2017 NFL Mock Draft 9.0: The first three rounds should be dominated by defense
This is approximately our 107th mock of the draft season, so it's only appropriate that we swing back into the three-round format and cover picks 1 through 107. In the time since we last forecasted the first two days, the league handed out 32 compensatory picks, 11 of which were tacked onto the end of Round 3 (starting at pick No. 97) to push the mock into triple digits for the first time all year.
As was the case a couple weeks ago, we have no quarterbacks in the top 10 this time. It's still not too difficult to see two or three QBs wind up there, though.
Let's get into it.
1. Myles Garrett
RECORD: DE, Texas A&M
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2. Jamal Adams
RECORD: S, LSU
This is where the real intrigue begins. It’s hard to entirely shake the feeling that new, offensive-minded coach Kyle Shanahan will want to hand-pick his potential franchise quarterback here. But the Brian Hoyer/Matt Barkley duo is at least serviceable, the No. 33 choice provides a window later on and the defensive options might be too numerous to ignore here.
3. Malik Hooker
RECORD: S, Ohio State
4. Solomon Thomas
RECORD: DL, Stanford
Thomas may not get past San Francisco. But if he does, the odds are very much stacked against him then slipping beyond this spot. Thomas could learn the NFL game behind veteran Calais Campbell, with an eye on an eventual starring role.
5. Jonathan Allen
RECORD: DL, Alabama
(Pick via Rams) The Titans have to be loving where they are at, assuming Marcus Mariota heals on time from his late-season leg injury. Already a playoff contender, they have two top-18 picks and minimal glaring needs coming out of free agency. Hence the ability to nab Allen at No. 5, even if they have a steady D-line. Worries about his shoulders aside, Allen stands out as a potential perennial Pro Bowler.
6. Marshon Lattimore
RECORD: CB, Ohio State
7. Corey Davis
RECORD: WR, Western Michigan
The Chargers’ offense was a top-10 scoring unit last season thanks to Philip Rivers and the unexpected emergence of a couple wide receivers. But wouldn’t it be fun to see what this group could do at full speed, with a powerhouse 1–2 punch like Davis and a (hopefully healthy) Keenan Allen? The Rivers era will end soon enough. May as well lean into it.
8. O.J. Howard
RECORD: TE, Alabama
Speaking of leaning into a strength, few QBs in the league have the rapport with their tight ends that Cam Newton and Greg Olsen share. So, how about pairing Olsen with one of the draft’s most dynamic offensive threats?
9. Leonard Fournette
RECORD: RB, LSU
Gio Bernard’s status for early 2017 is up in the air due to an ACL injury and Jeremy Hill, in the final year of his contract, has averaged 3.7 yards per carry the past two seasons. Fournette could give this offense a huge boost.
10. Reuben Foster
RECORD: LB, Alabama
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11. Derek Barnett
RECORD: DE, Tennessee
Since they’re now armed with two first-round picks, the Saints remain a wild card to swoop in on a QB—Sean Payton put Patrick Mahomes through a private workout a few days ago. But the pressing needs are at defensive end and cornerback. In Barnett, they can land the piece they need opposite Cam Jordan.
12. Mitchell Trubisky
RECORD: QB, North Carolina
(Pick via Eagles) In last week’s trade-filled mock, the Browns moved up to No. 4 to take Trubisky. They may have to make a move like that to secure the QB they want, be it Trubisky or a different prospect. The three picks they have between 12 and 52 have to be used in some combination to land a quarterback. Full scouting report
13. Patrick Mahomes
RECORD: QB, Texas Tech
It is becoming painfully obvious that Carson Palmer is close to the end of his career rainbow. Rather than wait on his departure and try to find their QB then, the Cardinals can get a head start with a dazzling but raw talent. Full scouting report
14. Haason Reddick
RECORD: LB, Temple
(Pick via Vikings) Feels like the Eagles have been shopping LB Mychal Kendricks since approximately the moment they drafted him. He obviously is not a part of their long-term plans. Enter Reddick, who could pair with Jordan Hicks to form an exciting, young LB duo.
15. Taco Charlton
RECORD: DE, Michigan
Adding John Simon and Jabaal Sheard provided the Colts a lot more life off the edge, but they should not stop there. Charlton could use a landing spot like this, where he doesn’t have to shoulder the load immediately. The long-term payoff stands to be massive. Full scouting report
16. Mike Williams
RECORD: WR, Clemson
17. Malik McDowell
RECORD: DL, Michigan State
If those who continue to question his level of desire are to be believed, a McDowell pick is not risk-free. But the potential reward is pretty apparent, too. They don’t build ’em like McDowell, who has top-five talent among this class if he finds his motivation.
