The NFL Draft is only two months away, and it is never too soon to throw together a mock draft. Here is our latest mock of the first round.
Cleveland, you are officially on the clock.
The NFL Draft will take place in two months, as teams look to bolster their roster for next season. While the Cleveland Browns have the first pick, we have seen that pick be traded, as was the case last year. The Browns will select twice in the first round, and with a plethora of talent available, this could be the year they finally turn their franchise around.
Here is our latest 2017 NFL Mock Draft as we inch towards April.
As the Cleveland Browns look towards the 2017 NFL Draft, they have to be thinking about moving one of their two first round picks. The Browns franchise is in pretty bad shape, but the organization has made some moves to make sure they will improve the roster heading into next season. While they may trade away the No. 12 overall pick, they will likely hang onto the first overall selection, and will bolster their defense with it.
Myles Garrett is the best defensive player in this draft, and is someone who the Browns could certainly use next season. Placing him up front would give the Browns three layers of talent on their defense, making their unit much improved over last season. Cleveland has already locked up star linebacker Jamie Collins, and with Joe Haden being one of the better cornerbacks in the league, you have to assume the Browns will be much better on defense in 2017.
Garrett can do it all from his defensive end position, possessing the ability to impact a game on every play. He has great speed to get the edge, and is not afraid to go inside and take down running backs. Cleveland has struggled with getting after the quarterback lately, so adding Garrett would improve on one of the biggest weaknesses on the roster. Cleveland needs to bring in young talent, and Garrett would be a great place to start.
The San Francisco 49ers welcomed a new general manager and head coach this offseason, as they look to completely turn around their roster. The 49ers were once one of the best franchises in football, but ever since they played the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl back in 2013, they have been on a steady decline. Hopefully, GM John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan can change the culture in San Fran, with their first big test being April’s NFL Draft.
On offense, there are a ton of question marks, with the biggest being who is going to play quarterback for the team next season. While that is going to be a big decision moving forward, the 49ers will likely play it safe with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Jonathan Allen is one of the safest picks in this draft class, and he would instantly improve a very weak 49ers defensive line as the team heads to the 2017 season.
Allen is not only a solid player against the run, but he has the athletic ability to get after the quarterback on a consistent basis. As a leader for the Alabama Crimson Tide, Allen helped the Tide become arguably the best defense in college football history, appearing in two consecutive National Championship games. Some feel Allen could be the first overall pick next April, but if the 49ers can get him at No. 2, they have to make him the first selection of the Lynch/Shanahan Era.
The Chicago Bears have made it known that they plan to trade Jay Cutler this offseason, leaving them with a hole at the quarterback position. While Cutler never became the player the Bears were hoping he would be when he came over from the Denver Broncos, the team does not have much of a backup plan. The plan was likely not to pick a quarterback at No. 3, but unless the team wants to go with a guy like Brian Hoyer next season, they may have to go with one this April.
For all his faults, Deshaun Watson may be the best quarterback in this draft class. He has shown a propensity to throw too many interceptions during his time with the Clemson Tigers, but there is no denying his leadership skills. Twice Watson played against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the National Championship Game, and both times he put on quite a show. He is going to be a good one at the next level, and could step right in and start for the Bears during his rookie year.
Watson does make mistakes, but his physical gifts cannot be overlooked. All he has done during his time with the Tigers has been win, and the Bears could certainly use that kind of leadership under center this coming season. He is going to struggle during his rookie season, but if the Bears make the decision to go with him, they will be very happy with the kind of player, and person they have in the long run.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been making some moves this offseason, as they look to rebound from another disappointing season in 2016. Quarterback Blake Bortles took a major step back this past season, and the organization has to be wondering if he is still the answer at the position for the next few years. Former head coach Tom Coughlin was brought in to run the football operations, and he has already made a splash in his first few weeks on the job.
Last offseason, the Jaguars brought in some veteran leadership on the defensive side of the ball, but none of their moves really panned out. This year, they need to focus on the young talent they have on the roster, as well as bring in some young talent to continue their youth movement. The Jaguars secondary was atrocious in 2016, and adding a player like Jamal Adams from LSU would instantly upgrade the group heading into the 2017 season.
