McShay's 2017 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

HacheMan · Dec 14, 2016

McShay's 2017 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

Todd McShay
ESPN Senior Writer
ESPN INSIDER

The mock draft below, our first to preview 2017, projects all 32 first-round picks. It goes without saying that a lot will change between now and April 27, including the draft order, team needs and the grades of many of our top prospects, as we continue our tape evaluations and dig deeper into intangibles and medical status. Some of the players included here are underclassmen who haven't yet decided whether they'll enter the 2017 draft, and some teams will inevitably undergo regime changes in the coming weeks.
But this mock draft can serve as an early primer on where the draft board stands right now, and the prospects whom teams could be considering with their picks in 2017.
Two important notes: 1. We used ESPN's Football Power Index to project what the order will be at the end of the season, with the three traded first-round picks accounted for. Read more about the FPI here. 2. All juniors or redshirt sophomores are noted with an asterisk.

1. Cleveland Browns

Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
Let's get this out of the way: No QB in this class is worth the No. 1 pick. The Browns just need more good football players. Allen is a total game-plan wrecker along the defense front (13 tackles for loss, 15 QB hurries). Texas A&M pass-rusher Myles Garrett also figures to be in the mix here.
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2. San Francisco 49ers

Myles Garrett, DE/OLB, Texas A&M*
Considering the lack of elite QB/WR talent in this class, the 49ers would be thrilled to see Garrett fall to them at No. 2. Tied with LSU RB Leonard Fournette for my best grade in this class, Garrett is the most disruptive pass-rusher in college football, with 21 sacks and 20 QB hurries in 23 games the past two seasons.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jamal Adams, S, LSU*
Assuming he leaves school early, Adams will be one of the most complete players in this draft. He can stuff the run as an in-the-box safety, he can cover and he's a great leader to bring into your locker room. The Jaguars need to continue to invest resources in their secondary.

4. Chicago Bears

Jabrill Peppers, S/OLB, Michigan*
The Bears are another team likely to be in the market for a QB this offseason without a good option at the top of the draft. Peppers would make sense, given Chicago's lack of difference-makers in the secondary. He's a true hybrid player, with the speed and athleticism to thrive in space and the toughness to play bigger than his 205-pound frame.

5. Tennessee Titans(from Rams)

Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State*
The Titans have the good fortune of not needing to even consider a quarterback with the pick they received in the Jared Goff trade. Lattimore could use some more game experience, but if he leaves Columbus early, CB-needy teams such as the Titans could be enticed by the natural talent he has displayed on the perimeter in his first year as a starter.

6. New York Jets

Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama
Williams is disruptive -- if a little inconsistent -- with excellent first-step quickness off the edge. Nearly all of his tackles for loss this season came against SEC opponents (14 of the 15.5 total). A pass-rusher could very well be near the top of the Jets' needs by the time April rolls around.

7. Carolina Panthers

Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU*
Fournette hasn't budged from the No. 1 spot in my prospect rankings all season. He is a rare talent for the position, the best college running back I've evaluated since Adrian Peterson in 2007. And though he has been hampered by an ankle injury all season, he has put up off-the-charts production when healthy. It would be great value for the Panthers if Fournette were to fall out of the top five.

8. New Orleans Saints

Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama*
At 6-foot-1, 196 pounds, Humphrey has ideal size for the cornerback position. He has 27 games of experience against high-level competition in his career, racking up five interceptions and 12 pass breakups. The Saints need to continue to add pieces to their defense, particularly in the secondary.

9. Cleveland Browns (from Eagles)

Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA
Taking the versatile Jonathan Allen with the No. 1 overall pick would allow the Browns to target McKinley with the second of their first-round picks. The UCLA pass-rusher has elite speed off the edge, which has helped make him one of the biggest draft risers this season (18.0 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks in 11 games). Florida State RB Dalvin Cook also could be in the conversation here for an offense that will be looking for more home run hitters.

10. San Diego Chargers

Mike Williams, WR, Clemson*
At 6-foot-3, Williams profiles as a legitimate No. 1 weapon at the next level. He shows an excellent ability to create late separation when the ball is in the air, scoring 10 touchdowns this season. Coming off a scary neck injury to open the 2015 campaign, Williams has done it all for the Tigers in his return to the field.

11. Arizona Cardinals

Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama
A tackling machine who flies to the ball, Foster shows a good combination of agility and speed for a 240-pounder. He's one of the 10 best players in this class, but positional value could cause him to slip a little bit. QB is also a possibility for Arizona, given Carson Palmer's age (37) and declining play.

12. Cincinnati Bengals

Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee*
Barnett's production was outstanding in his first two seasons at Tennessee, but he has taken it to another level in 2016 with an SEC-leading 12.0 sacks. He has good size (6-3, 265) and agility and a consistent motor. The Bengals need more speed at defensive end and linebacker.

