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2017 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: First-Round Predictions for All 32 Picks

Noah Strackbein
Noah Strackbein

Slap the Sign
NFL: 2016 NFL Draft
NFL: 2016 NFL Draft

Slap the Sign presents their 2017 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 – The first of four mock drafts produced by the Slap the Sign staff.

Slap the Sign is proud to introduce their first of four 2017 NFL Mock Drafts. As players, coaches, and fans prepare for April’s NFL draft, we’ve been working on our first prediction of what players will end up where.

Our Mock Draft 1.0 is constructed of all 32 team’s first-round pick. Each member of the Slap the Sign staff researched all 32 players on this draft board in order to assemble our first mock draft.

From Myles Garrett to Jabrill Peppers, every one of these players has been thoroughly scouted and assigned to the draft pick the Slap the Sign staff believes they will be selected. Maybe some of these picks seem like a stretch, but trust us, there was no player the entire staff didn’t carefully discuss.

Maybe not all of these players fall where we want them to. We all know no quarterback wants to go to Cleveland, and with the way Los Angeles has played all season, players may not want to end up there as well. But at the end of the day, hearing your name called, no matter where you end up, is fulfilling the dream every one of these players has had since they were a kid.

Don’t agree with some of our draft picks? Make sure to let us know in the comments below.

And now, without further ado, here is Slap the Sign’s ‘2017 NFL Mock Draft 1.0.’

The Cleveland Browns are now on the clock…

The criticism Myles Garrett has gotten during his junior year has been because of his “low numbers” compared to his sophomore campaign. But, since when has 33 tackles and 8.5 sacks been a bad season?

Garrett may be the most athletic pass rusher in this year’s draft class. At 6’5, 265 pounds, Garrett has the mobility and strength to beat any tackle. For most quarterbacks, Garrett can be in the backfield before they finish their drop back.

His only problem is his over-pursue. Garrett tends to shy off of filling his gap during run plays because he’s so focused on getting to the quarterback. Although it’s a problem most NFL coaches will have little trouble fixing, it’s still a concern heading into the next level.

The Cleveland Browns need a lot. Garrett isn’t going to make this team a playoff contender, or even get them to .500. What he will do is fill the void the Browns have in their defense.

He’s the best player in this year’s draft, and with the first pick, Cleveland should jump on the opportunity to bring in NFL ready talent.

There are some questions as to if DeShone Kizer is actually ready for the NFL. But when it comes to the 49ers, they don’t have much of a choice. They need so many surrounding roles filed that they could draft almost anyone in any position, but passing on a chance for a franchise quarterback wouldn’t be worth it.

With Chip Kelly gone, it’s a guessing game as to whether or not Colin Kaepernick will return to the 49ers next year. Chances are his time in San Francisco is over, and they’re looking for a new play caller to build around. For a growing team, drafting a quarterback who has some growing to do isn’t a bad idea.

With Kizer’s ability to throw, his arm strength as well as the speed he possesses, he could become very dangerous if the 49ers decide to put him under center. With a franchise rebuilding as much as the 49ers, it makes sense to grab your young QB now so that he can be molded into a trusted leader to be built around.

Mitch Trubisky may be the highest praised quarterback in the 2017 class. His mature presence in the pocket makes him a player that can step in immediately for the Chicago Bears.

The Bears need a reliable new play caller. With the decline of Jay Culter, Chicago is searching for a replacement, and even though they may have found one in Matt Barkley, passing up on Trubisky is something they don’t want to do.

What makes Trubisky so intriguing, is his ability to make smart throws. There were few times over his three-year career that he made a throw people questioned. His 10 total interceptions in three seasons show how little he makes mistakes.

Coming off of a quarterback who’s known for throwing interceptions, the Bears may find Trubisky to intriguing to pass up on. With the new found talent at running back and wide receiver Chicago has, adding a trustworthy quarterback may be the next step towards becoming a playoff contender.