Adams is the best safety in this draft class, and he is the kind of player who is going to make an impact during his rookie season. The Jaguars play in a very winnable division, and some experts actually expected them to win the AFC South this past season. The season will hinge on the progression Bortles makes from last season, and if the offense can move the ball with some consistency, they should be playing meaningful games late into the season.
Thanks to the trade the Tennessee Titans made with the Los Angeles Rams prior to the 2016 NFL Draft, the organization will be picking twice in the first round in April. The trade made last year was for the first overall pick, which the Rams used to select Jared Goff from Cal. While Goff had a pretty bad rookie season, the Titans quarterback had a breakout sophomore year, and has his team poised to make a serious run at the AFC South title next season.
In order for Marcus Mariota to continue his development, he is going to need some weapons around him. Last season, the Titans were able to move the ball despite not having a true WR1 on the roster, and they should use the pick they are getting from the Rams to fix that problem. Mike Williams has proven that he is the best wide receiver in this draft, and if he goes to the Titans, he will have one of the best young quarterbacks in the league getting him the ball.
Tennessee plays in a very winnable division, and some like them to be a surprise contender next season. They played good football up until the final two weeks of the regular season, and had Mariota not broken his leg in Week 16, they might have won their division this past season. Still, this organization is in very good shape moving forward, and Mariota could really blossom throwing to a player with the incredible skills of Mike Williams.
The New York Jets were expected to do some great things this past season. Coming off an 11-win season the year before, the Jets had all their veterans back, and added a veteran running back in Matt Forte. However, their season was an absolute nightmare, and thanks to that, they will be picking at No. 6 come April. They need help all over the roster, so whatever path they choose should make them a much better team in 2017.
While Darrelle Revis was once considered the best cornerback in football, those times are long gone. In fact, Revis has been in the news more for his antics off the field, which includes an arrest on five charges this month. Revis is facing a charge of four felonies, and one misdemeanor, which could possibly mean that he has played his last game with the Jets. He has been declining for the past few years, and the time has come for them to bring in his replacement.
Marshon Lattimore is a very good looking prospect, who would be a shutdown cornerback at the next level. He has the kind of skill set that you do not normally see, and the Jets need someone who is going to take away one side of the field like Revis used to do back in his heyday. One player is not going to make the Jets a playoff team, but the NFL is a pass-happy league, which means you have to have a strong secondary or you are toast.
The Chargers made a small move this offseason, moving from San Diego to Los Angeles for the 2017 season and beyond. While team owner Dean Spanos did everything in his power to keep the team in San Diego, a deal for a new stadium just could not get done, and now Los Angeles will have two football teams next season. The Rams are a long way away, but the Chargers have the talent to win now.
Ever since Eric Weddle left for Baltimore, the Chargers safety position has been a joke. However, this draft class is loaded with players who are going to make an impact in the defensive secondary, and Malik Hooker is right behind Jamal Adams as being the best safety in this draft. Los Angeles needs help back there, and Hooker has the tools to come right in and make a serious impact during his rookie season.
Hooker was a staple on one of the best defensive teams in all of college football, and he is one of the more NFL-ready players in his draft. The Chargers need to bring in players who are going to put butts in the seats, and Hooker has that kind of big-play ability. Los Angeles lost some heartbreakers last season, mostly due to shoddy defense, so it is imperative that they spend this high draft pick on defense come April.
During the 2015 NFL season, the Carolina Panthers looked like they were going to be a historic team. The Panthers flirted with a perfect regular season, and once in the playoffs, they rode that No. 1 seed all the way to Super Bowl 50. Unfortunately for Panthers fans, the team did not put up much of a fight, and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was able to ride off into the sunset as a Super Bowl champ for the second time.
Last season, the Panthers got star wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin back from a torn ACL, though the team took a serious step backwards in 2016. Quarterback Cam Newton continues to be an incredible player in the league, but you have to be worried with the amount of hits he takes. The Panthers need to bring in a player who is going to take some pressure off of him, and that person is Leonard Fournette of LSU.
