2017 NFL Mock Draft & Last Five First Round Draft Picks: Post-Underclassmen
With the underclassmen deadline gone, welcome to the latest from-the-college-perspective mock draft, along with each team’s last five first round draft picks.
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It’s impossible to biff a first round draft pick, right? Yeah, but some franchises have managed to do it. With the underclassmen in the mix now after the declaration deadline has passed, how should the first round play out? What does each NFL team need, and which player fits the best at each spot? From the college football perspective, check out the latest NFL mock draft, along with the last five first round draft picks for each team.
– 2017 NFL Draft Underclassmen List: Projection, Quick Analysis
1. Cleveland Browns
QB DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
Cleveland also has the 12, but it can’t mess around. It’ll be either Kizer or Mitch Trubisky as the cornerstone of the franchise. The Browns are overdue to get this QB thing right.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: WR Corey Coleman, Baylor – Incomplete, hurt
2015: C Cameron Erving, Florida State – Disappointing
2014: NT Danny Shelton, Washington – Growing into job
2013: QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M – Foreseeable all-timer whiff
2012: CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State – Puzzling bust for Browns
2. San Francisco 49ers
QB Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina
Cleveland takes one, San Francisco takes the other. The 49ers need help on the O line, and Myles Garrett would fill a gaping pass rushing hole, but a franchise quarterback is a must.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: DeForest Buckner, Oregon – Nice first year
2016: (Pick 2) OG Joshua Garnett, Stanford – Growing
2015: DT Arik Armstead, Oregon – Overrated prospect showing why
2014: CB Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois – Disappointing
2013: S Eric Reid, LSU – A starter, but struggling
2012: WR A.J. Jenkins, Illinois – Bust. 17 catches
3. Chicago Bears
DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Here’s the problem – Chicago’s current regime has to win right now. The correct pick is a quarterback to build around, but there might not be time to be patient. It’ll be hard to argue with Garrett if he gets past the top two.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: LB Leonard Floyd, Georgia – Grew in rookie year
2015: WR Kevin White, West Virginia – Disastrous so far. Hurt
2014: S Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech – Disappointing
2013: G Kyle Long, Oregon – Kaboom. Great when healthy
2012: DE Shea McClellan, Boise State – Horrible
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
DE Jonathan Allen, Alabama
Defensive end isn’t a priority, and moving down to help out the O line is possible, but if Allen is still around here – and if he’s not a Chicago Bear – don’t think, just draft.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: CB Jalen Ramsey, Florida State – Growing star
2015: LB Dante Fowler, Florida – Hurt. Promising
2014: QB Blake Bortles, UCF – Lots of stats, needs massive 2017
2013: OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M – A starter
2012: WR Justin Blackman, Oklahoma State – Off-the-field problems killed career
5. Tennessee Titans (from LA Rams)
S Malik Hooker, Ohio State
This is the perfect trade down team – the Titans can get a star defensive back in the middle of the first round. If they stay put, flip a coin on either Hooker or LSU’s Jamal Adams to beef up the secondary.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: OT Jack Conklin, Michigan State – Fantastic All-Pro rookie year
2015: QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon – Growing star, but hurt
2014: OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan – Nailed it
2013: OG Chance Warmack, Alabama – Starter
2012: WR Kendall Wright, Baylor – Okay, not worth 1st
6. New York Jets
QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson
This is early, but the Jets can’t mess around. It’s time to settle the position once and for all, and it’s not going to be Christian Hackenberg – trade him to Houston? – who’ll do it. Watson makes the Jets one of the it teams everyone will go out of their way to watch.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: LB Darron Lee, Ohio State – 42 tackle rookie year
2015: DT Leonard Williams, USC – Good upside
2014: S Calvin Pryor, Louisville – A starter
2013: CB Dee Milliner, Alabama – Disastrous for the No. 9 pick
2013: (2nd pick) DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri – Excellent interior pass rusher
2012: DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina – Okay, but now gone
7. Los Angeles Chargers
S Jamal Adams, LSU
The Chargers might want to go a bit splashier than this considering the big move to LA, and offensive tackle would be solid, but Adams is too good to pass up. He’s not a need pick, but elite safeties are among the hardest positions to find.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State – Awesome cornerstone pass rusher
