With free agency largely settled in, NFL’s team roster needs are coming into sharper focus. Most teams have filled their important needs enough that they can put themselves in a position to take the best player available that falls to them come the NFL Draft in late April. We’ll still see some reaches though, of course, as teams become desperate to fill certain spots. Below is take 1 of the TGS 2017 mock draft.
1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
The only other player in play here is quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. The Browns could use their quarterback of the future but at the end of the day he’s a much bigger gamble than Garrett, who is clearly the best player in the draft. This is a no brainer.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, UNC
Kyle Shanahan is regarded as a top offensive mind in football for the way he designed the Falcons offense. Solomon Thomas and Jonathan Allen are considerations here because the 49ers need to improve their pass rush, but at the end of the day Shanahan isn’t going to want to roll with Brian Hoyer as his passer for long. His penchant for offense will entice him to go get the best quarterback in the draft.
3. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Allen, DE/DT, Alabama
The Bears need to fix a lot of things on their roster but they start with Allen who will be a star defensive player along the line. Many mocks have him going at 2, so the Bears will be thrilled to see him fall.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
The Jags spent most of their offseason thus far revamping the defense but they’re going to need to help Blake Bortles if they want to win games. This pick will do that without question.
5. Tennessee Titans: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
The Titans need secondary help in a big way. Signing CB Logan Ryan and S John Cyprien are moves in the right direction, but this comes down to continue to get better and younger there. The Titans are down to S Jamal Adams and CB Marshon Lattimore. They end up taking Adams because they feel good about Ryan and Jason McCourty at corner.
6. New York Jets: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
The Jets need their quarterback of the future and signing Josh McCown does nothing to change that. This feels like a reach but the Jets console themselves watching the 4th quarter of the National Championship game against Alabama when Watson’s went into god mode.
7. San Diego Chargers: Ryan Ramczyk, T, Wisconsin
Malik Hooker was the likely player to be taken here until reports of an injury that would keep him out 4-6 months surfaced. The Chargers are desperate from offensive line help and the draft is pretty weak on that front. If they don’t get a player up front with this pick, Philip Rivers might not make it through the season. Ramcczyk has injury concerns, too, but if his hip recovery checks out with the Chargers medical staff then they can’t afford to not take the best offensive lineman in the draft.
8. Carolina Panthers: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
This is a likely destination for Fournette if he falls this far. The Panthers feel good about their defense and for them it’s all about helping Cam Newton regain that 2015 form. Unfortunately there’s not great value here and they still need corner help. Lattimore falling this far is too good to pass up.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
It’s a tough call here between a receiver, Malik Hooker or pass rush help. Thomas is the best player left available so they go there.
10. Buffalo Bills: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
The offense needs help and they need another playmaker to pair with Sammy Watkins. Williams is that guy.
11. New Orleans Saints: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
It’s all about defense for the Saints. Lattimore could be under consideration if he falls this far. Since he doesn’t, they go pass rush.
12. Cleveland Browns: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
Brock Osweiler may not even be kept. The Browns need someone at this position.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Malik McDowell, DE/DT, Michigan State
With Calais Campbell gone the Cards have his replacement.
14. Philadelphia Eagles: John Ross, WR, Washington
After losing out on the Brandin Cooks trade, the Eagles get their receiver here.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
It’s hard to know how far Hooker will fall with this injury but this feels like a gift for the Colts value wise.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple
The Ravens could go in many directions here from Corey Davis to Reuben Foster. This may be a bit of a surprise, but outside pass rush is a need and Reddick’s stock continues to soar by the day.
17. Washington Redskins: Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama
The combine debacle and his shoulder injury hurt Foster’s stock but the Redskins get incredible value here.
18. Tennessee Titans: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
This one is easy, Mariota needs help.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Another no brainer value wise that also fills a need. The Bucs would be thrilled if Cook fell this far.
20. Denver Broncos: O. J. Howard, TE, Alabama
We don’t know exactly who will be the starting quarterback in Denver yet in 2017, but having Howard certainly won’t hurt his performance.
21. Detroit Lions: Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
Fans will be excited to see a local talent like this coming to them. Peppers is a guy they can be creative with and move around to help the defense.
22. Miami Dolphins: Zach Cunningham, OLB, Vanderbilt
He happens to be one of the best prospects still on the board and he fills a need.
23. New York Giants: Cam Robinson, T, Alabama
Protecting Eli Manning has to be a priority at this point in his career.
24. Oakland Raiders: Marlon Humphery, CB, Alabama
Corner is a major need for the Raiders. That secondary was a trainwreck last season.
25. Houston Texans: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
It seems like every mock draft has this pick happening.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Garrett Boles, T, Utah
If the Seahawks are going to make a run it has to start with protecting Russell Wilson, which they didn’t do a year ago.
27. Kansas City Chiefs: Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky
Lamp might be the most secure pick at offensive line in this draft. Fans blame the offense for another misstep in the playoffs so this could help solidify play up front.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
Falling this far was not something the Cowboys expected but since edge pass rush is their primary need this really worked out nicely.
29. Green Bay Packers: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
Adding an edge rusher would be nice but the Packers can’t ignore the cornerback position anymore.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
The Steelers aren’t stupid enough to think this James Harrison thing is going to work forever.
31. Atlanta Falcons: Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut
Everyone is drooling over Melifonwu’s combine performance and he’s quickly becoming the draft darling with soaring stock. The Falcons are thrilled to add him to their improving defense.
32. New Orleans Saints: Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
The Saints continue to patch up their anemic defense with young talent.
