NFL Mock Draft 2017: Predictions for Top Prospects Ahead of Week 17

For more than half the league, their 2016 season is little more than elementary at this point. Playoff teams have nearly coalesced in both the AFC and NFC after Saturday's action, with 10 of the 12 spots locked in.

The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions will play next week for the NFC North title, and the Lions can clinch at least a wild-card spot with a win later Monday against the Dallas Cowboys. If the Cowboys win despite already clinching home-field advantage, next week could provide Washington a chance to sneak into the postseason.

What I'm saying is: There are a lot of teams without much to play for in Week 17. Draft positioning might actually be the most important thing on the line. With that in mind, let's take a look at the draft order and analyze how things would shake out for top prospects if they were on the board as of today.

Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
1	Cleveland Browns	Myles Garrett	DE	Texas A&M
2	San Francisco 49ers	Jonathan Allen	DL	Alabama
3	Jacksonville Jaguars	Leonard Fournette	RB	LSU
4	Chicago Bears	Jamal Adams	S	LSU
5	Tennessee Titans (from LA)	Jabrill Peppers	S/LB	Michigan
6	New York Jets	Tim Williams	LB	Alabama
7	San Diego Chargers	Marlon Humphrey	CB	Alabama
8	Cincinnati Bengals	Derek Barnett	DE	Tennessee
9	Cleveland Browns (from PHI)	Cam Robinson	OT	Alabama
10	Carolina Panthers	Mike Williams	WR	Clemson
11	Arizona Cardinals	Mitch Trubisky	QB	North Carolina
12	Buffalo Bills	Reuben Foster	LB	Alabama
13	Indianapolis Colts	Dalvin Cook	RB	Florida State
14	Philadelphia Eagles (from MIN)	Corey Davis	WR	W. Michigan
15	New Orleans Saints	Marshon Lattimore	CB	Ohio State
16	Denver Broncos	Christian McCaffrey	RB	Stanford
17	Tennessee Titans	John Ross	WR	Washington
18	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Malik McDowell	DL	Michigan State
19	Baltimore Ravens	Charles Harris	DE	Missouri
20	Washington	JuJu Smith-Schuster	WR	USC
21	Green Bay Packers	Takkarist McKinley	LB	UCLA
22	Houston Texans	Carl Lawson	LB	Auburn
23	Seattle Seahawks	Dan Feeney	OG	Indiana
24	Detroit Lions	Charles Walker	DT	Oklahoma
25	Miami Dolphins	Teez Tabor	CB	Florida
26	New York Giants	O.J. Howard	TE	Alabama
27	Pittsburgh Steelers	Ryan Ramczyk	OT	Wisconsin
28	Atlanta Falcons	Jake Butt	TE	Michigan
29	Kansas City Chiefs	Jarrad Davis	LB	Florida
30	Oakland Raiders	Sidney Jones	CB	Washington
31	New England Patriots	Lowell Lotulelei	DT	Utah
32	Dallas Cowboys	Gareon Conley	CB	Ohio State

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

As always, the Browns need a quarterback. In typical Cleveland fashion, however, there are no quarterbacks in this class who remotely justify being a No. 1 overall pick. The Browns could talk themselves into someone like Deshaun Watson or Mitch Trubisky, but it'd border on insane taking either at No. 1 with the the talent on the board.

The Browns need basically everything. Starting with Myles Garrett is a great rebuilding chip. Garrett and Jonathan Allen will likely vie for the top selection, and it's really a matter of stylistic preference. Garrett is double-digit sacks waiting to happen on a yearly basis, a naturally gifted athlete who is only going to improve as his body fills out.

Allen has a bigger frame but wins with a combination of elite power and surprising strength. He can play inside and outside, and his versatility will be attractive. I just think Garrett is a better prospect.

2. San Francisco 49ers: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama

The 49ers defense sorely misses a Justin Smith type. Allen can be just that—a guy who could either provide you with double-digit sacks on the edge or do the dirty work in the middle.

It's unclear if head coach Chip Kelly will be back in San Francisco next season, so we may have to wait to see the direction the 49ers go here. But Allen-Garrett seems like the smartest way for this draft to play out.

Allen can fit on any defensive line regardless of scheme, and he'd go a long way toward fixing a completely broken 49ers run defense.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

The Jaguars failed to build via their passing game. Yes, failed. They drafted a slew of young receivers and a big-armed quarterback and still can't even reach 20 points per game. Blake Bortles is one of the NFL's worst starting quarterbacks, which has hampered the development of Allen Robinson—a potential perennial Pro Bowler watching passes sail over his head.

Maybe it's time for the new regime to start building with the run. Fournette would instantly invigorate a rushing attack that got its most consistent production from the quarterback. Bortles has four carries of 20-plus yards this season; Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon have two combined.

Offensive line play is a major factor in the Jags' offensive struggles, but there aren't any foundational tackles in this class. Fournette may struggle a bit as a rookie if they can't improve up front. This is just a long-term play, given Fournette is arguably the most talented running back to leave college this decade.

4. Chicago Bears: Jamal Adams, S, LSU

Two Tigers in the top five. Is it any wonder Les Miles is no longer in Baton Rouge? Adams on tape reminds you almost of a bigger, stronger Tyrann Mathieu. Honey Badger is a little quicker and has more of a propensity for big plays—especially with the ball in his hands—but Adams is the same type of dynamic game-changer in the secondary.

He is the best run-defending safety in the nation, possessing linebacker-line instincts that help him get into the box. While many run-first safeties have a tendency to be a step slow or struggle with coverage assignments, Adams is close to a complete package. He'll need to improve in some technique areas, but he has the speed and mental wherewithal to make it happen.

The Bears need help in a ton of places on defense, and Adams is a good start.

5. Tennessee Titans: Jabrill Peppers, LB/S, Michigan

Peppers is perhaps the most unique prospect in this class. He's a positionless hybrid, a guy you can't ever settle on loving at one spot because he's so naturally good at everything. Size is the problem at linebacker. Top-end speed is a concern at safety or cornerback. 

There's some Thomas Davis, some Mathieu, some Deone Bucannon—it's really hard to tell where Peppers goes from an NFL career standpoint. That makes him terrifying in some respects and thrilling in another.

What's clear is this kid has so many natural gifts as a defender that it's hard to see him fail.