Tony Iosso’s Mock Draft 2.0 (Post Combine)
Between the NFL combine and the start of free agency many variables have changed since my first mock draft. I tried to take these changes into consideration for version 2.0, but as always feel free to yell at me on Twitter @Tigga11.
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2017 Free Agency: Taking a look at last week’s biggest winners and losers
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Big Landings: Alshon Jeffery lands with Philadelphia Eagles
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1. Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett DE Texas A&M
Garrett solidified his status as the best player in this year’s talented draft class. Widely regarded as the consensus number one overall pick the Browns seemingly still have a no brainer here.
Previous Choice – Myles Garrett
2. San Francisco 49ers – Jonathan Allen DL Alabama
The 49ers have made a flurry of free agent acquisitions over the past 48 hours, including two serviceable quarterbacks in Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley. Most of these moves have set San Fran up to take the best player on their board regardless of need. Many scouts have Allen rated as the number two overall prospect despite some concerns about his past shoulder surgeries.
Previous Choice – Mitch Trubisky QB UNC
3. Chicago Bears – Jamal Adams S LSU
Chicago addressed multiple areas of need early on in free agency by signing Mike Glennon, Prince Amukamara and Quintin Demps. However the latter is 32 years old so I don’t think the addition of Demps would prevent adding youth at the position come April.
Previous Choice – Jamal Adams
4. Jacksonville Jaguars – Leonard Fournette RB LSU
The Jags were extremely active on the first day of free agency, mainly on the defensive side of the ball. They locked up Calais Campbell, A.J. Bouye, and Barry Church to big contracts. The Dallas Cowboys took a running back with the fourth selection last season and that worked out ok for them. Perhaps a strong ground game can help Blake Bortles take the next step many thought he would last season.
Previous Choice – Marshon Lattimore CB Ohio St.
5. Tennessee Titans – Marshon Lattimore CB Ohio St.
Tennessee added Logan Ryan in free agency to pair with Jason McCourty but could still stand to add depth to the position. Lattimore is still one of the top corner prospects in the draft after the combine.
Previous Choice – Malik Hooker S Ohio St.
6. New York Jets – Malik Hooker S Ohio St.
The Jets improved along the offensive line with the addition of tackle Kelvin Beachum during the early stages of free agency, addressing one area of need. In this version of my mock an elite safety prospect falls to them that would immediately upgrade the disappointing Calvin Pryor.
Previous Choice – Leonard Fournette LSU RB
7. L.A. Chargers – Solomon Thomas OLB/DE Stanford
Los Angeles was able to retain pass rusher Melvin Ingram by way of the franchise tag, as well as keeping safety Jahleel Addae, both filling areas of need. Corner could be a consideration here as the team recently parted ways with Brandon Flowers. However I opted to give them Solomon Thomas who could play across from Ingram to form a devastating pass rush.
Previous Choice – Jonathan Allen DL Alabama
8. Carolina Panthers – Marlon Humphrey CB Alabama
The Panthers recently signed Captain Munnerlyn and Mike Adams to bolster the secondary but could still stand to add talent at the cornerback position. In a talent rich defensive back class, Humphrey certainly ranks toward the top.
Previous Choice – Dalvin Cook RB Florida State
9. Cincinnati Bengals – Reuben Foster LB Alabama
Cincinnati was able to retain corner Dre Kirkpatrick on a long term deal but lost linebacker Karlos Dansby as well as offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler. I am going to stick with my previous pick of Foster here as he presents a high value then the available offensive linemen. Foster had a well publicized early exit from the combine, but I don’t think it has affected his draft stock much.
Previous Choice – Reuben Foster
10. Buffalo Bills – Corey Davis WR Western Michigan
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor was able to reach a deal to bring him back to Buffalo next season, but he could use an upgrade to his arsenal opposite Sammy Watkins. Robert Woods bolted for a big payday in Los Angeles which paves the way for Corey Davis to take over the number two receiver roll right away.
Previous Choice – Corey Davis
11. New Orleans Saints – John Ross WR Washington
After trading away Brandin Cooks to the Patriots, the Saints find their true speed replacement by taking Ross. I know they signed Ted Ginn Jr. in free agency but he turns 32 this year and isn’t a consistent deep threat. Ross paired with Michael Thomas could provide Drew Brees weapons on the outside to extend his career a bit longer.
Previous Choice – Marlon Humphrey CB Alabama
12. Cleveland Browns – Deshaun Watson QB Clemson
Even though the Browns acquired Brock Osweiler recently they are expected to either trade or release him. Robert Griffin III will also be looking for a new home in 2017, so I still believe the Browns will be looking at a quarterback with the 12th pick. Whether that be Watson or Mitch Trubisky is still undecided.
Previous Choice Deshaun Watson
13. Arizona Cardinals – Malik McDowell DL Michigan State
Defensive end Calais Campbell did indeed leave via free agency so I will stick with my initial thoughts of the Cardinals addressing the defensive line early on in the draft. Malik McDowell is a bit of a wildcard, but from a pure talent standpoint he is first round worthy.
Previous Choice – Caleb Brantley DT Florida
14. Philadelphia Eagles – Alvin Kamara RB Tennessee
The Eagles addressed their need at the wide receiver position by signing Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, but they still could use a younger weapon out of the backfield. Kamara was impressive at the combine and is beginning to rise up draft boards.
Previous Choice – Mike Williams WR Clemson
15. Indianapolis Colts – Dalvin Cook RB Florida State
Frank Gore will turn 34-years-old next season and the Colts already lack depth at the position. After plugging some holes on defense through free agency with the additions of Jabaal Sheard and Barkevious Mingo, Indy has allowed themselves to draft a running back early on and give Andrew Luck a true weapon out of the backfield.
