Arkansas Democrat-Gazette NFL mock draft
1. CLEVELAND BROWNS
PICK DE Myles Garrett
COMMENT The Browns have a lot of needs. There isn’t a sure thing in this draft, but Garrett is the closest to it.
2. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
PICK DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford
COMMENT John Lynch’s first draft with the 49ers brings a defensive star from his alma mater. Thomas helps a defense that has fallen on hard times in the past three seasons.
3. CHICAGO BEARS
PICK S Jamal Adams, LSU
COMMENT The former Tiger will bring physicality and leadership to a Bears defense that has missed those traits.
4. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
PICK RB Leonard Fournette, LSU COMMENT Quarterback could be an option, with the uncertainty of Blake Bortles. Fournette must overcome durability issues, which plagued him at LSU. PICK CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State COMMENT The Titans aren’t far away from being contenders in the AFC North. They’ll take a Buckeye who’s used to playing in big games.
6. NEW YORK JETS
PICK QB Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina (to be traded for Cleveland’s No. 12 pick)
COMMENT Trubisky started one season with the Tar Heels, but will get an opportunity to play close to home in Cleveland once this trade is completed.
7. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
PICK S Malik Hooker, Ohio State COMMENT Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley knows defense, being a former assistant with the Seahawks earlier this decade.
8. CAROLINA PANTHERS
PICK RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford COMMENT Cam Newton needs help, and not only on the offensive line. McCaffrey provides Newton with a weapon at running back and in the slot.
9. CINCINNATI BENGALS
PICK LB Haason Reddick, Temple COMMENT The former Owls star shined at the Senior Bowl and the Bengals need to get younger on defense.
10. BUFFALO BILLS
PICK WR Mike Williams, Clemson COMMENT The top wide receiver in the draft heads to upstate New York.
11. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
PICK DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee COMMENT Defense must improve in the Big Easy. The Saints turn to a Volunteer here.
12. CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM PHILADELPHIA)
PICK CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama (to be traded for the New York Jets’ No. 6 pick)
COMMENT Humphrey was one of the leaders of a Crimson Tide defense that played in the national championship game last season.
13. ARIZONA CARDINALS
PICK WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan
COMMENT The draft’s first big surprise. But the Cardinals must find weapons for Carson Palmer.
14. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (FROM MINNESOTA)
PICK CB Gareon Conley, Ohio State
COMMENT Philadelphia hopes for McCaffrey to fall down. Instead, it gets a Buckeye who has been considered the best cornerback available by FoxSports. com.
15. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
PICK LB Takkarist McKinley, UCLA COMMENT The Colts have lacked a key pass rusher in recent years. Enter the former Bruin.
16. BALTIMORE RAVENS
PICK TE O.J. Howard, Alabama COMMENT Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome played at Alabama and knows tight ends. Howard becomes a starter immediately. PICK RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State COMMENT Former Seminole goes from garnet and gold to burgundy and gold.
18. TENNESSEE TITANS
PICK WR John Ross, Washington COMMENT Ross ran a 4.22 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in March. This former Husky gives Marcus Mariota a big-time deep threat.
19. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
PICK OT Cam Robinson, Alabama COMMENT Mission: Protect Jameis Winston.
20. DENVER BRONCOS
PICK OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin COMMENT John Elway takes the best offensive lineman from the Big Ten here.
21. DETROIT LIONS
PICK LB Jarrad Davis, Florida
COMMENT The former Gator heads to the Motor City.
22. MIAMI DOLPHINS
PICK LB Reuben Foster, Alabama COMMENT Foster is a top-10 talent, but has slipped because of a diluted urine sample at the NFL combine.
23. NEW YORK GIANTS
PICK OT Garrett Bolles, Utah COMMENT Bolles heads to the Giants, where he’ll play from day one.
24. OAKLAND RAIDERS
PICK CB Kevin King, Washington COMMENT The Raiders want help in the secondary and the former Husky lands in the Bay Area.
25. HOUSTON TEXANS
PICK QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech COMMENT The Texans have attempted to fix the quarterback position, but have not been able to. Mahomes could be their starter by the end of the season.
26. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
PICK SS Obi Melifonwu, Connecticut
COMMENT The Legion of Boom isn’t getting younger. Melifonwu can provide depth to a secondary that did not perform well without Earl Thomas late last season.
27. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
PICK QB DeShaun Watson, Clemson COMMENT Life after Alex Smith is coming. Watson is a winner and could start sooner rather than later for the defending AFC West champions.
28. DALLAS COWBOYS
PICK CB Tre’Davious White, LSU
COMMENT The defending NFC East champions have lost several secondary pieces (Barry Church, Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr). So they’ll turn to Baton Rouge to help fill the void.
29. GREEN BAY PACKERS
PICK LB T.J. Watt, Wisconsin
COMMENT JJ Watt’s younger brother will make his own name in Green Bay.
30. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
PICK TE David Njoku, Miami COMMENT Heath Miller hasn’t been replaced in the Steel City. This former Hurricane will come close.
31. ATLANTA FALCONS
PICK LB Charles Harris, Missouri
COMMENT Dan Quinn loves pass-rushers. The Falcons allowed a Super Bowl record 466 passing yards to Tom Brady (and blew a 28-3 lead), so the defense needs to be improved if Atlanta is to make another deep run.
32. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (FROM NEW ENGLAND)
PICK CB Adoree’ Jackson, USC
COMMENT The Saints land two defensive players in this draft.