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

WalterFootball.com's Archive

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

Last update: Thursday, March 23, 2017. Round 5 added.
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)

archived mock section

@walterfootball

Washington Redskins: Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
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. Zach Cunningham 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.

Follow @walterfootball for updates. Also, you can Support Us on Patreon here!
Tennessee Titans: John Ross, WR, Washington
The Titans tried to acquire a receiver in some fashion this offseason, but failed to do so for the most part (Eric Weems doesn't count.) They want to find a weapon for Marcus Mariota, so this selection could be used on an offensive play-maker.

I'd say John Ross qualifies as a play-maker. His hands aren't the best, and his durability is questionable, but he has 4.22 speed and can go the distance every time he touches the ball.

Pick change; previously Haason Reddick, LB

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Christian McCaffrey, RB/WR, Stanford
I moved Christian McCaffrey to the second round of my 2017 NFL Mock Draft because I figured some teams might be down on him after he skipped the historic Sun Bowl, but based on conversations I had in Houston, I'm putting him back into the opening frame. The Buccaneers make a lot of sense, as they desperately need a running back, and their current regime loves players who are very passionate about football. McCaffrey, who predictably blew up the combine, fits that description.
Denver Broncos: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
I'd have to think the Broncos will be considering a defensive play-maker like Haason Reddick with this pick. They really missed Danny Trevathan last year, and Reddick could be the perfect replacement. Denver knows it'll need to beat the Patriots to reach the Super Bowl again, so finding someone who can slow Rob Gronkowski down will be crucial.

Pick change; previously John Ross, WR
Detroit Lions: Adoree Jackson, CB/KR, USC
The Lions have two terrific cornerbacks in Darius Slay and Nevin Lawson, but there's very little depth behind the two, which is not good when trying to defeat the Packers. Plus, Lawson is entering his contract season. Teams think very highly of Adoree Jackson, so he could go much earlier than this; I had him slotted at No. 15 to the Eagles in a previous update.

Miami Dolphins: Jabrill Peppers, S/LB, Michigan
Jabrill Peppers had a tremendous combine, and I'm sure Stephen Ross would love to have a fellow Michigan man join his team. Peppers fills a need, as the Dolphins cut Isa Abdul-Quddus, opening up a void at safety. Peppers would be a nice answer for some of the weapons New England has on its offense.
New York Giants: David Njoku, TE, Miami
I've been mocking Deshaun Watson to the Giants for more than a month. I think that's still a strong possibility, especially in the wake of Watson's superb combine, but I think I'm going to have New York go in a different direction.

If the Giants pass on Watson, they'll have several different options. They could take a tight end like David Njoku, who would fill a big need for them. New York signed Rhett Ellison, but he's more of a blocker. Njoku would serve as the potent, intermediate threat.
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, and Caleb Brantley is one of the top prospects available.

Houston Texans: Pat Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
The Texans selecting a quarterback in the first round would've seemed unfathomable a few months ago, but Brock Osweiler has been so horrible that he was benched in favor of Tom Savage, who isn't a good quarterback either. Houston managed to dump Osweiler, but even if it signs Tony Romo, quarterback is in play at No. 25.

Charlie Campbell reported that some teams have Mahomes slotted as a second-round prospect, but given that Mahomes is a quarterback, he's likely to be chosen earlier than most anticipate. The NFL Draft Advisory Committee apparently agrees, as they gave Mahomes a Round 2 grade, which means he'll be pushed into the opening frame because he's a quarterback. Thus, it only seems logical to slot Mahomes into this spot, because if the Texans like him, they won't be able to obtain him with their second-round selection.
Seattle Seahawks: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
Garett Bolles is made for the Seahawks. He's exactly what they look for in an offensive lineman as far as his athleticism and length are concerned, and they'll be praying that he drops to them at No. 26. If Bolles is available, I have to believe Seattle will snatch him up in an instant. Bolles would really go a long way in improving the Seahawks' horrific offensive line.

Kansas City Chiefs: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Andy Reid selected Kevin Kolb with his initial draft choice back in 2007. Donovan McNabb was entrenched as his starter, but he was about to turn 31, and Reid was thinking of the future. Perhaps Reid will make a similar decision at this juncture, as Alex Smith is a few months away from 33. Smith performed poorly this past season, so the Chiefs need to get better at quarterback anyway.

I should note that no team we've spoken to has Deshaun Watson 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, Kansas City is simply taking Watson with its own pick, and I think it's a very logical selection.
Dallas Cowboys: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
The Cowboys are expected to address their defense with this selection, unless a dynamic receiver happens to fall to them. That's the case here, as Dallas will seriously consider Corey Davis at this juncture. Davis is a talented receiver, but has injuries. Charlie Campbell reported that Davis could drop, as some teams have him in the late first round.

Green Bay Packers: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
The Packers managed to retain one of their free agent edge rushers. While outside linebacker remains a possibility at No. 29, I think Green Bay will focus on finding a talented cornerback instead, which is necessary considering the dire issues the team had at the position last year.
Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin
James Harrison played out of his mind this past season, but the Steelers have to be aware that this won't last much longer. They'll need to find someone to replace Harrison as a starter across from Bud Dupree in the near future. T.J. Watt had an incredible performance at the combine and is now in first-round consideration.

Atlanta Falcons: Forrest Lamp, G/C, Western Kentucky
The Falcons could stand to improve some areas of their defense, but they could also upgrade one area of the offensive line. Chris Chester is the lone liability up front, and I'm sure the Falcons would love to obtain Forrest Lamp, who had a strong showing in Indianapolis.
New Orleans Saints: Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut
There's talk that the Saints could sign or trade for Malcolm Butler. The Patriot corner would fill a big need, but the Saints would still have to address the secondary. Obi Melifonwu, who blew up the combine, would be a big help in that regard.