The event that we have all been waiting for is almost upon us! The 2017 NFL Draft is now just a few weeks away and because of that, I decided it was time for me to put together my first complete first-round mock draft of the year.
I personally like to wait until approximately a month away from the NFL draft to do this. It gives me more time to collect all the information I need, which gives me a much better understanding of not only the prospects themselves, but of teams needs as well.
Continue reading below to see how the first-round of my 2017 mock draft shakes out and why I drafted each prospect for that particular team.
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Cleveland still needs to find their franchise quarterback, but there simply isn’t a QB worth the #1 pick. Myles Garrett is a difference making DE with All-Pro potential. He is hands-down the best prospect in the 2017 draft class.
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The 49ers are rumored to be pretty high on Foster and have already met with him privately. There is however talk that the Carolina Panthers are trying to make a trade for the #2 pick to select LSU’s former RB Leonard Fournette. Regardless, Foster is likely the 49ers target whether at 2 or 8.
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Chicago’s defense ranked 15th in total defense and 27th against the run in 2016. Thomas can help improve those numbers and has the versatility to play outside as a DE or in the interior as a 3-tech DT in the Bear’s 4-3 defense.
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Jacksonville needs a workhorse RB to improve their poor rushing to attack and take the pressure off of QB Blake Bortles. Fournette checks nearly every box for an NFL RB and will help improve the Jaguars offense from day one.
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The Titans ranked 30th in pass defense in 2016 with only 12 interceptions. Lattimore is an instant upgrade and a day one starter on the outside for Tennessee.
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Calvin Pryor and Marcus Gilchrest are the current starting safeties for the Jets, but Gilchrest tore his patella tendon in December making him questionable to start the season. Adams is an instant upgrade to the back end of the Jets secondary and has Pro Bowl potential as a rookie.
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The Chargers clearly missed Eric Weddle’s presence in their secondary in 2016. With Hooker they add the best ball hawking safety in the draft class, fill the void left by Weddle, and instantly improve their secondary after finishing 20th in pass defense last season.
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If the Panthers aren’t able to work out a trade with the 49ers to move up to draft Leonard Fournette, Cook would make a nice consolation prize. He does have some injury concerns, but he might just fit the Panthers offense better than Fournette because of his receiving ability.
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Cincinnati lost both Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler in free agency and need help along the offensive line. Lamp can play anywhere along the offensive line, but is probably going to make his living on the inside as guard.
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Buffalo needs more playmakers in the receiving game, especially with Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin leaving via free agency. The Bills have their choice between the top WRs, but Corey Davis is more pro-ready then Mike Williams at this point in their careers.
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The New Orleans Saints finished 1st in overall offense in 2016, but 27th in total defense. Any defensive player they draft at this point is likely an upgrade, but Humphrey comes in and instantly upgrades their secondary.
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The Browns have started 18 quarterbacks in the last decade, but haven’t found anything to stick as of yet. There are rumors that they are in love with Trubisky and could even consider taking him at #1 overall. Getting him at #12 would be ideal, especially after getting Myles Garrett first.
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At 37, Carson Palmer is starting to show signs that his age is starting to catch up to him. The Cardinals currently don’t have his successor on the roster, which is why Mahomes makes a lot of sense here. Bruce Arians loves to throw the ball down the field and Mahomes has the strongest arm in the 2017 draft class.
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The Eagles need to find some offensive weapons for their young QB Carson Wentz, and Mike Williams would instantly step in and be the best WR on the roster.
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Indianapolis needs to improve their front seven after finishing 30th in total defense and 19th in sacks in 2016. Allen is arguably the best DT in the draft class, but there are concerns about his long-term future in the NFL due to a arthritic condition in his shoulders.
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O.J. Howard is the best all-around tight end in the 2017 draft class and helps the Ravens offense in both the running and passing game as a rookie. He is a mismatch problem as a receiver and an excellent in-line blocker.
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The Redskins can use Reddick as a OLB or LB and their 3-4 defensive scheme. He could start off as an OLB while Trent Murphy serves his suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, then move to LB once he returns.
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WR John Ross could be a strong consideration here for the Titans, but improving their defense might be of bigger importance. Harris is just starting to scratch his potential, but could turn into a dominant pass rusher with more time and NFL coaching.
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Mixon certainly comes with baggage, but his talent is undeniable. The Buccaneers fielded a carousel of running backs in 2016 because of injury and Doug Martin can’t be relied upon as their featured back. Tampa Bay has a young talented team and Mixon’s addition could take them to the next level.
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The Broncos need to improve their offensive line to protect their QB and open up the running game. Bolles would step in as the starting left tackle and add a spark to the unit because of his infectious attitude of nastiness.
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Ezekiel Ansah had just two quarterback sacks in 2016 and is entering his contract year. Barnett isn’t the flashiest of players, but he would be a day one starter because he knows how to get to the QB.
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Njoku may be the second best tight end in this draft class, but it’s by a small margin. QB Ryan Tannehill could use another weapon in the receiving game, and Njoku is a mismatch problem for both DBs and LBs.
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The Giants really need to improve their offensive line and Robinson has the versatility to play either tackle or guard at the NFL level. This would give the Giants some flexibility with how they put together their starting offensive line for 2017.
