Post combine/free agency first round mock

By Jake Louque Mar 15, 2017, 8:00am EDT

With the combine in the books and most of the top free agents on the market having found their new homes, everybody’s eyes turn to the 2017 NFL Draft, which is only about a month away.

1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M

NCAA Football: Southwest Classic-Arkansas vs Texas A&M

There hasn't been (and shouldn't be) any change at this spot since I started writing these mocks. If anything, Garrett’s collosal combine numbers only solidify him at this spot over any of the quarterbacks.

2. San Francisco 49ers: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

NCAA Football: Florida at Louisiana State

Fournette sees a jump here after a nice combine performance, which would make sense if Kyle Shanahan would like to give Brian Hoyer some help in the backfield.

3. Chicago Bears: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford

Thomas is another quick riser following the combine. A combination of him and the promising Leonard Floyd is a tasty proposition for Ryan Pace and John Fox.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Malik Hooker, FS, Ohio State

NCAA Football: Fiesta Bowl-Ohio State vs Clemson

The signing of Barry Church and the presence of Tashaun Gipson shouldn't preclude the Jags from taking the best ball hawk to come into the league since Earl Thomas.

5. Tennessee Titans (from LA): Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

The Titans have done very well to climb from the cellar of the NFL in a short time, but they still need receiver help which a player like Williams can give them in spades.

6. New York Jets: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

NCAA Football: Cotton Bowl-Wisconsin vs Western Michigan

The Jets have very much embraced a rebuild and could use playmakers on almost any position on the field, which Davis very much is.

7. Los Angeles Chargers: Jamal Adams, SS, LSU

NCAA Football: Citrus Bowl-Louisiana State vs Louisville

The messy departure of Eric Weddle is now a year and a city in the rear view mirror; they can find a replacement for him in the hammer that is Adams.

8. Carolina Panthers: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State

The Panthers fell off of a cliff in 2016, and they could use some more bite to their defense. Lattimore could give it to them and replace Josh Norman in the process.

9. Cincinnati Bengals: John Ross, WR, Washington

NCAA Football: Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl-Alabama vs Washington

The Bengals are another team who had a dramatic fall off last season; biggest reason, an exodus of offensive playmakers. Ross screams playmaker, and would give the Bengals their second number one wide receiver, while allowing Tyler Boyd to slide into the slot.

10. Buffalo Bills: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama

NCAA Football: CFP National Championship-Clemson vs Alabama

The Bills already have former ‘Bama linebacker Reggie Ragland returning from injury, but the uber talented Foster could be the Thomas Davis to Ragland’s proverbial Luke Kuechly in the Sean Mcdermott 4-3 defense.

11. New Orleans Saints: Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama

Allen’s stock is all over the place right now following the combine, and I have him falling somewhere in the middle of the separate ranges of where he is being mocked. The Saints have been aggressive in their pursuit of an improved defense, and Allen would give them a mammoth presence on their defensive line.

12. Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

This is probably a reach at this spot for any QB of the group, and I'm not totally sure this pick will belong to Cleveland on draft night in favor of their pursuit of another signal caller. However, I'm not predicting trades in this mock, so I have Cleveland taking the hottest name of the group of passers after he reportedly crushed his interviews.

13. Arizona Cardinals: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama

The Cardinals could use more high octane weapons for their offense in 2017, and adding Howard would provide yet another threat.

14. Philadelphia Eagles: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Michigan vs Florida State

Howie Roseman and the Eagles are going all in on Carson Wentz, and now that they have added wide receiver help, they should turn their attention to adding a game breaking running back like Cook.

15. Indianapolis Colts: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

NCAA Football: Music City Bowl-Tennessee vs Nebraska

The Colts defensive issues have lasted what feels like a decade, and a lack of pass rush has been a big reason why. Adding a player who has drawn some Terrell Suggs comparisons could certainly help to alleviate them.

