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

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.

NFL Draft Recent Links:

2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/22): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
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Washington Redskins: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
Gareon Conley is a rising prospect, and there are some who believe that he could be chosen over his Buckeye teammate Marshon Lattimore. I definitely wouldn’t discount that possibility, though I think it’s more likely that Conley is taken in the 12-18 range.

Considering that the Redskins have glaring issues in their secondary, I have a difficult time seeing them pass on Conley if he were available. He’s arguably the top prospect on the board – if ignoring free-falling running backs – and he’d fill a big need across from Josh Norman.

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

1. Reuben Foster, ILB – As mentioned before, I don’t expect Foster to drop as a result of his positive test. I think this could be his floor.

2. Adoree Jackson, CB – If Conley is off the board, perhaps they’ll select a cornerback who can keep up with Odell Beckham Jr.

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Tennessee Titans: Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado
The Titans had a big need at cornerback before they released Jason McCourty. That void is even greater now, so it would be a surprise if Tennessee didn’t use one of its opening-round selections on a corner.

Chidobe Awuzie being slotted this high may surprise some people, but there’s definitely a growing sense that he’ll be chosen at some point Thursday night.

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

1. John Ross, WR – I’ve had Ross slotted here for a while, but I now have Tennessee selecting an offensive weapon at No. 5 overall.

2. Marlon Humphrey, CB – I think the Titans take Chidobe Awuzie here, but if they don’t, Marlon Humphrey is another cornerback option.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
I’ve slotted Christian McCaffrey to the Buccaneers since the middle of February, but it’s sounding like he won’t be available to them. If not, Tampa Bay could still select another offensive weapon, such as Dalvin Cook.

I referenced Cook as the free-falling running back earlier in this mock draft. Cook’s stock is plummeting because his historically bad testing numbers for a first-round back, but one thing the figures don’t take into account is his excellent vision. It would be surprising if he flopped in the NFL, and I’d have to think the Buccaneers feel the same way.

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

1. Corey Davis, WR – Davis is the receiving option over John Ross, as the Washington product would be redundant. I think Davis is the pick if Cook is off the board.

2. Obi Melifonwu, S – The Buccaneers desperately need safety help, and Melifonwu’s stock has risen enough to warrant consideration at No. 19 overall.
Denver Broncos: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
The Broncos have an extremely dubious tackle situation, which they almost have to address with an early-round selection. It’s either Garett Bolles or Ryan Ramczyk here, unless a talented defender like Haason Reddick is available.

Reddick makes a lot of sense for Denver. The team struggled to cover tight ends and pass-catching running backs without Danny Trevathan, and Reddick would be a nice solution to that problem.

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

1. Cam Robinson, OT – Robinson is the pick here if available, but I think he’ll be off the board.

2. Garett Bolles or Ryan Ramczyk, OT – The fallback options if Reddick isn’t available. I think Denver prefers Bolles over Ramczyk.

Pick change; previously Garett Bolles, OT
Detroit Lions: T.J. Watt, DE/OLB, Wisconsin
T.J. Watt is reportedly rising up boards, and he is the sort of prospect Bob Quinn has drafted thus far. The Lions need help all over their defense, including at defensive end. A dynamic pass-rusher is needed across from Ziggy Ansah, who, by the way, will be an impending free agent after this year.

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

1. Haason Reddick, LB – Reddick checks all the boxes for what Quinn is looking for. There’s a decent chance he won’t be available, however.

2. John Ross, WR – Ross would be an intriguing option for the Lions, as they need a third receiver in the wake of Anquan Boldin’s departure.

Miami Dolphins: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
The Dolphins are changing up their draft strategy this year. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald published an article recently where he pointed out that the Dolphins’ brass is attempting to find as many high-character, smart players as possible. That’s Jarrad Davis in a nutshell. Davis, who fills a big need at linebacker, has top-five intangibles in this class. He’s exactly what the Dolphins are now looking for.

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

1. Haason Reddick, LB – Reddick was my pick last week, but he’s no lnger available.

2. Forrest Lamp, G – Laremy Tunsil is moving to tackle, so an opening has created at guard.

Pick change; previously Haason Reddick, LB
New York Giants: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
The Giants have expressed disdain for the offensive linemen in this class, but if there’s one exception, it’s Garett Bolles. Jordan Raanan has reported that the Giants have Bolles rated above all of the other offensive linemen in this class. Given that New York wanted Jack Conklin last year, it would make sense for them to obtain a left tackle.

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

1. Zach Cunningham, LB – I’ve had Cunningham slotted here for a while. I think he’s the favorite if Bolles is off the board.

2. Jarrad Davis, LB – It’s looking like Davis is the preferred target for the Giants, but it’s looking like he won’t be available. Teams love his intangibles.

