The 2017 NFL Draft is only five weeks away, which leaves plenty of time for players to move up and down the board. Here is our latest 2017 NFL Mock Draft.
Beginning on April 27, the latest crop of NFL stars will be drafted to their respective teams. There is only five weeks left for prospects to improve their draft status, as most colleges are going through their Pro Day in the coming weeks. There has also been speculation about trades involving first round picks as of late, so the draft board could look a whole lot different by the time the Cleveland Browns hand in their first pick.
Here is our latest 2017 NFL Mock Draft.
With five weeks until the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns are still in control of the No. 1 overall pick. Last year, the Browns traded away their No. 2 pick to the Philadelphia Eagles, which was used on quarterback Carson Wentz. While the Browns are still searching for a quarterback of their own, the likely pick at No. 1 will be edge rusher Myles Garrett from Texas A&M.
Garrett has an incredible blend of size and speed, and he put on quite a show during the NFL Scouting Combine. The Browns need a player of his caliber along the defensive line, as he would give them the kind of pass rusher they need to be competitive in the AFC North. Cleveland has a long way to go until they are a relevant team in the NFL, but it seems like they have a good plan in place.
The Browns also pick at No. 12 this year, the pick they received when they traded away No. 2 last year. That pick will likely be used on a quarterback, though there has been rumors they will trade that pick to the New England Patriots in order to get Jimmy Garoppolo. Cleveland has done a nice job bolstering their offensive line this offseason, bringing in Kevin Zeitler and J.C. Tretter, so bringing in a playmaker on the other side of the ball has to be the priority at No. 1 next month.
The San Francisco 49ers have done a nice job this offseason changing the organization from the top down, bringing in a new general manager and head coach. Last year, the 49ers struggled to put a legitimate NFL team on the field, and they have spent the last few months adding some quality pieces to their roster. Gone is quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has been replaced by Brian Hoyer, who signed on to a two-year deal to be the team’s signal-caller until they find a long-term solution.
Aside from Hoyer, the 49ers brought in fullback Kyle Juszczyk and wide receiver Pierre Garcon, giving the 49ers much more talent on that side of the ball. On defense, San Fran grabbed Earl Mitchell from Miami, adding a quality defensive lineman to the team. With the No. 2 overall pick, the 49ers should look to add more beef to their defensive line, and Jonathan Allen may be the most NFL-ready player in this draft.
Allen has had some issues with his shoulder, and that is forcing some people to drop him later in round one. However, Allen has the kind of talent that is going to be hard to pass up, especially for a 49ers team that has been downright awful on defense in recent years. New GM John Lynch is a defensive guy, so expect him to draft a defensive player with the first pick of his tenure as the main man in charge in San Francisco.
The Chicago Bears came into the offseason with holes all over their roster, and after losing star wide receiver Alshon Jeffery to free agency, it looked like it would be another lost year in the Windy City. While the loss of Jeffery is a big one, the Bears have brought in a number of players to fill that role, though none with the kind of star power of a player like Jeffery. Chicago signed wide receivers Marcus Wheaton and Kendall Wright, who will be the main targets for newly acquired quarterback, Mike Glennon.
On the defensive side of the ball, Chicago brought in defensive lineman John Jenkins this past week, giving them some added bulk on the defensive line. The Bears play in a division where you have to be strong up front, and with their 4-3 defense, Jenkins should end up being a nice pickup. At No. 3, look for the Bears to bring in a player to bolster their secondary, more specifically a safety who can be a game-changer.
Jamal Adams is the top-rated safety on our board, edging out Malik Hooker of Ohio State, who is trying to come back from two off-season surgeries. Adams is a ball hawk from his safety position, and is one of those rare players who is not afraid to come up and make the big hit. With 49ers GM John Lynch being a former safety, he may scoop Adams up at No. 2, but we are counting on him being there for the Bears with the third overall pick.
The Jacksonville Jaguars made some big splashes during free agency for the second year in a row, bolstering their defense in the process. The Jags brought in A.J. Bouye from the Houston Texans, inking one of the better cornerbacks available. On the defensive line, Jacksonville signed Calais Campbell away from the Arizona Cardinals, giving them a dominant force up front against the pass, and run.