16. Baltimore Ravens: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State

The Ravens have been aggressive in their pursuit of a return to glory this offseason, but still need help at certain positions. With all three top receivers off of the board, it would be wise for them to pick up a potential starting cornerback, even with Morris Claiborne in the picture.

17. Washington Redskins: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan

The Redskins are expected to retain Kirk Cousins, and with all of the first round receivers off of the board, a direct investment in him may not be worth it here. Instead, they make one in their defense with a front seven minded pick.

18. Tennessee Titans: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple

The Titans are a team on the rise that need some defensive help, and after already adding a receiver, they can get some of that help in the rangy Reddick.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jabrill Peppers, SS, Michigan

The Bucs had a nice season in 2016 that saw them just miss out on the playoffs. They could use some more bite on defense, and the versatile Peppers could give that to them, as well as some special teams value.

20. Denver Broncos: Garrett Bolles, OT, Utah

The Broncos need some serious offensive line help this season, and while just about any lineman could prove to be a reach here, the athletic Bolles might be worth the risk to fill the only glaring need on the roster.

21. Detroit Lions: Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt

The release of coverage linebacker Deandre Levy makes this pick make almost too much sense. The sideline to sideline Cunningham could provide a presence in the middle of Detroit’s defense.

22. Miami Dolphins: David Njoku, TE, Miami

NCAA Football: Russell Athletic Bowl-West Virginia vs Miami

The Dolphins were a surprise playoff team in 2016 perhaps despite their somewhat average tight end play. With Jordan Cameron’s retirement and Dion Sims’ departure, keeping Njoku in town would be a very nice addition to an offense that could use it.

23. New York Giants: Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky

NCAA Football: C-USA Championship-Louisiana Tech at Western Kentucky

The Giants could very much use some more reinforcements along the offensive line, and the late riser Lamp could provide it to them.

24. Oakland Raiders: Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU

The Raiders seemed destined for a deep playoff run in 2016, but were cruelly denied it due to the Derek Carr injury. Having said that, they seem set on offense, and desperately need corner help which I see them seeking out in White.

25. Houston Texans: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida

NCAA Football: Outback Bowl-Florida vs Iowa

There’s a number of directions Houston could go here, including quarterback if they miss out on Tony Romo. I have them replacing AJ Bouye with the physical Wilson.

26. Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin

The Seahawks have slipped a bit from their perennial powerhouse status, and keeping Russell Wilson upright could help them regain it. Once again, O-line may be a reach in the first round, but it may need to be done in this situation.

27. Kansas City Chiefs: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

NCAA Football: The Citadel at North Carolina

The Chiefs are another team that could go just about anywhere with their pick, so I have them investing in their future by taking Trubisky. Alex Smith is fine, and should be the immediate starter, but if Kansas City is again unable to get it done due to his limitations, this pick may be worth the long con it represents.

28. Dallas Cowboys: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri

The Cowboys were once again bounced from January despite having a loaded team, and improving on defense will be key to them getting over the hump. Randy Gregory has been an abject disappointment, so I have them investing in a player who is at least able to stay on the field in Harris.

29. Green Bay Packers: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

This seems like a matchup made in heaven, as the elusive and gritty McCaffrey could replace the recently departed Eddie Lacy with an even bigger pass catching impact.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA

The Steelers have had some front seven losses, but despite them, they've managed to build a solid defense. Takk McKinley would potentially help make it more than just solid with his pass rushing ability.

31. Atlanta Falcons: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama

The Falcons remain a loaded team, but could still use some help in the secondary. Humphrey has some upside and would get some time to hone his game behind Robert Alford and Desmond Trufant.

32. New Orleans Saints: Budda Baker, SS, Washington

NCAA Football: Arizona State at Washington

The Saints seem to finally realize that their defense needs some work, and the deal to move Brandon Cooks for the opportunity to pick twice in the first round is an indication that they'd like to improve it. Baker could provide a competent replacement to Jairus Byrd, and pair nicely with Kenny Vaccarro.

Post combine/free agency first round mock

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