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. 15, 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
Other 2019 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25)

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Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
As it stands now, the four candidates or the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft are Myles Garrett, Jonathan Allen, DeShone Kizer and Mitch Trubisky. The Browns obviously need a quarterback, and I believe Trubisky is what Hue Jackson is looking for. Trubisky has his flaws, but he's very accurate and has a quick release. Jackson may envision Trubisky as his new Andy Dalton.

However, Adam Schefter has reported that the Browns have an "astronomical grade" on Garrett, which is interesting. Cleveland needs a pass-rusher as well, and Garrett would be an enormous upgrade.

The question is, would the Browns take Garrett over Trubisky when they're desperate for a franchise quarterback? Well, there is precedent for this, as the Texans picked Jadeveon Clowney when they really needed a signal-caller in the 2014 NFL Draft. Houston simply had Clowney way above all the quarterbacks, and that could be the case with Cleveland and Garrett.

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Pick change; previously Mitch Trubisky, QB
San Francisco 49ers: Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Unless Myles Garrett is available, the 49ers are almost certain to pick a quarterback. DeShone Kizer seems to be the consensus No. 1 quarterback, based on some conversations we've had with team sources. However, not every franchise has Kizer at the top, as there is one that prefers Trubisky. It's not necessarily the 49ers, but it could be depending on whether or not Chip Kelly remains head coach of the team.

Kelly loves accuracy and quick decision-making from his quarterbacks, so I don't see why he'd choose Kizer over Trubisky, when the latter has all of the traits he desires from his quarterbacks. Of course, if the 49ers rightfully fire Kelly and bring in someone else, the preference could switch to Kizer. It's obviously still way early in the draft process, so we'll just have to see how it all unfolds.

Pick change; previously Myles Garrett, DE/DT
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. In fact, he should have won the Heisman over Lamar Jackson, as he was the best player in the country.

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.
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 a few updates ago 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.
New Orleans Saints: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
The Saints need help on every level of their defense. That includes the front line, where Cameron Jordan is the only edge player who can consistently generate pressure on the opposing quarterback. Jordan is actually having an All-Pro-caliber year, but New Orleans has to add a potent player across from him to rattle Matt Ryan, Cam Newton and Jameis Winston. Derek Barnett, who has enjoyed a prolific 2016 campaign, would project to generate a great pass rush.

Pick change; previously Adoree Jackson, CB
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: Malik McDowell, DE/DT, Michigan State
The Chargers hit a home run with the Joey Bosa pick. When they selected 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. Malik McDowell is a stud five-technique in the mold of DeForest Buckner, and he could easily be chosen in the top 10.
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.
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. Here's some help for the latter issue.

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 though.

Pick change; previously Derek Barnett, DE

Indianapolis Colts: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
I know that Colts fans will be pining for a defensive player at this juncture, but Dalvin Cook is way too good to pass up. There are NFL personnel who believe that Dalvin Cook is better than Leonard Fournette, so Cook would be an absolute steal at No. 14 overall. Besides, it's not like the Colts don't need a running back. Frank Gore is running on fumes at this point, and Cook's presence in the backfield will help Luck tremendously.
Buffalo Bills: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
It's unfortunate, but it's possible that Aaron Williams' career could be over because of that ridiculous hit he took from Jarvis Landry. If so, the Bills will have to target a safety in free agency or the early stages of the 2017 NFL Draft. Jamal Adams is one of the better players available, so I could see Buffalo taking him around the 14th spot.

Tennessee Titans: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
The more we've been hearing teams gush about Corey Davis, the more I'm thinking that he's the first wide receiver selected in the 2017 NFL Draft. At this point, I think he and Mike Williams are neck and neck.

The Titans could certainly use a receiver upgrade. Rishard Matthews has enjoyed a nice season, but he's just a No. 2 wideout. Marcus Mariota needs a top option.

Pick change; previously Jabrill Peppers, S/LB
Baltimore Ravens: Tim Williams, DE/OLB, Alabama
The Ravens struggled to get pressure on the quarterback most of the year. A part of the problem is that Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs will be 33 and 34, respectively, by the 2017 NFL Draft. Some young blood will be needed on the edge.

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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