NFL Draft 2017: Andrew Aziz’s Final NFL Mock Draft (4 Rounds)

This mock draft was made using a combination of factors:

• Reports from around the league (only credible sources)
• What I believe will what happen (as opposed to what I would do)
• Identifying the drafting strategies/styles of each team’s general manager (i.e. Ballard —> BPA, Schneider —> Needs based)

Stayed tuned for my final big board (150 players) and my final positional rankings, which will be dropping in the next few days.

1^st Round

1^st Overall Pick – Cleveland Browns

Myles Garrett – Outside Linebacker/Defensive End – Texas A&M

I’ve been hearing that the Browns are interested in other players. If they were to take anyone other than Myles Garrett, then they deserve everything they get.

2^nd Overall Pick – San Francisco 49ers

Soloman Thomas – Defensive End – Stanford

Don’t get cute, San Francisco! Thomas is an animal with a great motor and will be an impact player on day 1. They need to stick with BPA and go with the best player on the board, Soloman Thomas.

3^rd Overall Pick – Chicago Bears

Marshon Lattimore – Cornerback – Ohio State

Lattimore is a fantastic cornerback from a very good system. I’m not one to advocate taking a defensive back this early, but Lattimore is a game changer, so the Bears would be wise to select him here.

4^th Overall Pick – Jacksonville Jaguars

O.J. Howard – Tight End – Alabama

Howard dominated at the Senior Bowl and when he was fed the ball, he dominated at Alabama. He is an athletic freak and if used properly, he can do a lot of damage. The Jags need a spark in their passing game, so going with Howard would give them that spark.

5^th Overall Pick – Tennessee Titans

Jonathan Allen – Defensive End – Alabama

The Titans need some help on defense. We all know that an effective defense needs an effective defense line. They already have one star along their defensive line, but they need someone to compliment him. Allen can fit perfectly into the Titans’ defense and serve as a great complimentary player to Jurrell Casey.

6^th Overall Pick – New York Jets

Leonard Fournette – Running Back – LSU

This may be a surprise to some… I don’t even have Fournette as the number 1 running back, but from what I’ve read, I get the feeling that the Jets will be going with a running back/offensive playmaker. Fournette fits best in the Jets’ offensive system. He is a great downhill runner who can help turn around the Jets offense.

7^th Overall Pick – San Diego Chargers

Malik Hooker – Safety – Ohio State

I have Hooker over Adams in my safety rankings as Hooker is more athletic and has a higher ceiling. The Chargers need a safety and help in their back end. They got Bosa last year, so their defensive line issues are partially solved. Now it’s time they find some help in their secondary.

8^th Overall Pick – Carolina Panthers

Christian McCaffrey – Running Back – Stanford

All signs are pointing to McCaffrey heading to Carolina. It’s a good fit and McCaffrey can start right away in a Darren Sproles/Danny Woodhead type role. The difference with McCaffrey is that he can be a very effective slot receiver, which can benefit the stagnant Panthers offense.

9^th Overall Pick – Cincinnati Bengals

Malik McDowell – Defensive Tackle – Michigan State

The Bengals need help inside as they need someone to replace Domato Peko, who served as a great complimentary player to Geno Atkins. McDowell can be a star and I believe his “off-the-field” issues are overblown. He is a top 12 talent in this draft.

10^th Overall Pick – Buffalo Bills

Mike Williams – Wide Receiver – Clemson

Buffalo needs to start adding more playmakers on offense. Shady McCoy and Sammy Watkins are two very talented players, but Watkins is an injury risk and McCoy has very little impact in the passing game. Mike Williams would serve as a great #2 receiver for the Bills; give them a more explosive offense and a good fallback option if Sammy Watkins were to get injured again.

11^th Overall Pick – New Orleans Saints

Deshaun Watson – Quarterback – Clemson

Deshaun Watson is not the best quarterback in this year’s draft (nor is he a first round prospect), but it’d be unrealistic to leave him outside the first round. Nevertheless, he has a high ceiling, great athleticism, a strong arm and most importantly a winning mentality. If he sits and learns behind Drew Brees for a couple of seasons, Watson could come out guns blazing in year 3.

12^th Overall Pick – Cleveland Browns

Jamal Adams – Safety – LSU

The Browns get a steal! Adams is one of the safer picks in this year’s draft class due to his versatility and his experience. He would be an immediate starter on the Browns defense and should be a solid, steady player for many years.

13^th Overall Pick – Arizona Cardinals

Haason Reddick – Linebacker – Temple

The Cardinals love their versatile players. Reddick may be the most versatile player in this year’s draft class (him or Peppers). Reddick can play inside as a linebacker or rush on the outside. The Cards need help up front and Reddick would give them an added boost and should start immediately.

14^th Overall Pick – Philadelphia Eagles

Quincy Wilson – Cornerback – Florida

The Eagles need secondary help badly as their defensive backs were exposed last season. Wilson is an instinctive corner who shut down many receivers last season and quarterbacks throwing his way had very low passer ratings (29.9 to be exact, per Pro Football Focus). While he may not be ready to take on a #1 cornerback role, he could perform extremely well in a #2 cornerback role next season.

