NFL: Mock Draft Version 3.0
Check out our NFL Mock Draft Version 1.0 from December 1, 2016.
Check out our NFL Mock Draft Version 2.0 from March 16, 2017.
The 2017 NFL Draft will be the 82nd annual meeting, which is set to begin with the 32-pick first round on April 27, and the remainder of the draft on April 28 and 29, which will be held in Philadelphia for the first time since 1961 when Tommy Mason was selected No. 1 overall by the Minnesota Vikings. Cleveland holds to No. 1 pick for the upcoming draft because of their 1-15 record last season.
Caleb Henderson's First Round Mock Draft:
1. Browns: Mitchell Trubisky QB/North Carolina
Will the Browns actually pass up on Myles Garrett at No. 1 overall? Probably not, but in this scenario the Browns are gonna Browns and take Trubisky at this spot, which would shake up the rest of the draft.
2. 49ers: Myles Garrett DE/Texas A&M
With the Browns passing on Myles Garrett, the 49ers rush to the podium and turn in the card for this selection.
3. Bears: Jamal Adams S/LSU
While there have been lots of rumors the Bears could take Deshaun Watson here, I have them making the safe pick with Jamal Adams.
4. Jaguars: Leonard Fournette HB/LSU
This pick has been a lock in many mock drafts for weeks now, and I don’t see it changing on draft night.
5. Titans (via Rams): Marshon Lattimore CB/Ohio State
After releasing No. 1 CB Jason McCourty, its clear the Titans are looking for his replacement in this draft.
6. Jets: Malik Hooker S/Ohio State
For the seventh year in a row the Jets draft defense in the First Round as they choose to let Christian Hackenberg develop in this scenario.
7. Chargers: John Ross WR/Washington
When was the last time Keenan Allen played a full season?
8. Panthers: Solomon Thomas DE/Stanford
The Panthers would be thrilled if Thomas fell this far.
9. Bengals: Johnathan Allen DT/Alabama
Ditto for the Bengals with Allen.
10. Bills: Deshaun Watson QB/Clemson
Something tells me the Bills aren’t sold on Tyrod Taylor.
11. Saints: Taco Charlton DE/Michigan
12. Browns (via Eagles): Derek Barnett DE/Tennessee
13. Cardinals: Patrick Mahomes QB/Texas Tech
14. Eagles (via Vikings): Christian McCaffrey HB/Stanford
15. Colts: O.J. Howard TE/Alabama
16. Ravens: Haason Reddick DE/Temple
17. Redskins: Corey Davis WR/Western Michigan
18. Titans: Mike Williams WR/Clemson
19. Buccaneers: Cam Robinson OT/Alabama
20. Broncos: Reuben Foster LB/Alabama
21. Lions: Dalvin Cook HB/Florida State
22. Dolphins: Marlon Humphrey CB/Alabama
23. Giants: Garrett Bolles OT/Utah
24. Raiders: Quincy Wilson CB/Florida
25. Texans: Deshone Kizer QB/Notre Dame
26. Seahawks: Jarrad Davis LB/Florida
27. Chiefs: Joe Mixon HB/Oklahoma
28. Cowboys: Jabrill Peppers S/Michigan
29. Packers: Charles Harris DE/Missouri
30. Steelers: Obi Melifonwu S/UConn
31. Falcons: Forrest Lamp OG/Western Kentucky
32. Saints (via Patriots): Adoree’ Jackson CB/USC
Charles Post's First Round Mock Draft:
1. Browns: Myles Garrett (DE/Texas A&M): Myles Garrett has been an absolute beast over the last three seasons, and even though Warren Sapp said he is lazy, Garrett's 33 tackles and 8.5 sacks in 2016-17 say otherwise. Cleveland is reportedly still deciding between Garrett and Mitchell Trubisky, but the former Texas A&M standout has to be the pick here.
2. 49ers: Solomon Thomas (DE/Stanford): Solomon Thomas came on to the scene late, after having a couple of under-the-radar seasons, he finally became a household name last year. In part due to his 61 tackles and 8.0 sacks. He is a top-10 lock, and could go as high as No. 2. San Francisco needs just about everything, so starting with Thomas makes a lot of sense.
3. Bears: Jamal Adams (S/LSU): Jamal Adams is the pick here, not only because he makes sense, but because the Bears are going to take whoever remains between Thomas and Adams, according to Bleacher Report's Matt Miller. Adams is one of a few players that has stayed out of the tabloids in the draft process, which only helps his cause, adding on to his 76 tackles and one interception campaign. Chicago needs defensive back help. Here he is.
4. Jaguars: Leonard Fournette (HB/LSU): Leonard Fournette was the best player in college football in 2015-16 and if injuries didn't halt his 2016-17 season, we may have seen his dominance once again. Instead, we had to settle for a 843-yard, eight touchdown season. Still, the extreme potential is still there. And Jacksonville desperately needs to give Blake Bortles help on offense so it'll be a skill player here, and Fournette is the best one out there.
