2017 NFL Mock Draft: A complete first round mock draft

#1

Myles Garrett

EDGE

Texas A&M

Analysis:

Scotty: Garrett is the best player in the draft and the Browns HAVE to select him and I think they will. They will be in the quarterback market later in the draft, but I do not forsee them taking one with the first overall pick unless they get desperate for one certain guy.

Mayock says you HAVE to take Myles Garrett at No.1. Same explosion, bend and ability to pressure as Von Miller but 20 lbs heavier. Pro Bowl.

— RosterWatch (@RosterWatch) April 21, 2017

Garrett gives the Browns another building block to a young defense full of talent.

#2

Jamal Adams

Safety

LSU

Pick Analysis:

Jeff: With the dearth of talent on their roster currently, the 49ers need to just add overall talent in this draft. In Jamal Adams, the former safety, John Lynch, is picking a guy who can play all over the secondary and be an impact player to form your defense around. Think Honey Badger, without the health issues.

#3

DeShaun Watson

Quarterback

Clemson

Pick Analysis:

Scotty: I have the Bears going with the top quarterback in the draft. They did pay Mike Glennon way too much money, but If John Fox wants to keep his job they better select a rookie quarterback to compete.

#4

Leonard Fournette

Running Back

LSU

Pick Analysis:

Jeff: The Jaguars have been reportedly high on Fournette and looking to add a playmaker for their offense early in this draft. I considered a TE here, but it feels too early for O.J. Howard.

With the addition of Fournette, the Jags hope to take some pressure off of Bortles and follow the Cowboys playbook with a top-5 RB prospect transforming their offense.

#5

Marson Lattimore

Cornerback

Ohio State

Pick Analysis:

Scotty: The Titans are in desperate need of cornerback help and get rather lucky that the top-rated corner in the draft falls right into their laps.

Lattimore has shutdown corner upside and should give the up and coming Titans a solid option at the position for years to come.

#6

Gareon Conley

Cornerback

Ohio State

Pick Analysis:

Jeff: There are a lot of directions the Jets could go here, but with DeShaun Watson off the board, their next biggest need is at CB. The Jets have been looking for a guy to fill Revis’ shoes since he left a few years ago (and even failed miserably to get Revis to fill his own shoes on a comeback tour in NY). After the Dee Milliner debacle, I’m a little hesitant to get another corner this high, but the buzz around Conley has been really picking up over the last week and word is that the Jets are very high on him. He would give them a definite upgrade in what was a porous secondary last year.

#7

Malik Hooker

Safety

Ohio State

Pick Analysis:

Scotty: Three straight Ohio State defensive backs. I hate giving division rivals great prospects but here I go. Hooker is a special talent and a steal here at pick 7. He has great ball-hawking skills and has even been compared to former Ravens great Ed Reed. He will be a menace for quarterbacks for years to come.

#8

Solomon Thomas

Defensive End

Stanford

Pick Analysis:

Jeff: Was very tempted to go with McCaffrey here or another offensive weapon for Cam, but the value with Thomas is too great. The fact that he is available outside the top-6 is a miracle and the Panthers would love for this to happen next week.

The core of their defense is built around the front-7 and they have invested heavily there over the last few years. This continues that trend, especially with Kony Ealy departing for New England. Thomas gives them some juice in the pass rush department from both the edge and the interior.

#9

Garett Bolles

Offensive Tackle

Utah

Pick Analysis:

Scotty: The Bengals lost Andrew Whitworth to the Los Angeles Rams during Free Agency and are now without a left tackle. They do have Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher already on the roster but neither has taken that step forward. So I have the Bengals taking the top tackle in the draft.

The Bengals offense remained largely intact this offseason with one glaring exception... pic.twitter.com/3HxZ8oR3nW

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 20, 2017

Bolles has been meeting with a bunch of top 10 teams recently so I think someone in this range will select him. Bengals are a tackle needy team so they make a ton of sense.

#10

Jonathan Allen

Defensive tackle

Alabama

Pick Analysis:

Jeff: With the top DBs already off the board, the Bills grab one of the top talents left. Even with his stock falling lately, I don’t see Jonathan Allen making it out of the top 10. This is a value pick for the Bills, and Allen is the best player available here.

#11

Christian McCaffrey

Running Back/Wide Receiver

Stanford

Pick Analysis:

Scotty: This makes too much sense.

McCaffrey can fill the role that was once occupied by Reggie Bush. He can line up in the backfield to spell Mark Ingram and can also line up in the slot and help replace Brandin Cooks who they traded away to the Patriots. I mean, imagine McCaffrey with Drew Brees? Good luck.

