- Myles Garrett OLB Texas A&M (Cleveland)
The Cleveland Browns are in rebuilding mode and there are more holes to fix than quarterback. Myles Garrett’s athleticism is off the charts and his SEC experience provides him a safe pick for the Browns. Draftniks have been anticipating this pick for a while.
- Mitch Trubisky QB North Carolina (San Francisco)
This isn’t the year for a team looking for a quarterback, but it’s a quarterback league and Trubisky has the best chance of being a franchise quarterback. It will be interesting how he transitions to an NFL style offense and if he can maintain consistency.
Chicago is also rebuilding and Jamal Adams is an immediate star. Adams has few holes in his game and his instincts are unmatched in this draft. Look for him to be a positive locker room presence on a team that has struggled as of late.
- OJ Howard TE Alabama (Jacksonville)
Jacksonville is a team rebuilding and some may question if this is too early for a tight end. Personally, I think Bortles still has a future and Howard provides a weapon for their offense. Howard will have to answer questions about his love of football, but his potential is outstanding. Howard will be a matchup nightmare for opposing offenses.
- Marshon Lattimore CB Ohio State (Tennessee)
Tennessee needs a #1 corner and Lattimore is the most complete corner in this class. He could be the fix they need in their pass defense. Lattimore being a bump and run corner fits well in Tennessee’s system. Lattimore struggled with injuries at Ohio State but showed enough his last year to get drafted high. Not to mention his 4.3 forty yard dash!
- Derek Barnett OLB Tennessee (NY Jets)
The Jets are strong up front, but this will upgrade their front seven. Pass rush is the key to building a defense; so, why not take the Tennessee Volunteers all-time leading sack leader? Barnett is the second best edge prospect in this draft with a speed rush and a solid bend.
- Jonathan Allen DL Alabama (San Diego)
Allen is one of the best players in this draft and probably the star of Alabama’s defense. Teams, when they interview him, are going to like him. Look no further than his article in the player’s tribune. San Diego’s defensive line is transitioning from a 3-4 to a 4-3 and Allen fits the hybrid of the two. Allen will be able to rush from the edge and anchor a side of their defense. He could fit early as a defensive end and beef up to play in the interior. He many be undersized for a defensive tackle, but his athleticism is undeniable.
- Leonard Fournette RB LSU (Carolina)
Fournette is such a natural fit for the Panthers and this will be a great value pick. Fournette is one of the best running back prospects in some time and his downhill running style will fit with Carolina. This is the kind of move that will take the pressure off of Cam Newton and help the team control the clock. I would also consider Dalvin Cook here, but his troubles with the law and Carolina’s preference for power backs make Fournette the likely pick.
- Reuben Foster OLB Alabama (Cincinnati)
Some have Solomon Thomas here, but I don’t see how he fits in a 4-3 system. Foster is a natural fit as a will linebacker. Cincinnati tends to like SEC and power five conference players. Foster may be a little stiff in coverage but can help get after the quarterback with creative blitzes and will be stout in run support.
- Malik Hooker FS Ohio State (Buffalo)
Buffalo needs to upgrade their secondary and Malik Hooker provides the best value at this pick. Hooker is probably the best centerfielder in this draft and they are going to need the help with the trading of Stephon Gilmore. You could immediately plug in Hooker at Free Safety and he will discourage teams from throwing deep.
- Gareon Conley CB Ohio State (New Orleans)
New Orleans needs to add help at corner and Conley is the best available. Although he may not be the best Ohio State corner, he does have skill set that an NFL teams will want. He is a long corner who can play in different schemes and runs a 4.4 forty. This may be a little early to take Taco Charlton.
- Corey Davis WR Western Michigan (Cleveland)
The Browns have a lot of needs but lets not forget that they lost Terrell Pryor. Cleveland’s defense was not necessarily the reason they had a rough 2016. Davis will test well from an analytics standpoint as he broke records at Western Michigan for FBS football. He will provide a deep threat for Cleveland and be a target for Brock Osweiler or whomever the Brown’s QB of the future is.
- DeShone Kizer QB Notre Dame (Arizona)
The Cardinal need a QB of the future and so a flier on DeShone Kizer makes sense. Kizer will be a hit or miss prospect, but the NFL is such a quarterback driven league. He will probably start the season on the bench, but if he will eventually be given a chance because of his upside.
I know the Eagles have a dire need at cornerback but there is plenty of depth in this class and in my opinion, is not a top heavy cornerback class. Cook completes the Eagles offense having the vision to take advantage of Philadelphia’s stout offensive line. He also takes the pressure of the Eagles young quarterback, Carson Wentz.
- Solomon Thomas DE Stanford (Indianapolis)
Indianapolis will want to add a high upside pick with their concentration toward the future. Thomas has a high upside and will fit in the Colt’s odd front. I think at 15 this is a good value pick.
- Taco Charlton OLB (Baltimore)
Baltimore is always looking to reload at the outside linebacker position and Charlton has the upside to fit in the shoes of a team that expects a lot from their edge rushers. Baltimore will need a stout pass rusher to continue their reputation as a stout AFC defense.
- Christian McCaffrey RB (Washington)
McCaffrey will immediately be at the top of the redskins rotation of running backs and will make their offense more dynamic. McCaffrey will also be used in the slot and will compete for the kick return and punt return duties.