5. Titans (via Rams): Marshon Lattimore (CB/Ohio State): Marshon Lattimore didn't blow people away at Ohio State, but he was consistently good every Saturday. It was rare if Lattimore would make a mistake, and even if he did, his foot speed could get him back into plays. He is a ball-hawk, going for 40 tackles and four picks, so don't throw the ball his way. Tennessee is on the right track and if both of their First Round picks are successful, they could be a playoff team. Lattimore is the first piece to that puzzle.
6. Jets: Mitchell Trubisky (QB/North Carolina): Mitchell Trubisky only started one year at North Carolina, but was wildly impressive doing so, tossing for 3,748 yards and 30 touchdowns on 68.2 competition percentage. New York needs a signal-caller who can put together a couple of good years so the team can build around him. Trubisky is your best bet in this year's draft, even though I think Deshaun Watson will be the best quarterback from this class.
7. Chargers: Mike Williams (WR/Clemson): Mike Williams would be the first surprise pick of the First Round if he was taken here, but because of the Chargers' lack of wide receiver production, they need a guy like Williams, who caught 1,361 yards, 98 passes, and 11 for touchdowns. Williams is expected to go in the No. 10-20 range, but these things rarely go as we expect so I'll mix it up.
8. Panthers: Christian McCaffrey (HB/Stanford): Christian McCaffrey is 100 percent the guy to be picked by Carolina if still available. In 2015-16, Cam Newton did it all on his way to NFL MVP and a Super Bowl appearance, but in 2016-17, it looked like he needed help on his side of the ball. McCaffrey offers just about everything you can ask for in a running back. He's fast, has good hands, is quick and able to avoid would-be-tacklers, and can return the ball. After his 1,603 yards and 13 endzone trips, he must be the pick for the Panthers and Newton.
9. Bengals: Malik Hooker (S/Ohio State): Malik Hooker seemed like he picked off a pass nearly every single week in 2016-17, en route to a seven interception, 74-tackle year. Cincinnati isn't desperate for a defensive back, but he's the best player available, and would help out a defense that struggled for the first time in a while last year.
10. Bills: Haason Reddick (DE/Temple): Haason Reddick has shot up mock drafts since the end of college football's season in January, and will likely be the first linebacker drafted. He had 65 tackles and 10.5 sacks on Temple last season, and can help out the middle of Buffalo's defense.
11. New Orleans: Marlon Humphrey (CB/Alabama): Marlon Humphrey will be the pick here if his teammate Reuben Foster isn't selected. And because of Foster's off-the-field concerns, he'll slide past New Orleans. Humphrey's 36 tackles and two picks, as well as a quite draft process, make him a desirable asset for the Saints' poor defense.
12. Browns (via: Eagles): Deshaun Watson (QB/Clemson): Deshaun Watson, if he's still available should be drafted. Cleveland has to go after a quarterback after taking Myles Garrett with the No. 1 pick. Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan are hard-workers but they aren't the long term answer behind center. This pick should be Mitchell Trubisky, Watson, or Patrick Mahomes. Watson's 4,593 yards and 41 touchdowns en route to a national title was an incredible way to end his college career, and the Browns will snatch him up.
13. Cardinals: Patrick Mahomes (QB/Texas Tech): Patrick Mahomes makes the most sense for Arizona because even though they have a potential Hall of Famer in Carson Palmer, he is likely to retire within the next three years, and they don't have a solid back-up as of now. Mahomes could be that guy. His 5,052 yards and 41 touchdowns, to go along with the strongest arm in the class, doesn't hurt either.
14. Eagles (via Vikings): O.J. Howard (TE/Alabama): O.J. Howard could be picked up by Philadelphia if he isn't already gone. Carson Wentz, after a solid rookie season, is the guy at quarterback, which means he'll need some help. Howard can run-block, has great hands, and is very consistent. During his senior season for Alabama, he grabbed 595 yards and three touchdowns.
15. Colts: Charles Harris (DE/Missouri): Charles Harris has to be drafted by the Colts if he's still on the board. Indianapolis had it's quarterback in Andrew Luck, running back in Frank Gore, wide receiver in T.Y. Hilton, defensive back in Vontae Davis, and linebacker in Sean Spence. What they don't have? Is a dominant defensive end. Harris fits the bill. If he can even come close to duplicating his 61 tackles and 9.0 sacks from 2015-16, he'll turn heads in the pros.
16. Ravens: Jonathan Allen (DE/Alabama): Jonathan Allen was a top-10 lock in January but because of injury concerns, teams have become less likely to draft the All-American out of Alabama. Baltimore won't pass on him though. They need help on the defensive front and it'll be Allen, Reuben Foster, or Derek Barnett. The former makes the most sense in terms of character, experience, and potential. His 69 tackles and 10.5 sacks aren't too shabby either.
