The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
AJC MOCK DRAFT
1. Cleveland: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M: Some contend that he racked up his sacks against smaller schools and that you couldn’t find him in big games. He also showed that he was a bit petty when he wouldn’t do an interview with ESPN’s Booger McFarland because he didn’t like the critique of his play.
2. San Francisco: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson: The record-setting quarterback from Gainesville High guided the Tigers to consecutive College Football Playoff appearances, and the school’s second national championship in 2016. The twotime Heisman Trophy finalist led the Tigers to 28 wins over his final two seasons.
3. Chicago: Jonathan Allen, DT, Alabama: He was a force for the Crimson Tide. There is some concerns about his shoulders.
4. Jacksonville: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU: In 2014, he rushed for a freshman school-record 1,034 to earn All-SEC Freshman team honors. He followed with 1,953 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns, leading the nation with 162.8 rushing yards per game. Last season, Fournette battled injuries and finished second on the team with 843 rushing yards.
5. Tennessee: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama: He passed on the NFL and returned to Tuscaloosa for his senior year. He set career-highs in 2016 with 45 catches and three touchdowns as he earned secondteam All-SEC honors.
6. New York Jets: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State: He made 13 starts and led the Buckeyes in passes defended (13) and finished second in interceptions (four) to earn firstteam All-Big Ten honors.
7. Los Angeles Chargers: Jamal Adams, S, LSU: Physical in the run game. He also has elite speed and range.
8. Carolina: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford: He made 62 tackles with 15 for a loss, eight sacks and one forced fumble.
9. Cincinnati: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State: A one-year starter, who had a breakout season with seven interceptions and three defensive touchdowns.
10. Buffalo: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson: Williams waited his turn behind Sammy Watkins and Martavis Bryant. He became the No. 1 receiver as a sophomore and led the team with 1,030 receiving yards.
11. New Orleans: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee: He had 33 sacks over his 39-game career for the Volunteers.
12. Cleveland: Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina: He set single-season school records for passing yards (3,748), completions (304), total offense (4,056) and touchdown passes (30) while throwing only six interceptions.
13. Arizona: T.J. Watt, OLB, Wisconsin: He thrived for one season in Wisconsin’s 3-4 defense when he finished with 63 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles last season.
14. Philadelphia: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan: Davis led the Broncos in receiving for four straight years. He had a careerhigh 97 catches, 1,500 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns last season to earn the MAC offensive player of the year honors.
15. Indianapolis: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah: A late-bloomer, who overcame a difficult family situation after getting kicked out of the house by his father. A mission with the Mormons helped to change his life around.
16. Baltimore: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan: He led the Wolverines in sacks with 9.5 and was named first-team All-Big Ten.
17. Washington: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri: He made 61 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, two passes batted and two forced fumbles in 2016 for the Tigers.
18. Tennessee: John Ross, WR, Washington: He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.22 seconds at the scouting combine, setting a record. Ross caught 81 passes for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Pac-12 champion Huskies last season.
19. Tampa Bay: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State: He’s electric in the open field and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Some teams favorably compare him to Falcons running back Devonta Freeman.
20. Denver: Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA: Most believe that he’s best suited to be an outside linebacker for a team that runs a 3-4 defensive alignment.
21. Detroit: Tim Williams, LB, Alabama: Has 21.5 sacks over the past two seasons for the Crimson Tide.
22. Miami: Forrest Lamp, OL, Western Kentucky: He lifted 225 pounds 34 times. He had a stellar performance against Alabama that NFL scouts are raving about.
23. New York Giants: Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt: He led the SEC in tackles (125) as a junior in 2016, posting 16.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles to earn first-team All-American and All-SEC honors.
24. Oakland: Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State: He was ranked in the top 10 in pass-rush productivity over the past two seasons by Pro Football Focus. com.
25. Houston: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin: Ramczyk started all 14 games at left tackle last season and earned consensus All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors.
26. Seattle: Dan Feeney, OG, Indiana: Finished his career with 46 starts and spent time at right guard and right tackle.
27. Kansas City: Christian McCaffrey, RB Stanford: He was named the Pac-12 offensive player of the year after his sophomore season. He was one of college football’s top running backs the past two seasons, displaying his versatility rushing, receiving and returning. He led the FBS in all-purpose yards per game in both 2015 (276.0) and 2016 (211.5).
28. Dallas: David Njoku, TE, Miami: A fluid route-runner, who’s also willing do the dirty work as a blocker. He was lined up in-line and flexed in the slot for the Hurricanes over the past two seasons as a starter.
29. Green Bay: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama: He was a threeyear starter at left tackle for the Crimson Tide.
30. Pittsburgh: Kevin King, CB, Washington: Turned heads with a spectacular showing at the scouting combine.
31. Atlanta: Jabrill Peppers, FS, Michigan: He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds, which is faster than Seattle All-Pro free safety Earl Thomas. If an opposing tight end is a problem, he’s fast and physical enough to cover the tight end.
32. New Orleans (from New England): Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech: He completed 388 passes for 5,052 passing yards and a 41-10 touchdown-interception ratio.