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. 24, 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.

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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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Cleveland Browns: Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
When it was first apparent that the Browns would have a good chance of selecting first overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, I slotted a quarterback to them. It was DeShone Kizer, as some NFL team sources we spoke to rated him as the No. 1 quarterback. I then switched to Myles Garrett because Cody Kessler had some half-decent performances. In the wake of Hue Jackson's musical chairs with Kessler and Josh McCown, I'm back to believing that the Browns will go with a signal-caller with the top pick.

So, why isn't it Kizer anymore? Not all teams have the same big board. We saw it last year when most franchises preferred Carson Wentz to Jared Goff, but the Rams took the latter. Mitch Trubisky simply happens to be what Jackson looks for in a quarterback. Trubisky has his flaws, but he's very accurate and has a quick release. Jackson may envision Trubisky as his new Andy Dalton, and I think the North Carolina product is currently the favorite to be chosen No. 1 overall.

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Pick change; previously Myles Garrett, DE/DT
San Francisco 49ers: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
I've had the 49ers selecting DeShone Kizer here for the past several updates, but Myles Garrett wasn't available. I think Garrett might just be too good to pass up. He's the best prospect, and he also happens to fill a colossal need for the 49ers, who have absolutely no sort of pass rush on the edge.

Also, something else to consider is Chip Kelly. It's unclear if Kelly will be back next year, but if he is, I don't think he'll be all that into Kizer, as he doesn't quite fit what he wants in a quarterback.

Pick change; previously DeShone Kizer, QB
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: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
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 argue that it's already over in the wake of Cutler's torn labrum. Either way, Chicago will be hunting for a new signal-caller, and if it can't land Tony Romo, it'll certainly consider DeShone Kizer at this juncture.

As mentioned earlier, some teams view Kizer as the top quarterback in this class, and they had him rated higher than Deshaun Watson and Brad Kaaya prior to those two struggling. They liked Kizer because of his arm strength, mobility and upside.

Pick change; previously Mitch Trubisky, 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 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.
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 most accounts.

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.
Tennessee Titans: Quincy Wilson, 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?

I haven't listed Quincy Wilson in my 2017 NFL Mock Draft because he hasn't started for very long, so I thought he might return to school. However, Charlie Campbell reported in the NFL Draft Rumor Mill that both Wilson and Jalen Tabor plan to declare early, and I'd have to believe that some team will fall in love with Wilson's immense talent level and select him in the top 10.

Pick change; previously Jalen Tabor, CB
Green Bay Packers: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
The Packers are surrendering record-setting passing yardage to middling and above-average quarterbacks, and something needs to be done about this. They have injuries, which definitely happens to be part of the problem, but given that Sam Shields may never play again because of concussions, Green Bay will strongly have to consider selecting one of the talented cornerback options in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Pick change; previously Derek Barnett, DE

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.
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.
Arizona Cardinals: Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida
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 only been a slight upgrade. 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 Marlon Humphrey, CB

Tennessee Titans: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
I'm sure the Titans would be interested in a dynamic receiver like Mike Williams, as they're devoid of talent at the position outside of Rishard Matthews and Tajae Sharpe, both of whom are really just No. 2 options.
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.

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.
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 Marshon Lattimore, 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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