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: Wednesday, May 11, 2016. Major changes.
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The order of this 2017 NFL Mock Draft based on the current 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)

archived mock section

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Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
The Browns traded away the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft to the Eagles, passing on the possibility of drafting a quarterback. 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.

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San Francisco 49ers: Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami
As I posted in the Eagles-Browns Trade Winners and Losers page, the 49ers were a winner because they'd have a blue-chip prospect fall to them at No. 7 in this year's draft. Sure enough, they were able to land DeForest Buckner.

However, the 49ers weren't be able to obtain 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.
Tennessee Titans: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
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 Titans don't have a need for Garrett, given that they have Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan as edge rushers, but they'd be crazy to pass up on an immense talent like him. Besides, you can never have too many skilled players who can put immense pressure on the quarterback.

Pick change; previously JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR

Tennessee Titans: Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida
Tennessee's glaring weakness on the defensive side of the ball is in the secondary. Upgrades have to be made at cornerback, which wasn't addressed in the 2016 NFL Draft. Fortunately for the Titans, they'll have two chances to land the top corner in next year's class.
New Orleans Saints: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
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: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
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 another year of struggling to get to the quarterback, they'll be desperate for an edge rusher in the 2017 NFL Draft.

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.

Miami Dolphins: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Reshad Jones is one of the top safeties in the NFL, but he and the Dolphins have been at an impasse regarding his next contract. Perhaps by the 2017 NFL Draft, it'll be clear whether or not Jones will still be around following the 2017 campaign. He could also be traded. Either way, Jamal Adams remains a possibility as the best player available.

Pick change; previously Myles Garrett, DE
Detroit Lions: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
Consecutive first-round picks on tackles is very realistic. Taylor Decker was selected to upgrade the right tackle spot, but Detroit still needs to find a better blind-side protector than Riley Reiff.
San Diego Chargers: Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State
It appears as though the Chargers blew it, as they had an opportunity to draft Laremy Tunsil, but took a player who is a questionable fit for their defense. They'll likely regret it once King Dunlap sustains another injury. San Diego will almost certainly aim to upgrade Philip Rivers' protection next offseason.

Cleveland Browns: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
We'll see if Josh Gordon is reinstated or if he continues to party with his loser friend. If it's the latter, I'm sure the Browns would be willing to spend another first-round selection on a receiver, especially if that player happens to be the top prospect available.

Pick change; previously Dalvin Cook, RB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Charles Harris, DE/OLB, Missouri
Noah Spence seems like a promising player to help Tampa's defense - as long as he stays clean off the field, of course. However, the Buccaneers could stand to find another pass-rusher, as Spence alone won't solve their inability to generate consistent heat on opposing quarterbacks.
New York Giants: Lewis Neal, DE/OLB, LSU
One of the players the Giants were targeting at No. 10 was Leonard Floyd, but they weren't able to obtain him, thanks to the Bears' trade. With upgrading the pass rush still a priority, they'll be happy to land one of the talented edge rushers in the 2017 NFL Draft class.

New York Jets: Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
Darrelle Revis didn't play as well in 2015 as he did in previous years. 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.

Pick change; previously Adoree Jackson, CB
Jacksonville Jaguars: Adoree Jackson, CB/WR/KR, USC
If you didn't catch it in the 2016 NFL Draft Team Grades page, the Jaguars put together the best class in the 2016 NFL Draft. Obtaining both Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack was unreal. If Jacksonville plans on using Ramsey at safety, it'll be on the lookout for cornerback help, which is still an issue.

Pick change; previously Jamal Adams, S
Baltimore Ravens: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
The Ravens spent a fourth-round pick on Kenneth Dixon, but barring a great rookie campaign, I don't think he'd preclude the front office from spending its first-round selection on a mega talent like Dalvin Cook, who is a steal at No. 15.

Pick change; previously Desmond King, CB
Dallas Cowboys: Malachi Dupre, WR, LSU
Malachi Dupre caught just 14 passes as a freshman, but he was considered the No. 1 receiver in the country coming out of his high school class, so he was expected to improve. That's exactly what he did, as his line of 43-698-6 was solid, considering he had absolutely no help at quarterback. The Cowboys could use someone as physically talented as Dupre across from Dez Bryant.

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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