13. Indianapolis Colts

Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama*
Andrew Luck has been constantly under siege behind an offensive line that is still searching for answers. So whether it's in the first round or in free agency, the Colts need to devote resources to protect Luck and improve the running game. Robinson isn't an elite pass-blocker, but he's a plug-and-play right tackle who can develop at the next level.

14. Buffalo Bills

Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
Ramczyk has just one year of full-time starting experience at the FBS level after transferring from UW-Stevens Points (Division III), but he's loaded with talent. With a long and sturdy frame (6-6, 314), he's very effective in pass protection and as a run-blocker. Cornerback and wide receiver also could be options for the Bills.

15. Baltimore Ravens

Charles Harris, DE, Missouri*
A twitchy athlete off the edge, Harris led the SEC with 18.5 tackles for loss in 2015 and finished this season with 5.5 sacks and six QB hurries in his final four games. He has tons of raw ability as a pass-rusher, and Baltimore needs to continue to add youth off the edge with Terrell Suggs turning 35 next season.

16. Miami Dolphins

O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Luckily for teams like the Dolphins who have a need at the position, this is a class loaded with tight ends at the top. Howard, Michigan's Jake Butt and Virginia Tech's Bucky Hodges all look like top-40 picks. Howard's size-speed combination gives him a lot of upside, but his production has been streaky in Alabama's run-heavy offense.

17. Tennessee Titans

John Ross, WR, Washington*
Ross has always had great speed, but he improved his route running this year and saw immediate dividends with a 17-touchdown season. If he runs as fast as expected at the NFL combine, he could very well be a first-rounder.

18. Philadelphia Eagles (from Vikings)

Teez Tabor, CB, Florida*
Tabor has terrific ball skills, with four interceptions, five pass breakups and a defensive TD in 11 games this season -- and that comes on the heels of a 2015 season in which he had four interceptions and 14 pass breakups. Tabor's natural anticipation skills would fill a big need for the Eagles.

19. Houston Texans

Carl Lawson, OLB, Auburn*
Not many pass-rushers in this class can match Lawson's combination of production, upside and intangibles. He's a film junkie who posted an astounding 24 QB hurries and nine sacks this season. Plus, he's an elite run defender. Lawson's medical reports will be critical; he endured back-to-back injury-plagued seasons in 2014 and 2015.

20. Green Bay Packers

Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State*
Yes, I know GM Ted Thompson has never drafted a running back this high, but there's no doubt the Packers need more explosive playmakers like Cook, who ranks tied for second among all Power 5 RBs this season with 15 touches of 25 yards or more. It would be good value to get a top-10 player at this stage of the first round.

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State*
McDowell has supreme talent, and he can be a menace as an inside rusher when he's locked in. But McDowell could fall a bit, because he's not the consistent grinder that typically comes out of Michigan State. Tampa will be in the market for more pass-rushers.

22. Washington Redskins

JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC*
Watching Smith-Schuster's tape, it's clear that he loves the game and works hard. He's not a burner by any stretch, but his good size (6-2, 220), ball skills and toughness will keep him in the first-round mix for teams with a need at the position, such as Washington, which could lose Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson to free agency.

23. Denver Broncos

Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida*
Brantley can be a load to handle in the running game, as he showed in back-to-back games this season against LSU and Florida State (five tackles for loss). His combination of quickness and functional strength would make him a good fit for the Broncos, who will be looking for help along the D-line this offseason.

24. Detroit Lions

Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
Davis finds so many ways to affect a game. He makes plays in the backfield (six tackles for loss and five QB hurries) and is athletic enough to hold up in coverage. Davis' game is similar to that of Bucs OLB Kwon Alexander because of his excellent range and a relentless motor.

25. New York Giants

D'Onta Foreman, RB, Texas*
Foreman is one of the most underrated prospects in this class. You can tell by looking at him that he's a load to bring down (6-1, 249), but what makes him special are his quick feet. Foreman, who led the FBS in rushing this season with 2,028 yards, also has some ability as a blocker and pass-catcher.

26. Pittsburgh Steelers

Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
If you were watching the Michigan-Ohio State game, you might've noticed Charlton's game-wrecking ability (2.5 sacks). He was Michigan's best pass-rusher this season (nine sacks in 10 games). He has the versatility to convert to a 3-4 OLB in the Steelers' base defense. Jarvis Jones and James Harrison are both set to be free agents.

27. Atlanta Falcons

Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida*
I haven't done as much tape on Wilson as I have on his teammate Teez Tabor, but some scouts I've talked to think Wilson's ceiling is higher. At 6-foot-1, he has a good length/speed combination, and he's experienced, with 38 games played, including 23 starts. The Falcons need to find a way to bolster their secondary and defensive line.

28. Oakland Raiders

Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan
Lewis has some size limitations (5-11, 186), which makes him a bit of a reach here, but he's the best pure cover corner in college football. He had two interceptions and 10 pass breakups, despite opponents often shying away from throwing to his side of the field. The Raiders' secondary has been an issue this season as they continue to rebuild the defense.

