Final 2017 first round NFL mock draft

Days will soon turn to hours as the NFL’s annual draft kicks off Thursday night in Philadelphia. While many believe the Browns will take the popular opinion things can change quickly.

Over the course of the last month we have watched millions of mock drafts pop up around the internet and this will be our final mock of the 2017 draft but you can probably expect one for 2018 shortly after the draft is over. Because why not?

For the Dolphins, the draft is going to take a while longer as they select in the early 20’s with pick 22 and may not stay put. There have been reports circulating about the Dolphins interest in trading back.

The most difficult part of any draft is determining who will trade up, down, in, or out of the 1st round. Many eyes are focused on the Browns because they have a lot of first and second day picks so Cleveland could be the team that moves around a lot on day one. The Patriots are without a first round pick but they have been uncharacteristically buys this off-season.

I opted to not do trades but I have noted where I belive a trade could happen.

Here is our final 2017 mock draft.

Pick #1 Cleveland Browns:

Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M

The Cleveland Browns are still touting the possibility of drafting QB Mitch Trubisky with the number one overall pick. It’s hard to imagine that they will do so. Garrett is far better the safer pick of the two and the Browns really need to hit on a player at this position. While they desperately need to find a quarterback, this draft doesn’t have any that are close to 100% day one ready. With two picks in the first round and multiple 2nd round picks, the Browns can maneuver on day one to get Trubisky with another pick.

Pick #2 San Francisco:

Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford

The 49’ers are open to trading the 2nd overall pick but the pricetag could be too high and frankly there are not a lot of teams outside of the top 10 that appear to be ready to jump up in the top three. This isn’t Jeff Ireland moving up for Dion Jordan. This draft is deep in defensive talent and no offensive players warrant the number two pick this year. The 49’ers will likely get stuck with the pick but getting Thomas is hardly a bad thing. He is a top prospect in any draft and could help the 49’ers rebuild a horrible defense.

On a side note. While I can’t imagine it actually happening there are two things to watch here. If the Browns take Trubisky over Garrett the 49’ers will have no problems moving this draft pick. If the Browns take Garrett, and they really do love Trubisky as has been reported, with the number of picks they have currently, the could move up to number two and make back-to-back picks. While I can’t see it actually happening, you never know with the moneyball Cleveland Browns.

Pick #3 Chicago Bears: 

Marshon Lattimore – CB – Ohio State

The Bears found out the hard way that they simply do not have enough depth and talent at cornerback. While the defensive front needs some help they have invested a lot of time in trying to develop front seven players while neglecting the secondary. John Fox has to get this club turned around or he may not get another head coaching gig. Lattimore is a prototypical corner who has the traits to become an NFL shutdown player.

Pick #4 Jacksonville Jaguars:

Leonard Fournette – RB – LSU

This is the first place that I see a potential trade coming. The Carolina Panthers want to get a RB but would they be willing to move up to number 4 from 8 to get one? I don’t think they will meet the Jaguars comp demands. The Jaguars have a lot of talent at WR and they have spent money to fix both the offensive line and the defense but they still need a game changing runner and Fournette should be that guy. He makes a lot of sense for a team that needs to get some splash on offense.

Pick #5 Tennessee Titans 

POTENTIAL TRADE SPOT

O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama

Some mocks have the Titans taking Howard with their 5th overall pick but in this mock they get the same guy at 12. Howard is the best TE prospect in a few years and the Titans need help opening up the passing lanes. Howard can do that.