Shilo Sanders Draft Stock Takes Hit After Struggles Versus K-State
Known for his hard-hitting style, Shilo Sanders has been criticized for...
It is that time of the year again. Time for yet another year of draft projections. Each year we try to match up the top college football prospects with the NFL teams that could need them and put it all here.
Below are my current thoughts and picks for the 2017 draft. Mind you, there is a lot of football yet to be played so anything can happen between now and April.
My current mock 2017 NFL draft picks below (UPDATED 9/3/17:)
1. Titans (from Rams): Cam Robinson OT Alabama
Obviously the Titans just drafted Taylor Lewan and Jake Conklin back to back. Meaning, there really isn’t a need for Cam Robinson especially with Byron Bell already there for depth. I have Cam #1 to show that he is my top rated player of the 2017 draft class going into the summer of 2016.
UPDATE: Cam Robinson was booked on weapons charges shortly after I published this. Talent wise I still think he’s the best player in the draft class, but this is something he’s going to have to overcome.
2. Saints: Deshaun Watson QB Clemson
If the Saints score the second pick this year Payton and Brees could be out. There was actually a small rumor that it was going to happen this offseason. Grayson is there but he’s not going to be the new regime’s guy.
3. Chargers: Cameron Sutton CB Tennessee
In 2016 the Chargers went with Joey Bosa in the first round. There are some good corners here with Verrett/Flowers leading the way but there is always room for one more.
4. Browns (from Eagles): Leonard Fournette RB LSU
The Browns go with one of the top offensive selections at the top of this draft. RG3 is still young and if he shows anything it could make more sense to secure Fournette while you can and find a QB later.
5. Jaguars: Roderick Johnson OT Florida State
The defense has been stocked with young players, now its time to secure the line. Bortles can produce if given protection.
6. Ravens: Kylie Fitts DE Utah
Many pegged DeForest Buckner to the Ravens in 2016. Baltimore took Ronnie Stanley instead. Time to stock the line for life after Terrell Suggs.
7. 49ers: Chad Kelly QB Ole Miss
Chip Kelly will go with Blaine Gabbert for better or worse. Or Kaepernick. Or me. But when we fail to get to the playoffs (I’m kidding) SF will need a new QB. Why not draft one in the “family?”
8. Bears: Josh Malone WR Tennessee
Yes Kevin White is going to finally start his career, but what about Alshon Jeffery? Will he get a longterm deal?
9. Buccaneers: Derek Barnett DE Tennessee
The Bucs have to stop Carolina and Atlanta’s running attacks twice a year. Noah Spence is a gamble that may or may not work.
10. Giants: Hatari Byrd S Oklahoma
Word is Landon Collins is already disappointing on and off the field so far in his young career. Collins could mature and eliminate the need to draft at his position, but we’ll see.
11. Dolphins: Adoree Jackson CB Southern California
Brent Gimes is in Tampa and the corners that are expected to replace him are Byron Maxwell, Ifo, and Tony Lippett. Yeah…. let’s mock a few corners to Miami.
12. Browns: Jon Heck OT North Carolina
In this mock, the Browns are going to roll with RG3 for at least one more year. With the Eagles’ pick they took Fournette in this mock. Now it is time to get someone to pave the running lanes for him.
13. Cowboys: Malik McDowell DT Michigan State
The Cowboys were pegged to Joey Bosa in 2016 but ultimately he wasn’t available and they took Ezekiel Elliot at number four overall. I’m not sure what is going on with some of the guys on this line off the field, so maybe Dallas continues to clear house.
14. Raiders: Duke Dawson CB Florida
I mocked VHIII to Oakland in the 2016 draft, but they took a safety (Karl Joseph) instead. DJ Hayden has disappointed so far. We’ll see what this unit does in 2016.
15. Titans: Myles Garrett OLB Texas A&M
Tennessee has invested heavy on offense since drafting Mariota. Time to entertain some defensive picks.