My NFL Draft 1st Round Mock Draft 1.0

NFL Draft 1^st Round Mock Draft 1.0

Here it is… 

FOOTBALL! It is officially the 2017 season as the start of free agency started over a month ago now and things always heat up again at the draft where many teams use to find the future franchise players or complete monster trades or just do whatever the Browns do. This year they have 2 picks in the first round and truly cannot mess up the 1^st pick but the 12^th presents some interesting possibilities. I also think something interesting is going to happen at the end of the 1^st round… stay tuned. Anyway… sit back… relax… and pick apart my opinions. Enjoy!

Pick 1: Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett, DE Texas A&M

This is a slam dunk and I would be absolutely shocked if he is not a superstar for the Browns. If they will be great it is going to be on the offensive and defensive lines. And for anyone that doesn’t know the Cowboys are able to be great on offense because of their line… and anyone knows that defenses are only as good as their lines are. So the Browns are actually building the right way. It has taken them awhile, but Hue Jackson has started to turn things around slowly but surely. The only issue they need to stop doing is paying huge $$$ for free agents. It doesn’t work. Build through the draft.

Pick 2: San Francisco 49ers – Solomon Thomas, DL Stanford

This pick is congruent with the 49ers drafting kids from the Pac-12 early but this guy is a goodie, while some of the others haven’t exactly translated. This guy is big enough to play DT and quick enough to spread out wide and play end. He is a great talent that John Lynch will get credit for locating and picking up with his 1^st ever draft pick. A lot of people think this pick could be in play for Garroppolo, but I don’t see him being traded or the 49ers thinking he is worth the #2 overall pick. The Browns at 12 maybe would fit straight up for him but I still don’t think Bill will get to that table.

Pick 3: Chicago Bears – Jonathan Allen, DL Alabama

For some reason a lot of mock drafts have him falling to the end of the top 10 or even some out of the top 10 altogether. I don’t buy it. This guy reminds me of Ndamukong Suh. I know that is a huge step but his game just looks familiar and that’s who I see when I see him. He is an interior guy for sure can bully those guards and centers and is quick enough to get to the QB once he has beaten them.

Pick 4: Jacksonville Jaguars – Leonard Fournette, RB LSU

#TankForFournette. I tried to get this hashtag started in one of my fantasy league and it didn’t really work because he was still a sophomore. But that is how special this kid is. When he was a freshman he was running ALL OVER SEC defenses. Not the Big 12… not the Pac 12… not the ACC. The best defenses in college football were letting this kid run for 200 on him every other game. He is going to special. Chris Ivory can say bye bye and TJ Yeldon will perfectly compliment this workhorse back so he doesn’t burn out. I just hope this line can block enough for him to get some holes and do the same thing he did to those SEC defenses to the AFCS.

Pick 5: Tennessee Titans – Mike Williams, WR Clemson

I originally didn’t want Williams here. Rueben Foster is also a strong potential pick here. But I think the Titans decide to help out their franchise QB Mariota out and get him someone who could just be the next Megatron. He has the speed, the ups, the sideline-play ability, and the hands to potentially be a HOFer. I don’t see it in this system but he is a stud and will be a good, not great player if he lands in TEN.

Pick 6: New York Jets – Marshon Lattimore, CB Ohio St

The replacement for Revis is picked here. The Jets have historically gone defense at the top of drafts and they will love the tape they see on this kid. The only problem is he really has had only one year as a starter, but he shined while there. Could this pick be a Dee Milliner or a Darrelle Revis?

Pick 7: Los Angeles Chargers – Jamal Adams, S LSU

The debate between Hooker and Adams is really close but I think Hooker is judged more highly because of a number of interceptions that he got and touchdowns he created off of them. Some of those picks fell into him (which happens to the great ones because they are where they need to be but…) so I prefer Adams here. Regardless this pick will be one of those two safeties if either is available. They finally find their center fielder since Eric Weddle left for Baltimore.

Pick 8: Carolina Panthers – Derek Barnett, DE Tennessee

I really don’t know what the Panthers will do here though. There are a lot of options. Trade out is one of them. DT is possible if Allen is still here. A lot of people have Fournette here and I think that they would take him if he fell… but if he falls past the Jags I think someone will fly into 6 or 7 to take him ahead of CAR. Barnett will help a pass rush that just lost Short to the Patriots in a trade. It’s not like their pass rush is weak but this pick will allow a 3 headed monster between Peppers, Barnett and Charles Johnson to wreak havoc on QBs. If the Panthers don’t take a corner early I’d be shocked. I think they learned their lesson last year of just taking 4 6^th round corners and hoping they find a Sherman amongst them. But I don’t see it this pick with Barnett too good to pass up.