Pick change; previously Zach Cunningham, LB
Oakland Raiders: Kevin King, CB, Washington
The Raiders are expected to address their defense with this pick. I’ve had them fixing their front seven for countless updates, but they could also select a cornerback.

Kevin King, like Chidobe Awuzie, is another name that might be surprising in the first round. As with Awuzie, King’s stock has soared, and it now seems like he’ll be taken in the first round. There have been some rumors linking the Raiders to King, so that’s what I’m going with at the moment.

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

1. John Ross, WR – The Raiders are aiming to improve their defense, but they could find John Ross intriguing. Ross would be a huge upgrade in the slot, as Oakland had the worst No. 3 receiver in the NFL last year.

2. Jarrad Davis or Zach Cunningham, LBs – Both linebackers make sense for the Raiders – as does Haason Reddick, if available – with Oakland needing to address the position.

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.

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

1. Deshaun Watson, QB – I think it’s either Mahomes or Watson. There’s a greater chance Watson is off the board.

2. Cam Robinson, OT – If Robinson falls, and both quarterbacks are off the board, the Texans could opt for the Alabama tackle.
Seattle Seahawks: Obi Melifonwu, S/CB, Connecticut
About a month ago, I had Jabrill Peppers slotted to the Seahawks, citing that Seattle would be able to use Peppers in a variety of ways. I’d say the same applies to Obi Melifonwu. The highly athletic Connecticut prospect would obviously provide insurance behind Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor (an impending free agent), but he could also be a big nickel in the team’s 4-2-5 formation. He could also be a safety-linebacker hybrid. I’m sure the Seahawks will move him around quite a bit, so I think he’d be an intriguing piece to add to the Seattle defense.

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

1. Garett Bolles, OT – Bolles has the athleticism the Seahawks look for in a prospect, and he would obviously fill a huge need.

2. Adoree Jackson, CB – Jackson has everything the Seahawks want, save for length. However, that may not matter considering Jackson is a nickel corner.

Kansas City Chiefs: Forrest Lamp, G/C, Western Kentucky
It’s been a while since the Chiefs have spent a first-round pick on an offensive lineman. Andy Reid is a big fan of building a team through the trenches, so I don’t think he’d be able to pass on the top guard in this class if Forrest Lamp dropped into his lap at No. 27 overall. Reid would love to obtain someone like Lamp, who would provide an upgrade over the mediocre Zach Fulton.

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

1. John Ross, WR – I have Ross falling this far by circumstance. The Chiefs need a second receiver, so Ross makes a lot of sense.

2. Pat Mahomes or Deshaun Watson, QBs – Kansas City could be looking into a quarterback to finally replace Alex Smith.
Dallas Cowboys: Adoree Jackson, CB/KR, USC
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 Adoree Jackson, who could be taken as high as No. 14 or 17. Jackson is a dynamic cornerback with play-making ability, and I’m sure the Cowboys would love to obtain him, especially after losing Morris Claiborne to free agency.

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

1. Takkarist McKinley, DE/OLB – The Cowboys like McKinley, and he’d be the pick here if he didn’t have any injury concerns.

2. Tyus Bowser, DE/OLB – Dane Brugler reported that the Cowboys have shown late interest in the Koopa King.

Green Bay Packers: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
The Packers obviously have major issues in their secondary that they need to address. It’ll be surprising if one of their first three selections aren’t used on a cornerback. Marlon Humphrey has the size and athleticism the Packers covet in their cornerback prospects.

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

1. Jordan Willis or Tyus Bowser, DE/OLBs – These are edge-rushing options if the Packers want to go that route.

2. Fabian Moreau or Kevin King, CBs – Here are the Packers’ other choices if they want to take a cornerback in the first round.

Pick change; previously Tyus Bowser, DE/OLB
Pittsburgh Steelers: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
Ben Roethlisberger hinted at retirement this offseason. Roethlisberger, now 35, will 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 change his mind and 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.

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

1. Jabrill Peppers, S – There have been rumors linking Peppers to the Steelers. He would provide some much-needed help in the secondary.

2. David Njoku, TE – Speaking of Steeler-related rumors, Roethlisberger reportedly asked for the front office to add a tight end.
Atlanta Falcons: Jordan Willis, DE/OLB, Kansas State
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. Jordan Willis has the great athleticism the Falcons often look for in their prospects.

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

1. T.J. Watt or Derek Rivers, DE/OLBs – Here are two other edge-rushing options who make sense for the Falcons.

2. Forrest Lamp, G – The Falcons are rumored to be trading up. One player they could target is Lamp, who would provide a much-needed boost at guard.
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.

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

1. Obi Melifonwu, S – This could be Melifonwu’s floor. I’d be pretty surprised if he’s not chosen in the first round.

2. Jarrad Davis, LB – I don’t think Davis will be available, but if he is, he’ll be heavily considered here.