29. Seattle Seahawks

Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame*
McGlinchey has held firm that he's likely to return to school, but for now he's eligible. While he'd benefit from one more year of physical development and technique work, an OT-needy team such as the Seahawks would give McGlinchey a long look because of his length and upside if he decided to leave early.

30. Kansas City Chiefs

Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina*
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</article>Inside linebacker and safety will be bigger needs, but everyone knows how much Andy Reid likes to draft quarterbacks. Trubisky has some red flags as a prospect, including just 12 college starts to his name, but the opportunity to draft a quarterback to sit and develop behind Alex Smith could entice the Chiefs' front office. Trubisky has shown impressive accuracy (68.9 completion percentage) and an ability to limit mistakes (only four turnovers all season).

31. Dallas Cowboys

Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
The Cowboys will be in the market for defensive line help this offseason; I'm just not sure who will be available this late in the first round. Thomas has good size (6-3, 273) and strength, he's stout against the run and he rushes the QB with quickness and power (13 tackles for loss, seven sacks and seven QB hurries).

32. New England Patriots

Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford*
Bill Belichick and Tom Brady would have fun figuring out creative ways to utilize McCaffrey's versatile skill set. He's a true threat in both the running and passing games, finishing his college career with nearly 4,000 rushing yards and 1,206 receiving yards. He has a rare combination of vision, lateral agility and acceleration, which shows up in the return game too.

HacheMan · Dec 14, 2016

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NFL Nation

No personnel move shakes up the NFL like a big quarterback trade, an event that impacts a franchise for a decade and shakes up years of drafts for the entire league. We've seen three of them in the past nine months -- involving Jared Goff, Carson Wentz and Sam Bradford -- and collectively those trades will shape the 2017 draft.
So on the day Todd McShay releases his Mock Draft 1.0 and Mel Kiper Jr. offers an updated 2017 Big Board, let's take a closer look at how the five teams involved in those three trades will be impacted next spring.
Thanks to ProSportsTransactions.com for providing an easy viewing template of what we know so far. The NFL does not confirm the first-round draft order until after teams complete their seasons, and the full draft order won't be known until after compensatory picks are awarded this spring. We did not include conditional picks in this accounting, because in some cases they remain dependent on this season's outcomes.

[h=2]Cleveland Browns[/h]2017 assets acquired via trade: Eagles' picks in the first and fourth rounds, plus the Titans' second-round pick.
2017 draft situation: Eight confirmed picks, including two in each of the first two rounds. At the moment, ESPN's Football Power Index projects the Browns to choose at No. 1 and No. 10 overall.
Current QB situation: The Browns are back to starting Robert Griffin IIIafter also giving starts to Josh McCown and Cody Kessler. Griffin and McCown are signed through 2017, and Kessler is signed through 2019.
Analysis: Kessler, a third-round pick in 2016, has shown some promise, completing 65.6 percent of his passes for six touchdowns and two interceptions in eight starts. But the Browns don't have a long-term starter on their roster. The 2017 draft is considered weak at the position, but the Browns should be in the market.

[h=2]Tennessee Titans[/h]2017 assets acquired via trade: Rams' picks in the first and third rounds.
Current 2017 draft situation: Eight total picks, including five in the first three rounds.
Current QB situation: The Titans' choice of Marcus Mariota at No. 2 overall in 2015 gave them the flexibility to trade back in 2016. He is their long-term starter.
Analysis: Mariota has made significant progress as a passer in leading the Titans into playoff contention. Since the start of Week 5, he has the NFL's highest QBR (82.2), having thrown for 21 touchdowns and three interceptions. He ranks third in the NFL this season among quarterbacks with 348 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

[h=2]Los Angeles Rams[/h]2017 assets acquired via trade: None. Used their picks in the first and third rounds to acquire Goff.
Current 2017 draft situation: Five picks, including one in the first three rounds.
Current QB situation: Goff cracked the starting lineup in Week 11 and is presumably the Rams' 2017 starter, at least.
Analysis: Either the Rams treated Goff with kid gloves, or he wasn't nearly as ready to play in the NFL as once presumed. He was atrocious in the preseason and has by far the NFL's worst QBR (24.5) during his four-game stretch as a starter. Worse, he'll be starting over with a new offensive system and coaching staff in his second year -- and on a roster that can't be fortified much because of the draft picks used to acquire him.

[h=2]Philadelphia Eagles[/h]2017 assets acquired via trade: Vikings' first-round pick for Bradford, after giving their first- and third-round picks to the Browns for Wentz.
Current 2017 draft situation: Eight total picks, including one apiece in the first three rounds and two in the fourth.
Current QB situation: Wentz has started all 13 games, with veteran Chase Daniel under contract as his backup for two more seasons.

