2017 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 – Picks 17-32

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.

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Washington Redskins: Forrest Lamp, G/C, Western Kentucky
I’m not exaggerating when I say this, but I spent about an hour last night thinking about this pick alone. I’ve slotted Zach Cunningham here for a while, as he was the exact prospect Scot McCloughan would’ve looked for. McCloughan, of course, was fired, but I still stuck with Cunningham because he filled a huge need. That’s no longer the case because of the Zach Brown signing.

I ultimately decided on Forrest Lamp. There’s talk that Lamp could be a top-20 pick, as teams love him. He can play all three positions on the offensive line, which has to interest the Redskins. They need an upgrade over Shawn Lauvao, which Lamp could provide. Lauvao and center Spencer Long are impending free agents in 2018, so Lamp would also provide insurance in case the latter departs.

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Pick change; previously Zach Cunningham, LB
Tennessee Titans: John Ross, WR, Washington
The Titans tried to acquire a receiver in some fashion this offseason, but failed to do so for the most part (Eric Weems doesn’t count.) They want to find a weapon for Marcus Mariota, so this selection could be used on an offensive play-maker.

I’d say John Ross qualifies as a play-maker. His hands aren’t the best, and his durability is questionable, but he has 4.22 speed and can go the distance every time he touches the ball.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Christian McCaffrey, RB/WR, Stanford
I moved Christian McCaffrey to the second round of my 2017 NFL Mock Draft because I figured some teams might be down on him after he skipped the historic Sun Bowl, but based on conversations I had in Houston, I’m putting him back into the opening frame. The Buccaneers make a lot of sense, as they desperately need a running back, and their current regime loves players who are very passionate about football. McCaffrey, who predictably blew up the combine, fits that description.
Denver Broncos: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
The Broncos have an extremely dubious tackle situation, which they almost have to address with an early-round selection. Menelik Watson, Donald Stephenson and Ty Samrailo are their top three tackles, and all three of them are horrible. Tony Romo just retired, but even if he had joined the Broncos, it wouldn’t have mattered very much because Denver wouldn’t have been able to block for him.

It’s either Garett Bolles or Ryan Ramczyk for the Broncos. Bolles had a terrific combine, and I get the feeling that he’s higher on Denver’s board than Ramczyk.

Pick change; previously David Njoku, TE
Detroit Lions: Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut
I’ve had the Lions addressing their secondary for a while now with Adoree Jackson shoring up cornerback. Safety can also be addressed, and the Lions have shown lots of interest in Obi Melifonwu, whose draft stock is red-hot. Both of Detroit’s starting safeties, Glover Quin and Tavon Wilson, are entering their contract years, and the Lions could stand to upgrade their poor pass coverage anyway.

Miami Dolphins: Charles Harris, DE/OLB, Missouri
The Dolphins have shown a ton of interest in various pass-rushing prospects during the pre-draft process. That makes a ton of sense, as Miami has nothing behind Cameron Wake and William Hayes. Wake will regress soon, while Hayes will be a free agent following this season.

Charles Harris had a poor combine, so I dropped him to the second round. However, NFL teams still expect him to go in the 14-26 range, so I’ve moved him back into the opening frame.

Pick change; previously Jabrill Peppers, S
New York Giants: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
Anyone who doesn’t think the Giants will have interest in one of the offensive tackles needs to consider that they tried to sign a tackle this offseason in Russell Okung. They also attempted to select Jack Conklin a year ago, but the Titans leapt over them. New York desperately needs to improve its edge blocking, so it’ll consider the Nos. 2 and 3 tackles in this class, Garett Bolles and Ryan Ramczyk (in some order), at this spot. Bolles is off the board, so Ramczyk it is.

Pick change; previously Garett Bolles, OT
Oakland Raiders: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
The Raiders are expected to address their front seven with this pick. I’ve mocked Caleb Brantley to them for a while, but Haason Reddick is probably the superior prospect. Reddick would inject some talent into a poor linebacking corps. Jelani Jenkins was signed, but that was to a short-term deal. Reddick would be a solution for the long haul.

Houston Texans: Pat Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
I would’ve had the Texans going in a different direction prior to the Tony Romo news. However, Romo retired – check out my Disaster Grades for the Tony Romo retirement here – and so Houston will have to start Tom Savage unless it can find an alternative solution. That solution could be this pick, which almost has to happen now.

