Just a few days away from the 2017 NFL Draft, and we’re still much further away from clarity than we have been at this point in years past.
Who will land Mitch Trubisky? Will he be joined by another top-10 quarterback? Are Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey both going top-10? NFL teams themselves are trying to determine the answers to those questions too.
Here’s our two-round mock draft that hopefully solves some of the draft’s toughest questions.
Round One
1. Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett, OLB, Texas A&M
Garrett is not only the clear best player in this class, but one of the best defensive prospects in recent history. He’ll be better for this team than taking a risk on a quarterback.
2. San Francisco 49ers – Jamal Adams, SAF, LSU
San Francisco might be able to lure the Bills to trade up to No. 2 for Mitch Trubisky. If not, they can grab the safety John Lynch covets.
3. Chicago Bears – Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
They’ve become the hot team to be considering a quarterback, but I don’t believe they want one with the third overall pick. Instead, they take Allen to bolster their defense.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars- Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Fournette to the Jaguars is either the worst-kept secret or the best bluff of the draft process by Jacksonville brass. He’s the best offensive player in this draft.
5. Buffalo Bills (TRADE) – Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
The Bills covet Trubisky, and have since December. Moving up five spots likely won’t cost them their second-round pick. (I’d expect a first, third, and a Day 3 pick.) Titans collect more assets.
6. New York Jets – Charles Harris, OLB, Missouri
The Jets won’t take a quarterback in the first (no team since 1980 has taken three true quarterbacks in the top four rounds three straight years). Instead, they’ll consider Harris, Solomon Thomas, Marshon Lattimore or Malik Hooker.
https://youtu.be/wIbaaVfLY6g
7. Philadelphia Eagles (TRADE) – Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
The Eagles covet McCaffery, but he’ll no longer be available when they pick at 14. Moving up from the middle of round one will likely cost them two additional picks, but if they can keep their second-rounder, this is a huge win.
8. Carolina Panthers – Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
The Panthers appear to want Christian McCaffrey, but if he’s not available, they’ll target a defensive end instead. Barnett appears to be their backup plan.
9. Cincinnati Bengals – Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
The Bengals would take Derek Barnett if he’s available. But now that he’s gone, Reuben Foster, John Ross and Mike Williams are in the discussion. Williams gives this receiving corps a much-needed boost opposite AJ Green.
10. Tennessee Titans – Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
The Titans can move back from the fifth pick and still get one of the top prospects they were targeting, plus collect a mid-rounder or two. Lattimore solves their cornerback need.
11. New Orleans Saints – Solomon Thomas, OLB, Stanford
The Saints want to continue to add assets to their defense, and Thomas is a surprising player still available (though most teams I’ve spoken with feel this is more his range).
12. Kansas City Chiefs (TRADE) – Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
The Chiefs have 10 draft picks, but certainly don’t need them all. The Chiefs can trade their first this year and next, as well as their second- and fourth-rounder this year for Mahomes, who will be Alex Smith’s heir apparent.
13. Arizona Cardinals – OJ Howard, TE, Alabama
The Cardinals will consider Mahomes if he’s available, but if not, they’ll likely target offensive help in round one. While head coach Bruce Arians hasn’t always valued tight ends, Howard can be a unique weapon to adapt with.
14. San Diego Chargers (TRADE) – Malik Hooker, SAF, Ohio State
If the Chargers stay at No. 7, Malik Hooker will likely be the pick. Here, they move down, collect a mid-round pick, and still get the second coming of Ed Reed.
15. Indianapolis Colts – Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
New GM Chris Ballard could go almost any position besides quarterback or receiver and it wouldn’t surprise. Conley is a highly talented cornerback not unlike Marcus Peters, who he vouched for in Kansas City.
16. Baltimore Ravens – Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
After losing Ricky Wagner, the Ravens have a large hole at right tackle. Bolles is the draft’s best offensive tackle and shouldn’t have much problem transitioning to the right side.
