2017 NFL Mock Draft: Matt Miller's Final Regular-Season Projections

How do the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears move on from an awful 2016 season and start rebuilding? By having a successful 2017 draft.  

Great teams are built in April—not by spending money in free agency—and teams selecting in the top five will find a draft class with more talent than last year's crop produced. Elite pass-rushers Myles Garrett and Jonathan Allen should hear their names called in the top three, while defensive backs Jamal Adams, Quincy Wilson and Teez Tabor are all top-15 picks (based on my projections, of course, that players like Adams and Tabor declare for the draft).

The 2017 class may be short on offensive tackles and quarterbacks, but that doesn't mean teams won't reach slightly if they find talent they like there. That could be great news for Mitch Trubisky and Ryan Ramczyk if the two juniors enter this year's class.

The Pick: DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

The clear-cut top player in the draft class goes No. 1 overall. 

Garrett struggled through an ankle injury this season—and constant double-teams when he was on the field—and still generated the impact on the field to match his insane athleticism. At 6'5" and up to 275 pounds, scouts I've spoken to expect Garrett to run in the 4.5-second range at the NFL Scouting Combine.

On a historical scale, Garrett has a higher grade for me than Joey Bosa or Jadeveon Clowney did. 

Even with a need at quarterback, the Browns simply cannot pass on this rare talent.

The Pick: QB Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina

If the Browns somehow overthink things at No. 1 overall, the San Francisco 49ers would be wise to jump all over Myles Garrett. As long as he's off the board, whomever is running this show in April must finally spend a high draft pick on acquiring a quarterback of the future.

Former general manager Trent Baalke presided over drafts that featured defensive players early and often while missing on wide receivers across the board and failing to find a quarterback once it was clear Colin Kaepernick wouldn't be the long-term answer, which is partially why he and head coach Chip Kelly were fired following Week 17.

Trubisky isn't on the same level as Jared Goff or Carson Wentz of last year's draft, but he does possess the traits of a starting NFL quarterback. Seeing as all three current San Francisco signal-callers are set to hit free agency in March, the 49ers must be aggressive in adding a quarterback this offseason who can be developed into a franchise cornerstone.

The Pick: QB Josh Allen, Wyoming

Who?

Allen wasn't a big name coming into the 2016 season, but he has played well enough—and showed NFL-style traits—to shoot way up the board if he decides to enter the 2017 draft class.

Why should Bears fans be excited? Because Allen has the size (6'5", 220 lbs), arm, mobility and gunslinger mentality to develop into a great quarterback. He's not NFL-ready right out of the gate, but none of the passers in this year's class are. Investing in the future, with another year of Matt Barkley at quarterback, is the way general manager Ryan Pace should be thinking.

The Bears also have other needs, but missing out on a quarterback would set this rebuild back another year. 

The Pick: DL Jonathan Allen, Alabama

One of the safest players in this year's draft class also happens to be one of the best. Alabama's Allen is a force as a 4-3 defensive tackle or 3-4 defensive end. He's athletic, smart, disciplined and could be the best defender Nick Saban has put into the NFL at Alabama.

In Jacksonville, Allen would be an ideal fit opposite Malik Jackson. He's also versatile enough to run whatever scheme the new coaching staff brings in. If the Jaguars hire a defensive coach who wants to run a 3-4 scheme, Jackson and Allen can dominate at 5-technique spots while Dante Fowler stands up off the edge. In a 4-3, Jackson and Allen are a dynamic duo pass-rushing from the inside.

The holes in Jacksonville are significant, but there are young players filling those spots in many places. The question at quarterback will likely be solved with a veteran brought in to push Blake Bortles, and there isn't an offensive lineman worthy of this selection in Round 1. That means best player available, which in this case also happens to be a need.

The Pick: WR Mike Williams, Clemson

The top wide receiver in the draft class has been my WR1 for two years now. Clemson's Williams is a special target. 

Williams is a big body (6'3", 225 lbs) and a talented route-runner, but most importantly, he plays the ball well away from his body. Unlike some big receivers coming out of college, Williams can play away from his frame and snag passes that are high, low or outside.

With this first-rounder from Los Angeles, the Titans can grab a go-to threat for quarterback Marcus Mariota to grow with while focusing on other needs with their own pick later in the round.