2015: RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin – Star sophomore year
2014: CB Jason Verrett, TCU – Pro Bowl performer
2013: OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama – Starter
2012: DE Melvin Ingram, South Carolina – Grew into pass rushing star
8. Carolina Panthers
RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State
Alabama OT Cam Robinson would be the right pick to help save Cam’s career, but the Panthers are in need a franchise running back who can take over the offense at times. Cook would be the exact guy to take the pressure off No. 1.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: DT Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech – Ugh. Hurt
2015: LB Shaq Thompson, Washington – Good starter
2014: WR Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State – Terrific when healthy
2013: DT Star Lotuleli, Utah – Good enough starter
2012: LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College – All-time great, but concussions will be problem
9. Cincinnati Bengals
DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford
While Thomas might not be the devastating speed rusher who might fit the D, he’s a relentless all-around defender who’ll wow everyone in the predraft circuit. Tennessee’s Derek Barnett could be awfully tempting.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: CB William Jackson, Houston – Hurt. Hasn’t played
2015: OT Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M – Starter. Okay
2014: CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State – Just one pick. Disappointment
2013: TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame – Fantastic when healthy
2012: CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama – Good enough. Best year in 2016
10. Buffalo Bills
OT Cam Robinson, Alabama
The Bills could have their pick of top cornerback options, but when you have a chance at taking the best offensive tackle in a draft, you do it.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson – Hurt. Not there yet
2015: NO FIRST ROUNDER
2014: WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson – Flashes of greatness
2013: QB E.J. Manuel, Florida State – Nope
2012: CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina – Best year in 2016
11. New Orleans Saints
CB Teez Tabor, Florida
It always seems like the Saints have to address the secondary. Tabor might be sliding, but he – or Marlon Humphrey or Marshon Lattimore – could be snapped up quickly in a desperate need pick.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: DT Sheldon Rankins, Louisville – Hurt early
2015: OT Andrus Peat, Stanford – Starter
2014: WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State – Explosive, growing star
2013: S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas – Solid starter
2012: NO FIRST ROUNDER
12. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia)
RB Leonard Fournette, LSU
Do the Browns take a chance on getting a quarterback here after taking Myles Garrett with the No. 1 overall pick? Nah. They’ll get their franchise passer first, and then help him out with the workhorse back to run the offense around.
13. Arizona Cardinals
LB Reuben Foster, Alabama
At some point in the draft, the Cardinals need a promising quarterback to groom for 2018 – and maybe this year if Carson Palmer keeps fizzling. For now, though, solidifying the linebacking corps with a thumper in Foster makes sense.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: DT Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss – Hurt. Ineffective
2015: OT D.J. Humphries, Florida – Starter
2014: S Deone Bucannon, Washington State – Tackling machine
2013: OG Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina – Puzzlingly massive bust
2012: WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame – Good, then stunningly let go
Note: A coin-flip between Indianapolis and Philadelphia will determine the 14
14. Indianapolis Colts
LB Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
It would be nice to get a franchise offensive tackle here, but watch out for Cunningham over the next few months. His stock is about to go through the roof as an all-around machine on the outside.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: C Ryan Kelly, Alabama – Nailed it
2015: WR Phillip Dorsett, Miami – Disappointing for 1st rounder
2014: NO FIRST ROUNDER
2013: DE Bjoern Werner, Florida State – Lousy, then retired
2012: QB Andrew Luck, Stanford – Hall of Fame upside if he stays healthy
14. Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota)
CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
The Eagles will be in a nice spot with cornerback options to choose from. Teez Tabor would be the pick if he’s here, but Humphrey would hardly be a bad consolation prize.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: QB Carson Wentz, NDSU – Okay first year
2015: WR Nelson Agholor, USC – Underwhelming
2014: LB Marcus Smith, Louisville – A bust so far
2013: OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma – Starter not worth the No. 4 pick
