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, Dec. 1, 2016. Major changes.
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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
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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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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.
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.
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 had played well before battling the Patriots, 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: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
I wanted to slot Malik Hooker to the Bengals, but as noted on the 2017 NFL Draft Underclassmen page, Hooker is leaning toward returning to Ohio State. Thus, the Bengals will have to look elsewhere, and I have to imagine that they'll want to bolster their edge rush, which is very weak aside from Carlos Dunlap.

Pick change; previously Jabrill Peppers, S

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 hadn't listed Quincy Wilson in my 2017 NFL Mock Draft prior to last week 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.
Carolina Panthers: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
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 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 been an upgrade, but only by default. 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 Jalen Tabor, CB

Indianapolis Colts: Malik McDowell, DE/DT, Michigan State
The Colts need help all over their defense, particularly their front seven. The defensive line is completely devoid of talent, so an upgrade up front would go a long way in improving the stop unit as a whole. Malik McDowell is one of the top prospects available, so this pick makes sense from that perspective as well.

Pick change; previously Dalvin Cook, RB
Green Bay Packers: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
The Packers almost have to pick Dalvin Cook if he drops to them, right? Cook is one of the top players in the entire class, and he would provide the Packers with a potent running game, which is something they currently lack. Eddie Lacy can't be trusted to stay in shape, and Cook would be a massive upgrade anyway.

Pick change; previously Marshon Lattimore, 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.

Cleveland Browns: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
The Browns never replaced Mitchell Schwartz, and so they have a liability at right tackle as a result. Cam Robinson can start there right away and eventually move to the blind side once Joe Thomas retires.
San Diego Chargers: Jabrill Peppers, S/LB, Michigan
Teams aren't as high on Jabrill Peppers as many casual fans are, so I've decided to drop him into the middle of the first round. This seems to be the right range for him, and the Chargers could use him as a replacement for Eric Weddle.

Pick change; previously Malik McDowell, DT

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.
Buffalo Bills: Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida
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

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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