Round 11. Cleveland Browns OLB/DE Myles Garrett - Texas A&M Tempted to list everything under team needs although interior offensive line was addressed more than adequately in free agency. Stealing a 2018 second rounder from the Texans to absorb guaranteed money owed bust Brock Osweiler into their enormous cap space was an astute move. There has been some talk lately of a rift with the coaching staff preferring Garrett as the best player available and the owner with the backing of some members of the front office wanting to make a splash by taking Mitch Trubisky. Garrett's display of explosive athleticism at the combine only solidified his ranking as the top talent in this draft. Taking him and trading up from the 12th pick back into the top 6 for Trubisky or simply taking another QB later makes the most sense, although anything could happen with meddlesome owner Jimmy Haslam.
2. San Francisco 49ers S Jamal Adams - LSU Another team that basically needs everything. John Lynch has publicly declared his desire to trade this pick. Finding someone that wants to move up for Mitch Trubisky or anyone else in this deep draft may not be easy. Lynch has held his cards close to the vest with this pick remaining a total mystery. Adams is a hard hitting team leader with the intelligence to be an extension of new coordinator Robert Saleh on the field. While safeties traditionally do not go this high, Adams has the ability to make those around him better immediately. His style of play is not a perfect fit to cover the middle deep zone in the new scheme. Adams has the athletic ability to quickly adapt to the role. His dad George was a first round pick by the Giants as a RB. This pick has a trickle down affect in the secondary allowing Eric Reid to play in the box and Jimmie Ward to cover the slot.
3. Chicago Bears DE/OLB Solomon Thomas - Stanford Thomas is considered a bit of a tweener that may not be perfectly suited either inside or outside in a four man front, lacking the length to be a 5-technique in odd man fronts. His non-stop motor and play making ability can't be denied. John Fox has to find difference makers on both sides of the ball quickly to save his job. No matter where Thomas lines up in the base defense, his short term value will be tied to the ability to pressure the QB in sub-packages from both the interior and the edge.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette - LSU New head of football operations Tom Coughlin immediately puts his stamp on the franchise changing the focus of the offense. Fournette is a bruising every down back with the ability to break a big play at any time. His presence should take some pressure off Blake Bortles and by helping to control the clock also take pressure off the defense.
5. Tennessee Titans (from LA Rams) CB Marshon Lattimore - Ohio St Until Trubisky comes off the board anyone could legitimately trade down likely with the Browns. Lattimore started only his red-shirt sophomore season previously battling hamstring issues before coming out early. Incredible athleticism has vaulted him far-and-away to the top of the CB class. Signing Logan Ryan was a start to improving the secondary. Journeyman Brice McCain is currently the next best corner on the roster after fading Jason McCourty was released to free up cap space.
6. New York Jets QB Mitch Trubisky - North Carolina Starting over with what might be less talent than the Browns or 49ers. Failed in the 2009 draft with the fifth pick taking Dirty Butt FumbleSanchez after he had started only 13 games in college. Have also spent a pair of second rounders on Geno Smith and Christian Hackenberg plus a fourth rounder on Brice Petty in the past several seasons. All already seem like busts with Smith heading across the hallway at the Meadowlands (OK, MetLife Stadium) to backup Eli Manning. Trubisky started only 15 games in Chapel Hill and might be better off with less pressure than he will receive in the Big Apple (or swamps of Jersey anyway). That might happen even if the sixth pick is used on Trubisky. A trade down with the Browns could yield much needed extra picks plus the more experienced Watson.
7. Los Angeles Chargers S Malik Hooker - Ohio St Never replaced Eric Weddle after letting him leave as a free agent before last season. Hooker is an instinctive, athletic ball hawking safety that should step in immediately next to Jahleel Addae. Hooker from New Castle, PA came out as a redshirt sophomore after starting only a single season so there could be some growing pains.
8. Carolina Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey - Stanford McCaffrey while perhaps a luxury item with this pick would provide the offense with a different dimension. Injury prone Jonathan Stewart is on the wrong side of 30. Depth is pedestrian at best. McCaffrey, the son of former wideout Ed, uses his vision and elusiveness to make plays in the running, passing and return games. Cam Newton would have to appreciate being able to dump the ball off to McCaffrey when under excessive pressure.
