2017 NFL Mock Draft

Last update: Monday, April 24, 2017. Major changes. Round 7 added.
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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2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 12/11): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3
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2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 11/29): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
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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.

*** OTHER 2017 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Mitchell Trubisky, QB – The Browns are apparently debating Trubisky. Only they would be foolish enough to repeat Jacksonville’s mistake of selecting Blaine Gabbert over J.J. Watt.

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San Francisco 49ers: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
I was talking to Charlie Campbell on Saturday afternoon, and neither of us can remember a draft in which the No. 2 overall pick was such a huge question mark. The 49ers could literally pick one of eight players, and I wouldn’t be surprised. If John Lynch opted to select someone out of the blue, like Christian McCaffrey, I wouldn’t be surprised at all. We’re trying to find out whom the 49ers will take, so hopefully we unearth something prior to Thursday evening. Then again, San Francisco may not be picking here; Charlie reported in the NFL Draft Rumor Mill that the 49ers are desperate to move down.

I considered Jonathan Allen the overwhelming favorite here prior to the combine, and I then switched this pick to Solomon Thomas, but only really by default. There was no obvious selection that stood out to me, but that’s only because I didn’t consider Leonard Fournette as a result of the 49ers having Carlos Hyde on their roster. However, Tony Pauline broke some news when he reported that the 49ers don’t consider Hyde a good fit for their offense, and that they are attempting to trade him. I would normally criticize a team for not creating a scheme to fit the personnel, but Hyde hasn’t been able to stay healthy.

This is obviously a game-changer. Fournette is the best player in this class not named Myles Garrett, and he would be a great weapon for Kirk Cousins, whenever he joins the roster (probably next year). 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.

*** OTHER 2017 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Solomon Thomas, DE – Many mocks have Thomas slotted here. I did as well a couple of weeks ago. Thomas makes a lot of sense, though I’d consider Fournette to make more sense.

2. Mitchell Trubisky, QB – I listed Trubisky as my “not” pick in my 2017 NFL NOT Draft, but the 49ers appear to be incompetent enough to completely block the possibility of landing Cousins by selecting a pedestrian quarterback prospect at No. 2 overall.
Chicago Bears: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
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. I’ve had Jonathan Allen slotted here for a while now, but I’m going to move on from that selection. Allen’s shoulders might be a concern, but as Aaron Leming pointed out on Twitter, Allen wouldn’t play a high percentage of snaps in Chicago’s scheme. Plus, it seems like the Bears like the safeties more.

The Bears like Hooker a lot, but the one issue happens to be his medical. However, Hooker is only going to be out 2-4 more months, so he could ready for the start of the season. I don’t think that’ll preclude Chicago from taking a player who has drawn Ed Reed comparisons.

*** OTHER 2017 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Jamal Adams, S – The other safety makes sense as well, though Adams would be redundant to Quintin Demps. Still, if they like Adams enough, they’ll take him here.

2. Deshaun Watson, QB – The Bears have shown a lot of interest in Watson, yet haven’t been eager to publicize it. That said, it would make more sense for the Bears to obtain Watson by moving up from No. 36 overall.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonathan Allen, DE/DT, Alabama
I once thought this was an easy projection to make. The Jaguars were going to pick Leonard Fournette because he didn’t make sense for any of the teams in the top three. Lock it in. Unfortunately for the Jaguars, they’ll be heart-broken if the 49ers select Fournette in the wake of the Carlos Hyde news.

This is now a perplexing pick. Jacksonville could select one of seven players, and none would surprise me. Jonathan Allen would be the favorite if it weren’t for his shoulders, but perhaps that’s being overblown. If so, the Jaguars could definitely take him with the fourth-overall choice. Sure, they signed Calais Campbell, but he won’t be around for very long. Allen could study under Campbell and rotate inside on passing downs to rush the quarterback. Tom Coughlin has a track record of building a roster from the inside-out, and he’s chosen numerous pass-rushers when he hasn’t needed to upgrade the position. This could be another instance.

*** OTHER 2017 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Solomon Thomas, DE – Tom Coughlin believes in building the roster from inside-out, so it’s most likely that Jacksonville will select a defensive lineman at No. 4 overall. Both Allen and Thomas make a lot of sense.

2. Leonard Fournette, RB – There’s a good chance Fournette will be the pick here if he’s available. Given his talent level, however, it’s highly probable that he’ll be off the board prior to this selection.
Tennessee Titans: O.J. Howard, TE, 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 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.

