Mandatory Photo Credit: Joe Robbins / Getty Images

The NFL Draft is vastly approaching which means it’s time for some NFL mock drafts. At this point in time, I’m not quite sure what moves every team will make, not to mention Free Agency coming up, which will surely impact this list, but for now here is who I chose. This week I take a look at who I think each team will select in regards to the 2017 NFL Draft.

# Team Selection Position

College

 

1 Cleveland Browns Myles Garrett EDGE

Texas A&M

Reason: Myles Garrett is more than worthy of the first pick of the NFL Draft. Cleveland, who also picks 12th, should have an opportunity to draft a much desired quarterback.

2 San Francisco 49ers Mitch Tribusky QB

North Carolina

Reason: Unfortunately, at this point in time, Colin Kaepernick, and Blaine Gabbert aren’t cutting it, with a new Head Coach bound to be hired eventually who’ll make changes, probably including who takes snaps under center, Mitch Tribusky seems almost like a glove fit for this hand in San Francisco.

3 Chicago Bears Deshone Kizer QB

Notre Dame

Reason: As tempting as it is, currently sitting with the third pick in the NFL Draft, to select a defensive player, Chicago needs a quarterback right now, because of the inefficiency of  current veteran, Jay Cutler. In this league its quite evident that the quarterback is one of the main, sole contributors to leading your team and producing wins.

4 Jacksonville Jaguars Johnathan Allen DL

Alabama

Reason: Obviously Jacksonville has quite a few needs, its what accounted for their poor record this season, but in this years NFL Draft, Jacksonville solves a big issue. After second year athlete, Dante Fowler Jr. tore his ACL, and missed his rookie year, its now quite evident the the Jaguars can not get to the quarterback with just one pass rusher. Help comes in numbers, and in this case, Jacksonville gets a long awaited versatile athlete who can help in just about everywhere on the defensive line. 

5 Tennessee Titans Mike Williams WR

Clemson

Reason: I was tempted to take corner back with this fifth pick, but then realized Tennessee has another selection in the first round, the 18th pick. With corner back, the other major need the Titans are looking to address, I decided to take wide receiver considering the overall depth in the draft is deeper, much deeper at corner back compared to wide receiver.

6 New York Jets Quincy Wilson CB

Florida

Reason: I decided here not to take a quarterback because I currently believe at least, with the quarterbacks the Jets have on the roster, that is beyond Ryan Fitzpatrick, they could quite possibly have a future starter. Besides there are bigger concerns that need to be addressed… Once elite corner back, Darelle Revis hasn’t exactly been playing to “par”, and it is currently putting a strain on the Jets secondary. Not to mention, veteran running back, Matt Forte has just about lost his step.

At pick number 6, I see the The Jets adding a boisterous young corner back to help in aiding the failing secondary. The Jets can address the running back concern with their second round pick, due to the depth at the position in this years draft, there will most definitely be someone available.

7 Los Angeles Chargers Jamal Adams S

LSU

Reason:  The Chargers, now apparently moving to Los Angeles will have a new Head Coach in former Bills coach, Anthony Lynn, and will need a new fresh start heading into the 2017 season. With this pick I decided to have Los Angeles go bold with the, in my opinion, best corner back on the board.

8 Carolina Panthers Leonard Fournette RB

LSU

Reason: As tough as the position of filling the offensive line is, Carolina decides here to address the need at running back and gets an elusive, powerhouse of a running back in Leonard Fournette. It was very tempting here to take not only an offensive linemen, or secondary, but Fournette is a player that can not just be simply passed on. Leonard Fournette will create a positive impact for Carolina because of his ability to locate gaps, his natural power, and his ability to make defenders miss and break tackles. Fans of his, and LSU alike see him most resembling the Adrian Peterson type of running back.

9 Cincinnatti Bengals Derek Barnett EDGE

Tennessee

Reason: Derek Barnett will provide a much needed pressure for the Bengals defensive line, and at this spot, Barnett is a player that should be simply ignored.

10 Buffalo Bills Deshaun Watson QB

Clemson

Reason: At first this wasn’t the pick I naturally expected Buffalo to go after, but then I realized that current Bills quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, who in my opinion, isn’t all that bad of a QB, is owed $30 million dollars if he is on the roster come March 12th.

Deshaun Watson is absolutely worth the pick, believe it or not, in Watson’s two title games against Alabama, Watson has, 825 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, 1 interception, and 116 rushing yards, and 1 touchdown. needless to say, Watson plays well in big games, and provides a much needed versatility through his ability to throw the ball, and at times, keep the ball and run, similar to what Taylor was capable of doing.

11 New Orleans Saints Reuben Foster LB

Alabama

New Orleans Saints Needs: EDGE, LB, CB, S, G, T

Reason: It’s almost as if the New Orleans Saints have a good dilemma here, they have several options to choose from, between talented defensive linemen in Charles Harris, Solomon Thomas, Demarcus Walker, and then I get to Alabama’s Reuben Foster, who I’ve chosen for the Saints at pick number 11.

In my personal opinion, there is more than enough depth at Defensive End for the Saints to snag someone, with the 10th pick in the second round, the Saints have the picks necessary to still obtain someone that’ll make an impact. General issues concerning Stephone Anthony’s knowledge going forward, and Dannell Ellerbe’s ability to stay healthy is what ultimately drove me to the Saints choosing to take a linebacker.