Fournette was a standout player during his time with the Tigers, but some believe he could be an even better pro. The star running back was injured a bit this past season, though even when he was healthy he had some trouble against the better teams. Current starter Jonathan Stewart still has some tread left on the tires, so bringing in Fournette would give the Panthers the kind of tandem they once had when Stewart and DeAngelo Williams were lining up in the backfield together.
If you would have told me that the Cincinnati Bengals would be picking in the top-10 when the season began, I would have told you that you were crazy. However, that is the case for the Bengals, who have long been one of the class teams in the NFL. It should not take them that long to get back to being a playoff team, and with the ninth overall pick, they have to be thinking the time has come for them to make a serious run.
Throughout his time with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Reuben Foster established himself as the leader of the defense. The Crimson Tide have been historic on defense, and Foster is a big reason why the team went to consecutive title games. We like Foster as our top linebacker this draft, and for good reason, as he has physical gifts you just do not see very often.
One of the biggest things about Foster is the fact that he can play all over the field. Not only is he great at going sideline to sideline to make tackles, but he also has the ability to come up and put pressure on the quarterback. Head coach Marvin Lewis is going to have his team ready for the 2017 season, and hopefully for him, he can finally win that first playoff game as head coach of the Bengals.
The Buffalo Bills made wholesale changes to their coaching staff during the 2016 season, letting head coach Rex Ryan, and his twin brother and defensive coordinator Rob go during Week 16. That set the stage for the team to hire Sean McDermott in the offseason, giving the team a bit more of a disciplinarian as a coach. This will be McDermott’s first shot at being the head coach, and many around the NFL feel he is ready to help bring the Bills back to the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
While the Bills could certainly go quarterback here, we expect them to give Tyrod Taylor another season under center. Cardale Jones is not much of a threat yet, but there has been word that he is going to get a shot to win the job during camp. The Bills need to use this top-10 pick to bolster their defensive line, and Derek Barnett can certainly do that from day one.
Barnett is one of the more explosive players in this draft, possessing arguably the best first step in the class. During his time at the University of Tennessee, Barnett broke the school’s career sack record, which was held by the late Hall of Famer, Reggie White. While Barnett may never have the kind of career White did, he does have incredible work ethic, and his ability to come up and crush people would make him an instant fan favorite among the Bills wonderful fans.
Ever since coming over to the New Orleans Saints from the San Diego Chargers, quarterback Drew Brees has established himself as one of the best to ever play his position in NFL history. Not only has Brees been a hero on the field, but also off, as he has helped the city recover from Hurricane Katrina. Head coach Sean Payton has also been a hero, though his time with the organization may be coming to an end.
Payton has led the Saints to three straight seven-win seasons, and you have to be asking yourself when his time is going to be up in the Bayou. Regardless of whether or not Payton lasts much longer in New Orleans, the real issue is the fact that his defense cannot stop the ball. While they do need help up front, the Saints have to start protecting against the pass better, and cornerback is definitely a position they should look to draft in April.
Quincy Wilson of the Florida Gators has teamed with Teez Tabor to give the Gators arguably the best 1-2 combination at cornerback as there is the SEC. While both players will likely be taken in the first round, Wilson should be the first of the two off the board. Wilson has incredible talent at the corner position, and he would give the Saints the kind of shutdown cornerback they have been looking for to get themselves back over .500 next season. Brees does not have many good years left, so this offseason is very important for the Saints.
Once upon a time, Mitch Trubisky was named Mr. Football in the state of Ohio, after putting up eye-popping numbers at Mentor (OH) High School. Now, after starting one season in Chapel Hill, Trubisky is going to make the jump to the NFL, and his hometown team may be waiting for him. The Browns would like no more than for an Ohio kid to don the orange, and lead the Browns out of the cellar in the AFC North.
Trubisky is a bit of a wild card, considering he only started the one season for the Tar Heels. Still, his physical gifts are incredible, and he has all the arm strength to get you where you need to go. While he does not have a ton of experience, he is ready to take the next step in his football career, and it would certainly be something if he were able to do it in the state he grew up in.
