Draft season is among us. The draft can make or break a team’s offseason. For teams on the top of the draft board, they’ll be looking to draft a player that will carry them to success in the future and get their franchises back on track. While the teams near the bottom of the board will look to solidify their already good roster. Here’s how I think the first round will play out.  

2017 NFL Mock Draft

Cleveland– DE Myles Garrett- Texas A&M

Garrett seems to be the consensus first overall pick in the draft. He’s a great pass rusher that will make an immediate impact on the field.

49ers– DE Solomon Thomas- Stanford

Solomon fits a need at pass rusher the 49ers haven’t had since Aldon Smith left the team. Thomas is a terrific athlete that will create havoc all over the league.

Bears– DE/DT Jonathan Allen- Alabama

Allen is personally my favorite defensive lineman in the draft because of his versatility. He can play anywhere on the defensive line and is a matchup problem for any offensive line.   

Jags– RB Leonard Fournette- LSU

Fournette will be an immediate upgrade at running back for the Jags and will open the field for Blake Bortles to find his big targets in the passing game. He’s got the size and speed to be an immediate star in the NFL.    

Titans– CB Marshon Lattimore- Ohio St

The Titans have a need for a lockdown corner and Lattimore has the most upside out of all the corners in this draft. He should come in and lock down receivers in the NFL.

Jets-  S Jamal Adams- LSU

Adams is the best all around safety in this draft with incredible cover ability and the ability tackle. The Jets could use his versatility on defense.

Chargers- S Malik Hooker- Ohio State

Hooker is the best cover safety in the draft. The Chargers are in dire need there so Hooker will fit in great.

Panthers- DE Derek Barnett- Tennessee

With Kony Ealy now in New England, Barnett will team up with All Pro Charles Johnson to solidify the pass rush in Carolina.

Bengals- MLB Reuben Foster- Alabama

Foster can completely lay people out. Foster and Vontaze Burfict can easily become the most intimidating linebacker tandem in football.   

Bills- WR Corey Davis- Western Washington

The Bills are extremely thin at receiver. Corey Davis was a beast at Western Michigan and will look to do the same in Buffalo.

Saints- CB Marlon Humphrey- Alabama

Humphrey has been a late emerger but had a great combine and has solidified himself as a first round selection. For the Saints, they desperately need help on defense and Humphrey will immediately improve their secondary.

Browns– QB Mitchell Trubisky- North Carolina

If the Browns want to become a true contender they need a quarterback for now and the future. In a small sample size you can see the upside in Trubinsky with his fantastic mechanics and great pocket presence.  

Cardinals- TE OJ Howard- Alabama

Carson Palmer needs a big target to throw to in the red zone and Howard can do that and more. He’s a complete tight end who can block and catch, which is super rare now and days.

Eagles- CB Tre’davious White- LSU

The Eagles’ number one issue was cornerback last year so White will come in and be a number one corner for the Eagles.

Colts- RB Dalvin Cook- Florida St

Cook has great speed and has the ability to make people miss in space. Andrew Luck could use a back like Cook to open up the field for him in the passing game.

Ravens- OLB Hassan Reddick- Temple

Reddick had one of the best combines and rose up many draft boards as a result. With the help of veteran edge rusher Terrell Suggs, Reddick will be able to take his raw athletic talent and become a fantastic pass rusher.     

Redskins- WR John Ross- Washington

When Ross broke the 40 yard dash record, Ross went flying up teams’ draft boards. Now that DeSean Jackson is in Tampa Bay, John Ross will bring that speed threat in the back in their passing game.

Titans- WR Mike Williams- Clemson

The Titans lost out on getting elite receivers Alshon Jeffery and Brailon Cooks in the free agency so getting a receiver in the draft is a must. Williams’ incredible size, speed, and catching ability will make Marcus Mariota a happy man.   

Bucs- OT Ryan Ramczyk- Wisconsin

The Bucs need to protect their young, star quarterback Jameis Winston. Last year he got hit too way too much so addressing the offensive line is a must. Ramczyk will be a step in the right direction.

Broncos- TE David Njoku- Miami

Ever since Julius Thomas’ departure from the team the Broncos haven’t addressed the tight end position. Njoku is the most athletic tight end in this class and can be the future tight end for many years in Denver.

Lions– LB Zach Cunningham- Vanderbilt

Cunningham perfectly fits the Lions scheme being a 4-3 outside linebacker. He’ll make an immediate impact now that DeAndre Levy’s officially retired.

Dolphins– OT/OG Cam Robinson- Alabama

Cam Robinson may be the best overall offensive lineman in the draft but my concern is his issues off the field. The Dolphins were able to keep Laremy Tunsil in check after he had similar issues in last years draft. I can see them doing the same with Robinson.

Giants– OT Garrett Boles- Utah

Erick Flowers struggled at left tackle last season. Boles is an immediate upgrade over him and will help both the pass game and the run game improve.

Raiders- MLB Jarrad Davis- Florida

Davis is another inside linebacker that can absolutely blow people up. He’s a bit slow but he will fit well in Oakland’s 3-4 system.   

Texans- QB DeShaun Watson- Clemson

Watson is a winner, that’s the bottom line to me. Over the course of the draft the quarterbacks that succeed are the ones who are winners college. Watson will have to improve his game but Bill O’Brien is a great quarterback coach and will get this kid on the right track to become an elite quarterback.  

Seahawks- OLB Tak McKinley- UCLA

The Seahawks need to add a speed rusher on the edge and McKinley will fit in nicely with the Legion of Boom.

KC- QB DeShone Kizer- Notre Dame

Kizer has all the physical mechanics to be a star quarterback but he’ll need to improve his decision making. Sitting behind Alex Smith for a few years should help him develop his game.  

Cowboys- DE Taco Charlton- Michigan

The Cowboys had a tough time getting pressure on the quarterback last year and Charlton was great at that in his time at Michigan. Should be a match made in heaven.

Green Bay- HB Christian McCaffrey- Stanford

McCaffrey’s a great athlete and can do a lot in the run and passing game. My issue with him is his small frame. I don’t know if he will be successful running in between the tackles. But with Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, McCaffery’s production won’t dwindle too much in the NFL.

Pittsburgh- S Jabrill Peppers- Michigan

This guy’s a great athlete and has tremendous upside if used properly. I think a great defensive mind in Mike Tomlin will find a way to make something work with Peppers.  

Falcons- OT/OG Forrest Lamp- Western Kentucky

Lamp would add even more depth to an already great offensive line. Should be a good value pick for the Falcons.

Saints- OLB Charles Harris- Mizzou

Sean Payton has been emphasizing improving his defense this offseason so here ya go, more defense. Harris will help out their pass rush in a big way.