Written by Christian Lysek
Draft season is almost here folks. The offseason has already arrived for 30 teams and they have begun looking toward the draft. Will that, here is my first mock draft of 2017:
Note: An OSOB prospect is an "other side of the ball prospect." As long as a player has not been picked in the real mock draft and plays on the opposite side of the ball of the player picked, than they can be selected for the team.
1. Cleveland Brown: Myles Garrett, EDGE, Texas A&M
There are generally three positions that get taken first overall: quarterback, EDGE rusher, and offensive tackle. This is a bad class for both quarterbacks and offensive tackles. The best EDGE prospect in years happens to be in this draft class. This choice is so easy the Browns can do it.
OSOB Prospect: Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
2. San Francisco 49ers: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
The 49ers need to go best player available for this draft. They are the league's most talent-stricken team, and they need building blocks. With most of their youth and talent on the defensive line, It makes sense to plug in a scheme-versatile wrecking ball like Jonathan Allen to create a unit that can be built around going forward.
OSOB Prospect: Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
3. Chicago Bears: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
With Adrian Amos occupying the free safety spot, the Bears pick up the best strong safety option in Jamal Adams. He is both physical against the run and versatile in coverage. The Eric Berry clone would fit right in the rebuilding Bears defense.
OSOB Prospect: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
The Jaguars overpaid Chris Ivory last season, and TJ Yeldon has been quite disappointing. They need a running game to help the offense find its 2015 groove again, so drafting the next Adrian Peterson makes sense.
OSOB Prospect: Solomon Thomas, EDGE, Stanford
5. Tennessee Titans: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Tennessee are wildcard playoff contenders, but the need a reliable target at wide receiver to get over the hump and win their division. Williams is a physical wide receiver with steel traps for hands, tremendous leaping ability, and good speed. He can stretch the field and open up the offense for Marcus Mariota.
OSOB Prospect: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
6. New York Jets: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
The talk all season for the Jets was how much Darrelle Revis was struggling, but the safeties for the Jets were even more pitiful. Malik Hooker is a blue-chip prospect who can slide in at free safety, covering over the top of deep routes and using his ball skills to snag passes out of the sky.
OSOB Prospect: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
7. San Diego Chargers: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
The Chargers offensive line performed better in 2016 than it did in 2015, but that’s like going from team uniform folder to bench scrub. They still struggle to protect Philip Rivers, open up holes in the run game for Melvin Gordon, and stay healthy. Ramczyk is a technician with upside who can replace either of the Chargers older, unreliable tackles.
OSOB Prospect: Budda Baker, S, Washington
8. Carolina Panthers: Solomon Thomas, EDGE, Stanford
The Carolina Panthers need to pay Kawann Short, so that mean team sack leader Mario Addison may have to walk. With only old man Charles Johnson and the inconsistent Kony Ealy as viable options for the defensive end roles, the Panthers could use Solomon Thomas’ reliability in the run and pass game to restock on the defensive line.
OSOB Prospect: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
The Bengals linebacking core is old, not athletic, and are consistently in the news for the wrong reasons. Reuben Foster brings the physicality Cincinnati has become famous for but also packs speed, coverage skills, and a clean record, all things the Bengals linebacking core is lacking.
OSOB Prospect: Garrett Bolles, OT, Utah
10. Buffalo Bills: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Sammy Watkins is a great talent at wide receiver, but he is on the field so little for the Bills he might as well not exist. Robert Woods did an admiral job of filling in for Watkins, but he and seemingly half of the team is up for free agency. Corey Davis is the definition of reliability with strong hands, good route running, and excellent size.
OSOB Prospect: Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State
11. New Orleans Saints: Derek Barnett, EDGE, Tennessee
Cameron Jordan may be the most under-appreciated defensive end in the NFL. He continues to play at a pro bowl level while his teammates struggle next to him. It is time to give Jordan some help, so the Saints take Derek Barnett, the man who broke Reggie White’s sack record. Barnett can step right into the Saints defense and use his elite bend and motor to rush opposing quarterbacks.
OSOB Prospect: Forrest Lamp, OG
12. Cleveland Browns: DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson
The Browns take the first QB off of the board with DeShaun Watson. Watson needs to work on his accuracy, but his clutch ability and intangibles are off the charts. Hue Jackson did a remarkable job in grooming Andy Dalton into a pro bowler, and he can do the same with the National Championship winner.
OSOB Prospect: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
13. Arizona Cardinals: Dan Feeney, OG, Indiana
The Cardinals took a step back last year, especially in the passing game. While Carson Palmer's numbers were not as good as the previous year, and a good part of that can be chalked up to poor offensive line play. Feeney is coming off of a dominant Senior Bowl week and can slide right into the Earl Watford’s guard spot, securing a spot on the line.
OSOB Prospect: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
14. Philadelphia Eagles: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
This cornerback class is ridiculously deep and chalk full of top tier talent, so expect prospects to slide, much like A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed did last year. That being said, Lattimore is a blue chip prospect with elite size, length, and hips. His ability to stop the run is just icing on the cake, and Jim Schwartz would be more than happy to stick him on the outside and have him cover the elite wide receivers in the NFC east.
OSOB Prospect: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
15. Indianapolis Colts: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Frank Gore is still a borderline Hall of Fame talent, but he is quite old and may not be able to carry the Colts running game much longer. Dalvin Cook can run inside and outside, diverting attention away from Andrew Luck and the speedy wide receivers he throws to.
OSOB Prospect: Carl Lawson, EDGE, Auburn
16. Baltimore Ravens: Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
Quincy Wilson is the trendy prospect, but Teez Tabor has Raven written all over him. He is physical, mean, and has a personality that every opposing team will hate. He has an impressive track record as a lockdown corner, and he can help bolster a vulnerable secondary.