Trubisky could be the first quarterback chosen in the draft, but with DeShone Kizer’s duel-threat ability, this Tar Heel will likely end up in Chicago.

With the amount of hype the Jaguars defense had coming into the 2016 season, they are one of the biggest busts of the year. There’s no question Jacksonville needs a lot more than a defensive lineman, but if Jonathan Allen is available at number three, there’s no way the Jags pass him up.

Allen has all the strength and athleticism to play the inside or outside on the defensive line. Alabama has a lot of defensive players headed to the 2017 draft, and every one of them could easily hear their name called. Leading this pack is Allen, and it’s safe to say he’s the best of the bunch.

Allen is a pick you know is going to work out. He isn’t like DeShone Kizer who isn’t NFL ready, or Myles Garrett who has all the potential, but something about him scares you. No, Allen is nothing less than a future Pro Bowler.

He’s going to step in and make this Jaguar’s defense better instantly. With the monster deals the Jags gave away last offseason, they better hope some of these players tart to work out. If they don’t, they could make Allen the building block for the future of Jacksonville.

The Tennessee Titans have the opportunity to take one of the best wide receivers in this draft. Mike Williams stood out after having a fantastic QB in Deshaun Watson display his skills. Williams with his 6-3″ 220-pound body build makes him the perfect downfield weapon. He will be a match-up nightmare for any defensive back.

His speed will make defenses stay true. Safeties won’t be able to cheat up towards the line or Williams will blow right past them. He’s able to make you have to down the field and away from the run.

What makes Williams such a smart player is that even with his size, he can still track down a pass and catch it with his hands rather than his body. Not to mention that his route running is crisp and dangerous. He knows how to position his body to make almost any catch in his area.

He’s also a pure football player. He’s not scared to lay out for a catch or even make a catch knowing a hit is coming. His size also helps him with blocking which is done with great technique. Williams

Williams is a solid top WR in this draft with all the attributes needed to strive in the NFL.

(Note from the editor: With the fifth pick in the 2017 draft, the Titans have an opportunity to take their team to a whole new level by drafting Williams. Marcus Mariota will finally have a top tier receiver to depend on in 2017.)

Sometimes top players slip through the recruiting process, and smaller schools end up getting the gems. Western Michigan got just that in Corey Davis, and now he’s a name known around all league front offices.

Davis showed that MAC competition was nowhere near his level of play, but the spread offense was bread and butter for him.

Davis has a second gear in him that he can turn on at any point. Throw up a deep pass and Davis will chase it down on the money. His route running is great, but he relied on shoulder shakes and stutter steps often. Which isn’t a problem, but professional players might not fall for it as easily. His speed should account for a lot, though.

What separates Davis from a lot of other players is what he is able to do once the ball is in his hands. His speed is top notch, but his ability to break tackles says much more. At 6-3″ 213 pounds, a lot of that strength is upper body. Davis can rip off anyone trying to pull him down.

If Davis is put into a system where he can build a good connection with a quarterback like Philip Rivers, he could be dangerous.

Since his freshman year, Leonard Fournette has been a future NFL player. His size, speed, power, and playmaking ability are something you find every few years.

The Jets have an abundance of running backs on this roster, and it isn’t likely they’re going to ditch any this offseason. By drafting Fournette, New York may be pointing towards the end of Matt Forte’s career.

Fournette needs to stay healthy in order to succeed the way he’s able too. His potential is sky high, but everyone knows it isn’t certain he’ll ever last a full season. He’s dealt with a lot of injuries in college, and that doesn’t always transfer well into the NFL. It’s sad to say, but he’s a hit-or-miss due to his inability to stay on the field.

If he does stay healthy, he has everything needed to be the next great running back in the NFL. We all watched Ezekiel Elliot do it this year, and we all know Fournette has everything he needs to do it next year.