18. John Ross
RECORD: WR, Washington
Ross has an injury history on each of his knees and he needed shoulder surgery after the combine. That we’re even discussing him as a Round 1 prospect anyway, let alone a top-20 guy, should tell you all you need to know about his skill level. He doesn’t fit the No. 1 receiver profile the same way Davis or Williams does, but he could thrive with Mariota firing him passes.
19. Dalvin Cook
RECORD: RB, Florida State
There are enough excuses available if a team wants to pass on Cook, including that spending in Round 1 at RB is a tough investment. Cook’s game is just so explosive, though, that a team needing a go-to back should jump at the opportunity to draft him. Tampa Bay has that need.
20. Garett Bolles
RECORD: OT, Utah
Good draw for the Broncos in this mock, with the likes of Christian McCaffrey, David Njoku, Zach Cunningham and every OT still on the board. Bolles is older than the typical rookie, but his outstanding athleticism would be a perfect fit in this offense. Full scouting report
21. Zach Cunningham
RECORD: LB, Vanderbilt
The modern NFL demands defenses have athletic linebackers, and the Lions … well, don’t. If Cunningham or Reddick (or Foster, in a long shot) is available here, he should trump the pass-rushing options.
22. Forrest Lamp
RECORD: G/T, Western Kentucky
Physical limitations aside, Lamp probably could hold his own as a tackle if the Dolphins wanted to keep Laremy Tunsil at guard. Better yet, he might be an absolute gem at guard himself if Tunsil is to be the franchise left tackle. Full scouting report
23. Ryan Ramczyk
RECORD: OT, Wisconsin
This pick has been reserved in prior mocks for Cam Robinson. Should the Giants feel he too closely resembles Ereck Flowers, though, they could turn to Ramczyk, a plug-and-play option on either side of the line. Full scouting report
24. Christian McCaffrey
RECORD: RB, Stanford
The only thing lacking from McCaffrey’s game is the prototypical NFL running back size. Maybe that’s enough to drive him out of the top 20, but he should be in Round 1. The Raiders have a need at running back, and any team could use McCaffrey’s versatile explosiveness.
25. Deshaun Watson
RECORD: QB, Clemson
Watson could go anywhere from No. 2 to Round 2 and no one would be all that taken aback. That said, if Houston can get its hands on him, the draft’s most NFL-ready quarterback could push for a starting job on a playoff team.
26. Quincy Wilson
RECORD: CB, Florida
A long wait for the second cornerback off the board in this mock. It’s a wait well worth it for the Seahawks, who find a long, physical defender in Wilson to help round out their secondary.
27. Jabrill Peppers
RECORD: S, Michigan
Perhaps the Chiefs aren’t the perfect fit for Peppers, but they make for a darn good one. Kansas City utilizes enough three-safety looks to be able to take advantage of Peppers’s positives, plus the Michigan star even could drop down and help cover the depth issues at linebacker.
28. Cam Robinson
RECORD: OT, Alabama
29. Tre'Davious White
RECORD: CB, LSU
While the loss of Micah Hyde hardly qualifies as a fatal blow for the Packers’ 2017 hopes, it does leave them down a playmaker. White would make up for that departure by giving Green Bay another interchangeable outside/slot defender. Full scouting report
30. David Njoku
RECORD: TE, Miami
A luxury pick? Maybe, but a team picking at 30 can make one of those. Njoku’s development will require some patience, but he has the skill to be all that the Steelers hoped they were getting in Ladarius Green, and more. Full scouting report
31. Takkarist McKinley
RECORD: DE/OLB, UCLA
McKinley’s post-combine shoulder surgery could drive him out of the early Round 1 spots and right onto the roster of an established contender. Atlanta would love to find one more pass rusher to complement Vic Beasley. Full scouting report
32. Kevin King
RECORD: CB, Washington
(Pick from Patriots) Take your pick on the cornerbacks still out there: King, Gareon Conley, Marlon Humphrey, etc. King’s brilliant combine turned him into a trendy Round 1 name. But he’s more than just hype. With his size and speed, he has the look of a dominant NFL cornerback.
Round 2
33. Caleb Brantley
RECORD: DT, Florida
34. DeShone Kizer
RECORD: QB, Notre Dame
35. Joe Mixon
RECORD: RB, Oklahoma
36. Chris Wormley
RECORD: DT, Michigan
37. Charles Harris
RECORD: DE/OLB, Missouri
If multiple quarterbacks come off the board in the top 15, as was the case with this mock, then the 49ers (or Bears or Jets) might be compelled to move back into Round 1 to address the position. Without any trades, the 49ers are able to stay put and add Kizer to Jamal Adams, giving them a centerpiece on each side of the ball.