17. Redskins: Derek Barnett (DE/Tennessee): Derek Barnett was the key cog in Tennessee's resurgence over the last three seasons, and his 56 tackles and 13.0 sacks led the Volunteers last year. Washington is all set on offense, which means they should take the best option on the defensive side. Which means it's Barnett or Reuben Foster? Either is a solid choice, but I'll say Foster's slide continues for at least a bit longer.
18. Titans: John Ross (WR/Washington): John Ross would fit nicely in Tennessee, to work alongside offensive studs Marcus Mariota, DeMarco Murray, and Derrick Henry. However, the Titans could go with Corey Davis at this spot, too. Both guys have their ups and downs, but Ross' record-breaking 40-yard dash turned enough heads to get him taken in the top-20. Ross had 1,150 yards on 81 catches last season.
19. Buccaneers: Dalvin Cook (HB/Florida State): Dalvin Cook might make too much sense to take, which means I'll probably be wrong, but I'll make the case anyways. Cook, staying in the state of Florida where he played his college ball, teaming up with his former backfield mate Jameis Winston. Tampa Bay is so close to being a playoff contender and Cook's 1,765 yards, 19 touchdowns, and ability to juke and jump, could put them over the top.
20. Broncos: Cam Robinson (OT/Alabama): Cam Robinson desperately needs to be picked up by Denver if he's still available, because the Broncos offensive line was the reason they went from Super Bowl champions to out of the playoffs. Robinson has the flexibility to play multiple positions on the line.
21. Lions: Reuben Foster (LB/Alabama): Reuben Foster's slide will finally end here as Detroit takes him. Despite the off-the-field issues, Foster was simply dominant on one of the best defenses in Alabama history last season, piling up 115 (!) tackles and 5.0 sacks.
22. Dolphins: Forrest Lamp (OG/Western Kentucky): Forrest Lamp, coming out of a smaller school, has such people questioning his potential, but after his performance against Alabama, he proved it to me. Lamp could go anywhere between pick No. 15-30 and Miami needs some help up front, which makes sense for both sides.
23. Giants: Corey Davis (WR/Western Michigan): Corey Davis should be gone by this point, given his 1,500 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 97 catches last season, but if he's still out there, the Giants have to jump all over him. New York has a ton of talent but now that Victor Cruz is gone, they have an open slot. Davis or John Ross should be snagged at this spot, but if they're both gone, watch for tight end David Njoku.
24. Raiders: Jarrad Davis (LB/Florida): Jarrad Davis has climbed the draft boards over the last couple of weeks, and his 60 tackles and 2.0 sacks are worthy of a First Round selection. He would fit in well with a Super Bowl contending Oakland team, that just acquired Marshawn Lynch.
25. Texans: Chidobe Awuzie (CB/Colorado): Chidobe Awuzie went from likely Second or Third Round pick to No. 25 in a few short months after Colorado's season ended. He had 65 tackles and one interception, and is needed by Houston.
26. Seahawks: Quincy Wilson (CB/Florida): Quincy Wilson is the top cornerback prospect and that's precisely what Seattle needs. After 33 tackles and three picks, Wilson has shown a ton of potential after three seasons in Florida.
27. Chiefs: Zach Cunningham (LB/Vanderbilt): Zach Cunningham should be selected here, according to an un-named source, Kansas City has it's eyes set on a defensive player out of Alabama or Vanderbilt. If Reuben Foster or Marlon Humphrey are available, they should be taken, but if not, Cunningham is the choice. He had 125 (!) tackles last season and would help the Chiefs' defense.
28. Cowboys: Tre'Davious White (CB/LSU): Tre'Davious White can go a number of spots, from picks No. 10-30. If he slips to Dallas, they'll jump all over him since Morris Claiborne is gone. White had 35 tackles and a couple of interceptions for LSU last year, and would fit in well with the Cowboys.
29. Packers: T.J. Watt (DE/Wisconsin): T.J. Watt, the younger brother of Texans superstar J.J. Watt, makes a ton of sense for the Packers. Given that he is out of Wisconsin, and Green Bay needs a pass rusher, he fills in the boxes. If his 63 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and one interception aren't enough, then his Wisconsin-ties will be.
30. Steelers: Malik McDowell (LB/Michigan State): Malik McDowell, out of Michigan State, should be the pick here after going for 34 tackles and 1.5 sacks for the Spartans last year. Pittsburgh needs defensive help, after getting sliced by Tom Brady and the Patriots, 36-17, in the AFC title game. This makes sense for both parties.
31. Falcons: Taco Charlton (DE/Michigan): Taco Charlton was a standout on Michigan's defense last season, racking up 39 tackles and 9.5 sacks. Atlanta needs a stronger defense to match their incredible offense, and Charlton can provide some help.
32. Saints (via Patriots): Garett Bolles (OT/Western Kentucky): Garett Bolles isn't exactly needed by New Orleans after receiving this pick from the Patriots in the Brandin Cooks trade, but Bolles is the best available player and is definitely First Round worthy.
Photo Credit: Bleacher Report, Deseret News, LA Times, and My Fantasy Sports Talk.