The Pick: EDGE Tim Williams, Alabama

What's missing on the Jets' roster? 

You could argue a quarterback, but after drafting Christian Hackenberg in the second round last year, it would be a small surprise if the team added another passer in Round 1. Left tackle is a need, but there isn't a tackle worth drafting over the other talents on the board. That leaves holes on defense at edge-rusher and cornerback.

Among those positions of need, Alabama's Williams is the best player available. Running back Leonard Fournette is the true best player available, but with a glut of running backs already on the roster, Williams' ability as a pass-rusher with elite bend and speed coming off the line is too good to pass up.

The Pick: T Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin

The top tackle in the 2017 draft class has an interesting question mark hanging over his head: a hip injury that will need to be checked after his team's bowl game. If Ramczyk is healthy, he has the tools to be a top-10 pick at left tackle. If he's hurt, he could decide to return to Madison for another year of college.

In San Diego, Ramczyk would give Philip Rivers and Melvin Gordon the blindside protector and run-game jump-start they could desperately use. And in the passing game, he'd give the Chargers a much-needed boost against the elite pass-rushers they face in the AFC West.

The Pick: RB Leonard Fournette, LSU

Despite being the No. 2 overall player in the draft class, Fournette falls here to the Carolina Panthers. He's a perfect fit for the Panthers' offense, as he's the type of running back that can take pressure and attention off Cam Newton in the backfield.

While Fournette hasn't been a dynamic receiver at LSU, he's powerful, fast and has the running instincts to be a Pro Bowl runner right out of the gate. He's big enough to push the pile but also quick enough to make subtle cuts to shake defenders and get outside the hashes.

The Panthers have other needs to fill on defense and on the offensive line, but taking Fournette would give them a very dangerous one-two punch in the backfield.

The Pick: LB Reuben Foster, Alabama

A stud middle linebacker from a pro-style 4-3 defense, Foster is a plug-and-play addition in Cincinnati. With his speed, range, power and instincts, he automatically takes over the "Mike" position for the Bengals.

The biggest need for the Bengals will be getting speed on defense, especially at linebacker. The current crew features plenty of big names but no player offenses must scheme around. Foster's ability to track down the run game outside the hashes while also working against tight ends in the passing game makes him a better Day 1 player than anyone currently on the roster.

The Bengals are still a talented team, but addressing the defense will be a gigantic priority before they're ready to compete again in the AFC North.

The Pick: QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson

EJ Manuel? Free agent.

Tyrod Taylor? Sounds like the Bills hope to move on from him instead of paying his $30 million-plus of guaranteed money for 2017.

Cardale Jones? He might be the future of the team, but he was a fourth-rounder and showed during his last season at Ohio State that he'll need time to develop as an underneath passer. Jones isn't my bet to be Buffalo's starting quarterback in 2017. Watson could be.

Watson is the most pro-ready of all the quarterbacks in this class. With his accuracy and mobility, he can carve up defenses. And Watson will know how to get the most out of former Clemson teammate Sammy Watkins at wide receiver.

The Pick: DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee

The New Orleans Saints may or may not have a new head coach in 2017. No matter who is running the show, getting a pass-rusher remains priority No. 1 for the team.

Sure, finding a successor to Drew Brees needs to happen in the early rounds of a draft soon, but the Super Bowl window is still open here as long as the team has a solid quarterback and can get through a season completely healthy. Adding a true edge-rusher to pair with Sheldon Rankins and Cameron Jordan will open up the defense and make the job of an improving secondary even easier.

Barnett has been highly productive and has the athleticism to make plays in the league bending the corner and attacking the backfield.

The Pick: QB DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame

The Browns pass on a quarterback at the top of the draft, but they can't do the same with their second pick in Round 1.

Kizer has been a big name all season, starting with his excellent showing in an overtime loss to Texas in Week 1. His size, arm strength, ball placement and football IQ all point to the traits that scouts and general managers love. His play was up and down at times, but his tools are the stuff you look for in the top 10 of the draft.

With first overall pick Myles Garrett and then Kizer, the Browns finally have a promising foundation built on smart football decisions.

The Pick: S Jamal Adams, LSU

Adams is a freak.

With range, power and the mental ability to track and locate the ball, Adams has the skill set to be a Sean Taylor-type safety in the NFL. And that's a sentence I never thought I'd type.

