USA TODAY International Edition
Top of ’ 17 draft could be defensive heavy
With few exceptions, most of the NFL’s prominent free agents have now found new homes or returned to their original ones. With team needs across the league more clearly defined as the draft approaches, here’s the latest mock draft for 2017:
1. Cleveland Browns — Myles Garrett, DE, Tex
as A& M: Free agency only alters so much. Garrett is still widely regarded as the best incoming player, and the Browns continue to lack a pass- rushing force in a division where all of their opponents feature established quarterbacks. There’s no reason for Cleveland brass to overthink this pick, especially since none of this year’s passing prospects have distinguished themselves as worthy of a selection this high.
2. San Francisco 49ers — Solomon Thomas, DE, Stan
ford: He’s a three- down player, one who can play inside or out, and, unlike some other prospects at the top of the board, isn’t saddled with any questions regarding injuries or inexperience. New coordinator Robert Saleh, formerly an assistant with the Seattle Seahawks, would surely love to add one more stud to a defensive line that already features former firstrounders Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner. 3. Chicago Bears — Jamal Adams, S, LSU: Adams lays down the law with a vengeance in run support and underneath coverage yet is also perfectly capable of playing the slot in nickel packages or holding up as a last line of defense on deep balls. Even with veteran Quintin Demps coming aboard, Adams could be far too tempting to bypass. 4. Jacksonville Jaguars — Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU: This team continued to invest big money into its defense, but it’s time to spend a valuable pick on a lackluster ground game — one that hasn’t produced a 1,000- yard rusher since 2011. Fournette can provide plenty of production while establishing a physical presence that is sure to please new football boss Tom Coughlin and substantially ease the burden on QB Blake Bortles.
5. Tennessee Titans ( from Los Angeles Rams) — John Ross, WR, Washington: His 4.22 40- yard dash time is reason enough to consider taking him this early. But Ross is also an effective route runner who could quickly become a trusted target for QB Marcus Mariota. Given his potential to loosen defenses for Tennessee’s tailbacks, spruce up the return game and the likelihood he probably won’t be available when the Titans pick again at No. 18, this is the spot to spring for Ross. 6. New York Jets — Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State: He had seven interceptions in 2016. The Jets had eight. A free safety who covers a lot of ground is also a nice weapon to deploy against the AFC East rival New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins, two teams that promise to put the ball in the air quite a bit. And though a quarterback could be tempting, would the Jets really carry four arms for a second consecutive season? 7. Los Angeles Chargers — Jonathan Allen, DT, Alabama: The Chargers’ defensive makeover would look awfully good if Allen and DE Joey Bosa are paired as Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside for the next half- dozen years. Allen’s versatility and ability to impact all three downs would also be nicely leveraged in new coordinator Gus Bradley’s scheme.
8. Carolina Panthers — Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State: Might help be on the way for a team that surrendered nearly 35 more yards per game through the air in the season after it let CB Josh Norman walk out the door? 9. Cincinnati Bengals — Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee:
At 6- 3, 259 pounds, he isn’t quite as big as Cincinnati’s prototypical edge player. But Barnett is a constant presence in opposing backfields and would wreak the kind of havoc needed by a defense that has regressed in recent years. 10. Buffalo Bills — Mike
Williams, WR, Clemson: Buffalo re- committed to QB Tyrod Taylor for the immediate future, and it might be wise to give him a big- time target after the team’s wideout corps was raided during free agency. Williams’ red- zone presence would be a boon to a team that was held to 17 touchdowns through the air in 2016. 11. New Orleans Saints — Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama: Maybe a pass rusher or corner would be more ideal for this longreeling defense. But Foster can roam sideline- to- sideline and delivers bad intentions with each thunderous hit. And he might just fill a void the Saints haven’t successfully addressed since Jonathan Vilma’s decline.
12. Browns ( from Philadelphia Eagles) — Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina: With a 68% completion rate in 2016, the northeast Ohio native could possess the accuracy, mobility and moxie to effectively operate Hue Jackon’s offense ... eventually. However even a player with 13 college starts might stand a good chance of quickly overtaking Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan on this depth chart.
13. Arizona Cardinals — Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson: Does Carson Palmer have one more rebound in him at age 37? Does he even have another season in his right arm beyond 2017? Even if that’s the case, this might be the Cards’ best opportunity to obtain their next franchise passer. Letting Watson marinate under the tutelage of Palmer and coach Bruce Arians could be the optimal way to prepare him for the big stage.
14. Eagles ( from Minnesota Vikings) — Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama: Philly did a nice job revamping its receiving corps during free agency. Now personnel boss Howie Roseman must turn to the draft to replenish his secondary, and the Eagles desperately need an upgrade at corner in a division that contains so many dangerous wideouts.
