NFL mock draft 2017: 2 rounds of fun

The 2017 NFL Draft is a week away, and each team’s board is just about ready to go. The New England Patriots are the only franchise without a selection in the first or second round, but it just won’t feel like a draft until Bill Belichick finds a way to trade his way into the top 64 picks.

But trades are reliant upon having an idea of who wants what and which players are going to go where.

The San Francisco 49ers could be in the market to try to swap the No. 2 pick, but what player will teams want to come up and grab? If Mitchell Trubisky is the apple of a team’s eye, which team would that be?

If any team makes sense for Trubisky as a landing spot, it’s hard to argue against the 49ers as the one. Yes, the team has other holes on the roster, but a pick early in the second round could be used to address another need.

With that, here’s a look at the haul each team could get in the first two rounds next week:

1. Cleveland Browns

1st round (1st overall): Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
1st round (12th overall): Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
2nd round (33rd overall): Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
2nd round (52nd overall): JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC

The Browns are rumored to be split between Garrett and Trubisky for the first pick, and — call me naive — but I actually believe them. But I’d still guess they lean toward Garrett, and settle for another quarterback. In this case, it’s Deshaun Watson, the second quarterback off the board who gets a receiver to work with in the second round.

2. San Francisco 49ers

1st round (2nd overall): Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
2nd round (34th overall): Derek Rivers, DE, Youngstown State

The 49ers may trade away the No. 2 pick and gather young talent, but it’s difficult to find a potential trade partner. They’re as quarterback needy as any team, so why not just take the No. 1 passer for themselves? In the second round, the team gets a speedy edge rusher to complement the last two first-round picks — Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner.

3. Chicago Bears

1st round (3rd overall): Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
2nd round (36th overall): Adoree’ Jackson, CB, USC

The draft plan for the Bears should be simple: Add impact players. Solomon Thomas can be that up front and he’d give them another dangerous edge rusher to a front seven that has Leonard Floyd. On the outside, Adoree’ Jackson can help a secondary that rarely made big plays, and his return ability would be welcomed on the roster.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

1st round (4th overall): Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
2nd round (35th overall): Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

Jacksonville has made a habit out of adding defensive line talent, but doesn’t have much depth behind Calais Campbell. Allen provides a future at the position and another option for a defense that likes rotation up front. Landing Dalvin Cook in the second round would be a dream come true for the team and really not that unrealistic.

5. Tennessee Titans

1st round (5th overall): Jamal Adams, S, LSU
1st round (18th overall): Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama

Just like that, and the Titans secondary can go from a concern to a strength. Here they add two SEC defensive backs, who would join former Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan and former Jaguars safety Johnathan Cyprien. Giving Marcus Mariota some more tools to work with is still a priority, but the team’s pass defense — which finished No. 30 in yards allowed — stands to make significant strides in 2017.

6. New York Jets

1st round (6th overall): John Ross, WR, Washington
2nd round (39th overall): Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan

If this was the Jets’ haul, it would likely be the most talked about picks after the fact. John Ross would be the first true surprise of the draft, but he’d bring real game-breaking ability to a wide receiver corps that is now without Brandon Marshall. In the second round, the Jets get Peppers — a Swiss Army knife who can be used creatively by Todd Bowles in the secondary. In Bowles’s two years with the Cardinals, the team picked Tyrann Mathieu and Deone Bucannon. Giving him a multi-faceted toy of a defensive back would help a defense that struggled to keep points off the board.

7. Los Angeles Chargers

1st round (7th overall): Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
2nd round (38th overall): Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida

Joey Bosa made a significant impact for the Chargers, and that’s the kind of player they need to continue to add. Malik Hooker is the ball hawk safety of the class and can step in at a position where the Chargers have a big deficiency. Brantley can provide a penetrating 3-technique for a team transitioning to a 4-3 under new DC Gus Bradley.

8. Carolina Panthers

1st round (8th overall): Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
2nd round (40th overall): Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
2nd round (64th overall): Evan Engram, TE, Mississippi

Letting Josh Norman walk as a free agent last year was a bold stand against overpaying the cornerback position, but replacing him wasn’t easy. With Lattimore, the Panthers get the top cornerback in the class as long as he can stay healthy. In the second round, Carolina adds a pair of weapons for Cam Newton to work with, even if they aren’t wide receivers. Kamara can split carries with Jonathan Stewart, and Engram can allow the Panthers to run two tight end sets with more effectiveness than what Ed Dickson provides.

9. Cincinnati Bengals

1st round (9th overall): Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
2nd round (41st overall): Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida

Finally the Bengals have another edge rusher opposite Carlos Dunlap with the addition of Derek Barnett, a polished player who could make his presence felt early. The team also lucks out at the top of the second round by getting the Mike linebacker it needs in the middle of the defense.

