1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
The Browns shouldn’t be drafting for needs, but should rather be looking for the best player available, and that is Myles Garrett. Garrett was the top performer at his position in the combine after an outstanding season for the Aggies and should be the first name called on April 27th.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
The 49ers went to the Super Bowl based off of their defense and after signing Brian Hoyer and Pierre Garcon in the offseason, they are free to address the defensive side of the ball in the draft. Thomas will disrupt the passing game and provide the versatility on defense that the Niners are looking for.
3. Chicago Bears: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
The Bears lack offensive talent, but there are no players talented enough to go this high. Chicago should in turn try to address their defense. Adams is a safety who will be able to lead the Bears secondary to a drastic improvement.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
The Jaguars probably would have addressed their secondary with this pick, but they have done so in free agency. Defense is still the issue, though, so they can try to fix the defensive line to create more of a pass rush next year with Jonathan Allen.
5. Tennessee Titans: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
The Titans are in a really good spot this season with two picks in the top eighteen. This should allow them to work both sides of the ball. Lattimore is by far the best CB in the draft (without a scandal) and has to go at this pick so that they can bolster their secondary.
6. New York Jets: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
The Jets have a defensive minded head coach and a best-player-available type of GM, which would likely lead to a clash between Malik Hooker (With Gareon Conley’s recent accusations) and Leonard Fournette at this pick. However, with Matt Forte already in the fold in New York, Hooker can be brought in to sure up the defense.
7. Los Angeles Chargers: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
The Chargers could look to add depth on the defensive end of the ball after drafting Joey Bosa in the first round last year. However, with the top defensive prospects off of the board at this point, they look to the best offensive threat in the draft and bring in O.J. Howard to create a killer tight end tandem with Hunter Henry. Them, along with Tyrell Williams and Keenan Allen, should provide Phillip Rivers with plenty of options to throw the ball to, even if someone gets injured (like they always do on the Chargers).
8. Carolina Panthers: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
The Panthers defense will be as consistent as they have been for the last few years, but the offense truly struggled to move the ball last year. After Cam Newton’s spectacular 2015-2016 MVP season, the Panthers don’t know what to expect on the offensive end. Leonard Fournette will come in and be groomed to replace Jonathan Stewart for years to come.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Cam Robinson, OT, Auburn
The Bengals lost Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler on the offensive line and need to try to fill those holes. They could trade down in the draft with a team looking for Mike Williams. Since there are no trades in this mock draft, the Bengals take Cam Robinson who has faced a lot of top tier defensive talent in the SEC and dominated.
10. Buffalo Bills: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
The Bills lost Stephon Gilmore to free agency but brought in Micah Hyde to beef up their secondary. They will draft Mike Williams to join fellow Clemson product Sammy Watkins and give Tyrod Taylor another option to throw to after losing Robert Woods.
11. New Orleans Saints: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
The Saints perpetually need help on the defensive end of the ball and after not getting Malcom Butler this off season they will look to address this need in a secondary deep draft. Marlon Humphrey out of Alabama is a very polished prospect who can contribute immediately, Alabama cornerbacks typically have difficulty adjusting to deep passes in the NFL but with Kenny Vaccaro in the secondary Humphrey should be able to adjust.
12. Cleveland Browns: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, UNC
The Browns have been waiting for a QB to come in and turn around the franchise. After several different attempts at drafting the savior of the Browns franchise at the quarterback position to no avail, I expect Cleveland to take one more shot at finding their man in the draft. Trubisky is the best quarterback in the draft and a hometown guy. Mitch could be the man to turn this franchise around even if he has to sit a year to learn, the Browns need him.
13. Arizona Cardinals: John Ross, WR, Washington
The Cardinals offense is getting old, being spearheaded by Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald. John Ross will be brought in to be the successor to Larry Fitzgerald and provide a deep threat for Palmer. The Cardinals receiving corps have been known to be injury prone and Ross will give Palmer another elite option.
14. Philadelphia Eagles: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
The Eagles were a sure bet to take a receiver in the draft until signing Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith. They could look to improve their secondary, but with the eleventh pick in the second round, they could still get a very good cornerback such as Adoree’ Jackson or Teez Tabor. It is in Philadelphia’s best interest to try to bring in another option to take some of the pressure off of Carson Wentz, and Dalvin Cook would be able to do so. His versatility will allow him to eventually become an every down back and take the reins from an aging Ryan Matthews and Darren Sproles.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
Andrew Luck is the star of this franchise and his offensive line has not been very good to him. Ryan Ramczyk is a no-brainer with the fifteenth pick and will come in and be a tough offensive lineman to try to protect him.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Joe Flacco needs people to throw to besides Kamar Aiken so that the Ravens can find their way back into the playoffs. Corey Davis was one of the most productive receivers in college football last season. Although he has faced some weaker competition, Davis has shown all of the skills necessary to be an elite receiver in the NFL.
17. Washington Redskins: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
After losing DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon this offseason, the Redskins would probably like to go receiver with this pick. Unfortunately, with the top three wideouts off the board, they turn to the defensive side of the ball. Reuben Foster is the most talented linebacker in the draft and is worth this pick despite his injury issues.