The ability to play as a box safety and as a center fielder makes Adams valuable to the NFL. He can come downhill and make plays against the run or drop deep in Cover 3 or lock up tight ends in Cover 1. He's physical at the line of scrimmage and knows exactly how to use his hands and length to press and jam tight ends or slot receivers.

Adams, a top-five player in this class, is a steal for the Cardinals if the team is pressed to replace strong safety Tony Jefferson in free agency.

The Pick: WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan

The best route-runner in the class happens to be built like Terrell Owens. That's a combination the Philadelphia Eagles need after watching Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor struggle to get open or consistently pull in passes for Carson Wentz.

Davis is a freak. Don't let his level of competition fool you. His ability to break off routes and dice up defenses with his feet is among the most impressive things you'll see in college football this season. But he combines that fancy footwork with a powerful physique and the playmaker mentality needed to spark the Eagles offense.

There will be time to draft cornerbacks and get help at running back. Passing on Davis is something Howie Roseman can't do.

The Pick: RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State

The Indianapolis Colts need an almost entirely new defense, but the allure of Cook is too great for Jim Irsay's crew to pass on.

Cook is a special three-down talent. At 6'0" and 205 pounds, he's not the biggest back, but Cook is an exciting runner between the tackles and a great receiver out of the backfield. If there's another Priest Holmes or Jamaal Charles in college football, it's Cook.

Pairing Cook and Andrew Luck gives the Colts a duo they were supposed to get when Ryan Grigson traded for Trent Richardson in 2013.

The Pick: EDGE Takkarist McKinley, UCLA

A big, powerful edge-rusher with the talent to play down as a 4-3 defensive end or up as a 3-4 outside linebacker? Sounds perfect for Baltimore.

McKinley was a surprise name on my list early this season after failing to get a report done on him in 2015. But he quickly made himself a must-watch with impressive power at the point of attack and the hand use you rarely see from college defenders.

While McKinley won't flash Von Miller athleticism or burst off the edge, he does use his length exceptionally well and has the mentality to split blockers and attack the ball from a hand-down or stand-up position.

This edge class is special, and others such as Joe Mathis and Ryan Anderson could get the nod here, but McKinley is tailor-made to fill the biggest need on the Baltimore roster.

The Pick: DL Montravius Adams, Auburn

The most Scot McCloughan player in the 2017 draft class—other than Jamal Adams, and he ain't falling to No. 17 overall—is Montravius Adams.

Montravius Adams is the most underrated defender in this draft class. He's a big, strong, superathletic defensive lineman with the tools to play tackle or defensive end depending on the defense you're running.

Playing in an Auburn scheme that asks him to move around the line and to penetrate the offensive line, Adams has been productive and consistently improving throughout the 2016 season.

After adding wide receiver Josh Doctson in the first round last year, Washington is poised to go defense-heavy in 2017 to build around Kirk Cousins and the offense.

The Pick: CB Quincy Wilson, Florida

The best cornerback in the class somehow falls to the middle of Round 1—due largely to teams reaching at quarterback and the depth the 2017 class has to offer. It's a testament to a top draft class that a player like Wilson slips this far.

The Titans could draft Wilson with the pick from Los Angeles, and you'd get no complaints here. He's big (6'1"), long and a playmaker on the edge. His ability to win with his hands at the line of scrimmage or beat wide receivers with speed and quick transitions in off coverage make Wilson a special cornerback talent. For comparison, he would have been CB2 last year behind Jalen Ramsey.

With a strong group of young cornerbacks but no true No. 1 on the roster, Wilson walks in and will be asked to play the shutdown corner in Tennessee. The good news is he's perfectly suited for it.

The Pick: TE O.J. Howard, Alabama

A talented young offense can get better by the addition of a special tight end prospect in Howard. 

With Jameis Winston's looking like a star, the Buccaneers need to give him the weapons to tear apart defenses. Mike Evans is a stud and Cameron Brate looks promising, but O.J. Howard can give them that athletic up-the-seam tight end to break open the passing game. Howard is also the best blocking tight end in the draft class.

With picks in Rounds 2-7, the Buccaneers can look at addressing the need at right tackle and filling out depth at wide receiver and in the secondary. Going after a surefire first-rounder in Howard here is the kind of shrewd move general manager Jason Licht will make.

