2017 NFL Mock Draft – WalterFootball

Last update: Wednesday, April 26, 2017. 2:10 p.m. 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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2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 11/13): 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)
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Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
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: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
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. In that link, you can read about how one team heard the 49ers will take Pat Mahomes!

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. I then switched to Leonard Fournette because of the Carlos Hyde news, but after some discussions, it was pointed out that Fournette isn’t a great fit for Kyle Shanahan’s offense either. So, I’m back to Thomas. It doesn’t feel great, but several teams told us that they believe the 49ers don’t even know what they’ll do if they can’t trade out of this pick.

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

1. Jamal Adams, S – This is would be the earliest a safety has gone, but this is a weak draft, so it’s possible.

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.

Pick change; previously Leonard Fournette, RB
Chicago Bears: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
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’ve moved 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. If Hooker and Jamal Adams are very close on Chicago’s board – and I imagine they might be – then perhaps health would serve as the tie-breaker, making Adams the choice. It doesn’t seem like Chicago can go wrong with either one to bolster its secondary.

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

1. Malik Hooker, S – The other safety makes sense as well, though Hooker has some medical concerns.

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.

Pick change; previously Malik Hooker, S

Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonathan Allen, DE/DT, Alabama
Jacksonville could select one of seven players, and none would surprise me. Leonard Fournette is certainly an option, and he could end up being my final pick for Jacksonville. 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. 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.

2. 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.

3. O.J. Howard, TE – I don’t think Howard will be the pick based on Coughlin’s draft history. However, I wanted to point out that several teams believe Jacksonville will select Howard.
Tennessee Titans: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
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 Mike Williams is the pick. This may seem early for Williams because he didn’t test well at the combine, but believe it or not, there are still teams that study film to determine where they have prospects on their board. Williams 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. O.J. Howard, TE – It appears as though the Titans want an offensive weapon to help Marcus Mariota. Howard is a better prospect than Williams, so he could be the choice even though it’s a bit early for a tight end.

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.

Pick change; previously O.J. Howard, TE

New York Jets: Leonard Fournette, RB, 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.

I had Fournette being picked at Nos. 2 and 4 in previous mock drafts, but he’s available in this edition. If Fournette is still on the board, and Jamal Adams isn’t available, I’d have to believe that New York would take the LSU runner unless a trade is available to them.

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

1. Jamal Adams, S – This is also Adams’ floor. I think he’ll be the pick if available.

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 Jamal Adams, S
Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
This is like the “Back to the Future” mock draft because I’m going with picks I had earlier in the process. Solomon Thomas to the 49ers; Leonard Fournette to the Jets; and now Malik Hooker to the Chargers.

Charlie Campbell reported months prior to the 2016 NFL Draft that the Chargers loved Joey Bosa. We all forgot about it and were stumped by their pick last April. Well, I’m not making the same mistake again. Charlie wrote early in the process that the Chargers wanted Hooker, and so here we are. Some consider Hooker to be a better prospect than Jamal Adams, as he projects to have Ed Reed-type play-making ability. He’d be a great replacement for Eric Weddle.

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

1. Solomon Thomas, DE – I had Thomas here in a previous update, and he makes sense with the Chargers moving to a 4-3.

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 Solomon Thomas, DE
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 off the board. 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 in the next 36 hours, 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.
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.

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. Haason Reddick – Reddick is gaining a ton of momentum. 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. Marlon Humphrey, 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. O.J. Howard, TE – Howard could play in two-tight end formations with Gary Barnidge and eventually take over as the full-time starter.
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. 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.

2. Kevin King, CB – King has been gaining a ton of momentum and could be taken in the teens.
Philadelphia Eagles: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
O.J. Howard may seem like an odd selection, considering the Eagles have Zach Ertz, Brent Celek and Trey Burton on the roster. However, Philadelphia wants to pick the best player available, and if that’s the case, Howard would be the choice if he’s still available at No. 14 overall.

Besides, it’s not like the Eagles couldn’t use someone of Howard’s immense talent level. He’d provide another weapon for Carson Wentz to go along with Ertz. Celek would be phased out – or released – while Burton will be a free agent after this season.

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

1. Marlon Humphrey, CB – There was some speculation around the league that the Eagles would spend the 14th-overall pick on Conley. Given their huge need for a top cornerback, the Ohio State product made a lot of sense. That’s not the case anymore, but perhaps Philadelphia will pick another corner.

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: Takkarist McKinley, DE/OLB, UCLA
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 or Charles Harris, DE – I’ve had Barnett slotted here for a few weeks. I think he’ll be the pick if he’s available. Harris also makes sense.

2. Reuben Foster, ILB – There are lots of picks that make sense for the Colts. Kevin King, Marlon Humphre, Haason Reddick, 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 Charles Harris, 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. However, I don’t think Williams will be available.

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.