As December begins, so does our look at the upcoming NFL Draft in April, 2017. A few notes about this draft. First, two teams, the Loss Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings, have no first round pick. Second, This first draft is based on a lot of information that all comes from my head and observations. I balance each pick based on what I think the team “would” do and what I think they “should” do. Third, I don’t factor in prospective trades because I don’t know how you can, especially at this point. But there will be some trades, at least two that I can see, that will go down early in this draft. Unlike last season, neither will impact the first two picks.
1. Cleveland Browns – DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Understand what I’m saying here because I’m rarely wrong about this. Watson is the best quarterback in this class by a mile. Watson is a star in college. He’ll be a star in the pros. He’s played, non stop, against professional-level competition that will get drafted as well. This is Dak Prescott all over again and maybe you’ll listen to me this time.
2. San Francisco 49ers – Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
The tape on Trubisky looks fantastic and it’s made him a first round pick and put him atop a lot of draft boards. Here’s my problem with that, he’s just started a single season. It’s been good, but there were some dud games in there, including the last one he played against NC State. The stat line was there, but the production and third-down efficiency wasn’t. And if you can get flummoxed by the Wolfpack (and the Virginia Tech Hokies for that matter), maybe you’re not as pro-ready as people are saying.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
Whoever the new coach is at Jacksonville next season, he’ll give Blake Bortles one more good, solid chance. Drafting the best tackle in the draft will help.
4. Chicago Bears – Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Here is our first potential trade partner. The Bears have holes all over, but their biggest need are at positions they can draft later (DB, QB, TE). They don’t need to pick No. 4. They need more picks. Meanwhile the teams that really need a guy like Jonathan Allen draft later. Not to mention the two best running backs in the draft are still on the board. Like I said earlier, I don’t project the trades but this pick looks up for sale to me. That being said. Humphrey should be the pick for the Bears whether they draft at No. 4 or 10
5. New York Jets – Leonard Fournett, RB, LSU
The Jets could talk themselves into a quarterback here like everyone’s favorite over-hyped arm DeShone Kizer (who doesn’t get a first-round grade from me). I think they look at their offense and see an aging Matt Forte in the backfield. Considering what the Rams got in Todd Gurley and the Cowboys in Zeke Elliott over the last couple of years, Fournette shouldn’t be a difficult card to turn in.
6. Cincinnati Bengals – Jabril Peppers, OLB, Michigan
The Bengals, if they haven’t been jumped, could look at the two big defensive ends here (Allen and Myles Garrett), but their actual need on defense is at linebacker. They should upgrade both inside and outside and Peppers is the best OLB in this draft. If they don’t draft Peppers, they’ll probably be playing against him.
7. Tennessee Titans – (from the Los Angeles Rams) Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
The Titans either traded away or cut most of their best receiving weapons last offseason so it’s time to add one. Williams has outstanding hands, is a tremendous route runner and he’s done it against top NCAA competition and played with a professional quarterback. His 79 catches for 1,114 yards and 10 touchdowns should show up immediately on any NFL team that drafts him.
8. Carolina Panthers – Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Jonathan Stewart will be headed into his 10th NFL season in 2017 and has never been more than a grinder for the Panthers. He’s had just one 1,000 yard season in his career and, sure, he shared the ball with DeAngelo Williams for much of it, but he’s a pounder. The Panthers need a gamebreaker and that’s exactly what Cook will give them.
Next: Part two of the GMS 2017 NFL Mock Draft.
