Now that the 2017 NFL Draft is finally here, it is time to release my final mock draft. Due to their unpredictable nature, I won’t bother attempting to pick trades.
Al Preziosi’s Final 2017 NFL Mock Draft
1. Cleveland Browns: DE Myles Garrett (Texas A&M)
There have been some rumors recently about Mitchell Trubisky being selected with this pick, but Myles Garrett is too talented to pass up. If the Browns desperately want to draft a quarterback, they can wait until their second first-round selection. Cleveland has expressed significant interest in Garrett with a Combine meeting, a private workout, and a private visit.
2. San Francisco 49ers: QB Mitchell Trubisky (North Carolina)
Quarterback is the biggest need for the 49ers, so if management decides that Mitchell Trubisky has franchise quarterback potential, he will be the selection. San Francisco has expressed significant interest in Trubisky with a Combine meeting and a private visit. An elite defensive lineman like Solomon Thomas or Jonathan Allen will probably be the selection if the 49ers do not like any of the top quarterback prospects.
3. Chicago Bears: FS Malik Hooker (Ohio State)
This pick will likely come down to Malik Hooker, Jonathan Allen, and Jamal Adams. Allen has had shoulder issues that might lower his draft stock and Quintin Demps had a breakout season last year at strong safety, so I am going with the free safety. Chicago has expressed interest in Hooker with a private visit.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: RB Leonard Fournette (LSU)
Leonard Fournette has the potential to be one of the best running backs in the league, and he could land at the same spot Ezekiel Elliott ended up last year. I also considered Jonathan Allen and Solomon Thomas, but the Jaguars have invested heavily in the defensive line already. Malik Jackson and Calais Campbell are on large contracts, Dante Fowler Jr. was a first-round pick in 2015, and Yannick Ngakoue recorded eight sacks as a rookie after being selected in the third round. Jacksonville has expressed interest in Fournette with a private visit.
5. Tennessee Titans: WR Mike Williams (Clemson)
The Titans have a few defensive back options with this selection, but giving Marcus Mariota an elite receiving option should be the top priority. Mike Williams is the best receiver in the class, and he would make the Tennessee offense more balanced. The Titans have expressed significant interest in Williams with a Combine meeting and a private visit.
6. New York Jets: CB Marshon Lattimore (Ohio State)
The Jets desperately need cornerback help, and Marshon Lattimore is one of the best players available. New York could select a quarterback with this selection, but management would have to be in love with one of the prospects, as the team just spent a second-round pick on Christian Hackenberg last year. The Jets have expressed interest in Lattimore with a private visit.
7. Los Angeles Chargers: DE Solomon Thomas (Stanford)
The Chargers are moving to a 4-3 defense under new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, and the team needs a pass rusher opposite Joey Bosa. Solomon Thomas happens to be one of the best players available, so this seems like the perfect match. I would not be surprised if the Chargers selected Jamal Adams in this situation, but pass rushers are more valuable than safeties. Thomas and Bosa would form one of the most dangerous edge rushing duos in the league.
8. Carolina Panthers: SS Jamal Adams (LSU)
This pick came down to Jamal Adams and Jonathan Allen because they are both value selections, but I went with Adams because the Panthers have more talent along the defensive line. With Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei clogging the interior, Carolina doesn’t exactly have a need at defensive tackle. The Panthers have expressed interest in Adams with a private visit.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: DT Jonathan Allen (Alabama)
The Bengals need pass rushing help and Jonathan Allen is the best player available. Allen used to be a consensus top three selection, but news about arthritis in his shoulders has dropped his draft stock. That being said, Allen is too good to pass up for this value. The dynamic pass rusher could wreak havoc next to Geno Atkins.
10. Buffalo Bills: TE O.J. Howard (Alabama)
This pick came down to O.J. Howard and a couple cornerbacks who could replace Stephon Gilmore, but I went with Howard because he has elite tight end potential and the Bills could draft a first-round talent at cornerback in the second round because the position is so deep this year. Buffalo lost Robert Woods in free agency, so a dynamic second target is definitely a need. Howard is also a very good run blocker, and the Bills love to run the football.
