2017 NFL Mock Draft: Latest Breakdown Before Week 1

The first week of the college football season is almost in the books, giving us our first chance to check out the next batch of NFL draft prospects. 

Based on preseason expectations and some early impressions from the 2016 season, here's a look at a 2017 NFL mock draft. 

The order of teams has been put together based on preseason expectations, but it will obviously change once the NFL season kicks off. At this early stage of the NFL draft evaluation process, it's best to focus more on the order of the players in a mock draft than the order of the teams.

Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
1	Cleveland Browns	Deshaun Watson	QB	Clemson
2	San Francisco 49ers	Myles Garrett	DE	Texas A&M
3	Detroit Lions	Jabrill Peppers	S/LB	Michigan
4	San Diego Chargers	Teez Tabor	CB	Florida
5	Tennessee Titans	Malik McDowell	DT	Michigan State
6	Chicago Bears	DeShone Kizer	QB	Notre Dame
7	New Orleans Saints	Leonard Fournette	RB	LSU
8	Buffalo Bills	Tim Williams	LB	Alabama
9	Miami Dolphins	JuJu Smith-Schuster	WR	USC
10	Cleveland Browns (from PHI)	Dalvin Cook	RB	Florida State
11	Washington Redskins	Cam Robinson	OT	Alabama
12	Tennessee Titans (from LA)	Jamal Adams	S	LSU
13	Atlanta Falcons	Raekwon McMillan	LB	Ohio State
14	Dallas Cowboys	Brad Kaaya	QB	Miami FL
15	Philadelphia Eagles (from MIN)	Christian McCaffrey	RB	Stanford
16	Jacksonville Jaguars	Desmond King	CB	Iowa
17	Houston Texans	Jonathan Allen	DL	Alabama
18	Baltimore Ravens	Marlon Humphrey	CB	Alabama
19	New York Jets	Mike McGlinchey	OT	Notre Dame
20	Kansas City Chiefs	Mike Williams	WR	Clemson
21	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Cameron Sutton	CB	Tennessee
22	Oakland Raiders	Reuben Foster	LB	Alabama
23	Indianapolis Colts	Pat Elflein	OG/C	Ohio State
24	Denver Broncos	Royce Freeman	RB	Oregon
25	New York Giants	Taco Charlton	DE	Michigan
26	Green Bay Packers	O.J. Howard	TE	Alabama
27	Pittsburgh Steelers	Adoree' Jackson	CB	USC
28	Cincinnati Bengals	Charles Harris	DE	Missouri
29	Seattle Seahawks	Corey Davis	WR	Western Michigan
30	Arizona Cardinals	Cooper Kupp	WR	E. Washington
31	New England Patriots	Jourdan Lewis	CB	Michigan
32	Carolina Panthers	Gareon Conley	CB	Ohio State

1. Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns' new front office has made it clear it won't reach for a quarterback just to fill a need. But if Clemson's Deshaun Watson continues to develop, the Browns may have the answer to their issues sitting atop their draft board in 2017. 

Watson had mixed results in his season debut against Auburn on Saturday night, completing 19 of 34 passes for 248 yards, one touchdown and one interception. However, there is plenty of time left in the season for Watson to solidify himself as the top quarterback in this draft class. 

The key to Watson establishing his place in the 2017 draft class will be his development under pressure. 

As a sophomore in 2015, Watson made too many poor split-second decisions in the face of pressure. He will need to prove he can cut down on those mistakes at the college level before he's ready for the pro game.

7. New Orleans Saints: Leonard Fournette

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

It looks like LSU fans might need to brace themselves for another sloppy season, but at least they get to enjoy one more season of Leonard Fournette. 

LSU struggled in a loss to Wisconsin on Saturday, but certainly not because of their Heisman Trophy candidate at running back. 

Fournette did his part, racking up 138 yards on 23 carries and adding another 38 yards on three receptions. 

Running backs have slipped in the draft in recent years, but as the Dallas Cowboys proved this year with Ezekiel Elliott, the elite talents will still earn their place near the top of the draft. 

With Fournette's blend of size, speed and power, he will certainly warrant consideration from running back-needy teams in the top 10. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Christian McCaffrey 

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles are in rebuilding mode, especially after the trade of Sam Bradford and the announcement that rookie Carson Wentz would start in Week 1. 

Expectations for the Eagles 2016 season should minimal, as they should for any team starting a rookie quarterback. However, the Eagles have enough pieces in place to quickly ascend up the rankings in the NFC. 

To help develop Wentz, the Eagles should target a young, versatile weapon who can help in both the running and passing games. And no player in college football fits that description better than Stanford's Christian McCaffrey.

McCaffrey's skill set is remarkably similar to that of Reggie Bush, who finally excelled in the league once he was given a hybrid role. McCaffrey is used at both receiver and running back at Stanford, and his future coaching staff should use him in a similar role in the NFL. 

In Philly, McCaffrey would essentially be a younger, more explosive version of what Darren Sproles has been in the Eagles offense in recent years.