2017 NFL Mock Draft: Broncos get their left tackle in the first round

#1

Myles Garrett

EDGE

Texas A&M

Pick Analysis:

While there is still talk that this pick could be UNC quarterback Mitchell Tribisky, it's likely going to be the best player in this draft, Myles Garrett. He would give the Browns defense an instant playmaker and someone who can give them a Von Miller-like impact on defense.

Do not screw this up, Cleveland.

#2

Jamal Adams

Safety

LSU

Pick Analysis:

New General Manager John Lynch gets himself a big time playmaking safety in his first draft picking for the Niners. Adams will pair with Eric Reid and give the Niners one of the better safety tandems in the league.

This pick could go a number of ways and set the tone of the draft.

#3

Marshon Lattimore

Cornerback

Ohio State

Pick Analysis:

When you're in the same division as Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford, you need to build a good secondary, so I have the Bears taking the top corner in this draft.

Lattimore has shutdown corner qualities and can quickly become a difference maker in this league

#4

Leonard Fournette

Running Back

LSU

Pick Analysis:

This might be one of the easier picks to make in the draft. Fournette can have a Zeke Elliott type impact for the Jaguars and give quarterback Blake Bortles some more help.

Give the Jaguars a good running game and pair it with that defense and the Jaguars could improve quickly in 2017.

#5

Mitchell Trubisky

Quarterback

North Carolina

Pick Analysis:

TRADE ALERT!

This trade has been theorized a lot recently and makes too much sense for it not to happen. The Browns desperately want Trubisky and are considering him with the first pick. They have the ammo to make this trade happen and kinda have to get Trubisky after passing on Wentz last season.

The Titans continue to stockpile picks and build up their ever-improving roster.

#6

O.J. Howard

Tight End

Alabama

Pick Analysis:

A simple analysis here. The Jets need everything and O.J. Howard is probably the best and safest prospect on the board. He will be a nice target for whatever quarterback they get in the first-round of the 2018 draft.

#7

Jonathan Allen

Defensive Lineman

Alabama

Pick Analysis:

The Chargers shocked the world last year and took Joey Bosa, will they do it again? I think so. Allen is a dominant run stopper who would pair nicely with Bosa and make the Chargers D-Line pretty damn good going forward.

#8

Christian McCaffrey

Running Back/Receiver

Stanford

Pick Analysis:

Sorry Broncos fans, Christian McCaffrey isn't coming home.

Carolina needs some help on the offensive side of the ball and someone to spell Jonathan Stewart some, so here comes McCaffrey. He'll play running back, receiver, and returner for the Panthers and be an instant playmaker.

#9

Solomon Thomas

Defensive End

Stanford

Pick Analysis:

Bengals need another pass rusher and quickly turn this pick in for the dominant Solomon Thomas.

#10

Malik Hooker

Safety

Ohio State

Pick Analysis:

The Bills could go a number of ways here, but I think Malik Hooker will be too good to pass up here. He has Ed Reed like upside and will give the Bills a ball-hawking centerfielder for their defense.

You need players like this with Tom Brady in your division.

#11

Derek Barnett

Defensive End

Tenessee

Pick Analysis:

The Saints need defensive help big time, so they get the best defensive player on the board right now. Barnett was a sack machine in the SEC and now will look to carry it over to the NFL.

#12

Mike Williams

Wide Receiver

Clemson

Pick Analysis:

The Titans trade back and still get their top guy on their board.

They need a big-time playmaking receiver so they get big Mike Williams from Clemson. He'll be a nice weapon for Marcus Mariota.

#13

Patrick Mahomes

Quarterback

Texas Tech

Pick Analysis:

Carson Palmer is old and likely will not make it through the season so the Cardinals need a quarterback. So they the big-armed but very raw Mahomes here at pick 13. Bruce Arians loves the deep ball and Mahomes has a cannon so it's a good fit.

They could wait, but doubt Mahomes gets past the Texans or even the Giants/Chiefs.

#14

Charles Harris

Defensive End/EDGE

Missouri

Pick Analysis:

The Eagles could use another pass rusher so they get one of the better ones still on the board. Harris is explosive and would be a nice addition to the Eagles front seven.

#15

Haason Reddick

Linebacker

Temple

Pick Analysis:

The fall for Foster doesn't last long. The Colts need a bunch of help on the defensive side of the ball and Reddick should be too good to pass up here.

#16

Cam Robinson

Offensive Tackle

Alabama

Pick Analysis:

Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome LOVES himself some Alabama prospects, and a big ol right tackle from Bama is right there for him. The Ravens lost Ricky Wagner in free agency and look to Cam to be his replacement. They also will play him at right tackle which is likely his position in the NFL

#17

Malik McDowell

Defensive Lineman

Michigan State

Pick Analysis:

Mocking for a team without a General Manager is difficult so I have them rolling the dice on Malik McDowell. He fills a need and has top 10 talent, but needs a coaching staff to get him going. If Washington can do that, they have themselves a steal here

#18

Chidobe Awuzie

Cornerback

Colorado

Pick Analysis:

The Titans need a bunch of help at corner and end up getting Awuzie here with their second first-round pick. Awuzie can play inside or outside, he can tackle, and is a good coverage corner.