Previous Choice – Solomon Thomas OLB/DE Stanford
16. Baltimore Ravens – Mike Williams WR Clemson
Kamar Aiken is a free agent, Steve Smith Sr. just retired, and Breshad Perriman can’t stay healthy. Enter Mike Williams. The big number one receiver could finally give the Ravens and Joe Flacco some stability at the position.
Previous Choice – Adoree Jackson
17. Washington Redskins – Caleb Brantley DL Florida
The Redskins inked former Cowboy Terrell McClain to a deal early on in free agency but also lost Chris Baker to the Bucs at the same position. Washington needs to continue to build up the middle of their defense and Brantley helps them do just that.
Previous Choice – Malik McDowell DL Michigan St.
18. Tennessee Titans – Forrest Lamp G Western Kentucky
With the top three wide receivers gone, the Titans opt to sure up their offensive line here. While they are set at tackle, they could stand to upgrade the interior. Tennessee was a legitimate playoff contender last season before Marcus Mariota got hurt, this pick would help ensure that doesn’t happen again.
Previous Choice – Zach Cunningham LB Vanderbilt
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Teez Tabor CB Florida
The Bucs addressed the safety position by bringing back Chris Conte as well as inking former Cowboy J.J. Wilcox. However, they could still use some help on the outside as Brent Grimes will be 34-years-old this season.
Previous Choice – Ryan Ramczyk OT Wisconsin
20. Denver Broncos – Cam Robinson OT Alabama
I stuck with my original pick of Robinson to the Broncos here. Denver signed Menelik Watson in free agency but could really stand to upgrade at both tackle positions.
Previous Choice – Cam Robinson
21. Detroit Lions – Zach Cunningham LB Vanderbilt
The Lions already had linebacker as a major need this offseason which was amplified even more after their decision to part ways with oft injured DeAndre Levy. Cunningham begins the injection of youth and talent Detroit needs at the position.
Previous Choice – Taco Charlton DE Michigan
22. Miami Dolphins – Jaleel Johnson DT Iowa
Miami traded for William Hayes of the Rams to help with their need on the edge. This move also allows them to reach a bit here for a powerful upgrade in the middle of their defense next to Ndamukong Suh.
Previous Choice – Derek Barnett DE Tennessee
23. New York Giants – O.J. Howard TE Alabama
The Giants recently signed former first round pick D.J. Fluker to add some much needed talent along the offensive line. This move may provide them the luxury of selecting Howard here to provide quite an array of weapons for Eli Manning, considering the teams addition of Brandon Marshall in free agency.
Previous Choice – O.J. Howard
24. Oakland Raiders – Jarrad Davis LB Florida
Oakland needs help stopping the run and stands to lose both Malcolm Smith and Perry Riley to free agency. Davis is a versatile linebacker that gives the Raiders both talent and much needed depth.
Previous Choice – Teez Tabor CB Florida
25. Houston Texans – Mitchell Trubisky QB North Carolina
Could Tony Romo and Jerry Jones be left standing after this game of quarterback musical chairs is over? It is possible neither Denver or Houston are that enamored with Romo’s services or that Romo is not that thrilled with either’s offer provided he is released. Regardless as it stands today, the Texans have a glaring need at quarterback and get arguably the best prospect in this year’s class.
Previous Choice – Jabrill Peppers S/LB Michigan
26. Seattle Seahawks – Ryan Ramczyk OT Wisconsin
Seattle entered the offseason needing two offensive tackles. They signed Luke Joeckel to a one year deal but that seems to be more a band aid then a fix. Ramczyk should give the Seahawks a talented lineman capable of protecting Russell Wilson for years to come.
Previous Choice – Forrest Lamp G Western Kentucky
27. Kansas City Chiefs – Quincy Wilson CB Florida
I still believe the Chiefs need to address the corner position but the player I had slotted here previously, Sidney Jones, went down with an apparent Achilles injury during his pro day workout. Wilson gives the Chiefs a big long corner to pair with rising star Marcus Peters.
Previous Choice – Sidney Jones CB Washington
28. Dallas Cowboys – Takkarist McKinley EDGE UCLA
Jerry Jones and company are still looking for their ‘war daddy’ and this draft class potentially has a few of them. McKinley has top 20 talent but his recent surgery that will keep him sidelined 4-6 months could push him down into the back half of the first round.
Previous Choice – Takkarist McKinley
29. Green Bay Packers – Adoree Jackson CB USC
The Packers lost versatile defender and return man Micah Hyde to the Bills in free agency. Jackson could be the perfect replacement as his return skills and ability with the ball in his hands make up for any growth he still needs to make as a pure cover corner.
Previous Choice – Quincy Wilson CB Florida
30. Pittsburgh Steelers – Tim Williams OLB/Edge Alabama
James Harrison is going to be 39 this season and can only keep father time in a choke hold for so long. Tim Williams is loaded with red flags but the Steelers have shown they are willing to take a chance on these type of players. From a pure football standpoint Williams would give Pittsburgh a devastating pass rush presence to pair with Bud Dupree in the future.
Previous Choice – Charles Harris EDGE Missouri
31. Atlanta Falcons – Taco Charlton DE Michigan
The Falcons defense is becoming one of the youngest most talented squads in the league, however they still need another force opposite Vic Beasley Jr. Charlton provides the size and pass rush ability to form a nice duo.
Previous Choice – Tim Williams EDGE Alabama
32. New Orleans Saints – Derek Barnett DE Tennessee
After acquiring the 32nd pick from the Patriots, the Saints find themselves falling into one of the best pass rushers in this year’s class, as Barnett broke Reggie White’s sack record at Tennessee.
Previous Choice – Christian McCaffrey RB Stanford
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