1.Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, edge rusher (Texas A&M):
In the least surprising news of the offseason, the decisionmakers in the Browns organization are reportedly fighting over who they should take with the 1st overall pick General manager Sachi Brown wants to take Texas A&M pass-rushing specialist Myles Garrett while owner Jimmy Haslam and head coach Hue Jackson want to take North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Ultimately, I think Brown and his army of number-crunching nerds will win out in this absurd power struggle. A front office headed by an analytics guy would be going against everything they preach if they took a "project" QB over an edge-rusher with the sky-high ceiling that Garrett possesses.
2.San Francisco 49ers: Jamal Adams, safety (LSU)
Barring the Browns taking Trubisky, this is where the draft starts to get really interesting. The 49ers are the most talent-deprived team in the league at the moment and just about every single one of the top prospects on the board would fill a need. With a future hall-of-fame safety in John Lynch leading the personnel department, there's strong odds that Jamal Adams will end up being the pick. Adams is one of the most well-rounded safety prospects in recent memory and of the players that are available at this juncture, he has the best chance of becoming a cornerstone piece in San Francisco's latest attempt to rebuild.
3.Chicago Bears: Solomon Thomas, edge rusher (Stanford)
Given the depth issues the Bears currently have in the secondary, I wouldn't be surprised if GM Ryan Pace ended up picking Marshon Lattimore or Malik Hooker here. However, Solomon Thomas arguably has higher upside than both of the highly-touted Ohio State defensive backs and is exactly the type of versatile, freakishly athletic defensive lineman that the Bears have been looking for since the Pace/John Fox regime started in 2015.
4.Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, running back (LSU):
The failure to establish a running game played a pretty significant role in the substantial regression of the Jaguars offense in 2016. Both of their top running backs (Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon) averaged below 4 yards a carry and mustered a combined total of just 904 yards for the season. Adding Leonard Fournette, who is a 3-down back with the potential to be a workhorse at the next level, could prove to be enough to get this young offense back on track. Even though there some concerns about his durability, Fournette's devastating combination of size, speed and power could help take some much-needed pressure off of their erratic starting quarterback Blake Bortles.
5.Tennessee Titans: Marshon Lattimore, cornerback (Ohio State):
The 2016 Titans playoff hopes were dashed in large part due to the play of their god awful secondary, which ranked 29th in the league against the pass. The addition of a potential shutdown corner like Marshon Lattimore to the fold has the potential to immediately elevate the Titans from promising young team that's a couple years away from contending to legit playoff contenders in the middling AFC.
6.New York Jets: Mitch Trubisky, quarterback (North Carolina)
In a quarterback class that's middling at best, Mitch Trubisky is largely considered to be the most promising prospect. Because of this significant perceived gap in talent, he is also a sure bet to be overdrafted. With a quarterback depth chart that currently consists of Bryce Petty, Christian Hackenburg and the reanimated corpse of Josh McCown, and a coach/GM combo that's firmly on the hot seat, the Jets are the team that's most likely to spend an early pick on the widely unproven Trubisky.
7.Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Hooker, safety (Ohio State)
With the consistently abysmal play of Dwight Lowery and Jahleel Addae in 2016, the loss of Eric Weddle proved to be an bigger obstacle than originally anticipated for the Chargers. While it's far from a lock that he'll be as productive as the Chargers former 5-time All-Pro safety, Malik Hooker has the range and athleticism needed to be the dynamic playmaker the Bolts secondary sorely lacked a season ago.
8.Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffery, running back (Stanford)
With WTF-inducing picks like Shaq Thompson, Star Lotulelei and Vernon Butler in 3 of the past 4 years, general manager Dave Gettleman's loud, proud middle finger to conventional thinking makes predicting the Panthers picks damn near impossible. However, I think 2017 will mark a return to sensibility for the league's most unpredictable executive. With an aging, injury-prone player in Jonathan Stewart currently sitting atop the RB depth chart and an offensive weapon cache that comes nowhere close to matching the other 3 teams in the NFC South at the moment, selecting an elusive dual-threat back like Christian McCaffery makes too much sense for the Panthers to possibly pass up on.
9.Cincinnati Bengals: Jonathan Allen, defensive tackle/end (Alabama)
Injury concerns and a somewhat disappointing combine performance has dropped Jonathan Allen's stock a little bit, but the jaw-dropping strength, hand-quickness and pass-rushing ability he displayed during his time at Alabama makes him a worthwhile risk for a Bengals squad that desperately needs another disruptive presence to put alongside 5x Pro Bowl defensive tackle Geno Atkins in their front 7.