9. Cincinnati Bengals DT/DE Jonathan Allen, Alabama Let a lot of talent leave in the last several years without adequate replacements. Finished 19th in the league in sacks last season with only 33. The experienced Allen would help address the problem from the interior. In base sets he could play the 3-technique or on the strong side at end. Allen missed no time the last three seasons, but there are reportedly concerns over moderate arthritis in both his shoulders which could cause him to fall into this area of the draft.
10. Buffalo Bills TE OJ Howard - Alabama Under-utilized as a receiver in Tuscaloosa, Howard is a physical freak with the size, athleticism and speed to create major mismatches. He is also an accomplished in-line blocker. A weapon is needed in the passing game to compliment injury prone Sammy Watkins. Howard is simply the best available regardless of position.
11. New Orleans Saints DE/OLB Derek Barnett - Tennessee Ranked only 27th in the league in sacks last season. In a division with Matt Ryan, Cam Newton and Jameis Winston that is an even bigger problem. The ultra-productive Barnett started as a true freshman and was all-SEC for three straight seasons. A lack of prototypical length and an explosive first step drops him out of the top ten despite his production.
12. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia) QB Deshaun Watson - Clemson Not necessarily sold on them taking a signal caller before the second round if they can't get Ohio native Mitch Trubisky. The staff is reportedly high on Davis Webb after coaching him in the Senior Bowl. While not predicting trades in this mock draft this pick is basically based on the Browns moving up for Trubisky with the team moving down perhaps the Jets, Jaguars or even Chargers targeting Watson. Watson is a proven leader and winner that seems the most likely of this class to step in immediately. He will need the offensive scheme tailored somewhat to his specific skill set.
13. Arizona Cardinals QB Patrick Mahomes - Texas Tech Carson Palmer's play has deteriorated rapidly, a long term replacement must be found sooner rather than later. Mahomes has flown up draft boards because of his arm skills and mobility. On the field he is an ultra-confident gunslinger that sometimes tries to do too much. Pure air raid offense QBs don't have a record of success at the next level. Having Bruce Arians as a teacher could only help. Mahomes is the son of a former major league pitcher of the same name.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota) DE Charles Harris - Missouri Harris rehabilitated his draft stock with an explosive pro day workout after disappointing at the combine. He has a quick first step and plays until the whistle blows. Currently better against the pass than the run, he needs to learn not to get engulfed by bigger blockers. Harris clashed somewhat with a new coaching staff last season not particularly fitting the scheme after breaking out the previous year. Originally had Gareon Conley being selected with this pick before his off the field issues, thought this was too high for Kevin King the next corner on my board.
15. Indianapolis Colts I/OLB Haason Reddick - Temple Ryan Grigson was finally fired, replaced by Chris Ballard formerly of the Chiefs so doing something that makes sense is no longer out of the realm of possibilities. Reddick provides much needed speed for the defense. He is scheme and position versatile. Against the run Reddick is a big hitter with excellent range. Versus the pass he is both an asset dropping into coverage and blitzing off the edge from either a standing position or with his hand on the ground.
16. Baltimore Ravens WR Mike Williams - Clemson Williams has prototypical size and speed with an incredible catch radius. He excels at short, intermediate and deep routes providing an excellent complement to Mike Wallace (and perhaps eventually Breshad Perriman). Williams needs to work on his focus in both catching the ball and route running after getting by on pure physical skill in college. A neck injury cost him the 2015 season.
17. Washington Redskins ILB Rueben Foster - Alabama Dysfunctional front office has alienated Kirk Cousins and is currently operating without a GM. The aggressive Foster is a physical sideline-to-sideline defender possessing a violent closing burst. His game tape warrants a higher selection. He didn't help his own cause testing positive due to a diluted sample before being thrown out of the combine after a verbal altercation with a medical worker.
