2017 NFL Mock Draft

Last update: Tuesday, March 7, 2017. Major changes.
Next update: Occasionally. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2017 NFL Mock Draft is based on the 2017 NFL Draft Order.

NFL Draft Recent Links:

2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 11/20): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/15)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 7/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (10/26)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)

archived mock section

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Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
I think we can say that this pick is now down to two candidates: Myles Garrett and Mitchell Trubisky. The Browns obviously need a quarterback, and I believe Trubisky is what Hue Jackson is looking for. Trubisky has his flaws, but he’s very accurate and has a quick release. Jackson may envision Trubisky as his new Andy Dalton.

However, Garrett amazed at the combine, posting astronomical numbers at his size. The Browns were reportedly floored by the performance. This happened after Adam Schefter reported that the Browns have an “astronomical grade” on Garrett. Cleveland needs a pass-rusher as well, and Garrett would be an enormous upgrade.

The question is, would the Browns take Garrett over Trubisky when they’re desperate for a franchise quarterback? Well, there is precedent for this, as the Texans picked Jadeveon Clowney when they really needed a signal-caller in the 2014 NFL Draft. Houston simply had Clowney way above all the quarterbacks, and that could be the case with Cleveland and Garrett. Plus, there are NFL Free Agent Rumors that the Browns could target Tyrod Taylor.

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San Francisco 49ers: Jonathan Allen, DE/DT, Alabama
I considered Jonathan Allen the overwhelming favorite here prior to the combine, but things are more complicated at the moment. Allen didn’t have a great combine, though he didn’t suffer through a poor one either. There is concern about his shoulders, and the scuttlebutt is that they could cause him to drop. Allen should still be regarded as a fantastic player, and Charlie Campbell reported in the NFL Draft Rumor Mill that the 49ers have interest in Allen.

Other options include Solomon Thomas and a quarterback. It’s being speculated that Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch will go hard after Kirk Cousins and Jimmy Garoppolo. Tom Brady’s backup could be dealt, and Shanahan previously said that he likes him a lot. Meanwhile, trading for Kirk Cousins is a realistic option as well.

If the 49ers acquire Garoppolo or Cousins, they’ll likely target the best player available, and that would easily be Allen. It sounds like the 49ers will be moving to a 4-3, which would explain why they’d take Allen when they’ve selected DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead in the previous two drafts.
Chicago Bears: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
I’ve previously avoided mocking a quarterback to the Bears because they have a veteran coaching staff and front office in place, so I’m not sure they’d want a raw, rookie signal-caller in control of the offense.

However, two things have happened since that previous update. First, I moved Jonathan Allen into No. 2, so he’s no longer available. And second, based on conversations I had in Houston, I’ve heard that the Bears like Mitchell Trubisky. This is not directly sourced; it’s second-hand information, but I found it interesting nonetheless. If Chicago likes Trubisky enough, it’ll take him, and perhaps it’ll view him as a potential Carson Wentz/Dak Prescott quarterback; two rookie signal-callers thrived right away last year, so maybe recency bias will prompt this selection.

There’s talk, however, that the Bears could acquire Mike Glennon. If so, perhaps they’ll take Allen if he falls, or maybe Marshon Lattimore, who had an excellent combine.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
Despite their six sacks of Andrew Luck in the London game, the Jaguars don’t pressure the quarterback consistently. They have some promising edge rushers in Dante Fowler and Yannick Ngakoue, but neither was very effective this past season.