15^th Overall Pick – Indianapolis Colts

Reuben Foster – Inside Linebacker – Alabama

Foster is a top 5 talent, but a diluted urine sample as well as some other off-the-field minor issues will hurt his stock. Chris Ballard, while with the Chiefs, never had an issue with taking players with “questionable” characters, as the Chiefs drafted many players with off-the-field issues. Foster is an aggressive, sideline-to-sideline linebacker who can start and lead on day 1.

16^th Overall Pick – Baltimore Ravens

Corey Davis – Wide Receiver – Western Michigan

The Ravens badly need a receiver, so going with Corey Davis, who is one of the top players on the board is an easy pick. Davis is a well-rounded receiver who had flashes of brilliance in every college game he played last season. Due to the weak receiving corps in Baltimore, Davis should be an instant starter and a candidate to break 1000 yards in his first year.

17^th Overall Pick – Washington Redskins

Dalvin Cook – Running Back – Florida State

Jay Gruden’s offense places a tremendous importance on running backs. Rob Kelley performed well in a limited starter role, but it’s obvious that they need a true 3-down running back. Cook is my #1 running back, but for some reason is not getting the love around the league, so many expect him to be the third running back selected. Cook would start immediately in the Redskins’ offense.

18^th Overall Pick – Tennessee Titans

John Ross – Receiver – Washington

The Titans need playmakers on offense to help out Marcus Mariota. They have a strong offensive line, a couple of solid running backs and a very good quarterback, but they need receivers! Ross is a speedster who is very tough to guard in man coverage. The Titans would be wise to select him, as he would open up a lot of lanes in the short to intermediate area of the field.

19^th Overall Pick – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

David Njoku – Tight End – Miami (Fla.)

I went back and forth with this pick. The Bucs need help on defense, but they could also use a good tight end that is tough to tackle. Cameron Brate did well, but he looks like a solid #2 tight end at best in the NFL. Njoku played in Florida, so he won’t have to move far! The Bucs added Desean Jackson in the offseason, and adding Njoku can make their offense one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.

20^th Overall Pick – Denver Broncos

Ryan Ramczyk – Offensive Tackle – Wisconsin

The Broncos desperately need offensive line help. Their running game suffered and their quarterbacks took a beating. Ryan Ramczyk is my #1 offensive lineman in this year’s draft. He’s technically sound, very well rounded and comes from an offensive lineman factory at Wisconsin! I feel he’s one of the top players on the board and this is a relatively straightforward pick for the Broncos.

21^st Overall Pick – Detroit Lions

Takkarist McKinley – Defensive End – UCLA

McKinley is explosive, powerful and quick off the edge. The Lions need help on defense and it starts with a more impactful front 7. Ansah is solid, but he has very little help from his defensive line friends. McKinley would give the Lions two explosive and powerful defensive ends, which would make their defense a lot tougher to defend.

22^nd Overall Pick – Miami Dolphins

Jarrad Davis – Inside Linebacker – Florida

The Dolphins needed more help from their linebackers last season. Their defensive line did a lot of damage, yet week after week their linebackers were exposed. Kiko Alonso had his moments, but if he’s their best linebacker then that’s an issue. Jarrad Davis is a good thumper who’s from the area. He tackles well, he takes good angles and he has very good size. I can see him playing well as a SAM linebacker and should start immediately.

23^rd Overall Pick – New York Giants

Mitch Trubisky – Quarterback – North Carolina

The Giants have done a lot of research on this year’s quarterback class, more than in year’s past. It’s obvious that they’re looking for long-term replacements to Eli Manning. Trubisky has a very high ceiling and while I gave him a late 2^nd round grade, it seems pretty likely that he will a first round pick. Trubisky has a strong arm, looks the part and possesses good athleticism. He’s a raw prospect with only one year of experience in a spread system, so he’ll need at least 2 years to develop. If he sits behind Manning, he could end up becoming a very good player down the line for the Giants when Eli is gone.

24^th Overall Pick – Oakland Raiders

Garrett Bolles – Offensive Tackle – Utah

Surprised? I know the Raiders had one of the best offensive lines in football, but Austin Howard (right tackle) is the weak link of the Raiders’ offensive line and Donald Penn is 34 years old and his time is running out. Bolles could serve as a good day 1 starter at right tackle and eventually move over to left tackle when Penn departs.

25^th Overall Pick – Houston Texans

Jabrill Peppers – Linebacker/Safety – Michigan

I know, I know… the Texans need a quarterback. Every year, there’s always a team that’s mocked the same position (or in many cases, the same player) and you know what happens? They don’t take that player/position. Every mock draft has the Texans taking a quarterback, with most of them having Mahomes end up in Houston. While they do need a quarterback, this year’s group of quarterbacks is overrated and I believe Bill O’Brien recognizes this. The Texans, in this case, will instead go with an impactful, versatile player on defense. Peppers can have a tremendous impact in the box, but also possesses the ability to cover tight ends and receivers.