18. Tennessee Titans WR Corey Davis - Western Michigan Davis is the all time leader in FBS receiving yards, totaling 52 TDs in his four years at Kalamazoo. A focused, fierce competitor that consistently dominated at his level of competition. Marcus Mariota hasn't had a true number one receiver to count on in Tennessee. Davis has the experience and skill set to fill the role immediately.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE David Njoku - Miami (FL) A work in progress, Njoku has elite athleticism and speed with the frame to add bulk. Experienced in-line, in the slot and as an outside receiver. His blocking is still a work in progress, but he has proven willing to work on that aspect of his game. Play making ability in the passing game is what gets him drafted this high anyway. Adding Njoku to Mike Evans and newly signed Desean Jackson would provide franchise QB Jameis Winston with a dizzying array of weapons.
20. Denver Broncos OT Ryan Ramczyk - Wisconsin Ramczyk has the athleticism to stick on the left side. He broke out in his single year as a starter in the Big 10 after beginning his career with Wisconsin-Stevens Point (his hometown). He didn't really come out of nowhere, originally turning down multiple division I scholarship offers including one from current Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst when he was at Pitt. Ramczyk had arthroscopic surgery on a torn labrum in his hip suffered in the bowl game.
21. Detroit Lions OLB/DE TJ Watt - Wisconsin Looking for a pass rusher opposite Ziggy Ansah. Watt provides some versatility in this scheme being able to either put his hand on the ground or stand up on the edge. He could even rush from the same side as Ansah in certain situation. His ability against the run is underrated. Watt was productive for only a single season and has limited experience on the defensive side of the ball. His athleticism and of course bloodlines are beyond reproach.
22. Miami Dolphins OG Forrest Lamp - Western Kentucky Need interior offensive lineman that can step in immediately and Lamp fits the bill perfectly. Four year starter at left tackle in Conference USA. Lacks the length and frame to stick outside full time at the next level. Has all the tools to succeed at guard. Handled top talent on the edge in matchups against SEC opponents including Alabama and LSU.
23. New York Giants OT Garrett Bolles - Utah Desperately need to find an athletic, pure left tackle to allow Ereck Flowers to move either inside or to the right. Bolles is an overage prospect that was All Pac-12 in his only season at the FBS level. He took an unusual path to the draft enrolling at Snow Jr. College at 22 after a troubled early life. Bolles has the quickest feet of the offensive linemen in the draft to counter speed rushers and the movement skills to get to the second level in the running game.
24. Oakland Raiders ILB Jarrad Davis - Florida Lack a presence in the middle of the defense. Davis is an experienced, high character, hard working leader that played every game as a true freshman. Did miss some time as a sophomore and last season due to injuries. Davis is a long, smooth athlete with a burst. He needs to work on avoiding blockers sometimes seeming to want to physically challenge them instead of focusing on the ball carrier.
25. Houston Texans OT/G Cam Robinson - Alabama Cut ties with Brock Osweiler at the cost of a second round pick, then were unable to procure the services of Tony Romo or any other veteran. Not sure if they are still hoping Romo ends his retirement leaving the broadcast booth. While Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden may not be measurably worse than Osweiler, a talented roster is being wasted because of horrific QB play. Moving up in this scenario may prove cost prohibitive so a later round pick would have to be used to address the position. Robinson was a top recruit and three year starter at the highest level of college football. Dominant at the point of attack with the ability to get to the second level in the run game. Lacks consistency in pass protection. May be best suited to the right side or inside which would be fine for the Texans given their needs.
26. Seattle Seahawks CB Kevin King - Washington Four linemen coming off the board in the six picks directly before them is a tough pill to swallow given the pathetic state of the offensive front. Trading up a few picks after the start of the run makes some sense. King is a tall, long zone border corner that tested off the charts at the combine. A perfect scheme fit that also has experience at free safety. Should Richard Sherman actually be traded this pick is infinitely more possible.
27. Kansas City Chiefs CB Marlon Humphrey - Alabama Looking for a bookend to play with Marcus Peters. Humphrey is the son of former Alabama and NFL RB Bobby. After redshirting he started for two seasons before coming out early. He has the prototypical physical skill set of a shut down corner. Problems playing the ball in the air and a tendency to rely too much on his physical skills over technique cause him to drop.
