2017 NFL Mock Draft

Mock drafts are the most fruitless tasks a writer can undertake. For months, hardcore draftniks break down film, crunch numbers, sift through rumors and rack their brains to come up with the ultimate round-by-round prognostication.....only to watch it crumble to pieces within the draft's first hour.

Trades, surprise selections, smoke screens and players with fluctuating draft stocks make it hard to get a read on how things will go. Even the most plugged-in analysts (Mel Kiper Jr, Daniel Jeremiah, Josh Norris, Adam Schefter, Mike Mayock, etc.) are lucky to escape the opening salvo hitting above .300 on their mock.

So, why bother doing them, right?

For football fans, there's nothing like the NFL Draft. It's the only event where, in theory, all 32 teams get better. Despite the frustrations of watching hours of work instantly go asunder, there's a certain element of fun that goes into such a challenging task.

Case in point, I decided to come out of writing retirement just to type up this mock draft, which is the first one I've done in years and the first post on this site since 2012. However, I told myself that if I was going to dust my shoulders off to do this again, it would have to be different from past editions.

That's why I'm introducing trades (some highly unlikely to actually occur) for the first time ever and making selections based on what I believe teams should do. If I fail miserably, screw it. I have no inside information. No sources. No advanced knowledge of the game. I'm just a guy staring at a computer screen asking you to read this here masterpiece.

So, without further ado....here....we....go.

1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE/LB, Texas A&M

It speaks volumes about the Cleveland Browns organization that this pick is even in doubt. Despite Warren Sapp's pessimism, the 6-foot-5, 262-pound Garrett is the best player in this draft and provides an identity for a team that doesn't have one on either side of the ball. Garrett notched 31 sacks, 141 tackles (47 for loss) and forced seven fumbles during his three-year stint with the Aggies.

He will join an emerging Browns defense that already includes LB Jamie Collins, DT Danny Shelton, CB Joe Haden and DE Emmanuel Ogbah. That is, if Cleveland doesn't waste this spot on UNC QB Mitchell Trubisky.

2. San Francisco 49ers: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

I don't think anyone can safely say they have any earthly idea what new GM John Lynch is going to do with this pick. Owners of arguably the least-talented roster in the league, there are no wrong answers here. They could use a QB in the wake of Colin Kaepernick's release. They could go defense with a lineman like Stanford DE Solomon Thomas or a safety such as LSU's Jamal Adams or Malik Hooker from Ohio State.

Ideally, the Niners would trade down, stockpile picks and grab the best player available. Unfortunately, with no clear-cut No. 2 prospect after Myles Garrett, teams aren't in a rush to move up to this spot.

At the end of the day, this team needs to find a way to score points and Leonard Fournette is the best offensive player in this draft. Yes, the team already has Carlos Hyde on the roster, but he's struggled to stay healthy and isn't close to the kind of talent that Fournette is.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Fournette is considered the best RB prospect since Adrian Peterson. That's right. Better than last year's MVP candidate Ezekiel Elliott. Better than Rams runner Todd Gurley. Better than Steelers bellcow Le'Veon Bell. Whether that high praise comes to fruition will be dependent on Lynch's ability to build around him. In the meantime, he's a weapon who takes the ball out of the hands of an unproven passing game and keeps opposing offenses off the field.

3. Chicago Bears: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford

When you have to play the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Matt Stafford twice a year, you need a pass rush that will make things uncomfortable in the pocket. The Bears did a surprisingly good job of getting after quarterbacks last season, notching 37 sacks as a team (12th in the NFL). That's why it wouldn't shock me if Chicago goes for a corner like Marshon Lattimore or Gareon Conley (both from Ohio State) here to shore up a unit that grabbed just eight interceptions last season. Safety is also an area of opportunity for the Monsters of the Midway.

However, Lattimore's hamstring is a concern and Conley is currently under a microscope following rape allegations. Thomas is a safe pick who would fill a need on the defensive line and bolster a pass rush that already includes LB Leonard Floyd. The 6-foot-3, 271-pounder can move around the line and is coming off a junior season where he tallied 8.5 sacks.

The Bears also desperately need a quarterback, even after the signings of Mike Glennon and Mark Sanchez, but third overall is a bit high for any of the signal-callers in this draft.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama

A year after missing out on Ezekiel Elliott, the Jags come up short again in their attempt to improve the league's 22nd-best rushing attack. If Jacksonville is desperate for a running back, I wouldn't rule out Stanford's Christian McCaffery here to pair with Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon.