The Pick: T Cam Robinson, Alabama

Fixing the offensive line issues in Denver will be important for whomever is playing quarterback in 2017. With a defense that's set for now and the future and a skill-position depth chart that's strong enough to compete for titles, it's all about the line.

Robinson is a good player but maybe not the great prospect he's been talked up to be. He's still worthy of a first-round selection and can be a capable starting offensive lineman in the league for a decade. That level of prospect is what you hope to find at pick No. 20 in the first round.

If you can land an instant starter here—on a team with a Super Bowl-winning defense—you make that pick every time.

The Pick: DE Taco Charlton, Michigan

A long, tough, fast defensive end opposite Ezekiel Ansah? Sounds good to me.

The Detroit Lions have a smart front office, and Bob Quinn, coming from New England, will likely go to defensive line after selecting left tackle Taylor Decker in the first last year. If he can find another Big Ten star on the board, the pick is an easy one.

Charlton is a big end with the versatility to attack off the edge with his hand in the dirt or standing up. He's even big enough to bump down and rush from inside a la Chandler Jones or what Trey Flowers has done at times this season for New England.

Quinn has a task to rebuild this defense and load up the offense with skill-position players, but if he stays true to his New England roots, the pick should go to defense.

The Pick: DE Harold Landry, Boston College

Landry is one of my favorite players to watch in the 2017 draft class. He finished 2016 strong with a dominant performance in the Quick Lane Bowl. Landry, a natural edge, has the length and power to play as a 4-3 defensive end.

Dolphins fans will enter the offseason coming off a playoff berth expecting to patch holes on the roster to make a run at the Patriots in the division. To do that, you have to be able to consistently get after the quarterback. If Cameron Wake isn't back in 2017, Landry takes his spot on the roster. And even if he is, Landry can be an ideal rotational pass-rusher.

Free agency will play a big role in shaping the needs of the Dolphins, but finding another outside pass-rusher is huge.

The Pick: DL Malik McDowell, Michigan State

What happens in free agency will send ripple effects through what the Giants do in the offseason. If Jason Pierre-Paul leaves, defensive end becomes a need. If JPP returns but Johnathan Hankins leaves, defensive tackle becomes a need. 

At this stage, it's tough to accurately predict what will happen. What should happen, though, is finding an athletic defensive lineman who can replace a lost player. Hankins will be the more highly sought-after defender. If he leaves, McDowell is a natural fit at 3-technique and fits that big-school mold general manager Jerry Reese likes in the early rounds.

McDowell had effort issues at times, but that didn't stop the Giants from rolling the dice on left tackle Ereck Flowers in Round 1 in 2015 and likely won't keep them from selecting McDowell in the mid-20s.

The Pick: CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State

If Lattimore—a big, physical cornerback prospect at Ohio State—declares early, he could see a rise similar to the one teammate Eli Apple had in the run-up to the 2016 draft. For now, he's ranked as a late first-rounder with the tools to be a steal.

Lattimore, playing in a secondary that's loaded with Malik Hooker and Gareon Conley, has proved to be a playmaker. He has the ball skills and range to get after deep balls and shows the quick footwork and instincts to attack on comebacks and quick routes.

Lattimore rounds out a secondary in Oakland that is starting to turn the corner with improvements like Sean Smith and Karl Joseph already making the defensive backfield more fierce.

The Pick: DL Caleb Brantley, Florida

The football minds in Seattle enter the offseason with a clear mandate to improve the lines. With the team's first-round pick, Brantley from Florida is a perfect fit next to Michael Bennett (who just signed a long-term deal) and with Frank Clark playing beside him.

Brantley has quietly been solid all season on a loaded Florida defense. He's a natural pass-rusher from the 3-technique position and can make things happen against the run game with his strength.

Brantley isn't the biggest need—that would come at offensive line—but his value here is tremendous, and he does fill a large role in the Seattle defense.

The Pick: LB Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt

The question at quarterback is the biggest one in Houston, but the team isn't likely to spend a first-rounder on a passer in this draft. What am I hearing, though? Expect defense after a year of offense in the 2016 draft.