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The Raiders could use a big physical DT in the middle of the defensive line, especially after giving up 375 yards a game last season. At 6’6″, 300, McDowell would step in and instantly be an upgrade in the middle of the Raiders defensive line.
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As things stand right now Tom Savage is the Texan starting QB in 2017. Kizer has the intangibles NFL teams look for in their signal callers and shouldn’t have a problem stepping in and commanding Bill O’Brien’s offense as a rookie.
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The Seahawks fielded one of the youngest and most inexperienced offensive lines in the entire NFL in 2016. Although they improved throughout the season, they could definitely use Ramcyzk. He would immediately be an upgrade at LT and protect Russell Wilson’s blindside.
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There was a noticeable drop off in the Chiefs defense when Derrick Johnson went down with an injury. Cunningham is a very similar player to Johnson and would likely step in is a day one starter.
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The Cowboys would probably prefer to go with a pass rusher here, but the cupboard is pretty bare at this point. Conley has a prototypical size for an NFL CB and would it be a day one starter opposite either Anthony Brown or Nolan Carroll.
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The Packers biggest weakness in 2016 was their secondary because of the the injuries they had to deal with throughout the year. Peppers has the versatility to play several different positions on defense for the Packers and could be utilized on offense as well.
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James Harrison is 38 years old and Jarvis Jones just left through free agency. McKinley may miss the first month of the season while recovering from shoulder surgery, but he fits the mold of a Pittsburgh defensive player.
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Vic Beasley has emerged as one of the better pass rushers in the NFL, but the Falcons can use someone playing opposite him to get after the QB. In 2016 they got by with a 37-year-old Dwight Freeney, but Charlton is a bigger/younger prospect who has immense upside.
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With the draft pick they received from the New England Patriots for Brandin Cooks, the Saints replace their speedy deep threat with a similar player in John Ross. This is the ultimate win-win for New Orleans. They get another deep threat and avoid having to pay Cooks a big money contract or risk losing him in free agency without any compensation.
I decided to go with a cornerback at 28 for the Dallas Cowboys because nearly all of the defensive ends that I have with a first-round grade where already drafted. I actually like the selection of Gareon Conley, but I’m willing to bet that the majority of you are going to to be disappointed that the Cowboys didn’t get a pass rusher in the first round.
Takkarist McKinley was still on the board, but I decided to pass on him. He is likely going to miss the first month of the season because he’s recovering from shoulder surgery, which means he’s going to have a hard time getting up to speed. It is going to be hard for him to make much of an impact in 2017 after missing so much time and the Cowboys need immediate contributors, especially with their early round draft picks.
Please for free to use the comment section below to pick apart any selection that you don’t agree with.
Yes Takk & Pepper’s still on the board. Sorry I would take one of those two. 1 Pepper’s then Talk. Another name for you Tarell Basham a mid 2nd to maybe late first. I would take him if as you said DE’s are gone and so is my top two safeties. When we pick we will have to pick like your picking in the next round.
McKinley is going to miss all of the off-season practices and likely the first month of the season. It’s going to take him too long to get up to speed and the Cowboys need somebody that can play right away. I like Peppers, but I have Conley ranked higher.
At the end of each round you’re not picking like your in the next round. You’re looking for prospects that have slipped through the cracks. I like Basham, but there’s no way I’m taking him in the first round. You have to let the draft come to you, otherwise you’re reaching for players based on need and that can get you in trouble.
Conley in round 1? First I’ve heard of that. Grab the UCONN safety.
I have seen quite a few “draft analysts” have Conley ranked in the first round.
I agree with you Brian. What’s your thoughts on TY Watts, who is being mentored by future hall of famer, D-Ware?
Could he possibly move up the draft board @ 28?
I like TJ Watt, but I prefer the Cowboys target him in a trade down scenario. I wouldn’t be upset if they took him at 28 though. I have him ranked as an early to mid second rounder, so wouldn’t be much of a stretch to see him at 28.
Conley would be fine, but would definitely prefer Takk or Watt at 28. I think the secondary isn’t as big a concern as finding someone with legit pass rush ability.
Everyone in the DL room is a question mark outside of Malik Collins. Get a Watt or a McKinley in there and it should help everyone.
Cool with passing on Peppers.
If John Ross fell to 28, there would have to be a very serious discussion before passing on him. He takes the offense from pretty good to pretty elite. Could you imagine them lining up in 11 personnel with Dez and Ross on the outside, Witten in-line, Beasley (or Terrance Williams) in the slot, Zeke in the backfield and Dak under center. Teams would crap their pants as Dak goes into his PA technique.
Send Dez and Ross on go routes, Witten on an option underneath and Beasley or Williams on a Post. Goodness gracious.
Their is enough defensive talent in this draft to take Ross at 28 and still upgrade the defense. Especially considering the probable contributions from Jaylon Smith and Charles Tapper this year.
My issue with John Ross is his injury history. I wouldn’t use a first-round draft pick on a WR that has had as many surgeries as he has had. I think the Cowboys are going to shy away from “injury prone” players as well.
You are probably right about them shying away from someone with an injury at 28.
That’s the one and only reason I had him drafted so late in the first round to begin with. His injury history is really concerning to me, especially due to his size.