However, new Jaguars personnel guru Tom Coughlin became a two-time Super Bowl champion in New York by utilizing a relentless pass rush centered around a rotating defensive line. The team added Calais Campbell in free agency to a group that includes fellow free-agent signing Malik Jackson, former first-round pick Dante Fowler as well as promising LBs Myles Jack and Telvin Smith.

Now, Jonathan Allen enters the fray. Allen won the Chuck Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski, Ted Hendricks awards as well as SEC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior under Nick Saban. He's racked up double-digits sacks in each of the last three years. He can spell Campbell early on and play inside or outside in passing situations.

There are concerns over the 6-foot-3, 290-pounder's shoulder, which is why he may drop on draft night, but the Jags should be elated if he's still on the board at No. 4.

**TRADE**

Cleveland sends their first-round pick (No. 12 overall), a second-round pick and a fifth-rounder to Tennessee for the No. 5 overall pick.

With multiple picks in the first two rounds, the Browns use their assets to move ahead of QB-needy teams in New York and Buffalo. Tennessee's biggest needs are WR and CB, the two deepest positions in this draft. The Titans are also without a second-round pick, so taking advantage of Cleveland's desperation (much like they did with the Rams last year) makes sense.

5. Cleveland Browns (from Tennessee via L.A. Rams): Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

There is no way the Browns can leave this draft without a long-term answer at quarterback. Years of futility have left Cleveland with sophomore Cody Kessler and Houston castoff Brock Osweiler atop the depth chart. That's why you're hearing rumblings about the Browns taking Trubisky No. 1 overall. They just can't afford to come up empty-handed here.

Now, let me pre-order my plate of crow right now: Mitch Trubisky is not a top-10 pick to me and I have doubts he'll be a solid NFL QB. He played just one season at UNC, and while his numbers were good (3,748 yards, 30 passing TDs, 6 INTs), he's not the kind of can't-miss prospect that I'd cash in assets for. There are some who compare him to the Raiders' Derek Carr, but keep in mind that Carr has Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree to throw to. Trubisky will be slinging passes to Kenny Britt and Corey Coleman.

Regardless, this move satisfies the clamoring for a QB and gives Cleveland a chance at respectability. The Browns may also stay put at No. 12 and hope Clemson's DeShaun Watson or Texas Tech's Pat Mahomes falls, but something tells me they're going to move up to get their guy.

6. New York Jets: Jamal Adams, S, LSU

The bad news for the Jets is they have a lot of holes and not enough picks. Other than defensive line, there's not a spot on the roster that doesn't need to be addressed. The good news for Gang Green is they land a blue-chipper with the selection of Jamal Adams.

The 6-foot-1, 211-pound Adams is considered the best safety in this draft and his complete set of tools draws comparisons to Chiefs' All-Pro Eric Berry. Adams would pair with fellow first-rounder Calvin Pryor to give New York a formidable safety pair in a secondary that will also welcome Morris Claiborne at corner. The pick won't solve all of the woes for a defense that finished 29th in both sacks and INTs, but it's a start.

If Cleveland doesn't strike a deal with Tennessee to move up, New York better hope the Browns call them instead. The Jets could use the extra picks and the drop down won't stop them from adding a marquee defender.

7. Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State

It wouldn't surprise me if Hooker and Adams flip-flop here. Both would be excellent additions in Gus Bradley's scheme playing the Earl Thomas/Jonathan Cyprien role. The Chargers tied for the league-lead in interceptions last year with 18, but also allowed opposing air attacks to complete 62.8 percent of their attempts (15th) and compile 3,987 yards (20th).

The Chargers' defense already features reigning Defensive ROY Joey Bosa, LBs Melvin Ingram and Denzel Perryman as well as interception leader Casey Hayward. With the addition of Hooker and the tutelage of Bradley, this could be one of the best groups in football next year.

However, what about a quarterback? Hear me out now.

Philip Rivers will be 35 years old in December. He's entering his 14th season in the pros. He's lead the league in interceptions twice in the last three years. The team is moving to Los Angeles, a city obsessed with stars and one of the biggest markets in the country. Who is the face of this franchise after Rivers is gone? If an opportunity presented itself to take someone to groom as Rivers' heir apparent, would the Chargers pass it up? They didn't in 2004, when they took Rivers to eventually replace Drew Brees.

8. Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

This was Alabama TE O.J. Howard's spot for a while, but it's hard to ignore the C-Mack hype train heading towards Flair Country. Incumbent RB Jonathan Stewart is 30 years old and his career has been littered with injuries. He hasn't played a full 16 games since 2011 and has one 1,000-yard rushing season under his belt (2009). He's coming off a 2016 campaign where he averaged 3.8 yards per carry and had just one 100-yard performance. The Panthers' rushing attack was at its best when it mixed The Daily Show's brute force with DeAngelo Williams' quick feet as a runner and receiver.

