SideLion Report Mock Draft 2.0
By Matt Urben
A few weeks ago, the writers here at SideLion Report participated in our first collective mock draft of the year. Today, we take a second attempt at predicting what NFL teams will do in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Our process was to assign one writer to each of the eight NFL divisions. Without further ado, we present the SideLion Report mock draft 2.0.
1). Cleveland Browns: DE Myles Garrett – Texas A&M
The only other option here, in my opinion, is a trade down. Garrett is too talented to pass up, and taking a quarterback (or Leonard Fournette?) at this spot would be a very large reach. Garrett is still a no-brainer in a mock draft that does not allow trades. –Ty Finch
2). San Francisco 49ers: DE Solomon Thomas – Stanford
The 49ers have needs all over their roster, so taking the best available player at #2 is the wisest possible choice. Thomas was incredible on the defensive line for Stanford last season and his pass rushing ability can easily translate to the NFL. He will join DeForest Buckner to create a fearsome duo on the defensive line. –Mansur Shaheen
3). Chicago Bears: S Malik Hooker – Ohio State
Although I still believe the Bears need a long-term answer at quarterback, this may be too high to reach for one. Instead, I think they take Malik Hooker here and attempt to pair him with Adrian Amos at safety. Jonathan Allen is a possibility here too, but Chicago’s front seven is already fairly loaded. –Matt Urben
4). Jacksonville Jaguars: DL Jonathan Allen – Alabama
Jacksonville has many needs on offense, but the wise decision is to continue bolstering the pass rush. Allen is arguably the most versatile defensive line prospect in this talented draft class. He can play inside as a three-technique or off of the edge. Adding Allen to the mix is a no-brainer, especially with Solomon Thomas off of the board. –Ryan O’Bleness
5).Tennessee Titans: CB Marshon Lattimore – Ohio State
Adding Logan Ryan was a big step for a secondary that struggled mightily in 2016, but Tennessee stills need help. Lattimore is widely regarded as the best cornerback in a deep 2017 class. With Devin McCourty turning 30 before the season, the Titans add youth and talent to a position where you can never have enough good players on the roster. –Ryan O’Bleness
6). New York Jets: QB Mitchell Trubisky – North Carolina
The Jets need a quarterback and although there are plenty of enticing options available with the sixth overall pick, Trubisky gives New York a QB to build around. With a wealth of cornerbacks in this draft, the secondary can be addressed on Day 2. –Al Stahl
7). L.A. Chargers: WR Cooper Kupp – Eastern Washington
Kupp is an NFL legacy who spent his entire college career breaking records. Records that include all-time receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and receptions. Adding such a dynamic receiver to their passing game will allow Phillip Rivers to regain a downfield advantage, something that’s been missing in the Chargers’ offense as of late. Kupp can fill in as a slot receiver right away if he can eliminate some of his issues with getting separation. –Andria Dolan
8). Carolina Panthers: DE Derek Barnett – Tennessee
Carolina’s defense was stellar when they went to the Super Bowl. Last season they fell off. This offseason they brought back Julius Peppers, who once was one of the premier edge rushers in the league. Today, he can help mentor Barnett and turn him into a force down the line. –Jack Ozark
9). Cincinnati Bengals: TE O.J. Howard – Alabama
O.J. Howard is the best tight end prospect to come out in years. The Bengals use their tight ends early and often, and while Tyler Eifert is a solid pass-catching red zone option, he also cannot stay healthy. In addition to his pass-catching abilities, Howard would also help the Bengals’ young tackles on the edge. –Ty Finch
10). Buffalo Bills: WR Corey Davis – Western Michigan
Corey Davis was still on the board when the Bills’ clock started and it didn’t take long to get this selection in. Davis is a do-it-all receiver with great size, balance and speed that should provide QB Tyrod Taylor with a top pass-catching threat for years to come. –Al Stahl
11). New Orleans Saints: LB Reuben Foster – Alabama
