up plays in the backfield. Probably one of the safest picks in the first round.
22. Miami Dolphins – Jarrad Davis – Linebacker – Florida
Davis had 98 tackles as a junior at Florida. He sniffs the ball out quicker than some linebackers already in the NFL. Plus, his range from sideline to sideline makes him a unique pick for the Dolphins at 22.
23. New York Giants – Garett Bolles – Offensive Tackle – Utah
Aiming to protect Eli Manning for his final few seasons, the Giants could use Bolles’ abilities to anchor their offensive line woes. This is the direct cause for the teams’ downfall at the end of the season for the past couple of years.
24. Oakland Raiders – Kevin King – Cornerback – Washington
Standing at 6’3″, King is a rare breed for a cornerback. His size/speed combo makes him an excellent pick for a young Raiders team in need of talented defensive backs. He could make a splash right away for Oakland. King is a player to keep an eye on in the mid-20’s.
25. Houston Texans – Pat Mahomes – Quarterback – Texas Tech
Mahomes is a “backyard” football king. He extends plays by escaping the pocket, thus causing problems in the opposing team’s secondary. With uber athletes at receiver like DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller V, Mahomes could be a nightmare for defensive coordinators if he gets picked by Houston.
26. Seattle Seahawks – Adoree Jackson – Cornerback – USC
Jackson is special. Like Deion Sanders-lite special. He played on offense, defense, and special teams for the Trojans. Seahawks’ head coach, Pete Carrol, would love to see him still on the board at pick 26.
27. *L.A. Rams (trade from Kansas City) – Forrest Lamp – Offensive Guard – Western Kentucky
Without a first round pick of their own, the Rams jump back in with a trade to Kansas City. They do so because they need help on the offensive line. With Lamp still there, it’s a no brainer. The Rams love Lamp, and they wouldn’t be willing to risk waiting for him in the second round.
28. Dallas Cowboys – Obi Melifonwu – Safety – Connecticut
A value and need pick all in one selection. Melifonwu is a hard player to peg. He could go as high as the top 15, or fall completely out of the first round and probably down to the mid-second round. At 6’4″, Melifonwu is big, strong, and fast (4.40 40-yard dash at the combine) enough to be a difference maker for the Cowboys. He was a four-year starter for the Huskies, and could immediately slot in to a starting spot with Dallas.
29. Green Bay Packers – Fabian Moreau – Cornerback – UCLA
Moreau went to UCLA to play as a running back, but quickly transitioned to defense after his freshman year. Turned out to be a wise move, posting a 4.35 40-yard dash at the combine, he vaulted himself into the first round conversation.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers – John Ross – Wide Receiver – Washington
Speaking of fast combine times, Ross broke the record for the fastest 40-yard time ever recorded. And with speed like that, the Steelers would be smart to scoop him up this late in the first round. Doing so would position them to have a loaded receiving core for the final years of Ben Roethlisberger‘s career.
31. Atlanta Falcons – David Njoku – Tight End – Miami
Several scouts who have studied Njoku say he runs the seam route better than any other tight end to come out of Miami. That alone should say enough about Njoku’s talent. He is a tad raw when it comes to the X’s and O’s of the game, but Matt Ryan would love to have him on the field, paired with Julio Jones on the outside. Njoku would be a bargain this late in the first round no matter what. He could potentially go in the top 20.
32. New Orleans – Tre’Davious White – Cornerback – LSU
White finished his career at LSU as a first team Walter Camp All-American. He’s very experienced with one-on-one (island) coverage and can play the slot just as well as he can play the outside. The Saints lost some defensive pieces during free agency and would love to see White still there at pick 32.
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