2017 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 - Picks 17-32

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Last update: Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. Major changes.
Next update: Occasionally. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2017 NFL Mock Draft is based on the 2017 NFL Draft Order.

NFL Draft Recent Links:

2020 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 2/11): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5
Other 2020 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (2/10) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/27) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2019 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
Other 2019 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25)

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Washington Redskins: Chris Wormley, DE/DT, Michigan
I want to give the Redskins a safety, inside linebacker or a five-technique, as they desperately need to upgrade the interior of their defense. One of the top players available happens to fill one of those positions. Chris Wormley is the sort of player the Redskins have coveted over the years; he has the size and experience that Washington prefers its prospects to have.

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Pick change; previously Zach Cunningham, LB
Tennessee Titans: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
The Titans, as mentioned, have major problems in their secondary, so I think they'd have to be thrilled to select both an elite safety and a promising cornerback prospect with their two picks in the first round. Marshon Lattimore was the 11th pick in last week's update, so he's an absolute steal seven choices later.

Pick change; previously Jalen Tabor, CB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Corey Davis recently made a big jump in my 2017 NFL Mock Draft. However, he's impossible to keep out of the first frame at this point. It can definitely be argued that he's the No. 2 receiving prospect in this class, and I'm sure the Buccaneers would consider him, given that Vincent Jackson's career is coming to an end.

Denver Broncos: Ryan Ramcyzk, OT, Wisconsin
Ryan Ramcyzk's designation is a tricky one. He's a talented tackle, but will be undergoing hip surgery, so it's unknown if he'll work out for teams leading up to the draft. What we do know is that the Broncos are absolutely desperate at right tackle, so if their team doctors clear Ramcyzk, he'll absolutely be in consideration at the No. 20 pick. He'd start at right tackle for them right away, and he'll ultimately move to the blind side in a couple of years.

Pick change; previously Chris Wormley, DE/DT
Detroit Lions: Malik McDowell, DE/DT, Michigan State
The Lions have never replaced Ndamukong Suh or Nick Fairley, but here's their chance. Their defense has improved as the season has progressed, but it's still very weak on the defensive interior. Malik McDowell is arguably the top player available.

Pick change; previously Chris Wormley, DE/DT
Miami Dolphins: Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
Anyone who watched Miami get blown out in the playoffs knows that they desperately need help in the middle of their defense. Their linebacking corps is a mess, so that's a position they'll likely target in the first couple of rounds if they don't find anyone in free agency.

Zach Cunningham is a dynamic linebacker prospect who has a chance of being chosen in the top 15, so he would provide great value at No. 22 overall.

Pick change; previously Solomon Thomas, DE

New York Giants: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Boom. OK, let me explain. The Giants have a great defense and some play-makers on offense, and it's become quite apparent that Eli Manning is one of the weakest parts of the team. General manager Jerry Reese even told the media that he and the rest of the front office have "started to think about who is the next quarterback" following Manning. They have no logical successor on the roster, so I imagine they plan on spending an early pick on a quarterback. Maybe a second-rounder, or something.

However, they could like Deshaun Watson, and if they do, they may believe that they have to pull the trigger at No. 23. Manning is 36 - a year older than Brett Favre was when the Packers spent the No. 24 choice on Aaron Rodgers. If the Giants see Watson as a favorable draft prospect, they'll talk themselves into picking Watson at this juncture.

I should note that no team we've spoken to has him as a first-round prospect. One high-ranking personnel man in the NFC told me he has Watson as a third-round prospect. It's so much like the Teddy Bridgewater draft, when the media had Bridgewater in the first round, and yet NFL franchises considered him to be a second-day prospect, even before his woeful pro day. However, this was prior to the national championship, so I have to believe some team will trade up into the back end of the opening frame to take Watson, much like the Vikings did with Bridgewater. In this case, New York is simply taking Watson with its own pick, and I think it's a very logical selection.

Pick change; previously D'Onta Foreman, RB
Oakland Raiders: Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida
Oakland's defense improved as the season progressed, but there was always a big void in the middle of the defensive line. I imagine the Raiders will want to spend a high selection on a prospect who can generate some pressure in the interior.

Pick change; previously John Ross, WR
Houston Texans: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Brock Osweiler has struggled unless he's played the Raiders, but the Texans are going to be stuck with him for another season. They might as well provide him with a better intermediate target, since most of his deep passes do nothing but sail out of bounds, unless he's playing the Raiders.

Pick change; previously Pat Mahomes, QB

Seattle Seahawks: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
I'm not breaking any news here by saying the Seahawks have to upgrade the offensive line. They have a guy with barely any football experience playing left tackle, for crying out loud. Russell Wilson has great mobility, but even he needs better pass protection.

Pick change; previously Charles Harris, DE/OLB
Green Bay Packers: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
The Packers place great pressure on opposing quarterbacks with Julius Peppers and Nick Perry, but both happen to be impending free agents. Peppers turns 37 in January, while Perry could prove to be too expensive to retain.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Jabrill Peppers, S/LB, Michigan
The Steelers spent a second-round choice on safety Sean Davis a year ago. It's too early to give up on Davis even though he hasn't played well. However, Pittsburgh may just consider Jabrill Peppers too valuable to pass up in this circumstance.

I imagine some will be surprised that Peppers has fallen this far. However, teams aren't as high on Peppers as many casual fans are, so I've dropped him into the middle of the first round recently, but he could definitely fall to the late 20s.

Pick change; previously Corey Davis, WR
Atlanta Falcons: Charles Harris, DE/OLB, Missouri
It was a bit odd to see the Falcons eschew their pass rush in the 2016 NFL Draft, especially when Shaq Lawson dropped to them at No. 17. I'm sure that after seeing their defenders struggle to get to the quarterback - save for Vic Beasley, who has improved - they'll be desperate for someone who can apply pressure on opposing signal-callers in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Pick change; previously Dawuane Smoot, DE/OLB

Kansas City Chiefs: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
Andy Reid loves bolstering the trenches on both sides of the ball, and I don't think he'd be opposed to selecting a guard late in the first round this April. The interior of Kansas City's offensive line could be better, and Quinton Nelson is one of the better prospects remaining.
Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida
Jalen Tabor's stock has taken a hit, as he was once projected as a top-10 prospect. The 20-25 range makes sense for him, but I have him falling to the Cowboys in this mock draft update. I'm sure the Cowboys would love to scoop him up if that were the case, as Tabor provides immense value at No. 31 overall. He would also fill a big need at cornerback.

Pick change; previously Adoree Jackson, CB
New England Patriots: Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
The Patriots have a trio of talented cornerbacks, but two of them (Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan) will be hitting free agency over the next couple of years. I don't anticipate New England letting Butler get away, so Ryan may not stick around. Sidney Jones is one of the top prospects available, so I'm sure the Patriots would jump at the opportunity to select him.