2017 NFL Mock Draft: Latest Projections for Elite 1st-Round Prospects

Myles Garrett appears to be at the top of the NFL draft with more than two months to go before the event.

While quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson and DeShone Kizer are all intriguing prospects, it would be a surprise if the Cleveland Browns were to select anyone but the Texas A&M defensive end.

Garrett is the do-it-all type, and while he can turn the corner and rush the passer or blast through offensive tackles and double-teams, he also excels against the run. That's one of the reasons he is seen as the surefire No. 1 pick.

The 21-year-old checks in at 6'5" and 262 pounds, and he runs a 4.74-second 40-yard dash, according to Rob Rang of CBSSports.com.

While the 40-yard dash is not the key indicator for any defensive end, Garrett has an excellent burst that allows him to be effective. That kind of quickness, combined with his unflinching desire, gives him the hunger to make big plays on a consistent basis.

After the Browns select Garrett, there's a chance that Jonathan Allen of Alabama could go to the San Francisco 49ers as the No. 2 pick. While both the Browns and Niners are in need of upgrades at the quarterback position, going after game-changing pass-rushers may be better to help both teams improve.

Allen is a colossus, at 6'3" and 294 pounds, who can play inside or outside. That kind of versatility should appeal to new 49ers general manager John Lynch, who made his name as one of the hardest hitting defensive backs of the past 20 years. A powerhouse defensive lineman can give this team the respectability and toughness that have been missing.

Pick	Team	Selection, Position, College
1	Cleveland Browns	Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
2	San Francisco 49ers	Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
3	Chicago Bears	Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
4	Jacksonville Jaguars	Jamal Adams, S, LSU
5	Tennessee Titans (via Rams)	Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
6	New York Jets	O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
7	Los Angeles Chargers	Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
8	Carolina Panthers	Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
9	Cincinnati Bengals	Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
10	Buffalo Bills	Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
11	New Orleans Saints	Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
12	Cleveland Browns (via Eagles)	Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
13	Arizona Cardinals	Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
14	Indianapolis Colts	Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
15	Philadelphia Eagles (via Vikings)	Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
16	Baltimore Ravens	Takkarist McKinley, LB, UCLA
17	Washington Redskins	Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
18	Tennessee Titans	Tim Williams, LB/DE, Alabama
19	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Desmond King, CB, Iowa
20	Denver Broncos	John Ross WR, Washington
21	Detroit Lions	Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
22	Miami Dolphins	Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
23	New York Giants	Caleb Brantley, DL, Florida
24	Oakland Raiders	Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
25	Houston Texans	Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
26	Seattle Seahawks	Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
27	Kansas City Chiefs	Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
28	Dallas Cowboys	Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
29	Green Bay Packers	Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State
30	Pittsburgh Steelers	Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
31	Atlanta Falcons	T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin
32	New England Patriots	Carl Lawson, LB, Auburn

Quarterbacks may not be commanding the NFL draft at this point, but it seems likely that Trubisky, Watson and Kizer will grow in stature as the draft gets closer. 

If the Browns and Niners both select high-profile defensive linemen with their first two picks, the Chicago Bears will have their choice of the quarterbacks.

There's no guarantee that general manager Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox will decide to go in that direction since the Bears need help in so many areas, but they need a quarterback, and that has to be a strong area of consideration.

Trubisky had a powerful season under center for the North Carolina Tar Heels, but he did not start prior to the 2016 season. There are questions about how he will progress season to season, but he was quite sharp this year.

He completed 304 of 447 passes for 3,748 yards with 30 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has fine size, 6'3" and 220 pounds, and he also runs well enough to escape pressure and make plays with his feet.

The Bears also have to give strong consideration to Clemson quarterback Watson, who has been an exemplary leader for the Tigers. He led them to the national championship game against Alabama in each of the last two seasons, and after narrowly missing out on the title a year ago, Watson displayed his talent, skill and will to help Clemson beat the Crimson Tide to gain both revenge and the championship the second time around.

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Watson threw for 10,168 yards in three seasons with Clemson, and he tossed 90 touchdown passes and 32 interceptions over that time frame. Thirty of those picks came in the past two seasons, and that is an issue, but he is a brilliant athlete with a strong arm, remarkable leadership ability and a non-stop competitive motor.

Kizer may be as physically gifted as any quarterback in this draft, but his career has been marked by inconsistency. While some of that may not be his fault, scouts, general managers and coaches are looking for production, not excuses.

We see the Bears passing on Trubisky and selecting Watson with the third pick. Trubisky will go to the Kansas City Chiefs with the 27th pick, while Kizer may not go in the first round.

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Florida State running back Dalvin Cook also looks like an elite prospect. His draft status may be enriched because Ezekiel Elliott had such a strong rookie season for the Dallas Cowboys after he was selected with the No. 4 pick in the 2016 draft. Running backs had seen their status drop in recent years, but Elliott led the league in rushing last year and may have triggered a reversal in that position's status.

Cook is not a huge man at 5'11" and 206 pounds, so he is not going to wear down opposing defenses with his relentless power. He combines speed, quickness, relentlessness and excellent vision and instincts. Cook has a chance to follow Elliott's example and have a dominating rookie year. 

Look for Cook to get selected by the Carolina Panthers with the No. 8 pick.

Safety Malik Hooker also has the look of an elite NFL player. The Ohio State star had seven interceptions in 2016, and he also showed the kind of instincts that scouts love in secondary players. He has ideal size at 6'2" and 205 pounds, but he won't take part in the combine because of core muscle and labrum surgeries. However, he clearly has a remarkable upside.

Hooker could be the ideal selection for the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 26 pick.