It would appear McCaffrey (son of Broncos legend Ed McCaffrey) has all the tools to be the new D-Will. His skill-set draws comparisons to LeSean McCoy as an explosive play-maker who is a threat to take it to the house whenever he touches the ball. As a sophomore, he notched 2,664 all-purpose yards as a sophomore, breaking Barry Sanders' collegiate record. He followed that up by racking up 1,913 yards and 16 TDs this past season.

Two years removed from being a Super Bowl runner-up, the Panthers don't have a ton of needs. If they can rejuvenate their offensive attack with their surprisingly-high draft slot, they could be chasing after the Lombardi again as soon as this season.

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple

Life came at the Bengals fast. The team is coming off a 6-9-1 season and that might just be the start of their downward spiral. Once an intriguing dark-horse title contender, the Bengals have come apart thanks to a combination of free-agent losses, costly playoff mental lapses and general ineffectiveness.

The Bengals need an influx of talent in their front seven, preferably someone who can rush the passer. Fortunately, Temple's Hassan Reddick checks both boxes. One of the fastest-rising prospects in the draft, Reddick's versatility intrigues coaches around the league. He walked on as a cornerback in 2013, spent some time on the edge as a hybrid DE/OLB his last three years for the Owls moving inside and putting on a show at the Senior Bowl. With Alabama's Reuben Foster sliding due to character concerns, Reddick might hear his name called early as the first LB off the board.

Foster could still land in this spot, given Cincy's love for knuckleheads. The team could also trade down for offensive line help after losing two starters in free agency or add more firepower at wideout. There is talk of possibly adding a tight end like O.J. Howard to eventually replace the oft-injured Tyler Eifert.



10. Buffalo Bills: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama

I don't feel good about this one because I think there's a stark contrast between what Buffalo should do and what Buffalo will do. On the one hand, the Bills haven't had a franchise QB since the Jim Kelly days of the 1990's. Tyrod Taylor has his moments, but his contract expires after next season and the lack of talent around him hinders his chances of success. It's understandable if Buffalo moves up for Mitch Trubisky (who they've followed since mid-November) or use this pick on another QB.

However, it won't matter who is behind center if the team doesn't add some firepower. RB LeSean McCoy is still one of the league's most productive backs, but he'll be 29 this summer. Sammy Watkins can be a dominant receiver when healthy, but his body clearly hates him. TE Charles Clay is a middle-of-the-pack even his balky knee doesn't act up.

That's why the sensible choice is for someone like Howard, an athletic tight end who didn't get a ton of usage at Alabama. The 6-foot-6, 250-pounder hauled in just 114 passes in four years, but he can provide a safety valve for the sometimes-inaccurate Taylor. Mike Williams would be another option, especially given the team's affinity for Clemson players. A cornerback to replace the departed Stephon Gilmore would also work.

Quarterback at 10? Not so much.

11. New Orleans Saints: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama

Even after trading away top wideout Brandon Cooks, there's a 99.9 percent chance the Saints will go defense with this pick. New Orleans needs help at all three levels. The defensive line doesn't have much to get excited about beyond DE Cameron Jordan and last year's first-round pick Sheldon Rankins. The linebacking corps are as pedestrian as they come, comprised mostly of cast-offs from other teams. The secondary could use a boost, especially considering they'll face Mike Evans and Julio Jones twice a year.

Foster is a tackling machine whose stock has plummeted after being kicked out of the NFL Combine for an altercation with a physician and then failing a drug test due to a diluted sample. There is talk that those character concerns will drop him to the bottom half of the first round.

While the last few months have been troubling, there's no denying Foster's talent when he's on the field. Yahoo's Greg Cosell called Foster a "top-five talent" and compared him to former 49ers All-Pro Patrick Willis. Foster is a vicious hitter coming off a senior season where he committed 115 tackles and five sacks.

This year's draft is deep on the defensive side of the ball, so New Orleans can go another route if Foster's off-field red flags scare them away. However, they'll be hard-pressed to find another guy who will make a greater immediate impact than the former Bama stud.

12. Tennessee Titans (from Cleveland via Philadelphia): Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio St.

Before digging into this pick, let me say that I wouldn't rule out Tennessee trading down again with a team looking to move to grab Watson or Mahomes. A team looking for a big-armed passer that has a few picks to burn like Kansas City comes to mind. I wasn't ready to make that drastic of a move, but crazier things have happened.