Many expect this to be a defensive selection, but don’t be surprised if O.J. Howard is the pick. This may seem early for a tight end, but Howard is the most complete tight end prospect we’ve seen in a very long time, and it would be a major stunner to me if he fell out of the top 10. Howard would give Marcus Mariota another dynamic weapon to work with, making Mariota even more dangerous in the red zone, which is scary.

*** OTHER 2017 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Mike Williams, WR – It appears as though the Titans want an offensive weapon to help Marcus Mariota. Howard is a better prospect than Williams, but the Clemson wideout would be a logical selection here as well.

2. Marshon Lattimore, CB – I have the Titans taking a cornerback with their second first-round choice, but perhaps they’ll opt for a corner at No. 5 overall instead.

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 and Marshon Lattimore. They may prefer Adams, given that they don’t believe he’ll be available at this juncture. He makes sense, as New York desperately needs upgrades for its awful secondary.

*** OTHER 2017 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Leonard Fournette, RB – As mentioned, I believe this to be Fournette’s floor.

2. Trade Down – Charlie Campbell reported in the NFL Draft Rumor Mill that the Jets are discussing a trade with the Browns, as Cleveland wants to move up for Mitchell Trubisky.

Pick change; previously Marshon Lattimore, CB
Los Angeles Chargers: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
How does Solomon Thomas make sense? Don’t the Chargers already have Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram and Jeremiah Attaochu? Well, Ingram and Attaochu are both impending free agents after the 2017 campaign. Also, the Chargers are switching to a 4-3 defense under Gus Bradley. There’s no telling how Ingram and Attaochu will adapt to the new scheme. Thomas could also move inside on passing downs, which would be ideal because the Chargers’ interior pass rush needs to be upgraded.

*** OTHER 2017 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Malik Hooker or Jamal Adams, S – I believe the Chargers will select one of the two blue-chip safeties if they happen to be available.

2. Jonathan Allen, DE/DT – There’s a chance Allen could slip to the Chargers if teams are concerned about his shoulders. If so, I think San Diego will take him.

Pick change; previously Jamal Adams, S
Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey, RB/WR, Stanford
Numerous reports suggest that Christian McCaffrey will be chosen in the top 10. There’s been mixed reaction to that around the league, but I could see it happening, especially considering that coaches could see McCaffrey as a matchup nightmare. Charlie Campbell discussed this in a NFL Draft Stock Report update.

If McCaffrey is picked in the top 10, Carolina is an obvious landing spot. The Panthers need a new running back with Jonathan Stewart hitting 30 this offseason. Plus, I’m sure Cam Newton would love having a dynamic player like McCaffrey with him in the backfield.

*** OTHER 2017 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Solomon Thomas, DE – Here’s another spot for Thomas if McCaffrey happens to be available. Carolina has a couple of older edge rushers, so young blood is needed.

2. Marshon Lattimore, CB – The Panthers tend to take the top player on their board, so if that’s Lattimore, it would make a lot of sense as a replacement for Josh Norman.

Cincinnati Bengals: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
We’re going to have a much better idea of whom the Bengals will be targeting at No. 9 prior to next Thursday. I’ll be much more confident next week, but we’ve heard that Marvin Lewis has very high regard for Solomon Thomas. As of now, I think he’ll be the pick if he’s available. He’d make sense for a Cincinnati squad that struggles to pressure the quarterback on the edge.

Thomas is off the board, however. If he’s gone, Derek Barnett becomes a likely option to fix Cincinnati’s lackluster edge rush.

*** OTHER 2017 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Solomon Thomas, DE – I believe this to be Thomas’ floor.

2. Mike Williams, WR – The Bengals want to double up on receivers at some point. I expect that to be later in the draft, but going with Williams and then another wideout makes sense.

Pick change; previously Solomon Thomas, DE
Buffalo Bills: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
Getting the No. 1 cornerback prospect in the NFL Draft with the 10th pick seems like a pretty sweet deal. I don’t think the Bills would hesitate to select Marshon Lattimore if he’s available. They lost Stephon Gilmore to the Patriots, and they needed cornerback help even before he departed. Lattimore could be chosen much earlier than this, so he provides very good value at No. 10 overall.

*** OTHER 2017 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Mitchell Trubisky, QB – The Bills have had a major internal struggle about what to do with Tyrod Taylor, and the way the contract is set up, they can part ways with Taylor after this season. Trubisky can sit for a year and learn behind Taylor, which is ideal because he doesn’t have the appropriate amount of collegiate experience to play right away.

