2017 NFL Mock Draft

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Walter of WalterFootball has been WalterFootball'ing since 1999'. Older Content is being kept around here. Thanks for reading.

Last update: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. Major changes.
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The order of this 2017 NFL Mock Draft is based on the 2017 NFL Draft Order.

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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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Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
As it stands now, the four candidates or the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft are Myles Garrett, Jonathan Allen, DeShone Kizer and Mitch Trubisky. The Browns obviously need a quarterback, and I believe Trubisky is what Hue Jackson is looking for. Trubisky has his flaws, but he's very accurate and has a quick release. Jackson may envision Trubisky as his new Andy Dalton.

However, Adam Schefter has reported that the Browns have an "astronomical grade" on Garrett, which is interesting. Cleveland needs a pass-rusher as well, and Garrett would be an enormous upgrade.

The question is, would the Browns take Garrett over Trubisky when they're desperate for a franchise quarterback? Well, there is precedent for this, as the Texans picked Jadeveon Clowney when they really needed a signal-caller in the 2014 NFL Draft. Houston simply had Clowney way above all the quarterbacks, and that could be the case with Cleveland and Garrett. Plus, there are NFL Free Agent Rumors that the Browns could target Tyrod Taylor.

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San Francisco 49ers: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
Unless Myles Garrett is available, the 49ers are almost certain to pick a quarterback. DeShone Kizer seems to be the No. 1 signal-caller for most teams, based on some conversations we've had with team sources. However, not every franchise has Kizer at the top, as there is one that prefers Mitch Trubisky. It's not necessarily the 49ers, but I thought that Trubisky would be a better fit for San Francisco because he was more of what Chip Kelly was looking for in a quarterback.

Kelly was fired, of course, so I'm going to slot Kizer to the 49ers. It's worth noting that team sources have Kizer rated higher than Deshaun Watson. They like Kizer because of his arm strength, mobility and upside.
Chicago Bears: Jonathan Allen, DE/DT, Alabama
A quarterback like Mitch Trubisky is definitely a possibility at this juncture, but given that the Bears have a veteran coaching staff and front office in place, I'm not sure they'd want a raw, rookie signal-caller in control of the offense. I think it's more likely that they trade for Tony Romo or sign Tyrod Taylor.

With that in mind, the Bears can take the best player on the board, and that would be Jonathan Allen, who would make Chicago's defensive line dominant. Allen starting along with Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman would give the Bears one of the top defensive lines in the NFL.

Allen is currently in the top five of our 2017 NFL Draft Big Board, as he has been dominant this year. In fact, he should have won the Heisman over Lamar Jackson, as he was the best player in the country.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
Despite their six sacks of Andrew Luck in the London game, the Jaguars don't pressure the quarterback consistently. They have some promising edge rushers in Dante Fowler and Yannick Ngakoue, but neither was very effective this past season.

I don't think Jacksonville will go out of its way to select an edge rusher, but in this case, one of the best players available happens to be one. I've been slowly moving Solomon Thomas up my mock draft each week, and I think he could definitely be chosen in the top five. He's that good, and if you saw his bowl game, you'd agree, as he was completely unblockable.

Pick change; previously Derek Barnett, DE
Tennessee Titans: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
The Titans made great strides in 2016, and they figure to keep improving, thanks to this selection. Owning the No. 5 overall pick because of the Rams' incompetence, Tennessee wouldn't be in a position to snatch a blue-chip safety prospect if they never moved down last year. That, however, is the case, as the Titans won one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history.

It's going to be a tight race between Jamal Adams and Malik Hooker to see who the No. 1 safety prospect will be. I had Hooker here a couple of weeks ago, but it seems like Adams is a bit ahead of him right now. That could change soon, however.
New York Jets: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
I've been slotting Mitch Trubisky here for a while now, citing some news story that the Jets had interest in him. Charlie Campbell squashed those reports in his Senior Bowl Rumor Mill. The scuttlebutt is that Christian Hackenberg has developed well behind the scenes, so perhaps the Jets won't give up on him without seeing him play after all.

If this is true, Leonard Fournette suddenly becomes the favorite for this pick. The Jets don't have a viable starting running for the future, and Fournette is a stud. Fournette is considered the top running back prospect since Adrian Peterson, as he's received higher grades than Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott. He was slowed by an injury in 2016, but his tape in 2015 was some of the best a running back prospect has ever displayed.

Pick change; previously Mitch Trubisky, QB

San Diego Chargers: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
The Chargers could go in a number of directions at No. 7. I've had Cam Robinson slotted here for a while. However, I think Malik Hooker can be considered the superior prospect. Plus, he fills a huge need. The Chargers were already weak at safety in the wake of Eric Weddle's departure, and now Jahleel Addae happens to be an impending free agent.

