2017 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for Top Prospects Before Regular Season Ends

One action-packed Sunday stands between 20 NFL teams and the unofficial start of draft season. 

While 12 lucky squads will head to the postseason and vie for Super Bowl glory, the clubs that weren't fortunate enough to qualify for the playoffs can direct their complete attention to the 2017 draft class—which features a handful of game-changing prospects at the top. 

And with the draft order nearly set, we can start making some more concrete projections. 

Below, you'll find an updated first-round mock draft based on the draft order through the completion of Week 16, courtesy of NFL.com. As a reminder, slots Nos. 21-32 are subject to change based on postseason finishes. 

Pick	Team	Selection	School
1	Cleveland Browns	Myles Garrett, DE	Texas A&M
2	San Francisco 49ers	Mitch Trubisky, QB	North Carolina
3	Chicago Bears	Jonathan Allen, DE	Alabama
4	Jacksonville Jaguars	Jamal Adams, S	LSU
5	Tennessee Titans (via Los Angeles)	Teez Tabor, CB	Florida
6	New York Jets	Marlon Humphrey, CB	Alabama
7	San Diego Chargers	Mike Wiliams, WR	Clemson
8	Cincinnati Bengals	Reuben Foster, LB	Alabama
9	Carolina Panthers	Leonard Fournette, RB	LSU
10	Cleveland Browns (via Philadelphia)	DeShone Kizer, QB	Notre Dame
11	Arizona Cardinals	Sidney Jones, CB	Washington
12	Buffalo Bills	John Ross, WR	Washington
13	New Orleans Saints	Jabrill Peppers, S	Michigan
14	Indianapolis Colts	Dalvin Cook, RB	Florida State
15	Philadelphia Eagles (via Minnesota)	Corey Davis, WR	Western Michigan
16	Tennessee Titans	JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR	USC
17	Baltimore Ravens	Tim Williams, OLB	Alabama
18	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Taco Charlton, DL	Michigan
19	Denver Broncos	Ryan Ramczyk, OT	Wisconsin
20	Washington Redskins	Zach Cunningham, LB	Vanderbilt
21	Detroit Lions	Desmond King, CB	Iowa
22	Miami Dolphins	O.J. Howard, TE	Alabama
23	New York Giants	Takkarist McKinley, LB	UCLA
24	Kansas City Chiefs	DeMarcus Walker, DE	Florida State
25	Houston Texans	Malik McDowell, DL	Michigan State
26	Green Bay Packers	Christian McCaffrey, RB	Stanford
27	Seattle Seahawks	Carl Lawson, DE	Auburn
28	Pittsburgh Steelers	Derek Barnett, LB	Tennessee
29	Atlanta Falcons	Harold Landry, DE	Boston College
30	Oakland Raiders	Quincy Wilson, CB	Florida
31	New England Patriots	Bucky Hodges, TE	Virginia Tech
32	Dallas Cowboys	Charles Harris, DE	Missouri

Chicago Bears: Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama

A year ago, Alabama Crimson Tide defensive end Jonathan Allen was starting to work his way into the first-round conversation. 

But with another year in college under his belt, Allen has solidified himself as a legitimate top-five selection who could one day evolve into a defensive franchise cornerstone thanks to his development under head coach Nick Saban. 

"I think sometimes a lot of players lose sight of how football is a developmental game, how they improve, how they can improve their value by continuing to grow and develop as players in college," Saban said, per AL.com's Rainer Sabin. "Jonathan Allen is a great example of that."

In fact, Allen has been so dominant that Pro Football Focus' Steve Palazzolo currently has him slotted into the No. 1 spot in his mock draft: "Allen has been unblockable this season, leading all interior defensive linemen with a 93.7 pass-rush grade while playing strong against the run in his first extended action on early downs."

Based on those qualities, Allen would be a logical fit for the Chicago Bears at No. 3 overall if the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers pass on the dynamite defensive ace. 

Chicago's in need of a boost at defensive end after recording a 24th-ranked 26 sacks through 16 weeks, and Allen is the kind of foundational talent who can elevate the entire unit's offerings with the way he applies pressure as a run-stuffer and pass-rusher. 

San Diego Chargers: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

Clemson's Mike Williams is a physical freak at 6'3" and 225 pounds, and he's proved throughout his senior season that he has the skills necessary to be considered a first-round lock when the 2017 draft rolls around.

In 13 regular-season appearances prior to the College Football Playoff, Williams hauled in a career-high 84 receptions for 1,171 yards and 10 touchdowns as quarterback Deshaun Watson's clear No. 1 target.

And even though Williams isn't built in the mold of speedier threats like Odell Beckham Jr. and Antonio Brown, his strength and size alone make him a daunting cover for any cornerback.

"While he's not a burner by any stretch, he has the ability to win the deep ball with excellent ball skills and upper-echelon ball-tracking skills," NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote. "And as for being able to get to throws outside his frame, Williams' catch radius is everything a team could want from a WR1."

Based on that description, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the San Diego Chargers give Williams a hard look come draft time. 

Keenan Allen is locked in as the Chargers' top receiver, but injury woes have limited him to nine appearances over the past two seasons. 

Toss Williams into the mix, and the Chargers would have a safety blanket in the event Allen is forced to miss serious time due to injuries once again. 

Cleveland Browns: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame 

The Cleveland Browns need to take a shot on a quarterback at some point in the 2017 draft, and it helps that they'll have two high selections to play with following last year's blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. 

As such, it makes sense to slot in Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer in at No. 10 overall—where the Eagles' pick is currently projected to land. 

Kizer's admittedly not the most polished quarterback out there, but he does have the measurables that fit the mold of a modern NFL quarterback. The 20-year-old is a whopping 6'4" and 230 pounds, and his raw arm strength allows him to make some of the toughest throws out there. 

The issue for the time being revolves around his mechanics—which lack polish and can be exposed when he tries to overcompensate and whip aggressive passes into tight spots. 

But on the whole, Kizer has the requisite traits necessary to give the Browns a big boost under center as their rebuild presses on.

And if the Browns can re-sign wide receiver Terrelle Pryor and plug him back in beside 2016 first-round pick Corey Coleman, they could have the makings of one of the AFC's more intriguing young offenses.