1) Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, Defensive End, Texas A&M
In a class lacking any slam-dunk, can’t-miss prospects, the Browns are in a unique position to grab the best player on their board and not feel pressure to overdraft a signal caller. Now, let’s just hope they don’t screw this up and miss out on one of the best defensive ends to come out of college since Julius Peppers.
2) (TRADE) Carolina Panthers: Leonard Fournette, Running Back, LSU
Panthers are hot and heavy for Fournette. In a copycat league, they’re after an Ezekiel Elliot-type repeat with a rebuilt offensive line and power running scheme in place. Shifting the focus of the offensive gameplan onto a new bruiser in the backfield 25 times per game will take some much-needed pressure off Cam Newton for once.
With the feeling they’re only a few pieces away, the front office gladly gives up their second-round pick to grab what they feel is this year’s Rookie of the Year between his talent and the amount of volume of touches he will share right out the gate.
3) (TRADE) Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Hooker, Safety, Ohio State
Word on the street is that the Chargers have a growing obsession for Hooker and his ability to create turnovers against the pass. With his outstanding range, Hooker soaks up center field — baiting passers to throw his way — and makes them pay thanks to his elite ball skills. Hooker is an absolute perfect match for Gus Bradley’s “Cover 1 & 3” schemes which put pressure on the single high safety being able to cover a ton of ground quickly. Injuries and medicals will raise some flags, but when healthy, Hooker is a game-changing safety that doesn’t come around often. He’s already getting compared to Ed Reed.
With Joey Bosa set to wreak havoc on passers for the next decade, finding an equally lethal counterpart to take advantage of those errant throws in the back end is worth an extra second-round pick.
4) Jacksonville Jaguars: Solomon Thomas, Defense Line, Stanford
Have you seen the Jaguars defense? I’ve never seen a franchise be able to buy themselves a championship; however, this Jaguars defense has more young and raw talent than any squad I’ve seen.
They scooped up Pro Bowlers Calais Campbell and AJ Bouye to mix-and-match with budding stars Telvin Smith, Jalen Ramsey, Myles Jack. Not to mention former No. 3 Dante Fowler is finally healthy and set to come back.
So, more defense? With no worthy quarterback — yeah, I said it — or offensive linemen worth of a top pick here, it’s time to continue to stockpile talent with the slogan “Defense Wins Championships”.
Thomas gets to start his career bullying quarterbacks in passing down situations while he learns the nuances of the NFL and becoming a full three-down player next to Malik Jackson and Campbell.
5) Tennessee Titans: Marshon Lattimore, Cornerback, Ohio State
I’m so impressed how well the Titans have drafted the past two seasons while finding ways to add extra draft picks in the process. Don’t be surprised if they try to move back again; adding wide receivers and secondary is what they need to come out of this weekend with. Luckily, with two first-round picks, this front office will have tons of great options and a few blue-chip talents staring them in the face.
Lattimore is smooth and silky with lightning feet and fluid hips. In an ultra-deep class of cornerbacks, Lattimore is separating himself from the pack by looking like a cover corner that will compete with the league’s premier wideouts with the proper coaching. In a division with Deandre Hopkins, T.Y. Hilton and Allen Robinson, we’ll find out quickly how good Lattimore can be.
6) New York Jets: Jamal Adams, Safety, LSU
The Jets seem committed to the quarterbacks on the roster now, focused on developing the young talent they have in guys like Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty. If that’s the case, they need to surround them with as much talent as possible.
Playing ball controlled offense means being able to play smash-mouth, hard-nosed, physical defense too. With a defensive line set in place to soak up blockers, a speedy safety that can knock the snot out of people is just what the doctored ordered.
Adams is a bullet on tape and packs a huge punch in his frame. A sure handed tackler that will live in the box making plays. Adams’ versatility as a nickel cornerback adds another layer of value to his already impressive resume.