• Scouting reports: Caleb Brantley | DeShone Kizer | Chris Wormley | Charles Harris
As for Mixon, be prepared for him to be gone on Day 2 ... and maybe on Day 1. He has obvious NFL-level talent, enough to put him in the class of Fournette and Cook, and we’ve now heard several GMs speak positively about him. In making the move at 35, the Jaguars finally answer their RB conundrum—neither T.J. Yeldon nor Chris Ivory reached 4.0 yards per carry last year.
38. Budda Baker
RECORD: S, Washington
39. Taylor Moton
RECORD: OT, Western Michigan
40. Jordan Willis
RECORD: DE, Kansas State
41. Carl Lawson
RECORD: DE, Auburn
42. Jarrad Davis
RECORD: LB, Florida
Baker belongs in the first round. The sheer number of defenders that deserve to come off the board before Friday, as well as Baker’s size, could drop him into Round 2. Good news for the Chargers that it happens, because he’s better than any safety they have. Davis just had a terrific Pro Day, and if he can stay healthy he can offer just as much as a guy like Zach Cunningham.
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43. Marlon Humphrey
RECORD: CB, Alabama
44. Gareon Conley
RECORD: CB, Ohio State
45. Tim Williams
RECORD: OLB, Alabama
46. Raekwon McMillan
RECORD: LB, Ohio State
47. T.J. Watt
RECORD: OLB, Wisconsin
The long-awaited cornerback run begins here, with the Eagles and Bills joining the fun. So, too, does a continuation of the edge-rusher run, with outside linebackers Williams and Watt following DEs Willis and Lawson (picks 40 and 41). It is anyone’s guess which of those four will make the best pro.
48. Pat Elflein
RECORD: G/C, Ohio State
49. Desmond King
RECORD: CB, Iowa
50. Obi Melifonwu
RECORD: S, UConn
51. Evan Engram
RECORD: TE, Ole Miss
52. Adoree' Jackson
RECORD: CB, USC
(Pick via Titans)
What if the Broncos could solve their TE production issue and their need for a slot receiver all in one? Engram isn’t the home-run hitter that offense covets, but he would be a valuable chip. The player with the brightest future among this group may be Elflein. He could compete for a starting guard job out of the gate in Minnesota, then eventually move over to replace 34-year-old Joe Berger.
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53. Derek Rivers
RECORD: DE, Youngstown State
54. Fabian Moreau
RECORD: CB, UCLA
55. Tarell Basham
RECORD: DE, Ohio
56. Teez Tabor
RECORD: CB, Florida
57. Marcus Williams
RECORD: S, Utah
Maybe some team sneaks in another skill-position prospect at some point. It should be evident, though, how much defensive value there could be in Round 2 this year. Tabor and Williams are potential starters as rookies—Tabor’s brutal 40 times at the combine and his Pro Day could drive him into Round 2, but he never had the look of a speedster CB. Rivers and Basham can be productive pass rushers in Year One, if nothing else.
Moreau and Washington’s Sidney Jones (coming soon) are going to be of interest to just about every team if they slip into Day 2. They both were headed for Round 1 before suffering Pro Day injuries. Moreau (torn pectoral) faces a shorter, more predictable timeline than does Jones (torn Achilles).
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58. Tyus Bowser
RECORD: DE/OLB, Houston
59. Cordrea Tankersley
RECORD: CB, Clemson
60. Curtis Samuel
RECORD: RB/WR, Ohio State
61. Dan Feeney
RECORD: G, Indiana
62. Chidobe Awuzie
RECORD: CB, Colorado
After handing the Cowboys Cam Robinson in Round 1, it may be too much to double up on offense at pick 60 when Dallas has pressing defensive needs. But this is both a value pick—Samuel has top-50 talent—and one that would further open up the field for the run game. A less flashy, arguably more important pick in the 58-62 range: Feeney. He can start as a rookie, and the Packers just lost T.J. Lang.
63. Larry Ogunjobi
RECORD: DT, Charlotte
64. Sidney Jones
RECORD: CB, Washington
(Pick from Patriots)
If Ogunjobi could hand-pick his destination, Atlanta would have to be at least top five. The defending NFC champs could use him to take snaps off Dontari Poe’s plate, while also mixing him into the lineup on passing downs. And as promised, here is Jones. The extended recovery period he is facing may send him spiraling into Round 3 ... or Day 3. However, the reward for giving him a shot could be a legit No. 1 cornerback, and the Panthers have enough young CBs on their roster to afford a little patience.