10.Buffalo Bills: Mike Williams, wide receiver (Clemson)
Even with the presence of an undisputed top wideout in Sammy Watkins on the roster, the Bills passing attack has been merely average over the last few years. Fellow Clemson Tiger alum Mike Williams could very well put a stop to the revolving door of mediocre receivers (Robert Woods, Chris Hogan, Percy Harvin, etc.) the Bills have trotted out to play alongside Watkins since they drafted him 4th overall in 2014. Williams' reliable hands, imposing size (6'4, 220 lbs) and elite leaping ability make him a prime candidate to become the legit redzone/secondary passing option quarterback Tyrod Taylor has lacked during his first 2 years with the Bills.
11.New Orleans Saints: Marlon Humphery, cornerback (Alabama)
With the possibility of trading for Patriots corner Malcolm Butler looking less and less likely by the day, its highly probable that the Saints are going to draft a corner with 1 of their 2 1st-round picks. Of the corners available at #11, Marlon Humphery seems like the best fit. His deficiencies in man coverage make him a longshot to be a top corner right way, but his length, lateral quickness and sure-tackling make him a strong bet to contribute right away as a number 2 or slot/nickel corner.
12.Cleveland Browns: DeShaun Watson, quarterback (Clemson)
Unlike most of the organizational turmoil in recent Browns history, this current internal dispute has a happy ending. The addition of DeShaun Watson at #12 would give Jimmy Haslam and Hue Jackson the shiny new quarterback they want without having to pass on a player with Myles Garrett's upside at the top spot. Hooray for compromises!
13.Arizona Cardinals: O.J. Howard, tight end (Alabama)
While I wouldn't be shocked if the Cardinals appeased Bruce Arians desire to have a strong-armed gunslinger under center by drafting Patrick Mahomes here, I think this team has too many needs on both sides of the ball to blow a top-15 pick on Carson Palmer's eventual successor. Given Palmer's age and how erratic the Cardinals deep-passing attack was last season, Alabama tight end O.J. Howard should get the nod here. Howard's ability as a vertical threat paired with his competency as a blocker makes him a really intriguing option for an offense that was plagued by poor receiver play (outside of the always-reliable Larry Fitzgerald) and pass-protection issues throughout 2016 .
14.Philadelphia Eagles: Tre'Davious White, cornerback (LSU)
With the addressing of their wide receiver problem in free agency and the top 2 running backs off-the-board by the time they go on the clock, the Eagles are prime candidates to trade out of this spot. If they do decide to stay the course and pick at #14, adding Tre'Davious White to their average corner group would be a smart play. While he lacks the physicality of the draft's other buzzed-about corners, White's fluid footwork and outstanding man-coverage skills make him a great fit for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's blitz-happy scheme.
15.Indianapolis Colts: Haason Reddick, inside/outside linebacker (Temple)
The stunning lack of depth present in this draft class and their desire to protect the $140 million investment they made in franchise quarterback Andrew Luck could force the Colts to draft an offensive lineman here, but given how awful their defense is at the moment, it's going to be really hard for them to pass on a player with Haason Reddick's skill set. Reddick is a true Swiss Army knife player whose combination of blinding sideline-to-sideline speed, pass-rushing prowess, coverage skills and sure-tackling gives him the flexibility to lineup at both linebacker spots as well as a sub-package defensive end. Reddick's athleticism, versatility and strong work ethic could end up making a monumental impact on a Colts defense that is currently devoid of reliable playmakers.
16.Baltimore Ravens: Corey Davis, wide receiver (Western Michigan)
The retirement of Steve Smith has left the Ravens with a receiving corps full of deep-threats with god awful hands (Mike Wallace, Breshad Perriman) and special-teamers who offer next-to-nothing in the passing game (Michael Comparano, Chris Matthews). Despite being shelved for the entire pre-draft workout process after undergoing ankle surgery in January, Corey Davis' standing as a big-bodied receiver who excels at running intermediate routes and making contested catches makes him too tantalizing of a prospect for the WR-needy Ravens to not roll the dice on him.
17.Washington Redskins: Adoree' Jackson, cornerback (USC)
Adoree' Jackson's tendency to go for the big play results in him getting burned from time to time (he allowed 7 TD's during his last year at USC), but his unreal athleticism and strong route-recognition skills is more than enough to make him 1 of the more appealing options in this year's deep corner class. His physical gifts and knack for making INT's would be greatly appreciated on a Redskins squad that doesn't currently have a reliable slot corner on their roster.
