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If it weren’t obvious that defense was the strength of the 2017 NFL draft it should be evident after this mock draft. It’s such a defense-heavy year that in this week’s mock draft, the first five picks are players on defense. That hasn’t happened in the draft since 1991 when the first six picks were defensive players.Need another indictment on the offense? In this week’s edition the first offensive player taken is a tight end. The first round this week does even out, however, with 17 of 32 picks coming on defense.
1. Cleveland Browns : Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Since 2000, only five non-quarterbacks have been taken first in the draft. Three of those — Courtney Brown in 2000, Mario Williams in 2006 and Jadeveon Clowney in 2014 — were defensive ends. Like those three, Garrett is the unique combination of size and athleticism. If you’re going to go against the norm and not take a quarterback first overall, getting the NFL’s second-most important position should be the choice.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
This is where the draft really starts. Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas has emerged as a popular pick for the 49ers, but I still contend that Hooker is the better choice. The Cover 3 defense begs for a player of Hooker’s quality and style. While getting a pass rusher is important too, Hooker can be the Earl Thomas of San Francisco’s defense.
3. Chicago Bears : Jamal Adams, S, LSU
The Bears may have signed Quintin Demps but at 32, he shouldn’t stop the team from going after a player like Adams. Demps, who had six interceptions a season ago, could be the team’s main coverage safety while Adams plays more in the box against the run.
4.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
Although the Jaguars spent a high draft pick on Dante Fowler in 2015, they still couldn’t get to the passer much last season. Adding Calais Campbell this offseason helps the defense as a whole, but bringing in Thomas will give the Jaguars a versatile edge rusher. Having Thomas, Fowler, and Yannick Ngakoue could finally fix the team’s pass rush woes.
5. Tennessee Titans ): Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
This could be a wide receiver like Mike Williams of Clemson, but with the top cornerback still available, the Titans could strike. Lattimore is a playmaker who is just scratching the surface.
6. New York Jets : O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Going into his third season, Jets head coach Todd Bowles has to win in 2017 to save his job. That’s why I think the Jets will eventually bring in Jay Cutler to be the starting quarterback. If they could add a tight end like Howard to go along with him, the Jets would have some semblance of an offense.
7. Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
With the two safeties going in the top five, the Chargers could look to move off the No. 7 pick to get as much talent they can while Philip Rivers is still the team’s quarterback. If they stick and Allen is there, he could be a nice pickup. He can play opposite Joey Bosa , giving the Chargers a formidable duo for the foreseeable future.
8. Carolina Panthers Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Considering how the first seven picks have played out, the Panthers could go after Fournette instead of an end like Derek Barnett of Tennessee. With his power running style, Fournette can transform the offense.
9. Cincinnati Bengals : Reuben Foster, MLB, Alabama
At some point when the fascination for the Bengals at the No. 9 pick became a wide receiver or a pass rusher, it was forgotten they could still use a middle linebacker. Foster should still be in play for the Bengals. He can replace Rey Maualuga and give the Bengals a linebacker with range.
10. Buffalo Bills : Mike Williams , WR, Clemson
The Bills kept Tyrod Taylor so why not give him a new weapon? Williams is the draft’s top wide out, and his ability to attack the ball in the air would give Buffalo a great outside target.
11. New Orleans Saints Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
It will be interesting to see what happens with this pick and whether the Saints ultimately give it up to acquire Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler. If they stay here, they could get an NFL-ready pass rusher in Barnett who would fit the system in New Orleans nicely.
12. Cleveland Browns (via Philadelphia Eagles ): Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
I still think the Browns are going to use this pick and more to make a push for Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo. If that fails, the team needs to add a quarterback early in the draft.
