If this NFL mock draft doesn’t seem to line up with my player position rankings, there’s a good reason for that. While I feel I’ve got this whole thing figured out, coaches, scouts and general managers do too and we don’t always see eye-to-eye. This mock is all about what I think each of these teams will do, not what they should do.
I’ll be basing all my perfect drafts off this mock as I make every single selection for all 32 NFL teams. As always, I don’t factor in trades because, frankly, there’s just no way to predict them and anyone that does is just full of shit. Onward!
1. Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett, DE – Texas A&M
I still think the Browns shouldn’t screw around and take DeShaun Watson here and if you listen to Hue Jackson, it seems like he’s open to it. But the consensus is Garrett and sometimes these NFL teams are just too careful for their own good. As it is, Garrett is an elite pass rusher and while he’s not my top pick even in that category, he’ll probably be the top pick in April’s draft.
2. San Francisco 49ers – Soloman Thomas, DE – Stanford
For Kyle Shanahan’s offense to flourish he really needs a smart quarterback with the ability to make quick reads and get the ball out of his hands. That’s why the 49ers should absolutely be jumping for joy when DeShaun Watson falls into their lap at the No. 2 pick. But they won’t and they’ll pass over him for Thomas. Thomas will be an outstanding professional football player and, just like J.J. Watt in Houston, it won’t mean a damn thing when it comes to playoff wins and Super Bowl titles.
3. Chicago Bears – Jonathan Allen, DT – Alabama
The Bears win the lottery with both Watson and Mitchell Trubisky still on the board at the No. 3 pick. Do they pull the trigger and nab the franchise quarterback they’ve not had since Sid Luckman in the 1940s? Nope. They draft Jonathan Allen instead. He’s going to be great. It won’t matter.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars – Malik Hooker, Safety – Ohio State
Ironically, it’s the Jaguars who make the smart, logical pick at their position, grabbing Malik Hooker at safety to terrorize AFC South quarterbacks for the next 10 years or so.
5. Tennessee Titans (From Los Angeles Rams) – Marshon Lattmiore, CB – Ohio State
When it comes to winning a trade, the Titans made it look downright easy. They end up with a Top Five pick thanks to Jeff Fisher’s inept coaching with the Los Angeles Rams and get the best cornerback in the draft. Oh, and they still have a pick coming.
6. New York Jets – DeShaun Watson, QB – Clemson
Todd Bowles got saved from the executioner’s ax this offseason and he doesn’t need to waste the opportunity. Watson is taylor-made for New York with the looks and the talent the Jets haven’t had since Joe Namath. And for Watson, the trade off for Cleveland’s mistake is New York City. Not too shabby.
7. Los Angeles Chargers – Jamal Adams, Safety – LSU
The Chargers seemed intent for years to chase Eric Waddell out of town and they finally did. Now they really need a replacement and Adams is ready to go as a day one starter.
8. Carolina Panthers – Leonard Fournette, RB – LSU
Carolina just locked up Jonathan Stewart for another season, but it’s time to find his replacement. No running back in the draft better fits the Panthers’ power scheme than Fournette.
9. Cincinnati Bengals – Reuben Foster, ILB – Alabama
A wasted season for the Bengals brings with a Top 10 pick. Foster may be the best defensive player in this draft, period and he immediately fixes consistently the weakest part of Cincinnati’s defense over the last decade.
10. Buffalo Bills – Mike Williams, WR – Clemson
Williams is the first wideout off the board. His size, speed and ability to play the ball are a much-needed skillset with a sub-par quarterback and a team probably trying to sneak in a full rebuild under new head coach Sean McDermott.
Click here for Part 2 of the 2017 NFL Mock Draft 2.0.
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