While the Browns may take a QB at No. 12, they may not even have the pick, as the Patriots and Browns may swing a deal prior to the April draft for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. If that is the case, this pick will belong to the Patriots, who would probably select a defensive player at No. 12. If Cleveland does hang on to the pick, how cool would it be to see a kid from Ohio lead Cleveland to a championship. I think it has happened in basketball before, and it certainly was a national story.
Just a few weeks ago, the Arizona Cardinals had no idea who would be lining up under center when they kick off their 2017 regular season slate next September. One thing was for certain, it definitely did not look like Carson Palmer was their man anymore, after moving out of the state, and pulling his kids out of school. However, that has all receded, and Palmer is totally on board with whatever they try to do to bolster the roster heading into next season.
While Palmer likely has one good season left in him, the front office has to be thinking about the future. The Cardinals need their next quarterback, and Patrick Mahomes II has the tools to be a good one at the next level. During his time at Texas Tech, Mahomes put together some video game-type statistics, which has led many to believe that his game is not going to transfer over to the NFL level.
That could not be further from the truth, and Mahomes may end up being the best of the bunch in this draft. While he does need help with his footwork, that can always be fixed, and you cannot teach the kind of physical skills this kid has to play the position. Mahomes continues to climb up draft boards everywhere, and he will certainly be a name to track once the draft kicks off in April. The Cards need their future at the position, and Mahomes may be just what the doctor ordered.
For the Indianapolis Colts, the 2016 NFL season was a bit of a disappointment. While they were technically a playoff contender for most of the season, nobody really expected them to do much of anything. The offensive line was atrocious, and you have to be thinking how many more beating star quarterback Andrew Luck can take during his career.
Luck is in the middle of his prime, but the lack of protection has to be waning on him. The Colts need to do whatever they can to bolster the offensive line this offseason, and they should look to do that with some veterans in free agency. In the draft, the Colts should bring in a new starting running back, and Dalvin Cook is about as good a running back prospect as there is in this draft.
Cook had a record-breaking career at Florida State, and is the kind of player that can turn a game on its head on any given play. Luck needs a player like him in the backfield to take some of the pressure off of him, as teams are able to just pin their ears back and rush him on nearly every play. Veteran Frank Gore is still a productive back, and has done a nice job since joining the Colts, but the time is now for them to bring in their next Edgerrin James.
Prior to the 2016 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles traded with the Cleveland Browns to get the No. 2 overall pick. With that pick, the Eagles selected Carson Wentz out of North Dakota State, though the plan was for him to sit his first season in the NFL. After the team traded starter Sam Bradford to the Minnesota Vikings during the preseason, it paved the way for Wentz to start as a rookie, and he proved that the team made the right choice in trading up for him.
While the Eagles had their ups and downs during Wentz’s rookie season, the team is set at the quarterback position for the foreseeable future, and they now must put some solid weapons around him. While Jordan Matthews did a nice job as the team’s top option at wide receiver this past season, he is not a true WR1, and the team needs to use their first round pick to bring in somebody who can fill that role in 2017.
Corey Davis from Western Michigan had a tremendous senior season for the Broncos, nearly leading them to an undefeated season. Davis showed throughout the season that he can make all the plays from the wideout position, and will even go over the middle to make the tough catches. He has a perfect skill set for the NFL, and with the way he plays the game, he would certainly be a fan favorite for some of the best fans the NFL has to offer.
The Baltimore Ravens took a step back in 2016, as they just could not play winning football on a consistent basis. As the page turns to 2017, there are plenty of holes to fill on offense, as star wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. has decided to hang them up. They need to find somebody who is going to come in and fill that big-play role, and John Ross of Washington can do just that.
Ross had a breakout season in Washington, helping lead his team to the College Football Playoff. Playing in the Pac-12, Ross consistently made big plays for the Huskies, showing the ability to make the big catch in space. He has incredible speed, and has recently been clocked at 4.3 in the 40-yard dash. Smith is going to be hard to replace, but Ross has the attitude to do just that in Baltimore.
The Ravens need to bring in weapons on offense, as quarterback Joe Flacco is starting to get up there in age. The window for them to return to the Super Bowl has to be getting smaller, and they cannot afford another season like they had last year. The defense should be solid in 2017, though it could use help in the secondary, and with Flacco still in his prime, they should have a shot in a very tight AFC North next season.
