2017 NFL Mock Draft: Cleveland Starts It Off With Fireworks

DE. Tennessee. Derek Barnett . 11. player. 59. Age is becoming a significant issue for the Dolphins defensive line. Their top edge rushers in Cameron Wake and Mario Williams are over the age of 30. They can’t be expected to last much longer. So the team decides to go young at defensive end. Derek Barnett may not have the hype of Garrett, but his production in a power conference would suggest he knows how to sack quarterbacks. He’s big, quick, aggressive and runs with a high motor.

player. 48. The Buccaneers are still trying to build a core on defense. They have some good pieces in place but one or two spots remain a problem, like safety. It’s been a revolving door there for some time. Often the only fix is the obvious one. Jamal Adams is part of a strong safety class in 2017. His game is more the tone-setter style. He’s dangerous when near the line of scrimmage. A good tackler and fierce hitter. That said, don’t overlook him in coverage.. S. LSU. Jamal Adams . 12

Alabama. Marlon Humphrey . 13. player. 15. The fact they tried to trade for Joe Haden signals the point clear enough. New Orleans is really hurting for cornerback help due to injuries and talent problems. Marlon Humphrey may yet return to Alabama given his youth but there is no question he’s among the best corners available. A big body with that mentality of sticking to receivers down the field. He operates with a certain swagger and has a short memory when he’s beaten, which isn’t often.. CB

14. player. 32. The Arizona Cardinals have a defense that is built on being aggressive. Sometimes it works and others it doesn’t. Part of the reason for this is they simply don’t have certain pieces in place to handle. Inside linebacker has quietly been a modest position for them. An upgrade could be a real help. Reuben Foster is their type of guy. He’s a sure tackler with a sense for stopping the run. On top of that he’s got the awareness and explosion to blitz.. ILB. Alabama. Reuben Foster

Vanderbilt. Zach Cunningham . 15. player. 56. Historically the Bengals have loved to load up on quality linebackers whenever possible. They may be due for such a move again, given the importance of the front seven to their defense. It won’t take the coaches long to pinpoint how good a player Zach Cunningham is. Despite being surrounded by questionable talent, he continues to thrive at Vanderbilt with big plays. He’s got NFL size, top tier instinct and enough speed to go sideline-to-sideline.. LB