2017 NFL Mock Draft: Pre-Scouting Combine Predictions for 1st-Round Prospects

The approach of the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine means a shift into final gear. 

Many might debate the merits of the Indianapolis-based event. Some call it the underwear olympics and argue one performance won't outweigh reels and reels of film, though the medical check is critical. Others say showing up big on a stage next to the best of the best is important.

The reality of the situation is somewhere closer to the middle. Showing up and struggling isn't the best idea for prospects. But the event is a good place for lesser-known guys to carve out some airtime.

Agree with its importance or not, the combine always throws a wrench in the stock market. With the symbolic start to draft season the highlight of next week, let's take a look at an updated mock.

2017 Draft Order and Projections

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Cleveland Browns	Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
2	San Francisco 49ers	Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
3	Chicago Bears	DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
4	Jacksonville Jaguars	Solomon Thomas, DL, Stanford
5	Tennessee Titans (from Rams)	Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
6	New York Jets	Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
7	Los Angeles Chargers	Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
8	Carolina Panthers	Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
9	Cincinnati Bengals	Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State
10	Buffalo Bills	Jamal Adams, S, LSU
11	New Orleans Saints	Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
12	Cleveland Browns (from Eagles)	Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
13	Arizona Cardinals	Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
14	Indianapolis Colts	Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
15	Philadelphia Eagles (from Vikings)	O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
16	Baltimore Ravens	Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
17	Washington Redskins	Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
18	Tennessee Titans	Jabrill Peppers, LB/S, Michigan
19	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
20	Denver Broncos	Garett Bolles , OT, Utah
21	Detroit Lions	Takkarist McKinley, OLB/DE, UCLA
22	Miami Dolphins	Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
23	New York Giants	Tim Williams, LB/DE, Alabama
24	Oakland Raiders	Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
25	Houston Texans	Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State
26	Seattle Seahawks	Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
27	Kansas City Chiefs	Dan Feeney, OG, Indiana
28	Dallas Cowboys	Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC
29	Green Bay Packers	Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
30	Pittsburgh Steelers	David Njoku, TE, Miami
31	Atlanta Falcons	Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida
32	New England Patriots	Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

Philadelphia and Indianapolis will flip a coin for Nos. 14 and 15 at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Players in Need of Big Combine Showings

3. Chicago Bears: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

Some might consider Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer the top quarterback in the draft.

But for now, he sits in the back seat after weeks of hype for other prospects. Mitch Trubisky's hype, Deshaun Watson's winning ways and the Patrick Mahomes II gamble have each moonlighted in the top spot.

Things have remained quiet around Kizer. That's unfortunate because the 6'4", 230-pound quarterback seems to have the upside of an NFL starter with a high ceiling. Him completing 58.7 percent of his passes with 26 touchdowns against nine interceptions and another eight touchdowns on the ground in 2016 don't tell the whole story, given the miserable state of affairs surrounding him.

But Yahoo Sports' Eric Edholm summed up the journey for Kizer quite well:

Teams won't find it easy to ignore a quarterback with Kizer's size, arm strength or ability to extend plays with his feet. Getting stuck on one read and making some questionable decisions are coachable traits the NFL can look past when getting so much in the positives column right out of the gate.

If Kizer confirms his tape or even exceeds it by showing improvement in certain areas, a team like the Chicago Bears won't be able to ignore him on draft day. Chicago, thanks to a wealth of injuries, is a team with a quality roster ready to make a playoff push—so a rookie like Kizer who can learn on the fly while starting makes sense.

It's simply up to Kizer if the Bears want to commit.

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Malik McDowell should blow away those watching the event in Indianapolis.

The Michigan State defender comes in at 6'6" and 276 pounds with freakish athleticism and the ability to rush from the edge with his hand in the dirt or kick inside and provide unorthodox pressure from the middle of the line.

Critics, though, will point out how raw McDowell is and suggest his effort at times fell off the map. While fair criticisms, the good far outweighs the bad.

Look at a summary provided by NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: "McDowell is raw, but when he flashes, it can be blinding. McDowell is an explosive, ascending prospect with All-Pro potential if he grows into his body and takes the necessary coaching."

McDowell will shine physically at the combine. Where teams might need to see the most from him is in the interview process, where coaches might try to figure out if there are legitimate motor and effort concerns.

If not, a defensive-minded team like the Cincinnati Bengals will be there for him in the top 10. Head coach Marvin Lewis has a specific need—a rotational rusher who can act as the third guy in a tandem and kick inside next to Geno Atkins on passing downs.

McDowell is the perfect fit, provided he checks out in Indianapolis.

11. New Orleans Saints: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama

Inside linebackers aren't valued like they used to be.

For Alabama's Reuben Foster, the task in Indianapolis is convincing the NFL he's more of a weak-side linebacker who can thump sideline to sideline with the athleticism to drop into coverage.

After all, inside linebackers are the first players off the field in most schemes these days once passing situations come up. Teams swap out the liability in coverage for another defensive back, and in this passing league, it happens often.

Luckily for Foster, he's 6'0", 246 pounds and rangy with the ability to flash in zone coverage underneath while keeping pace with most backs in the passing game. His instincts could use some work, but NFL coaches can mold such a trait while getting almost giddy over the rest.

Hence NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah ranking Foster seventh on his big board with the following praise:

"

Foster has slimmed down in the last year but still has ideal height and bulk for the position. This is one of the most explosive inside linebackers I've evaluated in the last five years. Against the run, he attacks the line of scrimmage. He uses his quickness and hands to avoid traffic and get to the ball carrier. His lateral range is off the charts and he arrives with bad intentions.

"

The New Orleans Saints are a team in need at all levels of the defense, so adding an enforcer like Foster makes sense.

For Foster, the task is simple—show up and prove to scouts he shouldn't be pigeonholed into one position or role. If he can do that, he's a borderline top-10 player.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.