I don’t think Jacksonville will go out of its way to select an edge rusher, but in this case, one of the best players available happens to be one. I slowly moved Solomon Thomas up my mock draft each week prior to the combine, and I’m glad I did so. Thomas, as expected, was dominant in Indianapolis, and it’s now possible that he could be the second-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

This pick, by the way, is the toughest for me. I asked around in Houston, and everyone was equally befuddled. Jamal Adams makes sense, but not if the Jaguars re-sign John Cyprien. Cam Robinson once filled a need, but he was a major reach anyway. Marshon Lattimore could be considered the best player available, but the Jaguars spent last year’s first-rounder on a cornerback. Leonard Fournette is an option as well, but the Jaguars have plenty invested in the running back position. And if Thomas goes No. 2, Jonathan Allen is the logical choice at this juncture.
Tennessee Titans: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
The Titans made great strides in 2016, and they figure to keep improving, thanks to this selection. Owning the No. 5 overall pick because of the Rams’ incompetence, Tennessee wouldn’t be in a position to snatch a blue-chip safety prospect if they never moved down last year. That, however, is the case, as the Titans won one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history.

It was going to be a tight race between Jamal Adams and Malik Hooker to see who the No. 1 safety prospect would be. However, as Charlie Campbell first reported, Malik Hooker is out 4-6 months after two surgeries. Adams, meanwhile, didn’t have a great combine, but the Titans like the safeties better than the cornerbacks, so I’m going to stick with Adams at No. 5 overall.

New York Jets: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
I previously slotted Mitchell Trubisky here, citing some news story that the Jets had interest in him. Charlie Campbell squashed those reports in his Senior Bowl Rumor Mill. The scuttlebutt is that Christian Hackenberg has developed well behind the scenes, so perhaps the Jets won’t give up on him without seeing him play after all. You can read more in my NFL Draft Rumor Mill, where Charlie reported that the Jets won’t be taking a quarterback in the early rounds.

If this is true, Leonard Fournette suddenly becomes the favorite for this pick. The Jets don’t have a viable starting running for the future, and Fournette is a stud. Fournette is considered the top running back prospect since Adrian Peterson, as he’s received higher grades than Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott. He was slowed by an injury in 2016, but his tape in 2015 was some of the best a running back prospect has ever displayed. Marshon Lattimore would be the other option.
Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Charlie Campbell was the first to report that Malik Hooker is out 4-6 months after two surgeries. I considered dropping him out of this slot, but I’m going to hold off for now. The Chargers like Hooker, and it doesn’t sound as though he’ll miss any regular-season action, so it’s not like they won’t have him for his rookie campaign in the wake of this news.

Besides, Hooker fills a huge need. The Chargers were already weak at safety in the wake of Eric Weddle’s departure, and now Jahleel Addae happens to be an impending free agent.
Carolina Panthers: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
Carolina likes to take the top player on its board, and I speculated that it would be Dalvin Cook recently. However, the Panthers also value character very highly, and there are concerns about Cook and the company he keeps, so he could slide a bit in the 2017 NFL Draft. The next prospect on the big board might just be one of the cornerbacks, Marshon Lattimore or Marlon Humphrey.

The Panthers missed Josh Norman last year. James Bradberry performed on a high level at cornerback this past year, but Carolina is still in need of help at the position. In a recent NFL Draft Stock Report, it was discussed why Lattimore could be the top cornerback in this class.

Cincinnati Bengals: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Reuben Foster made some news at the combine in a bad way when he was sent home for yelling at a hospital worker. However, according to various reports, this isn’t expected to affect Foster’s draft status very much. And besides, it’s not like the Bengals have avoided troubled players in the past.

The Bengals signed Karlos Dansby to be their second linebacker last offseason. Dansby wasn’t horrible, but his play from 2015 definitely declined, and he’s now a free agent anyway. Cincinnati could definitely target Foster at No. 9 overall, especially if it thinks he’s the best player available.

Pick change; previously Dalvin Cook, RB
Buffalo Bills: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
I’ve been slotting a quarterback to the Bills for a while, but it’s time for a change. A recent report speculated that Buffalo would like to go with a pedestrian signal-caller like Nick Foles so that it can bottom out and snag a franchise quarterback in 2018. There’s great talent at the position next year, as you can see in my 2018 NFL Mock Draft.