2012: DE Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State – Pro Bowl pass rusher
16. Baltimore Ravens
DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee
Will Barnett really slide this far? Elite pass rushing prospects don’t drop out of the top 15, but with so many need picks being made before this, Baltimore will find its guy for the outside with either Barnett or Alabama’s Tim Williams.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame – Okay rookie season
2015: WR Breshad Perriman, UCF – Only 33 catches so far
2014: LB C.J. Mosley, Alabama – Yup. Pro Bowl cornerstone of the D
2013: S Matt Elam, Florida – Okay first two years, then hurt
2012: NO FIRST ROUNDER
– 2017 NFL Draft Underclassmen List: Projection, Quick Analysis
17. Washington Redskins
S Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Peppers will slide because no one will be quite sure what to make of him –the injury and shoulder concerns won’t help. Washington will use him in a variety of spots, grooming him to own the secondary as the team’s star safety.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: WR Josh Doctson, TCU – Hurt. Just two catches
2015: OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa – Pro Bowl starter
2014: NO FIRST ROUNDER
2013: NO FIRST ROUNDER
2012: QB Robert Griffin, Baylor – All-time miserable trade for him
18. Tennessee Titans
CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
After taking a safety in with the fifth overall pick, Tennessee might be thinking wide receiver here with Mike Williams still there for the taking. The Titans can get receivers later, but they can come out of the first round with two cornerstones of the secondary for the next several years.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
WR Mike Williams, Clemson
Michigan State defensive tackle Malik McDowell would be an excellent part of the Buc puzzle, but put Williams on the other side of Mike Evans, and look out for Jameis and the passing game for the next several years.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: CB Vernon Hargreaves, Florida – Okay rookie year
2015: QB Jameis Winston, Florida State – Too many picks, but franchise QB
2014: WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M – Growing into superstar
2013: NO FIRST ROUNDER
2012: S Mark Barron, Alabama – Disappointing 7th overall pick
20. Denver Broncos
OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
Denver made the investment in Paxton Lynch last year, now it needs the blocker to help keep him alive. It’ll be a learning process for the Bronco offense in so many ways, and while Ramczyk might not be the perfect fit for what Denver does, he’s an NFL left tackle.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis – Redshirt year
2015: DE Shane Ray, Missouri – Growing pass rusher
2014: CB Bradley Roby, Ohio State – Serviceable starter
2013: DT Sylvester Williams, North Carolina – Decent starter
2012: NO FIRST ROUNDER
21. Detroit Lions
LB Tim Williams, Alabama
Williams will slide throughout the process, but considering the Lions need more help to get into the backfield, any and all concerns would be blown off for – potentially – the most explosive pass rushing prospect in the draft.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State – Fantastic cornerstone of line
2015: OG Laken Tomlinson, Duke – Good starter
2014: TE Eric Ebron, Oklahoma State – Good, not elite for 10th pick
2013: DE Ezekiel Ansah, BYU – Kaboom. Grew into special pass rusher
2012: OT Riley Reiff, Iowa – Solid starter for five years
22. Miami Dolphins
TE O.J. Howard, Alabama
Don’t blow off the potential of keeping the local guy around and taking Miami’s David Njoku in a shot-for-the-stars tight end pick. The Dolphin offense needs more weapons to help out Ryan Tannehill. It needs a talented tight end.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss – Not yet, but promising
2015: WR DeVante Parker, Louisville – Okay, not special
2014: OT Ja’Wuan James – Okay starter
2013: DE Dion Jordan – Crippling bust
2012: QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M – Slightly above-average serviceable starter
23. New York Giants
DT Malik McDowell, Michigan State
This would be a steal. The already-improved Giant defense doesn’t necessarily have a desperate need, but getting the best defensive tackle prospect in the draft would make a good situation something potentially special.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: CB Eli Apple, Ohio State – Okay rookie year
2015: OT Ereck Flowers, Miami – Good starter
2014: WR Odell Beckham, LSU – Superstar
2013: OT Justin Pugh, Syracuse – Okay starter
2012: RB David Wilson, Virginia Tech – Hurt. Just 504 yards
24. Oakland Raiders
CB Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson
Oakland needs an upgrade at corner. The D needs to address several spots later on in the draft, but one of the elite corner prospects will fall here. The Raiders will get a great value pick.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: S Karl Joseph, West Virginia – Give him another year past college knee injury