Dalvin Cook may is the second-best running back in a draft class filled with future NFL backfield stars. The Panthers have a solid running back in Jonathan Stewart, but it’s been clear for years that they’re missing an explosive force out of the backfield.

In three years, Cook proved time and time again that he’s going to be something special when given the chance. The only thing stopping him from reaching his full potential in college was Florida State. The Seminoles and Jimbo Fisher relied much more on the pass than the run and ultimately held Cook back from possibly being a Heisman finalist this season.

This is a match made in heaven for Cook, the Panthers, and Cam Newton. Cook can be explosive in the run game, and be a threat catching out of the backfield. What Newton has missed a lot this season is someone to take pressure off of him and the passing game.

Cook’s going to be something special. He reminds me a lot of DeAngelo Williams. If this current Panther’s team had Williams during his prime, the offense would be one of the most dynamic units in the NFL. By adding Cook, it could easily reach that potential.

The Bengals are a team that has just about everything in place except an offensive line. Yes, they’d like to add a reliable receiver adjacent to A.J. Green, but first, they need to protect Andy Dalton.

Robinson is the best offensive linemen in the 2017 class. With the depth of offensive linemen in this year’s draft being much less than past years, Robinson is a gem for many teams. With the Bengals need for a tackle, they’ll be licking their chops at the thought of getting a Nick Saban creation.

The issue with the Bengals drafting Robinson is he’s only an average pass blocker. At 6’6 327 pounds, you’d think he’d be able to lay the lumber on any play. But he’s shown during his career to be much better in the run game than in pass protection.

For a team who relies heavily on the pass, this is going to be a concern. The Bengals may want to upgrade their running game next season. With possibly the best running back duo in the NFL, Cincinnati could be searching for ways to balance out their offense. If they believe they can improve Robinson’s pass blocking they won’t hesitate to draft him.

The Buffalo Bills have already fired Rex Ryan as their head coach and who replaces him could have a large impact on who they draft. With the ability to pick Jabrill Peppers, the Bills won’t pass it up. Their defense has all the potential to be great, but are yet to prove themselves. By adding a player like Peppers, they may find that X-factor they’re searching for.

If Ryan was still the coach, there’d be no way Peppers doesn’t end up a Bill. Rex Ryan has always been about flash and no player in the draft is as flashy as Peppers. But that isn’t the only reason the Bills want to add this safety/nickleback/returner/running back/slot receiver. Peppers is an impact player, and if he’s still around when Buffalo is on the clock they’d be crazy not to take him.

His draft stock did fall this season, as his expectations weren’t entirely met. He’s still a player any team would love to add, though. His ability to play numerous position will help the defense, and make him a threat on offense.

If he’s used alongside Sammy Watkins, he could become one of the most dangerous slot receivers in the NFL while dominating the defensive end as well.

The Bills want Peppers. They’re a team with an abundance of talent that’s missing the x-factor. Jabrill Peppers is the x-factor and Buffalo knows it.

The Saints are in desperate need of defense next season. With Drew Bree’s almost 40-years-old, the window is closing fast on this New Orleans team. The first solution to their problem is finding a linebacker to lead this team. That linebacker, Zach Cunningham.

At Vanderbilt, Cunningham solidified himself as one of the best defensive players to ever play for the school. This season, he finished with 125 tackles and 16.5 tackle for loss. As an inside linebacker with crazy fast reaction time, Cunningham can impact this Saints’ defense immediately.

Cunningham will be the first Vanderbilt player to be drafted in the first-round since 1984. It takes a lot for a Vandy player to be recognized, but the entire nation knows Cunningham.

He’s the best option for the Saints. They could look for other defensive linemen with their first-round pick, but with Cunningham still on the board, it’s nearly impossible to pass him up.

Deshaun Watson should be the second Clemson player taken in the 2017 NFL draft, and the second taken within the top 10. He may not have the attributes DeShone Kizer or Mitch Trubisky have, but Watson is a winner and has everything an NFL team desires.