Analysis: Wentz won his first three starts in impressive fashion, throwing five touchdowns without an interception, but the Eagles have since slumped to 2-8 since. While there is every reason to think Wentz will start for years to come, he has some work ahead of him. During the past 11 weeks, he has the NFL's lowest QBR (45.0), having thrown eight touchdowns against 12 interceptions and taking 26 sacks.

[h=2]Minnesota Vikings[/h]2017 draft assets acquired via trade: Dolphins' third-round pick as part of a 2016 draft-day trade.
Current 2017 draft situation: Eight total picks, including two in the third round and two in the fourth, after sending their first-round pick to the Eagles for Bradford.
QB situation: Bradford is signed through next season and seems the Vikings' likeliest Week 1 starter. Teddy Bridgewater faces a long recovery from a dislocated knee.
Analysis: It's easy to say the Vikings panicked and overpaid by sending a first-round pick for Bradford for a season in which they appear likely to miss the playoffs. But Bradford has been the least of their problems, and his availability to start next season provides added value. His QBR of 58.4 ranks No. 19 in the NFL, mostly because an injury-ravaged offensive line has forced him to be a checkdown specialist. He leads the NFL with a 71.2 completion percentage and has thrown 14 touchdown passes and three interceptions.

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HacheMan · Dec 14, 2016

Answering 25 questions on the 2017 NFL draft

Mel Kiper Jr.Todd McShay

It's December, that special time of year when it becomes NFL draft season. And we're officially less than 150 days until the festivities get underway in Philadelphia. So, in what has become an annual tradition, we are here with a quick, 25-question primer to get you going.

1. Is this draft better on offense or defense?
Kiper: This is a defensive draft. It's incredibly strong there -- 15 of my top 25 prospects are defenders, including eight of the top 10. And it's deep too, with pass-rushers and defensive backs galore. On offense, this draft is lacking in premier talent at positions that are usually picked in the top five: offensive tackles and quarterbacks. There just isn't much there.

2. Who are the quarterbacks we'll be talking about on the first night of the draft?
Kiper: There's really only one guy right now, and he might not even enter the draft. That's North Carolina's Mitch Trubisky, a fourth-year junior who is in his first season as the starter. Trubisky has thrown 28 touchdown passes to only four interceptions, but he's still green -- with another year of seasoning, he could be the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft. He's not ready to play right away in the NFL.
I don't see any other first-rounders in the group. Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer, a third-year sophomore, has to go back to school. Clemson's Deshaun Watson has taken a step back this season. Underclassmen Luke Falk and Patrick Mahomes could use another year in school, and they don't project as first-rounders.

I wouldn't say it's likely, but there's a chance no quarterback goes in the first round. The last time that happened was 1996.

3. Would you go so far as to call this a bad QB class, Todd?
McShay: I'll say this: It's not a great year to be drafting early and needing a quarterback. There's some depth (depending on how many underclassmen declare), but I don't see any elite prospects among those I've reviewed so far. My top five quarterbacks are all underclassmen -- and I hope most of them return to school (Watson, my No. 2 QB, has already declared). Mel is right, Kizer needs another year. Trubisky has only 12 starts. Miami's Brad Kaaya can continue to get bigger/stronger. Falk comes with too many questions ranging from system to frame.

4. Which prospect-to-player comparison do you think is most spot-on?
McShay: Dalvin Cook and Chris Johnson. The Florida State RB has the speed, suddenness and big-play ability that Johnson had when he was still in his prime. Cook has 15 touches of 25 yards or more this season, tied for second among Power 5 running backs.

5. If you had to put your money behind one guy from this class to be the NFL's next great pass-rusher, who would it be?
Kiper: There's no question it's Texas A&M's Myles Garrett, who is No. 1 on my Big Board. He has everything teams want in a premier edge rusher. At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, he's going to be a star. Others to keep an eye on: Alabama's Tim Williams and UCLA's Takkarist McKinley. All could go in the top 10.

6. What should the Browns do with the first pick: best player or best QB?
Kiper: The Browns have too many needs. It has to be the best player, and as I mentioned above, there's no surefire top quarterback in this class. Cleveland needs everything. No way should the Browns reach for a quarterback in this draft.

7. Dallas hit a home run last April -- how do they hit another one next April?
McShay: Not sure it's possible for the Cowboys to have a draft that's anywhere near comparable to last year. They'll be selecting in the latter half of the first round as opposed to No. 4 overall -- and they found a fourth-round quarterback who's currently 11-1. If they could find one difference-making edge rusher, that'd be a win for Dallas.

8. By the time it's April, Mel, who are people going to be saying, "Oh, Kiper loves that guy!"
Kiper: It's Alabama's Reuben Foster. He could be the best of the stellar group of Crimson Tide inside linebackers to be picked in the first round recently (Rolando McClain, Dont'a Hightower and C.J. Mosley). Foster is a complete player. Top five isn't out of the question, which is rare for an ILB. He's that good.