Marshon Lattimore is arguably the best corner in this draft and would fill a hole for a Titans team that bid adieu to longtime starter Jason McCourtey. Lattimore picked off four passes (taking one to the house) and swatted away nine more as the top corner for a talented Buckeye secondary that featured two other potential first-round picks (Gareon Conley and Malik Hooker).

The knock on the 6-foot tall, 200-pound DB is his inexperience, playing just 16 games during his two years in Columbus. His tender hamstring is also an issue after it flared up at the combine. Corners with soft tissue issues are always a concern, especially when selecting this high. If Lattimore's hammy makes Tennessee squeamish, an audible to Conley makes sense. Either way, the Titans are bound to invest a high pick in a partner for free agent acquisition Logan Ryan.

13.  Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech

Much like the Panthers, this is a luxury spot for the Cardinals. When healthy, Arizona has the talent on both sides of the ball to be Super Bowl contenders. David Johnson is one of the league's best all-purpose backs. The defense is loaded with playmakers from Chandler Jones to Patrick Peterson to Tyron Mathieu. The ageless Larry Fitzgerald leads a receiving crew that also features speedster John Brown. There's a good chance that the Cards are picking a lot deeper this time next year.

That's why Arizona should take advantage of this golden opportunity and start building for the future. Starting QB Carson Palmer is 37 years old and started to show his age last season. Meanwhile, Mahomes is the nation's leading passer for the second year in a row, throwing for nearly 9,700 yards and 77 TDs combined in the last two seasons.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has drawn comparisons to Hall of Famer Brett Favre. Not in the sense that he'll someday have his name on a bust in Canton, but because he's got a big arm and a tendency to misfire. It's the same gunslinger mentality scouts used to describe guys like Jay Cutler, J.P. Losman and Rex Grossman. Hopefully, a year sitting behind Palmer will keep Mahomes from ending up like those guys.

If the Cards aren't quite ready to draft Palmer's heir, they could look to bolster the air attack with someone like Mike Williams or Corey Davis or even Combine phenom John Ross. There's also no shortage of elite defenders still on the board.

14. Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota): Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama

The Eagles spent the bulk of free agency getting Carson Wentz some help. They added Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith to give the young QB some new targets while rolling the dice on guard Chance Womack to bulk up the offensive line.

Of course, none of those additions will help Philly when they face the likes of Dez Bryant, Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall and Terrelle Pryor two times a year.

With Ohio State corner Gareon Conley's stock dropping amidst rape allegations, Alabama's Marlon Humphrey could move into his spot as potentially the second corner selected. Humphrey was a two-year starter for Nick Saban, snatching five picks and forced three fumbles over that span. He's got good size at 6-foot-1 and nearly 200 pounds and would be an instant upgrade after cutting Leodis McKelvin earlier this year. Washington's Kevin King is another option because his size (6-foot-3, 192 pounds) allows him to match up nicely with the division's bigger receivers.

Given GM Howie Roseman's tendency to wheel and deal, a move up for Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey can't be overlooked.

15. Indianapolis Colts: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

The Colts' biggest need is repairing the offensive line and protecting Andrew Luck. However, there isn't a tackle or guard that wouldn't be a reach at 15 and the team has similar concerns on defense. Indianapolis' 382.9 total yards allowed per game was only slightly better than Cleveland and San Francisco, the two worst teams in football.

Once considered a potential top-10 pick, Tennessee's Derek Barnett could slide thanks to the rise of fellow edge rushers Charles Harris of Missouri and Temple's Haasan Reddick. That would be music to Indy's ears as the team is currently trying to muster up a pass rush with journeymen like Jabaal Sheard and Barkevious Mingo. Barnett recorded 32 sacks during his collegiate career playing against top-level competition in the SEC. He should quickly become a terror in a less-than-stellar AFC South division.

If Indy doesn't choose to address the front seven, another corner to take pressure off Vontae Davis would suffice as would another running back to supplant the aging Frank Gore.

16. Baltimore Ravens: Forrest Lamp, G/C, Western Kentucky

Steve Smith? Retired. Kamar Aiken? Left for Indy. Breshad Perriman? Minimal impact in two seasons. Maxx Williams? Bust. Dennis Pitta? Finished.

I have to have Baltimore taking an offensive weapon for Joe Flacco here, right? Wrong.

As bad as the Ravens receiving core is (and it's putrid), the offensive line also has room for improvement. Beyond 2016 first-round pick Ronnie Stanley and aging Pro Bowler Marshal Yanda, there's not much to write home about. If this team is going to continue its smash-mouth ways or give Flacco time to find one-trick pony Mike Wallace downfield, they are going to need to protect him.

