The NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and fans could not be more excited. Now is the time where teams will call in their favorite prospects for official visits, leaving fans and beat writers alike plenty of room for massive amounts of speculation.<\/p>\n
Of course, the closer we get to draft day, more and more answers (and speculation) will be shown to the public. However, like every draft junkie does, it’s never too early to take a look at\u00a0the\u00a0names that\u00a0will be called in Philadelphia and where players will land. So, without further ado,\u00a0below is a mock draft for the first round of the NFL Draft, set to begin on\u00a0April 27th.<\/p>\n
This is is one of the few picks in this draft that most have had penciled in well before the combine. Myles Garrett<\/strong> is a generational talent that the Browns will hope to bring in as a cornerstone of their defense. The Cleveland Browns need playmakers, and that is what they will get out of the A&M product.<\/p>\n After the first pick, now it gets fun. It is unclear what the\u00a0San Francisco 49ers\u00a0will do with their pick here. While it makes sense for\u00a0Kyle Shanahan<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>to want a quarterback he can groom, there probably\u00a0isn’t a quarterback in this class that is worth this high of a pick. With the BPA mindset, the pick here is\u00a0 Solomon Thomas<\/strong>. With the defense switching to a 4-3, pairing Thomas with\u00a0DeForest Buckner<\/a><\/strong> will be a force on the front to help build the defense.<\/p>\n The Bears seem content with Mike Glennon<\/a><\/strong> as their starter heading into the 2017 season. With their budding star in Jordan Howard<\/a><\/strong>, they also do not have a need to reach for a bell-cow out of the backfield. With this in mind, the Bears take, arguably, the best safety prospect in the draft in Jamal Adams<\/strong>. Adams is a field general who can be a day-one starter and leader on the defense and give much-needed help in the secondary.<\/p>\n The Jacksonville Jaguars patience with\u00a0Blake Bortles<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is presumably running thin. What Bortles needs is a workhorse out of the backfield to prevent him from having to throw the ball 40+ times a game. Enter\u00a0Leonard Fournette<\/strong>, who may be the best overall prospect in the draft. Fournette is quite simply a physical specimen, drawing comparisons ro\u00a0the great\u00a0Adrian Peterson<\/a><\/strong>. Fournette may be just the player to save Bortles’ career and to bring the Jaguars back into the playoffs.<\/p>\n It would be plausible for the Tennessee Titans to trade and pick up a few more draft picks at this spot, but if they hold tight, Marshon Lattimore<\/strong> should be the pick. Lattimore gives the Titans a true number one corner in a division loaded with top receiver talent. If the Titans fall in love with a player like\u00a0Mike Williams<\/a><\/strong>, then you could see the Clemson product at this spot. However, Lattimore is the safest bet.<\/p>\n True, this would mean the New York Jets are using more draft capital on a quarterback. It’s a running joke at this point, but Mitchell Trubisky<\/strong> is the safest play to make if the Jets indeed believe they need a quarterback. Trubisky was a tremendous prospect coming out of high school and, despite only playing one year at North Carolina as the starter, he has all the tools needed to be a starter in this league.<\/p>\n It was evident that the San Diego Chargers (now the Los\u00a0Angeles Chargers)\u00a0missed\u00a0Eric Weddle<\/a><\/strong> last year. Malik Hooker<\/strong> makes a ton of sense for the Chargers here, as they can pair him\u00a0with rising star\u00a0Joey Bosa<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>to kick start their defense.<\/p>\n The Carolina Panthers will be delighted to see Jonathan Allen<\/strong> fall to them at this spot. Although they need help in the secondary, Allen is too good of a prospect for Carolina to pass up on. With the departure of\u00a0Kony Ealy<\/a><\/strong>, Allen can lineup all along the line and help the Panthers build their defense back to the elite status they once boasted.<\/p>\n This pick is a no-brainer for the Cincinnati Bengals to make. Reuben Foster<\/strong> is the best linebacker in the draft and would be a deadly pairing with\u00a0Vontaze Burfict<\/a><\/strong>. Foster was the leader for the Alabama defense and will look to bring the same intangibles to an erratic Bengals defense.