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2017 NFL Draft Goals

Walt13 mins
Posted April 22, 2017.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

What does every team need to accomplish in the 2017 NFL Draft? We’ll look at each team’s goals on this page, as well as possible selections for each squad. See how the goals are being addressed in the 2017 NFL Mock Draft (will be updated tomorrow).
  1. Cleveland Browns:
    All the talk is that the Browns want a quarterback. Charlie Campbell even broke a story in the NFL Draft Rumor Mill that Cleveland intends to move up from No. 12 for Mitchell Trubisky. The Browns have so many holes on their roster that doing something like that would be foolish. They need to fill the many holes on their roster and perhaps focus on finding a quarterback next offseason. They’re not in any position to determine which signal-caller is the best right now.

    Ideal 2017 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    1. Myles Garrett, DE
    12. Marshon Lattimore, CB
    33. John Ross, WR
    52. Justin Evans, S
    65. Montravius Adams, DE/DT
    108. Jake Butt, TE


  2. San Francisco 49ers:
    The 49ers are a mess right now, but things will look a lot better if they’re able to acquire Kirk Cousins somehow in one of the next two offseasons. Because Cousins is a strong possibility, it’s important for San Francisco not to block that option by taking a quarterback early. The 49ers need to fill the many holes on their roster instead of reaching for a pedestrian quarterback prospect.

    Ideal 2017 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    2. Leonard Fournette, RB
    34. Marlon Humphrey, CB
    66. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
    109. Julie’n Davenport, OT
    143. Tyler Orlosky, C

  3. Chicago Bears:
    The Bears spent a ton of money on Mike Glennon, so why would they spend a first-round on a pedestrian quarterback prospect? Glennon is not the answer, but neither is Mitchell Trubisky or Deshaun Watson. Chicago has to add talent to its secondary, receiving corps and offensive tackle group.

    Ideal 2017 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    3. Malik Hooker, S
    36. Zay Jones, WR
    67. Nathan Peterman, QB
    111. Rasul Douglas, CB
    117. Will Holden, OT



  4. Jacksonville Jaguars:
    Blake Bortles appears to be a sunk cost because he doesn’t care enough about his career to put the required mental work into it. Jacksonville will be able to find an upgrade at quarterback next year. For now, the team needs to prepare the roster for Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen or Josh Allen by upgrading the offensive line and running back group. Adding another pass-rusher and non-nickel cornerback wouldn’t hurt either.

    Ideal 2017 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    4. Leonard Fournette, RB
    35. David Njoku, TE
    68. David Sharpe, OT
    110. Jaylen Myrick, CB

  5. Tennessee Titans:
    The Titans are ready to make a deep playoff run. Finding another weapon for Marcus Mariota as well as some help in their linebacking corps and secondary are the top priorities, but Tennessee is in a great position otherwise.

    Ideal 2017 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    5. O.J. Howard, TE
    18. Gareon Conley, CB
    83. Carlos Henderson, WR
    100. Blair Brown, LB
    124. Ryan Anderson, DE/OLB



  6. New York Jets:
    The Jets happen to be in the worst shape of any team in the NFL. Like the 49ers and Browns, they are devoid of talent almost everywhere. However, they lack the cap space to do anything about it outside of the draft. With so many holes on the roster, the Jets need to trade down early and often to acquire as many rosterable players as possible.

    Ideal 2017 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    12. Charles Harris, DE/OLB (via trade with Browns)
    33. John Ross, WR
    39. Kevin King, CB
    70. Marcus Williams, S
    107. Duke Riley, LB
    108. Bucky Hodges, TE

  7. Los Angeles Chargers:
    Philip Rivers is entering the twilight of his career, so the Chargers need to make sure that he’s finally protected adequately. Upgrades to the secondary and defensive line are also needed, but finding help for Rivers’ pass protection is priority A, B and C. Unfortunately for the Chargers, this offensive line class sucks, so they have to wait until the second day to pick up blockers.

