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. 17, 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 seemed to like Kessler, who has shown some grit as a rookie, so I thought that they may opt to develop him rather than spend another early pick on a quarterback.

Then, Hue Jackson inexplicably benched Kessler against the Ravens. This gave me the urge to go back to Kizer (or maybe even Mitch Trubisky), but I think I'm going to see how things play out first. It'll be difficult to justify Kizer over a terrific prospect like Myles Garrett, and perhaps the Browns have their eye on a quarterback in the second round like Brad Kaaya.

Cleveland has drafted some pass-rushers lately, but 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 1-8, 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.
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 or third 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.
Carolina Panthers: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Much is being made of Carolina's anemic cornerback situation, but the team also has to address the safety spot as well. Of the defensive backs available - and all of the prospects in general - Malik Hooker is arguably the top player available. The Panthers tend to select the best prospect on their board, so there's a good chance it would be Hooker in this situation.

Charlie Campbell recently posted a great report on 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

Cincinnati Bengals: Jabrill Peppers, S/LB, Michigan
There are a couple of reasons why the Bengals are floundering this season. A major factor is the declining play of the secondary. Pacman Jones has regressed, while Reggie Nelson's absence has been a major problem. Given that Cincinnati selected a cornerback in the first round last year, I imagine the front office will be looking at a safety this time around. Jabrill Peppers is the one of the top defensive talents available, by my estimation.

Pick change; previously Derek Barnett, DE
San Diego Chargers: Malik McDowell, DE/DT, Michigan State
When the Chargers selected Joey Bosa at No. 3 overall, there was some speculation that he would play on the defensive line, which didn't turn out to be true. Bosa has been outstanding, but San Diego needs to bolster the defensive end spot across from Corey Liuget, and Malik McDowell is one of the best prospects remaining on the board.

Pick change; previously Cam Robinson, OT
Tennessee Titans: Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida
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?

Pick change; previously Malik Hooker, S

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.
Indianapolis Colts: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
I mocked Dalvin Cook to the Colts two months ago, and I'm going back to that pick. It just makes too much sense. Frank Gore turns 34 right after the 2017 NFL Draft, and he appears to be worn down since his great Sunday night performance at Houston. Cook is a mega talent who would definitely take some pressure off Andrew Luck.

Pick change; previously Jabrill Peppers, S/LB
Green Bay Packers: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
The Packers place great pressure on opposing quarterbacks with Julius Peppers and Nick Perry, but both happen to be impending free agents. Peppers turns 37 in January, while Perry could prove to be too expensive to retain.

Pick change; previously Tim Williams, DE/OLB

Buffalo Bills: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
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 Marlon Humphrey, CB
New Orleans Saints: Adoree Jackson, CB/KR, USC
When the Saints released Keenan Lewis in the offseason, it was pretty evident that they would have issues at cornerback this season, and that has turned out to be the case. They need an upgrade across from Delvin Breaux so they can stop starting the likes of B.W. Webb and Sterling Moore.

Pick change; previously Charles Harris, DE/OLB

Pittsburgh Steelers: Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
If the loss to Dallas proved anything, it's that the Steelers can be pretty soft up the middle. Their inside linebackers need to be looked at for sure. Ryan Shazier is fine, but Lawrence Timmons has rapidly declined and can no longer start in this league. The Steelers will consider moving on from him, especially if they can land a mega talent like Zach Cunningham.

Pick change; previously Malik Hooker, S
Arizona Cardinals: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
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 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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