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Another scouting combine is in the books, and players on the move in the lead up to the 2017 NFL draft. This week’s mock features some movement, particularly in the last 10 picks. Some questions remain to be answered, and with free agency opening up this week, that should happen.
1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Garrett went into combine week as the draft’s top player, and he exited it removing all questions.
2. San Francisco 49ers: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
Perhaps I’m being caught inhaling a heavy smokescreen of Kizer love laid by 49ers general manager John Lynch, but he sure seemed to come alive talking about the Notre Dame quarterback.
3. Chicago Bears: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Although the Bears are being heavily associated with free agent Mike Glennon, they should still draft a quarterback to avoid a similar situation as the Houston Texans did with Brock Osweiler.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
Allen is the linchpin of the first round. It was revealed at the combine that he has arthritic shoulders, even though he downplayed the severity, and he came in at just 286 pounds. His stock is going to be all over the place leading up to the draft. For the Jaguars, he just fits as the pass-rushing interior player they need. If a team can get two contracts’ worth of good play from Allen, he’s worth a first-round pick.
5. Tennessee Titans (via Los Angeles Rams): Jamal Adams, S, LSU
The Titans are well-positioned for a trade out of the fifth pick, especially if a team wants to come up and get quarterback Deshaun Watson. If they stick here, Adams would be a smart pickup. He’s the draft’s best all-around player at a position that is becoming more and more critical (and expensive) every season.
6. New York Jets: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Fournette may not have had the type of combine some expected, but he can still be a dominant runner. The buzz about him in Indianapolis was that he can be a player who can be the focal point of an offense, something mentioned plenty of times in these mock drafts. That’s what the Jets need as they try and continue to figure out what to do with their group of young quarterbacks.
7. Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
There is some concern about Hooker because his torn hip labrum will sideline him for a period this offseason, but he’s still one of the most talented players in the draft.
8. Carolina Panthers: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
With Fournette off the board, the Panthers could target a pass rusher with the No. 8 selection. Thomas looked like a super hero during combine weigh-ins, and his play on the field backs it up.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: John Ross, WR, Washington
Maybe this is overreacting, but the top priority for the Bengals this offseason is getting speed at wide receiver and defensive end. Western Michigan wide receiver Corey Davis would get some consideration here, but Ross’ speed fits perfectly into Cincinnati’s offense, but he’s much more nuanced as a receiver.
10. Buffalo Bills: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
If there was a winner among the group of top quarterbacks at the combine, it was Watson. He supposedly excelled in individual team interviews and looked good in throwing drills.
11. New Orleans Saints: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
It’s hard to hold Barnett’s combine performance against him considering he was sick throughout the week. He still registered a good three-cone drill time of 6.96 seconds, and his history of production at Tennessee stands out.
12. Cleveland Browns (via Philadelphia Eagles): O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Howard has had an incredible offseason, including a standout performance at the Senior Bowl, and a marvelous combine where he ran a 4.51 40-yard dash. He would provide the Browns with a long-term star at tight end, and a player who can create matchup issues.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
If teams don’t pounce on cornerbacks early, the Cardinals would benefit. Other than Patrick Peterson, they’re lacking at the position and Lattimore has star potential.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (via Minnesota Vikings): Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Davis didn’t work out at the combine, but his draft stock should be fine. He has good hands and runs great routes, so he should quickly develop into Carson Wentz’s go-to target.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Takkarist McKinley, OLB/DE, UCLA
Even with pending shoulder surgery, McKinley was a star at the combine after posting good timing numbers. Unless there are concerns about his health long term, this is his value range.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
With Rick Wagner leaving this offsesaon, the Ravens’ large list of needs now includes the offensive line. Bolles and his nasty demeanor are a nice fit in the AFC North and would give Baltimore a player who should be able to play either side.
17. Washington: Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State
McDowell has the look of a top-five pick, and the potential of one as well. With the the right type of coaching, he could eventually play like one as well.
18. Tennessee Titans: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Williams didn’t run the 40-yard dash at the combine, but during his media session he seemed to realize it won’t be all that great when he does. His vertical leap of 32.5 inches is more concerning considering his playing style is beating defenders to the ball. He still has good enough hands to warrant a high pick, and the Titans need a No. 1 receiver.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Cook said it would be a “dream come to true” to be reunited with former college teammate Jameis Winston, and after a subpar combine he could drop to this range to make it happen.
20. Denver Broncos: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
At some point John Elway has to put talent and assets into the offensive line, and that should start with this pick. Ramczyk is just as good as any tackle in this year’s draft and would slot into the left tackle position for the Broncos.
21. Detroit Lions: David Njoku, TE, Miami
McDowell would be the ideal choice for the Lions, but with him gone the team could target the defensive line in the second round with a player like Montravius Adams of Auburn. Njoku didn’t have the blazing combine some expected, but here’s where his draft range begins.
22. Miami Dolphins: Reuben Foster, MLB, Alabama
Foster got kicked out of the combine, and teams may be concerned about his attitude. If that causes him to drop on draft night, a team like Miami would be the beneficiary. He would start straight away in Miami.
23. New York Giants: Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech
This may seem like a surprise pick, but Hodges boosted his draft stock in a big way at the combine. If the Giants don’t take him here, he probably won’t be there in the second round.
24. Oakland Raiders: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
Reddick continued his strong offseason in Indianapolis, and is locked in as a first-round pick. He would give the Raiders a player who can play inside or outside linebacker, or even line up at end if they wanted. His versatility and skill will be coveted on the first night of the draft.
25. Houston Texans: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
The Texans need to get better on the offensive line, and the massive Robinson could be brought in as a guard and be groomed to move to tackle.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Forrest Lamp, OL, Western Kentucky
Most think Lamp faces a move to the inside in the NFL, but his technique is good enough that he could stick outside at tackle.
27. Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
Whether it’s to Kansas City at 27 or even higher, the feeling at the combine was that Mahomes is likely a first-round pick. Going to Kansas City would be a perfect situation for Mahomes, and he’d be open to it.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
The cornerbacks are falling in this mock draft because of the depth at the position could lead some teams to wait. That could benefit the Cowboys, especially if the top edge rushers are gone. Humphrey is a physical defender who can play outside and work against bigger receivers.
29. Green Bay Packers: Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
The Packers have more pressing needs high in the draft, but a player of Tabor’s caliber is too good to pass up with the No. 29 pick. The Packers have used a lot of picks on cornerbacks, but some just haven’t panned out.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama
Williams is a one-trick-pony player, but his value as a pass rusher is too hard to ignore. He would give the Steelers the type of speed edge rusher they don’t have on the roster.
31. Atlanta Falcons: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
Charlton didn’t have the athletic numbers some expected at the combine, but he shouldn’t drop out of the first round. He fits in Atlanta as a movable piece on the defensive line, capable of playing outside and some inside.
32. New England Patriots: Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn
Lawson looked explosive at the combine, and may have done enough for himself to grab a top-32 pick. In New England, he can be the pass rusher they need with the exits of Chris Long and Jabaal Sheard.