Do the Bills still take Clemson QB Deshaun Watson? College football aficionado Greg Vorse has revised his 2017 NFL mock draft.
1) Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A/M
Why: The Browns NEED everything still; however, the most important player after the QB is the guy who can get after the QB and with no sure fire franchise changing QBs in this draft I think the Browns go for the best D available and that is Garrett. A/M may have had what many considered a down year, but the junior did not, earning a unanimous All-American selection for the Aggies in 2016. The Browns will need Garrett to get after Roethlisberger, Flacco, and Dalton for many years ahead.
2) 49ers: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
Why: After thinking Kyle Shanahan may want his own young QB to mold, I think him and John Lynch go the veteran stop-gap route and the SF defense has plenty of holes to fill and Allen will be a good place to start. JA took home all the major defensive awards this year including the Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Award, and SEC Defensive POY for 2016.
3) Bears: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Why: The Bears could use a QB, but that defense needs lots of help too, especially when you are playing A-Rod and Matt Stafford twice a year. Adams has the speed and quickness to cover, but can also stuff the run. A guy who can do it all is what this Bears team needs in another high pick.
4) Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Why: Fourtnette has been destined to play on Sunday’s since he was the #1 overall recruit in 2014 and nothing has changed in his three years as a Tiger. Fournette will instantly take over for the combination of Ivory and Yeldon. Fournette is that rare combination of speed and power and will be in the discussion for 2017 NFL offensive rookie of the year.
5) Titans (via LA Rams): Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Why: The Titans found their run game last year with the duo of Murray and Henry, now is the time to get Mariota as big-time passing target. The Clemson product has an NFL frame at 6’4” 225lbs and put up NFL numbers with 98 receptonis, 1,361 yards, and 11 touchdowns his RS junior campaign. He also played well for the Tigers in the championship racking in 8 for 94 and a score.
6) Jets: Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Why: Whatever you call what the Jets have been doing at QB since Farve left isn’t the answer. I think they take another stab at a fix in UNC’s Trubisky. The RS junior looks the part at 6’3” 220lbs and has numbers off the chart; 3,468 passing yards, 28TDs, 4INTs, and a 68.9 completion percentage in 2016.
7) Chargers: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
Why: San Diego (LA) was 29th in the league in points allowed, including 20th against the pass, so defense is a must fix. Lattimore is the best guy to help in both spots left on the board. The RS sophomore for the Buckeyes was a 1st team All-Big Ten member and looked comfortable when asked to play “on an island.”
8) Panthers: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Why: The Panthers defense got really young in the secondary last year and it showed. Obviously Hooker is another rookie, but he is one that will help across the board as he a nose for the ball, raking in two picks in his first start at FS this season, and will make the impact tackle when needed. The RS sophomore was a first team all-American. Get as many dudes to slow Matt Ryan and Drew Brees as possible.
9) Bengals: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Why: The Bengals should be estatic that Foster fell into their laps. He is the latest in stud linebackers to come from Bama as noted by winning the Butkus Award and being named a unanimous All-American. Like the Browns, the Bengals still need to slow down Roethlisberger and Flacco, so help from a guy who racked up over 10 tackles five times during his senior year will be helpful.
10) Bills: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Why: I’ve now flip-flopped to thinking that the Bills retain QB Tyrod Taylor meaning they no longer need to select one here. That said, they do need to give TT weapons at WR outside of an often injured Sammy Watkins. Davis definitely has the size 6’2” 210lbs to be a productive starter across from Sammy from day one. What may be most important for the Bills and Tyrod is that his route running is fantastic. Meaning, when TT needs to throw to an open receiver Davis will be in the right spot at the right time. Something I think Taylor needs in a WR.
11) Saints: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
Why: He’s the best defensive player on the board and NO needs D. All you need to do is watch his Sun Bowl performance against UNC to know this dude is legit.
12) Browns: Derek Barnett, DE,Tennessee
Why: Jamie Collins + Myles Garrett + Derek Barnett and the Dawg Pound finally has a defense that might be able to keep them in games with the AFC North.