Pick 9: Cincinnati Bengals – Rueben Foster, LB Alabama

This just makes so much sense to me. The best LB in this class by a wide margin will be in the starting lineup by week 1 and will be a huge force for those hard-hitting AFCN rivalries. This pick is definitely to add some more toughness to that defense but hopefully without getting personal fouls against the team every other play against the Steelers.

Pick 10: Buffalo Bills – Corey Davis, WR Western Michigan

The Bills were hoping that Mike Williams would fall but unfortunately, they will just have to settle for this Dez Bryant look alike… darn. He will be a huge addition to taking some pressure off of the running game and Sammy Watkins so that offense can really open up. He has hands and he is a great route runner. He will eventually replace Watkins once Watkins is hurt so often that he is cut and he will be a force in the AFCE for a while to come.

Pick 11: New Orleans Saints – Malik Hooker, S Ohio St

This is one of the 4 teams that I got correct last year (I knew Wentz was better than Goff so I put Wentz to LAR. Leonard Floyd to the Bears, Ryan Kelly to the Colts, Laquon Treadwell to the Vikings). Saints are going to be looking at defense with this pick… or at least should be. Their secondary is especially not great besides Breaux. Hooker will fill a huge void since Jarius Byrd was just cut. I think this is the absolute latest Hooker will fall. The great rookie campaign of Landon Collins is pushing these safeties up much higher than they probably should be. I don’t think either of these guys is an Eric Berry (who absolutely was deserved of the top 5 pick from the Chiefs).

Pick 12: Cleveland Browns – Gareon Conley, CB Ohio St

They probably should keep on with Kessler so they won’t go QB and if they do then this pick will be Trubisky. This is an obvious trade up situation for someone who really wants John Ross or OJ Howard. When thinking about who to slot to CLE I thought about someone who will be taken out of place, too early, and will end up just not working out. But then I thought about how well Hue Jackson has done since at the helm. Conley is a boring pick because everyone pays attention to Lattimore but Conley had a surprisingly quiet season that was fantastic. Boring picks are sometimes the best picks.

Pick 13: Arizona Cardinals – Takkarist McKinley, OLB UCLA

The new generation of the Cardinals defense is born with this west coast kid. The Cardinals are known for weird defensive packages and putting a safety at LB. This kid will be able to rush the passer, cover a TE, and also play general on the field. I like him here a lot and it also works out because the Cardinals have been paying attention to those Pac-12 kids all year.

Pick 14: Philadelphia Eagles – Tre’Davious White – CB, LSU

Eagles get an underrated corner. For some reason, this guy went from the possible top corner to the 3^rd or even further in some mocks. The Eagles had a problem on the back end this year and this should be a good first step to fixing these problems. White had a tremendous career here at DBU. Tyrann and PP are pumped up for this guy.

Pick 15: Indianapolis Colts – Forrest Lamp – OG, Western Kentucky

My Hilltoppers are finally getting a first round pick. The highest a player has ever been chosen from Western Kentucky was the 3^rd round of the 2002 draft, Joseph Jefferson a DB to the Colts.  The Colts are the one to take one again, this time though they will be exclaiming that THEY LOVE LAMP. There will be so so many memes on draft night. The offensive line is an obvious need for the Colts because their franchise rests on the back of Mr. Luck. He has never had good protection but the Colts will take the Cowboys approach and just draft OL after OL in the first round to get an elite line. Last year was C Ryan Kelly from Bama.

Pick 16: Baltimore Ravens – Hassan Reddick – DE, Temple

Ravens generally address defense early in drafts. I don’t think they go Ross here or Howard because they have enough TEs and a speedy Wallace already. I could see Lamp here as well but the chance to get the guy with the most buzz coming into the draft, or at least the guy that has jumped the highest on the board. He should be a very efficient pass rusher in this historically great system.

