FBGP’s Chris James February Mock Draft

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 NFL Mock Draft – February 2017 (as of 2/3/2017)

 

Here are the rules for my 2017 mock draft…

  1. The picks are made as if I (Chris James) were the GM of each team
  2. The selections are made based off team needs on the roster as of (today’s date)
  3. The selections are based on my own player rankings NOT what you see anywhere else
  4. There are NO TRADES, period!
  5. And last but not least, relax it’s just a mock draft…enjoy!

 

Selected Player Pick Drafting Team School Position Overall Rank Top Needs Notes
Deshaun Watson 1 CLE Clemson QB 1 QB/DL/CB Some believe that Watson should have showcased his talent at the Senior Bowl for the Browns staff. I’m not of that belief as the three years of tape should be adequate review. In addition, HC-Hue Jackson would benefit from a QB with this level of physical skill, on field intangibles, and off field positives. The Browns would finally get it right at QB with the Watson pick.
Leonard Fournette 2 SF LSU RB 2 WR/OT/RB Colin Kaeparnick is not the problem in SF but he also may not be the solution. I believe that the next coach will be Kyle Shanahan, so as GM I would like to give him pieces to make him successful. Fournette would work well with Hyde as a 1-2 punch the likes of that in Atlanta. A RB going this high is against the grain but he (much like Elliott in ’16) is worth it.
DeShone Kizer 3 CHI Notre Dame QB 11 QB/S/WR The first move I would make is the removal of Jay Cutler from the roster. I would have a very solid group with Hoyer as my backup and Barkley as a 3rd stringer. Next I would bring in a kid with the talent of DeShone Kizer. He has all the requisite tools and doesn’t seem to be bothered in pressure situations. Kizer would fit nicely into a run first squad like the ’17 Bears.
Dalvin Cook 4 JAX Florida State RB 5 QB/RB/OLB One of the issues in Jacksonville last year was a consistent running game and a lack of explosion at the position. I’ll cure both issues by adding in-state talent Dalvin Cook to Doug Marone’s roster. Now TJ Yeldon can be utilized in the same manner as Tevin Coleman in Atlanta, while Cook functions as the go-to RB like former Seminole DeVonta Freeman.
Reuben Foster 5 TEN (via LA) Alabama ILB 3 CB/OLB/S I know that Wesley Woodyard is manning the MLB position currently in Tennessee; to be honest, I don’t care! Foster is built to play in this scheme for Dick LeBeau and would be an upgrade at ILB on virtually every roster. My job as GM is to select the best player that also fits my scheme…MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Cam Robinson 6 NYJ Alabama OT 8 QB/OT/CB I do need a QB heading into 2017 but none of the choices fit the desired scheme for Todd Bowles. The next two needs are rush end & CB but both are full of talent this year. Where we don’t have a plethora of top end talent is OT. Cam Robinson is the best OT in this class and fits what we want to do on offense. He is also versatile enough to change schemes without issue.
Jamal Adams 7 LAC LSU SS 6 OT/QB/S The Chargers secondary played well (especially at CB) last season but tailed off late. They suffered more than they would like to admit from the loss of Eric Weddle. Now you’re in LA and need to make an impact. There are few players that make more of an impact than LSU’s Jamal Adams from a personality standpoint. He’s also one heck of a football player.
Jonathan Allen 8 CAR Alabama Int. DL (DE) 4 RB/CB/DE The Panthers had one of the best front sevens in the NFL in ’15 but slipped quite a bit in ’16. The fifth year option was exercised on Star Lotulelei so he’ll be on the roster in ’17 but Kawaan Short may not. This is insurance the likely of Leonard Williams to the Jets, but Jonathan Allen also fits the roster and style of play.
Derek Barnett 9 CIN Tennessee Rush (DE) 7 DT/S/OG I’m of the belief that you add to a roster with scheme fitting players more than at positions of need. This method is especially paramount early in the draft. Barnett was the best edge rusher in the FBS during 2016. He was explosive, technically sound, and made consistent impact plays on a DL that didn’t have another threat. This is what Marvin Lewis is looking for at DE.
O.J. Howard 10 BUF Alabama TE 9 QB/CB/WR I don’t think Tyrod Taylor is the future QB of the Buffalo Bills, but I do believe that the future QB is on the roster in Cardale Jones. Now that we have that out of the way, let’s look at the rest of the offense. ‘Shady’ McCoy is good to go, the OL is an underrated group, and Sammy Watkins is a big time player. The TE position has a quality player in Charles Clay but he isn’t a complete TE. I actually like him in concert with OJ Howard as more of an H-Back or ‘flexed’ TE.
