2017 NFL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions and Rising Impact Prospects

After pro days and predraft workouts, personnel executives start buzzing about who they like and which prospects helped themselves late in the evaluation process. Whether it’s real or fabricated, perceived rising draft stocks create intriguing dialogue leading up to April 27.

In-person workouts can either confirm what’s seen on college film or bring weaknesses to light. For one prospect in particular, the NFL Scouting Combine and subsequent visits have certainly boosted his draft stock. Who’s the new name within the top 10 picks?

In rebuild mode, the San Francisco 49ers can address a number of positions with the No. 2 overall selection. Three draft gurus have a consensus agreement on the projected pick. Should we consider this a definitive behind edge-rusher Myles Garrett?

Despite mediocre grades for this year’s quarterback class, a fourth passer has crept into first-round projections. Who is it? Which team might be interested in him?

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Cleveland Browns	Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
2	San Francisco 49ers	Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
3	Chicago Bears	Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
4	Jacksonville Jaguars	Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
5	Tennessee Titans (via Rams)	Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
6	New York Jets	Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
7	Los Angeles Chargers	Jamal Adams, S, LSU
8	Carolina Panthers	Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
9	Cincinnati Bengals	Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
10	Buffalo Bills	Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
11	New Orleans Saints	Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
12	Cleveland Browns (via Eagles)	Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
13	Arizona Cardinals	Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
14	Philadelphia Eagles (via Vikings)	Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado
15	Indianapolis Colts	Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
16	Baltimore Ravens	Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
17	Washington Redskins	Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
18	Tennessee Titans	Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
19	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
20	Denver Broncos	O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
21	Detroit Lions	Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
22	Miami Dolphins	Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
23	New York Giants	Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
24	Oakland Raiders	Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
25	Houston Texans	Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
26	Seattle Seahawks	Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
27	Kansas City Chiefs	Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
28	Dallas Cowboys	Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
29	Green Bay Packers	Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson
30	Pittsburgh Steelers	John Ross, WR, Washington
31	Atlanta Falcons	Evan Engram, TE, Mississippi
32	New Orleans Saints	Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech

Is Solomon Thomas Sure-Fire No. 2 Pick?

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ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, as well as Bleacher Report's Matt Miller, have Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas penciled into the No. 2 spot. Maybe it’s a coincidence or the fact that none of the quarterbacks have a high enough grade to warrant the second overall pick.

According to CSN Bay Area reporter Matt Maiocco, the 49ers will operate under a new defensive alignment under Robert Saleh. In the report, general manager John Lynch feels Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner will adjust to the new system in place. The roles remain unclear, but the two 6’7” linemen may shift inside, which would indicate Thomas lining up on the outside.

At 6’3”, 273 pounds with 33-inch arms, it’s not clear where the Stanford product fits best between a 3-4 and 4-3 alignment. One AFC scouting director told NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein that Solomon projects as a productive tweener:

"He's damn good. I don't think he gets drafted as early as you do because he's not big enough for inside, and he's not as long as you like on the outside," said the scouting director. "You have to figure out where you will play him, but he won't stop. He's going to be really productive."

As the 49ers transition from a 3-4 scheme, the decision to add Solomon would stockpile three top-20 picks along the defensive line. San Francisco may not have a clear-cut quarterback for the future in place, but the decision to go with a defender at No. 2 would keep the team in games with a competitive front line.

Christian McCaffrey Reaching Top-10 Status

While everyone talked about LSU tailback Leonard Fournette and his weight, running back Christian McCaffrey climbed into top-10 status among discussion circles, per NFL executives via FOX Sports’ Peter Schrager:

According to Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue, the Carolina Panthers hosted the Stanford product for a predraft workout. In the same report, it’s noted Fournette will visit in the following week. 

Initially, Fournette and Florida State running back Dalvin Cook projected as the one-two order for this year’s running back class. Now, McCaffrey has generated enough buzz to potentially come off the board at No. 8 with the Panthers. Don’t forget the New York Jets hold the No. 6 selection with a 31-year-old tailback leading their backfield in Matt Forte. 

While the quarterback crop doesn’t look as impressive, two running backs could be selected within the top eight picks. Whether it’s Fournette then McCaffrey or vice versa, the latter offers a more reliable skill set as a receiver out of the backfield.

Patrick Mahomes Rising to First Round? 

After all the talk about a lackluster quarterback class, a fourth passer has emerged as a first-round option over the past few weeks. Miller, Kiper and McShay projected Texas Tech prospect Patrick Mahomes as a Day 1 selection:

Analyst	Pick	Team
Mel Kiper Jr.	No. 13	Arizona Cardinals
Matt Miller	No. 25	Houston Texans
Todd McShay	No. 32	New Orleans Saints

Houston Chronicle reporter John McClain foresees the Houston Texans taking a quarterback with the No. 25 overall pick. Interestingly, he believes the team could miss out on Mahomes:

The Texans listed as a primary landing spot for Tony Romo, per NFL Network's Jeff Darlington, but he decided to hang up his cleats for a CBS broadcasting career:

Instead of signing veteran signal-callers like Jay Cutler or Colin Kaepernick, the Texans may start the process over at quarterback with Tom Savage holding the position in the meantime. 

In disagreement with McClain, despite Mahomes’ soaring stock, teams may opt to draft quarterbacks who are not quite ready to start in the second round. As a result, the Texas Tech passer along with Deshaun Watson, DeShone Kizer or Mitchell Trubisky should be available late in the first round.