28. Dallas Cowboys DE/OLB Takkarist McKinley - UCLA Off the field issues derailed the career of suspended Randy Gregory. Demarcus Lawrence was also suspended last year for 4 games and has been hampered by back issues. Greg Hardy was a complete bust. The defense has been able to pressure the QB from the middle of the line, but need a lot of help on the edge. McKinley has a high motor and never quits on a play. An ascending player just coming into his own thanks to speed, agility and effort. He has long arms despite lack of prototypical height. He is still raw with extensive upside.
29. Green Bay Packers RB Dalvin Cook - Florida St Cook is a game breaker. A fluid, versatile runner with the ability to succeed in any scheme. Better on the edge than between the tackles, Cook is never the less a productive red zone runner that always fights hard to get into the end zone. Fumbles have been an issue. Inconsistent albeit explosive in the passing game, lack of pass protection skills could keep him off the field on third downs early in his career. Several run ins with the law of which he was eventually cleared could affect status. A gamble, but given the state of the depth chart and lateness of the pick worth the chance. Getting Cook out of Florida away from his friendscan't hurt.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers S/OLB/RB Jabrill Peppers - Michigan Had Peppers fall to the 30th pick in my first mock on a lark. Now after reports of him giving a diluted drug test sample at the combine this seems quite possible. Will the Steelers pull the trigger? The inability to decide how his incredible athleticism and versatility fits into a scheme along with a lack of turnovers produced are issues. Peppers is not a true strong safety although that will likely be his position in a base sets. In sub-packages he can cover slot receivers, drop into coverage from inside backer and blitz off the edge. Also is a dynamic returner that got some playing time on offense at running back and receiver. Some teams wanted to work him out on offense in the post season. Instincts have been questioned. Might have been better off not moving around so much in college. There are rumors swirling in Pittsburgh of the Steelers trying to trade all the way up to the fifth pick to take Mitch Trubisky. While that seems insanely unlikely the fallout among media and fans would definitely prove interesting.
31. Atlanta Falcons DE Taco Charlton - Michigan Another pass rusher for the edge in Dan Quinn's defense to pair with 2015 first rounder Vic Beasley. Charlton is the perfect physical specimen. While his play has improved every season in Ann Arbor, he remains maddeningly inconsistent.
32. New Orleans Saints (from New England) CB/WR Adoree' Jackson - USC Need all the talent they can get for the defense. Jackson is a high upside athlete with limited experience on defense. The improvement he showed this season in coverage was astounding. Lack of size and length a bit of a concern. Might be best suited to concentrate on playing in the slot. Will help as a return man and could even see some snaps on offense.
Round 233. Cleveland Browns - CB Tre'Davious White - LSU Started as a freshman in a deep and talented secondary known for producing pro talent. 34. San Francisco 49ers - WR John Ross - Washington Speed to take top off a defense despite slight build. Broke the combine 40 record set by CJ2K. 35. Jacksonville Jaguars - DT Malik McDowell - Michigan St Top 10 talent that no one wants to give a 4 year guarantee because of work ethic concerns. 36. Chicago Bears - CB Chidobe Awuzie - Colorado Can play outside or in slot with instincts, athleticism to compete for playing time immediately. 37. Los Angeles Rams TE Evan Engram - Mississippi Released Lance Kendricks coming off a 50 catch season. Depth chart after him is not awe inspiring. Engram is more weapon than pure tight end. A fast, explosive receiver that can serve as an outlet or stretch the field. Lack of size means he will never be an in-line blocker.