The Washington Redskins go into the offseason with a bunch of things to cross off on their checklist. The main thing they need to do is lock up their quarterback, as Kirk Cousins played with the franchise tag on him in 2016. He has said that he is willing to do that again, but with the quarterback position being very thin in the NFL, they need to get him his long-term deal as soon as possible.
On defense, the line has been a sore point in recent years, and they need to spend their 2017 first round pick on someone who can clog up the middle. Far too often the team put up a bunch of points, only to see their defense run all over. The offensive line also needs some help, but the defensive line has to be a priority when they make their selection at No. 17 in April.
Solomon Thomas is a great defensive line prospect, and comes in only second to Jonathan Allen of Alabama. He is a great kid, who has so much love for the game of football. His passion for the game will play well in Washington, where the fan base is one of the best in football. If the Redskins can bolster their roster up front on both sides of the ball, they could once again be challenging for an NFC East title in 2017.
The Tennessee Titans are going to be a fun team to watch over the next few years, possessing some of the best young talent in football. The Titans had a breakout season in 2016, nearly making the playoffs. In fact, had Marcus Mariota not broken his leg in the team’s Week 16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, they may have actually caught up to the Houston Texans in the AFC South.
Still, they head into the 2017 offseason with huge expectations, and a healthy Mariota should have the team fighting for a playoff spot once again. The Titans pick twice in the first round thanks to the trade they made with the Los Angeles Rams prior to the 2016 NFL Draft, and they will likely go offense early. At No. 18, the Titans may actually trade this pick, but if they keep it, expect them to make some improvements in their secondary.
Marlon Humphrey is definitely one of the best cornerback prospects in this draft, and he would team well with Jason McCourty at the position next season. Humphrey is a winner, and showed during his time with the Alabama Crimson Tide that he can take away one half of the field. The son of a former NFL running back, Humphrey knows what it takes to make it at the next level, and all signs indicate that he is going to be one heck of a pro.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made Jameis Winston their first round pick back in 2015, selecting the star quarterback from Florida State University. Since becoming the team’s signal-caller, Winston has helped the organization turn around, and they are now on the brink of the playoffs. The Buccaneers are not far away from being a contender in a tough NFC South, and a few players could make all the difference this offseason.
One area of concern is in the secondary, where the team’s safeties are getting up there in age. The unit played well as a team last season, but the organization needs to make sure they are getting younger in the defensive backfield. Bringing in a player like Jabrill Peppers would go a long way in bolstering that group, giving the Buccaneers the depth they need to be able to shut down guys like Drew Brees, Cam Newton, and Matt Ryan, all of which play in their division.
Peppers is the most versatile prospect in this draft, as he played all over the field for the Michigan Wolverines this past season. The standout linebacker is making the permanent switch to safety at the next level, and he definitely has the speed to do so. Peppers not only can make an impact on defense, but he has also played running back and returner for the Wolverines. Adding a player of his caliber is going to make the Bucs better next season, and based on their recent growth, they could be a playoff team in 2017.
The Denver Broncos took a step back in 2016, as they failed to repeat as Super Bowl Champions. That was understandable, however, as their quarterback, Peyton Manning retired after the team beat the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. The team went with a relatively unknown signal-caller in 2016, as Trevor Siemian beat out veteran Mark Sanchez and rookie first-rounder Paxton Lynch to win the job during the preseason.
While Siemian did struggle at times, he actually played very well in spurts late in the season. Newly minted head coach Vance Joseph has not made Siemian his quarterback for next season, however, as he would like to give Lynch a shot to win the job this preseason. No matter who is under center next year, one thing is for certain, that this team needs to get better on the offensive line quickly.
Ryan Ramczyk is the best offensive line prospect in this draft, and proved during his time at Wisconsin that he can be a left tackle at the next level. He has incredible strength and footwork, and would instantly be an upgrade over a player like Russell Okung at left tackle. The Broncos still have an elite defense, but if they cannot get their quarterback some protection next season, it may be another year out of the playoffs.