17. Washington Redskins – Jabrill Peppers, SAF, Michigan
Washington could consider Dalvin Cook as well. But Peppers is the unique playmaker Jay Gruden, Bruce Allen, and owner Dan Snyder can agree on.
18. Tennessee Titans – Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky
Adding a receiver here is likely their ideal scenario, but Forrest Lamp may be too good to pass up. He could be the Titans’ version of Dallas’s Zach Martin, the lineman that puts this unit into the top tier of the NFL.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Not many teams want to take Cook in round one. The Bucs are one of them. If he’s here, I’d be very surprised if he’s not the pick.
20. Denver Broncos – Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
Denver is desperate to add offensive tackle help. Garett Bolles is their top option but Robinson is a strong fallback option.
21. Detroit Lions – David Njoku, TE, Miami (FL)
It’s doubtful that David Njoku will last until pick 21, but the Lions could consider moving up a few spots to secure him. They really want to add a tight end early in this draft.
22. Miami Dolphins – Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State
Miami’s biggest need is defensive end. If a top safety falls (like Obi Melifonwu), they’ll consider him, but an edge player is likely the pick.
23. New York Giants – Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple
The Giants have refused to address linebacker for years. But this year, they’re picking in the sweet spot for the position. Reddick, Florida’s Jarrad Davis, and Alabama’s Reuben Foster could all be available.
24. Oakland Raiders – Obi Melifonwu, SAF, UConn
Oakland wants to upgrade their secondary along with Karl Joseph, and Melifonwu fits their athleticism and versatility thresholds.
25. Houston Texans – Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
Houston would love to get one of the better offensive lineman in this class, and Ramczyk fits that bill. If not, secondary prospects would be considered.
26. Seattle Seahawks – Marcus Maye, SAF, Florida
A defender with quietly a lot of interest from teams in the backend of round one, Maye could give the Seahawks versatility at the position.
27. Cleveland Browns (TRADE) – Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
A dream scenario for Cleveland to trade back, collect more first- and second-round picks AND still get a quarterback they value. The backend of round one is where Deshaun Watson’s value lies.
28. Dallas Cowboys – Tyus Bowser, DE, Houston
The Cowboys covet Bowser, and if he’s not available they may trade back (if possible). Bowser could be as early as the top-20.
29. Green Bay Packers – Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
The Packers will consider cornerbacks and offensive lineman with this pick, but Charlton fits their need for the defensive end/outside linebacker position that Julius Peppers just vacated.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers – John Ross, WR, Washington
The Steelers want to add another offensive piece, and Ross fits their prototype perfectly. They haven’t cared too much in the past about players with injury red flags.
31. Atlanta Falcons – Taylor Moton, OT, Western Michigan
If Jordan Willis or Forrest Lamp is available, they’ll be the pick. Otherwise, the Falcons may look for a bit of a reach pick like Taylor Moton to keep their offense a strength.
32. New Orleans Saints – Adoree Jackson, CB, USC
After adding a top pass rusher in the top-15, the Saints can find a the top cornerback left at 32. Jackson won’t get out of the first round.
Round Two
33. Cleveland Browns – Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama
There’s a real chance Foster could fall out of round one. He won’t last long if he does.
34. San Francisco 49ers – Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Davis could still find a home in late round one. Otherwise, he’ll be a steal for the 49ers.
35. Chicago Bears – DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
After Mahomes and Watson, Kizer is their top quarterback. They could trade back into round one to get him.
36. Jacksonville Jaguars – Justin Evans, SAF, Texas A&M
The Jaguars will likely add a quarterback in round three. Evans is a top value and can play either safety spot.
37. Los Angeles Rams – Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
The Rams have made poor decisions in free agency with their cornerbacks. They need to add another.
38. New York Jets – Jarrad Davis, ILB, Florida
The Jets need better leaders on their defense. Davis and Charles Harris can set the tone for the future.