#19

Dalvin Cook

Running Back

Florida State

Pick Analysis:

There are talks that the Bucs really like Cook and there are also talks that Cook could fall out of the first round completely, so it's tough to say what happens here. Either way, the Bucs need help at the RB position and Cook had a great career at FSU. If he can keep his head screwed on straight, he can be a big-time home run threat for them.

#20

Garett Bolles

Offensive Tackle

Utah

Pick Analysis:

Whether we like it or not, the Broncos are high on Bolles and Elway will probably try his best to get the athletic Bolles. Draft analyst Tony Pauline stated that the Broncos are among the teams "very high" on Bolles and pick ahead of the other three teams listed.

Some teams are still very high on #Utah OT Garett Bolles including the #Broncos, #Giants, #Raiders, & #Texans: https://t.co/XPgEPht8IV pic.twitter.com/WvoKQaLYB3

— Draft Analyst (@DraftAnalyst1) April 26, 2017

Bolles would give the Broncos a mean and nasty lineman who is highly athletic and excels in the run game. He has the feet to mirror edge rushers but needs time to develop into a complete tackle.

Some of his biggest concerns are being a 25-year-old rookie, being a one-year wonder, core strength, and his mental makeup. If the Broncos spend a first-round pick on a guy they must feel comfortable with those issues.

If Dalvin Cook is there at 19, he'll be there at 28 too.

Team moving up to watch? #Seahawks. Bolles the target. They plan on OL in 1st. https://t.co/oYKZEUGcdw

— Eric Galko (@OptimumScouting) April 26, 2017

Now here's where things get tricky. Teams know that the Broncos want Bolles, so the Seahawks and Giants could both look to move up ahead of Denver to get Bolles and/or Ramczyk and Robinson. This potential trading up by those teams could force Elway's hand into moving up to make sure they get their guy. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

I have Ramczyk going to the Giants at 23, but I'd be comfortable swapping these picks. Either way, I expect one of these two tackles to be a Bronco by the end of the night.

Well, unless Elway has fooled us all. We shall see.

#21

Taco Charlton

Pick Analysis:

The Lions need to add some pass rushing help opposite of Ziggy Ansah and get that with Michigan's Taco Charlton. Taco is a big guy with some pass rushing skills who can probably start right away. You need to rush the passer especially when you have Aaron Rodgers in your division.

#22

Forrest Lamp

Guard

Western Kentucky

Pick Analysis:

Lamp is the perfect pick for the Dolphins. Tunsil and Lamp in back to back years? Not fair. He will slide in at guard and quickly improve the Dolphins offensive line.

#23

Ryan Ramczyk

Offensive Tackle

Wisconsin

Pick Analysis:

Ereck Flowers is a not a left tackle which means the Giants are in desperate need to find a blindside blocker for Eli Manning. Wisconsin's Ramczyk makes a ton of sense here and could be the pick if his medicals are all good.

#24

Jarrad Davis

Pick Analysis:

The Raiders need some help at the inside linebacker position so they get Florida's, Jarrad Davis. He's a 3-down sideline to sideline linebacker with good speed and someone who can thump.

#25

DeShaun Watson

Quarterback

Clemson

Pick Analysis:

The Texans will likely have to trade up to get Watson, but they need to get a quarterback somehow. Watson is a proven winner in college and probably could step in right away and start for the Texans.

#26

Obi Melifonwu

Safety/Cornerback

Connecticut

Pick Analysis:

The Seahawks may trade for a tackle, but if not I see them going after Obi. They love size at the defensive back position and he has the athleticism to play at cornerback or safety. He could be a nice compliment to Richard Sherman at cornerback.

#27

Reuben Foster

Inside Linebacker

Alabama

Pick Analysis:

The Chiefs greatly improve their defense with this pick and get the top 10 talent here at the end of the first round. I hate this pick.

#28

Adoree Jackson

Cornerback

USC

Pick Analysis:

Rumor has it that the Cowboys really like the athletic Adoree Jackson so I have them going with him here. He's a pure coverage corner who can be an explosive return man as well.

#29

T.J. Watt

Outside Linebacker

Wisconsin

Pick Analysis:

The Packers could use another pass rusher and J.J. Watt's brother is on the board. How can you pass up those bloodlines? Forget who his brother is, T.J. is a damn good prospect himself. He will pair nicely with Nick Perry and Clay Matthews.

#30

David Njoku

Tight End

Miami

Pick Analysis:

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger reportedly has been asking for a tight end in the draft and Miami's Njoku falls to them in the late first round, so it kinda has to happen, right? Adding him to Antonio Brown, Martavius Bryant, and Le'Veon Bell makes this already explosive offense even better.

#31

Derek Rivers

Defensive End

Youngstown State

Pick Analysis:

Last year, the Falcons surprised everyone by "reaching" for Keanu Neal and it paid off nicely for them, so I think they will do the same this year. Youngstown State's Derek Rivers a big and explosive edge rusher who really stood out at the Senior Bowl. They need someone to pair with Vic Beasley.

#32

John Ross

Wide Receiver

Washington

Pick Analysis:

The new 40-time king probably goes earlier than this, but the Saints need to replace Brandin Cooks and Ross provides a similar quick strike ability. He would be a big time home run threat for Drew Brees.