Joining Bouye in the secondary will be Barry Church, giving the Jags a stellar safety for the first time in years. With all the moves on defense, it looks safe to say the Jags will go with an offensive player at No. 4, and Leonard Fournette is the best offensive prospect in this draft. Fournette is the most NFL-ready running back available, and he would be a major upgrade over Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon.
There is no telling who will be under center for the Jaguars this season, as Tom Coughlin is non-committal when it comes to Blake Bortles. Still, there is no true franchise quarterback in this draft, and the Jags are going to need to run the ball more consistently if they hope to move to the top of the AFC South. Fournette can give them the kid of game-changer they need in the backfield, serving as a nice compliment to star wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns.
Holding the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans swung a deal with the Los Angeles Rams, as they had no need to draft a quarterback at No. 1. The Titans selected Marcus Mariota in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and in 2016, he established himself as one of the better young arms in the game. Heading into 2017, the Titans need to bring in a true play-making wideout on the outside, and Mike Williams of Clemson is the best player at that position in this draft class.
So far this offseason, the Titans have made a couple of moves to bolster their defense. They filled a need at cornerback by giving big money to former New England Patriot Logan Ryan, and signed Jonathan Cyprien away from Jacksonville to be their safety. Those were two areas where the Titans may have used this pick prior to those signings, so it makes sense for them to grab Williams at No. 5.
Williams showed the kind of heart he has during the 2017 NCAA Championship Game, fighting off what appeared to be a concussion to make some huge plays for the Tigers. With a national title under his belt, Williams will head to the NFL with the confidence needed from a true WR1 at the next level. The Titans should be a playoff team this season, and with another pick later in round one, they just may be the favorite in the AFC South.
The New York Jets made a semi-big splash on Monday, signing veteran quarterback Josh McCown to a one-year deal. The thought all along was that the team would not draft a quarterback high in this draft, as they are still figuring out what to do with Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty. The signing of McCown means they will try to grow those two young quarterbacks for one more season, with their eyes on drafting a franchise guy in a loaded 2018 NFL Draft class at the position.
During the offseason, the team has said goodbye to some huge names on their roster. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall, center Nick Mangold, and cornerback Darrelle Revis have all be let go by the team, as they enter a rebuilding phase. At corner, the team signed Morris Claiborne to fill the vacancy left by Revis, but they should still look to draft that position with the sixth-overall pick in April.
Marcus Lattimore has the kind of talent that coaches drool over, and he comes into this draft as the premier player at a premier position. It is so important to be strong at cornerback, and adding Lattimore to the fold in New York will make that position a strength once again in 2017. Lattimore will eventually develop into a Pro Bowl player for the Jets, who need to stockpile young talent as much as they can.
For the first time in over 50 years, the Chargers will represent a city other than San Diego. The Bolts made the move to Los Angeles this offseason, and will head to LaLa Land with a pretty solid roster in place. Los Angeles was a hard-luck loser far too often in 2016, but with a new head coach in place, the tides could be changing for the Chargers as they make the move to Los Angeles.
Quarterback Philip Rivers is still one of the best in the game, and is coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2016. The Chargers made the move to bring in Russell Okung to protect him in 2017, as he has had to run for his life over the past few seasons. On defense, the Chargers secondary has long been an issue, especially at safety, and that is where they should look to draft in April.
Los Angeles has already signed Jahleel Addae this offseason, but that does not mean they should pass up on a player like Malik Hooker. Some believe Hooker is the most talented player in this draft, though he is going to need some time to get back on the field. Hooker is out 4-to-6 months after having surgery on a torn labrum and hernia, but there is no doubt he will be back at 100 percent by the time the Chargers head to camp this summer.
Solomon Thomas has been shooting up the draft boards as of late, and rightfully so. The standout defensive lineman from Stanford is a rare blend of size and speed, and should be able to fit in any defensive scheme at the next level. The Carolina Panthers need some help up front, and bringing in Thomas would give them an elite pass rusher, as well as someone who can help against the run.