11. New Orleans Saints: DE Derek Barnett (Tennessee)
The Saints have needs at all three levels of their defense, so this pick could go in a number of directions. I considered Derek Barnett, Reuben Foster, and a couple cornerbacks, but ultimately went with Barnett because he is a safer selection than Foster and the Saints can still select a starting cornerback with their second first-round selection. Barnett would immediately form a dangerous edge rushing duo with Cameron Jordan. New Orleans has expressed interest in Barnett with a private workout.
12. Cleveland Browns: CB Marlon Humphrey (Alabama)
This pick came down to a quarterback or a cornerback, but with Mitchell Trubisky off the board, I went with Marlon Humphrey. Joe Haden is aging, and the Browns need a cornerback opposite him anyway. Don’t be surprised if the Browns trade up for Trubisky if he falls a bit.
13. Arizona Cardinals: WR Corey Davis (Western Michigan)
This pick came down to Corey Davis or Reuben Foster, but Davis does not have the off-field issues that Foster has had. Larry Fitzgerald can’t play forever, so the Cardinals are looking for an elite receiver to replace him. With an elite receiving corps, Carson Palmer could become a respectable quarterback again.
14. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Kevin King (Washington)
The Eagles desperately need cornerback help, and there are a few different cornerbacks that could be selected with this pick. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz loves long, rangy cornerbacks, so I am going to give Kevin King the nod. This might be a waste of time though, as the Eagles will probably select somebody who has a third-round grade anyway. Philadelphia has expressed significant interest in King with a Combine meeting and a private visit.
15. Indianapolis Colts: LB Reuben Foster (Alabama)
This pick came down to Reuben Foster, Haason Reddick, and Dalvin Cook, but Foster’s value is too good to pass up. The Colts have needs all over the defense, so this pick will probably come down to the best player available. Indianapolis has expressed interest in Foster with a private visit.
16. Baltimore Ravens: OLB Charles Harris (Missouri)
This pick came down to Charles Harris, Taco Charlton, and one of the tackles, but Harris is a better fit for the 3-4 scheme than Charlton and pass rushers are more valuable than right tackles. The Ravens used a first-round pick on a tackle last year, so it is more likely that they address the need for a pass rusher in the first round this year. Terrell Suggs cannot play forever and Baltimore needs a pass rusher on the other side anyway.
17. Washington Redskins: RB Dalvin Cook (Florida State)
This pick came down to Dalvin Cook or Zach Cunningham, but Cook is the best player available. Cook could go as high as the eighth overall selection, so getting him with the 17th would be a steal. Washington has expressed significant interest in Cook with a Combine meeting and a private visit.
18. Tennessee Titans: CB Chidobe Awuzie (Colorado)
After giving Marcus Mariota another weapon with the Titans’ first selection, this pick should be a defensive back. The Titans signed Logan Ryan in free agency, but desperately need a cornerback to start on the other side. Chidobe Awuzie could be that guy, and Tennessee has expressed significant interest in him with a private workout and a private visit.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: SS Obi Melifonwu (UConn)
This pick will likely be a defensive back, and Obi Melifonwu is the best available. The Buccaneers signed J.J. Wilcox in free agency, but he is best suited as a backup. Melifonwu’s stock has been on the rise, and Tampa Bay has expressed significant interest in him with a private workout and a visit to his Pro Day.
20. Denver Broncos: LB Haason Reddick (Temple)
This pick came down to Haason Reddick or an offensive tackle, but Reddick is a better value. The Broncos desperately need an impact inside linebacker next to Brandon Marshall, and that is the position Reddick would likely play. The void created when Danny Trevathan went to Chicago has not been filled yet, but this would do the trick.