2. Reuben Foster, LB – The Bills could use another linebacker to play alongside Reggie Ragland, and I don’t think Foster’s failed drug test will drop him.

Pick change; previously Mitchell Trubisky, QB

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.

*** OTHER 2017 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Derek Barnett or Charles Harris, DE – Here are other defensive end possibilities, as the Chargers want to upgrade their poor pass rush.

2. Gareon Conley, CB – Conley is gaining a ton of momentum and appears to be the No. 2 cornerback in this class. The Saints need to upgrade the position.
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.

Speaking of the Jets, as discussed earlier, the Browns are talking with New York for a trade up. There’s a good chance Cleveland obtains Trubisky with the sixth-overall selection.

*** OTHER 2017 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Gareon Conley, CB – The Browns can pretty much address any position here, save for the offensive line, and it would make sense. Cleveland’s awful secondary needs multiple upgrades.

2. John Ross, WR – John Ross may seem odd considering Mike Williams is off the board, but the analytically driven Browns seem like they’d prefer Ross, who tested better than Williams.

Pick change; previously John Ross, WR
Arizona Cardinals: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
The Cardinals have several talented defensive players to choose from at No. 13 overall. I’ve had them taking a cornerback for a while, but if Reuben Foster is available, I see them having a difficult time passing on him. Arizona has a big need at inside linebacker, as Karlos Dansby can’t be counted on to start next to Deone Bucannon.

Foster tested positive at the combine, and there’s been some speculation that his stock could fall. However, the Cardinals have selected Robert Nkemdiche and Tyrann Mathieu in the past, so I don’t think they’ll pass on Foster for any off-the-field concerns.

*** OTHER 2017 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Gareon Conley, CB – Here’s another spot in which Conley makes sense. Arizona needs a No. 2 cornerback across from Patrick Peterson.

2. Haason Reddick, LB – I think Reddick is a worst-case scenario for the Cardinals, but he makes sense for them, as they need help at linebacker.
Philadelphia Eagles: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
The Eagles might be pretty surprised if Mike Williams falls to them. Williams could be chosen as high as No. 5 overall, but he didn’t test very well, so some teams have soured on him. As a result, it’s also very conceivable that he could slip to the 14th pick.

Philadelphia signed Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith this offseason, but Jeffery was signed to a 1-year deal, so he and Jordan Matthews will hit free agency. And speaking of Matthews, I’d expect him to be traded if Williams ends up being the pick.

*** OTHER 2017 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Gareon Conley, CB – There’s some speculation around the league that the Eagles will spend the 14th-overall pick on Conley. Given their huge need for a top cornerback, the Ohio State product would make a lot of sense.

2. Charles Harris, DE – The Eagles need an edge rusher, as the departed Connor Barwin didn’t mesh well into Philadelphia’s new defense.
Indianapolis Colts: Charles Harris, DE/OLB, Missouri
The Colts have so many needs on defense, but the primary thing they need to address is finding a talented edge rusher. Their current top pass-rushers are Jabaal Sheard, who was benched last year, and John Simon, a rotational player for the Texans. Charles Harris would potentially solve a huge problem for the Colts.

Harris has been bouncing all over the place in my mock draft. He tested poorly at the combine, which I thought would drop him, but apparently not. It’s been reported that he has drawn top-15 grades, and two teams we’ve spoken to believe he’ll be off the board in the top 25.

*** OTHER 2017 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Derek Barnett, DE – I’ve had Barnett slotted here for a few weeks. I think he’ll be the pick if he’s available.

2. Reuben Foster, ILB – There are lots of picks that make sense for the Colts. Gareon Conley, Haason Reddick, Takkarist McKinley, T.J. Watt and several others are all logical choices. New Colts general manager Chris Ballard came from Kansas City, and Andy Reid used to take second chances on players all the time. Perhaps Ballard will do the same with Foster.

Pick change; previously Derek Barnett, DE
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.

*** OTHER 2017 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Derek Barnett or Charles Harris, DE – If the Ravens don’t select Robinson, I expect them to go after an edge rusher. They like Harris, while Barnett remarkably tested exactly like Terrell Suggs coming out of college.

2. Mike Williams, WR – The Ravens are rumored to be targeting a receiver, but I imagine they’d prefer a larger target like Williams. Baltimore would finally be able to replace Anquan Boldin.

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 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Round 5

Go to 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Round 6 | Go to 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Round 7

Go to 2018 NFL Mock Draft

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