NFL Mock Draft 2017: 1st-Round Projections and Safest Prospects Available

Chatter about which NFL draft prospects own the highest ceilings abounds this time of year, but it's players with high floors who shouldn't be ignored as April 27 approaches. 

Because while long-term upside is certainly worth salivating over, players who can hit the gridiron as Day 1 starters and make immediate, meaningful contributions are worth examining at length. 

As a result, we've decided to cook up a fresh first-round mock draft along with breakdowns for some of the safest prospects available in this year's class. 

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Cleveland Browns	Myles Garrett, EDGE, Texas A&M
2	San Francisco 49ers	Solomon Thomas, EDGE, Stanford
3	Chicago Bears	Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
4	Jacksonville Jaguars	O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
5	Tennessee Titans (via Los Angeles Rams)	Jamal Adams, S, LSU
6	New York Jets	Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
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	Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
11	New Orleans Saints	Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
12	Cleveland Browns (via Philadelphia Eagles)	Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
13	Arizona Cardinals	Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
14	Philadelphia Eagles (via Minnesota Vikings)	Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
15	Indianapolis Colts	Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
16	Baltimore Ravens	Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
17	Washington Redskins	Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
18	Tennessee Titans	Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
19	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Taco Charlton, EDGE, Michigan
20	Denver Broncos	Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
21	Detroit Lions	Charles Harris, EDGE, Missouri
22	Miami Dolphins	Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky
23	New York Giants	Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
24	Oakland Raiders	Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
25	Houston Texans	Davis Webb, QB, California
26	Seattle Seahawks	Jabrill Peppers, DB, Michigan
27	Kansas City Chiefs	Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
28	Dallas Cowboys	Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
29	Green Bay Packers	Takkarist McKinley, EDGE, UCLA
30	Pittsburgh Steelers	Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State
31	Atlanta Falcons	T.J. Watt, EDGE, Wisconsin
32	New Orleans Saints (via New England Patriots)	John Ross, WR, Washington

O.J. Howard, Tight End, Alabama

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

No player on the board is safer than Alabama tight end O.J. Howard.

That's because, unlike so many of his positional peers in this year's draft class, Howard can block just as well as he can catch. In fact, he graded out No. 1 overall as a run-blocker among all college tight ends last season, according to Pro Football Focus.  

Plus, Howard's pure physical traits could make him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses at the next level. 

"His agility and speed at the NFL Scouting Combine were comparable to the top receivers in the class, even though he measured at 6'6", 251 pounds," NFL.com's Chad Reuter wrote. "That means offensive coordinators can use him in-line, in the slot, outside, and pretty much anywhere else. It won't be surprising if Howard is selected in the top 10."

As far as potential landing spots are concerned, the Jacksonville Jaguars seem like an ideal fit. 

Jacksonville has made a concerted effort to load up on defensive playmakers in the draft and free agency over the past few seasons, but it still needs to give quarterback Blake Bortles additional playmakers. 

Enter Howard, who could help provide the entire offense with a boost thanks to his receiving capabilities and polished in-line run-blocking skills. 

Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

The New York Giants have more pressing needs than running back.

But if Christian McCaffrey is still on the board when they're on the clock at No. 23 overall, Big Blue should run the card to the podium.

Although Paul Perkins is already in the fold after the Giants selected him in the fifth round of the 2016 draft, McCaffrey would bring some much-needed versatility to the team's backfield. 

A lightning-quick back who can contribute between the tackles or in the passing game, McCaffrey has the tools to emerge as a legitimate timeshare partner with Perkins right off the bat before transitioning into a three-down contributor behind quarterback Eli Manning. 

As NFL.com's Lance Zierlein noted, McCaffrey is a "multidimensional runner with flex appeal for teams looking for a player who can carry the ball 20 times or catch it 10 depending on the game plan."

Also consider McCaffrey can contribute in the return game after averaging 26.4 yards per kick return and 11.2 yards per punt return in three years at Stanford, and his well-rounded skill set appears tailor-made for a team with an open championship window. 

T.J. Watt, EDGE, Wisconsin

T.J. Watt didn't burst on the scene until his junior year with the Wisconsin Badgers, but his stock has been rising steadily ever since he put on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. 

According to NFL.com, the 6'4'', 252-pound Watt recorded a 37'' vertical jump and 10'8'' broad jump, marks that ranked second and first overall, respectively, among participating linebackers. 

Combine those numbers with the 11.5 sacks and 63 total tackles Watt notched last season, and he appears to be a rising star who could one day be a cornerstone at outside linebacker or defensive end. 

"He's already got a varied skill set that dominates tight ends but fails to translate versus tackles nearly as often," Pro Football Focus wrote. "Given the progress he made in one year at Wisconsin, it would not surprise to see Watt continue to improve as he moves to the NFL."

A fringe first-round prospect, Watt would be a fit for the Atlanta Falcons at No. 31 overall. 

The defending NFC champions ranked an average 16th in total sacks last season (34.0), and their front-seven graded out No. 24 overall in PFF's season-end rankings. 

And while Watt may not be the most eye-popping pick, he could be a long-term solution for the Falcons' pass-rushing woes.