The Detroit Lions looked like they were going to run away with the NFC North this past season, as they got off to a hot start. However, a loss in Week 17 to the hated Green Bay Packers meant they would head to the postseason as a Wild Card, where they would quickly see their season end at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks. Despite losing their best player from the year before, the Lions actually took a step forward in 2016, and need to make sure they continue moving in that direction.
One big area of need for the Lions is along the defensive front, where they were just too weak in 2016. The Lions need help getting after the quarterback, and Taco Charlton of Michigan is one of the better players in this draft at doing just that. He is an explosive defensive end, who has the speed to not only run down quarterback, but also running backs if he has to.
During the Wolverines loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes, Charlton may have played his best game. Not only did he show he could make an impact on defense, but he also showed that he has incredible physical gifts. He has the body type that was made for the NFL, and he would team nicely with guys like Ezekiel Ansah and Haloti Ngata along the defensive line. Defensive end is going to be a priority this offseason for Detroit, and luckily for them, this draft is loaded with talent at that position.
One of the bigger surprises of the 2016 NFL season was the play of the Miami Dolphins. Prior to the season, the Dolphins brought in Adam Gase to be their new head coach, and boy did he have a fantastic year in his first season in South Beach. Gase led his Dolphins to a Wild Card berth, as they were one of the hottest teams in football for much of the second half of the season.
The Dolphins did finish as a Wild Card team, but had to play their playoff game without their starting quarterback. Ryan Tannehill hurt his knee late in the regular season, and while Matt Moore is a good backup, he definitely did not look like a starter during the team’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Still, the Dolphins have some nice pieces in place going forward, and should be a team to watch once again in 2017.
When it comes to the draft, the Dolphins are going to need to improve on the defensive line. The team let Mario Williams walk after the season, meaning they will need to put someone of the other side of the defensive line to team with Cameron Wake. Dawuane Smoot is one of the best pass rushers in this draft, and his high intensity motor is going to make him a great pro. The Dolphins need help getting after the quarterback, and that is certainly what Smoot would bring to the table if they take him at No. 22.
During the 2015 NFL season, the New York Giants defense was atrocious. Despite having some incredible playmakers on offense, the Giants failed to make the playoffs once again, and it inevitably led to head coach Tom Coughlin being shown the door. Coughlin’s offensive coordinator took over for the 2016 season, and an improved defense helped lead the Giants to their first playoff appearance in five years.
Head coach Ben McAdoo was very successful in his first season as the man in charge in New York, though his team did not play up to par in their Wild Card game against the Green Bay Packers. The offense looked a bit vanilla, as it had all season long, and the defense could not hold the Pack off for four quarters. Alabama tight end O.J. Howard would bring a new wrinkle to the offense next season, replacing mediocre players like Will Tye and Larry Donnell.
Howard was not showcased enough during his time with Alabama, but did have his best games on the biggest stage. He was the MVP of the 2016 National Championship Game, helping lead his team to a victory over the Clemson Tigers. He is going to be a game-changer at the next level, possessing the kind of skills you need from the tight end position nowadays. The Giants have not had a good pass-catching tight end since Jeremy Shockey, so bringing in Howard seems like a no-brainer.
There cannot be a worse way to end a season than what happened to the Oakland Raiders in 2016. Throughout the entire regular season, the Raiders looked like a team that could represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Quarterback Derek Carr emerged as one of the best in the business at the position, and the Raiders were 11-3 heading into their Week 16 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. From there, the wheels fell off, and the Raiders would be eliminated in the Wild Card round.
Carr broke his leg against the Colts late in the fourth quarter of the team’s blowout win, and the Raiders would lose their AFC West title the next weekend with Matt McGloin under center. To make matters worse, the team started Connor Cook in their first playoff game since 2002, and were quickly disposed of by the Houston Texans. The team should be healthy in 2017, but a big weakness continues to rear its ugly head in Oakland.
Despite going out of their way to bolster their secondary last offseason, the Raiders still struggled mightily against the pass. The team brought in Sean Smith to team with David Amerson at cornerback, and even that did not work. They should look to draft a player like Teez Tabor in April, as the young corner from Florida has all the tools to be a shutdown corner at the next level. Even if they do bring Smith back, Oakland needs help back there, and Tabor would be an instant upgrade over Amerson.