Pick 17: Washington Redskins – Jabril Peppers, S/LB Michigan

I truly have no idea what this pick is going to be. Defense makes sense because their offense is for the most part set. As much as this team did lose a lot of pieces, they also got a decent couple of WRs back. They have a few decent RBs. So they could go get a Cook here but I don’t love that either. OL isn’t good enough to warrant a pick there outside of Lamp. Peppers is such an intriguing prospect and it will be very interesting to see who picks him. If he makes it out of the 1^st round, I’ll be shocked. Someone will trade up to the end of the 1^st to get him if no one takes him. He is just such a freakish athlete and dual threat. He is a KR/S/LB/RB/WR. I am really intrigued by him.

Pick 18: Houston Texans (from Tennessee Titans) – Mitchell Trubisky – QB, North Carolina

I had Mike Williams to the Titans at 5 so that “solves” their WR problem (I really don’t think they had one). This really just makes so much sense to trade out here if you are the Titans. You are obviously ok with it if you get compensation as you traded out last year of a top pick. The Texans are desperate for a QB and they are going to be taking a top QB this year with their 1^st rounder. I just think they’re shocked that they all lasted this long. They are huge fans of Trubisky because I said so. I just have a feeling Watson won’t be the top QB taken because it seems like franchises are willing to take risks with QBs that haven’t proven everything in hopes of them becoming the next Cam or whoever else. It costs the Texans their first and their third for Trubisky.

Pick 19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Dalvin Cook – RB, Florida State

I have said this for months. Cook to the Bucs makes so much more sense with the recent fallout of Doug Martin being suspended and having a drug issue. His play is wishy-washy enough to cut him and his huge contract. Winston is going to be pushing really hard for his ex-teammate to become his current teammate. Winston won the National Championship with Dalvin behind him and he will hope (and fail) to win the Super Bowl with him.

Pick 20: Denver Broncos – OJ Howard – TE, Alabama

A lot of people may be surprised at how late this stud player is going BUT tight ends are almost never taken high in drafts simply because why get a tight end who will maybe get 15% of your team's receptions when you can get a pass rusher that will play 75% of plays. Alright, that isn’t the best comparison but I hope you get my point. Tight ends (while important in fantasy) are not valued incredibly high by most teams (WAS, NE, SEA, NO, etc. don’t count). He will be a great player but some think Njoku will be better because of limited production at Bama.

Pick 21: Detroit Lions – Taco Charlton – DE, Michigan

Here is the pick that makes me scream as a Dolphins fan… 1 pick before they go and they would love Charlton… Seems like the Lions will as well. They play a 4-3 and will get a strong kid who has a good height and weight for the position. He is a question mark to some but he fits here. He could definitely be a playmaker and a pro bowl in a year or two.

Pick 22: Miami Dolphins – Jarrad Davis – LB, Florida

Just upsetting… as a Dolphins fan why would I slate my team to be disappointed by previous picks? Well because it always happens so there ya go. Davis won’t be a bad pick here. He is a little smaller than the prototype but he has great awareness and awareness. The hope is that he can overplay his smaller frame to tackle bigger RBs and take on lineman on the blitz occasionally. Davis will no doubt compete with Misi for the last LB starting spot. This is also a good trade out spot. Anyone who really wants John Ross or Watson could slip in here.

Pick 23: New York Giants – Ryan Ramczyk – OT, Wisconsin

Solid blocker and pick here. Nothing too special about these offensive linemen this year but they go need here instead of BPA. I don’t have much to say…

Pick 24: Oakland Raiders – Christian McCaffery, RB Stanford

Here is a very unique kid. A lot of people think of him as this small kid who will just be a Darren Sproles at the next level. People don't know that not only does he have that amazing quickness and speed but he is a bowling ball and goal-line back too. The Raiders didn't really address RB after they lost Latavius but they do have a few good RBs still. McCaffery will join a very talented RBBC and might just take over goal-line duties.

Pick 25: Tennessee Titans (from Houston Texans) – Marlon Humphrey – CB, Alabama

Speaking of Bama players… Humphrey is a big time guy. 6 feet tall and is quick. He is going to be a solid, not fantastic pick for anyone who gets him but the CB corps of the Titans is one of the few positions in which they could actually improve. This is a very young, but uber talented team and they get better with an impressive haul of Mike Williams and Humphrey.

Pick 26: Cleveland Browns (from Seattle Seahawks) – Deshaun Watson – QB, Clemson

If I get this trade right I’d be shocked because it’ll cost the Browns. The Seahawks move back to the 1^st pick in the 2^nd round and also pick up 2 4^th round picks. A huge haul for moving just a few picks back for Seattle. And yes this does mean 3!!! First rounder’s going home to Cleveland. I’m sorry to them but it is Draft Day (the movie) all over again. This pick makes too much sense for the Browns though. There is no reason Watson should still be there in their eyes and they see the Chiefs sitting right there just waiting for him to fall to them. They will need to swoop in ahead of the Chiefs here to get him.