7) Chicago Bears: Jonathan Allen, Defensive Line, Alabama
Somebody is going to have a consensus stud drop right into their lap. After a wise trade down, the Bears grab a player they were going to take at No. 3 overall, anyway.
Allen has watched his stock drop as of late but is still one of the best players in this draft. With an ability to play inside and outside, Allen will be the new cornerstone inside the Bears front seven, opening plays up for the players around him for a long time.
With Allen and Jonathan Bullard shooting up their gaps on passing downs, John Fox can finally open up his playbook and free up top-10 pick Leonard Floyd off the edge in 2017.
8) (TRADE) San Francisco 49ers: Reuben Foster, Inside Linebacker, Alabama
It’s great to see someone else nab Foster for once as he continuously slipped to the Bengals time and time again. However, after a sneaky trade down to gather an extra second rounder, the Niners wisely don’t force a quarterback and instead grab the second best player in the entire draft.
Foster is a man amongst boys, with his ability to sniff through the garbage and constantly beat his man for a big play. Against the run, blitzing into the backfield and dropping back in coverage, the guy is a true three-down linebacker that gives the defense a new Patrick Willis to lean on.
9) Cincinnati Bengals: John Ross, Wide Receiver, Washington
Time for some people to wake up on just how explosive this guy is. There’s fast, and then there’s 4.22 fast. Ross plays football at another gear than everyone else. Like when Desean Jackson first entered the league, Ross will stun opposing secondaries with lighting speed over the top of safeties.
Defenses have to play so deep on Ross, he made a living picking apart cornerbacks underneath on comebacks and slants for 10 yards a pop his entire senior season while scoring 17 touchdowns.
The days of A.J. Green being harassed by triple teams are over. With the two working next to each other in the slot and on the boundary, defenses have to pick their poison, giving Andy Dalton a new spark and big-play weapon to play with.
10) Buffalo Bills: O.J. Howard, Tight End, Alabama
Howard is the total package from blocking, size, speed and durability. In this pass-happy league, Howard will be used all over as a chess piece for Tyrod Taylor, becoming a matchup nightmare against smaller cornerbacks and sluggish linebackers.
Watch the Bills rip out a page from their division rival when it comes to duplicating the looks the Patriots use with Rob Gronkowski, moving Howard in the slot and outside as a wide receiver.
11) New Orleans Saints: Christian McCaffrey, Running Back, Stanford
As an advocate on waiting for a running back in a pass-heavy league, I still love everything about this pick. The second-most explosive skill player of his class — behind Ross — McCaffrey is a lightning bug in the open field that is playing chess while everyone else in playing checkers.
The most elusive player in the open field I’ve seen in years when it comes to making men miss gets to give the Saints backfield a major shot of youth and talent. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With the son of Broncos great Ed McCaffrey, you also get a major threat as a wide receiver too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0cQca5f3wk
With the departure of Brandin Cooks, McCaffrey comes in willing and able to soften the blow and scoop up all of his old targets. Getting Drew Brees a few weapons during his final stretch should be on the to-do list.
12) Cleveland Browns (via Eagles): Mitchell Trubisky, Quarterback, North Carolina
The Browns have the potential to do more damage in this draft than any other team, starting with the No. 1 player of the class, followed by a new franchise quarterback. While it’s rumored they’re interested in Patrick Mahomes II, it’s also important to remember that Trubisky only started 13 games in college. Having him sit and learn the nuances of the NFL for not one but two years will be a catalyst to his long term success.
13) Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Mahomes II, Quarterback, Texas Tech
Every year, one quarterback soars up the draft boards the last month of the draft to become a top-15 pick despite so many question marks. However, Mahomes’ loud fastball and gunslinger mentality are starting to trump his lack of mechanics for most teams.
With his father a former major league pitcher, Mahomes has the big light genes. And in a league desperate for big-time talent to develop at the position, Mahomes will be drafted higher than he likely should. There’s no better landing spot than Arizona though, as Bruce Arians will work his magic while he teaches about his vertical passing offense.