Cunningham is a rangy, mobile attacker at linebacker. He's built in a similar mold to Benardrick McKinney and offers the same multitooled game. He's capable of running down quarterbacks, crashing rushing lanes and dropping into coverage to take away tight ends.

Cunningham might not be the biggest 2017 need, depending on what happens with Brian Cushing, but building a linebacker corps with McKinney and Cunningham as anchors would help Houston stay on top of the AFC South.

The Pick: S Jabrill Peppers, Michigan

A Heisman candidate and one of the most talked-about players in college football this season, Peppers isn't a guaranteed first-round-pick.

Where does Peppers play in the NFL? For the Green Bay Packers, he's a great fit as a nickel cornerback or safety. He doesn't have a natural fit in some defenses, but with Dom Capers running the defense, there's a natural role for him here as a cover man and even as a returner.

Peppers will be talked up by fans as a top-10 pick, but his value comes later in Round 1. For the Packers to ignore needs on offense at wide receiver and running back, it would take an intriguing player. Peppers has that potential given that his traits can be developed into special tools.

The Pick: EDGE Charles Harris, Missouri

As one of the best pass-rushers in college football the past two seasons, Missouri's Harris can play defensive end or outside linebacker. In Pittsburgh, he's an ideal stand-up rusher with the power to lock up offensive linemen and the speed to dip, bend and rush around the corner.

Harris, who played as a defensive end in Missouri's 4-3 defense, was asked to two-gap more often in 2016. That affected his numbers, but anyone watching the games saw an impact player on all three downs. 

With Jarvis Jones not living up to expectations at outside linebacker and Bud Dupree still developing, Harris' ability to come in and play right now as an impact 'backer makes him a Steeler-like pick.

The Pick: DL DeMarcus Walker, FSU

Walker can do it all as a defensive lineman coming out of the Florida State defense. A strong-side defensive end with the size (6'2", 273 lbs) to sometimes bump inside in sub-package situations, he would be a fantastic addition to a defense that has the NFL's sack leader in Vic Beasley.

Walker got overshadowed as Florida State struggled through parts of 2016, but his play never slipped. He had the production on tape to match the stats he put on paper and shows the speed-to-power transition to match up well against NFL left tackles opposite Beasley at left defensive end.

The Falcons have locked up key free agents and nailed the 2016 draft class. Now the team can add a premier pass-rusher in the late first round.

The Pick: CB Gareon Conley, Ohio State

The Kansas City Chiefs are great at waiting for talent to fall to them and then pouncing on impact players. They did it with Marcus Peters in Round 1 of the 2015 draft. They did it again last year by trading back to Round 2 with San Francisco and still getting their target in Chris Jones. This year? Waiting and then getting a stud cornerback in Conley.

Conley, lining up opposite Peters, would give Kansas City a terrifying cornerback duo. If Eric Berry comes back in free agency, this quickly becomes a secondary very few offenses want to meet.

One of the best all-around cornerbacks in college, Conley has size (6'0", 195 lbs) and ball skills to be an excellent No. 2 cornerback. If you're tired of watching Phillip Gaines get burnt, Conley is the perfect answer.

The Pick: EDGE Ryan Anderson, Alabama

The New England Patriots have, in the last year, let two top-tier defensive players go in trades. Chandler Jones is in Arizona and Jamie Collins is in Cleveland. Replacing those former stars with younger, cheaper, more disciplined talent will be a priority this offseason.

Alabama outside linebacker Anderson was made for New England. He's a thick, strong, fast edge-rusher with experience as a 3-4 player. Anderson is also scheme-flexible enough to be a fit no matter what the Patriots want to do defensively.

It's easy to see New England going after an interior defensive lineman or even a safety here, but Anderson is too good to be true at pick No. 31.

The Pick: DE Dawuane Smoot, Illinois

Illinois head coach? Lovie Smith. Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator? Rod Marinelli. Those two know each other well. Smoot knows the Dallas defense even though he's never worn the star on his helmet. As far as natural fits go, he's a great one.

With so much uncertainty on the defensive line in 2017 for Dallas, adding a known commodity in Smoot makes for a smart and easy selection. He's athletic, powerful and can play either weak-side or strong-side defensive end right out of the gate.

The Cowboys could go linebacker or look to strengthen the secondary, but pass-rushers are hard to overlook when they're available at this point in the draft.