I reviewed my 2016 Mock Draft 2.0 and found that I got...(drumroll) seven picks right!
Let's hope for better luck this year! Here's my 1st round mock. Read it and weep!
1. Cleveland Browns- Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
I am not buying into the rumors that the Browns are considering drafting Michell Trubisky first overall. I'm guessing those rumors were created to get possible trade suitors so the Browns can get another massive package of draft picks like last year. The Browns are a team that has had horrible luck with acquiring talented players. Myles Garrett is the consensus best player in the draft. He is a rare talent, and the obvious choice for the Browns, barring a massive trade package.
2. San Francisco 49ers- Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
The 49ers are switching to a 4-3 defense, and Thomas is a versatile, athletic player who can embody San Fran's new look. Edge rushers are becoming more and more important as the NFL grows to be even more a passing league.
3. Chicago Bears- Jamal Adams, S, LSU
After running a 4.33 40-yard dash at his pro day, I no longer understand the question as to who the best safety in the draft is. Adams paired with Adrian Amos in the back of the defense could become a lethal combination, as I'm not sold on Quintin Demps being signed to the team to be a starter.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars- Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
It may be overkill, but the Jaguars are trying to bolster their defense. Sheldon Day, their 4th round draft pick last year, would move into a rotational role here, as the Jags couldn't pass up on the idea of having Calais Campbell, Dante Fowler, Malik Jackson, and Jonathan Allen shoring up their defensive line.
5. Tennessee Titans- Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Marcus Mariota needs weapons, the Titans have the chance to take the best wide receiver in the draft here. When Williams ran a 4.5 40-yard dash and showed that he could keep up
6. New York Jets- Mitchell Trubisky, QB, N.C. State
The Jets are in need of a pocket passing franchise quarterback. I don't think Trubisky is the answer, but I think he can try to be, and is the best chance at fulfilling this need for the Jets.
7. Las Angeles Chargers- Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
The Chargers could use a cornerback, and Lattimore is arguably the best player available, other than Leonard Fournette. The Chargers need a corner, not a running back, so they take the best one there is.
8. Carolina Panthers- Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Fournette+Cam Newton=trouble for a defense. This is dastardly.
9. Cincinnati Bengals- O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
The Bengals invested in a wide receiver in the first round of the draft last year, so I don't see them doing it again. They do add a weapon with Howard, an elite talent at tight end.
10. Buffalo Bills- Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Best player available, Hooker has tremendous upside at safety after having only started for a year with arguably the best team in college football.
11. New Orleans Saints- Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
The Saints are looking for anyone on defense. Conley is the best corner here, and with Adams and Hooker gone, it's between a pass rusher and a corner. Foster is great at linebacker, but this is a passing league, and Conley is a better corner than Derek Barnett is a pass rusher.
12. Cleveland Browns- Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
The Browns need a quarterback who can win, and Watson may not be the most talented QB, but he can win.
13. Arizona Cardinals- Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Larry Fitzgerald is getting really old, and there isn't enough talent at QB this early in the draft, especially with Watson being drafted. Davis can be a dynamic wide receiver for years to come.
14. Philadelphia Eagles- Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Best player available, and a corner is not of good value at this point in the draft. Foster and Hicks can anchor the defense for a decade, taking the Eagles defense one step closer to becoming elite. Foster will also likely replace Mychal Kendricks, who is looking to be dealt on draft night.
15. Indianapolis Colts- Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
The Colts reach here for a pass rusher. I do not buy into most of the pass rushers after Garrett and Thomas, but the Colts bite on the Michigan product.
16. Baltimore Ravens- John Ross, WR, Washington
I have not kept my appreciation of Ross a secret, I believe he can be a game changer for any team, and the Ravens' investment in Breshad Perriman didn't pan out as hoped. Ross is faster and a more proven player.
17. Washington Redskins- Jabrill Peppers, LB/S, Michigan
The Redskins are moving Su'a Cravens to safety, but Peppers is another hybrid player like Cravens who can fill at linebacker or cover on the back end too. The Redskins continue to add versatility to their secondary and linebacking corps.
18. Tennessee Titans- Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
Having added arguably the best wide receiver in the draft, the Titans elect to pick arguably the best corner in the draft (by Matt Miller's standards).
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Looking to add a pass-rusher, Barnett is good value at 19.
20. Denver Broncos- Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
The Broncos are the first in a line of tackle-starved teams in the NFL, beating the Giants and Seahawks to the pick. Expect teams to try to trade up to pick before the Broncos.
21. Detroit Lions- Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
Reddick is an athletic linebacker who can rush the passer and play a more traditional role. The Lions could use both styles of player.
22. Miami Dolphins- David Njoku, TE, Miami
Njoku could be considered a best player available pick here, but the Dolphins could use a weapon at tight end. Njoku has a massive ceiling, and is an upgrade at the position. At 22, this is tremendous value.
23. New York Giants- Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
As mentioned with the Broncos, the Giants are in need of an offensive tackle. They get a stud in Bolles.
24. Oakland Raiders- Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
The Raiders are looking to add a linebacker, and Jarrad Davis has the tools to be a very good coverage and traditional linebacker in the middle of the defense. He may be a bit of a reach at 24, but not by much.
25. Houston Texans- Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
The poor Texans look to replace Brock Osweiler, and Mahomes is their best option. Mahomes has a lot of developmental potential, so he may be drafted to sit behind Tom Savage for a while.
26. Seattle Seahawks- Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
The Seahawks come out of the first round with the Alabama tackle, who is good value at 26, and could hopefully shore up the offensive line.
27. Kansas City Chiefs- Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
With Harris falling this far into the draft, he is both a position of need, an upgrade, and a best player available selection here. He can learn and develop next to Justin Houston.
28. Dallas Cowboys- Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
My favorite corner in the draft, he is slated to go in the late first, early second rounds. Humphrey is a very aggressive, very young corner who has a very high ceiling and isn't afraid to hit.
29. Green Bay Packers- Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
White follows Humphrey, as a smaller, coverage corner who could help improve the Packers' defense either on the outside or in the slot.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers- Deshone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
Ben Roethlisberger is getting old, and was toying with the idea of retiring this season. To me, that means he'll retire next season, and the writing is on the wall for the Steelers: they need to find a replacement. Kizer has a lot of potential, but has a lot of work to do to be a solid starter in the NFL.
31. Atlanta Falcons- Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky
The Falcons have few needs in the draft, but they upgrade their offensive line and at good value.
32. New Orleans Saints- Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA
Having already selected a young cornerback, the Saints look to add a complementary pass-rusher. The Saints are looking for defensive players, and they grab a pair of defenders with high ceilings.
My goal is to have gotten at least 8 picks right this year (improvement is improvement). Now, please, disagree with me in the comments.