At pick #11, the Saints get a multi-functional linebacker who is more than capable of hitting hard, anticipating / reading plays, and in general being a positive impact to any team he gets drafted by. You can read the full analysis I did of Reuben Foster here.

12 Cleveland Browns Pat Mahomes QB

Texas Tech

Reason: At pick #12, the Cleveland Browns don’t get the desired quarterback they wanted (Deshaun Watson), but in the end reach higher than they needed to for quarterback Pat Mahomes out of Texas Tech.

13 Arizona Cardinals John Ross WR

Washington

Reason: Although Larry Fitzgerald had a pretty productive season this past year, Larry unfortunately is nearing the end of his career, which is why it would be in Arizona’s best interest to eventually draft his replacement. With no true quarterbacks, in my opinion, worth taking in the first round anymore, Arizona finds another reliable receiver to cause havoc among opposing corner backs.

14 Philadelphia Eagles Marshon Lattimore CB

Ohio State

Reason: The Philadelphia Eagles play in the NFC East, a division with gunslingers at quarterback, and deep threats for wide receivers. When your opposing division teams have star receivers in Odell Beckjam Jr., Dez Bryant, and DeSean Jackson, it’s best that you have a corner back who could cover them.

15 Indianapolis Colts Dalvin Cook RB

Florida State

Reason: It was very tempting at this point to select an offensive linemen, or an edge rusher, but I figured, similar to Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook is just too good to pass up on. Besides, there will be a good selection of offensive linemen, and edge rushers available in the second round. 

16 Baltimore Ravens Corey Davis WR

Western Michigan

Reason: With the eventual retirement of Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith, it’s quite evident that an eventual replacement would be needed.

17 Washington Redskins Malik McDowell DL

Michigan State

Reason: With the looming uncertainty of which players the Redskins will be keeping, especially considering most of the defensive line are free agents, the Redskins spend their first round pick on  a force not to be reckoned with.

18 Tennessee Titans Adoree’ Jackson CB

USC

Reason: After already acquiring a wide receiver with their first first round selection, with their second first round pick, Tennessee fills another glaring hols, the corner back position.

19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Malik Hooker S

Ohio State

Reason: The Buccaneers need a safety who could help add dimensions to current secondary members. Vernon Hagreaves, and Brent Grimes.

20 Denver Broncos O.J. Howard TE

Alabama

Reason: Regardless whether it be Trevor Siemian, or Paxton Lynch taking reps under center, the young quarterbacks will need a reliable threat beyond wide receivers, and that’s what O.J. Howard will provide for them. I’m sure there will be someone available for Denver to select in the second round in regards to offensive linemen.

21 Detroit Lions Charles Harris EDGE

Missouri

Reason: Defense wins games, its plain, and simple. Beyond the other current needs in offensive line, and corner back, I have the Lions with their first selection addressing their defensive line. Beyond current Detroit players A’Shawn Robinson, and veteran Haloti Ngata, the Lions truly have nobody that can consistently apply pressure and get to the quarterback.

22 Miami Dolphins Solomon Thomas EDGE

Stanford

Reason: The Dolphins could use a premier edge rusher in Solomon Thomas, to help fill aging veteran Cameron Wake’s shoes.

23 New York Giants Carl Lawson EDGE

Auburn

Reason: To a New York Giants team that only produced 35 sacks, with or without Jason Pierre-Paul, who’s set to become a free agent this off season, something needs to be done to help produce more pressure and numbers.

24 Oakland Raiders  Ryan Anderson OLB  Alabama

Reason: The Raiders, who will most likely be losing OLB Malcolm Smith to Free Agency should try and find an eventual replacement.

25 Houston Texans  Chris Wormley DL Michigan

Reason: Houston could be losing one of their pillars on their defensive line if defensive linemen Vince Wilfork retires.

26 Seattle Sea Hawks Cam Robinson OT  Alabama

Reason: It was quite evident this past season that Seattle had issues protecting quarterback Russell Wilson, with their first round selection, Seattle gets a great offensive linemen to help bandage the struggling line.

27 Kansas City Chiefs  Marlon Humphrey CB  Alabama

Reason: It’s been said that teams can never truly have enough corner backs, with daunting tasks in covering Demaryius Thomas, and Emmanuel Sanders, opposing wide receivers for the Denver Broncos, you can never have enough friends to help Marcus Peters.

28 Dallas Cowboys Curtis Samuel WR / RB Ohio State

Reason: The Cowboys add a dynamic receiver who can help take some of the pressure off of Dez Bryant.

29 Atlanta Falcons Taco Charlton EDGE Michigan

Reason: Production comes in numbers and adding another explosive play making defensive end to help Vic Beasley would certainly help the Falcons.

30 New England Patriots Christian McCaffrey RB Stanford

Reason: With LaGarrette Blount most likely gone due to Free Agency, New England picks up a versatile running back, who’ll certainly help Tom Brady and their offense.

31 Pittsburgh Steelers Takkarist McKinley OLB / DE UCLA

Reason: With James Harrison most likely retiring eventually, it would certainly help if Pittsburgh drafted his replacement.

32 Green Bay Packers Jabrill Peppers LB / S Michigan

Reason: The Packers add a versatile athlete who is not only athletic, and possesses many skills, but can cover well and improve the dampened Packers secondary.

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