The Houston Texans have to be happy with their 2016 NFL season, even though it ended in the Divisional Round against the New England Patriots. Despite playing without their best player for nearly the entire year in J.J. Watt, the Texans put together the top-ranked defense in the league, winning the AFC South despite getting nothing from the quarterback position. That is a major cause for concern heading into next year, but you have to think Brock Osweiler is going to get another shot at the position.
Aside from spending big money on Osweiler last offseason, the Texans also brought in a solid running back in Lamar Miller. Miller proved to be as good as advertised, playing very well despite the lack of a passing game. Houston is set on defense, so they must look to bolster their offensive line with pick No. 25 in next April’s NFL Draft.
Cam Robinson is a big man, and is someone who can help an NFL team immediately at the offensive tackle position. He has good feet, and his strength is off the charts. He played on both sides of the line during his time with the Alabama Crimson Tide, though he may be better suited as a right tackle at the next level. Still, the Texans need help up front on offense, and Robinson would be a good, safe pick here this late in round one.
It seems like the Seattle Seahawks are a playoff team every year, and the 2016 NFL season was no different. While the season probably did not end up the way they would have liked, being crushed by the Atlanta Falcons in the Divisional Round, they do have the pieces in place to make another run next season. The biggest issue with this year’s team was that they were not healthy at the end of the season, and their lack of depth in the secondary certainly showed against Atlanta.
Watching Richard Sherman play against the Falcons, it looked like we may be seeing the end of him being an elite cornerback in this league. However, it was revealed afterwards that he had been playing with an MCL injury, which makes sense considering how badly he was beaten on nearly every play. Still, they need to bring in some help around him, and they may not have to look far to find it.
Sidney Jones has been a standout player for the Washington Huskies, helping lead the school to their best season in school history in 2016. He is used to playing in the cold of the northwest, and has the kind of shut down ability that would play well with Sherman and the rest of the Legion of Boom. If Earl Thomas comes back healthy, and the Seahawks take Jones, they are going to have one heck of a defensive backfield next season.
Throughout the 2016 NFL season, it was clear that the Kansas City Chiefs were the class of the AFC West. The only problem was, the Oakland Raiders kept winning, and by Week 17, the Chiefs were looking at a Wild Card berth in the playoffs. However, the Raiders lost to Denver that final game of the season, and the Chiefs were able to take care of business and lock up the No. 2 seed in the AFC Playoffs.
That would be the last of the good news for the Chiefs, who would be stunned at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional Round. While quarterback Alex Smith is a very good player during the regular season, fans have to be wondering whether or not he is going to be able to get it done in the big games. Kansas City needs to look to the future at the position, and a player like DeShone Kizer may be available to them at No. 27 this April.
Kizer may be the most physically gifted quarterback of the bunch this year, though many believe he should have staying in college one more season. However, drafting him makes sense for the Chiefs because they do not need him to start right away. Smith is the consummate professional at the position, and allowing Kizer to watch him everyday is going to go a long way in his development at the NFL level. He is going to be a good one, and the Chiefs need a long-term solution at the position.
What an incredible year it was for the Dallas Cowboys. During the preseason, starting quarterback Tony Romo broke his back, and it looked like the Cowboys were headed towards another disappointing season. However, rookie quarterback Dak Prescott played incredible under center, and after losing his first start, reeled off 11 wins in a row. The offense was led by two rookies, actually, as running back Ezekiel Elliott led the NFL in rushing.
The season ended on a low note, however, as the Cowboys would lose their only postseason game at home against the Green Bay Packers. Though it was a heartbreaking loss, you have to feel that this Cowboys team is ready to be good for a long time. The Cowboys made a bunch of picks to help their offense in 2016, including their first rounder, but they need to go defense with their first round pick in 2017.
Takkarist McKinley is a good looking pass rusher, who can get the edge just as well as any player in this draft. He is an explosive player, and his skill set would work perfectly down in Dallas. The Cowboys need to be able to get after the quarterback better, as we saw against Green Bay, where Aaron Rodgers was able to do whatever he wanted in the pocket. The Cowboys are very close to being a Super Bowl team, and a player like McKinley could make a huge difference next season.