<\/p>\n With\u00a0Tyrod Taylor<\/a><\/strong> returning to the Buffalo Bills, they have their answer, at least for now, at quarterback. Pairing Mike Williams<\/strong> with\u00a0Sammy Watkins<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>would create a formidable duo and take some pressure off of both Taylor and\u00a0LeSean McCoy<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n The New Orleans Saints offense has never been the issue for the team. The defense, however, has plenty of holes to fill. Marlon Humphrey<\/strong> gives the Saints a true cover-corner who brings plenty of swagger and attitude to the defense.<\/p>\n Like the Jets, plenty of eyes may roll at seeing the Browns drafting another quarterback. However, DeShaun Watson<\/strong> is a winner through-and-through and can bring his winning pedigree to Cleveland, who is taking a full-blown rebuild approach to their franchise.<\/p>\n With the departure of\u00a0Calais Campbell<\/a><\/strong>, a void needs to be filled along the Arizona Cardinals line. Derek Barnett<\/strong> broke the sack record of\u00a0Reggie White<\/a><\/strong> in his junior campaign and would bring an immediate impact to an already solid Cardinals defense.<\/p>\n With both of the top cornerbacks already taken, the Philadelphia Eagles\u00a0get a\u00a0workhorse back\u00a0by selecting Dalvin\u00a0Cook<\/strong>\u00a0which will help\u00a0relieve some of the pressure off of\u00a0Carson Wentz<\/a><\/strong>. With the cornerback class being extremely deep in the later rounds, the Eagles complete their offense with a back who can handle 20+ touches per game.<\/p>\n Yes, the Indianapolis Colts need help on the offensive line. However, giving Andrew Luck<\/a><\/strong> a safety blanket may be just as important. O.J. Howard<\/strong> would provide just that for Luck, while possessing all the traits to become a top tight end in the league.<\/p>\n The fastest player in combine-history heads to a Baltimore Ravens\u00a0team in need of a big-play talent. John Ross<\/strong> provides exceptional speed and a down-field threat that the Ravens offense has been missing since\u00a0Torrey Smith<\/a><\/strong> provided it during their Super Bowl run. Ross provides all of this and more for the Ravens.<\/p>\n The Washington Redskins have not had a true impact safety since the tragic death of\u00a0Sean Taylor<\/a><\/strong>. Jabrill Peppers<\/strong>, who is probably the most versatile player in this draft, would be difference-maker in the secondary while also being more than capable of playing in the box.<\/p>\n The Tennessee Titans\u00a0have gone through a plethora of receivers but have been unable to find\u00a0Marcus Mariota\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>a true number one target. Corey Davis<\/strong> would provide a reliable, big target for Mariota and could propel the offense and help the Titans become a legitimate threat in the AFC South.<\/p>\n The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to be able to rush the quarterback in a division that features\u00a0Cam Newton<\/a><\/strong>, Drew Brees<\/a><\/strong>, and Matt Ryan<\/a><\/strong>. Taco Charlton<\/strong> will\u00a0be a solid edge-rusher who\u00a0will pair up with\u00a0Gerald McCoy<\/a><\/strong>, forming a solid threat against any team’s offensive line.<\/p>\n With the defense needing little help, the Denver Broncos bolster their offensive line with Ryan Ramczyk<\/strong>. Whoever ends up taking the snaps for Denver in Week one, they will need protection, and Ramcyzk will provide consistency on a currently shaky line.<\/p>\n The Detroit Lions have missed the inside presence of\u00a0Ndamukong Suh<\/a><\/strong> since he left for the\u00a0Miami Dolphins. With the need for interior lineman, the Lions will\u00a0jump at the chance to\u00a0snag Malik McDowell<\/strong>, who would be a bruiser and run-stopper for the defense.<\/p>\n The Dolphins got a steal in\u00a0Laremy Tunsil<\/a><\/strong> in last year’s draft, but still need to shore up\u00a0their line to protect\u00a0Ryan Tannehill<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and open up holes for rising-star\u00a0Jay Ajayi<\/a><\/strong>. Forrest Lamp<\/strong> would start opposite of Tunsil, giving Miami two book-end tackles for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n The New York Giants\u00a0need a consistent run game to add to their arsenal, but they need lineman just as badly. Garett Bolles<\/strong> can play both guard and tackle and would help bolster a line that will face plenty of a stout front sevens in the NFC East.<\/p>\n With the Oakland Raiders on the rise, Haason Reddick<\/strong>\u00a0would add to an already impressive front seven and would be another pass rusher to go along with\u00a0Khalil Mack<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Bruce Irvin<\/a><\/strong>. Reddick can lineup as both a linebacker and an end, providing pressure wherever he is on the field.