    Ideal 2017 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    7. Malik Hooker, S
    38. Ryan Ramczyk, OT
    71. Dion Dawkins, G
    113. Nazair Jones, DE/DT

  8. Carolina Panthers:
    How long can the Panthers go without upgrading the offensive line? Addressing this area of the roster is an absolute mess. The blockers in this particular class are not very good, unfortunately, so Carolina can focus instead of finding offensive play-makers for Cam Newton to work with.

    Ideal 2017 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    8. Leonard Fournette, RB
    40. Ryan Ramczyk, OT
    64. Budda Baker, S
    98. Antonio Garcia, OT
    115. Chad Hansen, WR



  9. Cincinnati Bengals:
    The Bengals couldn’t do anything offensively last year when either A.J. Green or Tyler Eifert was out. Now, Cincinnati has lost two of its stud offensive linemen. The offense has to be retooled now, though the Bengals can’t ignore some of their glaring needs on defense like defensive end and linebcker.

    Ideal 2017 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    9. Solomon Thomas, DE
    41. Curtis Samuel, WR
    73. David Sharpe, OT
    116. Isaac Asiata, G
    138. T.J. Logan, RB

  10. Buffalo Bills:
    The Bills could make a playoff run with Tyrod Taylor, as he certainly hasn’t been the problem the past couple of years. They need to fix Taylor’s receiving corps and blocking unit, all while finding a replacement for the New England-bound Stephon Gilmore.

    Ideal 2017 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    10. Marshon Lattimore, CB
    44. Zay Jones, WR
    75. Jordan Leggett, TE



  11. New Orleans Saints:
    It’s all about finding defensive help. The Saints’ stop unit has been an abomination for years. They need to make sure that their defense is finally performing on a high level. Getting a replacement for Brandin Cooks is important, but it’s far down the list of things New Orleans needs to address.

    Ideal 2017 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    11. Taco Charlton, DE
    32. Obi Melifonwu, S
    42. Tre’Davious White, CB
    76. Raekwon McMillan, LB
    103. T.J. Logan, RB

  12. Cleveland Browns:
    *** Discussed at No. 1 overall. ***

  13. Arizona Cardinals:
    The scuttlebutt is that the Cardinals plan on using this selection to find a replacement for Carson Palmer. The Cardinals are usually tight-lipped about their plans, so perhaps they’ll wait on a signal-caller. That seems the better option, as Arizona needs to find some defensive answers to upgrade holes vacated by departed free agents. A receiver and a guard are needed on offense.

    Ideal 2017 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    13. Reuben Foster, LB
    45. Budda Baker, S
    77. Chris Godwin, WR
    119. Cordrea Tankersley, CB

  14. Philadelphia Eagles:
    The Eagles have a great chance to make a deep playoff run in 2017, but they still have some needs to address. They have to find a new running back, replace Mychal Kendricks, obtain another pass-rusher, and acquire a couple of cornerbacks. Luckily for Philadelphia, this draft class is stocked at corner and defensive end, so the team needs to take advantage of that.

    Ideal 2017 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    14. Mike Williams, WR
    43. Marlon Humphrey, CB
    99. Dawuane Smoot, DE
    118. James Conner, RB
    139. Cameron Sutton, CB

  15. Indianapolis Colts:
    It goes without saying that the Colts must protect Andrew Luck. They have to spend a second-day selection on a blocker. Otherwise, Indianapolis must upgrade its pitiful defense, as help is needed at almost every position.

    Ideal 2017 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    15. Derek Barnett, DE
    46. Jarrad Davis, LB
    80. Dion Dawkins, G
    121. Jaleel Johnson, DT
    137. Corn Elder, CB
    144. Matt Dayes, RB

  16. Baltimore Ravens:
    The Ravens keep losing key personnel each offseason, as the roster continues to regress as a result of Joe Flacco’s albatross of a contract. It’s imperative for Ozzie Newsome to hit almost every single selection to keep Baltimore in playoff contention. The Ravens have holes almost everywhere, so it’s a matter of taking the best player available with each selection.