Forrest Lamp, who I will mispronounce as Forrest Gump at least once in my life, is the best interior lineman in the draft. He's not a sexy pick, but the Dallas Cowboys eschewed sexy picks for years and wound up with the best offensive line in football. The Ravens would be wise to follow that blueprint, even if it means a long road ahead.

17. Washington Redskins: Charles Harris, DE/LB, Missouri

Despite the potential turmoil on offense following the departure of Desean Jackson and the uncertainty surrounding QB Kirk Cousins' future, the Redskins need to address the defense first. DE Chris Baker left in free agency while OLB Trent Murphy is suspended for the first four games of 2017. That leaves Ryan Kerrigan as the only defender in the front seven striking fear in opposing offenses.

Charles Harris didn't have a great combine, but his ability to get after quarterbacks is keeping his stock from dropping. He could go as high as New York at No. 6, but he certainly won't get past Washington here. The Sporting News' Eric Galko reports the Skins are high on Harris and would snatch him up if he's still there at 17. The team is also interested in human Swiss Army knife Jabril Peppers and Florida State RB Dalvin Cook, per Galko.

18. Tennessee Titans: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

It's hard to predict where the top receivers in this draft class will go. You can make a case for two in the top 10. We could see a couple come off the board in the teens or we might see just one taken in the entire first round.

One thing for certain is Tennessee will grab a pass-catcher with one of their first two picks, or at least they should. The Titans tried to get by last season with TE Delanie Walker, rookie Tajae Sharpe and a band of cast-offs.

Spoiler alert: it didn't work.

The Titans need to build around QB Marcus Mariota (who showed flashes of brilliance before getting hurt last season) and that starts with finding him a new toy. Mike Williams is a big wideout at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds who isn't afraid to be physical and make the tough catches. He fetched 98 of Deshaun Watson's passes last season for 1,361 yards and 11 touchdowns.

He's not the burner that John Ross or Corey Davis is, but he's a Brandon Marshall clone who could bail Mariota out of a lot of tough jams for the next decade.

**TRADE**

Seattle sends the No. 26 overall pick, a third-rounder and a sixth to Tampa Bay for the 19th overall pick.

In desperate need of offensive line help after letting Russell Wilson get butchered last season, the Seahawks couldn't sit idly by while teams who also had protection needs picked in front of him. Tampa Bay is rumored to be looking to move down, either to the bottom of the round or out of the first entirely, so this move makes sense for both squads.

19. Seattle Seahawks (via Tampa Bay): Garett Bolles, OT, Utah

Seattle gave up 42 sacks last season, sixth-most in the league. QB Russell Wilson suffered ankle and knee injuries early, resulting in just 21 TD passes (second-lowest of his career) and a career-high 11 picks. The Seahawks still managed to go 10-5-1 and win the NFC West, but the inability to protect Wilson or open up consistent holes for the running game limited their potential.

That's why the team needs to move up for Garrett Bolles. Bolles is a 6-foot-5, 300 pound mauler with quick feet and a mean streak. He could wind up as one of the hidden gems of this draft. The downside is Bolles will be 25 years old when his rookie season starts after getting a late jump on his college career due to a stint in prison. He only played one season for the Utes but flashed enough potential to be considered a top-20 lock in this year's draft.

If age is the biggest concern facing Bolles, then the Seahawks should count their blessings. Injuries, retirements and free agency have ripped apart what looked like a potential dynasty. The team's championship window is getting smaller, which makes taking a chance on an older rookie less daunting.

20. Denver Broncos: Cam Robinson, T/G, Alabama

There is a better than good chance Denver goes offensive line with its first pick. The team allowed 40 sacks last season and that was before left tackle Russell Okung departed for the division rival Chargers. Utah's Garrett Bolles is the ideal target, but he's already gone in this scenario. Alabama's Cam Robinson isn't a bad consolation prize.

A 6-foot-6, 310-pound road grader, Robinson could be a force at either guard spot but is expected to make his mark at right tackle. He's a big man with nimble feet who was a three-year starter for Nick Saban's loaded Crimson Tide squad. He was an early favorite to be selected in the top-10, but off-field issues and other needs pushed him down the board.

It's hard to see Denver looking anywhere but O-Line, but if they do, a tight end like Miami's David Njoku or a move up for someone like Christian McCaffrey might be in play.

21. Detroit Lions: David Njoku, TE, Miami (Fla.)

The Lions could go in a number of directions here. A wide receiver like Corey Davis or John Ross is a possibility after losing Anquan Boldin. Another defensive end to pair with Ziggy Ansah would be nice, and the team is believed to be high on Michigan's Taco Charlton.

