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: Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
Like Thomas, Allen can also play defensive end in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 scheme. Quarterback is the biggest need for the Bears, but they may not feel that there is a quarterback worthy of this spot. Chicago also is in need of a safety, so I could see Jamal Adams or Malik Hooker. Although, they may be able to get Budda Baker in the second. Many people think Allen is the best player in the draft and Chicago also has a need of defensive end. This won’t be a organization changing pick, but it is needed. Chicago also could be terrible this year and be set up to draft one of the outstanding quarterbacks in 2018.
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: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Right now, New York’s starting quarterback is Josh McCown. Yikes. It’s not like the Jets haven’t tried to draft the quarterback of the future. In the last handful of years, New York has drafted Christian Hackenberg, Geno Smith and Bryce Petty all in the past five years and all in the first four rounds of the draft. Eventually the J-E-T-S will hit on one. It’s not like that is a bad strategy. Quarterback is arguably the most important position in sports, so drafting one every year until you hit on one is a good strategy.
7. Los Angeles Chargers: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
First off, I have a confession to make. When first typing this, I totally put “San Diego Chargers" at first before changing it. Los Angeles Chargers will take some getting used to. Now, there is a debate as to who the top safety in the draft. Both Adams and Ohio State’s Malik Hooker have a chance to be great. 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: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
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. Barnett broke Reggie White’s school record for sacks, so that should say a bit about how good of player he is. After having 11.5 sacks in 2012, Michael Johnson has not had more than five in any year since and had just 3.5 last year. The Bengals also did not re-sign Magus Hunt, so defensive end is a priority in the draft, and Barnett is one of the best in the draft and he falls into their laps here.
10. Buffalo Bills: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
I could see the Bills going with wide receiver Mike Williams to pair with Sammy Watkins, but Hooker is too good to pass up here. The comparison I keep seeing for Hooker is Seattle’s Earl Thomas. Buffalo signed Micah Hyde in the offseason, but he is a backup and should not keep them from drafting a talent like Hooker. He played through injuries throughout his senior season, but still had a big year. I don’t think Buffalo should pass up a talent like Hooker should he be there at No. 10.
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: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
After drafting a defensive standout with the first pick, Cleveland goes with a big pass catching tight end. He will be the new quarterback’s best friend. I could see the Browns trying to trade up and get Trubisky, but if they stand pat, Howard is the guy here. Hue Jackson did wonders with Tyler Eifert when he was in Cincinnati, so it would be interesting to see what he would do with Howard. The 2016 National Championship hero would add to the weapons for the new quarterback for the Browns to go along with Kenny Britt and Corey Coleman.
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: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Philadelphia signed wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, but Jeffrey was just a 1-year deal and Smith has been terrible the last few years with San Francisco. Williams could give Philadelphia a deadly wide receiver core, and second-year quarterback Carson Wentz all the weapons needed in order to succeed. Marlon Humphrey has a chance to go here as well, which would be three out of the last four picks from Alabama.
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: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
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 four-year star from Western Michigan left school with the most receiving yards in college football history. However, he does need to improve on his drops, as he had too many with the Broncos. But he has good size and catches everything with his hands. He would complement Wallace really well.
17. Washington Redskins: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
Reddick played defensive end in college, but he would play inside linebacker for the Redskins. Washington’s top three players at the position are free agents at the end of the 2017 season, so Reddick makes too much sense at this spot. Transitioning from defensive end to inside linebacker will take some time, but Reddick would not have to be a contributor immediately since the team just signed Zach Brown in the offseason. He would help a defense that finished in the bottom half of the league in points allowed.
18. Tennessee Titans: John Ross, WR, Washington
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. Ross was a fringe first rounder before the combine, but perhaps solidified his spot in the first round after running a 4.22 40, which set a record at the combine. 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. Ross was a dynamic receiver for the Huskies and could develop into the top receiver the Titans are looking for.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
Robinson is the fourth Bama player off the board, as the Tide keeps churning out NFL prospects. Tampa Bay could also go Dalvin Cook here, as Doug Martin is frequently injured and is already missing the first three games of the season as it is. Two years ago, Tampa Bay took its franchise quarterback, Jameis Winston. Now, it is time to protect the investment. Many believe Donovan Smith is best suited as a right tackle and Robinson has the physical tools to be able to hold down the left tackle spot in the future.
20. Denver Broncos: 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. Denver is in desperate need of a left tackle following the departure of Russell Okung to the division rival Los Angeles Chargers. Ramczyk is up there with Robinson as the top offensive tackle in the class.
21. Detroit Lions: Charles Harris, LB, Missouri
Harris has been very productive, even on a bottom-feeder, in arguably the best conference in the nation. Harris is too light to be a 4-3 end, so he will have to be a linebacker or gain weight to be a defensive end. Regardless, pass rusher is a need for the Lions to pair with Ezekiel Ansah. If you play against Aaron Rodgers twice a year, you need to have multiple guys who can rush the passer.
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: David Njoku, TE, Miami
The G-Men have not really had a threat at tight end since the one year Martellus Bennett spent in the Big Apple in 2012. As of right now, New York has Will Tye as its starting tight end. Eli Manning needs more weapons outside of Odell Beckham Jr. The Giants scored less than 20 points per game, which was 26th in the league. They still made the playoffs due to their much-improved defense. Manning needs another weapon and a reliable tight end is a quarterback’s best friend. In the last few months, Njoku has bolted up the mock drafts. He has tremendous athletecism and is a very good receiver.
24. Oakland Raiders: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
David Amerson and Sean Smith are the starters, but Oakland needs depth at the position. The Raiders need someone to be able to cover the slot and Humphrey would be able to do just that. However, Humphrey has the chance to be the CB1 for the Raiders in time. Oakland struggled defensively all year last season and will need to get help on that side of the ball. They also could go linebacker or defensive line at this spot.
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: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
Dallas lost both Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr in free agency, so cornerback is a major need for last year’s NFC top seed. Their new starting cornerbacks are Orlando Scandrick and Nolan Carroll, who are both 30. Conley may even go higher than this, but Dallas would be thrilled to get the former Buckeyes standout at this spot. He allowed just a 37 percent completion percentage and he has good speed with good ball skills. He is not as great of a prospect as Lattimore, but he is still extremely good.
29. Green Bay Packers: T.J. Watt, OLB, Wisconsin
Many think Green Bay’s biggest need is cornerback. I honestly think the Packers biggest need is outside linebacker. They desperately need someone who can put heat on opposing passers. That is the best friend of a suspect secondary. Even though the Packers re-signed Nick Perry, they lost both Datone Jones and Julius Peppers, so they need to replace them. Drafting J.J.’s younger brother would also help the Packers move around Clay Matthews. On pass rushing downs, they could have Matthews at inside linebacker and rush him with Perry and Watt. I do think the Packers will have to address the cornerback position, but this is a deep draft there. In his only year as a starter, Watt had 11.5 sacks and was named first team All-Big Ten.
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: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
This pick would make back-to-back Wolverines drafted. Atlanta is in the process of get the defense on the same level as the offense. The defense is not only solid, but young. Charlton would only improve on this. He can play multiple roles in the 4-3 defense and would help in solidifying the defensive line for the Falcons.
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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