The Cleveland Browns have two picks in the first-round of the 2017 NFL draft, and it’s no secret they need a quarterback. Everyone would like to see Robert Griffin III make something out of his NFL career. With all the injuries, though, that isn’t going to happen, and the Browns need to move on.

If Watson pulls off an epic upset in the National Championship and defeats Alabama, his draft stock could definitely rise. With Kizer and Trubisky ahead of him, he isn’t likely to move that far up in the draft. He could find himself jumping one of them, but chances are he’s headed to Cleveland.

With a new head coach that looks like he may finally have a plan for the Browns, Watson could be in good hands. No one wants to hear their name called by the Browns, but I’m sure Watson won’t be upset as long as he gets his chance in the pros.

Marlon Humphrey emerged as one of the best cornerbacks in college football. His ability to read the run is great, but he does most of his damage in coverage. He would be a great asset to any secondary.

Talk about speed, Humphrey competed in the 2013 World Youth Track and Field Championships and also was on the 4 X 400 for Alabama. A true all-around athlete. The speed he possesses helped him keep up with the wide receivers in the SEC, and we’ll see that translate into the league.

There are other options that Arizona could go for with this pick, but Humphry gives them a chance to reinforce some depth in the secondary.

He is an incredibly tough player and will lay down a solid hit on you.

He works better in man coverage but is a weapon in any defense. Watch for him to trail the receiver and use his speed to catch up once the ball is in the air and make a play.

Vertically he can stay with the majority of wideouts and receivers and does well running along them in their routes.

He shut down many receivers in the SEC and around the nation. After some time in the league, he could do some serious damage.

Hey Eagles fan, does the name Brian Dawkins ring a bell? Jamal Adams may be the closest representation of the freakish Eagles’ safety since Taylor Mays. The only difference, Adams is going to be this good in the NFL and could end up in Philadelphia.

The Eagles primary concern this offseason is finding a wide receiver and maybe a running back. But when Adams is still on the board with the 14th pick, there is no way the Eagles aren’t going to call his name.

He’s sick. This man can cover and hit like no one else. He;s the dynamic safety every team dreams of having but only few do. If you combine Early Thomas and Dam Chancellor, you’d get Jamal Adams.

It;s no exaggeration to say that Adams may one day be the best player to come out of the 2017 NFL draft. He has everything you want in a football player and has the “I just want to hit someone” attitude some players just don’t have in today’s game.

The 13 teams before Philly are going to regret not drafting Adams, because one day he’s going to be a Hall of Famer.

It’s no secret that the Colts need help everywhere. The best thing to do right now is stop neglecting the defense. This year the Colts can draft Derek Barnett, defensive end from Tennessee.

Barnett has a great form and can use his body to work through the line and make his way to the QB. His eye-hand coordination working together is great. The way he can use his lower body strength proves ideal for tackling or just keeping leverage on the line or a pile.

He might not have the burst you would want to see from him just yet, but he does have the strength, technique, and quickness to be a great asset as a Colt. His technique works better rushing against a guard. He has the ability to roll his shoulders and swoop under the guard making his way to pressure the QB.

Barnett can rotate his body making it as hard as possible to block. It also helps him from being pushed out of the pocket. Right now it looks like it’s hard for him to chase down the QB, but he’s quick and relentless against any blocker.

The Baltimore Ravens could pick up one of the best pass rushers in this draft by selecting Charles Harris.

Harris is a fast edge rusher and can put pressure on the quarterback. His speed and initial blow off of the first step is tremendous. He as a motor and is one of those players that grinds every day.

At 6-3″ 255, Harris is extremely versatile and comes in with a tool belt of different moves. From his stutter step, swim move, spin, and even helmet slap, Harris has it all. A defensive end that possesses the skill set of Harris belongs in the league.

He is great at lowering his shoulder to get around the line and flatten out in time to make a move on the QB. Harris also is great at making plays on the run. He’s smart, and when the run is committed, Harris will make a move to the gap and stop or slow down the play before the line of scrimmage.

