2017 NFL Mock Draft: Cleveland Starts It Off With Fireworks
By Erik Lambert
The shifting on both the pecking order and the players expected to go early continues. This 2017 NFL mock draft reflects that much.
In this instance it’s more of a rundown of the top 32 section by section, exploring how the shifted order has impacted who will go where and when. Of course it wouldn’t be the draft without a shocker to kick things off.
1. Cleveland Browns
1. player. 53. Nearly everybody will expect the Cleveland Browns to go after a quarterback for obvious reasons. The problem is none of the QBs in the 2017 class look like better prospects than Myles Garrett. He is hands down the most talented and as close to a sure thing as any team will get in this draft. The Browns defense got one playmaker in place with Jamie Collins. Now they add another.. DE. Texas A&M. Myles Garrett
2. San Francisco 49ers
DeShone Kizer . 2. player. 42. Chip Kelly has never been able to take a quarterback of his own in the draft this high. If he’s going to run the offense his way, that has to change. The San Francisco 49ers are going nowhere with Kaepernick and Gabbert. DeShone Kizer is not a finished product yet but he’s got the highest upside of anybody. A true athletic specimen with a good head on his shoulders. Clean up his fundamentals and he will be something to watch.. QB. Notre Dame
3. Chicago Bears
player. 57. Jay Cutler may not be dead yet after he reminded everybody what he could do on Monday Night against the Vikings. That doesn’t change the fact he’ll be 34 next year. This team desperately needs a young arm in the pipeline to groom for the future. Mitch Trubisky is the hot name rising up boards. He’s got the tools: strong arm, accurate, poised, mobile and not prone to bad decisions. He just needs a little more seasoning.. QB. North Carolina. Mitch Trubisky . 3
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jabrill Peppers . 4. player. 52. The Jacksonville Jaguars may not be run by Gus Bradley for much longer. Either way that should not stop them from continuing to fortify their defensive lineup whenever and wherever possible. In truth there are so many places they will be able to plug Jabrill Peppers. He’s that good of an athlete. Odds are though he’s destined for safety where he could become a superstar at the free position with his size, athleticism and playmaking instinct.. S. Michigan
5. Carolina Panthers
DE. Alabama. Jonathan Allen . 5. player. 87. If there is any pick that can be filed under “no brainer,” it’s this one. The Carolina Panthers build their defense around the front four. The best 4-3 units have a dominant front that can apply pressure and stop the run virtually by themselves, leaving the linebackers and secondary to focus on other tasks. Jonathan Allen is emerging as a beast at Alabama. Not only big and able to hold the point of attack, but quick and violent as a pass rusher. A perfect fit for that scheme.