18.Tennessee Titans: David Njoku, tight end (Miami)
This pick may be seem like a head-scratcher since the Titans have already have a top-flight tight end in Delanie Walker on their roster, but Walker is going to be 33 in August and Miami's David Njoku has the potential to be the game-breaking downfield threat that Marcus Mariota needs to become an undisputed franchise quarterback.
19.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Reuben Foster, inside linebacker (Alabama)
The Buccaneers are in a very weird place right now. A lot of the glaring holes on their roster have been filled over the last few years, but they still have a number of areas where they could stand to improve before they can be considered a perennial playoff contender. Of the players available at the positions they need to upgrade at (safety, offensive line, inside linebacker), Alabama's Reuben Foster makes the most sense here. While Foster has a slew of red flags (diva-esque behavior at the combine, failed drug test, questions about work ethic) that have caused him to tumble down draft boards, his proven excellence against the run and in pass coverage at a position that's very difficult to obtain top-level talent at makes him the most intriguing high-risk/high-reward pick of the draft.
20.Denver Broncos: Ryan Ramcyzk, tackle (Wisconsin)
The Broncos desperation to find a competent lineman makes this pick the closest thing you'll find to a a sure thing in the twist-filled shitshow that is the NFL Draft. Ryan Ramcyzk may be far from a finished product, but it's still pretty unlikely that he'll be as woefully inept as any of the clowns they wheeled out at right tackle (Donald Stephenson, Ty Sambrailo, Michael Schofield) last season.
21.Detroit Lions: Derek Barnett, edge rusher (Tennessee)
Derek Barnett's below-average 40 time (4.88) and lack of elite size (6'3, 259 lbs) will undoubtedly cause some pass-rush needy teams to look elsewhere, but his skid should stop here. The Lions underwhelming front 7 needs another aggressive edge-defender to complement Ziggy Ansah and if Barnett ends up being anywhere near as productive in the NFL as he was during his record-setting tenure at Tennessee (33 sacks in 3 years), they should have one of the most devastating pass-rush combos in the league within the next 2-3 years.
22.Miami Dolphins: Forrest Lamp, guard (Western Kentucky)
With last year's 1st-round pick Laremy Tunsil set to make the move to left tackle in 2017 after spending his rookie season at guard, a massive void opened in the middle of the Dolphins line. Adding Forrest Lamp-who is easily the most pro-ready prospect in this year's razor-thin offensive line class-should help bring some much-needed stability to the interior of this inexperienced o-line.
23.New York Giants: Cam Robinson, tackle (Alabama)
The Giants are in a really tough spot. Since they didn't have the cap space to sign one of the few talented offensive lineman that were available in free agency this season, they are currently tasking 3 human turnstiles (guard John Jerry, tackles Ereck Flowers and Bobby Hart) and 2 talented, but injury-prone men (guard Justin Pugh, center Weston Richburg) with protecting a 36-year old quarterback (Eli Manning) that is absolutely critical to the functionality of their offense. This predicament pretty much forces them to draft a lineman here and Alabama's Cam Robinson has the highest odds of becoming a stabilizing presence on this offensive line this season.
24.Oakland Raiders: Zach Cunningham, inside linebacker (Vanderbilt)
Poor play at the inside linebacker position, particularly in pass-coverage, has been the glaring Achilles' heel of the Raiders D throughout their lengthy rebuilding process. Zach Cunningham's combination of strong coverage and open-field tackling skills should give the Raiders the reliable presence that the middle of their defense has lacked since Napoleon Harris left the team in 2005.
25.Houston Texans: Patrick Mahomes, quarterback (Texas Tech)
A risk-taking, mobile quarterback that has no experience taking snaps from under center or making non-rehearsed throws seems like the type of quarterback that Bill O'Brien would want no part of. However, the Texans head coach apparently loves Patrick Mahomes and given that the unproven Tom Savage is currently penciled in as their starter, Houston seems like a very strong possible landing spot for the former Texas Tech gunslinger.
26.Seattle Seahawks: Quincy Wilson, cornerback (Florida)
Washington product Kevin King is the popular choice to land here, but I think the Seahawks will end up taking Florida's Quincy Wilson over the hometown prospect. Like King, Wilson is the type of bruising press corner the Seahawks covet, but with better ball skills and more experience defending top-end receivers.
27.Kansas City Chiefs: Joe Mixon, running back (Oklahoma)
This pick will obviously be met with controversy, but I think Dalvin Cook's lackluster pre-draft workouts have opened the door for Joe Mixon to be a late 1st-round pick. As evidenced by their selection of Tyreek Hill last season, the Chiefs have no problem drafting a player with a domestic violence incident on their record, and Mixon is an undeniably gifted dual-threat back that could make some serious noise in Andy Reid's ball-control offense.