Harris is a natural pass rusher gifted with a wide variety of skills. Those verities of skills are what sets him apart and should be most appealing to the Baltimore Ravens.

The Redskins are getting closer and closer to becoming a real threat in the NFL each season, and with a chance to improve their defense in a BIG way, they’ll draft Takkarist McKinley.

McKinley is one of the most powerful edge rusher in this year’s draft. His huge frame and ability to overpower most tackles gives him the ability to play defensive end in a 4-3 or an outside linebacker in a 3-4.

What makes McKinley one of the most interesting players in this year’s class is his ability to use his hands. You rarely see college level players use their hands to get through offensive linemen. McKinley is one of the select few who already has this concept down, making him ahead of most other edge rushers in the eyes of NFL scouts.

You won’t see the greatest athleticism or quickness from McKinley. His game doesn’t revolve much around his speed, and it’ll need to be a focus point once he’s draft. His strength and skill still put him ahead of most other pass rushers in this draft, and the Redskins are going to get a great addition to their already impressive defense.

The Titans will get the biggest steal of the draft in Quincy Wilson. Not because teams will pass on him, but because of the amount of teams in need if quarterbacks and the depth in this year’s draft. Because of all this, Tennessee will walk away with the best cornerback in the draft with the number 18 pick.

If Tennessee decides to draft Wilson with the Rams’ pick, there’s no criticism at all. Wilson is one of the best players coming out of college this year and has, no will be a shutdown corner immediately.

The Titans have a solid group of defensive backs, but no true number one corner. Wilson will step in and be the lead man right from the start and should have no trouble adapting to the NFL. He’s 6’1, has the ability to push any wide receiver off their route at the line of scrimmage, uses his hands as well as anyone in college football, and can beat most wideouts deep with his speed.

Wilson is a player who deserves to go in the top 10 but will fall because of the lack of demand in cornerbacks. Just because he goes 18th overall doesn’t mean he’s any less talented than the first overall pick. Honestly, he could be the second-best player in this draft.

Desmond King could provide some much-needed help for the Tampa Bay Bucs. Even though he had played his college career as a cornerback, there is a good chance he will be moved to safety in the league.

His vertical speed in not that special but he makes up for it in instincts.

King is fluid enough to stick to a receiver, but his physicality would make him an interesting safety. He makes smooth transitions and fantastic body control. He can put himself in the best position to make a play on the ball or even come away with an interception.

His open field tackling is also a factor of the physicality he plays with. King proved throughout his time at Iowa that if he was in the area, he was going to make a play.

Who knows if he will get a chance to make an impact on special teams, but if he does, we know he can. King has a great mind and vision to continue being a kick and punt returner.

To put it simply, King won’t be the best athlete on the field, but he has the football IQ to make plays, and that’s what Tampa Bay needs.

The Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL, one of, if not the, best receiving cores in the NFL, and when healthy a dominant running back. The only problem Denver has is the atrocious offensive line.

For years Denver has tried to fix their line, and it never seems to work. It could be time to stop looking at free agents and start developing players from the draft. One player they won’t need to develop much is Dan Feeney.

At 6’4 305 pounds, Feeney has all the quickness and strength a solid NFL guard needs. As he builds his size, he’ll only begin to become an even more dominant lineman. The Broncos may have the team to win right now, but if they want to carry this success for years to come, they’ll look for Feeney to be the star linemen they need.

His ability to protect against the pass rush and in the run game make him a lineman all teams want. The Broncos may have liked to draft Cam Robinson out of Alabama, but won’t be upset with Feeney. His ability to block for both the run and pass may make him an even better option for Denver than Robinson.

The Broncos need linemen. They can’t come into this draft looking to bulk their defense even more. What they need to do and will do is start protecting their backfield.

Caleb Brantley has been low key one of the best players on Florida’s defense that has had one of the best defensive lines all year. Some team will notice that, and it’s going to be the Lions.