*However, two reasons why this should be Miami's David Njoku. First, Lions OC Jim Bob Cooter loves to run two-TE sets and Detroit doesn't have another option beyond Eric Ebron to properly execute what Cooter wants to do. Second, Detroit's TE coach is Al Golden, former head coach of the Miami Hurricanes. Who did Golden coach at The U? David Njoku.

Njoku gives Detroit another athletic weapon who can open up the middle of the field. Given the inconsistent health and production of Ebron, the rookie could eventually usurp the former No. 10 overall pick.

22. Miami Dolphins: Jordan Willis, DE/LB, Kansas State

Western Kentucky's Forrest Lamp or even Alabama's Cam Robinson would be ideal selections to help Miami fill the void left by Laremy Tunsil's move to left tackle. Unfortunately, both are off the board here. A safety like UConn's Obi Melifonwu or a corner like Kevin King would work, as well.

Instead, the feeling is Miami will try to spruce up its pass rush here. Cameron Wake is 35 years old and nearing the twilight of his career. DT Ndomakong Suh has just 11 sacks in his first two seasons with the Dolphins after notching 36 in five seasons with Detroit. Linebackers Koa Misi, Kiko Alonso and newly-acquired Lawrence Timmons are better suited to stop the run.

Kansas State's Jordan Willis is another in a slew of hybrid edge rushers with first-round expectations. He's big at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds and is coming off an 11.5-sack senior campaign for the Wildcats. He would initially work opposite Wake before hopefully replacing him in the near future.

23. New York Giants: Ryan Ramcyzk, OT, Wisconsin

In this mock, the Lions save the Giants from themselves by taking David Njoku away from them. If the athletic tight end was still on the board, New York might have been tempted to add yet another weapon for QB Eli Manning. Instead, Big Blue can focus on what they need to do, which is repair a leaky offensive line and protect their statuesque, declining franchise QB.

The team used a first-round pick on Ereck Flowers, but he hasn't been cutting it on the left side. Fellow first-round pick D.J. Fluker, formerly of the Chargers, was added to the right side. Now, the team can build an even stronger like with Wisconsin's Ryan Ramcyzk, a 6-foot-6, 315-pound tackle from a power conference that loves to get physical. With Ramcyzk in the fold, the Giants can slide Flowers to guard in hopes of salvaging his career.

If the Giants choose to ignore the line, finding a RB to give the offense some balance would be the next best thing.

**TRADE**

Chicage Bears trade 2nd round pick (35th overall), a fourth-rounder and a 2018 mid-round selection to Oakland for the No. 24 overall pick.

The first real curveball of this mock comes courtesy of the Bears, who would be silly to just let Deshaun Watson continue to slip. The Raiders gain two extra picks to move down 11 spots, where they can still address defensive needs.

24. Chicago Bears (from Oakland): Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

Let me start out by saying nobody knows for sure where Deshaun Watson will go. There's talk Jacksonville might take him at No. 4. There's a chance he goes to Buffalo at 10 or Arizona at 13. He could be a target for a team looking to move back into round one like the Bears or he could slip out of the opening salvo altogether.

Regardless of where he goes, he plans on making the teams who overlook him pay.

Watson's potential fall is a bit of a head-scratcher. He's a former Heisman candidate with elite athleticism who lost two games total in his last two seasons, one of which in the championship game to an iconic Alabama team as a sophomore. He wound avenging that loss a year later while throwing for 4,593 yards and 41 touchdowns (adding another 629 yards and nine TDs on the ground). As a sophomore, he threw for 4,109 yards and 35 TDs while also rushing for another 1,105 yards and 12 scores. Despite those numbers, concerns over his arm and lack of experience in a traditional offense gives some teams the heebie-jeebies.

One of those teams is not the Bears, who are believed to even be considering him at No. 3. In this situation, Chicago finally gets their man and allows him to sit behind Mike Glennon for a year to keep him from being thrown to the wolves.

**TRADE**

Washington Redskins trade QB Kirk Cousins to the Houston Texans for the No. 25 overall pick.

There are two logical questions I expect from this highly unlikely scenario.

1. The Redskins trade Cousins! Are you crazy!?
2. Why wouldn't Washington just send Cousins to San Francisco to either trade up or even acquire the No. 2 pick since the Niners are his dream destination?