The 2016 NFL season was a struggle for the Panthers, who came into the year fresh off a berth in Super Bowl 50. They were manhandled in the game by the Broncos, though many expected them back in the playoffs in 2016. That did not happen, and because of that, an already stacked roster will get to pick in the top-ten picks come April.
Carolina brought Julius Peppers home this offseason, adding a strong pass rusher to the fold for next season. Adding Thomas would give the team a devastating line on defense, as they also brought back Charles Johnson and Mario Addison this past month. The NFC South is an offensive division, so anything the Panthers can do to counteract that will serve them well next season.
For the Cincinnati Bengals, they have to come into the 2017 NFL season with a win-now attitude. For years this team has been one of the more talented in the league, though incredibly, they have never won a playoff game under Marvin Lewis. That has to change next season, or else Lewis’ long tenure with the team just may come to an end.
Cincinnati has some great playmakers on both sides of the ball, but they have a glaring need to add depth to the linebacking group. Reuben Foster is the best linebacker in this draft class, and while his NFL Scouting Combine did not go as planned, that should not affect his draft status at all. He is an extremely talented player, and he has the look of a player who can dominate in a very tough AFC North next season.
Foster ran into some trouble during the scouting combine, as he was sent home due to an issue with a hospital worker. While that could turn some teams away, there is no way a team like Cincinnati won’t grab him if he is available at No. 9. The Bengals have the pieces in place to be a playoff team in 2017, and with the Steelers and Ravens reloading this offseason, they cannot afford to take a step back.
The Buffalo Bills finally pulled the trigger on a decision with the quarterback position, restructuring Tyrod Taylor’s contract to ensure he will be with the team next season. Taylor gives first-year head coach Sean McDermott an experienced player under center, and one who has played some fantastic football during his two years as a starter. In order for Taylor to continue to develop, the team needs to bring in some offensive weapons, which means they should spend their first round pick on a playmaker.
There are a few big-time wide receivers in this draft class, but few standout more than Western Michigan’s Corey Davis. Davis did not participate in his pro day due to an ankle injury, but that should do little to affect his draft status. He showed during his time with the Broncos that he can make every catch, and teamed with Sammy Watkins, he would give Taylor two very good wide receivers to choose from.
Buffalo lost Robert Woods to free agency this offseason, so the need to fill that one is a big one. They have already brought in some reinforcements in the backfield in Mike Tolbert and Patrick DiMarco, and for a team who already has LeSean McCoy, this offense could be explosive in 2017. The AFC East has been owned by the New England Patriots for the last 15 years, but Buffalo is slowly putting together a nice team in upstate New York.
The New Orleans Saints are putting on the full-court pressure to grab Malcolm Butler from the New England Patriots, which means this slot may belong to the Pats by the time the draft rolls around. The Pats placed a first-round tender on Butler, who has proven to be one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL over the past three seasons. If the Saints do hold the pick, expect them to draft a cornerback of their own, and Marlon Humphrey would be a nice selection at No. 11.
Humphrey is the son of former NFL running back Robert Humphrey, so the youngster from Alabama knows what it takes to make it in this league. He plays with incredible passion, possessing the kind of swagger you need from a shutdown cornerback. He is going to be a very good player at the next level, and the Saints need all the playmakers they can get on the defensive side of the ball.
Thanks to the trade the Saints made with the Pats earlier in the preseason, they will also draft at No. 32 in the first round. That should enable the team to bring in two good, young players on defense, as they could also use help in the pass rush. New Orleans still has a ton of firepower on offense, so a bolstered defense should be what they need to finally crack the seven-win mark in 2017.
With their second first round pick in April, the Cleveland Browns will have their choice of quarterbacks, as we do not expect one to go before the No. 12 pick. Teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, and New York Jets have brought in stopgaps this offseason at the position, so expect Mitchell Trubisky to be available to the Browns when they pick again. Last week, we had Trubisky going to Houston at No. 25, but after a shaky Pro Day by Deshaun Watson, we like Trubisky to land with his hometown Browns at No. 12.