Brantley has everything the Lions need on their defensive line. He adds the strength and power that their previous linemen had without the off the field drama.

What Brantley excels at is being able to play any position on the defensive line. If the Lions want to move him inside from time to time, or use him as a pass rusher at the defensive end position, he’s capable of doing both, and doing them well.

The Lions defense has been pretty sturdy over the last few seasons. Their first concern isn’t the defensive line, it may be wide receiver or running back, but Brantley is too valuable to pass up.

The Lions’ front office is one of the smartest in the NFL. They won’t let a talent like Brantley slip through their fingers.

Marshon Lattimore has potential and the skill set needed to be one of the best cornerbacks in the league.

His athletic build helps him wait and hold the line for as long as he can then close any separation between him and the receiver. Lattimore is fluent and can match the receiver step for step giving him the best shot to defend the pass. His speed to eliminate separation also takes away any chance of a big play down field.

Lattimore is also a very physical player. He doesn’t shy away from contact and does well at wrapping up tackles.

He can excel whether in man or zone coverage. What sets him apart is that he is patient and aware. Lattimore is exceptional at mirroring the receiver making him conscious of the route and incoming flight of the ball. He allows the play to develop then break it up right when he needs to.

His light and quick feet accompanied by his surreal balance make him a great player able to make highlight reel plays. After being looked over some because of lack of playing time at Ohio State, the Dolphins have a chance to make a great steal in this draft.

There might not be another player in the field that gets after it like Jarrad Davis. He will grind like there’s no tomorrow and commits to out hustling anyone on the field.

His speed makes him a dangerous blitzer, but he is also capable of picking up receivers.

Not only is he quick on his feet but he’s quick with his mind. Davis’ ability to decipher the play before it develops is top notch. He is able to read a play and still be fast enough that he can stop a run or get into the backfield and blow up a pass. He is a physical player that will use his body to make the play.

Sometimes that physicality can be too much and cause problems. Such as trying to go for a too big of a hit and miss, but we don’t see that too often. Davis is a pretty good form tackler and does what needs to be done to take the ball carrier to the ground. But that doesn’t mean he won’t be looking for the big hit.

With many wide receivers already off the board, this would be the next best pick for the New York Giants.

Gareon Conley is one of the best number two cornerbacks coming out of the draft. He has all the ball skills and size to matchup with top tier wide receivers, but in Oakland, he’ll be asked to play opponent’s second wideout.

With Sean Smith lineup on the other side, Oakland’s defense officially becomes one of the most terrifying units in football. All season they’ve missed just one or two pieces to the puzzle. Well, Conley is the answer.

With the 24th pick, the Raiders can wait around for Conley. There’s a slim chance he jumps much higher with the amount of defensive backs in the first-round.

With a hopefully healthy Derrick Carr, one of the best linebackers in the NFL, and now one of the scariest secondaries, the Raiders will become a Super Bowl favorite from their first pick in the 2017 NFL draft.

How perfect would it be for the Seahawks to find the perfect player to line up next to Michael Bennett? With DeMarcus Walker, they’ve found that player.

Walker is one of the freakish players in this draft class that just make you enjoy watching football again. Even though Florida State struggled a little, this season doesn’t mean Walker missed a beat. This pass rusher proved each week why he was considered one of the best.

His ability to beat tackles off the ball with speed and power makes him an immediate impact player for the Seahawks. For a defense who has a solid secondary year after year, adding to their line is something they always want to do.

At 6’2, 273 pounds, Walker can do it all. The Seahawks are getting one of the best in the draft and a player who will fit well with their defense. He’s just as hard-nosed as the rest of the Seattle defense. It should take no time for him to find his stride with the Seahawks.

Tim Williams may be the best edge rusher outside of Myles Garrett in this draft. The only problem with him going in the top 10, is the only team I see him truly fitting with is the Jets, and the chances of them not drafting Leonard Fournette are slim.