It’s not always pretty or easy, but grooming your predecessor signal caller is what every good team does.
14) Philadelphia Eagles (via Vikings): Gareon Conley, Cornerback, Ohio State
The Eagles nailed their franchise quarterback hunt. Now, building a defense that can help him close out close games late in the fourth quarter is step two. Conley is the best cornerback — in an ultra-deep class — you may not have heard about. After being shadowed by his teammate Lattimore, Conley has killed the pre-draft process and made a legitimate name of his own.
Expect Conley to go in the first half of round one, with the Eagles being the ideal landing spot. With no cornerstones on the boundary right now, the Eagles need to get some serious young talent in the back end of their defense early in this draft.
15) Indianapolis Colts: Ryan Ramczyk, Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin
Colts were lucky enough to go from Peyton Manning to Andrew Luck but have been horrible in building anything around him. Throwing away early picks on guys like Trent Richardson (via trade) and Phillip Dorsett instead of investing into defense or polished skill players surely didn’t help.
Now, it’s time to finish rebuilding his offensive line, giving him the protection a pure pocket passer needs for the next decade. Investing in last year’s first pick Ryan Kelly will pay huge dividends. However, grabbing a powerhouse at the tackle position opens up a whole new world of options for Luck. Being able to grind games out behind a new physical offensive line will be a breath of fresh air for their offensive coordinator.
16) Baltimore Ravens: Forrest Lamp, Offensive Lineman, Western Kentucky
Ozzie Newsome is still one of the better general managers in the league and recognizes special talent when he sees it. Newsome wisely takes advantage of the best player at his position in the entire draft, while continuing to rebuild his trenches after the addition of Ronnie Stanley.
Safe is sexy. When you draft Lamp you know exactly what you’re getting: a tough-nosed interior lineman who shut down Alabama and can play anywhere you need him to in a pinch. Forget about his size and arm length, the guy can flat out play. Think Zach Martin-lite.
With Lamp and Stanley, the Ravens have the youngest wall of talent on the left side of their offensive line and a building block of protection in a physical brand of football being played in the AFC North.
17) (TRADE) Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson, Quarterback, Clemson
When it comes to predicting where and how these quarterbacks are going to tumble around the first round i’m perplexed as the next guy. I do, however, fully expect to see some of these names fall further than we ever anticipated due to the fact that at the end of the day there aren’t any slam-dunk “can’t miss” prospects.
Teams will instead take more polished talent early on building a solid foundation of talent around whichever quarterback they look to sneak back into the first round and pluck from the best of the rest, similar to the Vikings trading up to pick 32 after Teddy Bridgewater fell hard throughout day one of the draft.
This is all great news for the Texans, who at one point looked like they’d have no one from the top tier left to choose from. They’d be otherwise forced to trade a king’s ransom to get up into the top 12 to do so. Here, however, they have their pick of Watson or Kizer. While Kizer owns more of the prototypical build for a franchise quarterback, it’s Watson who owns the intangibles you just can’t teach, at a position that demands instincts, accuracy, and a knack for the bright lights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXqzBEPwuCw
Watson checks everyone of those boxes and is a guy that can come in and put this offense in a great position to succeed on an efficient note in year one, finally taking advantage of a Super Bowl caliber defense on the other side.
18) Tennessee Titans: Mike Williams, Wide Receiver, Clemson
The hard part is over as the Titans found their new franchise signal caller. Now, it’s vital to get Mariota his weapons to help continue his development and help avoid any type of plateau.
Of the “Big Three” wideouts, it’s very unlikely Williams would actually fall this far. As the best jump ball threat of the class, Williams is a guy who is open even when he’s covered. With Mariota’s ability to create plays outside the pocket, Williams’ traits would be a nightmare to cover on those extended plays downfield coming down with those 50-50 balls.