38. Los Angeles Chargers - OLB Tyus Bowser, Houston Ascending edge prospect most think was poorly utilized at Houston. 39. New York Jets - S Obi Melifonwu - UConn Speed for the back-end of a defense that severely lacks talent. 40. Carolina Panthers - DE/OLB Carl Lawson - Auburn Newly signed 37 year old Peppers a short term stopgap at best. 41. Cincinnati Bengals - G/T Dion Dawkins - Temple Looking to replace free agent departure Zeitler. 42. New Orleans Saints - M/OLB Zach Cunningham - Vanderbilt Immediate starter either in the middle or on the strong side. 43. Philadelphia Eagles - CB Quincy Wilson - Florida Last year's starters Carroll and McKelvin are both gone. 44. Buffalo Bills - CB Cordrea Tankersley - Clemson Gilmore departed as a free agent to the division rival Patriots. 45. Arizona Cardinals - S/CB Budda Baker - Washington Explosive, highly competitive albeit undersized free safety and slot corner. 46. Indianapolis Colts - RT/G Taylor Moton - Western Michigan New GM gets Luck some protection, something old GM should have done several years ago. 47. Baltimore Ravens - OLB/DE Jordan Willis - Kansas St Unlikely to bring Dumervil back, Suggs not getting any younger. 48. Minnesota Vikings OG Dan Feeney - Indiana Arguably have the worst offensive line in the NFL. At least brought in journeymen Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers as placeholders at tackle. Feeney is an experienced four year starter and two time team captain. A good pass protector with the athleticism to get to the next level, Feeney lacks power at the point of attack.
49. Washington Redskins - RB Alvin Kamara - Tennessee Kelley, Jones and Thompson all lack big play ability. Jones reportedly will be released. 50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - RB Joe Mixon - Oklahoma Gamble on first round talent with well documented off the field issues. 51. Denver Broncos - DE Chris Wormley - Michigan High character 5-technique that can move inside in sub-packages. 52. Cleveland Browns (from Tenn) - S Marcus Williams - Utah Fluid, instinctive ball-hawking pure center fielder. 53. Detroit Lions - WR Zay Jones - East Carolina Career and single season NCAA record holder for most receptions. 54. Miami Dolphins - DE Derek Rivers - Youngstown St Fast riser. Rumors have him going as high as 31 to the Falcons. 55. New York Giants - QB DeShone Kizer - Notre Dame Time to start searching for Eli's replacement. 56. Oakland Raiders - OLB/DE Tim Williams - Alabama One dimensional pass rusher with off the field issues fills an immediate need. 57. Houston Texans - QB Davis Webb - California Fast riser with top arm skills. His coming from a pure air raid scheme is a concern. 58. Seattle Seahawks - DT Larry Ogunjobi - UNC Charlotte Son of Nigerian immigrants. Started every game in his fledgling college program's history. 59. Kansas City Chiefs - WR/RB Curtis Samuel - Ohio St The kind of RB/WR tweener that Reid seems to gravitate towards. 60. Dallas Cowboys - S Marcus Maye - Florida Lost both Church and Wilcox in free agency. 61. Green Bay Packers - ILB Raekwon McMillan - Ohio St Depth chart at inside linebacker bereft of talent. 62. Pittsburgh Steelers CB Fabian Moreau - UCLA Took two defensive backs with their first two picks last season. Could that be repeated? The need definitely still exists. Moreau is a raw, converted RB that lost develop time in 2015 due to a Lisfranc injury. Think Ike Taylor with more explosive athleticism and hopefully better ball skills as he develops. Moreau put on a show at the combine before tearing a pectoral muscle at his pro day.
63. Atlanta Falcons - OG Dorian Johnson - Pitt Highly recruited OT that moved inside due to team needs and flourished. 64. Carolina Panthers (from NE) - CB Jourdan Lewis - Michigan Domestic violence allegations could conceivably drop him much lower. Round 365. Cleveland Browns - WR Chris Godwin - Penn St 66. San Francisco 49ers - OLB/DE Tarell Basham - Ohio 67. Chicago Bears - S Josh Jones - North Carolina St 68. Jacksonville Jaguars - TE Gerald Everett - South Alabama 69. Los Angeles Rams - CB Teez Tabor - Florida 70. New York Jets - C/G Pat Elflein - Ohio St 71. Los Angeles Chargers - WR JuJu Smith-Schuster - USC 72. New England Patriots (from Carolina) CB Sidney Jones - Washington Excellent value for the master Bill Belichick. Top prospect that tore his Achilles at pro day workout.