Williams is a freak. His combination of speed and power off the edge make him a player no NFL team wants to face, and someone quarterbacks have nightmares about on Saturdays.

Williams is going to make the Texans’ defense even more elite than they are right now. If J.J. Watt comes back healthy and they’re able to keep Clowney on his feet, Willaims may find himself as the outside linebacker for one of the best pass-rushing teams in the NFL.

This is a scary thought for anyone outside of the Houston organization. If Williams slides to Houston, then he immediately becomes the steal of the draft. Most believe he’s a top 10 pick, but with the amount of talent in edge rushers and the different styles of which they all play, Williams best fit is Houston, and he could be the best first-round pick at number 26.

The Green Bay Packers took half the season to get their defense to click and even then they are one of the worst in the NFL. This defensive unit needs a lot of work, but starting with a solid linebacker to help Clay Matthews is a great place to start.

Reuben Foster is considerably the best inside linebacker in the draft. Playing for Alabama, Foster has developed the gritty, hard-nosed defensive attitude the NFL needs. Playing alongside one of the best pass rushers in the National Football League can quickly make him a dominant force.

Foster is the perfect match for Green Bay. Having a strong inside presence in their linebacker core is going to take a lot of pressure off Matthews, and could finally help them stop the run. Which, will help Aaron Rodgers win games without scoring 40 points.

Honestly, anyone you draft from Alabama’s defense is going to be special. This is a unit that doesn’t compare to any other defense in the NCAA. In the middle of it all is Foster and if that doesn’t give you an idea of how good this guy is than I don’t know what will.

The Packers don’t need another edge rusher and quarterback sacking expert. What they need is a solid Mike who can play the run and drop back in coverage. With Reuben Foster, they get both.

Green Bay is so close to a Super Bowl appearance, but they need someone like Foster to solidify the defense.

Pittsburg can be on their way to creating a gritty defense once again, but it starts with Carlos Watkins.

Watkins can add to any interior defense. He possesses a lot of upper body strength, but his legs do a lot to keep the line balanced. He can lock his legs in place or drive you just far enough back to where moving him for a run is difficult. Watkins becomes that body in the middle creating congestion.

He’s been a beast up front for Clemson and is one of the reasons why a talented roster like Clemson is in the College Football playoffs.

With Pittsburg in the last year of their deals with Jarvis Jones and James Harrison, a pick up like Watkins could be a good safety net. This would also be one of the best landing spots for Watkins because this could give him the opportunity to make an impact right away.

He’s shown that he can improve as well. In 2015 as good as Clemson was, the defense let some big plays happen, something that we haven’t seen much of this year. Especially not anything head to head with Watkins. There’s still room to improve, but in a system like Pittsburg, he could flourish.

Ryan Ramczyk may be the best left tackle in this draft. His quickness of hands and overwhelming strength gives him an advantage over just about any defender he sees.

The top tackle has a giant question mark hanging over his head, though. As he deals with a hip injury, no one seems to know whether or not he;s going to be healthy this offseason. If he is, he could have a significant jump in the draft. If he isn’t, he’ll likely fall to the end of the first-round or head back to Wisconsin for another season.

With all the hype surrounding him, it’s unlikely he’ll play another year of college football. Even if he falls to the end of the first-round, he’s still going to get a chance to start immediately.

The Falcons have one of the best offenses in the NFL. The only thing they’re missing is an offensive line capable of keeping Matt Ryan upright throughout the entire game.

Atlanta;s biggest concern this offseason is fixing their line. They have everything they need to be a Super Bowl champion, but if they can’t keep their quarterback from getting beat up, the chances of them winning in the playoffs begins to flutter.

Ramczyk will be a major pickup for them this draft. They’re probably hoping he decides to enter the NFL draft whether he has the injury or not.