The Titans are now booking tickets to Minneapolis for their Super Bowl run after stealing two of the best skill-position prospects in the draft that just happens to fill their two biggest needs.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Corey Davis, Wide Receiver, Western Michigan
Much like the Titans the selection before, one of the most important things i emphasis after finding a franchise quarterback is to start surrounding him with talent. Tampa is taking a page out of Oakland’s playbook grabbing Amari Cooper for Derek Carr. While Cooper’s not the end-all, be-all for Carr, he has provided a weapon he can count on, build with for the future and boost his confidence. These are things that are vital for a young quarterback.
These are the things the Buccaneers should look to help Jameis Winston. You can’t argue what Mike Evans has done for him — forming one of the best young duos in the game — however, adding another elite option in a pass-heavy league will add another dimension to the playbook.
He’s wasn’t at the combine, but Davis shows off superb athleticism for a big-boy frame in the mold of Demaryius Thomas. This will give Winston a sandbox buddy to play with for years to come, allowing him to avoid any type of slump and strengthening his consistency.
20) Denver Broncos: Garett Bolles, Offensive Tackle, Utah
I’m starting to sound redundant but it’s my motto: Use your first-round pick to draft what you hope is a franchise quarterback, then you better invest in talent around him to protect your investment. While the Bucs and Titans grabbed skill players to help their young QBs in the passing game, John Elway knows this game still starts upfront in the trenches.
When you talk about guys who have the highest ceilings, Bolles is at the top for his position. With just one full year under his belt, Bolles hasn’t been able to show us the consistency from year-to-year we’d like to see; however, his size of size, strength and most impressive athleticism is a rare blend you just can’t find anymore.
In an ultra-weak class of pure and true offensive tackles it’s going to be vital for franchises with offensive line needs to grab one of the tops guys like Bolles early on. While raw, I’d be surprised if Bolles didn’t steal the starting left tackle job after training camp from Donald Stephenson, allowing Menelik Watson to stay put at right tackle.
21) Detroit Lions: Haason Reddick, Outside Linebacker, Temple
I’ve heard from inside sources the Lions have grown to love Reddick throughout the process. This guy stole the show at the Senior Bowl and was hands down the best defender on the squad. Not only did he show an explosion off the ball and into the backfield that was unmatched, but also the smooth hips to follow running backs and tight ends all over the field. His 4.52 40-yard dash all but sealed his fate falling no further than 21.
Reddick gives defensive coordinator great versatility in his looks and call with his ability to explode off the edge helping take pressure of Ziggy Ansah, as well as cover, chase, and tackle as a pure inside linebacker, where he originally lined up at Temple.
22) Miami Dolphins: Kevin King, Cornerback, Washington
Are we watching a star in the making? Can’t argue King shined brightly at the combine and owns freaky physical tools with a 6-foot-4 frame and a vertical jump through the roof.
The Dolphins have lacked a player in their secondary who can make quarterbacks pay for deep balls downfield for nearly a decade. Some will argue he is still raw and far from polished as the Huskies No. 2 cornerback (behind Sidney Jones). However, in a league that’s been obsessed with trying to find the next Richard Sherman, King could be the Dolphins’ golden ticket.
In five years’ time, this is a selection that will catapult the defense, or sink it further into mediocrity. But, with his time at safety, nickel cornerback, and outside on the boundary, a smart defensive coordinator will get his money’s worth out of his rare athletic ability.
23) New York Giants: Cam Robinson, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
With the likely resigning of Johnathan Hankins, did you know the Giants are set to return all of their defensive starters. That’s nuts, and really allows Jerry Reese to take the best available player in the first round.
Outside of one of the blue-chip prospects falling here, the best-case scenario is a top-rated offensive tackle being available. Robinson was a top-10 prospect at one point but struggled staying consistent against speed rushers.
You can’t deny, however, Robinson’s brute strength and mauling abilities which translates well into the NFL, even if it’s just at right tackle. Adding another big body to the trenches helps the Giants do what they do best, protect pure pocket passer Eli Manning.
