Many people believe he is the top player in the draft. Cleveland also is in need of a quarterback and there are some in the organization who like North Carolina’s Mitchell Trubisky. However, Cleveland’s defense was so bad last year and there are also many who believe there is not a quarterback worthy of a top pick. Also, next year, there will be a tremendous quarterback class at the top. This past year, Garrett had 8.5 sacks, but 4.5 of them came against UT-San Antonio. For his career, 16 of his 32.5 sacks came against UTSA, Rice, Lamar and Louisiana-Monroe. Garrett will need to show he can do it against top competition game after game in the NFL. He has the talent to do so.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
San Francisco’s run defense was abysmal last season, ranking dead last by a wide margin. The 49ers gave up nearly 166 rush yards per game, more than 20 yards behind the team that finished 31st (Miami). He can play in the 3-4 or 4-3 defense and Thomas was ranked by Pro Football Focus as the nation’s best run defender. He also is a strong pass rusher, using both his power and his speed. I think either Thomas or Alabama’s Jonathan Allen will go to the 49ers, but I think Thomas is the pick here.
3. Chicago Bears: Jamal Adams, S, Louisiana State
I used to have Allen here, but there are injury concerns surrounding the former Alabama defensive lineman. Many believe Adams will not make it out of the top five. This is a perfect landing spot for the former Tiger. The Jets actually told him during a visit that he is wasting his time, so they clearly don't expect him to last to No. 6. I think he actually could be in play at No. 2. Chicago is in need of secondary help and he fits that. Marcus Lattimore also could be in play here.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Jacksonville needs to sell tickets and Fournette might be the most exciting player in the draft. The Jaguars are stockpiling talent, but they still have a hole at the most important position. In 2016, Jacksonville didn’t have one ball carrier rush for more than 500 yards and neither of the top two even rushed for more than four yards per carry. Still, they need an offensive line to block for the former LSU standout, but having a talented running back like Fournette will help the line look better.
5. Tennessee Titans: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
Tennessee just released Jason McCourty, but even if he was still on the team, he did not play well last year. The Titans added Logan Ryan in free agency, but they are also in desperate need of another cornerback. I think they are in need of a cornerback and a wide receiver and can fill both needs due to the trade before last year’s draft of the No. 1 pick. Lattimore has a chance to be a true shut down cornerback.
6. New York Jets: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
First off, I would be surprised if the Jets keep this pick. If Cleveland does not trade up with Tennessee, I fully expect the Jets to trade down with the Browns if Mitchell Trubisky, But as it is, New York needs a tight end to help out current quarterback Josh McCown. I think New York will try to get its quarterback with its next pick and possible even trade up into the late first to grab one. Howard is arguably the most talented tight end to be picked since Vernon Davis in 2005.
7. Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
There is a debate as to who the top safety in the draft. With Adams gone, Ohio State’s Malik Hooker makes a lot of sense. Safety is not the most pressing need for the Bolts, but a safety may very well be the best player available. They re-signed safety Jahleel Addae, but will need another one to pair with him. Los Angeles could also draft a wide receiver, especially with Keenan Allen having his last two years cut short by injury, but this could be too early to draft one. They also need to improve the offensive line.
8. Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
If Fournette were to fall to No. 8, the Panthers would be all over him. Truthfully, this may be a bit high for Ed’s son, but he can do many of the same things Reggie Bush did coming out of USC, who went No. 2 in 2006. The one question many have about McCaffrey is if he can be an every down back. I am not quite sure, but he can affect the game in so many ways. He and Jonathan Stewart would be a great duo at the position.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
Cinicinnati will need to work on their offensive line after Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler left via free agency, so Cam Robinson could be a fit here. Before, I had Allen going in the top five, but there are some injury concerns surrounding him. The Bengals need a pass rusher and Allen is the best one available. If the injury concerns turn out to be not as serious as thought, Cincinnati could have the top player in the draft fall into its lap at pick No. 9.
10. Buffalo Bills: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
I know there is no chance Trubisky falls down to Buffalo, but in this mock without trades, Trubisky is the pick here. Even though Buffalo re-signed Tyrod Taylor this offseason, it is clear the organization is not sold on him. The Bills will take a quarterback early on, and maybe even try to trade up into the late first to get a quarterback. Because I doubt Trubisky will actually be here at pick No. 10, I could see linebacker Reuben Foster or wide receiver Mike Williams here.