2015: WR Amari Cooper, Alabama – No. 1 star receiver
2014: LB Khalil Mack, Buffalo – Possibly NFL’s best defensive player
2013: CB D.J. Hayden, Houston – Risky pick not working
2012: NO FIRST ROUND PICK
25. Houston Texans
OT Garrett Bolles, Utah
How hard with Houston go after a quarterback option to challenge Brock Osweiler? It won’t be at this spot. If Bolles goes earlier – maybe to Denver – than Wisconsin’s Ryan Ramczyk should be here.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: WR Will Fuller, Notre Dame – Okay rookie year
2015: CB Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest – Disappointing
2014: DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina – Finally healthy. Look out
2013: DE DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson – Fantastic No. 1 NFL WR
2012: DE Whitney Mercilus, Illinois – Terrific pass rusher
26. Seattle Seahawks
CB Sidney Jones, Washington
It would absolutely kill Seattle if Bolles or Ramczyk doesn’t slide this far. However, keeping a star coverman like Jones close to home wouldn’t be a bad idea. He’s good enough to be used in a variety of ways.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: OG German Ifedi, Texas A&M – Promising starter
2015: NO FIRST ROUND PICK
2014: NO FIRST ROUND PICK
2013: NO FIRST ROUND PICK
2012: DE Bruce Irvin, West Virginia – Good enough, not elite for 15th pick
27. Kansas City Chiefs
CB Gareon Conley, Ohio State
In a corner-rich first round, Kansas City can grab yet another star for an already strong secondary. This should be a great spot with several excellent options to play around with, especially at receiver with Western Michigan’s Corey Davis and Washington’s John Ross likely still on the board.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: DT Chris Jones, Mississippi State – Starter who lets it all hang out
2015: CB Marcus Peters, Washington – Pro Bowl interception machine
2014: DE Dee Ford, Auburn – Finally started to rock in Year 3
2013: OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan – Massively mediocre No. 1 overall pick
2012: DT Dontari Poe, Memphis – Pro Bowl anchor
28. Dallas Cowboys
TE David Njoku, Miami
With Jason Witten winding down, Dallas could use a freakish tight end with Jimmy Graham potential to help Dak grow. It might take a little bit for Njoku to become a polished all-around player, but everything is there to potentially special.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State – Special superstar
2015: CB Byron Jones, Connecticut – Versatile starter
2014: OG Zack Martin, Notre Dame – Possibly NFL’s best guard
2013: C Travis Frederick, Wisconsin – NFL’s best center
2012: CB Morris Claiborne, LSU – Mediocre spot-starter
Order to be determined
Atlanta Falcons
DE Taco Charlton, Michigan
Charlton will slide into the late first round with his excellent size and toughness against the run. While he might not be a speed rusher, he’ll always be working to get behind the line.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: S Keanu Neal, Florida – 72 tackle first season
2015: LB Vic Beasley, Clemson – Pro Bowl pass rusher
2014: OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M – Good starter
2013: CB Desmond Trufant, Washington – Pro Bowl corner
2012: NO FIRST ROUND PICK
Green Bay Packers
DE Charles Harris, Missouri
The Packers have to load up at cornerback at some point, and there will still be a few good ones on the board, but finding a young end who can get into the backfield will soon be a must. Harris is the speed rusher to throw into the rotation right away.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: DT Kenny Clark, UCLA – Mediocre rookie year
2015: S Damarious Randall, Arizona State – Six picks, but just okay
2014: S Ha Ha Clinton Dix< Alabama – Good starter
2013: DE Datone Jones, UCLA – Mediocre backup
2012: DE Nick Perry, USC – FINALLY a pass rushing terror
New England Patriots
OG Dan Feeney, Indiana
Guard isn’t a need, but since when does Bill Belichick do anything by the book? Feeney is a killer interior blocker who gives New England options – he’s the perfect fit for this offense. He’s a ten-year pro who won’t get out of the first round.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: NO FIRST ROUND PICK
2015: DT Malcom Brown, Texas – Good starter
2014: DT Dominique Easley, Florida – Stunk, then gone
2013: NO FIRST ROUND PICK
2012: DE Chandler Jones, Syracuse – Good pass rusher gone after off the field problems
2012: (2nd Pick) LB Dont’a Hightower, Alabama – Okay starter
Pittsburgh Steelers
LB T.J. Watt, Wisconsin
Is the first round too early for Watt? Yeah, maybe a wee bit, but for a defense that’s always looking for the next great speed rusher, Watt is the relentless linebacker on the outside who fits. Just wait – Watt will be a high-riser come April.
Last 5 First Round Picks
2016: CB Artie Burns, Miami – Great rookie year
2015: DE Bud Dupree, Kentucky – Needs to do more
2014: LB Ryan Shazier, Ohio State – Good starter
2013: LB Jarvis Jones, Georgia – Disappointing
2012: G David DeCastro, Stanford – Hurt early, then a Pro Bowl star