The 2016 NFL Draft is just days in the past, but it's already time to start looking ahead to the 2017 draft.
The first thing that comes to mind about the 2017 NFL Draft is the sheer amount of running backs who are likely to be high-round picks. Leonard Fournette of LSU and Dalvin Cook of Florida State lead the way as obvious first-round picks. But there are a couple more who could land in the first 32 picks.
Leading the way, though, is Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson. He's a multi-threat signal caller who is still developing as a passer. In this mock draft, he's one of three quarterbacks picked in the top 10.
These too early mock drafts are done mostly for fun and to set a baseline for the next crop of college football stars. They're even less accurate than the mock drafts done the week of the draft (though last year's version correctly mocked Robert Nkemdiche to Arizona).
Before you get mad, the order is based on the most recent Super Bowl odds from the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.
1. Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Watson’s career arc has him hurtling toward the Heisman Trophy and being the No. 1 pick in the draft. Beyond his deep-ball accuracy, he is an impressive prospect.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami
Kaaya has progressed in each of his first two seasons as a starter and could explode under the guidance of new Miami head coach Mark Richt.
3. San Diego Chargers: Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama
The pick up of Joey Bosa this year gives the Chargers a star on the defensive line. Getting Williams next year will give them one at linebacker.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
Robinson had a rocky 2015 season, but he has the skill set to bounce back. He can be the left tackle that Luke Joeckel has thus far failed to become.
5. Tennessee Titans: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Southern California
Kendall Wright is a free agent after the season, and the Titans don’t have a lot beyond him and Dorial Green-Beckham, who is far from proven.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State
Johnson’s development has been a little slower than expected, but he plays at a premium position.
7. New Orleans Saints: Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss
In 2015, Kelly showed flashes of brilliance. He’s an incredibly talented passer who needs to prove wrong those who doubt him because of his character concerns. New Orleans has been evaluating quarterbacks for a reason.
8. Detroit Lions: Raekwon McMillan, MLB, Ohio State
The Lions don’t have much in the way of a middle linebacker, especially with the unresolved weirdness of Stephen Tulloch that’s going on. McMillan is a tackling machine.
9. Cleveland Browns (via Philadelphia): Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Fournette is a powerhouse running back who throws defenders around with ease. He’s built for the AFC North.
10. Miami Dolphins: Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida
Drafting Xavien Howard in the second round was a need-based pick, but Tabor projects as a true No. 1 corner.
11. Tennessee Titans (via Los Angeles): Adoree' Jackson, CB, Southern California
Jackson is a superstar player who can shut receivers down on the outside and make big plays on special teams.
12. Washington: Eddie Vanderdoes, DT, UCLA
Washington waited until the fifth round to take a defensive tackle this year, and that could be trouble. Vanderdoes can play anywhere on the line of a three-man front.
13. Atlanta Falcons: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Garrett will probably go much higher than this in a year, but who knows. None of us know. For the Falcons he can be a pass rusher on the line with Vic Beasley making plays behind him.
14. Chicago Bears: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Alshon Jeffery and Marquess Wilson are both free agents after the season, so the Bears could look to add a wide out to go with Kevin White.
15. Houston Texans: Lowell Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Houston didn’t address the defensive line until their last pick of the draft. With Vince Wilfork potentially entering the last year of his career, Lotulelei can be his replacement.
16. Buffalo Bills: Zach Banner, OT, Southern California
Cordy Glenn’s future in Buffalo is uncertain, and the massive Banner could be his replacement.
17. Oakland Raiders: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Latavius Murray is a free agent after the season, and Cook would be an upgrade.
18. New York Giants: Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
This pick assumes Chubb will recover fine from a bad knee injury in October. If so, he can be just as good as the two running backs taken ahead of him.
19. New York Jets: Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
Muhammad Wilkerson is probably out in New York, and Allen can come right in and fill his spot.
20. Baltimore Ravens: Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee
The Ravens took two cornerbacks in the draft this year, but fourth-rounder Tavon Young is a nickel corner only and sixth-round pick Maurice Canady is, well, a sixth-rounder.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Conor McDermott, OT, UCLA
The Chiefs face another tough offseason with free agency coming for Eric Berry, Eric Fisher and Dontari Poe. For the sake of this mock, let's assume it is Fisher who leaves.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Kemoko Turay, DE, Rutgers
Mix speed and length and you usually have a first-round pass rusher. That’s Turay.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
The Vikings didn’t take a safety until the seventh round this year, so they need a strong safety. Peppers gets used all over the place at Michigan, but his position in the NFL should be safety.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
White could have gone pro and been a second- or third-round pick in 2016. Another season in a loaded LSU defense should push him higher up the draft.
25. Arizona Cardinals: Malachi Dupre, WR, LSU
Both Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd are free agents after the season, so the Cardinals may need receiving help in next year’s draft.
26. Carolina Panthers: Greg Pyke, OT, Georgia
My never-ending quest to mock offensive tackles to the Panthers continues with Pyke, a tackle who could have gone pro after last season.
27. Cincinnati Bengals: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
The Bengals could use another pass rusher, and next year’s draft should have several to choose from.
28. Denver Broncos: Jake Butt, TE, Michigan
Virgil Green is the top tight end in Denver, and Jeff Heuerman is still an unknown. Butt is a complete tight end who may have been the first player at his position picked this year had he gone pro.
29. Green Bay Packers: Pat Elflein, G, Ohio State
Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang are both free agents after the season, so the Packers could be on the hunt for a new guard. Elflein is widely considered the best in the draft next year.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Charles Harris, DE/OLB, Missouri
James Harrison is likely entering his final season, and Jarvis Jones is a free agent. Harris is an athletic edge rusher who will likely kick out to linebacker in the NFL.
31. Seattle Seahawks: Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson
If the Seahawks end up picking in this position, there should be some cornerbacks available late in the first round. Of those available, Tankersley has the best length.
32. New England Patriots: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
The year of the running back closes out the first round with the Patriots grabbing a running back who can make big plays in the run and pass offense.
Just for fun, and to include everyone, here are some guesses for the Rams and Eagles in the second round:
Philadelphia Eagles: Malik McDowell, DE/DT, Michigan State
Both Fletcher Cox and Bennie Logan are impending free agents, and McDowell is the type of player who ease their departure, if it happens. He could develop into a top-10 pick with another good season with the Spartans.
Los Angeles Rams: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Several of the Rams' bad wide receivers are entering the final year of their contracts, so they could surround Jared Goff with quality targets in next year's draft.
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