Tim Williams 11 NO Alabama Rush (OLB) 10 OL/CB/DE The Saints have been doing a better job bolstering the defense over the last two drafts. While Tim Williams may be seen as more of a ‘specialist’ than an every down play, I believe that he can be used as a joker on defense. He can play OLB in the 3-4, OLB in the 4-3, or as a pass rusher in all sub packages. This player is a better version of Bruce Irvin who Seattle used in a similar fashion.
Myles Garrett 12 CLE (via Phi) Texas A&M Rush (DE) 12 QB/DL/CB Here is where people will say, “you should switch the Watson & Garrett picks for this to make sense”. That is a silly belief IMO as Watson is a special player, while Garrett is a good edge rusher in a draft with a number of 1st round edge rushers. Garrett should play opposite of Ogbah and allow Jamie Collins to move to ILB.
Patrick Mahomes 13 ARI Texas Tech QB 33 QB/CB/TE This is the first ‘reach’ in the draft since I have a 2nd round grade on Patrick Mahomes II. I don’t believe it to be since he fits what Bruce Arians wants to do on offense. He has a strong arm to drive the deep ball along with the mobility that he’s missed since he had Luck. Carson Palmer is on his last leg and this addition would be welcomed.
Christian McCaffrey 14 IND Stanford RB 15 RB/CB/OLB The Colts haven’t had an explosive three down RB since Edgerin James. McCaffrey will replace a solid RB in Frank Gore who could still be a spell back. He can also assist in the passing game and as a punt returner. Those who say OL is a concern don’t realize that this piece will help the OL.
Sidney Jones 15 PHI (via Min) Washington CB 16 CB/WR/RB I really considered adding another WR to the roster since there isn’t a go to player on the exterior. Then I realized that this isn’t the biggest area of concern for this roster. I watched multiple Eagles games where WRs were wide open or beat the DB easily. Jones would allow other CBs to move to their natural positions including Jalen Mills moving to S.
John Ross 16 BAL Washington WR 18 WR/OT/OLB The retirement of Steve Smith will provide a massive impact to this offense. He was the only consistent WR on the roster since Perriman and Wallace are big play threats only. John Ross is my third rated WR but he is a great fit on the Ravens roster that would run the intermediate routes.
Malik Hooker 17 WSH Ohio State FS 14 RB/DE/S The DL was an issue last year as well as the LB level. Even more of an issue was the secondary with the absence of DeAngelo Hall who is getting older. In comes Malik Hooker who is the best center field presence in this draft. He would allow Hall to play more of a robber role, while Sua Cravens moves to the box S.
Mike Williams 18 TEN Clemson WR 13 CB/OLB/S I’ve made this comment in the past and I’ll make it now. The Titans are a run first team but not a run only team. A large portion of this is due to the lack of playmakers at WR. Mike Williams is a jump ball, red zone, and 3rd down specialist. He would allow Rishard Matthews to play Z, Tajae Sharpe to play the slot, and Kendall Wright to be a 3rd down option for an ascending Marcus Mariota.
Corey Davis 19 TB Western Michigan WR 17 WR/DL/RB The run on WRs continues as the Bucs add a playmaker opposite of Mike Evans. It would also provide a true X style WR as he runs more of the route tree than Evans. In addition, Evans can receive single coverage to take advatage of his jump ball and spectacular catch ability.
Carlos Watkins 20 DEN Clemson Int. DL (DT) 21 OT/DL/QB I know, I know…why not add an OL player with this pick? That’s a huge need but so is the DL which couldn’t stop the run over the second half of the season. Carlos Watkins isn’t a traditional four or five tech but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t fit on this roster. Watkins has the ability to play nose or a shade as he is a penetration run stopper. This would allow the edge guys the ability to split out further and pin their ears back.
Taco Charlton 21 DET Michigan Rush (DE) 26 DE/CB/RB The Lions struggled generating sacks (an overrated stat) in 2016 but even worse they didn’t have many disruptive defensive players (much more important). Ansah can’t do it all off the edge so why not give him a local running mate. This fit is great to me since Charlton is a great secondary edge rusher IMO. He could get double digit sacks on a regular basis in that position as he doesn’t currently utilize secondary moves.
Jarrad Davis 22 MIA Florida OLB 19 OLB/TE/QB The fit at this pick would have been TE/Jordan Leggett but he went last pick to the Texans. As for the instate selection of former Gator Jarrad Davis, he would be a necessary addition to the LB level. Davis has the capability to play any of the three spots and provides the intimidating presence this team lacked in 2016.
Jabrill Peppers 23 NYG Michigan OLB 20 RB/OG/OLB The OL needs some help but there is a better fit still available in the draft. The Giants spent a great deal of money on a defense that improved throughout the 2016 season. There were still struggles at LB and with the second S position (Landon Collins was the man in ’16). Jabrill Peppers would provide a capable ‘box’ S with the ability to play either OLB position.
