With the first pick in the 2017 NFL Draft…
Ahhh, football is once again upon us. The one day all fans
can be optimistic about a brighter future (for Clevelanders, the equivalent
to the Super Bowl). A time when all the speculation and rumors finally commence.
With that, I offer my no trade mock draft.
1. Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
We’ve heard all the rumors. Quarterback is an option.
Garrett doesn’t have the motor. He takes plays off. Forget about it. There’s
not a quarterback worthy of a top-10 pick in this draft. When it comes down to
it, this is a team that desperately needs elite talent. The Browns ranked 31st
in both total defense and sacks (tallying just 26 sacks a season ago). Garrett
checked every box during the pre-draft process. He has all the intangibles to
be elite at the next level. He can step in from day one and make an impact. If
he pans out (and it always seems to be a big ‘if’ with Clevelanders), this
could become a formidable D-line in the Land.
2. San Francisco 49ers – Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
The Niners ranked dead last in total defense, including last
against the run by a wide margin – allowed an eye-opening 165.9 YPG on the
ground (next worst was Cleveland with 142.7). According to PFF, Thomas ranks as
the number one run defender in the draft class. Out of Stanford, he’s a smart
player with a tremendous work ethic who will help create the foundation to a
strong D-line, alongside fellow first-rounders Arik Armstead & DeForest
Buckner.
3. Chicago Bears – Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Da Bears could go a number of ways here, including DE or CB.
Some have even said QB, but why when they just gave a huge contract to Mike
Glennon to be the presumed starter? For a team that plays in a division with
Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford, finding an elite player to head the
secondary would be huge. Adams or even Hooker would do just that.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars – Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Don’t sleep on the Jags taking a QB here. Nonetheless, this
is a team that didn’t have a single rusher eclipse the 500 yard mark a season ago. Better yet, Blake Bortles was the third
leading rusher on the team (and only 106 yards behind the leader, T.J. Yeldon).
The Jags need an identity in the backfield. They haven’t had a 1,000 yard
rusher since 2011 (Jones-Drew). Fournette, at 6’1” 235 lbs., is the old-school
bruiser this team could use. He would instantly help take pressure off Bortles
and open up the passing game.
5. Tennessee Titans – Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
Tennessee ranked 30th in passing yards allowed.
This is a defense that desperately needs a number one corner. Arguably the best
cornerback in the draft, Lattimore has the potential to be a star from day one
and thrive in Dick LeBeau’s defense.
6. New York Jets – O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
It’s hard to argue there being a team with a worse set of
quarterbacks than the Jets (pick your poison with Josh McCown, Bryce Petty, or
Christian Hackenberg). So it wouldn’t be a surprise if they went that route
here. However, the split end position has been nonexistent for Gang Green over
the past couple years. This is a team
that had zero production from the tight end a season ago. In total, Jets tight
ends tallied 18 catches for 173 yards and no touchdowns. In a league trending
toward hybrids at the position, Howard brings dynamic athleticism to a position
of great need. He is one of the most complete products to come into the league
in years.
7. Los Angeles Chargers – Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Many believe Hooker is the best Safety in this class, drawing
comparisons to Ed Reed. After losing Eric Weddle last season, it was apparent
this was a team that lacked a playmaker at Safety. Hooker brings the
ball-hawking skills and athleticism to an improving defense in LA.
8. Carolina Panthers – Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
Jonathan Stewart is aging and the Panthers could use a fresh
set of legs. McCaffrey is the most complete back in the draft. He can be used
in the return game, in the slot, and in the backfield. He will be a matchup
nightmare at the next level – similar to that of Darren Sproles – but better.
9. Cincinnati Bengals – Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
Cincinnati continues to lose pieces to their once consistent
puzzle. Defensive end or linebacker seems to be the biggest need for the
Bengals and this is a draft loaded at that position. Reddick impressed during
the pre-draft process and seems like a perfect fit for this team. He brings the
physicality and toughness to a defense trying to regain its footing in the AFC
North.
10. Buffalo Bills – Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
The depth chart behind Sammy Watkins: Corey Brown, Andre
Holmes, Walter Powell, Dezmin Lewis. Yeah… It’s no wonder this team ran the
ball more than they passed last season. And it’s become a sure bet Watkins will
be injured for some stretch of the season. Insert Williams, another Clemson
product, who can help stretch the field and give the Bills another playmaker to
add to the mix.
11. New Orleans Saints – Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Opponents threw for 4,380 yards and 27 touchdowns against
the Saints last season. Making matters worse, they only tallied 9
interceptions. It’s no secret this team needs help in the secondary. They couldn’t
get a deal with Malcolm Butler in the offseason, so they settle for the athletically
underrated Humphrey.
12. Cleveland Browns – DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Look, we all know the history about Cleveland quarterbacks. Twenty-six
different starting signal-callers since their return in ’99. They’ve been
haunted ever since. Insert Watson, a polished quarterback who has shown he can rank
among the elite, twice torching Alabama on the biggest stage (66/103, 825
yards, 116 yards rushing, 8 total TDs in two title games). Yes, it’s a small
sample size, and yes he had some accuracy issues at times, but he shined when
it mattered most. He made a good team great and he has the potential to do the same at the next level given the right
surroundings.