Round 3
65. Alvin Kamara
RECORD: RB, Tennessee
66. JuJu Smith-Schuster
RECORD: WR, USC
67. Dion Dawkins
RECORD: G/T, Temple
68. Cameron Sutton
RECORD: CB, Tennessee
69. Ethan Pocic
RECORD: C, LSU
70. Zay Jones
RECORD: WR, East Carolina
71. Nathan Peterman
RECORD: QB, Pittsburgh
72. Jaleel Johnson
RECORD: DT, Iowa
(Pick via Panthers)
73. Josh Reynolds
RECORD: WR, Texas A&M
74. D'Onta Foreman
RECORD: RB, Texas
75. Carlos Henderson
RECORD: WR, Louisiana Tech
76. Davis Webb
RECORD: QB, Cal
77. Montravius Adams
RECORD: DT, Auburn
78. DeMarcus Walker
RECORD: DL, Florida State
79. Justin Evans
RECORD: S, Texas A&M
80. Bucky Hodges
RECORD: TE, Virginia Tech
81. Brad Kaaya
RECORD: QB, Miami
82. Ahkello Witherspoon
RECORD: CB, Colorado
83. Carlos Watkins
RECORD: DT, Clemson
84. Isaac Asiata
RECORD: G, Utah
85. Samaje Perine
RECORD: RB, Oklahoma
86. Dalvin Tomlinson
RECORD: DT, Alabama
(Pick via Dolphins)
There has been Round 1 buzz around Kamara of late. More realistic (especially with Fournette, Cook and Mixon in the first-round mix) is that he hears his name called on Day 2, and the Browns have room for a player with Kamara’s explosiveness to join Duke Johnson and Isaiah Crowell.
Two more QBs off the board in the top half of Round 3, ending the post-Kizer drought. The Chargers have done zero planning for their lives beyond Philip Rivers, and Peterman has starter-quality traits if given time to develop. Washington almost has to draft a quarterback with Kirk Cousins likely headed elsewhere for 2018. Kaaya is a bit robotic and needs to improve under pressure, but his game is similar to that of Cousins.
The Patriots’ first pick of the 2017 draft is a skilled, penetrating defensive tackle. Bill Belichick loves pieces he can move around up front, and Johnson could help Belichick overcome Malcom Brown’s inconsistencies.
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87. Duke Riley
RECORD: LB, LSU
88. Eddie Vanderdoes
RECORD: DT, UCLA
89. Antonio Garcia
RECORD: OT, Troy
90. Marcus Maye
RECORD: S, Florida
91. Kareem Hunt
RECORD: RB, Toledo
92. Howard Wilson
RECORD: CB, Houston
93. Jake Butt
RECORD: TE, Michigan
94. Ryan Anderson
RECORD: OLB, Alabama
95. Chris Godwin
RECORD: WR, Penn State
96. Kendell Beckwith
RECORD: LB, LSU
97. daeshon hall
RECORD: de, texas a&M
98. jamaal williams
RECORD: rb, byu
99. dorian johnson
RECORD: g, pitt
100. eddie jackson
RECORD: s, alabama
(Pick via Rams)
101. rasul douglas
RECORD: cb, West Virginia
102. Cooper kupp
RECORD: wr, eastern washington
103. wayne gallman
RECORD: rb, clemson
(Pick via Patriots, via Browns)
104. jalen reeves-maybin
RECORD: lb, tennessee
105. isaiah ford
RECORD: wr, virginia tech
106. aviante collins
RECORD: ot, tcu
107. Alex anzalone
RECORD: lb, florida
A few of the highlights from the final bunch of picks in this mock:
• The Texans have to address their offensive line during this draft. Garcia is a developing prospect who needs a healthy dose of NFL coaching, but his length and athleticism are enough to sell him. He moves well enough to be a fit for Houston’s scheme, on either side of the line.
• Maye would allow Pete Carroll to sleep a lot more easily at night. Obviously, Seattle’s defense is at its best when Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas are on the field together, but Maye could be a fallback option for either player. The Florida product is that versatile.
• Dallas begins handling its defensive issues at No. 92, with the underrated Wilson. There will be a handful of teams (and the Cowboys were among them in this mock) that lean offense in Rounds 1 and 2 because of this class’s depth on defense. There is less starter-caliber DE talent by this point, which limits the Cowboys’ options, but the abundance of skill in the secondary remains.
• Carolina had a shot at Fournette (and all the other RBs) at No. 8 but opted to pass, in this mock. Williams doesn’t bring the same upside, but he would be a nice fit behind Jonathan Stewart in that offense. He’s a hard runner with good size.
• A couple more injured players off the board: Jake Butt and Eddie Jackson. The former maintains he is well ahead of schedule in recovery from his ACL injury; the Packers’ recent addition of Martellus Bennett means they could ease Butt back, and he would be a terrific option for Aaron Rodgers once he is healthy. Jackson (broken leg) did not work out at the combine, but he was supposed to go through the paces during Alabama’s Pro Day—taking place about the same time as this mock hits the presses. At the very least, a healthy Jackson is a special teams contributor. At best, he’s a turnover-forcing machine from the free safety spot.