- Mike Williams (Tennessee)
Tennessee is looking to add to their receiver core and Williams will be a welcome addition. His size and ability to come up with the catch will aide in Tennessee’s building of a passing game.
- Jabrill Peppers S Michigan (Tampa Bay)
Peppers is the most polarizing pick in this draft. He seems to be able to play so many positions, special teams, punt returner, kick returner, safety, outside linebacker, running back and maybe slot receiver. It’s hard to project how NFL teams see him, but he seems to fit best as a safety. The team that gets the most value out of Peppers will be able to use his versatility to their advantage. I put Peppers here because the Bucs biggest need is supposedly safety and think that is his best fit. Peppers has the speed to play in the secondary and the toughness to play in the box.
- Malik McDowell DE Michigan State (Denver)
Denver will need to upgrade their offensive line; however, this draft is weak at that position. McDowell will fit well in the 3-5 tech range and the Broncos need someone at defensive end on the other side. McDowell has great upside as he will be able to anchor against the run and has pass rushed at the edge. He could provide some interior pressure along with the edge pressure from Von Miller.
- Haason Reddick OLB Temple (Detriot)
Some people may think this is an edge rusher pick, but Reddick is more of a fit as an off the ball linebacker. He will help the Lions get more pressure on the quarterback while being a dynamic playmaker in coverage and against the run. This is a good value pick this late in the first round.
- Forrest Lamp G Western Kentucky (Miami)
The Dolphins have some weaknesses on the offensive line, but they drafted Laremy Tunsil last year. He played guard for them last year, but the Dolphins can get his full potential by moving Tunsil to tackle. This leaves a guard spot open and Lamp is the best lineman in this draft.
Offensive tackle is a glaring need for the Giants and Ramczyk is the best pure tackle in this draft. I thought about Cam Robinson at this spot but I think teams will worry about his mobility this early in the draft. Ramcyzk has a smaller frame but makes up for it in technique and football smarts. Wisconsin has a history of good linemen and Ramcyzk will at least be able to keep pass rushers in check. Ramcyzk’s highlight in 2016 was blocking Taco Charlton.
- Zach Cunningham LB Vanderbilt (Oakland)
The Raiders need some help at linebacker. They need a guy in the middle but will have to settle for a guy more suited for the outside. Tackling is his biggest weakness, but the Raiders could do worse at 24. Cunningham has been a fast riser and seems to be around the ball a lot.
- Deshaun Watson QB Clemson (Houston)
Houston will be hurting for a quarterback and will need another option to compete with Weeden and Savage. The push for Tony Romo never worked out, but Watson may just be what Houston wanted all along. Watson was a two-time Heisman finalist and a National Champion. The stage of quarterbacking a playoff team may not be too big for him. He has the tools to succeed in terms of size, arm strength, and athleticism. I worry if his game is suited for the NFL in terms of decision-making, but Houston doesn’t have many options at this point.
- Cam Robinson T Alabama (Seattle)
Seattle is in need of offensive line help especially at tackle and will have to take Cam Robinson. I thought about Bolles here, but Bolles is still a raw prospect. Robinson has SEC experience having been able to handle Myles Garrett and Derrick Barnett. I don’t see Robinson being the best tackle in the league, but I think he is able to close off the space for good pass rushers. If he can’t keep Wilson upright, he will have a good career as an offensive guard.
- Tre’Davious White CB LSU (Kansas City)
White will be a great value pick at this point in the draft as Kansas City will need another corner. White has the press skills to play opposite Marcus Peters and will be their slot guy on third down. Nelson is still a young corner and the Chiefs will want to shore up their secondary.
- Jordan Willis DE Kansas State (Dallas)
This is somewhat of a risky pick, but the Cowboys need to go defense in this draft. Willis is a high motor guy who will be able to set the edge. He will need to improve on his dip and his bend to be an effective pass rusher. You can’t expect some holes when picking at 28.
- Kevin King CB Washington (Green Bay)
The Packer will need to upgrade at the corner position and Kevin King is an intriguing prospect. His height is unusually large for a corner and his speed was impressive at the combine. Humphrey is an option, but he is more of a zone corner that could develop into a press corner.
- Carl Lawson OLB Auburn (Pittsburgh)
The Steelers biggest need is an edge rusher as they have not been able to get after the quarterback like the Steelers of old. James Harrison will be back for another year, but in his late 30s, he will need someone to spell him from time to time. Lawson is a speed rusher and had success in the SEC. The biggest concern is his injury history and if that is an issue Pittsburgh would probably go Charles Harris here.
- Charles Harris DE Missouri (Atlanta)
The defending NFC Champs will be happy to know in a draft that is deep enough with edge rushers that Charles Harris is still on the board. Atlanta needs to bulk up on the line but will need to wait to find options to upgrade their offensive line. Missouri is becoming a factory for pass rushers.
- John Ross WR Washington (New Orleans)
This will be an excellent value pick at #32. Ross broke Chris Johnson’s 40 yard dash time at the combine. The Saints will want another speedy receiver to replace Brandin Cooks and Ross provides that talent. Ross’ competitiveness will do well in a competitive football market like the Saints.