9. How about you, Todd?
McShay: LSU safety Jamal Adams. He hasn't gotten a ton of love nationally, but he's one of the most complete players in this draft class. He has everything you want -- intelligence, toughness, ball skills and explosive tackling ability. Plus, he's a really good leader.

10. Which prospect has helped his stock the most this season?
Kiper: McKinley has gone from just a guy to a potential top-10 pick, and it's all because of his ability to rush the quarterback. The former junior college transfer had 10 sacks for the Bruins this season after just seven in his first two years. He's not huge (6-foot-2, 240 pounds), but his speed off the ball is fun to watch.

11. Which prospect has hurt his stock the most this season?
McShay: This is a tough one. Oklahoma cornerback Jordan Thomas really struggled at times in coverage this season, and Georgia running back Nick Chubb wasn't himself coming off his season-ending injury in 2015. Chubb had a solid final few weeks to the regular season, but his best performance since his 222-yard opener against UNC was against Louisiana-Lafayette (108 yards on 16 carries). It will be interesting to see if Chubb returns to school or if he makes the leap, despite his struggles this season. Thomas should absolutely return to school.

12. If my team needs a ______, we're in luck in this draft.
Kiper: Pass-rusher. The class is littered with talented rushers -- for both a 3-4 and 4-3 scheme. The next-deepest positions: tight end and center.

13. What about offensive line: Is there a cornerstone blindside protector in this draft?
McShay: This is not a great offensive tackle class. Alabama's Cam Robinson is my top-ranked offensive tackle (No. 15 overall), but I wouldn't classify him as a cornerstone blindside protector. There are more right tackles and offensive guards -- such as Wisconsin's Ryan Ramczyk and Western Kentucky's Forrest Lamp -- in this class than there are true left tackles.

14. Leonard Fournette is the most talented running back prospect since when?
McShay: Adrian Peterson in 2007. Yes, Fournette has some durability concerns (an ankle injury has hobbled him all season), but the same was said for Peterson when he was leaving Oklahoma.

15. Which teams could target Fournette?
Kiper: Running backs have been devalued, but I'd be surprised if Fournette slipped out of the top eight. Not many of the teams projected to pick there need a RB, so why not Cleveland? Fournette is that good, and the Browns could do much worse than a plug-and-play, three-down back. Maybe it's Carolina, who has aging backs. The Panthers have bigger needs, though. It might have to be a team that likes Fournette enough to trade up. Maybe Philadelphia for the second straight season. Maybe the Lions or Giants, who are among the worst running teams in the league.

16. Who are the guys we'll all be calling "freaks" after the NFL combine?
McShay: Myles Garrett is the top all-around physical freak in this class. He'll test off the charts for a pass-rusher. Two others: UCLA outside linebacker Takkarist McKinley and Virginia Tech tight end Bucky Hodges. McKinley has elite speed for an edge guy; Hodges, a former quarterback, is long, fast and athletic.

17. Which school will be this year's Ohio State and dominate the early rounds?
Kiper: Five Alabama prospects make my newest Big Board, including four in the top 13. I have the Tide with the top offensive tackle, top inside linebacker, top two outside linebackers, and second-best defensive end and tight end. They also have the best punter in the draft, plus some players who will go in the mid-rounds. One school that is going under the radar: Florida. While the Gators lost to Alabama in Saturday's SEC title game, they have an outside shot at four defenders being picked in the first round.

18. Who's the underclassman who could use another year of development?
McShay: All of the underclassman quarterbacks (see above). Texas A&M wide receiver Ricky Seals-Jones, too.

19. What about the underclassman with nothing left to prove to NFL scouts?
Kiper: LSU's Leonard Fournette. There's only so much tread on the tires of running backs. He's going to be a star on day one.

20. Who are the best pass-catchers in this draft for teams in need of more weapons?
McShay: The tight end class is unusually strong with Alabama's O.J. Howard(No. 23), Michigan's Jake Butt (No. 26) and Hodges (No. 32) all in the Top 32 right now. All three are legit weapons in the passing game. The wide receiver class isn't so strong at the top. Clemson's Mike Williams is the only wide receiver in my top 15, but there's plenty of depth in the middle rounds. USC's JuJu Smith-Schuster, LSU's Malachi Dupre, Washington's John Ross, Virginia Tech's Isaiah Ford, Western Michigan's Corey Davis and Eastern Washington's Cooper Kupp could all be top-60 picks.

21. This is the year of the ______.
Kiper: Third-year sophomore, potentially. Michigan linebacker/safety Jabrill Peppers, Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey and Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore are all draft-eligible sophomores on my latest Big Board. Then there's Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas, Oklahoma offensive tackle Orlando Brown and Ohio State safety Malik Hooker, plus two from Notre Dame: quarterback DeShone Kizer and guard Quenton Nelson. Some of these guys will likely return to school, but some won't. The talent level here is incredible.

