2017 NFL Mock Draft: Top Prospects and 1st-Round Projections Before Playoffs

While 12 teams are preparing for the playoffs, 20 franchises have already turned their attention to the 2017 NFL draft.

Less than four months away from the three-day extravaganza in Philadelphia, we have a decent understanding of a given roster's needs. Free agency will change some rosters, but the upcoming class is full of future stars and promising role players.

While the first 20 picks are set in stone, postseason results will shape the remainder of the order. For now, the last 12 selections are ordered based on the final regular-season standings, which takes division titles into account.

Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
1	Cleveland Browns	Myles Garrett	DE	Texas A&M
2	San Francisco 49ers	DeShone Kizer	QB	Notre Dame
3	Chicago Bears	Mitch Trubisky	QB	North Carolina
4	Jacksonville Jaguars	Jonathan Allen	DE	Alabama
5	Tennessee Titans (from Rams)	Mike Williams	WR	Clemson
6	New York Jets	Quincy Wilson	CB	Florida
7	San Diego Chargers	Cam Robinson	OT	Alabama
8	Carolina Panthers	Dalvin Cook	RB	Florida State
9	Cincinnati Bengals	Tim Williams	Edge	Alabama
10	Buffalo Bills	Jamal Adams	S	LSU
11	New Orleans Saints	Derek Barnett	Edge	Tennessee
12	Cleveland Browns (from Eagles)	Deshaun Watson	QB	Clemson
13	Arizona Cardinals	Malik McDowell	DL	Michigan State
14	Indianapolis Colts	Reuben Foster	LB	Alabama
15	Philadelphia Eagles (from Vikings)	Leonard Fournette	RB	LSU
16	Baltimore Ravens	Corey Davis	WR	Western Michigan
17	Washington Redskins	Gareon Conley	CB	Ohio State
18	Tennessee Titans	Malik Hooker	FS	Ohio State
19	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	John Ross	WR	Washington
20	Denver Broncos	Ryan Ramczyk	OT	Wisconsin
21	Detroit Lions	Zach Cunningham	LB	Vanderbilt
22	Miami Dolphins	Takkarist McKinley	Edge	UCLA
23	New York Giants	Jabrill Peppers	S	Michigan
24	Oakland Raiders	Marshon Lattimore	CB	Ohio State
25	Houston Texans	Jaleel Johnson	DT	Iowa
26	Green Bay Packers	Cordrea Tankersley	CB	Clemson
27	Seattle Seahawks	Dan Feeney	G	Indiana
28	Pittsburgh Steelers	Teez Tabor	CB	Florida
29	Atlanta Falcons	DeMarcus Walker	DL	Florida State
30	Kansas City Chiefs	Sidney Jones	CB	Washington
31	Dallas Cowboys	Charles Harris	Edge	Missouri
32	New England Patriots	Taco Charlton	DE	Michigan

Prospects to Monitor

Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

Last year, Deshaun Watson likely would've heard his name called No. 1 overall, but he wasn't eligible for the draft.

Although he's propelled Clemson to another appearance in the national title game, Watson's draft stock has dipped. Two contributing factors are his 17 interceptions and decreased rushing totals.

At this point, though, the criticism is reaching an unfair level.

Yes, Watson has weaknesses. He's prone to making a bad decision while throwing to the sideline, and Watson sometimes predetermines his target instead of recognizing post-snap coverage. His downfall is trying to fit a pass between too many defenders.

Contrary to a misguided thought, Watson has shown the ability to go through a progression. Clemson's offense is designed for him to throw the ball quickly—and that's partly to blame for predetermined throws—but he's not a "one read and run" quarterback. It's a function of the offense.

The 6'3", 215-pounder would benefit from some added bulk and must be more selective about the hits he seeks out at the NFL level. But there's no questioning Watson's desire to pick up extra yards.

Watson should remain safely in the first round. If both DeShone Kizer and Mitch Trubisky are selected early, Watson could land with the Buffalo Bills—assuming they part with Tyrod Taylor, as expected, not that it's smart—or the Cleveland Browns at No. 12 overall.

Otherwise, we could see another team trade back into the first round to snatch Watson.

Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

For the last three college football seasons, the overwhelming opinion has been that Leonard Fournette was the No. 1 running back.

Because of Dalvin Cook, don't be so certain.

Fournette is a rare talent at 6'1" and 235 pounds. In the open field, the LSU running back is an absolute wrecking ball. While Fournette will destroy a hopeful tackler in space and is a creator in that manner, he's typically not able to make that room for himself.

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron's words backed up that assessment.

"Leonard was best when he cleared the line," Orgeron said, according to Ross Dellenger of The Advocate. "If you get Leonard cleared of the line of scrimmage, he was gone."

Cook, on the other hand, is adept at shaking a free-rushing defender, fulfilling the football adage of being his own blocker.

In three seasons at Florida State, Cook racked up 4,464 yards and 46 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 79 passes for 935 yards and two touchdowns. The junior has officially declared for the draft.

Cook would be a perfect fit with the Carolina Panthers, who must soon add a successor to Jonathan Stewart. The veteran will turn 30 years old in the offseason, and his contract expires after the 2017 campaign, according to Spotrac.

Like Florida State, the Panthers utilize a diverse running game. They have a good balance of handoffs from under center and shotgun as well as zone-read runs with quarterback Cam Newton.

Carolina would be wise to consider selecting Cook over Fournette.

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Follow Bleacher Report writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.