Best fits for Christian McCaffrey, including the 49ers, Saints and ... https://t.co/xpVRsIsLAJ

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 19, 2017

There are reports that there are multiple teams in the top 15 who want McCaffrey and I am willing to bet the Saints are one of them.

#12

Mitchell Trubisky

Quarterback

North Carolina

Pick Analysis:

Jeff: There are probably more talented players to be picked here, but the Browns are gonna Brown. Until they find a stable QB, they’ll continue to pick at the top of drafts and squander large amounts of draft capital. Consider this a bit of both.

If they hit, it would likely reverse their fortunes, and they already got the best player in this draft earlier so they can afford to take some risks.

If they miss, it will just go down as another casualty in a long line of blown first round picks for one of the truly laughable organizations in football.

#13

Patrick Mahomes II

Quarterback

Texas Tech

Pick Analysis:

Scotty: There’s one thing Cardinals Head Coach Bruce Arians loves to do and that is stretch the field, and that is exactly what Mahomes can do.

The Cardinals currently have Carson Palmer at quarterback but he was considering retirement this past year and is likely playing in his final year of football. So the Cardinals need to find themselves a replacement. Mahomes can be that guy and can sit and learn for a year before taking over for Palmer in 2018.

The Cardinals reportedly are fond of the raw Mahomes so this pick may happen on draft night.

#14

John Ross

Wide Receiver

Washington

Pick Analysis:

Jeff: I know they’ve made some additions in free agency, but the lack of wide receiver talent on the Eagles last year was a big reason why Carson Wentz struggled. Ross provides an explosive element and gives them some longevity at the position where they currently have a one-year rental in Alshon Jeffery and Jordan Matthews in the last year of his rookie deal.

#15

Reuben Foster

Inside Linebacker

Alabama

Pick Analysis:

Scotty: The Colts need help everywhere on defense and they couldn’t be happier by the way the board fell. Reuben Foster and Derek Barnett are both there for the Colts and they could really use both of them. I ended up going with who I believe will be the highest rated player of the two, that being Foster.

He will give the Colts defense a leader, a three-down linebacker, and a punisher at the position. He should top 100 tackles his rookie year and become an All-Pro player rather quickly.

Foster does have some medical and minor character questions, but none of which should keep him from falling out of the top 15.

#16

Derek Barnett

Defensive End

Tennessee

Pick Analysis:

Jeff: Every year it seems like a top talent falls to the Ravens, and this year is no different. The fit here is perfect with Barnett being both BPA and filling a need. Suggs and Dumervil are no spring chickens, and Barnett was one of the most productive edge rushers in college football over the last few years, rivaling Myles Garrett in sheer numbers.

#17

Dalvin Cook

Running Back

Florida State

Pick Analysis:

Scotty: Washington is a team working without a real General Manager so predicting their pick is difficult. However, it appears that they are looking for playmakers, so I see them having Dalvin Cook high on their board.

Cook was a homerun threat at Florida State and this would give Kirk Cousins another weapon and a nice compliment to big Robert Kelly.

Now he does have some character concerns and tested terribly at the Combine, but his tape is too good to ignore.

#18

Mike Williams

Wide Receiver

Clemson

Pick Analysis:

Jeff: The Titans already got their shutdown corner earlier, and continue to check off their wish list with this pick. Word is they also like WR, Corey Davis from Western Michigan, but I’m partial to Williams. This gives Mariota a big target and fills an even bigger need on the Titans roster.

#19

OJ Howard

Tight End

Alabama

Pick Analysis:

Scotty: The Bucs decision makers would be doing backflips if Howard fell into their laps in the first-round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

He would give Jameis Winston a big and athletic target and someone to pair with big Mike Evans. Also, his run blocking ability will help open up running lanes for whoever is running the ball for them.

#20

Cam Robinson

Left Tackle

Alabama

Pick Analysis:

Jeff: Denver fills their gaping hole at LT with the only day-1 starting left tackle in this draft, in my opinion. Robinson has some stance and technique issues to clean up, but his potential and pure talent are off the charts. His strength will give the run game an immediate boost, and he will get better in pass protection as the year goes on.

With tackle out of the way, Denver can now focus on stacking up with depth and talent the rest of the draft.

Scotty: Cam Robinson gives the Broncos a big and physical tackle who can start at left tackle on day one, which is something they desperately need.

He played in the tough SEC for years and held his own very well, so I think he can handle himself against NFL pass rushers his rookie year. He can also help open up running lanes for C.J. Anderson and the Broncos ball carriers.

#21

Haason Reddick

Linebacker

Temple

Pick Analysis:

Scotty: The Lions need linebacking help and get Reddick who can instantly fill that role for them and potentially challenge for Defensive Rookie Of The Year award.

Reddick is making the move from Defensive End to Linebacker, but he has the athleticism to make the switch.