So, if this pick isn’t a quarterback, what will the Bills do? My guess is that Mike Williams becomes the top option. Buffalo has nothing at receiver outside of Sammy Watkins, who has trouble staying healthy. Williams is a stud. He dominated the national championship, and he has drawn comparisons to Andre Johnson. The Titans and Buccaneers have strong interest in Mike Williams, but he won’t make it to their picks (Tennessee’s No. 18; not No. 5).

New Orleans Saints: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
The Saints are in desperate need of an edge rusher to play across from Cameron Jordan. I have to believe they would love it if Taco Charlton would fall to them at No. 11, as Charlie Campbell reported in the NFL Draft Rumor Mill that one team believes the Michigan product will be a top-10 pick.

Charlton has great size, athleticism and length with great pass-rushing skills, and he would do a lot to improve New Orleans’ stop unit.

Pick change; previously Derek Barnett. DE
Cleveland Browns: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
The Browns have some of the worst secondary play in the NFL. In fact, it’s probably the absolute worst. There are problems both at cornerback and safety. Regarding the former, one of my readers called Joe Haden the “oldest 27-year-old on the planet” because of all the injuries he’s incurred over the years. Haden is no longer reliable, so Cleveland will have to think about finding a new No. 1 cornerback.
Arizona Cardinals: Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
The Cardinals had major problems at cornerback across from Patrick Peterson the entire year. They tried multiple players, but couldn’t find a solution. Fortunately for them, this class is absolutely packed at the position.

Sidney Jones has quick feet and can play press-man coverage. He hasn’t allowed a touchdown since Week 7 of 2015, and is probably the most instinctive corners in the NFL Draft this year.

Pick change; previously Corey Davis, WR
Philadelphia Eagles: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
The Eagles, or rather, the Vikings winning the coin toss was absolutely huge. Aside from receiver, many of Philadelphia’s top needs coincide with Indianapolis’, so it could pay off for the Eagles that they get to pick right before the Colts in the opening round.

Running back is an example of this. Both teams desperately need one, and it just so happens that Dalvin Cook is the best player available. Cook posted poor numbers at the combine, but those figures don’t factor in his excellent vision, and besides, Cook’s high-level production at Florida State is just too great to ignore. Cook would fill a big void for the Eagles, who appear to be finished with Ryan Mathews.

One other thing worth noting is that Cook has some minor off-the-field issues. However, Doug Pederson has worked with Andy Reid for many years, and Reid has been one to give players second chances. Perhaps Pederson will do the same.

Pick change; previously Corey Davis, WR
Indianapolis Colts: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
The Colts spent last year’s first-round pick on an Alabama offensive lineman. Can they do it again? Well, it depends on how they view Cam Robinson. Per Charlie Campbell’s report in the NFL Draft Rumor Mill, it seems like half the league believes Robinson is a solid tackle prospect worthy of a top-15 selection. The other half thinks he’s an overrated prospect who belongs in the 17-32 range. Mike Mayock, meanwhile, believes Robinson is a guard.

If Indianapolis likes Robinson, it’ll give him serious consideration at No. 15. Robinson would fill a huge void at right tackle, potentially giving Andrew Luck much-needed protection.

Pick change; previously Dalvin Cook, RB
Baltimore Ravens: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
The Ravens have to focus on finding some pass-rushers this offseason. Terrell Suggs will turn 35 in October, while Elvis Dumervil just hit 33. Neither can be counted on much longer, as they’ve shown signs of wearing down lately. Baltimore needs young blood at the position, and luckily for them, there are a ton of great edge rushers in this class.

Suggs and Derek Barnett are similar prospects coming out of college. They have numerous identical traits, right down to their size (Suggs was 6-3, 262; Barnett is 6-3, 259), and 40 times (Suggs ran 4.84; Barnett ran 4.88).

Pick change; previously Sidney Jones, CB

Go to 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I’ve received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.

Go to 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2 | Go to 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3

Go to 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Round 4 | Go to 2018 NFL Mock Draft