73. Cincinnati Bengals - WR Cooper Kupp - Eastern Washington 74. Baltimore Ravens (from Phil) - OG Isaac Asiata - Utah 75. Buffalo Bills - OT Antonio Garcia - Troy 76. New Orleans Saints - QB Nathan Peterman - Pitt 77. Arizona Cardinals - OG Danny Isadora - Miami FL 78. Baltimore Ravens - DT Dalvin Tomlinson - Alabama 79. Minnesota Vikings - OLB Ryan Anderson - Alabama 80. Indianapolis Colts - CB Ahkello Witherspoon - Colorado 81. Washington Redskins - DE DeMarcus Walker - Florida St 82. Denver Broncos - ILB Duke Riley - LSU 83. Tennessee Titans - ILB Alex Anzalone - Florida 84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - S Desmond King - Iowa 85. Detroit Lions - CB Jalen Myrick - Minnesota 86. Minnesota Vikings (from Miami) - DT Montravius Adams - Auburn 87. New York Giants - TE Adam Shaheen - Ashland 88. Oakland Raiders - CB Cameron Sutton - Tennessee 89. Houston Texans - S Eddie Jackson - Alabama 90. Seattle Seahawks - OT Roderick Johnson - Florida St 91. Kansas City Chiefs - DE/DT Nazair Jones - North Carolina 92. Dallas Cowboys - WR ArDarius Stewart - Alabama 93. Green Bay Packers - CB Shaquill Griffin - Central Florida 94. Pittsburgh Steelers DE Tanoh Kpassagnon - Villanova Kpassagnon has a huge body and long frame with the tools to be one or two gap 5-technique end. The Steelers seemed to show more interest in him than any other prospect in the draft process talking to him at the combine, attending his pro day and hosting him for a visit. Raw and played against a lower level of competition. Kpassagnon could line up all along the line in sub-packages and excelled as a kick blocker.
95. Atlanta Falcons - TE Jake Butt - Michigan 96. New England Patriots - C Ethan Pocic - LSU 97. Miami Dolphins (comp) - DT Devin Godchaux - LSU 98. Carolina Panthers (comp) - OT Julie'n Davenport - Bucknell 99. Philadelphia Eagles (comp from Balt) - RB Samaje Perine - Oklahoma 100. Tennessee Titans (comp from Rams) - S Justin Evans - Texas A&M 101. Denver Broncos (comp) - WR Carlos Henderson - Louisiana Tech 102. Seattle Seahawks (comp) - OG Nico Siragusa - San Diego St 103. New Orleans Saints (comp from Clev thru NE) - WR Chad Hansen - California 104. Kansas City Chiefs (comp) - OLB/DE Deshon Hall - Texas A&M 105. Pittsburgh Steelers (comp) OLB Trey Hendrickson - Florida Atlantic Hendrickson solidified his stock at Shrine Game practices. He is a high effort player that would immediately contribute on special teams. Has decent size, but short arms. Needs to add lower body strength to set the edge against the run.
106. Seattle Seahawks (comp) - WR Amara Darboh - Michigan 107. New York Jets (comp) - ILB Anthony Walker - Northwestern Day 34 135 Pittsburgh Steelers RB Marlon Mack - South Florda RB coach James Saxon ran Mack through drills at his pro day workout. LeVeon Bell has had multiple injuries and suspensions in his career. A backup better than Knile Davis or Felix Toussaint is a priority. Mack is a big play threat with quick feet and an explosive burst. He scored 15 TDs last season, 6 from 40 yards or longer.
5 173 Pittsburgh Steelers WR Kenny Golladay - Northern Illinois Martavus Bryant has been conditionally reinstated. Obviously he can't be counted on to stay out of trouble. Golladay provides a different dimension than the other receivers on the roster. He is tall and long with a huge catch radius and enough speed. Has frame to get stronger. Route running and blocking technique an issue, but those are the type of problems pro coaching can fix. Sort of a weird career as a fairly highly rated recruit that ended up at North Dakota and transferred closer to home after a coaching change.
6 213 Pittsburgh Steelers TE Jason Croom - Tennessee Croom is a project former receiver with a huge frame. He displayed exciting athletic explosiveness at the combine. Shows a willingness to improve as a blocker so might not be limited to a move TE role.
7 248 Pittsburgh Steelers I/OLB Pita Taumoepenu - Utah Undersized for the edge, Taumoepenu has the physical traits to move inside. He is exceedingly raw having moved back to the US from Tonga at 17 with only a single year of HS football and 7 total college starts.
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