Charlie Campbell reported that some teams have Mahomes slotted as a second-round prospect, but given that Mahomes is a quarterback, he’s likely to be chosen earlier than most anticipate. The NFL Draft Advisory Committee apparently agrees, as they gave Mahomes a Round 2 grade, which means he’ll be pushed into the opening frame because he’s a quarterback. Thus, it only seems logical to slot Mahomes into this spot, because if the Texans like him, they won’t be able to obtain him with their second-round selection.
Seattle Seahawks: Adoree Jackson, CB/KR, USC
The Seahawks have had success taking mid-round cornerbacks, but that doesn’t mean they won’t address the position in the first round. They have a hole at the position, and they took care of other areas in free agency, so they could go that route at No. 26 overall. Adoree Jackson fits the profile of a Seahawk player with his athleticism.

Kansas City Chiefs: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Andy Reid selected Kevin Kolb with his initial draft choice back in 2007. Donovan McNabb was entrenched as his starter, but he was about to turn 31, and Reid was thinking of the future. Perhaps Reid will make a similar decision at this juncture, as Alex Smith is a few months away from 33. Smith performed poorly this past season, so the Chiefs need to get better at quarterback anyway.

I should note that no team we’ve spoken to has Deshaun Watson as a first-round prospect. One high-ranking personnel man in the NFC told me he has Watson as a third-round prospect. It’s so much like the Teddy Bridgewater draft, when the media had Bridgewater in the first round, and yet NFL franchises considered him to be a second-day prospect, even before his woeful pro day. However, this was prior to the national championship, so I have to believe some team will trade up into the back end of the opening frame to take Watson, much like the Vikings did with Bridgewater. In this case, Pittsburgh is simply taking Watson with its own pick, and I think it’s a very logical selection.

Pick change; previously Pat Mahomes, QB
Dallas Cowboys: Takkarist McKinley, DE/OLB, UCLA
The Cowboys are expected to address either their pass rush or secondary with the No. 28 overall pick unless an explosive play-maker drops to them. It could be argued that Corey Davis fits that profile, but some teams labeled him as a late first-/early second-round prospect. Thus, Dallas may not see him as a huge steal.

Instead, Dallas could be interested in someone like Takkarist McKinley, who would help shore up the pass rush, which needs help because Randy Gregory can’t stay out of trouble.

Green Bay Packers: Jabrill Peppers, S/LB, Michigan
The Packers managed to retain one of their free agent edge rushers. While outside linebacker remains a possibility at No. 29, I think Green Bay will focus on finding a talented defensive back instead, which is necessary considering the dire issues the team had at the position last year.

Things seem worse for Green Bay’s secondary now that Micah Hyde has joined the Bills. Jabrill Peppers seems like the perfect replacement for Hyde, as he can do everything Hyde did, both on defense and special teams.

Pick change; previously Gareon Conley, CB
Pittsburgh Steelers: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
Ben Roethlisberger has hinted at retirement this offseason. In fact, he hasn’t even committed to playing in 2017, most recently saying that he was “leaning” toward returning for next year. Roethlisberger, now 35, will probably play for the Steelers next season, but how certain can the front office be if that’ll be the case for 2018 and beyond? We’ve seen crazier retirements, so it’s not out of the question that Roethlisberger could even retire this offseason.

The last team that had a future Hall of Fame quarterback with retirement drama was Green Bay. What did the Packers do when Brett Favre was mulling retirement? They selected Aaron Rodgers. Perhaps Pittsburgh will follow a similar strategy.

Pick change; previously Deshaun Watson, QB
Atlanta Falcons: T.J. Watt, DE/OLB, Wisconsin
It was a bit odd to see the Falcons eschew their pass rush in the 2016 NFL Draft, especially when Shaq Lawson dropped to them at No. 17. I’m sure that after seeing their defenders struggle to get to the quarterback – save for Vic Beasley, who has improved – they’ll be desperate for someone who can apply pressure on opposing signal-callers in the 2017 NFL Draft. T.J. Watt has the great athleticism the Falcons often look for in their prospects.

Pick change; previously Forrest Lamp, G
New Orleans Saints: Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
Two of the Saints’ early-round picks are expected to be used on a pass-rusher and a cornerback. Here’s an upgrade for the latter position, though I’ll change this selection if New Orleans manages to obtain Malcolm Butler.