15. Indianapolis Colts — Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford: Even at 33, RB Frank Gore proved in 2016 that his tank hasn’t run dry. But McCaffrey’s ability to play in space could open a whole new world of possibilities when teaming him with fellow Stanford product Andrew Luck. 16. Baltimore Ravens — Charles Harris, DE, Missouri:
The latest product from Mizzou’s pipeline of defenders could help revitalize Baltimore’s flagging pass rush. Harris’ already impressive array of moves off the edge would only improve under the guidance of graybeard Terrell Suggs. 17. Washington Redskins — Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan: He might find himself filling as many roles for the Redskins as he did for the Wolverines. But even if Peppers simply focuses on playing safety, this defense would be in better shape. And wouldn’t it be fun to see the disruption he and Su’a Cravens could cause in sub packages? 18. Titans — Haason Red
dick, LB, Temple: Oh the ways defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau could deploy a chess piece like Reddick, who had 22 1⁄ tack2 les for loss last year as a defensive end. And besides being an edge presence, he has shown during pre- draft workouts that he might be able to play inside linebacker in base packages, too.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida
State: You know former Seminoles QB Jameis Winston would love for this to come to fruition. Cook can do it all and could be a workhorse after averaging more than 250 touches during his three seasons with FSU. He might be an especially potent receiver against defenses forced to focus on containing WR Mike Evans and newly acquired deep threat DeSean Jackson. 20. Denver Broncos — O. J. Howard, TE, Alabama: Never
mind that Denver’s passing attack needs diversity beyond Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, Howard is too good of a football player not to take here. Aside from his obvious receiving gifts, he might even provide enough blocking to get the Denver run game back into gear. 21. Detroit Lions — Taco
Charlton, DE, Michigan: The Lions addressed their offensive line issues in free agency and could look to the draft to bolster the defensive side of the trenches. Charlton has huge upside and might be the kind of weapon who makes life difficult for QB Aaron Rodgers of the division rival Green Bay Packers. 22. Miami Dolphins — Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State: This feels like a spot where the Dolphins might be best served to trade out and accrue more picks. But Conley could help a pass defense that was burned for 30 touchdowns in 2016. 23. New York Giants — Garett Bolles, OT, Utah: Arguably this year’s top left tackle prospect, he could not strengthen protection on QB Eli Manning’s blind side and allow Ereck Flowers to shift to right tackle, which seems to be his more natural position.
24. Oakland Raiders — Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State: The Silver & Black are in dire need of an interior defensive presence who can make life easier for DE Khalil Mack and OLB Bruce Irvin — they combined for 18 of the club’s league- low 25 sacks last season — or make
teams pay for scheming against the duo.
25. Houston Texans — Forrest Lamp, OL, Western Ken
tucky: Whether Tony Romo or Tom Savage is taking the snaps next year, it would behoove the Texans to improve the blocking in front of their next quarterback. Lamp looks ready to check that box on Day One.
26. Seattle Seahawks — Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin: This team has to obtain bona fide blocking talent in order to keep QB Russell Wilson intact and restore the formerly feared run game.
27. Kansas City Chiefs — Corey Davis, WR, Western
Michigan: The 6- 3, 213- pounder might emerge as this year’s top receiving prospect. Unfortunately, an ankle injury has prevented him from confirming that during the pre- draft process. He and Tyreek Hill could give Kansas City its most formidable tandem since Carlos Carson and Stephone Paige in the 1980s. 28. Dallas Cowboys — Tre
’ Davious White, CB, LSU: A sack- generating “war daddy” would make sense if Dallas can find one here that fits its scheme. But White would be a huge help after the mass free agent exodus from the Cowboys secondary.
29. Green Bay Packers — Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA: One way to help a beleaguered secondary is to amp up the pressure. With Julius Peppers gone, McKinley could step in on passing downs while he learns the ropes from Clay Matthews and Nick Perry.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers — David Njoku, TE, Miami ( Fla.): As good as Heath Miller was, the Steelers haven’t really had a game- breaking tight end since two decades ago. But Njoku has the goods to take a sometimes- unstoppable offense to a new level. 31. Atlanta Falcons — Budda Baker, S, Washington: If Keanu Neal is developing into Atlanta’s version of Kam Chancellor, Baker just might become their Earl Thomas. Baker can cover the slot, hit and play deep.
32. Saints ( from New England Patriots) — Evan En
gram, TE, Mississippi: They must get QB Drew Brees some kind of new toy, right? It’s not easy to envision a hybrid of Jimmy Graham and Brandin Cooks, the favored targets that have been taken from Brees. Yet Engram has 4.4 speed ( almost at Cooks’ level) and a 6- 3, 234- pound build ( a mini- Graham). Given his route running and reliable hands, Engram could be something truly special in this offense.