2017 NFL Mock Draft: An early look at the first three rounds
By Dan Dahlke
The following is our first look at how the 2017 NFL draft could unfold for the Green Bay Packers. We’re still early in the draft process and currently in the middle of working through position evaluations, so take the draft projections with a grain of salt.
* NFL mock draft order is based on the NFL standings and playoff seeding at the start of Week 15.
Round 1
It will be tempting here for the Browns to reach and select a quarterback. However, the smart move would be to draft the top player coming out of college football, Myles Garrett. Garrett is an elite talent as an edge rusher and has the potential of being a true impact player at the next level. Cleveland desperately needs a player like this on the defensive side of the ball.. Edge. Texas A&M. Browns - Myles Garrett. 1. player. 53
42. I do not view Kizer–or any other quarterback in this class for that matter–as a top-ten talent. However, like we’ve seen in years past, teams desperate for a quarterback will overdraft the position. San Francisco reaches here and crosses their fingers, hoping they found their franchise quarterback of the future. Kizer, despite his up and down play, possesses the traits of a pro quarterback and he has more upside than any other quarterback in this class.. Quarterback. Notre Dame. 49ers - DeShone Kizer. 2. player
52. Jacksonville could easily go defense here, but with Blake Bortles struggling recently, they should do everything possible to help out their young quarterback on offense. Fournette is a difference maker. What helps out a young quarterback more than an explosive running game?. Running Back. LSU. Jaguars - Leonard Fournette. 3. player
North Carolina. Bears - Mitch Trubisky. 4. player. 57. It’s clear Chicago is moving on from Jay Cutler after this season. The franchise would like to start fresh, but I don’t think Matt Barkley is the answer at the position. Again, I don’t view Trubisky as a top-10 talent, but the Bears are desperate enough to find a guy to build around that they’ll reach for the next-best option in the draft.. Quarterback
Titans - Jamal Adams. 5. player. 35. Adams is the most complete safety prospect in this draft class. He can play up in the box in run support, lock down in man coverage lined up over the slot, or roam the deep middle and ballhawk. Adams could make an immediate impact on a Titans pass defense that ranks 31st in the NFL.. Safety. LSU
30. The Jets have struggled to generate consistent pressure all year. Outside of second-year defensive end Leonard Williams, they don’t have a consistent pass rusher on the roster. Lawson is a tremendous edge player. In 2016 alone, he recorded nine sacks and a whopping 24 quarterback hurries.. Edge. Auburn. Jets - Carl Lawson. 6. player