With the 2017 NFL Draft positions locked in for the teams that failed to make the playoffs this season, the mock drafts and projections have already begun for this year’s event. As many as eight teams could be in the market for a new quarterback and all eyes will be on the Cleveland Browns to see if they take a franchise passer with the first-overall pick. We took the time to break down what we think each of the first five teams will do at the top. Here is a look at the top five picks for the 2017 NFL Draft.
1. Cleveland Browns – DE: Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
While the Browns could definitely use a franchise quarterback, the reality is that this team still has far too many holes to take a passer unless there is a clear generational talent they can’t afford to pass on at the top. That certainly doesn’t appear to be the case this year and with an elite pass rushing prospect on the top of nearly every draft board it only makes sense that they will take the best player available. There have been reports that Cleveland has an extremely high grade on Garrett so it makes sense that they take him here and worry about the quarterback position either later in the draft or in 2018 when it appears as though there will be a much stronger draft class at the position.
2. San Francisco 49ers – QB: DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
As much as it might make sense for the 49ers to stick with Colin Kaepernick for at least one more year, owner Jed York made it clear that he wants to change the culture of the team. There is no easier way to do that then to take a franchise quarterback second overall. It also helps that the general assumption is that Kaepernick and the 49ers are headed for a divorce. He’s not the long-term solution at the position and the team needs to hit the reset button. Kizer might not be a generational talent but he has all of the tools to succeed. He appears to be the most pro-ready option on the board.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – OT: Garrett Bolles, Utah
The consensus is that Bolles is likely to declare and become the top offensive line prospect on the board for the 2017 NFL Draft. If that happens, Jacksonville would be happy to take him at No. 3 in an effort to address their issues at left tackle. The Jaguars have a strong cast of skill players on both sides of the football but they need to upgrade their line play on both sides of the football. Bolles would be an excellent option at No. 3 overall.
4. Chicago Bears – QB: Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina
Assuming that the 49ers take Kizer at No. 2, the Bears will likely be thrilled that Trubisky falls to them at fourth-overall. Chicago is in dire need for a franchise quarterback and there are plenty of experts that feel Trubisky has the highest potential of the quarterbacks that will be available in the 2017 NFL Draft. He didn’t particularly well in the bowl game but a lot of people will bank on his measurables and his performance at the combine/pro days. The Bears found a way to be competitive with Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley under center this season, so if they can divorce themselves from the Jay Cutler mess and move forward with someone competent, they could be a surprise team next year.
5. New York Jets – CB: Jalen Tabor, Florida
The Jets are another team that would likely want to take a quarterback here but the combination of Kizer and Trubisky being off the board along with the fact that Tabor will still be available should make this an easy pick. There has been talk about veteran Darrelle Revis moving from cornerback to safety and the addition of Tabor could help facilitate that move. The addition of Tabor as an immediate starter and the corresponding move of Revis to safety would make the Jets better at two positions. Todd Bowles wants to establish a dominant defense in New York so Tabor makes sense for the Jets at fifth-overall.
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