Jordan Katz- 2017 Way Too Early Mock Draft
Who says it’s too early to project the NFL Draft? Sure the halfway point of the NFL season just passed, but for some teams, it’s already time to look towards 2017. Due to the fact that I can’t possibly project the end of the year standings, I took the inverse of the NFL standings as of now for this mock draft. I also didn’t project any trades, because it’s way too early to determine who would be willing to move up or down.
1) Cleveland Browns: Jonathan Allen, DL Alabama- Allen went back to school to refine his technique and raise his draft stock. It’s safe to say he achieved his goals. Allen looks like a more athletic Joey Bosa on tape, and has the versatility to play in a 4-3 or a 3-4.
2) San Francisco 49ers: DeShone Kizer, QB Notre Dame- Kizer is my top quarterback in this class right now. He’s got a big arm, he’s athletic, and he has ideal NFL size. It might be a weak quarterback class, but I think Kizer is one of the diamonds in the rough
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3) Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Garrett, EDGE Texas A&M- The Jaguars are near the bottom of the league in sacks, despite adding Malik Jackson in the offseason. Garrett is the most complete pass rusher in the draft, and would make an immediate impact on the Jags front line.
4) Chicago Bears: Mitch Trubisky, QB North Carolina- Trubisky is this year’s version of Jared Goff. He’s a little more athletic, but the system questions will run rampant when draft season gets underway. I think the primary difference between the two is Trubisky’s ability to see when the first read isn’t there. That was why I had Wentz slightly higher than Goff last year. It’s also why I might put Trubisky over Kizer this year.
5) New York Jets: Jabril Peppers, LB/CB/FS/SS/OTHER Michigan- The Jets are desperate for a franchise quarterback, but the two worth considering this year are off the board. They are also desperate for secondary help. Peppers would become Todd Bowles’ master chess piece. He can play single high safety, he can cover tight ends and he can stop the run like a linebacker. This is one of the ideal fits for Peppers come April.
6) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Malik McDowell, DT Michigan State- The common comparison for McDowell is DeForest Buckner, and it’s not just because of the measurables. His ability to pass rush from the interior makes him a mismatch for offensive lineman, and his quickness is equally as devastating. It’s a weak year for defensive tackles, but McDowell is the prize.
7) Tennessee Titans from Los Angeles Rams: Teez Tabor, CB Florida- The Titans still have a bunch of needs despite a promising start to the season. One of those is a true number one cornerback. Defensive backs are easily the deepest position in the draft right now, and Tabor’s ability to play press man along with his nose for the football make him the top man in the cornerback class.
8) Carolina Panthers: Derek Barnett, EDGE Tennessee- While many will point to Carolina’s awful secondary play, they have a ton of youth at that position. If they address their need for cornerbacks, it’ll be in free agency. The Panthers need a pass rusher equally as badly, and that they’ll opt to address in the draft.
9) Cincinnati Bengals: Jamal Adams, SS LSU- Adams is a do-it-all strong safety, which is a rare combination in the modern NFL. His strength is definitely his ability to come up and stop the run, but his well polished game will make him an attractive option for many teams.
10) Arizona Cardinals: Marlon Humphrey, CB Alabama- The Cardinals need a quarterback of the future, but the two worthy of first round selections are off the board (I’m not a Deshaun Watson fan). That gives them the option to take the best player available at a need position. Humphrey is a strong man-to-man cornerback with a good nose for the football.
11) Tennessee Titans: Mike Williams, WR Clemson- This wide receiver class might not have any true superstars like the last few years, but I think it’s being criminally underrated. Williams is a big, physical receiver with terrific hands. Williams would instantly be the Titans number one target.
12) San Diego Chargers: Tim Williams, OLB Alabama- Melvin Ingram is a free agent to be, but even if he returns, the Chargers need an edge rusher opposite him to evolve into a big time defense. Williams may be a specialty player (he doesn’t play on run downs at Alabama), but in my opinion, he’s the best pass rusher in the draft class.
13) Indianapolis Colts: Zach Cunningham, ILB Vanderbilt- The Colts need everything on defense. Cunningham is a complete middle linebacker that will captain the defense from day one.