39. San Diego Chargers – Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
If McDowell isn’t a first-round pick, despite his headaches, he won’t last long in round two.
40. Carolina Panthers – Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
If the Panthers miss on Christian McCaffrey in round one, Kamara is their round two target.
41. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma
Mixon may go earlier than this. But all signs point to him landing in Cincinnati if available.
42. Tennessee Titans (TRADE) – Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado
After moving down in round one, the Titans get another top cornerback to pair and compete with Lattimore.
43. New Orleans Saints – Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy
The Saints desperately need offensive tackle depth. Garcia is a perfect fit behind Terron Armstead.
44. Philadelphia Eagles – Kevin King, CB, Washington
Leaving the first two rounds with McCaffrey and the long Kevin King would be a huge win for Philadelphia.
45. Arizona Cardinals – Chris Wormley, DT, Michigan
After losing Calais Campbell in free agency, Wormely is the perfect replacement in their defense.
46. Indianapolis Colts – Curtis Samuel, RB, Ohio State
Samuel can be new GM Chris Ballard’s version of Jamal Charles/Tyreek Hill in Indianapolis.
47. Minnesota Vikings – Dion Dawkins, OG, Temple
Minnesota desperately needs offensive line help. Dawkins is a strong, versatility option.
48. Baltimore Ravens – Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA
Baltimore needs pass rusher help long-term, and McKinley is the type of top talent with injury background that Baltimore gambles on.
49. Washington Redskins – T.J. Watt, OLB, Wisconsin
Washington wants to continue to bolster their defense. Watt is a plus value at this point.
50. Cleveland Browns (Via TEN) – Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Alabama
Keeping their defense a strength is a must. Tomlinson has many NFL fans and fits the analytic approach of Cleveland.
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Larry Ogunjobi, DT, Charlotte
The Bucs value Ogunjobi as a quality second-round pick, and need depth at the defensive tackle position.
52. Denver Broncos – Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
Engram could go much higher than this (including late first round), but would be an awesome value for a team looking to improve on offense.
53. Detroit Lions – Derek Rivers, DE, Youngstown State
The Lions want to add to their pass rush. Rivers is a rusher unlike what they currently have, and a great value here.
54. Miami Dolphins – Josh Jones, SAF, NC State
If they don’t go safety in round one, they’ll be targeting a host of options in round two or three. Jones is a plus value.
55. New York Giants – Daeshon Hall, DE, Texas A&M
Daeshon Hall is a firm second-round value, and fits what the Giants want behind Jason Pierre-Paul.
56. Oakland Raiders – Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Going safety-cornerback in the first two rounds is maybe overkill, but it’ll make their secondary one of the best in the NFL.
57. Houston Texans – Davis Webb, QB, California
Houston needs to find a young quarterback to develop. I’m not sure if Webb fits, but this is his range.
58. Seattle Seahawks – Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech
Despite investing recent high draft picks in the position, Seattle still needs receivers. Henderson is a plus value.
59. Cleveland Browns (TRADE) – Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
Picking here for the Chiefs after their round one trade, the Browns can scoop up Jones here at the end of round two.
60. Dallas Cowboys – Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
Dallas would consider Wilson in round one if not for their pass rusher need.
https://youtu.be/6kyEA3FbTL8
61. Green Bay Packers – Juju Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
Green Bay doesn’t need a receiver, but Smith-Schuster fits what the Packers like in a receiver and gives them Jordy Nelson insurance.
62. Pittsburgh Steelers – Carl Lawson, OLB, Auburn
Lawson could be under consideration in round one, but would be a great value here to bolster their pass rush.
63. Atlanta Falcons – Budda Baker, SAF, Washington
It’s not easy to find a spot for Baker in round two, but he could be an awesome value and a utility player in an already talented Falcons secondary.
64. New England Patriots – Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida
Patriots don’t necessarily have a secondary need, but Tabor is a plus fit for their defense, continues Belichek’s value of Florida players, and is a top-end value that slid because of a poor forty-time.