Montravius Adams is a player who would be filthy good in Kansas City. To me, Adams is the most underrated player in this year’s draft class. He can rush inside or outside and uses every aspect of defense to beat you off the ball.

His speed and power make him a threat to any offensive line, but it isn’t what makes him so dominant. Adams is simply a freak. The way he plays football is the way Steve Smith Sr. played football; hit you in the mouth and walk away.

Kansas City is always looking to add to their defense, and with a player like Adas, they cover multiple spots with one pick. His versatility will make him a threat all over the defensive line, and Andy Reid is going to use that next year.

This is a pick that will benefit the Chiefs now, and give them another player to build around for the future.

Unless you’re a New England fan, you do not want this pick to happen. I repeat, YOU DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN.

Christian McCaffrey may not have had the season many predicted him to have, but he’s still one of the most skilled players in college football. What does New England do well with skilled players that probably wouldn’t work on other teams? Win Super Bowls.

This is a match made in heaven for Tom Brady. If McCaffrey was five years older, Brady may have a few more ring and the leading receiver in the NFL may be a running back.

McCaffrey is more than a great running back. He can catch the ball better than any back in the draft, and can play out of the backfield or in the slot much like Le’Veon Bell.

This is dangerous. McCaffrey may not be a steal to most teams in the NFL, but for the Patriots he’s the missing piece to the best offense in the league.

Sidney Jones is a pure athlete and possesses the instincts of an animal. He has the talent to make smooth transitions and stay in sync with his man.

Jones really has been a truly underrated talent, but the pro scouts haven’t looked past him as much as others have. He is a smart player too. Jones is able to identify routes as soon as they begin to develop. This helps him kill any separation between him and his target.

Jones has the speed needed to close the gap and excel in a man coverage, but his football IQ makes him a great zone player too. He does great at reading the QB and track down a ball in the air and kill the play.

What makes Jones such a playmaker is his ability to create turnovers. Of course, he can track down incoming passes, but he’s also great at forcing fumbles. Jones is a smart player and aware of the position of the ball in the runner’s hand. When going for a tackle he always finds a way to make contact with the ball and try to force it lose.

If Dallas could land a pick like this and create a defensive star, they would be set as contenders for the near future.

Slap the Sign 2017 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

PickTeamSelection
1Cleveland BrownsMyles Garrett / Edge
2San Francisco 49ersDeShone Kizer / QB
3Chicago BearsMitch Trubisky / QB
4Jacksonville JaguarsJonathan Allen / DL
5Tennessee TitansMike Williams / WR
6San Diego ChargersCorey Davis / WR
7New York JetsLeonard Fournette / RB
8Carolina PanthersDalvin Cook / RB
9Cincinnati BengalsCam Robinson / OT
10Buffalo BillsJabrill Peppers / S
11New Orleans SaintsZach Cunningham / LB
12Cleveland BrownsDeshaun Watson / QB
13Arizona Cardinals Marlon Humphrey / CB
14Philadelphia EaglesJamal Adams / S
15Indianapolis ColtsDerek Barnett / Edge
16Baltimore RavensCharles Harris / Edge
17Washington RedskinsTakkarist McKinley / Edge
18Tennessee TitansQuincy Wilson / CB
19Tampa Bay Buccaneers Desmond King / DB
20Denver BroncosDan Feeney / OG
21Detroit LionsCaleb Brantley / DL
22Miami DolphinsMarshon Lattimore / CB
23New York GiantsJarrad Davis / LB
24Oakland RaidersGareon Conley / CB
25Seattle SeahawksDeMarcus Walker / DL
26Houston TexansTim Williams / Edge
27Green Bay PackersReuben Foster / LB
28Pittsburgh SteelersCarlos Watkins / DL
29Atlanta FalconsRyan Ramczyk / OT
30Kansas City ChiefsMontravius Adams / DL
31New England PatriotsChristian McCaffrey / RB
32Dallas CowboysSidney Jones / CB
Noah Strackbein

Noah Strackbein