By John Sarianides
Here it is folks. My final mock draft before tonight’s first round.
Here you goes!
1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M: Forget about the quarterback talk. Garrett is the best player in this draft and the Browns are going to draft him.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Jamal Adams, FS, LSU: I’ve gone back and forth with Adams to the Niners in my previous mock drafts. Adams is an impact defender who has pro bowl potential. I can’t see John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan passing up on that.
3. Chicago Bears: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State: Long corners are all the rage and Lattimore is the best one in this class. The Bears address one of their biggest needs with this pick.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU: Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone want to run the football and play physical. Fournette allows them to do that.
5. Tennessee Titans: Jonathan Allen, DT, Alabama: The Titans will probably trade this pick. If they don’t, they’ll take Allen and add a much needed complement to Jurrell Casey.
6. New York Jets: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford: Thomas would be a steal for the Jets at this spot because of the scheme versatility he offers.
7. Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Hooker, FS, Ohio State: Hooker has some injury concerns but his ball skills and range in coverage are exceptional. He will fortify a suspect secondary in L.A.
8. Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffery, RB, Stanford: The Panthers need a play maker in the backfield to pair up with Cam Newton. McCaffery is an ideal fit because of his running style and what he can do as a receiver out of the backfield.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama: Foster is a thumper who can play all three downs and make a difference. The Bengals have need to replace Rey Maualuga and Foster would be an upgrade.
10. Buffalo Bills: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson: The Bills need a complement to Sammy Watkins. Williams is the best fit because he gives them size and speed on the outside.
11. New Orleans Saints: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee: Barnett is a three down end who can anchor down and play the run as well as rush the passer. He is the most complete defensive end in this draft.
12. Cleveland Browns: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina: The Browns want Trubisky bad. They won’t have to trade up to get him because he will fall to them at this spot.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Corey Davis, WR, Western Nichigan: Davis is a terrific route runner who can separate after the catch. He is an ideal fit in Bruce Arians offense.
14. Philadelphia Eagles: Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple: The versatile Reddick could be a great fit in defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s defense. Reddick can play outside linebacker on first and second down and rush the passer on third down.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Tak McKinley, OLB, UCLA: McKinley is undersized but so was Robert Mathis. McKinley will give the Colts 3-4 defense some much needed pass rush juice on the outside.
16. Baltimore Ravens: John Ross, WR, Washington: The Ravens need to replace Steve Smith and the Washington speedster would be the ideal replacement.
17. Washington Redskins: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri: Harris is an explosive pass rusher who has climbed up teams draft boards in recent weeks. His quickness and ability to bend and play along the line of scrimmage makes him a good fit in the Redskins 3-4 defense.
18. Tennessee Titans: O.J Howard, TE, Alabama: I think Howard will slip a little in this draft. He is a clean prospect but he’s also a tight end. Teams are afraid to use a top ten pick on tight ends. The Titans will be the beneficiaries as a result.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama: The Bucs need a franchise left tackle that can protect Jameis Winston. Robinson has some issues technically but he also has the most upside of any lineman in this draft.
20. Denver Broncos: Ryan Ramcyzk, OT, Wisconsin: Ramcyzk has gotten a clean bill of health physically so he is a no brainer here for a Broncos team that needs offensive line help in the worst way.
21. Detroit Lions: David Njoku, TE, Miami (Fla): Njoku is very similar to current Lions tight end Eric Ebron but is more versatile and can do more things in the passing game. Njoku would become one of Matt Stafford’s favorite targets from day one.
22. Miami Dolphins: Jabril Peppers, SS, Michigan: Peppers is a jack of all trades who can play in all packages and contribute on special teams. He will step in and make an immediate impact as a rookie.
23. New York Giants: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State: The Giants need to be more balanced on offense and a three down back like Cook will allow them to do that.
24. Oakland Raiders: Jarrad Davis, ILB, Florida: The Raiders need to upgrade their linebacking corp in this draft. Davis can play all three downs and he would bring a physical presence to a Raiders defense that needs it.
25. Houston Texans: Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky: The Texans could go offensive tackle here. Instead, they’ll opt for the versatile Lamp who can play guard or tackle.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Garrett Bolles, OT, Utah: Bolles is a bit undersized and inconsistent but he could develop into a solid starting left tackle under the tutelage of Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable.
27. Kansas City Chiefs: Pat Mahomes II, QB, Texas Tech: The Chiefs have other needs but Andy Reid despartely wants to develop his quarterback of the future. Reid coached Brett Favre in Green Bay so he’ll be able to coach the unpredictable Mahomes.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Tre’Davius White, CB, LSU: White’s testing numbers aren’t impressive but he is versatile in that he can play outside or in the slot. White is by no means a shutdown corner but he is consistent and always finds a way to make plays.
29. Green Bay Packers: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama: My gut tells me T.J Watt. My mind on the other hand knows how Ted Thompson operates so he is going to draft Humphrey and fill a need.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J Watt, OLB, Wisconsin: The Steelers need to do a better job of getting to the quarterback out of their 3-4 defense. The explosive Watt will allow them to do that.
31. Atlanta Falcons: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan: Charlton has slipped a little but don’t worry. The Falcons will be there to catch him.
32. New Orleans Saints: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson: GM Mickey Loomis and head coach Sean Payton will take the long term view with this pick. Don’t be surprised if the Saints trade out of this spot.