Reddick is one of my favorite prospects in this year’s draft and I think the Lions got themselves a good one here.

#22

Forrest Lamp

Guard

Western Kentucky

Pick Analysis:

Jeff: One of the "safest" picks in this draft also fills a need for the Miami Dolphins and allows last year’s first round pick, Tunsil to shift back to Left Tackle.

A day-1 starter, with refined technique, Lamp could end up being one of the best players from this first round in a few years.

#23

Ryan Ramczyk

Offensive Tackle

Wisconsin

Pick Analysis:

Scotty: The Giants have tackle Ereck Flowers currently protecting Eli Manning’s blindside, but he’s not very good at it. Now enter the big Ryan Ramczyk to replace him at left tackle and allow Flowers to move to right tackle.

Ramczyk has some risks, but I think he will be worth the risk for the Giants Front Office.

#24

Malik McDowell

Defensive Line

Michigan State

Pick Analysis:

Jeff: The Raiders already have Kalil Mack and Bruce Irvin on the outside, but are lacking a difference maker on the interior of their D-line.

This is what the Raiders are working with on their interior D-line after the release of Dan Williams and the free agency loss of Stacy McGee pic.twitter.com/Kilw7HIn56

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 20, 2017

#25

DeShone Kizer

Quarterback

Notre Dame

Pick Analysis:

Scotty: The Houston Texans traded away Brock Osweiler at the start of Free Agency, and Tony Romo picked broadcasting over them, so now they turn to the draft to find their starting quarterback.

Kizer was once considered the top quarterback in this class but ends up being the fourth one selected in this draft. He will give the Texans an athletic and strong-armed quarterback who can finally be their quarterback of the future.

#26

Kevin King

Cornerback

Washington

Pick Analysis:

Jeff: Surprise surprise, Seattle gets another tall, long cornerback. Kevin King fits exactly what Seattle likes to do and finally gives them their long-term answer at corner opposite of Richard Sherman.

Kevin King's change-of-direction ability is one of the top bits of athleticism in the draft class. https://t.co/uoaz2c2VZW

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 18, 2017

#27

Davis Webb

Quarterback

California

Pick Analysis:

Scotty: The Chiefs are looking for their replacement for Alex Smith so they turn to the big armed Davis Webb. This is a bit of a reach, but Pittsburgh could sneak in for Webb with Big Ben flirting with retirement, so the Chiefs get their future signal caller.

Webb can sit a year or two before eventually taking over for the mediocre Alex Smith.

#28

Obi Melifonwu

Safety

Connecticut

Pick Analysis:

Jeff: Two years ago Dallas selected a defensive back out of UConn with crazy size and athleticism in Byron Jones. That move has panned out quite nicely for them so far, so why not double down. I don’t know what they feed their DBs in Connecticut, but at 6’4"/225lbs, Obi Melifonwu is a physical specimen and he has the tape to back it up.

To show just how much of a freak he is, below is a graph of all defensive backs at the combine since 1999 with Vertical and Broad jump plotted along the y and x axis (respectively). That dot in the far corner way ahead of everyone else, is Obi. The lone dot just a bit ahead of him? Byron Jones.

Put those two together in the defensive backfield, pop some popcorn, and sit back and watch

Data courtesy of the Inside The Pylon Draft Guide. Check it out here.

#29

Tyus Bowser

EDGE

Houston

Pick Analysis:

Scotty: The Packers lost veteran Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews is a year older so they look to add some youth and talent to the position.

The Packers secondary needs some help, but one way to improve a secondary is improving the pass rush, so I have them going edge over corner here.

#30

T.J. Watt

EDGE

Wisconsin

Pick Analysis:

Jeff: The buzz around TJ Watt has been rising over the last few weeks, and I like the fit with the Steelers. They are in desperate need of a pass rusher as they have continuously whiffed on first round edge rushers.

With Watt you know what kind of work ethic and tenacity you’re getting, and he gets tips and training from his older brother every off-season. He should fill the James Harrison void nicely.

#31

Takkarist McKinley

EDGE

UCLA

Pick Analysis:

Scotty: The defending NFC Champs need an extra pass rusher or two, so I have them taking McKinley here. If it weren't for an injury, he would likely go a bit earlier in the draft, so the Falcons get a steal here.

#32

Budda Baker

Safety

Washington

Pick Analysis:

Jeff: Baker is one of my favorite prospects in this draft and the Saints need a playmaker in the secondary. Baker can line up all over from slot corner, to strong safety, to manning up against tight ends. I liken him to a version of the Honey Badger. Scotty likes to call him another Bob Sanders. I think both comparisons are accurate for what will likely be an immediate impact player in this league.