11. New Orleans Saints: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Even though New Orleans signed multiple linebackers in free agency, it would be hard to pass up a player of Foster’s caliber at this spot. Foster has everything you look for in a linebacker. He is smart and quick and is a tenacious tackler. He would step in and start right away and be the leader of a horrible Saints defense.
12. Cleveland Browns: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
I expect Cleveland to trade up for Trubisky, but as it is, I have Reddick going here. I think the Browns would love Howard at No. 12, but I have him going to the Jets at No. 6. Reddick is rising up the draft boards quickly. He may very well go to Buffalo at No. 10, but if he falls to here, Cleveland is excited to draft him.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
Arizona needs to find a replacement for 37-year-old Carson Palmer. He wasn’t the same following the NFC Championship game in which he turned the ball over six times against Carolina. After a great 2015, Palmer threw 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in leading them to a 7-8-1 record. For a team that had Super Bowl aspirations, that was a massive letdown. Arizona needs to prepare for the future with drafting Mahomes, who has risen up the mocks the last month or so.
14. Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Philadelphia needs help on defense, and Philadelphia would be excited if the former Vols star were to fall. He would be a nice fit for Jim Schwartz' defense and the Eagles defensive line would be fierce. This pick would remind me of when Detroit took Nick Fairley in 2011.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Takkarist McKinley, LB, UCLA
Indianapolis was horribly defensively last year and the Colts desperately need a pass rusher. Leading sacker in Indianapolis history Robert Mathis retired and the Colts did not re-sign Erik Walden. McKinley has top 10 talent and Indianapolis would be thrilled to have McKinley land in their lap at 15.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Steve Smith retired from the league and the Ravens lost Kamar Aiken, so the Ravens are in need of a wide receiver opposite Mike Wallace. The former Tigers standout is who most people consider the best receiver in the draft. He had more than 1,300 yards receiving last year and helped himself immensely in the championship game against Alabama, catching eight passes for 94 yards and a touchdown.
17. Washington Redskins: Charles Harris, OLB, Missouri
Washington needs pass rush help, so Harris makes sense after all the top rushers are off the board. They'd love if Reddick falls, but he seems to be out of reach unless they trade up. He would be an early contributor for them.
18. Tennessee Titans: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
This is Tennessee’s own pick of the draft, their second of the first round. They have two major weaknesses coming into the draft, cornerback and wide receiver. They have a chance to address both needs in the first round. Davis is a great talent with great size for the position. He catches everything with his hands, but he does have a tendency to drop some passes from time to time. Tennessee has a bunch of JAGs at the position and it needs a top go-to wide receiver for Marcus Mariota to complement tight end Delanie Walker. Davis was a four-year starter with the Broncos and broke the NCAA record for most receiving yards in a career.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Tampa Bay is rumored to be eyeing cornerbacks in this year's draft, at least if you read reports from Matt Miller. Humphrey is a popular name that pops up for Tampa Bay. Also in play are my previous Buccaneers pick and Humphrey's college teammate Cam Robinson, as well as dynamic former Florida State running back Dalvin Cook.
20. Denver Broncos: Cam Robinson
Denver is in desperate need of a left tackle following the departure of Russell Okung to the division rival Los Angeles Chargers. Most people consider Robinson the top offensive tackle in the class and the buzz is that Denver will grab an offensive tackle with this pick.
21. Detroit Lions: David Njoku, TE, Miami
Eric Ebron has done as well as the Lions would have hoped and he could be a free agent next offseason. Matthew Stafford will need another weapon to go along with Marvin Jones and Golden Tate. In the last few months, Njoku has bolted up the mock drafts. He has tremendous athletecism and is a very good receiver.
22. Miami Dolphins: Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky
The Dolphins will be tempted to take Lamp, who would step in and be a contributor immediately. Miami will need a guard to replace Branden Albert, who was traded to Jacksonville this offseason, and move of last year’s first round pick Leramy Tunsil to left tackle. After signing a pair of linebackers to try to shore up its leaky run defense last year, guard is the most pressing need. Offensive line is not deep this year and the Dolphins should take one in round one or risk losing out.