22. Who's going to catapult up boards like Carson Wentz did last year?
McShay: Washington wide receiver John Ross could be an early pick if he leaves school -- and runs as fast as expected. I'm also interested to see if the two Ohio State defensive backs Mel just mentioned (Lattimore and Hooker) decide to return to school for a second season as full-time starters, or if they bolt after the upcoming playoff. Both need more game experience, but both are very talented.

23. Do the Jets have a QB starter currently on their roster? Should they reach for one early?

Kiper: I don't think so, but the Jets shouldn't draft a QB early just to get one. They just took Christian Hackenberg in the second round last year -- 84 spots ahead of Dak Prescott, by the way -- and they need to try to develop him to see if he has a future. He needs major, major development, though, and that takes time. He's almost certainly not the guy in 2017. New York might be better off surveying the backup market. Tony Romo or Jay Cutler, maybe? How about Mike Glennon?

24. The Panthers could be drafting in the top 10 without a need at quarterback. What holes should they look to fill?
McShay: Offensive tackle, defensive end, wide receiver and running back are the top needs that come to mind. The latter three positions all have some depth in this class.

25. Which team needs to hit a home run in this draft?
Kiper: C'mon, it's Cleveland. The Browns haven't won a game! They have to get some talent, and luckily for them, they have the picks to do it (including two in the first round). The Browns have to hit on some stars in the second year of their total analytical approach. One more that's interesting: Tennessee, which is on the cusp of being really good. The Titans have two first-round picks -- they have the Rams' pick from the Jared Goff deal -- and they could use one of those to beef up their secondary.

HacheMan · Dec 14, 2016

[h=1]Kiper's 2017 Big Board: Top five coming into focus[/h]Mel Kiper Jr.
Football analyst
ESPN INSIDER
In this edition of my Big Board: Two Alabama prospects move up in the top five, and Stanford's do-everything running back makes his return.
A reminder: General scouting reports on these players won't change week to week unless my overall evaluation changes. I'll simply be updating performance notes and providing updates on key matchups to come.
One asterisk denotes a junior, and two asterisks denote a redshirt sophomore for the 2016 season.

[h=2]1. *Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M[/h]Garrett has had a frustrating season, hampered by a high ankle sprain he suffered in late September. The injury has taken away some of the explosiveness that makes him such a promising talent. But when he's on -- the way he was against UTSA in mid-November, when he had 4.5 sacks -- he's a brilliant, natural pass-rusher. The injury shouldn't affect Garrett's draft status, as long as it doesn't linger past January. At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, he has the length, strength and ability to bend the edge. I think he's a top-five lock in April.
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[h=2]2. Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama[/h]Allen is consistently great for the Crimson Tide. He has 8.5 sacks this season after having 12 in 2015. I wrote in October about Allen's performanceagainst Texas A&M, in which he had a signature sack and returned a fumble for a touchdown. Defensive end, defensive tackle -- the 6-3, 264-pound Allen can play anywhere on the line, and coach Nick Saban loves him. He could be in the mix for the top pick.

[h=2]3. Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama[/h]Foster is a big-time inside linebacker, and he might have been Alabama's best linebacker last season. Yes, better than Reggie Ragland, who went in the second round to the Bills in this year's draft and whom I had as the No. 24-ranked prospect. Foster (6-1, 240) has more range, runs sideline to sideline and is a more complete player. Expect him to follow in the footsteps of inside linebackers from Alabama who have gone in the first round, such as Rolando McClain, Dont'a Hightower and C.J. Mosley.

[h=2]4. *Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU[/h]Fournette has struggled with a gimpy ankle this season, missing four games. Don't worry about him, though. Fournette is really special when he's healthy. He has an incredible combination of size (6-1, 235), speed and power that can make him look like a varsity player hanging with the JV. Mileage was a concern heading into the season, so the ankle injury could benefit him in NFL scouts' eyes. He had a whopping 300 carries in 2015, and he has only 129 in 2016.

[h=2]5. **Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan[/h]Peppers, who finished fifth in the Heisman voting, is the best prospect on one of the best defenses in the country. At 6-0, 210 pounds, he is a tweener without a set position in the NFL, as I wrote last week. His potential is as an in-the-box safety or linebacker who helps in run support and goes out and covers receivers and tight ends. I expect him to test off the charts at the NFL combine.

[h=2]6. *Jamal Adams, S, LSU[/h]Adams has been a huge part of LSU's defensive success, even if it doesn't show on the stat sheet (one interception, one sack). Adams (6-1, 213) has great bloodlines -- his dad, George Adams, was the No. 19 overall pick in the 1985 NFL draft -- and he is built for today's NFL as a versatile safety who can play in the box effectively, make tackles against the run and move to the edges and track slot receivers.