13. Arizona Cardinals : Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
The Cardinals could ultimately go with a wide receiver or cornerback here, but the time is now to find Carson Palmer’s replacement. This might be the veteran’s final season, and if the Cardinals want to avoid a complete rebuild, a player like Trubisky could be brought in now to be groomed.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (via Minnesota Vikings ): Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
If Humphrey happens to be available when the Eagles pick, he should be an easy selection. Cornerback is overwhelmingly the biggest need on the team and Humphrey could be the answer. Don’t discount a running back or wide receiver here, though. In the past week, the Eagles have worked out Dalvin Cook, Corey Davis, Fournette and Mike Williams
15. Indianapolis Colts : Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
1. Cleveland Browns : Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Since 2000, only five non-quarterbacks have been taken first in the draft. Three of those — Courtney Brown in 2000, Mario Williams in 2006 and Jadeveon Clowney in 2014 — were defensive ends. Like those three, Garrett is the unique combination of size and athleticism. If you’re going to go against the norm and not take a quarterback first overall, getting the NFL’s second-most important position should be the choice.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
This is where the draft really starts. Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas has emerged as a popular pick for the 49ers, but I still contend that Hooker is the better choice. The Cover 3 defense begs for a player of Hooker’s quality and style. While getting a pass rusher is important too, Hooker can be the Earl Thomas of San Francisco’s defense.
3. Chicago Bears : Jamal Adams, S, LSU
The Bears may have signed Quintin Demps but at 32, he shouldn’t stop the team from going after a player like Adams. Demps, who had six interceptions a season ago, could be the team’s main coverage safety while Adams plays more in the box against the run.
4.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
Although the Jaguars spent a high draft pick on Dante Fowler in 2015, they still couldn’t get to the passer much last season. Adding Calais Campbell this offseason helps the defense as a whole, but bringing in Thomas will give the Jaguars a versatile edge rusher. Having Thomas, Fowler, and Yannick Ngakoue could finally fix the team’s pass rush woes.
5. Tennessee Titans ): Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
This could be a wide receiver like Mike Williams of Clemson, but with the top cornerback still available, the Titans could strike. Lattimore is a playmaker who is just scratching the surface.
6. New York Jets : O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Going into his third season, Jets head coach Todd Bowles has to win in 2017 to save his job. That’s why I think the Jets will eventually bring in Jay Cutler to be the starting quarterback. If they could add a tight end like Howard to go along with him, the Jets would have some semblance of an offense.
7. Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
With the two safeties going in the top five, the Chargers could look to move off the No. 7 pick to get as much talent they can while Philip Rivers is still the team’s quarterback. If they stick and Allen is there, he could be a nice pickup. He can play opposite Joey Bosa , giving the Chargers a formidable duo for the foreseeable future.
8. Carolina Panthers Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Considering how the first seven picks have played out, the Panthers could go after Fournette instead of an end like Derek Barnett of Tennessee. With his power running style, Fournette can transform the offense.
9. Cincinnati Bengals : Reuben Foster, MLB, Alabama
At some point when the fascination for the Bengals at the No. 9 pick became a wide receiver or a pass rusher, it was forgotten they could still use a middle linebacker. Foster should still be in play for the Bengals. He can replace Rey Maualuga and give the Bengals a linebacker with range.
10. Buffalo Bills : Mike Williams , WR, Clemson
The Bills kept Tyrod Taylor so why not give him a new weapon? Williams is the draft’s top wide out, and his ability to attack the ball in the air would give Buffalo a great outside target.
11. New Orleans Saints Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
It will be interesting to see what happens with this pick and whether the Saints ultimately give it up to acquire Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler. If they stay here, they could get an NFL-ready pass rusher in Barnett who would fit the system in New Orleans nicely.
12. Cleveland Browns (via Philadelphia Eagles ): Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
I still think the Browns are going to use this pick and more to make a push for Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo. If that fails, the team needs to add a quarterback early in the draft.
13. Arizona Cardinals : Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
The Cardinals could ultimately go with a wide receiver or cornerback here, but the time is now to find Carson Palmer’s replacement. This might be the veteran’s final season, and if the Cardinals want to avoid a complete rebuild, a player like Trubisky could be brought in now to be groomed.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (via Minnesota Vikings ): Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
If Humphrey happens to be available when the Eagles pick, he should be an easy selection. Cornerback is overwhelmingly the biggest need on the team and Humphrey could be the answer. Don’t discount a running back or wide receiver here, though. In the past week, the Eagles have worked out Dalvin Cook, Corey Davis, Fournette and Mike Williams
15. Indianapolis Colts : Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
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