Pick 27: Kansas City Chiefs - Zach Cunningham, LB Vanderbilt

This is probably one of the highest places he will go (Oakland and the Giants could take him). Some people have him falling to the mid-2nd round. I just think he is so talented. He was the leading tackler in the SEC full of defensive studs. I just don't think that was a fluke. The Chiefs defense is getting a lot older with Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali well into their 30s. Cunningham will be the youth to keep this defense on top for awhile.

Pick 28: Dallas Cowboys – John Ross – WR, Washington

Why the hell not?! The Cowboys are looking pretty good at most positions and with it being an insanely deep draft at CB and DE they can afford to pick the best guy available and completely change the Cowboys offense. They are obviously going to be a run first team but Ross will stretch the field so they will be able to run more effectively. Ross falling this far will be a shock but there are so many better players in my eyes.

Pick 29: Green Bay – Chidobe Awuzie, CB Colorado

"Oh, thank goodness," says Packers fans after watching the end of the season last year. The Pack were fielding grocery store clerks and just about anyone that could run fast at the DB position last year. The only one that stayed healthy back there was a guy with Ha-Ha and Dix in his name... Regardless of my bad joke, this is a serious need. I can also see this pick being McCaffery if he is hanging around because of the departed Lacy, but the RB class is so deep they can get talent later at that position. Any DB available that falls will be scooped up immediately, although this may be considered a reach by many the Packers have always figured out ways to find diamonds in the rough... I think they just did it again.

Pick 30: Pittsburgh Steelers – TJ Watt – LB, Wisconsin

In January, I had the underrated and uber talented Haason Reddick going here. But because he completely shot up the draft because of his offseason program performances… Watt will fit nicely here. He isn’t as athletic as Reddick or as freakish as his brother which will be disappointing for Steelers fans but you can’t sleep on him either. He will get after the pass rusher and also can play the LB position. They will have to kick someone in to cover for the departed Lawrence Timmons but the versatility of Watt will be too juicy to pass up.

Pick 31: Atlanta Falcons: David Njoku – TE, Miami

He will not be here at 31 I can promise you this. Again same thing with Ross I just feel like there are better picks out there for the above teams. Njoku is classified by some as better than Howard. I wouldn’t go that far but he is going to be good. Very good pass catcher and runs routes well. This is a fit and a BPA choice which makes for a very very happy front office and fan base.

Pick 32: New Orleans Saints: Patrick Mahomes, QB Texas Tech

Who the hell knows what this pick is going to be… could be almost any position on defense (besides defense because Hooker was picked at 11). Could be a corner like Awuzie. Could be a LB but a lot of them have just been picked recently. Could be a DE but I think the DB class is stronger at this point of the draft. Saints defense is not really good at all. They have a good young DT and DE in Cameron Jordan and they have another good safety and decent corner in Breaux. But outside of that, it is a crap shoot. YET, the Saints go for the future and take Mahomes to learn and be groomed under a HOFer. Drew Brees told the media this year that they think the Saints should address his backup soon and look to the future for when he retires. Is this saying he is going to be retiring soon? Probably not, but a QB at this pick is smart because it means you can put the 5th year option on him and have him for awhile. This is going to be a QB if Mahomes and Kizer are both available... whether the Saints take the pick or not is a different story...

So that is my mock draft. Last year I only did one… this year I may change a few things around, but I don’t think I will do another entire draft. It takes a good amount of time. In recap, the Browns are big winners getting their QB of the future, the best player in the draft, and a solid corner. Quarterbacks, Ross and Njoku all fell down in the draft because of the crazy talent on the defensive side of the field. Titans and Seahawks trade back and collect some more picks. 3 RBs, 3 WRs are taken. Defensive end is the most active position (Garrett, Thomas, Allen, Charlton, Reddick, and Barnett). All in all, I just want to get more than 4 right this year! Woohoo, go me! And Go Miami!

Again I referenced this chart for trades: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/draft/draft-trade-chart/
And noted this for team visits for some teams (teams don't NEED to visit or workout someone to draft him): http://walterfootball.com/ProspectMeetings/ByTeam