24) Oakland Raiders: Dalvin Cook, Running Back, Florida State
After building a young core through the draft and bringing in the last puzzle pieces through free agency, the Raiders have the luxury not to press any one position of need here.
The possibility of Cook in the mix inside an already potent offense is downright scary. His threat to hit a home-run on every touch forced defenses to focus on the Raiders backfield for the first time since since Bo Jackson (No, I’m not comparing him to Bo). This will open up throwing lanes and coverage mismatches Carr has never seen in the big leagues yet. Not to mention, what a weapon Cook is in the passing game too. Giving Carr yet another player he can target on short and intermediate routes when needed.
I flirted with Cook as a top-10 pick early in the process but, the combine raised many question marks from healthy concerns (bum shoulder) as well as the kind of guy he will be off the field. It all adds up to a classic boom-or-bust pick the Raiders have always been known for.
25) (TRADE) Washington Redskins: Malik McDowell, Defensive Line, Michigan State
The Redskins steal an extra pick from a quarterback-needy team in the Texans, only to find themselves with one of the best interior prospects falling into their lap.
Ask three different guys and you’ll get three different answers on McDowell, who flashes dominant (and I mean dominant) top-five potential. After a down season for the Spartans, though, McDowell seemed to quit on his coaches and teammates and that will raise red flags (similar to Kansas City’s Chris Jones). Keep him motivated and he’s a building block that wreaks havoc in the middle.
When the motor is firing on all cylinders, McDowell is a thing of beauty, fighting through double teams and penetrating into the backfield. Adding his talent and versatility into the Redskins 3-4 unit will be welcomed with open arms, helping this defense shut down offenses late in games and go from good to great.
26) Seattle Seahawks: Taylor Moton, Offensive Tackle, Western Michigan
Some teams have the luxury to take the best player on their board — regardless of position. The Seahawks don’t fall under that category as a squad that is pigeonholed and forced to rebuild their offensive line from the ground up. The unit is so bad, you can expect them to use two of their first three picks on offensive lineman and close to a handful of selections when it’s all said and done.
I’ll help clear the air though. Moton is far from a reach, even at 26. One of the strongest players I saw down in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, Moton was a mauler at the line of scrimmage turning heads on every rep he took. Watch the film and you’ll see a technically sound player who plays through the whistle and keeps his head on a swivel during stunts and blitzes.
Russell Wilson and the offense would be lucky to have him as he will add a new presence of physicality to their identity while offering the ability to play both outside at tackle, and inside at guard if needed.
27) Kansas City Chiefs: Deshone Kizer, Quarterback, Notre Dame
Kizer could be the top quarterback in the class simply because he has all the qualities you look for. He has underrated accuracy, excellent arm strength and poise under pressure. His athletic ability is a nice cherry on top and should help the Chiefs finally move forward from Alex Smith. Physically, Kizer is the prototypical signal caller to build your new era around if you’re Andy Reid.
It’s a fact, quarterback guru Andy Reid plucks a guy to develop every year. Last year, he passed up on Dak Prescott in the fourth round for Stanford’s Kevin Hogan. This year, he’s willing to spend the money with his first pick knowing more times than not you get what you pay for.
While Smith will still be the guy for the 2017 season, Kizer can sit back and develop in the ideal situation for any young signal caller, with a clipboard in his hand on the bench.
28) Dallas Cowboys: Marlon Humphrey, Cornerback, Alabama
What a magical run for the Cowboys last season. Stealing what looks to be a franchise quarterback in the fourth round and pairing him with fourth overall pick in Elliott was a combination that couldn’t be stopped. Now, it’s vital to keep the momentum and build the pieces around them for a Super Bowl run.
That’s easier said than done, as the team lost key pieces on defense to free agency, while still trying to get young but talented players inside their front-seven to play a full 16-game slate. For now, though, this is the year to add talent to the secondary in a loaded class that will force highly ranked players down the totem pole.