21. Detroit Lions: DE Taco Charlton (Michigan)
The Lions desperately need pass rushing help, and Taco Charlton would be a good value at this spot. Ziggy Ansah and Charlton could form a lethal pass rushing duo. Detroit has expressed significant interest in Charlton with a Combine meeting, a private visit, and a local visit.
22. Miami Dolphins: OG Forrest Lamp (Western Kentucky)
This pick came down to Forrest Lamp or a linebacker, but guard is probably a bigger need. After the Branden Albert trade, Laremy Tunsil is set to move to left tackle, but that opened a hole at guard. Lamp is the best guard in the class and his stock has been on the rise.
23. New York Giants: OT Ryan Ramczyk (Wisconsin)
This pick came down to Ryan Ramczyk or Zach Cunningham, but left tackle is a much bigger need. Ramczyk is the best left tackle prospect in this class, and this selection would allow the Giants to move Ereck Flowers to the right side. New York has expressed significant interest in Ramczyk with a Combine meeting and a private visit.
24. Oakland Raiders: LB Zach Cunningham (Vanderbilt)
This pick came down to Zach Cunningham, Jarrad Davis, and Budda Baker, but Cunningham is the best value. The Raiders desperately need a middle linebacker, and Cunningham excels in both run stopping and coverage. Oakland has expressed interest in Cunningham with a Combine meeting.
25. Houston Texans: QB Deshaun Watson (Clemson)
The Texans are a quarterback away from being a legitimate championship contender, and Deshaun Watson could be that guy. Pat Mahones and DeShone Kizer are other quarterback possibilities, but I prefer Watson. The Texans have expressed interest in Watson with a private visit.
26. Seattle Seahawks: OT Garett Bolles (Utah)
The Seahawks desperately need offensive line help, so this pick came down to Garett Bolles and Cam Robinson. Bolles has higher upside, so I gave him the edge. Seattle signed Luke Joeckel in the off-season, but he is only on a one-year deal and has struggled for most of his career.
27. Kansas City Chiefs: WR John Ross (Washington)
Wide receiver is not a major need for the Chiefs, but John Ross is too good to pass up at this point. Ross and Tyreek Hill would form the fastest wide receiver duo in the league and make Alex Smith look much better than he is. If a chance to become a dynamic offense presents itself, Kansas City might just take it.
28. Dallas Cowboys: CB Adoree’ Jackson (USC)
After losing both starting cornerbacks and a starting safety in free agency, the Cowboys clearly need help in the secondary. Adoree’ Jackson is freakishly athletic, like Byron Jones, so Dallas could fall in love with him. The Cowboys have expressed interest in Jackson with a private visit.
29. Green Bay Packers: RB Christian McCaffrey (Stanford)
If Christian McCaffrey falls to the Packers, expect general manager Ted Thompson to send this pick in immediately. McCaffrey would give the Packers a true running back who could also excel in the passing game. McCaffrey could continue to put up insane numbers in the dynamic Packers offense.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: LB Jarrad Davis (Florida)
Jarrad Davis and Ryan Shazier would form the most freakishly athletic inside linebacker duo in the league. With the top safeties off the board, this pick makes a lot of sense. Pittsburgh has expressed interest in Davis with a private visit.
31. Atlanta Falcons: DE/OLB T.J. Watt (Wisconsin)
This pick could come down to a number of edge rushers, but T.J. Watt is probably the best available. The Falcons need a pass rusher to play on the other side of Vic Beasley, and Watt could get the job done. I almost went with Takkarist McKinley, but the shoulder injury will probably drop him to the second round.
32. New Orleans Saints: CB Tre’Davious White (LSU)
After addressing the pass rush with their first selection, the Saints can address the secondary with this pick. New Orleans needs a starting cornerback on the other side of Delvin Breaux, and Tre’Davious White could do the job. It looks like the Patriots will keep Malcolm Butler, so expect one of the Saints’ first-round picks to address the secondary.
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