2017 Mock Draft (Part 2)
We did part one of our initial 2017 Mock on Friday. Today we finish up the 1st round. Many of the top players came off the board in the first 16 picks. However, there are several potential play makers still available. Where will they go? Let's take a look.
17. Washington Redskins - CMagoon89
ILB Reuben Foster, Alabama
The Redskins don't have a true 3-4 middle linebacker and Foster would fit that need. Washington also needs offensive line help so that could be a possibility here as well. MLB just seems to be their biggest area of need and one which Foster would fill nicely.
18. Arizona Cardinals - Shadez
DT Lowell Lotululei, Utah
Arizona has two dynamic ends in Calais Campbell and Robert Nkemdiche. However they lack a dynamic presence in the middle of the line. Lotululei would fit that mold and give the Cardinals possibly the best front 4 this side of Minnesota.
19. Chicago Bears - Paytonno1son
QB Brad Kaaya, Miami
The Bears owner drafts a quarterback in the first round of the first draft every year as he tries to put the Jay Cutler days behind him and the city. This year will be no different as the Bears take the best QB left on the board. Don't be surprised to see Chicago try to move up and see if they can be a player for Watson or Kizer though. The Bears want to win a championship and may not be willing to settle for the third best QB in the draft.
20. Baltimore Ravems - tehbest13
HB Dalvin Cook, Florida State
Justin Forsett has been a productive back for the Ravens the past few years. He is just getting to that age where running backs slow down and he lacks the explosiveness of Cook. The Ravens have a decent line to build around and Cook could transform their offense into one of the most difficult to defend in the league.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Luis3250
OT Roderick Johnson, Florida State
The Steelers have been successful for so many years not because they make flashy picks, but because they make smart ones. An offensive tackle isn't flashy but its a smart pick and fills a glaring need. Johnson would fit in perfectly on this line and instantly help an already dangerous offense.
22. San Diego Chargers - kyswag23
WR Mike Williams, Clemson
A quarterback makes some sense here as Phillip Rivers is near the end of his career. Rivers and the Chargers want to win now though and Williams gives the Bolts a legitimate 1-2 punch with Keenan Allen allowing Travis Benjamin to wreak havoc in the slot. That pairing could have the potential to finally bring Rivers his coveted Super Bowl title.
23. Minnesota Vikings - majesty95
RB Royce Freeman, Minnesota
The Vikings only real need is offensive line and both Mike McGlinchey and Dan Feeney are possibilities here. So is a trade down to acquire more picks. However, the Vikings know Adrian Peterson's time is near and Freeman would give them a legitimate power/speed back to fill in should AP get hurt or finally start to show his age.
24. New York Giants - JohnnyPersia
OT Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame
Tackle is a huge area of need for the G-men and McGlinchey would fill the hole at either tackle position. The Giants also need help at linebacker and free safety but both of those positions would be a reach here so McGlinchey seems like the safe, responsible pick.
25. Atlanta Falcons - Burns
OG Dan Feeney, Indiana
Let's be honest, the Falcons have a ton of holes on defense. Most likely, they will try and trade back and acquire more picks. However, if they stay put, Feeney fills the one hole they have on offense. Sometimes you can disguise your flaws with an elite level unit on one side of the ball. The Falcons already have that on offense and this pick would solidify their only weakness in that unit.
26. Philadelphia Eagles - Jay2149
CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
Philadelphia's secondary is old and uninspiring. Lattimore would bring a much needed playmaker to the unit to pair with youngsters Eric Rowe and Nolan Carroll. Wide receiver and linebacker are also a possibility but Lattimore fills the biggest need and would be the safest pick.
27. Kansas City Chiefs - Tsmith2211
DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee
Barnett is a rangy defensive end who could easily transition to outside linebacker and fill in for the aging Tamba Hali. Barnett has great quickness and can attack the quarterback while also providing solid coverage when asked to do so. This pick would keep the Kansas City pass rush one of the most feared in the league for many more years into the future.
28. Tennessee Titans - wayers50
CB Sidney Jones, Washington
Tennessee does not have a great cover corner and Jones would very much fit that need. He's able to cover most teams top receiver and can make terrific plays in the air. The Tennessee front seven is already one of the better units in the league. This pick would take a step toward making their secondary top level as well.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars - BigTexas18
DE Carl Lawson, Auburn
The Jaguars owner loves to pressure the quarterback and already has one bookend in Dante Fowler, Jr. Lawson would give the Jags another premiere edge rusher and make opposing QBs fear this front four more than possibly any other group in the league. With pass happy teams in the division like Houston and Indianapolis, this is a move that could further broaden the gap between the Jags and those teams.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - JerseyBorn
Dawuane Smoot, Illinois
This pick would be a bit of a reach but would fill one of the few holes on this up-and-coming team. Smoot would bring speed to a slow defensive end group if they stay in a 4-3 or could be a stand-up edge rusher if they transition to a 3-4. Its not often that you can find players that give you these kinds of option you should take them when you have the chance.
31. New England Patriots - Wolfmode88
WR Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech
New England always seems to find a way to win and score points with less than stellar receivers. However, Brady and Bellichek won't be around forever and eventually they'll need a bonafide #1 receiver. Ford fits that bill and could be the type of receiver that Troy Brown was for them in the late-90's and early 2000's.
32. Seattle Seahawks - Thwapmastre
CB Adoree Jackson, USC
Head coach Pete Carroll taps his USC roots and takes the best corner available to pair with Richard Sherman and Jeremy Lane. While Jackson's size (5-11) makes him an ideal fit for the slot, his coverage and ball skills make him a viable option as a threat to Lane opposite Sherman.
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