23. New York Giants: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
Wisconsin is an offensive line factory, with such players as Joe Thomas, Travis Frederick, Ricky Wagner and Kevin Zeitler all coming from my home state’s major university. Perhaps his biggest question mark is that he is recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum. The G-Men have a major need at offensive tackle I could also see Garett Boles in this spot as well.
24. Oakland Raiders: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
Oakland seems to enamored with the former Florida linebacker. Many have this in their mock drafts, and Matt Miller says the same. He dominated in his Pro Day and his film pops out. He is a versatile playmaker at the linebacker position, which is what the soon-to-be Vegas Raiders need.
25. Houston Texans: DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Following the retirement of Tony Romo, the Texans are stuck with Tom Savage at quarterback. Houston needs to draft one and sign a free agent quarterback like Jay Cutler for one year before handing over the reigns to Watson. Despite the fact that Houston has not had a great quarterback throughout its history, the Texans have not drafted a quarterback in the first round since the first ever pick by the franchise. As a matter of fact, they have only drafted two in the first three rounds (Dave Ragone, 3rd round, 2003). Houston needs to find a quarterback of the future because what it has tried throughout its history has not worked so far and the franchise seems to be a quarterback away from being a Super Bowl team.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
It is no secret that Seattle is open to trading Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman. It is highly unlikely that a trade would happen prior to next Thursday’s start of the draft, but one could happen by the start of the regular season. If that were to happen, Seattle would need a replacement and White is a good place to start. Even if Sherman is kept, the Seahawks still need depth at the position. The tandem Sherman and Jeremy Lane is a solid duo, but lack depth and White would come in and contribute right away.
27. Kansas City Chiefs: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
After nine seasons, the Chiefs released Jamaal Charles, so Kansas City is in need of a running back. Spencer is a solid backup, but will need a three-down back and the Chiefs would be thrilled to see Cook fall to Kansas City. Following the college football season, many projected Cook a top 10-15 pick, but he has fallen due to a few red flags. But he is one of the most talented running backs to come into the draft in the last 10 years. Kansas City needs a little more punch offensively and the former Seminoles standout would help make the Chiefs a potent offense.
28. Dallas Cowboys: T.J. Watt, OLB, Wisconsin
If one team takes Watt above the Packers, I think it would be the Cowboys. While many think Watt will be drafted high because of his older brother, that is just not true. He is a damn good player as well. In his only year as a starter, Watt had 11.5 sacks and was named first team All-Big Ten. He is a very good pass rusher, as well as a very good run defender.
29. Green Bay Packers: Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado
I know I said that I believe Green Bay's biggest need is pass rusher in last my last mock, but Awuzie seems like he would a Packers type of pick. He is very instinctive, but maybe relies on them a bit too much. However, he just allowed 510 yards and two touchdowns with a 54 percent completion percentage while being targeted. He has also played all around the secondary and has played well in all positions. Ted Thompson loves versatile defensive backs and Awuzie fits that.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
There is a report that Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert “loves” Peppers, but take that for what it’s worth. Pittsburgh has a need at both linebacker and safety, and Peppers can play both positions. I do think he is more of a strong safety, though, but I think he would play some linebacker in a coverage role. This could be a perfect fit.
31. Atlanta Falcons: Jordan Willis, LB, Kansas State
Willis had a great combine, which vaulted him into first round consideration. He had a terrific senior season for the Wildcats, sacking opposing quarterbacks 11.5 times in addition to his 17.5 tackles for loss. The Dirty Birds need another young pass rusher to pair with Vic Beasley and Willis could jump right in and contribute.
32. New Orleans Saints: Kevin King, CB, Washington
New Orleans has this pick due to trading Brandin Cooks to New England. The Saints have major problems defensively and will likely take a pair of defenders in the first round. New Orleans is trying to acquire Malcolm Butler before the draft, but if they don’t, they need a cornerback. They could also wait until their next pick due to the deep cornerback class as well. King is a major talent. He is a fast corner with great size for the position and has tremendous ball skills. He needs to improve in his run support, but he has potential to be extremely good.
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