Drew Brees only has a few seasons left before his greatness rides off into the sunset. If the Saints want to try and compete again, they need to get some defensinve help and Foster is a great place to start. He’s a Bama boy, so the Saints are at least getting a starter in the middle of the field. –Jack Ozark
12). Cleveland Browns: CB Gareon Conley – Ohio State
The Browns simply need talent. Yes, their biggest need is quarterback, as with every team without one. However, Mitchell Trubisky came off the board at number six, and that seems to be the only quarterback that the Browns value in the first round. Conley could turn into the best corner in this draft, and at 6-foot-2, is in the mold of what NFL teams want from outside corners. –Ty Finch
13). Arizona Cardinals: QB Deshaun Watson – Clemson
The Super Bowl window for the Cardinals is closing, and as Carson Palmer nears retirement, Arizona should already be thinking about how to replace him. Deshaun Watson is a raw talent, and may not be ready to start year one. A few years behind Palmer, though, and he can develop into the franchise guy the Cardinals need. –Mansur Shaheen
14). Philadelphia Eagles: RB Christian McCaffrey – Stanford
In this fantasy land of mock drafts, Philly has their pick of three stars at a position of need. It would be wise of them to find a scheme-fit back, who can provide the most tools to this offense and “White Reggie Bush” offers that and more. Can this be a start to the end of the Eagles’ drop problem? –Brandon Finley
15). Indianapolis Colts: RB Leonard Fournette – L.S.U.
Frank Gore was serviceable due to volume last season, but he will be 34 when the season starts, which is equivalent to about 70-years-old in running back years. Fournette has a rare combination of power and speed that will improve a rushing attack that ranked 23rd last year. Indianapolis will have to use the rest of the draft to upgrade their poor offensive line, though. –Ryan O’Bleness
16). Baltimore Ravens: WR Mike Williams – Clemson
Mike Williams is still my number one wide receiver in this draft, and wide receiver remains a big need for the Ravens. Williams also fits the mold of what type of receiver they need, a big, sure-handed target that can be a “true #1” guy. –Ty Finch
17). Washington Redskins: S Jamal Adams – L.S.U.
If Adams drops this low they should give him #21 just because it’s a miracle sent by Sean Taylor’s ghost. I kid. Adams would be an instant starter to a team looking to find a centerfielder at safety. He has all the tools and is a perfect fit. –Brandon Finley
18). Tennessee Titans: TE David Njoku – Miami
If bolstering the secondary is Tennessee’s first priority, the second priority must be finding Marcus Mariota a weapon. John Ross could be considered here, but the 6-foot-4-inch Njoku is an elite athlete who can go up and get the ball. Pairing Njoku with Delanie Walker gives Mariota two big targets who can both gain chunk yardage after the catch. –Ryan O’Bleness
19).Tampa Bay Bucs: S Jabrill Peppers – Michigan
Tampa needs more defensive playmakers since their offense is full of them. Peppers may not have set position, but the Bucs could easily use him as an actual safety or run him all over the field as a weapon. There has been a lot of back and forth about Peppers, but the guy knows football and knows how to be good at it. –Jack Ozark
20). Denver Broncos: OT Cam Robinson – Alabama
Denver’s weakest area without a doubt is their offensive line. They need a strong starter who can come out of the gates immediately, especially in a division with some of the best edge rushers and linebackers that the league has to offer. Robinson was a consistent and dominant force on the offensive line as a weakside tackle throughout his college career and could fill that hole left by the departure of Russell Okung to the Chargers. –Andria Dolan
21). Detroit Lions: LB Haason Reddick – Temple
Haason Reddick has shot up draft boards after an impressive combine. He’s not an exact fit for Detroit’s 4-3 defense, but has shown to have the versatility to be able to adapt to whatever NFL scouts have asked him to do thus far. There’s no reason to think he can’t do that in Detroit. Plus, the Lions needs a playmaker badly at the linebacker position. –Matt Urben
22). Miami Dolphins: DE Taco Charlton – Michigan
