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, April 28, 2016. Major updates.
Next update: Often prior to the 2016 NFL Draft. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2017 NFL Mock Draft is loosely based on the new NFL Power Rankings.

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)

Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
2016 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 4/28): Ezekiel Elliott, RB

The Browns traded away the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft to the Eagles, prompting this update. You can check out the Eagles-Browns NFL Draft Trade Grades here if you haven't seen them already.

Cleveland did the smart thing. Not only did it acquire tons of selections to bolster the roster, but it also made sure that it would have a better chance of securing a better quarterback in a stronger draft class.

College football's version of Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson had an amazing run despite being just a mere sophomore. The sky's the limit for him.

Follow @walterfootball for updates. Also, you can Support Us on Patreon here!
San Francisco 49ers: Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami
2016 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 4/28): Ronnie Stanley, OT

As I posted in the Eagles-Browns Trade Winners and Losers page, the 49ers were a winner because they'll have a blue-chip prospect fall to them at No. 7 in this year's draft. However, they won't be able to land a potential franchise quarterback, meaning they'll have to wait until the 2017 NFL Draft to do so. This actually might be for the best, given that next year's class is superior compared to the 2016 edition.
Miami Dolphins: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
2016 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 4/28): Myles Jack, LB

Myles Garrett is a monstrous pass-rusher, and he's currently the odds-on favorite to be the first non-quarterback prospect chosen in the 2017 NFL Draft.

The Dolphins would love to obtain Garrett. They signed Mario Williams this offseason, but he's just a temporary solution at defensive end. Cameron Wake, meanwhile, will be a 35-year-old free agent by the time the 2017 NFL Draft rolls around.
Tennessee Titans: Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida
2016 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 4/28): Taylor Decker, OT

Tennessee's glaring weakness on the defensive side of the ball is in the secondary. Upgrades have to be made at cornerback and safety, and given the team's other needs, it may not be able to address both positions until 2017.
Tennessee Titans: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
2016 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 4/28): Taylor Decker, OT

I have the Titans selecting Tyler Boyd in my 2016 NFL Mock Draft, but that's a second-round choice - something I don't take into account here. A wideout is a strong option, as Kendall Wright has disappointed in recent seasons.
New Orleans Saints: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
2016 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 4/28): Vernon Hargreaves, CB

Mark Ingram is a solid running back, but he pales in comparison to Leonard Fournette, who is talented enough to be a top-three selection. Need has pushed him down to the Saints' spot, but I doubt New Orleans will complain all that much, as Fournette would completely morph the offense.
Atlanta Falcons: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
2016 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 4/28): Darron Lee, LB

William Moore regressed, prompting the organization to cut ties with him. The Falcons want to get younger, better and healthier at safety, as evidenced by their decision to release Moore.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jabrill Peppers, CB/S, Michigan
2016 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 4/28): Joey Bosa, DE/OLB

I have the Jaguars bolstering their front seven in the first couple of rounds of my 2016 NFL Mock Draft. Here, they can address the secondary, which is also problematic. The versatile Jabrill Peppers can help in multiple spots.
Detroit Lions: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
2016 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 4/28): Sheldon Rankins, DT

The Lions seem resigned to the fact that they'll have to use Riley Reiff at left tackle again in 2016. They're not happy about it at the moment, but they'll definitely feel better about their situation if they can obtain Cam Robinson in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Chicago Bears: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
2016 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 4/28): Shaq Lawson, LB

I slotted Ezekiel Elliott to the Bears in a previous version of my 2016 NFL Mock Draft, but I've since transitioned to Shaq Lawson. Elliott is still a possibility though, so Dalvin Cook makes sense at this juncture.
San Diego Chargers: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
2016 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 4/28): DeForest Buckner, DE/DT

Melvin Ingram was finally able to stay healthy last year, but that may not be the case again in 2016. Even if he can remain off the injury report, Ingram will be heading for free agency in March. The Chargers will likely have to spend an early selection on an edge rusher.

Derek Barnett had a whopping 10 sacks as a freshman and recorded that same number in his second season at Tennessee. He could help a Chicago stop unit that has a pass rush with some impending free agents.
Cleveland Browns: Charles Harris, DE/OLB, Missouri
2016 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 4/28): Ezekiel Elliott, RB

The Browns had one of the worst pass rushes in the NFL this past season. Nothing that has happened this offseason prior to the draft will change that, so Cleveland could be searching for a potent edge rusher in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
2016 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 4/28): Leonard Floyd, DE/OLB

Brent Grimes was signed this offseason, but given his age, he's not a long-term answer at cornerback. Based on the way he played in 2015, he may not even be a short-term solution. The Buccaneers won't hesitate to grab a talented cornerback at this juncture.
New York Giants: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB, Tennessee
2016 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 4/28): Jack Conklin, OT/G

Jerry Reese hasn't valued linebackers very highly. Perhaps he'll change his tune once he sees how much they're going to struggle in 2015. Why not take one of the top players available?
Washington Redskins: Ethan Pocic, C/G, LSU
2016 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 4/28): Jarran Reed, DT

It wouldn't be surprising if the Redskins spent their 2016 first-round pick on Ryan Kelly, as they would be able to shore up their offensive line. Here's another alternative.
New York Jets: Adoree Jackson, CB/WR/KR, USC
2016 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 4/28): Jason Spriggs, OT

Darrelle Revis didn't play as well as he did in the past this previous year. Signs of regression? Perhaps, as Revis will be months shy of turning 32 during the 2017 NFL Draft. The Jets will undoubtedly be scouting cornerbacks to eventually replace the future Hall of Famer.

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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.

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