14) Buffalo Bills: John Ross III, WR Washington- The Bills need to find a true number two wide receiver opposite Sammy Watkins this offseason. John Ross is not only a deep threat for Tyrod Taylor, but his speed makes him a chess piece for Rex Ryan “offensive scheme.”
15) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jake Butt, TE Michigan- Many people have Bucky Hodges as their top tight end in this class, but I think Jake Butt is the star. He reminds me of Rob Gronkowski on tape. Butt is the best blocker in the class and he’s a red zone machine. I think he’s a pro bowler for years to come.
16) Cleveland Browns via Philadelphia Eagles: Reuben Foster, ILB Alabama- The Browns need to acquire all the talent they can, and Foster is the best player on my board.
17) New Orleans Saints: Desmond King, CB Iowa- King was very high on my board last year, and not much changed this year. Despite not having ideal size, his ability in man coverage gives him the capability to be a shutdown corner in the NFL.
18) Miami Dolphins: Sidney Jones IV, CB Washington- The Dolphins secondary is garbage, so they take BPA in the secondary and move on.
19) Green Bay Packers: Leonard Fournette, RB LSU- I would be shocked if Green Bay didn’t attempt to move up for Fournette in April. However, he fell to them here, so they take him and immediately cash in their Money in the Bank briefcase.
20) Baltimore Ravens: Corey Davis, WR Western Michigan- I know the Ravens are unlikely to draft an offensive skill position in the first round, but they need more weapons badly. Mike Wallace is a stop gap, Steve Smith might be forced to retire, and Breshad Perriman has injury problems. Davis is a big receiver with big time ball skills.
21) Detroit Lions: Malik Hooker, FS Ohio State- Glover Quin is a good candidate to be a cap cut in the offseason, which means the Lions need a replacement. Hooker is unpolished, but a big time ball hawk. He would fit in right away with Detroit’s defense.
22) Washington Redskins: Taco Charlton, DE Michigan- Charlton has the versatility to be a 4-3 or a 3-4 defensive end. The Redskins need to overhaul their front seven this year in order to take the next step.
23) New York Giants: Ryan Ramczyk, OT Wisconsin- Ramczyk is an interesting prospect. He transferred into a big time program, started immediately at left tackle, and shined from day one. He’ll be on every team’s radar come February.
24) Philadelphia Eagles via Minnesota Vikings: Dalvin Cook, RB Florida State- First Carson Wentz, now Dalvin Cook? Congratulations Philly, rebuild accomplished.
25) Houston Texans: Mason Cole, C Michigan- Keep an eye on the center position this year. Cole and Pat Elflein could be top 40 picks come April. The Texans need a center desperately and Cole fits into their scheme perfectly.
26) Seattle Seahawks: Cam Robinson, OT Alabama- If the Seahawks don’t draft offensive line this year, I’d be astonished. Unfortunately for them, this isn’t the guy they want. Robinson might surprise me, but I think he’s a bust at the next level.
27) Denver Broncos: Dan Feeney, OG Indiana- The Broncos need interior line help on offense and Feeney is far and away the best guard in the draft right now.
28) Atlanta Falcons: Cordrea Tankersley, CB Clemson- The Falcons are probably going to lose Robert Alford to free agency, which means unless Jalen Collins miraculously becomes a number two cornerback, they will need one.
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Jourdan Lewis, CB Michigan- Another potential playoff team that’s without a number two cornerback. Lewis is a tremendous man cover corner. If he runs a good 40 time, he should be a top 50 talent easy.
30) Oakland Raiders: Lowell Lotulelei, DT Utah- If the Raiders plan on paying Derek Carr this offseason, then cutting Dan Williams is a way to recoup some money. Lotulelei would be an ideal replacement if the Raiders went that route.
31) Dallas Cowboys: Carl Lawson, DE Auburn- One of the things the Cowboys need to address this offseason is finding a dominant pass rusher. Lawson might be undersized, but his technique is as good as any edge rusher in this draft.
32) New England Patriots: Christian McCaffrey, RB Stanford- I dare anyone to come up with a reason that McCaffrey wouldn’t flourish in New England. This is a match made in heaven.
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