13. Arizona Cardinals – Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
Carson Palmer is at the tail end of his career, so much so
that he considered retirement after the ’16 season. It’s time to look to the
future and start grooming his potential replacement. If the rumors are true
about Arizona’s interest in Mahomes, this could be his landing spot. A big
armed QB with huge upside, he needs work to adapt at the next level.
14. Philadelphia Eagles – Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Some say Barnett will be the best defensive end in this
class when all said and done. After all, he broke Hall of Famer Reggie White’s
all-time sack record at Tennessee. All in a conference seen as the best in the
college ranks. If he falls this far, this could be a steal for Philly.
15. Indianapolis Colts – Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Last season, Indy ranked 25th against the run and
27th against the pass. For a team in need of an impact linebacker,
Foster fits the bill. In his time at Bama, in 106 targets against in coverage,
he didn’t allow a single TD. Aside from the off the field issues, he’s as NFL
ready as they come.
16. Baltimore Ravens – Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
No way he falls this far, but every year, Baltimore seems to
get it right by letting the draft come to them and taking the best player available.
In this mock, it is no different as they take a projected top-5 talent in
Allen. He’d have the perfect mentor in Terrell Suggs.
17. Washington Redskins – Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North
Carolina
It has almost become the norm that every year there seems to
be a highly projected talent drop in the draft. Will Trubisky go higher?
Probably, but for a player with only 13 starts, it just doesn’t make a whole
lot of sense to me. Anyway, with Kirk Cousins’ days in Washington numbered, the
Skins lock up their quarterback of the future.
18. Tennessee Titans – Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
The Titans haven’t had a true number one wide out in some
time. It really seems to be the only thing missing on the offensive side of the
ball. Davis, sidelined with an ankle injury pre-draft, is arguably the most
complete receiver in this class, and would be a great addition to Mariota’s
weapons.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Tampa Bay averaged just 3.6 YPC (29th), and
ranked 24th in rushing. Part of the reason is that Doug Martin hasn’t
been able to stay healthy after signing a huge extension. Cook instantly brings
big play ability to a sneaky improving offense, joining forces with fellow
Seminole Famous Jameis.
20. Denver Broncos – Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
The Broncos offensive line desperately needs work. They
ranked among the worst in rushing (27th), and gave up the 9th
most sacks in the league. Ramczyk steps right in and fills a big need.
21. Detroit Lions – Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA
The Lions defense made strides last season on their
way to a somewhat surprising playoff appearance. One issue however, was getting
pressure on the quarterback. They were tied for 31st in the league
with just 26 sacks. McKinley has loads of potential to be a difference maker
off the edge.
22. Miami Dolphins – Forrest Lamp, OG, Western
Kentucky
As a Phins fan, I’d love to see them take a chance on
a guy like T.J. Watt or a cornerback. But this is a draft that is loaded at
those positions. O-line talent is few and far between, at least from years
past. Lamp would be a great addition to an offensive line looking for that
final piece. Let’s not forget how Mike Pouncey has struggled to stay healthy in
recent years. Lamp is versatile and could play any position on the interior
which is underrated in today’s game.
23. New York Giants – David Njoku, TE, Miami
After the addition of Brandon Marshall, adding an athletic
big like Njoku who can help stretch the field is scary. The new lineup would
consist of Odell Beckham, Brandon Marshall, Sterling Shepard, and Njoku. Eli
Manning is smiling.
24. Oakland Raiders – Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
Defense seems to be the one thing keeping this team from the
next level. Adding the talented Davis to the mix would only help.
25. Houston Texans – Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
If one of the quarterbacks fall, this would have to be the
most likely of landing spots. If not, the Texans could use some help on the line.
Robinson could turn out to be a stud.
26. Seattle Seahawks – Kevin King, CB, Washington
The exact type of corner that excels in Seattle’s system. At
6’3”, his size and length help him make plays on the ball. Hmm… Richard Sherman
anyone? And if the rumors of dealing Sherman become a reality, King fits the
bill for a potential replacement.
27. Kansas City Chiefs – Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
If the Chiefs look past Conley’s recent alleged off the
field issue, this is the exact type of player to pair with Marcus Peters for
years to come. Remember, KC is just a year removed from drafting Tyreek Hill
after his off the field concerns. How’d that work out?
28. Dallas Cowboys – Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
Dallas was 26th in pass defense allowing 67% of
passes to be completed a season ago. The run on cornerbacks continues in a
league that has become pass heavy.
29. Green Bay Packers – T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin
This just seems like the perfect fit. A cold weather guy
with high character, a high motor, great work ethic, and from a family of high
standards. Watt is a staple for years to come and quickly becomes a fan
favorite.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers – Even Engram, TE, Mississippi
Losing the always steady Heath Miller actually seemed to
have a bigger impact than most people think. Engram, who averaged 17.4 yards
per catch, would provide yet another weapon for Big Ben, who loves his tight-ends. Peppers might be a hec
of a fit here as well.
31. Atlanta Falcons – Adoree’ Jackson, CB, USC
Atlanta’s young defense showed promise, especially with last
year’s draft class. They started four rookies on defense, creating a core for
years to come. Taking Jackson allows them to add to that puzzle with more team
speed and a potential return guy.
32. New Orleans Saints – John Ross, WR, Washington
Wouldn’t this be a dream scenario for the Saints? They lose
Brandin Cooks, and they land a younger, faster version of him.
We can all relax, football season is back for a weekend tease. Enjoy the ride!
