Tuck’s NFL Mock Draft 3.0

Breaking Down The Draft As It Nears

In my experience, the closer we get to the draft, the more recognizable a few things become. First, how fluid the draft is after the first 20 picks. While some teams will see top 20 talent falling, others will see no difference, or little difference between players 20-60.

Most drafts, and this one included are typically loaded with talent in the 2nd and 3rd rounds that falls often times because greater needs are addressed earlier. Secondly, mock draft info tends to be especially wrong in the back half. No less than 5 players not projected to go in the first round will, and several expected to, won’t.

And lastly, we’re all bound to screw up. One pick could throw it all off. A trade, and there will be trades, will change who goes where undoubtedly.

MOCK DRAFT 3.0 (4/17/17)

*PICK NO.
1
CLE
DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Don’t buy into reports it’ll be a quarterback. No-brainer choice, instant starter.
 
  • PICK NO.
    2SF
    CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
    The 49ers would love a trade back for more assets, and many of the top players available don’t fit. Corner is a top need though, so if the clock runs out…
  • PICK NO.
    3
    CHI
    DE Jonathan Allen, Alabama
    The great news for the Bears is they could trade down a few spots and still fill a pressing need. They’re one of a few teams whose biggest needs are available in the best players on the board. Allen pegs in perfect at the 3-technique for John Fox’s defense.
  • PICK NO.
    4
    JAX
    TE OJ Howard, Alabama
    Jags glaring need is offensive line, but if they stay put, one other need they could reach for to help the offense in both phases is tight end.
  • PICK NO.
    5
    TEN
    SS Jamal Adams, LSU
    Titans should end up with a top safety or corner with this selection, but OJ Howard is a sleeper for them if he’s available.
  • PICK NO.
    6
    NYJ
    RB Leonard Fournette, LSU
    So many holes, but you have to start somewhere. Sounds crazy, but the Jets probably wise to wait until 2018 for a quarterback because they’ll be bad next year.
  • PICK NO.
    7
    Los Angeles Chargers
    QB Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina
    Rivers isn’t getting any younger and not often you’re in position to draft a quarterback when you have a good one. Perfect spot to sit and learn.
  • PICK NO.
    8
    CAR
    RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
    Panthers get their DeAngelo Williams replacement a couple of years after his departure.
  • PICK NO.
    9
    CIN
    DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford
    Bengals are another team that could use help on the offensive line, but unless they trade down they’re stuck with the best on the board.
  • PICK NO.
    10
    BUF
    CB Gareon Conley, Ohio State
    Buffalo lost their top corner and got scorched last year in the secondary.
  • PICK NO.
    11
     NO
    OLB Haason Redick, Temple
    Saints linebackers are amongst the worst in football. Corner is also a possibility, as is the Malcolm Butler trade with New England.
  • PICK NO.
    12
    QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson
    I sense a trade down, but if the board falls to where they can land Watson or Mahomes it may be too tempting to pass.
  • PICK NO.
    13
    ARI
    WR Mike Williams, Clemson
    Larry Fitzgerald isn’t going to be around too much longer and the Michael Floyd pick didn’t work out as planned.
  • PICK NO.
    14
    PHI
    RB Dalvin Cook, FSU
    Eagles could go in a number of directions, and a team to watch for a trade up in the draft with plenty of players on their roster they’d like to move, like RB Ryan Mathews. 
  • PICK NO.
    15
    IND
    OL Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky
    Stock is rising, and the Colts keep needing to improve around Luck and do with a guy who can play inside or out.
  • PICK NO.
    16
    BAL
    OLB Takkarist McKinley, UCLA

    The sizzle is running out on Terrell Suggs career and an eventual replacement is necessary.

  • PICK NO.
    17
    WAS
    QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
    Opens up the possibility for a Kirk Cousins trade, or perhaps planning on him not being around next season.
  • PICK NO.
    18
    TEN
    MLB Reuben Foster, Alabama
    If the Titans stay put, they may end up with a gem in this spot. 
  • PICK NO.
    19
    TB
    FS Malik Hooker, Ohio State
    Bucs would be really lucky for the board to deliver them Hooker who fills a position of need.
  • PICK NO.
    20
    DEN
    OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
    The Broncos have been trying to figure out their left tackle situation for the last few years unsuccessfully. 
  • PICK NO.
    21
    DET
    TE David Njoku, Miami (FL)
    Offensive line and defensive line are bigger needs, but it’s been implied that they’d like to go fishing in the tight end well once again, and this might be too tempting to pass on.
  • PICK NO.
    22
    MIA
    DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee
    The Dolphins shallowest position is defensive end.
  • PICK NO.
    23
    NYG
    OT Garrett Bolles, Utah
    The Giants have to figure out right tackle to make all of those offensive weapons work for Eli Manning. 
  • PICK NO.
    24
    OAK
    MLB Jarrad Davis, Florida

    One of my favorites in the draft, and a team that could use him.

  • PICK NO.
    25
    HOU
    QB Davis Webb, Cal

    If it’s not a quarterback, I’d think it’s a secondary player. 

  • PICK NO.
    26
    SEA
     S/Rover Budda Baker, Washington
     If I know anything, predicting what Seattle will do is a fool’s errand. 
  • PICK NO.
    27
    KC
    WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan
    It’s obvious to everyone that the Chiefs need more weapons on offense if the Alex Smith experience is to improve. 
  • PICK NO.
    28
    DAL
    SS/Rover Jabril Peppers, Michigan
    Anywhere on the defense is a possibility, as is right tackle.
  • PICK NO.
    29
    GB
    CB Chidobe Iwuzie, Colorado
    Defense is still licking it’s wounds from the NFC Title game and this is a guy who can play both the slot and the boundry.
  • PICK NO.
    30
     PIT
    DE/OLB Charles Harris, Missouri
    James Harrison can’t play forever, and let’s face, the Steelers love drafting linebackers.
  • PICK NO.
    31
    ATL

    DE Malik McDowell, Michigan State

    Falcons could use a corner, a tight end (don’t sleep on Evan Engram), or more depth at defensive end, and McDowell is perfect for their 3-4.

  • PICK NO.                                                                                                                    32                                                                                                        NOTRADED FROM
    New England Patriots

WR John Ross, Washington                                                                                               How about this for a Brandon Cooks replacement?