2017 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Super Bowl Predictions for Top Prospects

Now that Super Bowl LI is a thing of the past, it's full speed ahead toward the 2017 offseason. All 32 NFL teams are now focused on looming events like the scouting combine, free agency and the draft.

The draft, of course, is the premier event of the NFL offseason. Not only does it represent a chance for every franchise to improve, but it also gives hundreds of college talents a chance to officially begin their respective NFL journeys.

Looking ahead at the 2017 draft, we'll to try to match NFL teams with first-round selections. We'll be making projections for each draft slot, as well as taking a closer look at some of our top pairings.

2017 NFL Mock Draft

Pick	NFL Team	Proj. Selection
1	Cleveland Browns	Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
2	San Francisco 49ers	Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
3	Chicago Bears	Jamal Adams, S, LSU
4	Jacksonville Jaguars	Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
5	Tennessee Titans (from LAR)	Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
6	New York Jets	Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
7	Los Angeles Chargers	Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
8	Carolina Panthers	Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
9	Cincinnati Bengals	Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
10	Buffalo Bills	Jabrill Peppers, LB, Michigan
11	New Orleans Saints	Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
12	Cleveland Browns (from PHI)	Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
13	Arizona Cardinals	DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
14*	Indianapolis Colts	Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
15*	Philadelphia Eagles (from MIN)	Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
16	Baltimore Ravens	Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
17	Washington Redskins	Chris Wormley, DL, Michigan
18	Tennessee Titans	Charles Harris, OLB, Missouri
19	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
20	Denver Broncos	Forrest Lamp, OL, Western Kentucky
21	Detroit Lions	Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois
22	Miami Dolphins	Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
23	New York Giants	O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
24	Oakland Raiders	David Njoku, TE, Miami
25	Houston Texans	Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
26	Seattle Seahawks	Dan Feeney, OG, Indiana
27	Kansas City Chiefs	John Ross, WR, Washington
28	Dallas Cowboys	Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
29	Green Bay Packers	Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
30	Pittsburgh Steelers	Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida
31	Atlanta Falcons	Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
32	New England Patriots	T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin

8. Leonard Fournette to Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers were not the same team in 2016 that they were the year before. Part of the problem was undoubtedly a step back on the defensive side of the ball, but regression on offense was an issue too.

Carolina's often-ineffective running game—rated just 19th by Pro Football Focus—placed a lot of pressure on quarterback Cam Newton. The 2015 NFL MVP failed to rise to the challenge and posted the worst passer rating of his pro career (75.8).

Getting Newton more offensive firepower would help turn the offense around, and this is where LSU running back Leonard Fournette comes in. The perceived top runner in the draft, Fournette has the ability to take over a game on his own.

He battled through some injuries in 2016, which caused a big dip in production. When healthy in 2015, however, he was amazing. Fournette racked up 1,953 rushing yards, 253 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns. He also averaged 6.5 yards per carry in each of his last two seasons.

"I can't wait to see how the draft guys pick at Fournette and tell everyone what he doesn't do right. He was healthy last year, and that is what you are going to get. Big, fast and dominant," one NFC executive told NFL.com's Lance Zierlein.

The Panthers shouldn't overthink this pick. Fournette would add a new dimension to the offense and give the team a true workhorse back for the foreseeable future.

11. Solomon Thomas to New Orleans Saints

As long as the New Orleans Saints have Drew Brees under center, the franchise is likely to have few questions on the offensive side of the ball. However, a questionable defense has prevented the Saints from contending in the NFC South over the past couple of years.

This is why it makes sense for the Saints to go defense in the first round with Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas.

New Orleans had a respectable pass rush—rated 12th overall by Pro Football Focus—but the team still came away with just 30 sacks last season (tied for 18th). Thomas is a player who can help take that unit where it needs to go.

Thomas produced 62 total tackles, eight sacks and 15 tackles for a loss in 2016. PFF College rated him first overall among all defensive tackles for the season.

Thomas has the versatility to move around the line in various formations for the Saints defense. When playing on the edge, he could also develop into a perfect complement for pass-rusher Cameron Jordan.

13. DeShone Kizer to Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals may not have quarterback Carson Palmer back in 2017. Last week, Fox Sports 910 in Phoenix (h/t ESPN.com) reported the veteran had put his Arizona home up for sale. Palmer disputed that claim, however.

"No, my house in Arizona is not on the market," Palmer said in the statement, per ESPN.com. "And every year we have taken off for offseason family adventures, so there's nothing to read into there either."

Even if Palmer does return, it's likely time the Cardinals start considering life without him. Adding a developmental quarterback in this year's draft makes a lot of sense. Drew Stanton is a nice stopgap, but the 32-year-old is clearly not the future at the position.

Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer could be that developmental guy. Kizer possesses a ton of potential and upside, but the perception is that he is far from NFL-ready. Teams don't seem high on his immediate promise.

"I couldn't find a scout or executive who was excited about DeShone Kizer or Mitch Trubisky," NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah recently wrote. "When you're talking to teams that already have an established signal-caller, there's no reason for them to feed me false information."

In many ways, it makes more sense for the Cardinals to target Kizer if Palmer is returning. This would give the rookie at least a year to develop under the guidance of head coach Bruce Arians.

This, of course, hinges on Kizer's being available at pick No. 13. Bleacher Report draft expert Matt Miller has him going at No. 3 to the Chicago Bears because of his athletic potential.

"Kizer has a big arm, displayed excellent touch and timing and possesses the athleticism to be a threat on the move," Miller wrote. "The question marks come with his up-and-down play over the course of two seasons as the Fighting Irish's starter."

Unless the Bears are willing to commit to Jay Cutler for another season or two, Arizona is the franchise that can afford to give Kizer the time he needs to develop.