Trubisky started only one season for the University of Tar Heels, but he did enough to warrant himself jumping to the draft this April. Not only did Trubisky shown incredible arm strength, but he also showed that he has teh best decision-making ability of the quarterbacks in this draft. The Browns need someone who can play right away, and Trubisky showed in 2016 that he can be productive in his first year under center.
The NFL is a very tough place for rookies, so expect anybody the Browns draft to struggle playing quarterback next season. With Trubisky, you are getting a player who is from the area, who could be the franchise quarterback this organization has been waiting for. The Browns may decide to go with Watson here, but we feel Trubisky is the safer pick, as he has the skill set to start right away in the NFL.
The Arizona Cardinals got some great news earlier in the offseason, when starting quarterback Carson Palmer announced he would be coming back for another season. The Cardinals were worried when Palmer moved out of the state, taking his kids out of school in the process. Not only will he return, but also Larry Fitzgerald, who seems to be ageless at this point in his career. A healthy David Johnson returning is going to make the Cards tough to stop on offense, and they should return to being a playoff team.
Not only did the Cardinals get some good news on offense, but they also locked up star linebacker Chandler Jones. Recently, the team has let it be known that they need to get Palmer’s eventual replacement, and we like Deshaun Watson going to the team at No. 13. Watson playing behind Palmer for at least a season would give him the time to grow he needs, and he will likely be a better pro quarterback in the future because of it.
This team is ready to win now, so there is no need to throw Watson into the fire. Palmer has had his share of injuries, but him being able to help Watson develop is just what the Cardinals need at this point in his career. Watson has proved to be a winner during his time with the Clemson Tigers, and he should bring his stellar attitude to whichever organization decides to select him in the first round in April.
For the past few months, we have been expecting the Philadelphia Eagles to draft a wide receiver with the No. 14 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Last year, rookie Carson Wentz had to depend on Jordan Matthews as his top option on the outside, and while Matthews played well, he is not a legit WR1. To combat that, the Eagles went out and signed Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith this past month, giving Wentz a plethora of options on the outside in 2017.
Running back Darren Sproles was a Pro Bowl player in 2016, but he is starting to get up there in age. The Eagles cannot rely on him to be the feature back next season, so going with a player like Dalvin Cook will be the play for them on draft night. Cook had a record-breaking career at Florida State, and will head to the draft as one of the top-two running backs in this draft class.
Philadelphia plays in a very tough division, and cannot afford to take a step back in 2017. The organization needs to continue to put the pieces around Wentz so he can develop, and having Cook standing behind him will make his life a lot easier next season. The Eagles should be in the mix for a playoff spot if they can play defense, as a they should be pretty loaded on offense when September rolls around.
The Indianapolis Colts had a rough 2016 NFL season, as they failed to make the playoffs once again. The team played inconsistent football throughout, and incredibly, were still up for a playoff spot up until late in the season. As they head to 2017, they need to do something about their offensive line, as the lack of talent is starting to have a domino effect on the rest of the roster.
Franchise quarterback Andrew Luck has spent too much time on his back during his NFL career, and the hits have to be adding up. The Colts need to do everything they can to make sure he plays a long time with the team, as they invested a ton of money into him last offseason. Bringing in a quality offensive lineman has to be the key for the Colts in April, and no player is better than Ryan Ramczyk in this draft class.
Ramczyk is a beast of a player, who should be able to stay on the left side of the line at the next level. He has shown during his time at Wisconsin that he has incredible feet, and if the Colts truly want to make an investment along the line, they should spend the No. 15 pick on him. Indianapolis has a ton of playmakers returning on offense, but they will be rendered useless if Luck cannot get a minute to breath in the pocket.
The Baltimore Ravens are doing everything they can to stay relevant in the AFC North, bolstering their defensive secondary this offseason. The Ravens brought in Tony Jefferson from Arizona to play safety, and inked cornerback Brandon Carr to a four-year deal. Brandon Williams signed a huge deal to remain with the team, giving the Ravens a solid core of defensive players for next season.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Ravens had their worst loss of the offseason, as wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. retired from the game. His efforts on and off the field will be hard to replace, but drafting a player like John Ross in the first round could lessen that blow. Ross broke the NFL Scouting Combine record with a 40-yard dash time of 4.22, and Joe Flacco and his big arm would like nothing more than to throw him so go-routes this season.