Hooker has drawn comparisons to Ed Reed for his instincts and play-making ability, and he would be a welcome addition to a Tennessee defense that struggled mightily against the pass in 2016.
Carolina Panthers: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
If the Panthers are truly serious about taking the best player on their board - and they've utilized that strategy so far - then they'll surely pick one of the two running backs. In this case, it's Dalvin Cook. The Florida State running back has some great support, with people believing that he'll be chosen prior to Leonard Fournette. Jonathan Stewart is still a quality runner, but he turns 30 this March, so Carolina might envision Cook as Cam Newton's backfield partner for the next 8-10 years.

Pick change; previously Leonard Fournette, RB
Cincinnati Bengals: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
The Bengals don't have a very good edge rush, as Carlos Dunlap is the only defensive end capable of putting consistent heat on opposing quarterbacks. Michael Johnson is a bust signing and must be upgraded.

Derek Barnett is an absolute stud, as he just set Tennessee's all-time record for sacks over a career. I've had him in the top five for a while, but most sources we've spoken to really like Barnett, but don't love him, so I'm now hesitant to put him as high as No. 4.

Pick change; previously Solomon Thomas, DE

Buffalo Bills: Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Mitch Trubisky could be the No. 1 overall pick, and he fits logically to both the 49ers and Bears as well. However, if they pass on him - possible, given that he's just a raw, 1-year starter - and what the reports on him not going to the Jets are true, he could conceivably slip to No. 10. And if that happens, the Bills will be eager to take him off the board.

The Bills have run Tyrod Taylor out of town, thanks to ownership incompetence, and now they're stuck at quarterback. They almost have to be targeting a signal-caller at No. 10 overall, and if Trubisky isn't here, it could easily be Pat Mahomes or Deshaun Watson.

Pick change; previously Pat Mahomes, QB
New Orleans Saints: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
The Saints have tons of issues on defense. One happens to be at linebacker. I still can't believe they signed James Laurinaitis. Did they not watch how horrible he was for the Rams? Seriously, what were they thinking? They can make amends by selecting a solid inside linebacker prospect early in the draft.

Reuben Foster is obviously more than just a solid linebacker prospect, as he's considered the best player at the position in this class.
Cleveland Browns: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
The Browns have some of the worst secondary play in the NFL. In fact, it's probably the absolute worst. There are problems both at cornerback and safety. Regarding the former, one of my readers called Joe Haden the "oldest 27-year-old on the planet" because of all the injuries he's incurred over the years. Haden is no longer reliable, so Cleveland will have to think about finding a new No. 1 cornerback.

Arizona Cardinals: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Larry Fitzgerald hasn't announced his plans as far as returning to the NFL next season. He could very easily retire this spring, and if not, this upcoming year might be his last as a pro. Meanwhile, Michael Floyd was released for being an idiot. Arizona is suddenly in dire need of a receiver, so why not take the top prospect at the position in this class?

Williams is a stud. He dominated the national championship, and he has drawn comparisons to Andre Johnson. The Titans and Buccaneers have strong interest in Mike Williams, but he won't make it to their picks (Tennessee's No. 18; not No. 5).
Indianapolis Colts: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
There are mixed opinions on Cam Robinson, but he could definitely qualify as one of the top players available. The Colts will at least strongly consider him. General manager Ryan Grigson is gone, so the new front office will look to bolster Andrew Luck's protection, and they can do so by picking Robinson to solidify the problematic right tackle spot.

Pick change; previously Dalvin Cook, RB

Philadelphia Eagles: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
The Eagles are kicking themselves that they've missed out on Dalvin Cook and Mike Williams, who were taken in consecutive picks prior to this one. Either one would offer a much-needed massive upgrade to Philadelphia's offense. It wouldn't surprise me if the Eagles opted to move up for one of the two dynamic offensive play-makers.

This, however, is not a bad consolation prize, as the Eagles get to take the No. 2 cornerback prospect in a loaded draft class. They have major problems at cornerback, but can remedy those issues by nailing this selection.

Quincy Wilson doesn't have much starting experience, but he was one of the nation's top cornerbacks in 2016, so I have to imagine that some team in the top half of the first round will fall in love with his upside.
Baltimore Ravens: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
The Ravens could target the front seven with this pick, but the top player available, Marshon Lattimore, also fills a need. Jimmy Smith is an excellent cornerback, and rookie Tavon Young played well in the slot, but Baltimore needs an upgrade across from Smith, as neither Jerraud Powers nor Shareece Wright are viable options.

Pick change; previously Cam Robinson, OT

Go to 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I've received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.

Go to 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2 | Go to 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3

Go to 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Round 4 | Go to 2018 NFL Mock Draft

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