The Green Bay Packers were left for dead this past regular season, as at 4-6, there was really nobody outside of the organization that thought they had a shot to make the playoffs. Despite the record, quarterback Aaron Rodgers let the world know that the Packers would be playing in the postseason, and he made good on that promise. The Packers would not lose another game in the regular season, beating the Detroit Lions in Week 17 to lock up the NFC North title.
In the playoffs, the Packers continued their magical run, beating the New York Giants in the Wild Card round. In the Divisional Round, the Packers knocked off No. 1 seed Dallas at home, setting them up for a matchup with the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game. Though the Packers would be drubbed by the Falcons, it was clear that Rodgers is certainly not done leading this team deep in the playoffs.
Another thing made clear by the loss was that they need some serious help in the secondary. Matt Ryan was basically allowed to do whatever he wanted to the Packers, embarrassing them in the biggest game of the season. They need to bring in a player like Adoree’ Jackson to bolster their secondary, and Jackson has the kind of physical skills that can shut down one side of the field. He will be a first rounder, and if he is still available at No. 29, he will help strengthen one of teh biggest weaknesses on the Packers roster.
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a successful season by any measure in 2016, making it all the way to the AFC Championship Game. In that game, the Steelers were embarrassed by the New England Patriots, who went on to win their fifth Super Bowl with Tom Brady at quarterback. While the Steelers were shorthanded due to the loss of Le’Veon Bell early in the game, it was really their defense that let them down in the biggest game of the season.
This week, the Steelers announced that they would like to bring back James Harrison for the 2017 NFL season. Harrison has long been the leader of the Steelers defense, and though he is up there in age, he is in terrific shape. While Harrison may come back, the Steelers do need to bring in some youth at the linebacker position, and Zach Cunningham from Vanderbilt would be a perfect fit.
Not only does Cunningham have the physical gifts to be a standout player in the NFL, but bringing him in to learn alongside Harrison would give the Steelers a nice bridge to their future. Nobody has a better work ethic than Harrison, and that is the kind of player you want your young guys to emulate. Cunningham has the size and strength to be a punishing player at the next level, and the Steelers need to make sure they improve their defense if they want to make another Super Bowl run in 2017.
It was a fantastic season for the Atlanta Falcons, who made it all the way to Super Bowl LI in Houston, Texas. The offense was a juggernaut throughout the year, as Matt Ryan went on to win his first NFL MVP Award. With offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan gone to San Francisco as their new head coach, the Falcons will have a different look this season, but all the weapons are in place for them to make another run.
While the Falcons are set at most of their skill positions on offense, they could use some help at tight end. David Njoku from Miami is an interesting prospect, possessing the kind of game-changing ability that teams need at the position nowadays. If the Falcons see him available this late in round one, they should look to make the pick to bolster one of their few weaknesses on offense.
As we saw with the Carolina Panthers last season, getting back to the Super Bowl in the NFC can be very tough. Still, the Falcons have one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and if they can get better on defense, they should be right back in the thick of things. Njoku can make plays happen, and would fit in perfectly in a Falcons offense that likes to score in bunches.
The New England Patriots won another Super Bowl earlier this month, and will head into the offseason with something they did not have last year. Due to the team’s role in Deflategate, the Pats were stripped of their 2016 first round selection among other penalties. In 2017, the team will be looking to capitalize on the final pick in round one, though they could be picking higher.
If they only have one pick, look for them to grab someone with some versatility, and that player could be Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey once again was dominant in 2016, shaking off a rough patch in the middle of the season to be the most productive back in the FBS. The Pats like to use a bunch of different looks with their running backs, and McCaffrey would fit that mold very nicely.
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There have been plenty of speculation that the team is looking to trade backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who is one of the more sought-after players this offseason. In exchange, the Pats are asking for a first round draft pick, which means they could draft as early as No. 12, where the Cleveland Browns will have their second pick of the first round. Still, McCaffrey should be available this late in round one, and if he is there, the Pats would certainly be able to use a player of his caliber in their backfield next season.