Let's start with why Washington should trade Cousins. The team is currently without a GM. The guy mostly running the show is Bruce Allen, who can't count Cousins as a member of his fan club. Cousins is a free agent again next season and he's spent more time talking about wanting to be wanted or reportedly linked to San Francisco than expressing his love for the nation's capital. If you're the Skins, your options are overpay a good-not-great quarterback in a long-term deal to keep him happy or watch him walk for nothing next spring.

Or, there's door #3, which is trade him to a team desperate for a QB during a draft that doesn't feature any elite signal-callers. Cousins, while not an All-Pro, is a better Day 1 option than any rookie in this draft and he's still in the prime of his career.

That brings us to why not San Francisco. John Lynch is too smart to trade the No. 2 overall pick outright for Cousins and moving any future picks would hamstring the team's ability to add pieces around him. The Redskins could use Cousins to move up to No. 2 from No. 18 and get someone like Solomon Thomas, but that keeps them from filling another hole by acquiring another first-round pick. The stars just aren't aligned for a Cousins-Kyle Shanahan reunion unless he signs there next year.

For Houston, this decision is easy, provided they can afford Cousins' $24 million contract. You wasted money on Brock Osweiler and had to bribe Cleveland to take him. You missed out on Tony Romo after his surprising retirement. All three first-round QBs are gone and you don't have a second-round pick to chase a Davis Webb or DeShone Kizer. For a team that desperately needs a QB to be a dark-horse contender, you can't afford to be picky.

25. Washington Redskins: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan

After addressing a linebacker need with Charles Harris, Washington comes back to find Chris Baker's replacement in Taco Charlton. Charlton is a 6-foot-6, 272-pound mountain of a man who has the athleticism and strength to push the pile up front. He can tie up blockers to allow Skins' linebackers to roam free or apply pressure from the interior.

The Redskins could also opt for Jabril Peppers or Dalvin Cook, both aforementioned Washington targets, but finding a potential stud to battle in the trenches should take precedent over two guys with off-field issues.

As for the sudden hole at quarterback, the team could look at someone like Davis Webb or DeShone Kizer on Day 2 or sign someone a cheap veteran to patch things over until someone suitable comes along. Both would be better options than what would've been a season-long fight to keep Cousins content.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Seattle): Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

There aren't many teams thinking about Dalvin Cook in the first round, but the Bucs are reportedly one of them. With Doug Martin undergoing treatment for a drug problem and no suitable in-house replacements, running back is suddenly a top priority in Tampa Bay.

Cook's frequent run-ins with the law, including a recent assault charge that he was later found not guilty of, are scaring teams off. However, all it takes is one team to fall in love with a talented-yet-troubled kid coming off a season where he racked up 2,253 all-purpose yards and 20 TDs.

Tampa Bay is no stranger to taking on players with character concerns. They famously took Warren Sapp with the 12th pick in 1995 despite troubles at Miami. He later helped them win a Super Bowl on his way to the Hall of Fame. They recently used the No. 1 overall pick on QB Jameis Winston, who had a controversial career at Florida State. He went on to win Rookie of the Year and has established himself a vocal leader in the locker room.

If the Bucs can keep Cook on the field and out of handcuffs, he could be the steal of this draft.

27. Kansas City Chiefs: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida

The Kansas City Chiefs are a solid draft away from establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the AFC. Fresh off a 12-4 season, an AFC West division title and nabbing the No. 2 seed, KC needs to leave this weekend with one or two impact players to put the finishing touches on a exciting roster.

One of those areas of opportunity is on the interior of the front seven, where DT Dontari Poe is now in Atlanta and 34-year-old ILB Derrick Johnson is coming off his second Achilles tear. The team has a slew of edge rushers in Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and Dee Ford to go along with rising stars Eric Berry and Marcus Peters in the secondary, but they need guys who can keep opposing ground games at bay.

Florida LB Jarrad Davis is your prototypical sideline-to-sideline heat-seeking missile. He hasn't garnered the same attention as the other defensive studs in this draft, mainly because injury concerns keep his tape limited. As a junior, he notched 90 tackles (11 for loss), 3.5 sacks and an interception. It was the only fully healthy season of his Gators tenure. If he can stay on the field in KC, he can make an instant impact while Johnson keeps his seat warm as the interior anchor of the defense.

Another thing to consider: the Chiefs need a strong-armed QB after Alex Smith's noodle-arm has limited their potential the last few years. They own 10 selections in this draft and Patrick Mahomes is a phone call away. I'm not saying, but I'm saying.

28. Dallas Cowboys: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State

The Dallas Cowboys' good fortune continues. A year after striking gold with two rookie selections in ROTY Dak Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott and two years removed from stealing guard La'el Collins as an undrafted free agent, the Cowboys land potentially the best corner in the draft at No. 28.