Baltimore signed Danny Woodhead this offseason, so that should give them another quality weapon on offense. Woodhead is coming off a torn ACL, so it will be interesting to see how productive he is out of the gate. Still, Baltimore should be very tough on defense, and they have proven in the past that they can win Super Bowls behind a strong defense, and quality players on the other side of the ball.
What exactly is going on with the Washington Redskins? The Redskins should be in a happy place, after winning the NFC East in 2015, and then nearly making the playoffs last season. Instead, the team fired the general manager who put the pieces in place, and refused to give a long-term contract to the quarterback that has helped them erase memories of the mistake that is Robert Griffin III.
On the field, the Redskins made a couple solid moves this offseason, though their losses outweigh their gains. The team said goodbye to star wide receivers Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, replacing the tandem with Terrell Pryor of the Cleveland Browns. On defense, the Redskins brought in safety D.J. Swearinger, helping improve an area that was a significant weakness in 2016.
At No. 17, the Redskins need to do something about their defensive line, and Malik McDowell is a perfect fit for their defensive scheme. He has the size and strength to play inside, or out, and has an incredible first step for a player of his size. The Redskins need to be better against the run, especially in the NFC East, because if they continue to get pushed around, it will be another year outside of the playoffs.
The Tennessee Titans will go offense with both of their first round picks in April, or at least that is what we would like to think they will do. After selecting standout wide receiver Mike Williams at No. 5 overall, the Titans will bring in another offensive playmaker in O.J. Howard, who could prove to be an elite tight end at the next level. Howard was not used correctly in Alabama’s offense during his time in college, but Marcus Mariota will certainly find a way to get him the ball if he lands with the Titans.
Current tight end Delanie Walker is still a productive player, but at 33 years old, the team has to be looking for his inevitable replacement. The Titans have done a nice job stocking up on draft picks, and young talent, and appear headed towards a decade of relevancy in the AFC. If Howard does fall to the Titans, they have to like the way he would fit in their schemes offensively.
The AFC South is going to be up for grabs next year, and the Titans should certainly be in the mix. The Jacksonville Jaguars made a ton of moves to bolster their defense this offseason, so the Titans need to continue to get better on offense. Tennessee already has a stellar run game, and the addition of Williams and Howard would be just what Mariota needs to take the next step in his development.
If there is one thing that is clear during this free agency period, it is that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ready to take the next step as an organization. After nearly making the playoffs last season, the Bucs went out and got some good talent this offseason, and will head into the 2017 NFL Draft with a solid roster on both sides of the ball. They still have some areas of need, but this team is going to be very good next season.
Quarterback Jameis Winston took a big step forward last season, as he continues to show by the Bucs took him with the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. This offseason, the Bucs went out and got him another weapon, as the team signed star wide receiver DeSean Jackson from Washington. With a ton of weapons on offense in place, the Bucs need to go defense in April, and Jabrill Peppers is quite the weapon to add to that side of the ball.
Peppers was the most versatile player in college football last season, and after playing all over the field in college, he will make a permanent switch to safety at the next level. That bodes well for Tampa Bay, who have a glaring weak spot in the defensive secondary at that position. Bringing in a player like Peppers not only makes them better on defense, but also in the return game, where he can take it to the house on any given play.
The Denver Broncos have a lot of questiosn as they head to next season, including who is going to be the team’s starting quarterback when they open their season in September. Trevor Siemian did a nice job in that role last season, playing very well for a guy who was starting for the first time in his NFL career. The Broncos failed to make the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl the year before, so expect John Elway to put together another solid team to make a run this season.
Head coach Gary Kubiak is gone, after retiring for health reasons this offseason. His replacement, Vance Joseph, has never been a head coach before, which should make this season interesting. The Broncos still have one of the better defenses in the league, but that unit took a hit when DeMarcus Ware shockingly retired earlier this month. They need to draft a player to take his spot, and Hasson Reddick could fill that role nicely.
