2017 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for Mid-First-Round Prospects

NFL draft gurus and analysts often talk in-depth about prospects within the projected top 10. Texas A&M's Myles Garrett, Stanford product Solomon Thomas and LSU prospect Leonard Fournette garner the most draft attention due to their perceived abilities to change a franchise's fortunes. At times, mid-round selections have the same effect.

In 2015, Marcus Peters fell to No. 18 to the Kansas City Chiefs due to character issues. After winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, he's become a premier cornerback in the league. Last year, the Atlanta Falcons selected Keanu Neal with the No. 17 overall pick. His play has already been compared to Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor within a similar defensive scheme. 

Every year, a handful of prospects fall in the draft for non-football related issues, and a few leave their pasts behind for a productive NFL career with longevity.

At times, absence from the NFL Scouting Combine can hurt a prospect's draft stock. Front offices may place too much emphasis on workouts, which leads to inflated stock and draft misses. 

The following prospects will likely fall into mid-first-round territory but elevate their teams as rookies with impressive seasons.

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

Deshaun Watson Won't Drop Below No. 12

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We have about two-and-half years of college tape on quarterback Deshaun Watson, but one-year wonder Mitchell Trubisky stole the early spotlight.

Watson led his team to a CFP Playoff National Championship victory in his final game, threw 41 touchdowns to 17 interceptions in the previous season and rushed for 26 scores as a collegian. A team will view his experience, especially in big-time games, as a positive. 

The Cleveland Browns need a quarterback who's ready to start sooner rather than later. Conventional wisdom would suggest the Browns select Garrett with the No. 1 overall pick and take Watson at No. 12, if available.

Cleveland can't risk another first-round miss, especially with the top pick in the draft. Garrett carries a significantly lower risk than Trubisky, who's in the discussion at No. 1, per ESPN's Adam Schefter:

According to Cleveland Plain Dealer reporter Mary Kay Cabot, head coach Hue Jackson wants Garrett, which is the safe choice. If he has his way, it opens the door for Watson, who may not have elite arm strength but plays his best in the bright lights.

Dalvin Cook's Draft Placement Hurt By Off-Field Matters 

Florida State running back Dalvin Cook looks impressive on film, but multiple incidents off the field and a low SPARQ score will cause personnel executives to question his value. The Three Sigma Athlete website shows how the running backs stack up on the test scores.

Typically, on-field production trumps other evaluation aspects in the NFL, but we're seeing players hurt their teams with bad judgment. Productive acquisitions serve zero purpose when they're not available to play.

Specifically for Cook, his inner circle will likely cost him money on April 27, per Bleacher Report's Jason Cole:

Despite the question marks off the field, he's still the third-best running back in the draft. After Christian McCaffrey and Fournette, Cook should come off the board between the No. 14 and No. 17 picks.

The Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins could all use a dynamic tailback, who can lead their backfields or replace lesser talents. 

Furthermore, with a solid offensive line, the Dallas Cowboys have shown it's clever to take a running back in the first round.

Corey Davis Should Be in Play at No. 18

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Due to last year's trade out of the No. 1 spot, the Tennessee Titans have two first-round picks in the upcoming draft. Ideally, they should go with a cornerback with the No. 5 overall pick. Despite acquiring Logan Ryan, the team released Jason McCourty, which opens a starting cornerback spot. Ohio State prospect Marshon Lattimore should be in play for the Titans' first pick.

Thirteen slots later, the front office could pick up a big target for quarterback Marcus Mariota, who's recovering from a broken fibula. The Titans decided to trade Dorial Green-Beckham, a 6'5”, 237-pound receiver, to the Eagles last year. 

Mariota's top passing options include wide receiver Rishard Matthews, who joined the team via trade in the previous year, and tight end Delanie Walker, who's turning 33 in August. As a complement to the exotic smashmouth ground attack, the offense would level up with a 6'3”, 209-pound receiving target in Corey Davis. 

Despite Davis' good size and three consecutive seasons with at least 1,400 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, ankle surgery may factor into a slight drop behind Clemson's Mike Williams in the wideout draft pecking order. Schefter notes he should be ready for rookie minicamp:

The Western Michigan product didn't run the 40-yard dash during the combine and couldn't participate at his school's pro day. If available, the Titans would fulfill a need with potentially the best prospect at his position.

Stats provided by Sports Reference and Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted.