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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Final Mock Draft 7 Rounds
Round 1 Picks 1-16
My final 2017 NFL Mock Draft is now up. This one is seven rounds. Enjoy!
Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: April 27, 2017 with updates every Thursday leading up to Draft Day.
Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, RE, Texas A&M 
- The Cleveland Browns have locked up the top pick with a 1-15 season. They should take Myles Garrett here and begin the rebuild in Cleveland. There are some last minute rumors about the Browns Mitchell Trubisky at 1, but I'm selling it with Garrett following Cleveland celebrities like LeBron James, Joe Haden, and Francisco Lindor on Instagram.
- Right now Cleveland needs to just take the best player that will help them win and that player is Myles Garrett, a generational talent from Texas A&M who is the best pass rusher since Von Miller. Garrett has 8.5 sacks, 15 tackles for a loss, and 10 quarterback hurries in 2016 despite being triple teamed by left tackles, left guards, and centers. Garrett declared for the 2017 NFL Draft.
- Tony Mario, Mark Sciubba, and Jason Bantle who also post NFL Mock Drafts on this site all have Garrett at 1 along with myself. Garrett is also first overall on our top 300 draft board which you can find on Fanspeak too. Cleveland said they were not trading the top pick at Texas A&M's Pro Day which means drafting Myles Garrett is a formality at this point.
- Cleveland is switching to the 4-3 defense under new defensive coordinator Greg Williams. Garrett is still the pick at 6-5 272 lbs after many expected him to weigh 6-4 270 lbs since Garrett is an exceptional talent with the versatility to play 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker on either side. Watching Garrett face Joe Thomas in training camp will be a treat itself.
- Emmanuel Ogbah will likely compliment Garrett at 4-3 left end. Ogbah played in a 4-3 defense at Oklahoma State and will do better in a 4-3 defense. Carl Nassib will be rotational guy behind Garrett and Ogbah at defensive end. Danny Shelton who plays nose tackle for Cleveland also played in a 4-3 defense at Washington, but Cleveland will need a defensive tackle to compliment Shelton in the first or second round. Cleveland will also have Jamie Collins, Christian Kirksey, and Demario Davis as 4-3 linebackers with Nate Orchard as a 4-3 outside linebcker for depth. Overall Cleveland is building an excellent foundation with Myles Garrett as a once in a generation edge rusher regardless of whether they operate the 4-3 or 3-4 scheme with this pick.
- I have the Myles Garrett grade posted in our 2017 NFL Draft Results Page. You can check that out to follow live Draft Coverage.
- Other Cleveland Browns Selections
San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas, LE, Stanford 
- Kyle Shanahan convinced Charlie Casserly to pass on a quarterback and a running back at 2 for a pass rusher in Mario Williams. San Francisco follows suit by doing the same thing and taking Solomon Thomas. Thomas was in a class with John Lynch during his freshman year at Stanford and they worked with each other on a class project. I can honestly see Solomon Thomas, Leonard Fournette, Reuben Foster, or Marshon Lattimore being the pick here with all 4 players being excellent scheme fits and needs for the 49ers 4-3 defense.
- The 6-3 273 lb Solomon Thomas had 15 tackles for a loss and 8 sacks in 2016. The sophomore redshirt is expected to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft. Thomas could do well as a 4-3 left end. Thomas never lined up at 4-3 right end on tape at Stanford. I love Thomas a run stuffer right now and I really like his rip and swim moves on tape. He just needs to go to a team where he faces right tackles and all the pressure isn't on him to be that sack artist right away. San Francisco is that kind of team right now and in San Francisco you'd have Aaron Lynch at 4-3 right end, Arik Armstead at defensive tackle, DeForest Buckner at defensive tackle, and Solomon Thomas as a 4-3 left end.
- Other San Francisco 49ers Selections
Chicago Bears: Jonathan Allen, 3-4 RE, Alabama 
- Chicago realizes that they can save $14-million against the cap by releasing Jay Cutler in 2017 assuming he doesn't deliver. They have Mike Glennon though so there is no reason not to go with Jonathan Allen at 3 unless they are concerned about his arthritis in his arms and that may end up being the case, but right now I believe Allen is still the pick at 3. Last week I strongly considered Marshon Lattimore at 3, but the Bears brought in Prince Amukamara. I'm also considering strongly LSU safety Jamal Adams at 3. I don't think the Bears will look past Malik Hooker's injury. I'm still going with Allen at 3 for another week, but I believe you can make a case for Adams here.
- Chicago can save $1-million in cap space if they release 3-4 right end Mitch Unrein and they can save $5-million in cap space by releasing 3-4 left end Akeim Hicks. Both are in contract years heading into 2017, plus this pass rush would make a major improvement if you had Allen at 3-4 right end and Jonathan Bullard your 2016 third round pick at 3-4 left end next to Allen with Eddie Goldman your 2015 second round pick at nose tackle this could potentially be one of the best 3-4 defensive lines in the entire NFL if all 3 of those guys managed to start next season. Ok, that may be stretching it since Hicks may still start at 3-4 left end.
- The Bears pick Alabama senior Jonathan Allen here over a quarterback. Jonathan Allen had 10.5 sacks, 16 tackles for a loss, and 15 quarterback hurries in 2016 during his senior season. My biggest concern with Allen is that I see him as a 3-4 only player, but he looked like he could play defensive tackle in the 4-3 against Texas A&M. Allen got schooled on tape when facing Arkansas left tackle Dan Skipper and does better against guards and right tackles on tape. He had similar problems against Clemson left tackle Mitch Hyatt who is expected to be a top 5 pick in 2018. Allen also struggled against Kentucky center Jon Toth as well, but he did get a sack on Western Kentucky's Forrest Lamp even though Lamp played well against the 6-3 285 lb Jonathan Allen.
- Allen also loses count of plays at times when you watch his tape. He forgot how many trophies he won at Alabama's Pro Day which reinforces this. If scouts notice this Allen could drop from being a top 3 pick to a top 5 pick, but that's entirely dependent on what what Chicago does at quarterback leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft.
- Chicago can use their second round pick on a quarterback. I'm not sure Chicago can pass on assembling a defensive line that features Jonathan Allen at 3-4 right end, Eddie Goldman at nose tackle, and Jonathan Bullard at 3-4 left end.
- Other Chicago Bears Selections
Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU 
- Jacksonville addressed cornerback with A.J. Bouye, but I also feel like they could use Marshon Lattimore since I see Bouye as a nickel corner at best. The Jaguars also added Barry Church in Free Agency. This leads me to believe that Leonard Fournette or Marshon Lattimore is now the pick at 4. Jacksonville brought in Leonard Fournette for a workout and did not workout Marshon Lattimore which leads me to believe that Fournette is going to be picked by the Jaguars.
- Other Jacksonville Jaguars Selections
Tennessee Titans: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State 
- The Titans let Andrew Luck throw for 353 passing yards even with Dwayne Allen, Donte Moncrief, and Philip Dorsett all inactive at Nissan Stadium in front of their home crowd. Bortles had 337 passing yards the following week. Andrew Luck and Blake Bortles had 690 passing yards on this Titans secondary the last two weeks prior to the Titans loss against the Chargers. Tennessee added Logan Ryan, but cut Jason McCourty which is why I'm now leaning towards Marshon Lattimore at 5.
- Other Tennessee Titans Selections
New York Jets: Jamal Adams, SS, LSU
- The Jets get Jamal Adams because he has the versatility to play both safety spots at strong safety and free safety at 5-11 214 lbs. Adams can play man, zone, or press coverage effectively. Adams is the most complete safety in this draft.
- Other New York Jets Selections
Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Hooker, FS, Ohio State
- The Los Angeles Chargers need a safety. Melvin Ingram was franchise tagged so he should play 4-3 right end on the Los Angeles Chargers with Joey Bosa playing 4-3 left end. Malik Hooker is now the slam dunk pick for the Chargers here at 6-1 206 lbs.
- Hooker is an exceptional safety that played running back, wide receiver and defensive back at all 4 spots CB, SS, FS, and was a return specialist on top of that at New Castle High School before converting to safety at Ohio State. Hooker has the versatility to play both strong safety and free safety. Hooker can play man coverage, zone coverage, and press coverage just like LSU safety Jamal Adams.
- Other Los Angeles Chargers Selections
Carolina Panthers: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
- The three players that Carolina wants are Solomon Thomas, Leonard Fournette, and Jamal Adams. None of them made it to 8 and Carolina will have to trade up to get one of those players. I've heard Carolina has narrowed this pick down to Christian McCaffrey and O.J. Howard at 8. McCaffrey would make sense, but at the same time, my nephew who lives in San Francisco told me that the 49ers and Panthers trade talks about them moving up to 2 broke down because the Panthers supposedly love O.J. Howard plus I think Dalvin Cook is the second best running back in the draft.
- O.J. Howard is 6-5 249 lbs and he absolutely dominated in Mobile, the 2017 NFL Combine, and Alabama's Pro Day and is a top 12 talent. Howard had 45 receptions, 595 receiving yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns in 2016 where as Clay only had 552 receiving yards in 2016. Howard compliments Greg Olsen perfectly in Carolina and allows the Panthers to utilize a two tight end set.
- Other Carolina Panthers Selections
Cincinnati Bengals: Derek Barnett, RE, Tennessee 
- For a while I was torn on this pick. Derek Barnett is healthy while Reuben Foster is still not 100 percent yet. Plus the Bengals have Kevin Minter and 2016 third round pick Nick Vigil. Foster may be the best overall player on the board, but durability with his rotator cuff is still an issue and 4-3 right end where Barnett plays fills a much bigger need.
- The 6-3 259 lb Derek Barnett had 40 solo tackles, 16 assisted tackles, 56 total tackles, 13 sacks, 19 tackles for a loss, and 16 quarterback hurries in 2016. Barnett got by Cam Robinson, Avery Gennesy, and David Sharpe on tape. Barnett had 33 career sacks in each of his three years at Tennessee with a minimum of 10 sacks in each of his three seasons at Tennessee. Taking Barnett is the smartest thing the Bengals can do though since he is someone that can push Myles Garrett the same way Khalil Mack pushed Jadeveon Clowney. Barnett declared for the 2017 NFL Draft as well.
- Other Cincinnati Bengals Selections
Buffalo Bills: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson 
- Buffalo goes with Mike Williams. The Bills need a #2 receiver to compliment Sammy Watkins. Mike Williams is a steal at this point and absolutely too good to pass on.
- Mike Williams is only 6-3 218 lbs compared to the 6-4 225 lb freak we initially thought he was. Williams did not run in the 2017 NFL Combine after there were rumors he'd run a 4.6 40-time. His 32.5 inch vertical was also underwhelming.
- Mike Williams had 98 receptions, 1,361 receiving yards, and a career high 11 receiving touchdowns. Williams has the hands, route running, speed, burst off the snap, catching in traffic, spectacular catching, and jumping you look for in a #1 target on tape. Putting Williams next to Sammy Watkins makes the Bills wide receivers deadly.
- Other Buffalo Bills Selections
New Orleans Saints: Taco Charlton, LE, Michigan 
- New Orleans did not get a left end in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Saints go with Taco Charlton at 11 after conducting 3 interviews with him leading up to the draft. The Saints seem to prefer Charlton over both Barnett and Solomon Thomas and I doubt they pass on him at 11 if he's there.
- Other New Orleans Saints Selections
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Cleveland Browns: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
- The Browns seem like the kind of team that won't take a quarterback until 33 at the earliest and it sort of depends on who falls to the second round unless they trade back into the late first round. That's why I'm giving them Corey Davis at 12 with reports of them loving Davis since he fills more of a need at 12 then someone like Dalvin Cook does although I could see a team like Tampa Bay moving up for Dalvin Cook at 12 on Draft Day. Releasing wide receiver Josh Gordon only reinforces this theory. I can honestly see the Browns trading 12 for 19 and 50 and then trading those picks for 23 and 87 on the Giants before getting one of the quarterbacks at 23 kind of like how they traded down twice in the 2009 NFL Draft before taking Alex Mack at 19.
- The 6-3 209 lb Corey Davis had 97 receptions, 1,500 receiving yards, and 19 receiving touchdowns in 2016. Davis dominated against Buffalo when College Gameday went to Western Michigan with 13 receptions, 173 receiving yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns. Davis impresses on tape with his hands, route running, jumping, and speed on tape. Davis is a first round receiver when watching his tape, but he did not workout at the 2017 NFL Combine or Western Michigan's 2017 NFL Pro Day, yet he will still get picked in the top half of the draft due to his ability on tape.
- Other Cleveland Browns Selections
Arizona Cardinals: Reuben Foster, 3-4 MLB, Alabama
- Arizona's GM said they would ignore need and take the top player on their board here. Unless the 49ers trade down to 8 with Carolina and get Reuben Foster then Arizona may wind up with Foster at 13 since Foster isn't 100 percent from his injury, but will be ready for Training Camp according to his agent. Even if Foster is gone, I think Patrick Mahomes is still a strong possibility here, but in this mock both Foster and Mahomes are available.
- Reuben Foster had 60 solo tackles, 55 assisted tackles, 115 total tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, 5 sacks, and 8 quarterback hurries in 2016. Foster dominated in coverage in 2015. My only concern with him would be to add 5 lbs of muscle at 6-1 228 lbs.
- Foster has the pass rushing of Demario Davis, stops the run like Lawrence Timmons, drops back into coverage like Jamie Collins, and has the exact same versatility as former Alabama linebackers Dont'a Hightower and Reggie Ragland. This linebacker also has the best rip and swim moves on tape since Lawrence Taylor and he's more of an inside linebacker rather than an outside linebacker even though he could be a plug-in-play guy at any linebacker spot in the NFL.
- Foster has the versatility to play 4-3 right outside linebacker, 4-3 middle linebacker, 4-3 left outside linebacker, 3-4 right outside linebacker, 3-4 middle linebacker, or 3-4 left outside linebacker. Foster is the most versatile first round linebacker prospect on tape in 2016.
- Other Arizona Cardinals Selections
Philadelphia Eagles: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State 
- Philadelphia needs a #1 field cornerback in the worst way possible. I'm not sure they will find a #1 cornerback with Teez Tabor bombing his combine and Sidney Jones getting injured at his Pro Day. Dalvin Cook has to be the pick for the Eagles here.
- The 5-10 210 lb Dalvin Cook has been a monster on the ground in 2016. Cook had 288 carries, 1,765 rushing yards, 19 rushing touchdowns, 33 receptions, 488 receiving yards, and 1 receiving touchdown in 2016. Cook is better at running to the outside than Fournette, he catches out of the backfield, blocks better than Fournette, and is more durable. Some have Dalvin Cook ahead of Fournette. It's easy to see why most feel that way and there is no question that Cook would be an upgrade over Ryan Matthews in Philadelphia.
- Other Philadelphia Eagles Selections
Indianapolis Colts: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
- Chris Ballard wants speed and toughness, but unlike the Chiefs who waited for running backs in the draft, he's going to draft for value meaning if Dalvin Cook or Christian McCaffrey is the top player on the Colts board then he will take a running back at 15 and use the remaining picks to address the defensive side of the ball.
- McCaffrey had 253 carries, 1,603 rushing yards, and 13 rushing touchdowns despite missing some games with injuries in 2016. McCaffrey declared for the 2017 NFL Draft. Christian McCaffrey is a steal at this point.
- Other Indianapolis Colts Selections
Baltimore Ravens: John Ross, WR, Washington 
- Baltimore Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome said the Ravens are looking at a wide receiver at 16. I like East Carolina wide receiver Zay Jones much better than John Ross on tape, but I cannot see Jones in the top 16. I can see Ross in the top 16 even though it would be a huge reach and a big mistake for the Ravens.
- Charles Harris and Tim Williams are guys the Ravens reportedly have first round grades on. Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson is someone they could target here too. I think the Ravens take a wide receiver and wait for Harris or Williams to slip to them in the second round.
- The 5-10 188 lb John Ross had 76 receptions, 1,122 receiving yards, and 17 receiving touchdowns in 2016. Ross could have a Torrey Smith like role with the Ravens here even though I think the Ravens are reaching if they take Ross at 16.
- Other Baltimore Ravens Selections