13) Cardinals: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Why: Cardinals pull the first bigger stunner of the draft as they go out and get Carson Palmer’s replacement with Watson making it to them at 13. Watson has some magic in him, he threw for 420 yards, three touchdowns, on 36 of 56 passing and added 21 carries for 43 yards and another score in the MVP performance of this year’s title tilt. Give him a year to learn then when Palmer moves on pat him on the back and say “go get’em kid.”
14) Colts: Jabrill Peppers, LB, Michigan
Why: The Colts need a lot of help on defense so why not grab a guy who can play a few differen spots? Peppers could also spell Frank Gore at RB if you need a spark.
15) Eagles: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Why: The Eagles are still in search of a workhorse RB since they traded LeSean McCoy to the Bills and the often injured Mathews and aging Sproles aren’t the answer. Cook could be that guy in Philly.
16) Ravens: John Ross, WR, Washington
Why: With Steve Smith gone Joe Flacco will be looking for a new crisp route runner who will be where he needs him, meet John Ross. It doesn’t hurt that in the Huskies games I watched he appeared to like to talk a bit, too.
17) Redskins: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
Why: The Skins struggled against the run all over the field, but big-time in the red zone. Taco is a guy with a high motor to help on the edges, plus isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty.
18) Titans: Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
Why: The Titans addressed the offense with Mike Williams with the 5th pick, so at 18 they get an elite athlete to slow the other team’s passing attack in Tabor.
19) Buccaneers: Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
Why: With the Huskies Jones showed the ability to cover the wide open passing games in the PAC-12, with ATL and NO in the NFC south, enjoy!
20) Broncos: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
Why: Protection for whatever QB and RB Denver settles on is a must as the Broncos will once again play a minimal mistake offense and rely on its already stout defense.
21) Lions: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
Why: Read what I said about the Bucs, but substitute in Aaron Rodgers. Wilson will help a defense that gave up over 4000 passing yards in 2016.
22) Dolphins: Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
Why: Entering 2016 McDowell was a can’t miss top 5 pick, but injuries derailed his season. If healthy, the Dolphins could have themselves an All-American talent at #22.
23) Giants: David Njoku, TE, Miami
Why: The Giants move them some passing and Njoku is a rare combo at TE of size and speed. Hmmm, can you think of another Hurricane like that in the NFL?
24) Raiders: Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
Why: Oakland would love one of the DBs above to fall to them, but here they get another high motor, monster to pair with Khalil Mack.
25) Texans: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
Why: Houston’s Bill O’Brien is a noted QB guru, but it hasn’t worked with Osweiler. Texans have everything they need to be successful, but the signal caller. They take a shot with Kizer.
26) Seahawks: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
Why: Seattle would be stoked if a top-tier OT fell to them at 26 and Ramczyk is exactly that.
27) Chiefs: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Why: Chiefs will get after the QB with all the talent they have in the front seven and with Humphrey they will address their only defensive weakness which is the secondary.
28) Cowboys: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Why: Jason Witten is getting long in the tooth and Howard can come in and be a big play pass catcher down the seem. Bama drastically underutilized the 6’5” athlete and he could be a great trio going forward with Dak and Zeke.
29) Packers: Takkarist McKinley, OLB/DE,UCLA
Why: Depending on what GB does in FA they could be out of edge pushers. McKinley is the best on the board and would step in and start right away.
30) Steelers: Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
Why: If Pittsburgh is going to crack the code that is Tom Brady and the Patriots they need more help in the secondary. White could be the latest stud from DB University aka LSU.
31) Falcons: Chris Harris, DE, Missouri.
Why: The offense is just fine in the ATL, so continue to build on the D and add another big-time rusher in Harris who spend a lot of time in the backfield with Mizzou.
32) Patriots: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
Why: Of Course the high-powered Pats offense has the most versatile offensive weapon in the draft fall to them. TB12 gets another toy.