NFL Mock Draft: Who does Cleveland take first? Which quarterbacks find homes?

Eric Galko

NFL Mock Draft: Who does Cleveland take first? Which quarterbacks find homes? image

Now that NFL Free Agency has hit a lull and most of the top players (outside of Dontari Poe and Jay Cutler) have found their new homes, we have a clearer picture of the 2017 NFL Draft. 

The Browns, Titans and now Saints have two picks in Round 1. The Jaguars and Bengals have seen their draft needs change dramatically after free agency, but for very different reasons. And the quarterback market, still as volatile as ever, sees three quarterbacks go in the top-15 with three more finding homes in Round 2.

2017 NFL Mock Draft

1. Cleveland Browns - Myles Garrett, OLB, Texas A&M

The Browns will be drafting Myles Garrett or trading down to a team searching for a quarterback. Garrett can help rebuild the Browns' defense.

2. San Francisco 49ers - Jamal Adams, S, LSU

With Jonathan Allen having injury question marks, Jamal Adams fills their safety need and can be a feature secondary player for a defensive back unit in need of substantial help.

3. Chicago Bears - Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford

Neither Thomas nor Ohio State’s Malik Hooker are worth top-five picks in most draft classes, but if the Bears pass on a top-five quarterback, they’ll be forced to take one of them. Thomas has the higher ceiling and pass rushers are greater values than safeties.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars - Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

With so much invested in free agency the past two seasons, the Jaguars almost have to go offense throughout the 2017 NFL Draft. Offensive line, quarterback and receiver could come later, but Leonard Fournette is the best offensive player in the 2017 draft.

5. Tennessee Titans (via Rams) - Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State

His hamstring injuries in the past may worry teams about his value as a top-five pick, but he’s the most talented cornerback in the 2017 class and fills the Titans' biggest need.

6. New York Jets - Garett Bolles, OT, Utah

The Jets don’t have a capable left tackle as of now, and they’re looking to provide some instant stability to one of their young quarterbacks or a new free agent. Bolles is an NFL-ready left tackle who’s paid drastically less than the current market value for offensive tackles.

7. Los Angeles Chargers - Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State

The Chargers re-signed Jahleel Addae, so they are set at strong safety, but could use help at the other safety spot. Hooker should thrive with a solid pass rush as the new version of Ed Reed.

8. Carolina Panthers - OJ Howard, TE, Alabama

I’d expect the Panthers to take either OJ Howard or Leonard Fournette, whomever is available. If Howard is gone, John Ross is likely the pick.

MORE: Could Browns' "Moneyball" strategy work?

9. Cincinnati Bengals - Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama

The Bengals lost their two best offensive linemen, and it’s unclear whether they trust in Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher as their bookend tackles. Robinson could play guard to start before replacing one of the two in 2018.

10. Buffalo Bills - Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

It’s likely that a quarterback goes before 10, and my money is on Trubisky being the first quarterback taken at this point. The Bills have interest in Trubisky, and if he doesn’t go in the top-three picks, I’d be surprised if the Bills don’t draft him.

11. New Orleans Saints - Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama

Allen should fall in the draft past the top-five picks, but the Saints shouldn’t be picky when it comes to adding to their defense. Allen, Sheldon Rankins and Cameron Jordan are three great defensive linemen to build around.

12. Cleveland Browns (via Eagles) - Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

The Browns may have to move up to get Deshaun Watson if he is, in fact, their target. Watson impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine in interviews, and all but assured himself a top-15 pick.

13. Arizona Cardinals - Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech

Mahomes has plenty of fans in the NFL, and his awesome arm talent and Matt Stafford/Brett Favre upside should land him a spot in the top-15. Teams such as the Chiefs and Texans may look to trade up to secure him if the Cardinals/Browns pass.

14. Philadelphia Eagles (via Vikings) - Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama

After adding two receivers in free agency, the Eagles now assuredly won’t draft a receiver in round one. Cornerback remains their biggest need and they’ll have plenty of options. Humphrey is a top-three cornerback in this class.

15. Indianapolis Colts - Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida

Tabor may fall substantially after a lackluster NFL Combine, but expect him to remedy those concerning numbers at his Pro Day and reassure himself of a top-20 pick. The Colts really need cornerback youth.

16. Baltimore Ravens - Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin

After losing Ricky Wagner in free agency and with Marshal Yanda set to be 33 next season, the Ravens could use another high pick invested in an offensive line. Receiver and even running back are options, but Ramczyk is a good value here.

17. Washington Redskins - Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama

The Bengals' offensive line needs coupled with Foster's incident at the NFL Combine could allow the GM-less Redskins an opportunity to get the draft’s best linebacker. If they trade Kirk Cousins, Mitch Trubisky is likely their target.

18. Tennessee Titans - John Ross, WR, Washington

John Ross will go much earlier than this, but I doubt he’s the fifth overall pick to the Titans. Tennessee is an ideal fit, and if they’re OK with moving up to the top-15 for a receiver with two knee injuries, they may be able to secure him.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

Even with the signing of DeSean Jackson, the Bucs could use help at receiver. They’ll likely solve their running back concerns in free agency and have invested substantially in their offensive line in recent years. Corey Davis is a great fit to play the slot/outside with DeSean Jackson. Ryan Ramczyk could be the pick.