10. Buffalo Bills

1st round (10th overall): Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
2nd round (44th overall): David Njoku, TE, Miami (Fla.)

There are many directions the Bills could go in the draft, but getting Stephon Gilmore’s replacement early is probably the top priority. The only other need that could come close is receiver, but nobody jumps out at pick 44 who could be the instant solution. Instead, Njoku somehow stayed on the board and is an athletic player to work with in the passing game.

11. New Orleans Saints

1st round (11th overall): O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
1st round (32nd overall): Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado
2nd round (42nd overall): Dan Feeney, G, Indiana

Logically, the Saints should spend most of their draft focusing on the defensive side of the ball. But historically, Sean Payton and Co. just can’t seem to help themselves when a good offensive prospect is on the board. O.J. Howard is a hugely athletic tight end who can fill the void that Jimmy Graham left and Coby Fleener definitely didn’t fix. With so many defensive backs, the end of the first round and the second round could be a hot bed, although shoring up the offensive line with Feeney would also be wise.

13. Arizona Cardinals

1st round (13th overall): Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
2nd round (45th overall): DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame

A changing of the guard is coming in Arizona, and 2017 looks like it could certainly be the last hurrah for Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald. While Corey Davis can help both of those players next season, these are selections for the future, and Kizer gives Bruce Arians a young prospect to try to mold into the next face of the franchise for the Cardinals.

14. Philadelphia Eagles

1st round (14th overall): Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
2nd round (43rd overall): Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson

The Eagles could realistically find two starting cornerbacks in the draft, but Fournette would be awfully difficult to pass up if he’s on the board at No. 14 — after all, Darren Sproles will slow down eventually ... I think. Ryan Mathews has thrived in two- and three-headed backfields, and would be a good bridge for Fournette to not have to shoulder the entire load right away. In the second round, the Eagles get the secondary help they so sorely need.

15. Indianapolis Colts

1st round (15th overall): Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
2nd round (46th overall): Taylor Moton, OL, Western Michigan

Reuben Foster is still on the board at No. 15, but the Colts could make better use of the speed and athleticism of Reddick in the middle of the defense. In the second round, Indianapolis gives Andrew Luck — who has been injured for years now, literally — some much-needed protection.

16. Baltimore Ravens

1st round (16th overall): Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
2nd round (47th overall): Tyus Bowser, OLB, Houston

There’s plenty of debate about the order Williams, John Ross, and Corey Davis come off the board, but there’s an agreement that the fourth receiver off the board is in a lower tier. Snagging Williams gives the Ravens one of the top receivers in the class, which is perfect for a receiving corps without much production to point to. In the second round, Baltimore adds one of the more intriguing and athletic edge rushers — a spot where finding Terrell Suggs’s eventual replacement is necessary.

17. Washington

1st round (17th overall): Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
2nd round (49th overall): Budda Baker, S, Washington

This could finally be the draft when Washington decides to actually add an interior defensive lineman. For some reason, the team took just one defensive linemen in the first three rounds over the last five years. But with McDowell on the board at No. 17, it’s a match made in heaven. So, too, would be the opportunity to take Baker, giving the team a better option than D.J. Swearinger at safety.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1st round (19th overall): Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut
2nd round (50th overall): Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn

If Christian McCaffrey is still on the board at No. 19, he could be hard to pass up, but the fit of Melifonwu in Tampa Bay is just too perfect. He’s one of the true athletic freaks of the class and would give a significant upgrade to both the pass and run defense in Tampa Bay as a box safety. In the second round, Lawson would be another explosive rusher for a team that already has Robert Ayers and Noah Spence.

20. Denver Broncos

1st round (20th overall): Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
2nd round (51st overall): Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy

There isn’t an offensive lineman in the class that will change an offense the way that McCaffrey will. That’s why he’s the pick for the Broncos, who don’t have much to work with outside of their receivers. In the second round, Garcia gives Denver a potential starter on the offensive line.

21. Detroit Lions

1st round (21st overall): Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
2nd round (53rd overall): Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State

The Lions could use an edge-rushing boost after finishing near the bottom of the NFL in sacks with just 26. Harris provides that, while McMillan is a likely starter in a defense that is slated to start Paul Worrilow, Tahir Whitehead, and Antwione Williams.

22. Miami Dolphins

1st round (22nd overall): Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
2nd round (54th overall): T.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

Offensive line is likely a priority for the Dolphins, but Reuben Foster provides a big upgrade over Koa Misi and an impact Sam linebacker up front. With most of the top offensive linemen of the second round gone too, the Dolphins get great value in Watt. He’s projected by most as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but he’s bigger than Cameron Wake and could eventually attempt to fill the shoes of the five-time Pro Bowler.

