Brad’s 2017 NFL Mock Draft

4/17/2017

By Brad Clark:

 

1. Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M

A lot of noise in the system right now, but I feel pretty good about Garrett being a Brown on April 27 at approximately 8:15 ET.

2. San Francisco 49ers – Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford

The 49ers would love to get out of this spot and could be intriguing for teams looking to nab Trubisky. For now, they stand pat and take a pass rusher.

3. Chicago Bears – Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State

I’ve zeroed in on secondary here. Just not sure if they’ll pull the trigger on one of the safeties. This pick is fluid over the next two weeks. For now, they break Tennessee’s heart and take Lattimore.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars – Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

Is Coughlin’s love of Fournette real? I’m betting so.

5. Tennessee Titans – Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

This was a tough one with Lattimore gone and the safeties on the board. They need a big weapon for Mariota and don’t wait until 18 for someone to fall down to them. This could be prime trading territory with the Jets on deck.

6. New York Jets – Jamal Adams, S, LSU

Will the Jets turn the page on Christian Hackenberg, the 51^st pick of the 2016 NFL Draft? Mitchell Trubisky watch continues with the Jets on the clock. At the end of the day, the Jets go BPA and take Adams.

7. Los Angeles Chargers – Malik Hooker, FS, Ohio State

Is there a bigger slam dunk than Malik Hooker to the LA Chargers? Shouldn’t be. True centerfield game changers don’t come around often and Hooker is the real deal. He’s the second best player in the draft in my book.

8. Carolina Panthers – O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama

This one has Dave Gettleman written all over it. Cam needs weapons and they don’t get any better than Howard in this draft class. Combine those factors with the fact that Greg Olsen is 32 and I think this one is a slam dunk if Howard is there for the taking.

9. Cincinnati Bengals – Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

This one comes down to Barnett and one of the LBs (Haason Reddick or Reuben Foster). Just think it’s time the Bengals find a young, stud pass rusher.

10. Buffalo Bills – Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

When the dust settles on these QB’s, I think Trubisky is the first one off the board and this could be his floor. Regardless of whether anyone thinks they are top 10 worthy, only once since 2001 has a QB not been taken in the top 10.

11. New Orleans Saints – Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama

Taco Charlton and Haason Reddick should be a long look here but Foster may be too good to last any longer.

12. Cleveland Browns – Jonathan Allen, DT, Alabama

Allen’s slide stops at Cleveland at 12, if they stay put here. My only question, if Trubisky is off the board, the Browns don’t trade up for him, is how enamored they are with Pat Mahomes.

13. Arizona Cardinals – Patrick Mahomes II, QB, Texas Tech

Perfect landing spot for Mahomes. He can sit a year behind Carson under the tutelage of Bruce Arians.

14. Philadelphia Eagles – Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State

This one comes down to Christian McCaffrey or Conley. Conley has the goods to step in day one on this defense and make an impact. While McCaffrey gives the Eagles some juice on offense, they badly need a difference maker in the defensive backfield.

15. Indianapolis Colts – Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

Chris Ballard has done a nice job filling defensive gaps in free agency, so he takes a shot on an all-purpose weapon for Andrew Luck.

16. Baltimore Ravens – Haason Reddick, LB, Temple

Could there be a more perfect fit for the Ravens than Reddick. Teaming Reddick and CJ Mosely up is a dream scenario for Ozzie.

17. Washington Redskins – Cam Robinson, OL, Alabama

Robinson’s versatility on the OL gives Washington flexibility. OL isn’t there biggest need but we are seeing just how valuable they are after this offseason’s spending flurry.

18. Tennessee Titans – Kevin King, CB, Washington

He’s big, versatile and quietly a very solid producer for the Huskies. After going with Mike Williams at 5, the Titans need to target someone in the secondary.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

I could argue several prospects here but adding weapons to the offense has to be a priority. After signing Desean Jackson in the offseason, they found their vertical threat but that shouldn’t hold them back from taking Davis.

20. Denver Broncos – Garett Bolles, OT, Utah

Bolles may be long gone before 20 but if he’s there, Elway should pounce.

21. Detroit Lions – Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan

This should be a no-brainer for the Lions. Teaming Taco with Ansah is a home run in my book.

22. Miami Dolphins – Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky

With Laremy Tunsil kicking out to LT, the Dolphins need an upgrade on the interior of their OL. Lamp steps in day one as a starter and solidifies that OL.

23. New York Giants – David Njoku, TE, Miami

Ryan Ramczyk should get a very long look here as the Giants need to move on from Ereck Flowers at LT. That said, it’ll be tough to pass on Njoku if he’s still around. He’s a significant upgrade and gives Eli another weapon for his back nine.

24. Oakland Raiders – Budda Baker, S, Washington

On the surface this pick may not make a ton of sense but Baker’s versatility gives the Raiders something they sorely need.

25. Houston Texans – Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin

The Texans need for QB shouldn’t have them passing on an OT of Ramczyk talent level. Deshaun Watson will give pause but I can’t see them passing on a starting OT on a playoff caliber team.

26. Seattle Seahawks – Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado

This should be another no-brainer. Awuzie is a perfect fit in Seattle’s defense as he can play on the outside or slide inside.

27. Kansas City Chiefs – Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

You could argue this is way too low but I see the dust settling on Watson in this range. This is a dream scenario for Watson as he can sit behind Alex Smith for as long as needed.

28. Dallas Cowboys – Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan

An alpha dog to roam the backend of Dallas’ secondary is sorely needed. While we can argue positional fit, we can’t argue his leadership.

29. Green Bay Packers – T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin

Maybe not a more perfect marriage than Watt and the Packers.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers – John Ross, WR, Washington

This one didn’t feel right but I’m going with it, for now. The Steelers can’t count on Martavis Bryant to stay on the field and outside of AB the cupboards are a little bare. Ross’ ability to stretch the D takes some of the pressure off AB.

31. Atlanta Falcons – Charles Harris, DE, Missouri

You can’t have too many pass rushers and the Falcons know they have to create pressure to get over the New England hump. Harris may not be ready as a run defender but he’s day one ready as a sub-package pass rusher.

32. New Orleans Saints – Adoree Jackson, CB, USC

The Saints get a whole lot better on D with these two selections. I’m not sure I’m buying Jackson being as raw as some are saying. I think he steps in day one as a starter for the Saints.