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, Nov. 10, 2016. Major changes.
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)

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Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
I've slotted DeShone Kizer here for several weeks, but I decided to make a change in a previous update. The more I thought about it, the more I was convinced that the Browns would stay the course with Cody Kessler. The Browns really like Kessler, who has shown some grit as a rookie, so they may opt to develop him rather than spend another early pick on a quarterback.

Cleveland has drafted some pass-rushers lately, but Myles Garrett is way too good to pass up on. He's the top prospect in this class, and he's a no-brainer for Cleveland if the team plans on passing on a quarterback.

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San Francisco 49ers: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
The 49ers missed out on a quarterback in an update five weeks ago. Now that they're 1-7, however, they can nab a potential franchise signal-caller. That's obviously something they need to do; Blaine Gabbert has been benched, while Colin Kaepernick has transformed into a pick-six machine because he refuses to study film and improve the mental part of his game.

DeShone Kizer is currently the favorite to be the first quarterback chosen. Some team sources have said that they favor him over Deshaun Watson and Brad Kaaya, and it's easy to see why, thanks to his arm strength, mobility and upside.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonathan Allen, DE/DT, Alabama
Despite their six sacks of Andrew Luck, the Jaguars don't pressure the quarterback consistently. They have some promising edge rushers in Dante Fowler and Yannick Ngakoue, and while they could strengthen that position, they could also stand to bolster the interior of the defensive front.

Jonathan Allen is currently in the top five of our 2017 NFL Draft Big Board, as he has been dominant this year.

Chicago Bears: Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
The Jay Cutler era will officially be over when the Bears select a quarterback in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. You could've argue that it was already over with Brian Hoyer seizing the job, but Hoyer broke his arm, and Cutler is back. He just won't go away!

I think Mitch Trubisky has replaced Brad Kaaya as the "quintessential second-round quarterback who goes in the top 10 because he's a quarterback." I wouldn't blame the Bears for doing this though, as they're desperate. What else are they going to do at quarterback? They really don't have any other legitimate options.

Pick change; previously Deshaun Watson, QB
New York Jets: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
I'd love to give the Jets a quarterback at No. 5 overall, but there are no other first-rounders available at the position. And yes, I'm aware that I haven't listed Deshaun Watson yet. Multiple teams, including those that don't need a signal-caller, have told us that they grade Watson in the second round. Thus, Watson could drop during the 2017 NFL Draft, much like Teddy Bridgewater did a couple of years ago. Charlie Campbell was the first to report that most teams didn't have Bridgewater as a first-round prospect - even before Bridgewater's pro day - and he's the first to say the same about Watson.

With that in mind, I'm giving the Jets the top player available, and that would be Leonard Fournette. Matt Forte has played well in recent weeks, but he's just a temporary solution at running back. New York's offense would improve tremendously with Fournette in the backfield. Fournette is too good to pass on, as he would've been considered the top running back prospect since Adrian Peterson if it weren't for Todd Gurley.

Pick change; previously Mitch Trubisky, QB
Tennessee Titans: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
The Titans stop the run well and get after the quarterback pretty consistently, but the major area of weakness in their defense is the secondary. Both cornerback and safety need to be addressed, so why not take the best player available who happens to satisfy one of those two major needs?

Charlie Campbell recently posted a great report on Malik Hooker in the NFL Draft Rumor Mill, as some teams consider him to be the top safety in the class and a potential top-10 pick.

Pick change; previously Jalen Tabor, CB

Carolina Panthers: Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida
Everyone was shocked when the Panthers cut Josh Norman in the offseason, and most people believed it was a horrible move. It turned out to be just that, as Carolina hasn't been able to defend the pass at all. The Panthers usually take the best player available, and it just so happens that the top prospect on the board happens to fill their greatest need.

Pick change; previously Leonard Fournette, RB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Tampa Bay has the worst safeties in the NFL, as evidenced by Derek Carr setting a franchise record in passing yards. If the Buccaneers have an opportunity to grab one of the three top safeties in this class, I have to assume that they won't hesitate to do so.

Pick change; previously Jamal Adams, S
Arizona Cardinals: Adoree Jackson, CB/KR, USC
The Cardinals made the mistake of rolling into the season with a former running back as one of the starting cornerbacks, and they were punished for it. They've since replaced Brandon Williams with Marcus Cooper, which has worked out. However, Cooper is just a temporary solution, and he's an impending free agent anyway. The Cardinals need a long-term option across from Patrick Peterson.

Pick change; previously Marshon Lattimore, CB

Cincinnati Bengals: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Cincinnati's secondary has struggled this season, but part of the reason for that is the declining pass rush. The Bengals have gotten nothing out of Michael Johnson, so they desperately need to find an upgrade at that spot. Luckily, they can do so by picking one of the top players available.
Tennessee Titans: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
As mentioned in the write-up of their first pick, the Titans have to address both secondary positions. It'll be a dream come true for them if the can upgrade both areas with their two first-round picks.

Pick change; previously JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
Indianapolis Colts: Jabrill Peppers, S/LB, Michigan
General manager Ryan Grigson made excuses to the media recently, citing Andrew Luck's contract as the reason why Indianapolis' defense is horrible. Well, here's Grigson's big chance to improve the stop unit. Jabrill Peppers is the top defensive talent available, by my estimation, and he would add some greatly needed speed to the Colts' ridiculously slow linebacking corps.

Pick change; previously Jabrill Peppers, S

Buffalo Bills: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Stephon Gilmore's contract is set to expire in March. Gilmore had been an outstanding cornerback in recent years, but he has been absolutely horrible in 2016. The Bills now have a difficult decision to make regarding Gilmore, and I imagine that they'll franchise tag him. Either way, Buffalo will certainly consider a cornerback if it can obtain a top-flight prospect at the position.

Pick change; previously Mike Williams, WR
San Diego Chargers: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
The Chargers can't quite seem to fix their offensive line. They'll have to address the tackle position. King Dunlap is always an injury waiting to happen, while Joe Barksdale has been a major disappointment this year. Both are under big contracts right now, so it's possible that San Diego could draft Cam Robinson and use him as guard until one of Dunlap or Barksdale leaves the team.

Pick change; previously Malik Hooker, S
Baltimore Ravens: Malik McDowell, DE/DT, Michigan State
The Ravens have no pass rush to speak of. They'll be looking for help at both outside linebacker and defensive end this upcoming offseason, and it could be argued that Malik McDowell, who can play either formation, is one of the top prospects on the board.
Miami Dolphins: Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
I'm sure the Dolphins would love to draft a cornerback, but thanks to their recent wins, they're not in position to draft any of the top four players at the position. They can still address their back seven, however, as the linebacking corps is in desperate need of an upgrade. Zach Cunningham, who has been unreal this season, is one of the better prospects available.

Pick change; previously Adoree Jackson, CB

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.

Go to 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2 | Go to 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3 | Go to 2018 NFL Mock Draft

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