23. New York Giants

1st round (23rd overall): Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
2nd round (55th overall): Chris Wormley, DT, Michigan

The Giants add size on both lines in the first two rounds. Even if the team hasn’t given up on Ereck Flowers, Ramczyk can take over for Bobby Hart on the right side. Wormley can give the Giants an inside threat to push the pocket, and help to fill the void left by the departure of Johnathan Hankins.

24. Oakland Raiders

1st round (24th overall): Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
2nd round (56th overall): Kevin King, CB, Washington

While the Raiders really have the luxury to take the best player available, regardless of position, the defense is the side that needs more work. If there is a big hole to fill, it’s at linebacker, and Cunningham is as exciting a playmaker as there is at the position to replace Malcolm Smith. Then in the second round, the Raiders take King, a tall, press cornerback on a defense that likes tall, press cornerbacks.

25. Houston Texans

1st round (25th overall): Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
2nd round (57th overall): Marcus Williams, S, Utah

It’s tempting to force a quarterback to the Texans, and that certainly could be the direction they go in, but they’ve never shown a tendency to be desperate in the past. If they don’t have a prospect they love at the position, I believe Bill O’Brien when he says he’s fine with Tom Savage. Instead, the team can address two other needs by taking Robinson in the wake of Derek Newton’s serious injury, and by selecting Williams to possibly start ahead of Andre Hal.

26. Seattle Seahawks

1st round (26th overall): Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
2nd round (58th overall): Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado

Offensive line absolutely has to be a priority for the Seahawks, and Bolles gives them a day one starter at tackle. Whether that’s on the left or right side probably depends on what they think of Luke Joeckel, who was kicked inside to guard in Jacksonville before leaving in free agency. In the second round, the Seahawks get Witherspoon — an underrated, long cornerback who stands at 6’3.

27. Kansas City Chiefs

1st round (27th overall): Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
2nd round (59th overall): Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama

With 10 draft picks and a roster that likely won’t have 10 rookies on the final 53, the Chiefs could be in business to package some picks and move up. But if Mahomes falls to them at No. 27 and Williams at No. 59, there really wouldn’t be any reason to do so. Both players could be the trade targets. Mahomes gives Andy Reid his quarterback of the future after Alex Smith, and Williams is another pass rusher for a team that already has a few. It’s a bit of a luxury pick, but the Chiefs don’t have many dire needs to address.

28. Dallas Cowboys

1st round (28th overall): Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
2nd round (60th overall): Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State

Previous attempts to add a premier pass rusher (Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory) didn’t work out well for the Cowboys. It’s the clear top need for Dallas in the draft, so why not take two cracks at it with Charlton and Willis near the bottom of each of the first two rounds?

29. Green Bay Packers

1st round (29th overall): Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma
2nd round (61st overall): Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA

Ted Thompson loves to add speed and athleticism early, and both Mixon and Moreau provide that. Moreau is recovering from a pectoral injury suffered at the UCLA pro day, but that shouldn’t stop him from being an early contributor. The concerns about Mixon go far beyond that, but somebody is going to take him early, and the Packers could be the landing spot.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers

1st round (30th overall): Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA
2nd round (62nd overall): Teez Tabor, CB, Florida

The Steelers need to: A) Find an outside linebacker to pair with 2015 first-round pick Bud Dupree; and B) Find a cornerback to pair with 2016 first-round pick Artie Burns. In this scenario they do both, snagging an ultra-athletic, but raw pass rusher in McKinley, and a very productive and successful, albeit slow, cornerback in Tabor.

31. Atlanta Falcons

1st round (31st overall): Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky
2nd round (63rd overall): Montravius Adams, DT, Auburn

Expect an emphasis on beef when it comes to the Falcons. The team could stand to find a new starter on the offensive line and help its run defense with another nose tackle, even after bringing on Dontari Poe. Lamp and Adams fit the bill and would add about 613 combined pounds to the Atlanta roster.

37. Los Angeles Rams

2nd round (37th overall): Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina

The Rams sought to provide Jared Goff with some help in the offseason, but Robert Woods alone isn’t going to cut it. Jones is FBS’s all-time leader in receptions after racking up huge stats at East Carolina and should be able to immediately contribute for the Rams, which is a must for an offense that can’t afford to slowly groom any additional young talent.

48. Minnesota Vikings

2nd round (48th overall): Dion Dawkins, G, Temple

Getting a running back would be nice now that the Adrian Peterson era is over, but after the top five backs there’s a drop off and they’re all gone when the Vikings go on the clock. But adding offensive line talent is certainly a priority, too. The Vikings struggled to protect Sam Bradford and couldn’t provide much running room anyway. Dawkins was a three-year starter who played left tackle in college, and could play tackle in the NFL, but likely projects best inside.