[h=2]7. Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama[/h]Williams, the top-ranked prospect in my preseason Big Board, does one thing incredibly well: rush the passer. And that's what NFL teams are looking for. He's a fantastic pass-rushing talent who can be unblockable at times. But Williams (6-4, 250) showed some of his other talents in the Crimson Tide's victory over LSU on Nov. 5. I wrote about his day, in which he showed that he can adequately take on blockers and play the run. I feel much better about his all-around game. After 10.5 sacks in 2015, when he played only about 20 percent of Alabama's defensive snaps, Williams has 8.5 sacks this season.

[h=2]8. *Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State[/h]Cook (5-11, 213) is a home run hitter who can turn small creases into massive gains. He has eight 100-yard games in hispast nine games. Cook is averaging 6.0 yards per carry this season -- after averaging 7.4 in 2015 -- and he has surpassed his catch total from last season, with 30 receptions for 426 yards. With good hands and the ability to find and pick up blitzes, he's versatile. He has a whopping 39 total touchdowns in the past two seasons.

[h=2]9. *Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee[/h]Barnett has been stellar after a slow start to the season. He has 12 sacks, and he even had an interception in a loss to Alabama. Barnett (6-3, 265) is an all-around defender who beats double-teams, makes plays in the run game and gets after quarterbacks. I see him as a 4-3 defensive end in the NFL, not a 3-4 outside linebacker, but that shouldn't hurt his value. Barnett, who has 32 career sacks, is a really good player.

[h=2]10. **Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State[/h]At 6-1, 190, Lattimore is a first-year starter who struggled because of a hamstring injury during his first two years in Columbus. He has been fantastic this season, standing out in a group of talented defenders. He tackles well and has locked down receivers; he has four interceptions. The cornerback class for the 2017 draft could be special, and Lattimore is in the top tier.

[h=2]11. *D'Onta Foreman, RB, Texas[/h]Foreman rushed for 2,028 yards this season, tops in the country. He was a huge portion of Texas' offense -- he had 323 carries, which also led the country, and 15 touchdowns. At 6-1, 249, he's a big back, but he showed enough speed to break away from defenders. I'll be interested to see what he runs at the combine. Foreman is also a capable blocker, and I think he could be a three-down back in the NFL. One issue: With only 13 catches in three seasons, we still don't know much about his hands.

[h=2]12. *Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama[/h]This isn't a great class for top-tier blindside protectors, and some of that has to do with the lack of seniors. The first senior in my list of the top 10 offensive tackles comes in at No. 6. Robinson, a junior, was a starter from Day 1 at Alabama, and he has already a known commodity around the NFL. At 6-6, 327, he's battle-tested and extremely consistent. I still think he'd be better as a right tackle in the NFL -- he's a better run-blocker than he is a pass-blocker -- but he's probably going to get a shot on the left side. He has the talent to be a top-10 pick and the first tackle off the board.

[h=2]13. *Mike Williams, WR, Clemson[/h]Williams, my No. 1 receiver, has great burst and speed for his size (6-2, 225). He has put behind him the scary neck injury that prematurely ended his 2015 season, and he's back to being Deshaun Watson's go-to target. He has 84 catches for 1,171 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. He had more than 1,000 receiving yards as a sophomore in 2014 while averaging a whopping 18.1 yards per catch.

[h=2]14. Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA[/h]Pac-12 offensive tackles had nightmares this season about McKinley, who is a dominant speed rusher. At 6-2, 240, he's not huge, but his explosion off the line is suited for today's NFL. A former junior-college player, McKinley really came on as a senior -- he had 10 sacks and three forced fumbles. McKinley impressed me with his motor, too, even while dealing with multiple injuries.

[h=2]15. *Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State[/h]McDowell suffered an ankle injury in the Spartans' loss to Illinois in early November and missed the last three games of the season, as 3-9 Michigan State won't make a bowl game. He has had some growing pains, but the talent is there. He is a fantastic athlete with a 6-6, 290-pound frame. Production has been his issue -- McDowell had 1.5 sacks this season and only 7.5 in his career. He's an elite-level prospect, though, and he could be a top-15 pick.

[h=2]16. *Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina[/h]Trubisky has been one of the best signal-callers in the country in his first year as the full-time starter. Trubisky (6-3, 220) is completing 68.9 percent of his passes, and he has 28 touchdown passes and only four interceptions. He throws a nice ball, has some touch and velocity, and is mobile, too. He has five rushing touchdowns. He could be the first quarterback off the board in April, even though I think he could use another year of seasoning in college. He's not ready to play right away in the NFL.

[h=2]17. *Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida[/h]Brantley was featured as my "prospect on the rise" after Florida beat LSU last month. He was sensational in that game, with three tackles for loss and a forced fumble. A fourth-year junior, Brantley's issue is consistency. At 6-2, 300, he flashes the upside and talent of a top-10 pick. But he had only 3.5 tackles for loss in the nine games before the win over LSU and he isn't dependably disruptive, though he did have another two tackles for loss in Florida's loss to Florida State. Maybe the light bulb has come on now. Brantley could be a bigger name in the NFL than he was in college.