Reddick is an incredible physical specimen, and he is built to be an game-changer at the NFL level right now. The Broncos won a Super Bowl two years ago by having an elite defense, and they cannot afford to take a step back, especially with the questions at quarterback and running back. Drafting defense is the way to go in April, and if Reddick is available, they need to take him to lessen the blow left by Ware’s departure.
The Detroit Lions can look at their 2016 season in one of two ways. They can either be happy that they made it to the playoffs in their first year since the retirement of star wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Or they can be sad that they only made it to the playoffs as a wild card, after giving up a huge lead in the NFC North to the Green Bay Packers in the second half of the season.
Whichever way they want to slice it, the Lions were a playoff team in 2016, and they should do everything they can to keep moving forward. The team did a nice job this offseason bringing in reinforcements on the offensive line, replacing the departed Riley Reiff with Rick Wagner. At guard, the Lions were able to snatch T.J. Lang away from those Packers, giving them the best free agent player at that position.
The Lions were beaten bad in their playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks, as they failed to do anything on offense. The lack of a true weapon in the run game hurt them late in the season, and they should look to fix that in April. Christian McCaffrey was an incredible player at Stanford, and after a standout performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, he cemented his place as a legitimate first-round draft pick in April’s draft.
The Miami Dolphins are an organization moving in the right direction, and they finally have the right head coach in place. Adam Gase did an incredible job in his first season with the team, leading the Fins to a surprising wild card berth. A late season injury to quarterback Ryan Tannehill hurt any chance they had to advance past the first round, but that should definitely be the goal heading into next season.
Tannehill had a nice season for the Dolphins, who seem content on him being the franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future. Miami also saw the berth of a legitimate star at running back, as Jay Ajayi exceeded everyone’s expectations last year. Miami needs to add pieces to their offensive line, and they should be able to get Western Kentucky’s Forrest Lamp with the No. 22 pick in the first round.
Lamp showed during the NFL Scouting Combine that he belongs in the first round, and he would be an instant starter in the NFL. He is going to be the best guard in this draft, and would fit nice on a Miami offensive line that needs help in the worst way. The AFC East is a tough division, but the Dolphins proved they can play with anybody during their impressive run during the second half of the season. Now they need to draft a player to protect their biggest assets.
The New York Giants were very weak on defensive in 2015, as they were unable to stop anybody during Tom Coughlin’s last season with the team. In 2016, new head coach Ben McAdoo had the luxury of having a revamped defense, and he was able to get the Giants back to the playoffs for the first time in five years. Now they have to build on that success, and it should start with them bringing in help on the offensive line.
Last offseason, the Giants spent all their time bolstering their defense, and it certainly worked out for the better. In 2017, the Giants need to bring in someone who is going to allow Eli Manning time to throw, and Garett Bolles is definitely a legitimate left tackle at the NFL level. He is a mountain of a man, and would give the Giants someone who they can rely on at the position for the next ten years.
There are not many years left in Manning’s career, and they have the pieces in place defensively to make a serious run next season. New York just spent a ton of money to bring Jason Pierre-Paul back, and they added a strong offensive weapon in Brandon Marshall earlier in the offseason. The Giants brought in D.J. Fluker from Los Angeles to add depth to the offensive line, but more help is needed if they want to feel comfortable up front next season.
The Silver and Black are back, and if the 2016 NFL season is any indication, they should be good for a very long time. After being dormant for most of the beginning of the offseason, the Raiders made some solid moves in recent weeks, bringing in tight end Jared Cook and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Those two moves fill two huge voids in their roster, and set quarterback Derek Carr up for another successful season in 2017.
Last offseason, the Raiders did a lot of work to bolster their secondary. They brought in Sean Smith from rival Kansas City, and spent their first round draft choice on safety Karl Joseph from West Virginia. The moves were like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound, as the team was burnt often in the passing game. They need to use their first round pick on a defensive back again in 2017, and Tre’Davious White would be a nice pick at No. 24.
White is a tremendous talent, and has the kind of skill set needed to be a shutdown corner at the next level. The team is still invested in Sean Smith, which means White could play on the other side with the likes of David Amerson. The more defensive backs the better for Oakland, who could find themselves playing deep into the playoffs next season.