28.Dallas Cowboys: Kevin King, cornerback (Washington)
Kevin King is the type of super-athletic, relentlessly physical player that makes Jerry Jones soil his trousers and reminiscence on the good ol' days when no one was concerned about the long-term negative health effects that come from playing football. If King is on the board at #28, there's no doubt in my mind that he'll be a Cowboy.
29.Green Bay Packers: Chidobe Awuzie, cornerback/safety (Colorado)
The Packers need as much help as they can possibly get in the secondary right now (they finished dead-last in pass defense last year) and a player with Chidobe Awuzie's versatility, aggression and finesse would mark a nice jumping-off point for their much-needed defensive back overhaul.
30.Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt, edge rusher (Wisconsin)
People expecting T.J. Watt to be anything like his older brother J.J. are going to be sorely disappointed. While they are both impressive athletes with high motors and strong hand-usage, T.J. lacks the unreal size, strength and power that has made his brother one of the most dominant defensive ends in NFL history. That being said, T.J. still has a good chance to be an excellent professional player and I believe his "tweener" status makes him an eerily perfect fit to come off the edge in Keith Butler's speed-driven defense.
31.Atlanta Falcons: Taakarist McKinnley, edge rusher (UCLA)
Even with the emergence of Vic Beasley a year ago, the Falcons still had some trouble getting to the quarterback, finishing tied for 16th in the league with 34 sacks (Beasley had 15.5 of them). Taakarist McKinnley has the top-notch agility and burst to give the Falcons another pass-rushing threat up front as well as the strong instincts to help provide some much-needed help against the run.
32.New Orleans Saints: John Ross, wide receiver (Washington)
Do the Saints have more pressing needs than a wide receiver? Absolutely. Is that going to stop them from adding John Ross if he's available with the last pick of the 1st round? I don't think so. Sean Payton has never met a deep-threat that he didn't like and even with his alarming injury history, John Ross is one of the most impressive ones to enter the draft in quite some time. Ross' rare combo of blistering speed and strong route-running ability would make him an excellent candidate to take over Brandin Cooks' role in the Saints lethal passing attack.
2nd round:
33.Cleveland Browns: Evan Engram, tight end (Ole Miss)
34.San Francisco 49ers: DeShone Kizer, quarterback (Notre Dame)
35.Jacksonville Jaguars: Garrett Bolles, tackle (Utah)
36.Chicago Bears: Obi Melifonwu, safety (Connecticut)
37.Los Angeles Rams: Juju Smith-Schuster, wide receiver (USC)
38.Los Angeles Chargers: Dion Dawkins, guard (Temple)
39.New York Jets: Justin Evans, safety (Texas A&M)
40.Carolina Panthers: Zay Jones, wide receiver (East Carolina)
41.Cincinnati Bengals: Jarrad Davis, inside linebacker (Florida)
42.New Orleans Saints: Charles Harris, edge rusher (Missouri)
43.Philadelphia Eagles: Dalvin Cook, running back (Florida State)
44.Buffalo Bills: Cordrea Tankersley, cornerback (Clemson)
45.Arizona Cardinals: Davis Webb, quarterback (California)
46.Indianapolis Colts: Taco Charlton, edge rusher (Michigan)
47.Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Willis, edge rusher (Kansas State)
48.Minnesota Vikings: Dan Feeney, guard (Indiana)
49.Washington Redskins: Raekwon McMillan, inside linebacker (Ohio State)
50.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alvin Kamara, running back (Tennessee)
51.Denver Broncos: Blair Brown, inside linebacker (Ohio)
52.Cleveland Browns: Desmond King, cornerback (Iowa)
53.Detroit Lions: Jabril Peppers, safety/inside linebacker (Michigan)
54.Miami Dolphins: Malik McDowell, defensive tackle (Michigan State)
55.New York Giants: Gerald Everett, tight end (South Alabama)
56.Oakland Raiders: Dalvin Tomlinson, defensive tackle (Alabama)
57.Houston Texans: Budda Baker, safety (Washington)
58.Seattle Seahawks: Taylor Moton, guard/tackle (Western Michigan)
59.Kansas City Chiefs: Chris Wormley, defensive tackle/end (Michigan)
60.Dallas Cowboys: Bucky Hodges, tight end (Virginia Tech)
61.Green Bay Packers: Tim Williams, edge rusher (Alabama)
62.Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Williams, safety (Utah)
63.Atlanta Falcons: Dorian Johnson, guard (Pittsburgh)
64.Carolina Panthers: Tyus Bowser, edge rusher (Houston)
No comments:
Post a Comment