Unlike teammate Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley is an experienced two-year starter who can line up anywhere and shut things down. Opposing signal-callers had a QB rating of 14.0 when they threw Conley's way and he added four interceptions for good measure. He would be an instant starter for a Cowboys' secondary that lost both Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr.

Now, there's a reason Conley is still available this late. Once considered a possible top-five pick, Conley was the subject of rape allegations earlier this week. The Buckeyes star has pleaded his innocence and a video posted by TMZ pokes some holes in the accuser's story, but this kind of black cloud could keep Conley waiting for much longer than he initially anticipated.

The Cowboys have never shied away from taking on guys with red flags, and given the need in the secondary, it's hard to imagine they'd start now.

29. Green Bay Packers: T.J. Watt, DE/LB, Wisconsin

The Green Bay Packers may have the most holes of any potential Super Bowl contender in the league. They have a huge need in the secondary after losing starting corners in back-to-back years. The offensive line continues to be an issue after the entire interior of the line went elsewhere in the span of less than a year. The team also needs a RB after letting former ROTY Eddie Lacy rumble his way to Seattle.

With so many holes to fill, it's hard to projct where GM Ted Thompson will start first but T.J. Watt is a nice start. For starters, he's a local product, having made a name for himself with the Badgers. He also comes from good stock as the younger brother of three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt. While it might be a reach to assume T.J. will follow in his brother's footsteps, he does possess the same freakish athletic ability and would be a terror on a front seven that already includes Mike Daniels, Clay Matthews and Nick Perry.

Another name to keep an eye on is Tennessee RB Alvin Kamara. NFL Network's Mike Mayock mocked him to Green Bay earlier this week and the Packers might not be in a position to add a rusher later in the draft.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

My gut tells me Pittsburgh trades out of this spot and allows another team to catch a falling star. My heart tells me they stay put and take the best player available, which in this case is Western Michigan wideout Corey Davis.

Davis doesn't fit an immediate need but he helps a Steelers offense that is uncertain past Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell. Martavis Bryant was recently reinstated after a year-long suspension but he's one bad move away from Football Never Never Land. Sammie Coates flashed potential and stone hands last season and Eli Rogers is better suited as the No. 3.

Meanwhile, Davis notched at least 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns in each of the last three seasons, including hauling in 98 catches for 1,500 yards and 19 scores as a senior. He could go anywhere from No. 5 to the second round depending on needs.

The Steelers need help at linebacker and in the secondary. Someone like Jarrad Davis to replace the departed Lawrence Timmons or a corner like Kevin King makes sense here, but Davis is too good to pass up.

31. Atlanta Falcons: Tyus Bowser, DE/LB, Houston

The Falcons made a surprise trip to the Super Bowl thanks to an MVP season from Matt Ryan and an excellent 2016 draft haul that included S Keanu Neal and LB Deion Jones. Atlanta was a second-half collapse away from handing Tom Brady a United Airlines-style beatdown on the national stage.

Alas, the Falcons blew a 25-point lead and now find themselves back at the drawing board. The Dirty Birds don't have a lot of needs but finding someone to take pressure off emerging pass-rushing dynamo Vic Beasley is a must.

That's where Tyus Bowser comes in. A four-year contributor for Houston, the 6-foot-3, 240-pounder is coming off a 8.5 sack campaign as a senior. Along with new addition Dontari Poe, he helps transform Atlanta's defensive line from a one-man show to a position of strength.

With very few needs, Atlanta might also package some picks for a better pass-rushing prospect or even join the fray for one of the top offensive linemen. A second WR to put next to Julio Jones isn't a bad idea. John Ross and his 4.2 40 speed would be a scary addition to Atlanta's explosive offense.

32. New Orleans Saints: Kevin King, CB, Washington

Initially, I thought New England would re-acquire this pick after sending it to New Orleans in the Brandon Cooks trade. But after setting draft night as the deadline for a Malcolm Butler deal, I think the Saints stay put.

Regardless of whether it is Butler or a rookie, New Orleans needs a corner. The team has to deal with Julio Jones, Mike Evans and Kelvin Benjamin in their own division. All three are 6-foot-3 or taller, with the latter two standing 6-foot-5.

When facing giant wideouts, you need giant corners. Kevin King is 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds. He ran a 4.4. 40 and a 39.5 inch vertical. He held his own against Pac-12 competition for four years at Washington, snatching six picks in the process. The Saints would be better served trying to pry Butler from the defending champs, but King is nice value at the end of round one.