2017 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3

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Last update: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 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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Cleveland Browns: Desmond King, S/CB, Iowa
The Browns fixed some of their issues on defense in the first round by selecting an edge rusher and a cornerback. Here's something else for the secondary, as the Browns have some of the worst safeties in the NFL, so they need to make some upgrades.

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San Francisco 49ers: Noah Brown, WR, Ohio State
It shouldn't surprise anyone if the 49ers double up on receivers, given how weak they are at the positon.
Chicago Bears: Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington
Alshon Jeffery is an impending free agent, and both he and Kevin White are difficult to trust anyway, given the amount of time they've missed over the years.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Marcus Maye, S, Florida
John Cyprien finally had a breakout year for the Jaguars. However, he's an impending free agent, so the Jaguars will need a new safety if they can't retain him.
Tennessee Titans: Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee
The Titans, as mentioned, have major problems in their secondary, so I think they'd have to be thrilled if they can get both an elite safety and a promising cornerback prospect with their two picks in the first round. If not, a solid cornerback can be chosen in the third frame.
New York Jets: Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA
The Jets have to address both positions in their secondary. Cornerback help is more important, as Darrelle Revis has regressed into one of the worst players at his position in the entire league.

Pick change; previously Jourdan Lewis, CB

Los Angeles Chargers: Erik Magnuson, OT, Michigan
King Dunlap and Joe Barksdale have both regressed this year, so ~~San Diego~~ Los Angeles has to find a new tackle to help protect Philip Rivers as he enters his final seasons in the NFL.
Carolina Panthers: Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M
There are some quality safeties still remaining on the board, and the Panthers will take one if they stay true to their "best player available" policy.
Cincinnati Bengals: Budda Baker, S, Washington
The Bengals missed Reggie Nelson, as he left for Oakland this past offseason. Their defense was much weaker on the back end as a result, so they could spend one of their early selections on a replacement.

Philadelphia Eagles: Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo
The Eagles need to provide Carson Wentz with a better running back. Ryan Mathews has his moments, but he's unreliable, and the coaching staff doesn't seem to like him too much anyway.

Pick change; previously Brian Hill, RB
Buffalo Bills: Marcus Williams, S, Utah
It's unfortunate, but it's possible that Aaron Williams' career could be over because of that ridiculous hit he took from Jarvis Landry. If so, the Bills will have to target a safety in free agency or the early stages of the 2017 NFL Draft.
New Orleans Saints: Dion Dawkins, G/OT, Temple
The Saints have taken care of two big problem areas on defense already. They can now turn their attention toward the offense, which could be even better if Drew Brees had stronger interior protection.

Pick change; previously Cordrea Tankersley, CB

Arizona Cardinals: Davis Webb, QB, California
General manager Steve Keim discussed finding a long-term quarterback this offseason. The Cardinals could take a shot on a signal-caller on the second day of the draft, rather than spending the No. 13 overall pick on Carson Palmer's successor.
Baltimore Ravens: Carroll Phillips, DE/OLB, Illinois
The Ravens struggled to get pressure on the quarterback most of the year. A part of the problem is that Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs will be 33 and 34, respectively, by the 2017 NFL Draft. Some young blood will be needed on the edge.

Carroll Phillips is a first-round talent, but is expected to fall to Day 2 because of character issues. The Ravens have taken chances on troubled players before and have had success in doing so.

Pick change; previously Chris Godwin, WR

Indianapolis Colts: Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State
The Colts have some of the worst linebackers in the NFL, and they've struggled to cover tight ends and running backs as pass-catchers out of the backfield as a result. Here's a much-needed upgrade.
Minnesota Vikings: Nazair Jones, DE/DT, North Carolina
Missing Sharrif Floyd hurt this past season, and Mike Zimmer didn't sound like he'd be able to trust Floyd going forward. Here's an insurance policy.

Washington Redskins: Jaleel Johnson, DT, Iowa
The Redskins had just one solid player on the defensive line last year. That was Chris Baker, and he's an impending free agent. At least one early pick will need to be used to upgrade the front.
Denver Broncos: Charles Walker, DT, Oklahoma
Charles Walker would be a nice fit in Denver's defense, as the Broncos have to bolster the interior of their front to improve against the rush.
Tennessee Titans: Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State
The Titans spent one of their first-round picks on O.J. Howard, but they still need to find a receiver to start across from Rishard Matthews.

Pick change; previously Dede Westbrook, WR
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan
Vincent Jackson's career is soon coming to an end, so the Buccaneers will need to find a new No. 2 receiver this offseason.

Detroit Lions: Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson
The Lions could use someone to challenge Eric Ebron, who has dropped countless passes over his career.
Minnesota Vikings: Ethan Pocic, C/G, LSU
Joe Berger played well at center this past season, but he's an impending free agent. If he's not re-signed, the Vikings could target a center in the first half of the 2017 NFL Draft.
New York Giants: Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech
The Giants will want to select a blocker or a weapon for their new quarterback with this pick. They have a big need at tight end.

Oakland Raiders: Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech
The Raiders have two stud receivers in Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, but they have one of the weakest No. 3 wideouts in the NFL, as Seth Roberts dropped countless passes in 2016.

Pick change; previously Dalvin Tomlinson, DT
Houston Texans: Will Holden, OT, Vanderbilt
It's unfortunate that Derek Newton's career could be over because of a double patellar tendon tear. The Texans will have to find a new right tackle.
Seattle Seahawks: Haason Reddick, DE/OLB, Temple
The Seahawks don't have very many needs outside of the offensive line, so they might consider using a fairly early selection on an edge rusher to eventually supplant Cliff Avril.

Kansas City Chiefs: Jordan Willis, DE/OLB, Kansas State
The Chiefs have Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and Dee Ford, but Hali won't be around much longer, while Ford is entering his contract year. Ford could command more money on the open market than the Chiefs are willing to pay him, and if so, this new edge rusher will come in handy.

Pick change; previously Montravius Adams, DE/DT
Dallas Cowboys: Garrett Sickels, DE, Penn State
The Cowboys could stand to bolster their pass rush, which tends to be pretty inconsistent. It would help if Randy Gregory could play, but Dallas has to move on, given that he can't stay out of trouble.
Green Bay Packers: Ryan Anderson, DE/OLB, Alabama
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: Chad Hansen, WR, California
Martavis Bryant has an expiring contract after 2017, and Pittsburgh may decide that it can't rely on him. Chad Hansen is a steal at this point, so when it comes to deciding this selection, I can't imagine there being a great divide in the front office this time around.

Pick change; previously Kareem Hunt, RB
Atlanta Falcons: Carl Lawson, DE/OLB, Auburn
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 Jordan Willis, DE/OLB
New England Patriots: Tyus Bowser, DE/OLB, Houston
Chris Long was a nice short-term option, but the Patriots need to find another pass-rusher to complement Trey Flowers. They can take Tyus Bowser, who came out of his shell to have a great Senior Bowl.

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