20. Denver Broncos - Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky

Denver needs offensive line support, and even though it likely won’t land one of the top three offensive tackles, they can still get the best guard in the 2017 class. Lamp should be going some place in the top-25.

MORE: NFL free agency tracker

21. Detroit Lions - David Njoku, TE, Miami (FL)

The Lions' tight end need remains a substantial one, and they’ll use a first-two round pick on the position. Njoku had an expectedly awesome NFL Combine, and if he’s available at 21, I’d be surprised if he wasn’t the pick.

22. Miami Dolphins - Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State

I’ve been touting Willis as a top-32 player for a while, and his NFL Combine performance proved his worth. The Dolphins have invested in their offense, and they’ll likely use the draft to add to the defense. 

23. New York Giants - Zach Cunningham, ILB, Vanderbilt

Cunningham could go much higher, but he can finally give the Giants a feature linebacker and an inside leadership presence they’ve been lacking since Antonio Pierce retired. Cunningham could go much higher than this.

24. Oakland Raiders - Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

There’s a real chance Dalvin Cook falls out of round one, with his character, athletic test and previous injury concerns. But the Raiders need a feature running back, and they have interest in Cook. He could be Ezekiel Elliott 2.0 in Oakland.

25. Houston Texans - Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M

Houston really needs a quarterback of the future, and if the Texans can land Patrick Mahomes I’m confident they will move up to get him. But if not, defensive back and offensive line are their likely first-round targeted positions.

26. Seattle Seahawks - Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida

Seattle would love if an offensive lineman got close to dropping here, but outside of Western Michigan’s Taylor Moton, it’s too early for a lineman. Instead, they fill a huge void at cornerback.

27. Kansas City Chiefs - Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

McCaffrey seems highly likely to be a first-round pick, though finding the perfect spot for him isn’t easy. The Chiefs, who just lost Jamaal Charles and don’t have a true identity at the position, could use McCaffrey to amplify Alex Smith’s play.

28. Dallas Cowboys - Charles Harris, DE, Missouri

If Harris is available and no major prospect slips, I’d be surprised if he’s not the pick. The Cowboys need pass rushers and Harris fits the Cowboys' mold.

29. Green Bay Packers - Dan Feeney, G, Indiana

The Packers lost TJ Lang in free agency, and GM Ted Thompson’s commitment to ignore free agency as much as possible resulted in another top offensive lineman leaving. Feeney fits the Green Bay prototype well.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers - Carl Lawson, OLB, Auburn

Lawson recently said that he doesn’t believe he’ll be available by the second round, and this came after an impressive Pro Day NFL scout representation that included Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. The Steelers do need pass rushers.

31. Atlanta Falcons - Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan

It’s highly unlikely that Charlton falls this far, but if so, he’d be a great fit for a 5-technique/strongside defensive end in Dan Quinn’s offense. The Falcons still need to retool their defensive line.

32. New Orleans Saints (via Patriots) - Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan

Finding a home for Jabrill Peppers isn’t easy, but from all I’ve heard, I’d be surprised if he wasn’t a first-round pick. The Saints leaving the first round with Jonathan Allen and Jabrill Peppers sounds awesome on paper.

Round 2:

33. Cleveland Browns - Haason Reddick, ILB, Temple

34. San Francisco 49ers - Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

35. Chicago Bears - Obi Melifonwu, S, UConn

36. Jacksonville Jaguars - Taylor Moton, OT, Western Michigan

37. Los Angeles Rams - Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU

38. New York Jets - Tyus Bowser, OLB, Houston

39. San Diego Chargers - Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech

40. Carolina Panthers - D’Onta Foreman, RB, Texas

41. Cincinnati Bengals - TJ Watt, OLB, Wisconsin

42. Buffalo Bills - Adoree Jackson, CB, USC

43. New Orleans Saints - Nathan Peterman, QB, Pittsburgh

44. Philadelphia Eagles - Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee

45. Arizona Cardinals - Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

46. Indianapolis Colts - Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss

47. Minnesota Vikings - Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy

48. Baltimore Ravens - Derek Rivers, OLB, Youngstown State

49. Washington Redskins - Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State

50. Cleveland Browns (Via Titans) - Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA

51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Josh Harvey-Clemons, S, Louisville

52. Denver Broncos - Daeshon Hall, DE, Texas A&M

53. Detroit Lions - Marcus Williams, S, Utah

54. Miami Dolphins - Jarrad Davis, ILB, Florida

55. New York Giants - Marlon Mack, RB, South Florida

56. Oakland Raiders - Montravious Adams, DT, Auburn

57. Houston Texans - DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame

58. Seattle Seahawks - Dion Dawkins, G, Temple

59. Kansas City Chiefs - Davis Webb, QB, California

60. Dallas Cowboys - Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma

61. Green Bay Packers - Isaiah Ford, WR, Virginia Tech

62. Pittsburgh Steelers - Curtis Samuel, RB/WR, Ohio State

63. Atlanta Falcons - Juju Smith-Schuster, WR, USC

64. New England Patriots - Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida

Eric Galko

Eric Galko is the owner and director of scouting at Optimum Scouting and OptimumScouting.com, as well as a Sporting News contributor. Follow him on Twitter: @OptimumScouting