2017 NFL Mock Draft

Last update: Wednesday, April 5, 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 is a chance Trubisky could be available at No. 12 overall.

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San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
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. But if the shoulders are a concern, Allen could slip a few spots, or at least one.

I think from a needs standpoint, Solomon Thomas makes much more sense for the 49ers anyway. They need an edge rusher in the worst way possible, and Thomas fits their new 4-3 defense perfectly.

I slowly moved 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.
Chicago Bears: Jonathan Allen, DE/DT, Alabama
I had the Bears selecting Mitchell Trubisky prior to free agency, but I don’t think they’ll go in that direction in the wake of Chicago paying Mike Glennon a ton of money for some reason.

Instead, Chicago can focus on its defense. Jonathan Allen is the best player available, and he would fill a big hole on the defensive line across from Akiem Hicks. There are some concerns with Allen’s shoulders, but those could just be overblown. I’m sure Chicago would have a difficult time passing up on a major talent like Allen.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
The Jaguars have discussed adding talent around Blake Bortles, but aside from trading for Branden Albert, they haven’t done that this offseason. They signed a bunch of high-priced defensive players, but they’ve barely touched their offense. Perhaps that’s a sign of the direction they intend on going with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Leonard Fournette is the best player available; there’s no question about that. 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. He would be an enormous upgrade over both Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon.
Tennessee Titans: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
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.

As Charlie Campbell reported, Tennessee likes the safeties better than the cornerbacks. However, the safety spots have been filled in the wake of the John Cyprien signing, yet, there’s still a big hole at cornerback. That can be filled by selecting Marlon Humphrey (and yes, over Marshon Lattimore.)

Pick change; previously Jamal Adams, S

New York Jets: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
New York’s philosophy is to select the best player available. Thus, I think this is the floor for Leonard Fournette. If the LSU running back is available, he’ll be too good for the Jets to pass up.

If, however, Fournette is off the board, as expected, the Jets will be able to choose between Jamal Adams, Malik Hooker, Marshon Lattimore and O.J. Howard. All four could be described as the best player available. My guess is Adams would be higher on New York’s board, based on what other teams have said, but there’s no way of knowing that right now.

Pick change; previously O.J. Howard, TE
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: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
This pick may seem strange because Greg Olsen is still a terrific player. However, the Panthers, like the Jets, take the top prospect on their board, regardless of need. The best player available could definitely be O.J. Howard.

Besides, it’s not like the dynamic Howard won’t have a place on Carolina’s offense. Teams have used two productive tight ends in an offense before, and Cam Newton could use all the weapons he can get after his troubled 2016 campaign. Besides, Olsen just turned 32, so he probably has two years remaining in Carolina anyway, as his contract expires in spring 2019.

Pick change; previously Marshon Lattimore, CB

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 no longer with the team anyway. Cincinnati could definitely target Foster at No. 9 overall, especially if it thinks he’s the best player available. The Kevin Minter deal might complicate things, but that was just a 1-year contract.

Pick change; previously Dalvin Cook, RB
Buffalo Bills: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
I’ve slotted a quarterback to the Bills for a while, but that was under the assumption that Tyrod Taylor wouldn’t return to the team. Things have obviously changed, so Buffalo will have to go in another direction.

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.
Cleveland Browns: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
I wrote earlier that Cleveland’s No. 1 overall pick would come down to Myles Garrett and Mitchell Trubisky. Well, as a Hall of Fame running back once said, they can eat their cake and eat it, too.

Trubisky, as discussed, fits Hue Jackson’s offense perfectly. He seems like he’ll be the first quarterback chosen in the 2017 NFL Draft, despite his inexperience. The Browns shouldn’t take him at No. 1, but the value is certainly there with the 12th-overall selection. There’s a good chance Trubisky will be available here, as the quarterback spots in the top 10 have completely dried up, save for the Jets at No. 6.
Arizona Cardinals: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
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.

Quarterback is the other option, and I could see Arizona going that route with either DeShone Kizer or Pat Mahomes. However, I think the Cardinals either move down or select a signal-caller in the second round instead.

Pick change; previously Marlon Humphrey, CB
Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
There’s been some chatter that the Eagles could select a defensive lineman with the No. 14 overall pick, and it makes sense because Connor Barwin left via free agency. They’ll need to find someone who can start across from Brandon Graham. Chris Long was signed, but that was just a short-term depth addition.

Derek Barnett has been highly productive at Tennessee, but lacks length and explosion. However, there were similar concerns about Graham entering the NFL, and we’ve all seen how that turned out.
Indianapolis Colts: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
I imagine many Indianapolis fans want their team to select a defensive player, but how can they do that with Dalvin Cook still on the board? Cook, who has the talent to be a top-10 pick, would provide the Colts with the explosive weapon in the backfield they’ve been missing for quite some time. He’ll be a huge boon for Andrew Luck, as teams will no longer be able to completely focus on Luck.

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 also has some minor off-the-field issues, but Indianapolis won’t think that’s a big deal, as its current general manager worked with Andy Reid for quite some time.

Pick change; previously Reuben Foster, LB
Baltimore Ravens: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
The Ravens lost Ricky Wagner to free agency and have failed to replace him. This tackle class isn’t very strong, but Cam Robinson provides decent value at No. 16 overall. If Ozzie Newsome’s affinity for Alabama players wasn’t enough to convince you that this is a likely pick, check out the NFL Draft Rumor Mill, where Charlie Campbell reported that the Ravens really like Robinson.

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.