Last offseason, the Houston Texans made one of the biggest mistakes in the history of their franchise. The team offered Brock Osweiler a huge contract after seeing him start a handful of games for the Denver Broncos the year before, setting the wheels in motion for what would be a frustrating season offensively. Luckily for the Texans, they had the highest-rated defense in football, all the while doing it without NFL Defensive MVP J.J. Watt.
As they look towards next season, there is still a huge hole at the quarterback position. Osweiler has been traded to the Cleveland Browns, meaning that Tom Savage is the next man up in Houston. The Texans cannot be happy with that situation, as they need to make sure they do not waste these years with an elite defense. Of all the quarterbacks in this draft, Patrick Mahomes II has the most NFL-ready arm, and the Texans may take a chance with him at No. 25.
Mahomes played his college ball in Texas, as he starred at Texas Tech in Kliff Kingsberry’s Air Raid offense. While he certainly has the arm talent, he does need to work on his footwork, which may delay him being a starting quarterback in the NFL. Head coach Bill O’Brien is not afraid to go with the young guy at quarterback, which means Mahomes could be the starter from day one if the Texans take him in April.
The Seattle Seahawks made it back to the playoffs in 2016, though they saw their dreams of a third Super Bowl in four years end in the Divisional Round. Quarterback Russell Wilson had another terrific season under center, and wide receiver Doug Baldwin emerged as a legitimate WR1. This offseason, the Seahawks have added running back Eddie Lacy to the fold, giving them three decent players in the backfield.
Last season, the Seahawks looked lost against the pass in their playoff loss to the Packers, though for good reason. Earl Thomas was not playing due to injury, and cornerback Richard Sherman was battling an MCL injury. Still, the Seahawks showed they need to add quality depth to their Legion of Boom defense, and Gareon Conley would be a nice player to plug in alongside Sherman in the secondary.
The Seahawks are reportedly open to trading Sherman, which would be a bad idea at this point. Seattle needs to add depth to their secondary, not trade away someone who is a premier player at the cornerback position when healthy. Expect the Seahawks to draft a corner in April, and if Conley is still on the board, they should seriously give him a long look.
The Kansas City Chiefs won the AFC West last season, boasting a roster that was second to very few in the league. This offseason the Chiefs did a nice job in bringing back a fan favorite, inking Eric Berry to a contract that should keep him with the team for the rest of his career. The team did lose Dontari Poe to free agency, but were able to sign Bennie Logan to fill the void left by their big nose tackle.
As the team looks to build on a successful 2016 campaign, they have to be concerned with the age of one of their star players on defense. Derrick Johnson has been the main man for the Chiefs for the past 12 seasons, but he will be 35 years old during the 2017 season. Kansas City needs to draft his eventual replacement, and Zach Cunningham of Vanderbilt fits the mold perfectly.
Cunningham is quiet the player, and he is one of the best middle linebackers in this draft. He also has the speed to play on the outside if needed, making him one of those players who can plug into any defensive scheme. The Chiefs have questions surrounding the quarterback position, but at No. 27, they would be better serves adding a quality defensive player and looking to the second round, or next year’s draft for Alex Smith’s replacement.
The Dallas Cowboys shocked the world with how well they played during the regular season in 2016, as they relied on two rookies to get them back to the top of the NFC East. First round pick Ezekiel Elliott led the NFL is rushing, while quarterback Dak Prescott won the NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. The problem with the Cowboys season was how it ended, as they were beaten at home as the No. 1 seed in the NFC Playoffs by the Green Bay Packers.
This offseason, the Cowboys have done little to help their chances of repeating in the NFC next season. They have basically let their entire defensive secondary go, as Morris Claiborne, Barry Church, and Brandon Carr will all be playing in different places next season. They need to fill the void at the cornerback position in April, and Teez Tabor of Florida would be a nice pickup at No. 28.
