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

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Last update: Wednesday, March 29, 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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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.

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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.

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: David Njoku, TE, Miami
The Broncos have several needs that could be addressed at No. 20 overall, including linebacker with Haason Reddick, which I had in my previous update. Another area they could target is a third receiver. John Ross has been slotted here frequently, but David Njoku would qualify as well. Denver doesn't have a receiving tight end who can threaten defenses, and the athletic Njoku could be that player.

Pick change; previously Haason Reddick, LB
Detroit Lions: Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut
I've had the Lions addressing their secondary for a while now with Adoree Jackson shoring up cornerback. Safety can also be addressed, and the Lions have shown lots of interest in Obi Melifonwu, whose draft stock is red-hot. Both of Detroit's starting safeties, Glover Quin and Tavon Wilson, are entering their contract years, and the Lions could stand to upgrade their poor pass coverage anyway.

Pick change; previously Adoree Jackson, CB

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: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
Anyone who doesn't think the Giants will have interest in one of the offensive tackles needs to consider that they tried to sign a tackle this offseason in Russell Okung. They also attempted to select Jack Conklin a year ago, but the Titans leapt over them. New York desperately needs to improve its edge blocking, so it'll consider the Nos. 2 and 3 tackles in this class, Garett Bolles and Ryan Ramczyk (in some order), at this spot.

Pick change; previously David Njoku, TE
Oakland Raiders: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
The Raiders are expected to address their front seven with this pick. I've mocked Caleb Brantley to them for a while, but Haason Reddick is probably the superior prospect. Reddick would inject some talent into a poor linebacking corps. Jelani Jenkins was signed, but that was to a short-term deal. Reddick would be a solution for the long haul.

Pick change; previously Caleb Brantley, DT

Houston Texans: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
Pat Mahomes is still very much an option for the Texans, but they failed to address some of their big needs in free agency, so they could look at one of those areas with this pick.

One problem spot is offensive tackle. Derek Newton's career might be over, and there's a huge void on the right side as a result. Ryan Ramczyk has injury concerns of his own; otherwise he would be slotted much higher than this.

Pick change; previously Pat Mahomes, QB
Seattle Seahawks: Adoree Jackson, CB/KR, USC
The Seahawks have had success taking mid-round cornerbacks, but that doesn't mean they won't address the position in the first round. They have a hole at the position, and they took care of other areas in free agency, so they could go that route at No. 26 overall. Adoree Jackson fits the profile of a Seahawk player with his athleticism.

Pick change; previously Garett Bolles, OT

Kansas City Chiefs: Pat Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
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.

Charlie Campbell reported that some teams have Pat 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 Chiefs like him, they won't be able to obtain him with their second-round selection.

Pick change; previously Deshaun Watson, QB
Dallas Cowboys: Takkarist McKinley, DE/OLB, UCLA
The Cowboys are expected to address either their pass rush or secondary with the No. 28 overall pick unless an explosive play-maker drops to them. It could be argued that Corey Davis fits that profile, but some teams labeled him as a late first-/early second-round prospect. Thus, Dallas may not see him as a huge steal.

Instead, Dallas could be interested in someone like Takkarist McKinley, who would help shore up the pass rush, which needs help because Randy Gregory can't stay out of trouble.

Pick change; previously Corey Davis, WR

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: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Ben Roethlisberger has hinted at retirement this offseason. In fact, he hasn't even committed to playing in 2017, most recently saying that he was "leaning" toward returning for next year. Roethlisberger, now 35, will probably play for the Steelers next season, but how certain can the front office be if that'll be the case for 2018 and beyond? We've seen crazier retirements, so it's not out of the question that Roethlisberger could even retire this offseason.

The last team that had a future Hall of Fame quarterback with retirement drama was Green Bay. What did the Packers do when Brett Favre was mulling retirement? They selected Aaron Rodgers. Perhaps Pittsburgh will follow a similar strategy.

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, Pittsburgh is simply taking Watson with its own pick, and I think it's a very logical selection.

Pick change; previously T.J. Watt, LB

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: Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
Two of the Saints' early-round picks are expected to be used on a pass-rusher and a cornerback. Here's an upgrade for the latter position, though I'll change this selection if New Orleans manages to obtain Malcolm Butler.

Pick change; previously Obi Melifonwu, S