18. Tennessee Titans: David Njoku, TE, Miami
The Titans need to bring in a weapon for Marcus Mariota so that they can improve their passing game to complement their DeMarco Murray-powered attack. With the top three receivers off of the board, they go to David Njoku, who had a very long workout with the team before the draft.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jabrill Peppers, LB/S, Michigan
The Buccaneers could use some more weapons for Jameis Winston but he will make do with the emerging Cameron Brate, Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson as they address their defensive woes. Jabrill Peppers is a versatile option who can change the defensive side of the ball. He entered the draft as a LB but projects as a safety.
20. Denver Broncos: Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky
The Broncos have an elite defense, a strong receiving corps and a solid running back. Despite their talented roster, they lack an offensive line or a proven QB. They will probably live with Siemian and improve their line with the big and strong Forrest Lamp.
21. Detroit Lions: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
Matthew Stafford leads a great offense, but the Lions defense is nothing special. Taco Charlton will provide another great pass rusher to pair with Ziggy Ansah and should disrupt the rhythm of many quarterbacks next year.
22. Miami Dolphins: Charles Harris, OLB, Missouri
Ryan Tannehill, Jay Ajayi and Jarvis Landry provide the Dolphins with a formidable offensive attack from all ends of the spectrum, so they should try to address their defense. Harris is one of the most complete linebackers in the draft and should be able to fill a hole on the defense as a pass rusher. This can clean up in the running game as Ndamukong Suh and company slow opposing running backs down.
23. New York Giants: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
The Giants had one glaring weakness last season at the offensive line, and in particular, Eric Flowers. Garett Bolles is an offensive tackle who can come in and try to replace the Miami product.
24. Oakland Raiders: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
The Raiders have a great offense with solid play from their defense last season, especially with Bruce Irvin and Khalil Mack coming off of the edge. However, Irvin isn’t as strong as Mack in the run game, which teams would react to by directing their backs to run at him in most attempts last year. Jarrad Davis will help to sure up the run game and keep this from happening.
25. Houston Texans: DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson
The Texans may have been hoping for Tony Romo, and after his retirement, they have to call an audible (literally). Some consider Watson to be the best QB available in the draft, and Houston will pounce on the opportunity to fully recover from the Brock Osweiler deal.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
The Seahawks have a Russell Wilson-led offense that seems flawless at times, and a defense that has always been spectacular. However, with a defensive mindset, expect Seattle to stick to that side of the ball and take Reddick who is an edge rusher with a motor that doesn’t stop.
27. Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Houston
The Chiefs have been notorious for their great defense and slow-moving offense, but rookie phenom Tyreek Hill is helping to slowly break that stereotype. Alex Smith is getting older and the Chiefs will need to groom a replacement, and Mahomes has the talent to be that man down the road, especially behind a coach like Andy Reid.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Kevin King, CB, Washington
The Cowboys offense had a deadly combination of running and passing, but ultimately fell to the Packers because their receivers were able to get open. Also, being in the same division as the deadly receiving corps of the Giants requires more secondary depth, so the Cowboys will buckle down and snag the long and athletic Kevin King. He has the physical skills to succeed and make an immediate impact in the NFL.
29. Green Bay Packers: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
Last year, the Packers couldn’t find a steady hold at running back until Ty Montgomery made somewhat of a transition to the position from receiver. McCaffrey is a true running back who will provide the dangerous offense with yet another diverse weapon. He can do a similar job to what Montgomery did last year, but at a higher level.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tre’davious White, CB, LSU
The Steelers offense got them to the AFC Championship before Tom Brady methodically picked apart their secondary. Bringing in Tre’davious White out of LSU will provide them more depth in the secondary so that they can go and challenge for the AFC title again.
31. Atlanta Falcons: Dion Dawkins, OG, Temple
The Super Bowl will always be a sour memory for this Falcons team that does not have many holes. However, in the second half of the championship game, Matt Ryan was under too much pressure, without much room for their running game to maneuver. Dawkins will help solve that problem as he has some of the most potential for an offensive lineman in this draft.
32. New Orleans Saints: Evan Engram, TE, Mississippi
After addressing the defense with their first pick, they could double down with somebody like Budda Baker at the safety position. It is more likely, though, that the Saints bring in a big weapon for Drew Brees to throw to after losing Brandin Cooks in the offseason. Between Engram and Michael Thomas, if Brees can keep the ball high, the offense should be as prolific as usual.
Being that wins set the MVP candidates apart more than many other statistics this season do, win totals have been a core point of discussion when thinking about the MVP race. In 2016-2017, Westbrook’s team only finished 5 games above .500. Traditionally, players on teams with higher win totals do better as the only player since 1980 to win the MVP with a win total under 50 was Moses Malone in the 1981-1982 season when he won 46 games. Russell Westbrook would be a huge exception to what has transpired in recent times, and it seems as though it would make more sense for voters to choose Harden. However, how does one account for a player who averaged a triple double the entire season? Could Westbrook be an exception to the trend, despite the fact that Oscar Robertson didn’t win the MVP when he averaged a triple double?
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