    Ideal 2017 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    16. Cam Robinson, OT
    47. Malik McDowell, DT
    74. Derek Rivers, OLB
    78. Chris Godwin, WR
    122. Brian Hill, RB


    17. Go to 2017 NFL Draft Goals: 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.

2017 NFL Mock Draft | 2018 NFL Mock Draft






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2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20


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NFL Draft Links:

My 2003 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
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My 2004 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2004 NFL Draft Prospects/ 2004 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/6/08)
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My 2006 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2006 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/28)
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My 2007 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/ Round 4/ Round 5/ Round 6/ Round 7
Other 2007 Mock Drafts:April Fools
2007 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/24)/Kenny Ortiz's Top 40 Prospects
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2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/Round 4/Round 5/Round 6/Round 7
Alternative 2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/7): Round 1 /Round 2
2008 NFL Re-Draft - Round 3 (UPDATED 4/27)
2008 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 8/5)
Other 2008 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/25)/ Craig Smith (4/22)/ Emmitt Smith (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Shocker (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Backwards (4/19)/ Forum Mock (4/15)/ April Fools (4/1)
2009 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
Other 2009 Mock Drafts: Re-Draft (4/26) /Matt McGuire (4/25) /Reader Mock (4/25) /Hunter Ansley (4/24) /Backward Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Smith (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/9) /April Fools (4/1) /Experts (3/30) /KFFL (3/14)
2010 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/22): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 3 (4/24): Round 4 (Walt's) / Round 4 (Matt's)
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 2 (4/23): Round 2 (Walt's) / Round 3 (Walt's) / Round 2 (Matt's) / Round 3 (Matt's)
Other 2010 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Celebrity Mock (4/8) /Experts (3/17) /Reader (4/13) /Consensus (2/25)
2011 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2011 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 2 /Round 3
Other 2011 Mock Drafts: Free Agency (5/9) /Greg Cox (4/28) /Backward Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/21) /Team Big Boards (4/21) /Celebrity Mock (4/13) /Experts (4/7) /Not Mock (4/6) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Greg Cox's 2012 Mock (2/22) /Matt McGuire (1/8)
2012 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2012 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2012 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Pick History (4/23) /Emmitt Mock (4/19) /Not Mock (4/19) /Backward Mock (4/17) /Celebrity (4/15) /Goals (4/10) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Greg Cox (9/9)
2013 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2013 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2013 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /GM Mock (4/21) /Charlie's Trade Mock (4/20) /Goals (4/19) /Rapid Reader Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/14) /Not Mock (4/13) /Pick History (4/5) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Archived 2013 NFL Mock Drafts
2014 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATE 5/8): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2014 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/10): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2014 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/8) /Goals (5/3) /Not Mock (4/27) /Emmitt Mock (4/20) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Celebrity Mock (4/11) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2015 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2015 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/2): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2015 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/30) /Goals (4/25) /Not Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/3) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/5) /Overreaction Mock (12/29)
2016 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2016 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2016 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Combo (5/8) /Goals (4/23) /Not Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
2017 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2017 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2017 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Combo (5/7) /Goals (4/22) /Not Mock (4/21) /Emmitt Mock (4/16) /Backward Mock (4/9) /Celebrity Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Overreaction Mock (1/2)
2018 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2018 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2018 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Combo (5/6) /Goals (4/21) /Not Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Backward Mock (4/8) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/11) /Senior Bowl (1/27)
2019 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2019 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2019 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /Combo (5/5) /Goals (4/20) /Not Mock (4/18) /Witten Mock (4/14) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Emmitt Mock (4/7) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/10) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/26) /Video Mock (1/8) /Overreaction Mock (12/31)
2020 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2020 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2020 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/23) /Combo (5/3) /Goals (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/12) /Trades Mock (4/8) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/16) /Corey Long (3/13) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/27) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2021 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2021 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/1): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2021 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/17) /Goals (4/23) /Backward Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/11) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/30) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
2022 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2022 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2022 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Goals (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/5) /Overreaction Mock (1/10)
2023 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2023 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2023 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Backward Mock (4/19) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/4) /Overreaction Mock (1/9)
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 11/20): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/22)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 7/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/23)
2018 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2017 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2016 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2015 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2014 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2013 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2012 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2011 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2010 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2009 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2008 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2007 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2006 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2005 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2004 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2003 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2002 NFL Draft Re-Mock


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