With Marlon Humphrey and Forrest Lamp still on the board, this was a tough call. While each would make an immediate impact, I’d still argue that Taco Charlton can provide the biggest impact of the three as long as he can give effort consistently in the NFL. Plus, playing alongside Ndamukong Suh should help. –Al Stahl
23). New York Giants: OT Ryan Ramczyk – Wisconsin
Ramczyk fills one of the few pieces stopping this offense from being complete. The big man-mover would allow Erick Flowers to move to RT and would hopefully help the Giants’ offense run the ball successfully. It may be a boring pick, but it’s a 10-15 year investment. –Brandon Finley
24). Oakland Raiders: LB T.J. Watt – Wisconsin
The younger brother of defensive powerhouse J.J. Watt, T.J. almost promises big numbers off the bat. The Raiders’ biggest struggle starts at their defensive line and carries all the way back so a strong linebacker is an important addition. The rivalry of recent years between the Raiders and the Texans will give fans something to be excited for as well. –Andria Dolan
25). Houston Texans: QB Patrick Mahomes – Texas Tech
The Tony Romo sweepstakes was put to an end with Romo’s retirement. Tom Savage is not the answer at quarterback. Mahomes is no-doubt a project quarterback, but his arm strength is off of the charts and his accuracy has steadily improved each year. Mahomes may not be a day-one starter for the Texans, but he could develop into their long-term answer. –Ryan O’Bleness
26). Seattle Seahawks: OT Garett Bolles – Utah
As much as we love the highlights of Russel Wilson running for his life in the backfield only to escape and deliver a perfect pass to a receiver downfield, the Seahawks QB should expect his linemen to do a better job protecting him. Bolles is a decent prospect in a weak class for the offensive line, but he will help give Wilson the protection he desperately needs. –Mansur Shaheen
27). Kansas City Chiefs: WR John Ross – Washington
Kansas City doesn’t have many holes to speak of, so depth will be key in the draft this year. John Ross boasts versatility and skill, playing some cornerback in college, along with his receiving and return duties. He had a torn ACL, so getting with a team like the Chiefs will benefit both player and team alike. He will have time to hone his skills, while improving his physical health and prowess, perhaps bulking him up to match up with the often oversized cornerbacks and safeties that he’ll be facing. –Andria Dolan
28). Dallas Cowboys: CB Adoree’ Jackson – U.S.C.
I picked Jackson for Dallas last time and I will do it again. His versatility and athleticism would be an excellent addition to the Cowboys, who seemed unable to retain anyone in the secondary. Jackson’s value as a returner only sweetens the deal as Cole Beasley may look to fill a more important role in the offense. –Brandon Finley
29). Green Bay Packers: RB Dalvin Cook – F.S.U.
The Packers were forced to rely on a wide receiver-turned-running back as their main option out of the backfield last season. They certainly need offensive line help, but Cook is a great value this late in the first round. He adds a home run threat which Aaron Rodgers has really never had during his time in Green Bay. –Matt Urben
30). Pittsburgh Steelers: G Forrest Lamp – W.K.U.
The Steelers’ stout run game is predicated on having terrific offensive lines, and adding what some people believe to be the best interior lineman in the draft would solidify that status. Lamp is a value pick this late in the draft as well, and I would venture to guess that Le’Veon Bell would smile if it played out this way. –Ty Finch
31). Atlanta Falcons: DE Charles Harris – Missouri
Atlanta has a hot offense, and a defense that featured Dwight Freeney more than it should have. Harris is a solid pass rusher that they can rotate in right away. If the Falcons had a few more guys that could get to the quarterback last season, they might have been picking at 32 instead. –Jack Ozark
32). New Orleans Saints: CB Marlon Humphrey – Alabama
Name me a Saints cornerback. Well, now you can. The Saints traded Brandin Cooks for this pick which screams they are going defense here. Humphrey has a chance to be the top corner in this draft and gets to stay with his Bama teammate Foster, as the two get set to be the building blocks of a revamped Saints defense. –Jack Ozark
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