<\/p>\n Assuming that the Houston Texans do not pull the trigger on\u00a0Tony Romo<\/a><\/strong>, they are in need of a signal caller that can get the ball to\u00a0DeAndre Hopkins<\/a><\/strong>. Patrick Mahomes<\/strong> impressed at the combine and can be groomed into the face of the franchise by\u00a0Bill O’Brien<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Seattle Seahawks\u00a0spent the least amount of money on\u00a0their offensive line among all teams in the NFL. In order to keep\u00a0Russell Wilson<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>on his feet, the Seahawks take Cam Robinson<\/strong> without having to reach. Robinson would start day one take to help\u00a0protect Wilson’s blindside.<\/p>\n With the departure of\u00a0Jamaal Charles<\/a><\/strong>, the Kansas City Chiefs bring on another pass-catcher out of the backfield to pair with\u00a0Spencer Ware<\/a><\/strong>. Christian McCaffrey<\/strong> impressed with his results at the combine and would be another weapon in Andy Reid<\/a><\/strong>‘s offense.<\/p>\n The Dallas Cowboys had question marks in the secondary last season, and have now lost\u00a0Morris Claiborne<\/a><\/strong>. Tre’Davious White<\/strong> would provide solid production in the secondary and allow the Cowboys to not have to rely on the inconsistent\u00a0Nolan Carroll<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Like the Cowboys, the Green Bay Packers secondary left much to be desired last season. Gareon Conley<\/strong> has risen on a lot of draft boards since the combine and would bring some stability to a Packers defense that has given up many big plays.<\/p>\n Although James Harrison<\/a><\/strong> is on board for another season, the Pittsburgh Steelers need help in rushing the quarterback. Since\u00a0Jarvis Jones<\/a><\/strong> has not lived up to his potential, the Steelers will be happy to snag Takkarist McKinley<\/strong> to add another player\u00a0on defense who can pressure opposing offenses.<\/p>\n The emergence of\u00a0Vic Beasley<\/a><\/strong> last season showed promise for the defensive line of the Atlanta Falcons, but they still lack an interior presence. Caleb Brantley<\/strong> would provide a big body to plug up the holes and allow the linebackers to do their jobs.<\/p>\n Any quarterback would miss\u00a0their top tight end, let alone one of the caliber of\u00a0Jimmy Graham<\/a><\/strong>. While David Njoku<\/strong> may not be the same elite talent as Graham,\u00a0Drew Brees<\/a><\/strong> would be happy to have a safety blanket once again.<\/p>\n Main Photo<\/p>\n2. San Francisco 49ers: DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford<\/h3>\n
3. Chicago Bears: S Jamal Adams, LSU<\/h3>\n
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: RB Leonard Fournette, LSU<\/h3>\n
5. Tennessee Titans: CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State<\/h3>\n
6. New York Jets: QB Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina<\/h3>\n
7. Los Angeles Chargers: S Malik Hooker, Ohio State<\/h3>\n
8. Carolina Panthers: DL Jonathan Allen, Alabama<\/h3>\n
9. Cincinnati Bengals: LB Reuben Foster, Alabama<\/h3>\n
10. Buffalo Bills: WR Mike Williams, Clemson<\/h3>\n
11. New Orleans Saints: CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama<\/h3>\n
12. Cleveland Browns: QB DeShaun Watson, Clemson<\/h3>\n
13. Arizona Cardinals: DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee<\/h3>\n
14. Philadelphia Eagles: RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State<\/h3>\n
15. Indianapolis Colts: TE O.J. Howard, Alabama<\/h3>\n
16. Baltimore Ravens: WR John Ross, Washington<\/h3>\n
17. Washington Redskins: S\/LB Jabrill Peppers, Michigan<\/h3>\n
18. Tennessee Titans: WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan<\/h3>\n
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DE Taco Charlton, Michigan<\/h3>\n
20. Denver Broncos: T Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin<\/h3>\n
21. Detroit Lions:\u00a0DT Malik McDowell<\/a>, Michigan State<\/h3>\n
22. Miami Dolphins: T Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky<\/h3>\n
23. New York Giants: T Garett Bolles, Utah<\/h3>\n
24. Oakland Raiders: LB Haason Reddick, Temple<\/h3>\n
25. Houston Texans: QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech<\/h3>\n
26. Seattle Seahawks: T Cam Robinson, Alabama<\/h3>\n
27. Kansas City Chiefs: RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford<\/h3>\n
28. Dallas Cowboys: CB Tre’Davious White, LSU<\/h3>\n
29. Green Bay Packers: CB Gareon Conley, Ohio State<\/h3>\n
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: LB Takkarist McKinley, UCLA<\/h3>\n
31. Atlanta Falcons: DT Caleb Brantley, Florida<\/h3>\n
32. New Orleans Saints: TE David Njoku, Miami<\/h3>\n