OSOB Prospect: John Ross, WR, Washington
17. Washington Redskins: Montravius Adams, DL, Auburn
The Redskins were shredded to the tune of 4.5 yards rushing by their opponents in 2016. In the most important game of the season, the Redskins could not stop the Giants non-existent run game. Montravius Adams is a wrecking ball who can disrupt the run and help in pass defense with his strength and athleticism.
OSOB Prospect: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
18. Tennessee Titans: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
While Marshon Lattimore is an amazing talent, his teammate is one too. He may not possess the same level of upside as Lattimore, but he has been consistently great for the Buckeyes and would help remedy a struggling Titans secondary.
OSOB Prospect: John Ross, WR, Washington
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: John Ross, WR, Washington
Mike Evans is amazing, but he cannot do it all himself. With Vincent Jackson facing free agency and being 34 years old, the Bucs look toward speed demon John Ross from Washington. He is a burner in the Desean Jackson or Will Fuller mold, but has better hands than Fuller and is less of a personality problem than Jackson.
OSOB Prospect: Budda Baker, S, Washington
20. Denver Broncos: OJ Howard, TE, Alabama
OJ Howard had a massive national championship game the last time Alabama took home the trophy, but he had a quiet year the following season. He is much more talented than his statistics would say, and his skills and a blocker and receiver combined with his athleticism adds another weapon for whoever is quarterbacking the Broncos next year.
OSOB Prospect: Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State
21. Detroit Lions: Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
Darius Slay is a pro bowl talent at corner, but the revolving door that is the Lions other corner position was exposed throughout the 2016 season. Sidney Jones has a slight frame, but he has the quick hips and ball skills necessary to succeed in the NFL.
OSOB Prospect: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
22. Miami Dolphins: Taco Charlton, EDGE, Michigan
Mario Williams is overpaid and out of his prime, so the Dolphins need to replace the former pro bowler. Taco Charlton has the length and first step necessary to fix the missing piece in a talented defensive line with Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh.
OSOB Prospect: David Njoku, TE, Miami
23. New York Giants: Zac Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
The Giant’s boast tremendous line and secondary, but something is missing in the linebacking core. That something is Zac Cunningham, the SEC’s leader in tackles and the most versatile defender in the draft (yes, not Jabrill Peppers). He can line up anywhere on the defense and succeed with his speed, instincts, and sound tackling.
OSOB Prospect: David Njoku, TE, Miami
24. Oakland Raiders: Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State
A team with Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin should register more than a mere 25 sacks. There is a huge hole in the interior pass rush of the Raiders defense, and it is one Malik McDowell can fill. He is an athletic freak who, when he isn’t being double and triple teamed, causes havoc on an offensive line and gets in the quarterback’s face.
OSOB Prospect: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
25. Houston Texans: Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky
Before spraining his ankle at the Senior Bowl, Lamp was showing he is just as talented as his film suggests. The Texans need to open up more holes for Lamar Miller, and Lamp has the strength, technique, and athleticism to slide right into guard and do just that.
OSOB Prospect: Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State
26. Seattle Seahawks: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
As everyone and their brother knows, the Seahawks need offensive line help. Bolles is an older prospect, but his athleticism pops out on tape and he can replace Bradley Sowell at tackle.
OSOB Prospect: Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson
27. Kansas City Chiefs: Mitch Trubisky, QB
The Alex Smith Era has been effective, but there are legitimate questions about how far he can take the team. Mitch Trubisky is a high upside player that Andy Reid could develope and takeover once a transition is necessary.
OSOB Prospect: Raekwon, McMillan, LB, Ohio State
28. Dallas Cowboys: Carl Lawson, EDGE, Auburn
The Cowboys need a good pass rusher with no off-field risks. Carl Lawson is a round one talent with a squeky clean record who can help bolster a pass rush that is in dire need of help.
OSOB Prospect: Zay Jones, WR, ECU
29. Green Bay Packers: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
I cannot count how many “Aaron Rodgers needs help” stories I read after their playoff elimination. Eddie Lacy has been unreliable and while the Ty Montgomery-Aaron Ripkowski duo is cute, the Packers need a real solution. McCaffrey has been shredding defenses by rushing, receiving, and returning at a record pace for the past two seasons and can help balance the Packers offense.
OSOB Prospect: Takkarist McKinley, EDGE, UCLA
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Charles Harris, EDGE, Missouri
The Steelers seem to always need a pass rusher, and this year is no exception. The Steelers have Bud Dupree, but James Harrison and Jarvis Jones are free agents. Charles Harris comes from a pass-rushing factory and has tremendous athleticism, so the Steelers take him despite size concerns.
OSOB Prospect: Zay Jones, WR, ECU
31. New England Patriots: Jabrill Peppers, LB, Michigan
Bill Belichick loves his versatile defensive players. With a moneybacker like Peppers is not necessarily a need, Belichick will find a way to hone his athleticism and turn him into the star he can be.
OSOB Prospect: David Njoku, TE, Miami
32. Atlanta Falcons: TJ Watt, EDGE, Wisconsin
Shockingly enough, sometimes rookies struggle in their first year and especially so when they have injuries. Everyone wanted to give up on Vic Beasley, but then he led the NFL in sacks. The Falcons build off of his production by putting a skilled end across from him in the form of TJ Watt. He led the B1G in sacks and has NFL bloodlines, so he seems like the logical choice for the Falcons. P.S. You read that right, the Falcons are gonna win the Super Bowl.
OSOB Prospect: Cam Robinson, OL, Alabama
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