Humphrey is arguably the most physical cornerback of his peers and is the best run defender off the edge I’ve seen on tape and will add a serious presence at and near the line of scrimmage because of it. Humphrey isn’t the most polished defensive back to ever come out, but with his size and physical tools can be molded into a No. 1 cornerback down the road.
With an offense set to light the scoreboard up once again, shutting down opposing teams’ passing games looking to play catch up will be vital. Humphrey adds a shot of youth into the secondary while young talent like Demarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory, and Maliek Collins try to put it altogether on the defensive line.
29) Green Bay Packers: Charles Harris, EDGE, Missouri
I spoke in length about the Packers offseason plans and wish list with fellow draft guru and Packer insider Justis Mosqueda, who was stern about the need to stay away from cornerbacks in round one. This is because Dom Capers defense is so nuanced and intricate that it takes most cornerbacks a full three years to get comfortable inside of it. Thus, early round picks like Quinten Rollins and Damarious Randall should be primed to showcase their athletic and playmaking skill sets we saw coming out of college sooner than later. It’s also such a deep draft class that waiting on the position should give you better value on days two and three.
Mosqueda also pointed out the defensive line would likely be ignored early on with Mike Daniels domination and 21-year-old Kenny Clarke developing next to him. Justis told us to expect an edge player in the first round and spoke highly of Harris. From the tape alone Harris had the best first step of any pass rusher I have watched and like the long list of Mizzou lineman before him, has a great pedigree after his dominant production in the SEC.
With Peppers fleeing to Charlotte and Clay Matthews lacking the surrounding talent to keep from being triple teamed, look for Ted Thompson to try and find him help with guys that can bring pressure off the edge and consistently beat one-on-one blocks like Harris can do.
30) Pittsburgh Steelers: Budda Baker, Safety, Washington
Size is the issue for Baker. Two inches taller and he’s in the discussion in the top-10 next to Jamal Adams and Malik Hooker. He is, however, a torpedo on the field with unmatched acceleration and game speed. Baker finishes plays behind the line of scrimmage with the ability to cover and play like a slot cornerback, giving one team good versatility. Think Honey Badger-lite.
31) Atlanta Falcons: Dan Feeney, Offensive Guard, Indiana
It’s going to be very, very, difficult for any team to come back after a loss like that in the biggest game you can play. After blowing the biggest lead in Super Bowl history, the Falcons must now find a way to build their momentum back up and prove to themselves they can close out games in the second half.
You do that by playing keep away with a ball-control offense, wearing opposing defenses down by churning out first downs and keeping them on the field.
Enter Feeney. Arguably the best pure guard in the class, with big boy strength that knocks the socks off his opponent, Feeny does a great job of getting up into the second level in the run game too adding a real element of physicality that coaches desire.
Don’t worry Matt Ryan, this pick helps you too. In 1,239 passing attempts, he allowed just 19 total hurries, four hits and two sacks. Feeney truly is a quarterback’s best friend.
32) New Orleans Saints: Tre White, Cornerback, LSU
After nabbing this extra first round pick, the Saints now have five picks in the top 103 selections, allowing them to do some major damage and help rebuild their defense from zero to hero in just one offseason.
The from office has quietly loaded up their defensive line with my favorite prospect from the 2016 class Sheldon Rankins, on top of Cameron Jordan and Nick Fairley. The second level has good young pieces in place in Stephone Anthony and Hau’oli Kikaha, plus, A.J. Klein was one of the best free agent linebackers off the second-tier guys.
Now, it’s time to load up the secondary with more youth as talent P.J. Williams can’t hold down the fort all on his own. White has been one of the best cornerbacks since he started his sophomore season. With three full seasons under his belt, White is seasoned and primed to jump into the league as an early contributor right away.
Between his speed, fluid hips and quick feet, White has the athletic tools to keep up with the NFL’s best speed wideouts, while he works on and refines his technique the first few seasons. White also will add a new element to the return game on special teams too, something the Saints may still be on the look out for should Ted Ginn Jr. lose a step.
