The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Mock draft has Browns picking Garrett
Quarterback pick at No. 12 would change if trade is made for Patriots’ Garoppolo
“The first pick, Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett, is a no-brainer. The Browns need a pass rusher almost as much as they need a quarterback.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is our first mock draft looking ahead to the NFL draft that begins April 27.
The biggest mystery of the 2017 NFL draft centers around quarterbacks Mitchell Trubisky, Deshaun Watson and DeShone Kizer; no one knows where any of the three will land.
The Browns pick first and 12th in the first round of the three-day draft that begins on April 27 in Philadelphia. As desperately as they need a quarterback, they won’t have to use the first pick to get one.
Trubisky goes to the Browns with the 12th pick in our mock draft 1.0 — not because he is from Mentor High School but because he has the accuracy, arm strength and leadership to be an elite NFL quarterback. Analysts worry because he started only 13 games at North Carolina, but he doesn’t have to start immediately for whichever team that drafts him.
Draft analysts Rob Rang and
Dane Brugler of CBSSports. com also have the Browns selecting Trubisky 12th. Todd McShay of ESPN has the Browns taking Watson with Trubisky going 25th to Houston.
The first pick, Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett, is a no-brainer. The Browns need a pass rusher almost as much as they need a quarterback.
Everything changes if the Browns trade for New England quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. For now, though, getting Garrett and Trubisky would make the first day of the draft successful for the Browns.
1. BROWNS — Myles Garret: Defensive end, Texas A&M
There is no franchise quarterback in this draft, but Garrett has all the qualities to be a game-changing pass rusher.
2. San Francisco 49ers — Solomon Thomas: Defensive end, Stanford
The 49ers were dead last in the NFL defensively last year.
3. Chicago Bears — Jonathan Allen: Defensive tackle, Alabama
Concerns about Allen’s shoulder might make him slide, but he is a fierce inside defender.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars — Jamal Adams: Strong safety, LSU
Adams will be a hot commodity in the pass-first NFL.
5. Tennessee Titans — Marshon Lattimore: Cornerback, Ohio State
The Titans need a shutdown cornerback to succeed against the Colts and Texans in the AFC South.
6. New York Jets — Deshaun Watson: Quarterback, Clemson
The Jets will never catch the Patriots until they develop a quarterback.
7. Los Angeles Chargers — Malik Hooker: Free safety, Ohio State
Hooker has been compared to legendary safety Ed Reed.
8. Carolina Panthers — Leonard Fournette: Running back, LSU
Fournette and quarterback Cam Newton in the same backfield could be scary.
9. Cincinnati Bengals — Reuben Foster: Inside linebacker, Alabama
Foster can play three downs and stabilize the Bengals defense.
10. Buffalo Bills — Mike Williams: Wide receiver, Clemson
The Bills get a target to pair with Sammy Watkins for quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
11. New Orleans Saints — Derek Barnett: Defensive end, Tennessee
Barnett had 33 tackles in three years at Tennessee.
12. BROWNS — Mitchell Trubisky: Quarterback, North Carolina
I still think the Browns want to trade this pick to the Patriots for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
13. Arizona Cardinals — DeShone Kizer: Quarterback, Notre Dame
Coach Bruce Arians starts grooming Carson Palmer’s replacement.
14. Philadelphia Eagles — Dalvin Cook: Running back, Florida State
Cook averaged 6.5 yards a carry on 687 runs in college. 15. Indianapolis Colts — Ryan Ramczyk: Offensive tackle, Wisconsin
Protecting quarterback Andrew Luck has to be a priority for the Colts.
16. Baltimore Ravens — O.J. Howard: Tight end, Alabama
The best tight end in the draft falls in the Ravens’ lap.
17. Washington Redskins — Christian McCaffrey: Running back, Stanford
McCaffrey can get 20 touches a game as a running back or slot receiver.
18. Tennessee Titans — Corey Davis: Wide receiver, Western Michigan
Quarterback Marcus Mariota gets a target who has been compared to Cowboys star Dez Bryant.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — John Ross: Wide receiver, Washington
Ross was a 4.22 40-yarddash and will be an excellent complement to Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans.
20. Denver Broncos — Cam Robinson: Offensive tackle, Alabama
The Broncos have to rebuild their offensive line to be a playoff contender.
21. Detroit Lions — Taco Charlton: Defensive end, Michigan
How about a free taco from Detroit area Taco Bell restaurants each time Taco Charlton gets a sack?
22. Miami Dolphins —
Haason Reddick: Outside linebacker, Temple
The Dolphins will do backflips if Reddick falls this far.
23. New York Giants — Garett Bolles: Offensive tackle, Utah
Quarterback Eli Manning is 36 and can use some insurance on the offensive line.
24. Oakland Raiders — Teez Tabor: Cornerback, Florida
Tabor’s 4.63 40-time at the Combine has teams concerned about his speed.
25. Houston Texans — Patrick Mahomes: Quarterback, Texas Tech
Brock Osweiler did not work out. Mahomes has a huge upside.
26. Seattle Seahawks — Forrest Lamp: Guard, Western Kentucky
Everyone in the northwest knows the Seahawks need offensive line help.
27. Kansas City Chiefs — Zach Cunningham: Inside linebacker, Vanderbilt
The Chiefs want to improve on 121 rushing yards a game allowed last year.
28. Dallas Cowboys — Charles Harris: Defensive end, Missouri:
The Cowboys lost to the Packers, 34-31, in a divisional playoff game. Defense has to improve.
29. Green Bay Packers — Quincy Wilson: Cornerback, Florida
Improving the secondary has to be a priority for the Packers.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers — Jabrill Peppers: Strong safety, Michigan
Peppers’ feisty personality is a perfect fit for the Steelers.
31. Atlanta Falcons — T.J. Watt: Outside linebacker, Wisconsin
The Falcons have to get meaner on defense to win the Super Bowl.
32. New Orleans Saints — Gareon Conley: Cornerback, Ohio State
Conley was impressive with a 4.44 40 at the Combine.