[h=2]18. *Charles Harris, DE, Missouri[/h]Harris was up and down in 2016. The highlight of his season was his effort in the Tigers' loss to Georgia in September. He was tremendously disruptive with three sacks, a tackle for loss and a batted-down pass, and he showed off a variety of pass-rushing moves. That's how he can perform when he's at his best. Harris had 9.0 sacks this season. A 6-3, 255-pound pass-rusher, Harris can stand up in a 3-4 or put his hand on the ground in a 4-3. He even moved inside to defensive tackle a few times to rush the quarterback. Last season, he led the SEC with 18.5 tackles for loss.

[h=2]19. *Teez Tabor, CB, Florida[/h]Tabor just makes plays. He showed up in big moments every time I turned on last season's tape, breaking up passes and locking down receivers. He returned two interceptions for touchdowns in 2015. He's all over the field this season, too. You could argue that Tabor (6-0, 201) was the most consistently effective Florida cornerback last season, and Vernon Hargreaves III went No. 11 overall to the Bucs. Tabor has four interceptions this season, including a 39-yard touchdown return vs. Missouri.

[h=2]20. **Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama[/h]At 6-1, Humphrey is a big, lockdown corner. He had three interceptions as a redshirt freshman last season and was a key playmaker for the national champs. He has two interceptions this season, and the first was returned for a touchdown in the Tide's beatdown of USC in Week 1. Humphrey has great bloodlines: His father, Bobby, was a big-time running back at Alabama who was picked by the Broncos in the first round of the 1989 supplemental draft.

[h=2]21. *John Ross, WR, Washington[/h]After major knee injuries cost him most of the 2014 season and all of 2015, Ross has been sensational for the Huskies this season. He has 76 catches for 1,122 yards and 17 touchdowns, plus two more TDs on a kick return and rush. He's a speedster. You won't find many players in college football -- or the NFL -- faster than Ross, who reportedly ran a hand-timed 4.25 40-yard dash in March. And that speed shows on tape, as he consistently blows by Pac-12 defenders. Ross is only 5-11, 190, but he's not a guy who has to play in the slot. He can play outside at the next level.

[h=2]22. *Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan[/h]One of the most productive receivers in the country, Davis is a big-time playmaker for the 12-0 Broncos. He has 318 catches for 5,068 yards and 50 touchdowns in his career and he leads the country this season in receiving touchdowns (17). Davis has ideal size (6-2, 212) and length to be a great NFL wideout. I think he could be a lead option for an offense. He's considered one of the hardest workers on his team, too, and he really studies the game.

</article>[h=2]23. *Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan[/h]Charlton was the best defensive player on the field in Michigan's loss to Ohio State in late November. The 6-5, 270-pound defensive end had 2.5 sacks and nine total tackles, showing off a full arsenal of pass-rushing moves. He's up to 8.5 sacks this season despite missing two games earlier in the year because of an ankle injury. Charlton plays with good leverage for his height, has active hands and takes great angles when rushing. And he's helped by an incredible wingspan. Charlton can play on his feet, which means he could fit in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme.

[h=2]24. O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama[/h]Howard hasn't been a prolific pass-catcher at Alabama, including only 37 catches this season, but he has all the tools scouts look for in an NFL tight end. At 6-6, 250, he is going to light up the NFL combine. He can stretch the deep middle of the field and become a more dynamic weapon. He could be a playmaker in the NFL. Just look at last season's national title game, in which he had 208 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

[h=2]25. *Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford[/h]The Stanford offense is built around McCaffrey. He runs, catches passes, blocks and returns kicks and punts. With 590 carries for 3,622 yards and 82 catches for 955 yards the past two seasons, he has shown that he can carry the load. McCaffrey (6-0, 200) has incredible balance and could be an every-down back in the NFL. And it helps that he plays in a pro-style offense at Stanford. His father, Ed, had a long NFL career as a wide receiver, and his brother, Max, was a good receiver at Duke.

seldomseen · Dec 14, 2016

Allen over Garret? Fournette the best rb prospect since Peterson? I would put him slightly below Gurley.

CHOPTALK · Dec 14, 2016

Gurley not even close

CHOPTALK · Dec 14, 2016

Kipper says 0 QBs first round .

Ill take the over 1.5

KingEleven · Dec 14, 2016

thanks for the post Hache

seldomseen · Dec 14, 2016

CHOPTALK said:
Gurley not even close

Really? I think Gurley is slightly better. He's faster. Fournette more powerful
Gurley ran for 122 and avg over 5 ypc vs Bama by himself as a freshman. What has Fournette done against them?

seldomseen · Dec 14, 2016

Not to mention he went 10th overall coming off a major knee injury.

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