Solomon Thomas 24 OAK Stanford Rush (DE) 22 CB/S/DT The Raiders had many struggles on defense in 2016 but things started to round out at season’s end. While Aldon Smith has flashed, I think there is still a need for a running mate opposite Khalil Mack. Soloman Thomas could only be classified as a problem during the bowl game with UNC. He can also provide pass rush from the interior in sub packages.
Jordan Leggett 25 HOU Clemson TE 36 QB/NT/OLB I do like what CJ Fiedorewicz did this season. I also believe that he is a #2 TE if the Texans want to be a perennial playoff contender. The guy that makes the big time athletic catches as a TE is Jordan Leggett. Leggett would be interesting for this team as he’s not a true inline TE but would be the #1 TE. I like the boss set that could be offered with CJ & Lance.
Ethan Pocic 26 SEA LSU C 35 OT/OG/CB The Seahawks haven’t given Russell Wilson much help on the OL; in fact it seems that they’ve taken away players from the OL since his arrival starting with C/Max Unger. I think Justin Britt has done an admirable job playing C in 2016 but he is better suited playing OG IMO. The reason for his move to OG would be the addition of Ethan Pocic who would remind Seahawk fans of Max Unger with his size and athleticism.
Mitch Trubisky 27 KC North Carolina QB 44 ILB/QB/CB This is second player that I have going in the 1st without a 1st round grade. While I have several other players ranked higher than Mitch Trubisky, I believe that he would be a perfect fit for Andy Reid’s offense. Alex Smith has done a solid job in KC but he’s shown his ceiling as a QB. Trubisky has a higher ceiling IMO and would be a welcomed addition to the Chiefs.
Adoree’ Jackson 28 DAL Southern California CB 24 CB/DT/ILB The team with the brightest future in the NFC is likely the Dallas Cowboys with their dynamic duo at QB & RB. I considered taking an edge rusher since there is a need for improved pass rush from the Cowboys. I think this will come along with the pieces already on the roster. What I will do is help out the secondary with Adoree’ Jackson. He has high quality coverage skills (especially in off coverage) and the upside is one of the highest in the draft. In addition, he can play spot offense and aid in the return game.
Marshon Lattimore 29 GB Ohio State CB 23 CB/OLB/RB The Packers couldn’t cover in most man-to-man situations when called upon. Marshon Lattimore should be helpful for a defense that lacked a cover CB. He would be the boundary CB that hasn’t been on the roster in years.
Joe Mixon 30 PIT Oklahoma RB 25 CB/TE/QB Okay, okay, okay. I know that the Steelers have the best RB in the NFL on the roster. I also know that they need help at other positions, especially the secondary which can’t get right. The fact remains that LeVeon Bell hasn’t played every game over the last several season due to both injury but in greater regard suspension. Bell is up for a new contract that MAY not get done. Why not bring in a guy with a very similar skillset to Bell at a discount.
Budda Baker 31 ATL Washington FS 28 ILB/S/CB The Falcons are in SB51 for a reason and most of it is their offensive prowess. The defense is coming around to what Dan Quinn wants to have as a product. They drafted Keanu Neal to act as their Cam Chancellor in the ’16 draft. Ricardo Allen has done a good job but he isn’t the Earl Thomas clone they’re looking to get. Budda Baker has the ability to provide that type of playmaking.
T.J. Watt 32 NE Wisconsin Rush (OLB) 27 OT/ILB/CB The Patriots traded Jamie Collins since they didn’t want to give him the money he desired in the offseason. TJ Watt is a playmaker that can operate in a similar role for the Pats. He doesn’t have the athletic ability of Collins but he’s ahead of the curve from a football knowledge perspective when compared to Collins as a rookie. Watt is a more physically gifted Mike Vrabel IMO.
Evan Engram 37 LAR Ole Miss TE 46 TE/S/DE The Jared Goff experience is ready to go in 2017 for new head coach Sean McVay. The best way to give both the QB and new HC the best opportunity for success is by supplying them with pieces that fit what they’re going to do. Evan Engram is a pass catching TE with the ability to block when necessary. He immediately upgrades the position and is a better fit than Lance Kendricks.
Storm Norton 47 MIN Toledo OT 56 OT/OG/RB The 2016 Vikings had the worst YPC average of any team in the NFL yet somehow won eight games. Whether you think AP has anything left in the tank or like Jerrick McKinnon, they need assistance via the OL. In addition, Norton will be the best friend of Sam Bradford (Teddy Bridgewater once fully healed) as he has high level footwork.

 

Twitter: @cjflorida9

Email: cjames@footballgameplan.com

 

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