Tabor had had his off-the-field issues during his time with Florida, but that kind of stuff has never stopped team owner Jerry Jones from drafting someone. The Cowboys play in a division that loves to pass, so they cannot afford to be so light in the secondary next season. Tabor has the skill set to be a shutdown corner as a rookie, and the Cowboys need someone who is going to do more than just fill a roster spot at the position.
The Green Bay Packers had an incredible run to the playoffs last season, erasing a 4-6 start to finish the regular season at 10-6. Green Bay then went into the playoffs and ran off two victories, earning a spot in the NFC Championship Game. While the Packers got throttled in the game, they showed the NFL that they are still one of the best teams in the league.
In 2017, the Packers need to build off that success, but they are having a pretty peculiar offseason. They have seen Eddie Lacy, T.J. Lang, and Julius Peppers all leave via free agency, while picking up Martellus Bennett and to fill in the role left by the departed Jared Cook. The loss of Peppers could prove to be a big one, as he was still a fearless pass rusher this late in his career.
At No. 29, the Packers should be able to grab a player who can fill the void left by Peppers. Taco Charlton played along the defensive line in college, but he has the speed to be an outside linebacker at the next level. Whether he plays on the edge, or at linebacker, he is going to be a very good player at the next level, and would fit in perfectly in the Packers defensive scheme next season.
It has been a very busy offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who spent the time bringing back the core of their offense in recent weeks. Star wide receiver Antonio Brown, and standout running back Le’Veon Bell will both be back in 2017, and it looks like quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be returning as well. The Steelers made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game last season, but showed some serious issues on the defensive side of the ball in their blowout loss.
While Big Ben, Brown, and Bell are returning on offense, the defense got a boost this offseason as well. Star linebacker James Harrison signed on for two more seasons, giving the Steelers a little more time with the unquestioned leader of their defense. As the team looks to the future, they need a player who is going to have that same kind of impact on that side of the ball, and Takkarist McKinley could prove to be a top-flight player very soon.
McKinley has had some issues with his shoulder during his time at UCLA, and that is the only reason he is not a top-ten draft pick. He has the size and speed to play all over the defensive line, and just may end up being one of the top players to come out of this draft class. The Steelers need good, young depth on their defense, and McKinley gives you the kind of player who can be a playmaker from day one along the defensive line.
The Atlanta Falcons head into the offseason fresh off the worst letdown in Super Bowl history. Leading the New England Patriots by 25 points in the second half, the Falcons defense just ran out of gas, and Brady was able to pull off the stunning comeback. Atlanta should be a favorite in the NFC to return to the Super Bowl next season, but as we saw with Carolina, it is always a long road back.
In 2016, the Falcons offense was stellar, as Matt Ryan won his first NFL Most Valuable Player Award. The quarterback threw for nearly 5,000 yards, leading the Falcons to one of the best seasons in team history. There is little else they can do to improve their offense for 2017, but bringing in a pass-catching tight end is definitely an area that could help.
David Njoku of Miami (FL) is a freak of an athlete at the tight end position, and would give Ryan the best tight end he has had since Tony Gonzalez. He definitely is a first round talent, so he could certainly be gone by the time the Falcons draft at No. 31. If available, he would give Ryan an incredible weapon over the middle, allowing his stellar wideouts to be even more productive in 2017.
The New Orleans Saints let Brandin Cooks walk this past offseason, as they traded him away to the New England Patriots in a deal that included the Pats first rounder in 2017. That pick is the last of the first round, where there should still be some talented pass-rushers available. The Saints need to be able to get after the quarterback in the NFC South, and Derek Barnett of Tennessee is very good at doing just that.
Barnett finished his collegiate career at Tennessee as the all-time leader in sacks. That record was held by NFL Hall of Famer Reggie White, who was pretty good at getting after the quarterback during his playing days. The Saints need someone who is going to be able to get the edge, and they just may find that guy at the bottom of the first round.
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The NFC South is loaded with quality quarterbacks, as the Saints play Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, and Jameis Winston each twice per season. A bolstered secondary is only going to go so far, as their inability to attack the quarterback upfront will be exploited next season. Adding Barnett to a defensive line that includes Nick Fairley will give the Saints a strength in an area that has been atrocious the past few seasons.