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Pre-combine mock draft: Broncos land dangerous offensive weapon

Feb 27, 2017, 12:00 AM | Updated: 6:27 pm

The 2017 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off this week, and I will head to Indianapolis once again this year to cover the event.

The combine is full of drills that measure a player’s skills compared to others in the draft class and prospects who came into the NFL before, but he most important part of the process has to be the medical checks each team does. Getting a positive medical check can solidify a draft stock, but a negative medical check can cause someone’s stock to tumble.

The top prospects will be at the combine, and they’ll be interviewed by the teams individually in addition to getting interviewed by the media. It’s a whirlwind job interview for these players in what has to be one of the most stressful weeks for them during the pre-draft process.

Here’s my first mock draft of the year, and I’m sure it will look much different after the combine is over.

  1. Cleveland Browns — Myles Garrett, DE/OLB, Texas A&M

He’s the most explosive player in this draft and can make an instant impact for the Browns defense. This is a no-brainer pick.

  1. San Francisco 49ers — Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State

The 49ers have a ton of needs on both sides of the ball. Finding a shutdown corner like Lattimore is better than reaching in this poor quarterback class.

  1. Chicago Bears — Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

I’ve heard buzz that Bears coach John Fox loves Trubisky. With the team shopping Jay Cutler (good luck with that), they’ll need a starting quarterback.

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars — Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama

The Jaguars are on the lookout for more pass rushers. Adding Allen makes sense because he can rush the quarterback from the outside at end or inside at tackle.

  1. Tennessee Titans (from Los Angeles) — Jamal Adams, SS, LSU:

Most scouts compare Adams’ skill set to that of former All-Pro safety Darren Woodson. I concur, Adams sets the tone with an intimidating presence that will be much welcomed in the Titans secondary.

  1. New York Jets — Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

The Jets have a ton of options with this pick. It’s not a great quarterback class, so they’ll go with a star workhorse running back in Fournette. In order to be drafted this high, his ankles will have to check out positively during the combine.

  1. Los Angeles Chargers — Malik Hooker, FS, Ohio State

With just a few moves here and there (like adding Hooker), the Chargers could have one of the best defenses in the league. Hooker can lurk all over the field and has incredible instincts for diagnosing plays as they break down.

  1. Carolina Panthers — Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford

They could go with a running back here, and Christian McCaffrey is certainly a possibility. Thomas slides a little bit in this mock, and the Panthers scoop him up because of his ferocity and non-stop motor.

  1. Cincinnati Bengals — Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama

Even though he’s missing the combine due to shoulder surgery, that doesn’t impact Foster’s draft stock. On film, he’s a nightmare for opponents and easily the most intimidating player in this draft class.

  1. Buffalo Bills — Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

Nobody knows who will be the starting quarterback for Buffalo in 2017, but one thing is certain, they need better wide receivers behind Sammy Watkins. They go back to Clemson (Watkins’ alma mater) for another stud in Williams.

  1. New Orleans Saints — Teez Tabor, CB, Florida

The Saints need a lot of help on the defensive side of the ball. Tabor has prototypical size and athleticism (and confidence) for the position.

  1. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia) — Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

Hue Jackson needs a franchise quarterback to build around. This is not a great quarterback class, but Watson could end up as the best of the bunch.

  1. Arizona Cardinals — DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame

Kizer has a ton of things to work on, but the big arm and willingness to go deep are there. In a Bruce Arians system, Kizer could develop nicely behind Carson Palmer.

  1. *Indianapolis Colts — Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin

It’s not a great tackle class, so the Colts reach where with Ramczyk. New general manager Chris Ballard should have a mantra of “protect quarterback Andrew Luck at all costs.” Hence the selection here.

  1. *Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota) — Sidney Jones, CB, Washington

The Eagles need secondary help in a bad way. Jones is called a “casino cornerback” by those in the scouting community because of his tendency to gamble on the field. His daring play style can lead to huge plays for the Eagles defense.

  1. Baltimore Ravens — Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

The Ravens are desperate for wide receiver help.  Davis is a strong route runner who can be a steady target when in need of moving the chains. He’s also got the potential to be a big factor in the red zone.

  1. Washington Redskins — Zach Cunningham, OLB, Vanderbilt

An option for the Broncos at 20, Cunningham goes off the board just a bit before their pick. Cunningham has length to make up ground quickly in coverage, and he has a good nose for the ball.

  1. Tennessee Titans — Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida

With two first-round picks this year, the Titans make both selections in the secondary. Wilson is a big corner (6-foot-1, 213 pounds) who has the quickness to stick like glue to receivers he’s tasked with covering.

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — John Ross, WR, Washington

The Bucs need more playmakers on offense besides superstar wide receiver Mike Evans. Enter Ross, a player who is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball. His ability to line up inside or outside will make him dangerous with Jameis Winston throwing him the rock.

  1. Denver Broncos — Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

The Broncos need some additional weapons on offense. McCaffrey can help them in three phases — as a pass-catching back, a potential slot receiver, and as a dangerous return man.

  1. Detroit Lions — Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

Barnett is one of the most productive players in SEC history. He may be a bit of a ‘tweener, but he’s proven as a tackler and pass rusher.

  1. Miami Dolphins — Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple

Reddick is what scouts call a “triple threat” linebacker because he can tackle, cover and rush the passer. He’s a bit undersized (237 pounds), but Reddick explodes to the ball on every play.

  1. New York Giants — O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama

The Giants add something they don’t have with the selection of Howard here — an impact tight end. He was inconsistent as a collegian, but Howard proved at the Senior Bowl that he’s a mismatch nightmare who can make big plays happen.

  1. Oakland Raiders — David Njoku, TE, Miami

The Raiders need more assets in the passing game. Clive Walford has not made the expected impact at tight end during his pro career. That’s something Njoku can take care of and give quarterback Derek Carr yet another dangerous weapon to throw to.

  1. Houston Texans — Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech

The Texans may end up the winner of the Tony Romo sweepstakes. If they miss out on Romo, expect them to go for Mahomes in the first round. This gives them a quarterback of the future, and it secures a fifth-year option on the young passer.

  1. Seattle Seahawks —Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky

Quarterback Russell Wilson should be sending a “thank you” note to general manager John Schneider after this pick. The Seahawks have a huge need up front on the offensive line, and Lamp is the best guard in this class.

  1. Kansas City Chiefs — Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

The Chiefs could be looking for a quarterback here, but they can’t pass on the replacement for Jamaal Charles. Cook shouldn’t fall this far, but the interview/background process is going to be huge for him at the combine.

  1. Dallas Cowboys — Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan

Charlton has freakish athletic ability, and the Cowboys 4-3 defense should be able to get the best out of him. With most of their offense set, the Cowboys need to find help on the defensive side.

  1. Green Bay Packers — T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin

The third Watt brother doesn’t have to travel far to play for the Packers. He’s a high-effort player who is known as a plus run defender in addition to a hustling pass rusher.

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers — Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan

The most versatile player in this draft, Peppers earned snaps at 15 different positions in college on offense, defense, and special teams. The Steelers have needed a roaming playmaker like him since Troy Polamalu retired.

  1. Atlanta Falcons — Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA

McKinley is raw, but he has an incredible desire to beat his man on every play. That full-effort profile goes nicely on a team in need of more pass rushers besides Vic Beasley.

  1. New England Patriots — Tim Williams, DE, Alabama

Character concerns and lack of consistent production causes Williams to fall in the first round. The Patriots have no issues with this pick, and in a perfect Bill Belichick move, they get tremendous value at the end of the round.

*Picks 14 and 15 to be determined by coin flip.

 

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