26^th Overall Pick – Seattle Seahawks

Forrest Lamp – Offensive Guard/Tackle – Western Kentucky

The Seahawks had the worst offensive line in football last year. They need to protect Russell Wilson. Forrest Lamp is one of the top players on the board and one of the top offensive linemen in the draft. This is a no-brainer for Seattle.

27^th Overall Pick – Kansas City Chiefs

Dalvin Tomlinson – Defensive Lineman – Alabama

Is this a reach? Yes probably, but there is always one at the end of the first round. Also, the Chiefs desperately need defensive line help after losing Dontari Poe in the offseason. Tomlinson could serve as a very good nose tackle for the Chiefs and can play well next to Chris Jones. This is a needs-based pick for the Chiefs.

28^th Overall Pick – Dallas Cowboys

Taco Charlton – Defensive End – Michigan

The Cowboys need to get more pressure on the opposing team’s quarterback. Charlton was a dominant player for Michigan for a couple of seasons and should have a nice impact in the NFL, even it’s as a 8 to 10 sack a year type of player.

29^th Overall Pick – Green Bay Packers

Marlon Humphrey – Cornerback – Alabama

The Packers need some attitude and a new identity on defense. Marlon Humphrey may be raw, but he’s very physical and he’s got a lot of attitude. If you’re a defense looking for a new identity and some attitude, you’d be wise to go with someone like Humphrey, who’s one of the top corners in this year’s draft.

30^th Overall Pick – Pittsburgh Steelers

Budda Baker – Safety – Washington

Baker is a versatile defensive back that should start on day 1 in nickel and dime packages. Baker could eventually replace Mike Mitchell as a hard-hitting, in the box type of safety, but in the meantime, he could serve as a solid nickel cornerback.

31^st Overall Pick – Atlanta Falcons

Charles Harris – Defensive End – Missouri

It’s never bad to go with pass rushers! The Falcons did a great job of fixing up their secondary, but they still have issues up front. Getting Dontari Poe will help a lot, but they need guys to get to the passer. Beasley had a great year, but he needs someone to compliment him. Harris could serve as a great complimentary player as he is well rounded and could play in any situation.

32^nd Overall Pick – New Orleans Saints

Derek Barnett – Defensive End – Tennessee

Barnett was a productive player for the Volunteers. The Saints have taken a lot of steps to improving their front 7, and adding Barnett would give them a respectable front that would be tough to defend. He would compliment Cameron Jordan very well.

2nd Round

33^rd Overall Pick – Cleveland Browns

Sidney Jones – Cornerback – Washington

34^th Overall Pick – San Francisco 49ers

Zach Cunningham – Linebacker – Vanderbilt

35^th Overall Pick – Jacksonville Jaguars

Joe Mixon – Running Back – Oklahoma

36^th Overall Pick – Chicago Bears

DeShone Kizer – Quarterback – Notre Dame

37^th Overall Pick – Los Angeles Rams

Tre’Davious White – Cornerback – LSU

38^th Overall Pick – Los Angeles Chargers

Patrick Mahomes – Quarterback – Texas Tech

39^th Overall Pick – New York Jets

Raekwon McMillan – Inside Linebacker – Ohio State

40^th Overall Pick – Carolina Panthers

Evan Engram – Tight End – Ole Miss

41^st Overall Pick – Cincinnati Bengals

Adoree’ Jackson – Cornerback – USC

42^nd Overall Pick – New Orleans Saints

Teez Tabor – Cornerback – Florida

43^rd Overall Pick – Philadelphia Eagles

Kareem Hunt – Running Back – Toledo

44^th Overall Pick – Buffalo Bills

Carl Lawson – Defensive End – Auburn

45^th Overall Pick – Arizona Cardinals

Caleb Brantley – Defensive Lineman – Florida

46^th Overall Pick – Indianapolis Colts

T.J. Watt – Outside Linebacker – Wisconsin

47^th Overall Pick – Baltimore Ravens

Ryan Anderson – Outside Linebacker – Alabama

48^th Overall Pick – Minnesota Vikings

Pat Elflein – Offensive Guard/Center – Ohio State

49^th Overall Pick – Washington Redskins

Gareon Conley – Cornerback – Ohio State

50^th Overall Pick – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dan Feeney – Offensive Guard – Indiana

51^st Overall Pick – Denver Broncos

Alvin Kamara – Running Back – Tennessee

52^nd Overall Pick – Cleveland Browns

Zay Jones – Wide Receiver – East Carolina

53^rd Overall Pick – Detroit Lions

Ethan Pocic – Center – LSU

54^th Overall Pick – Miami Dolphins

Dorian Johnson – Offensive Guard – Pittsburgh

55^th Overall Pick – New York Giants

Jordan Leggett – Tight End – Clemson

56^th Overall Pick – Oakland Raiders

D’Onta Foreman – Running Back – Texas

57^th Overall Pick – Houston Texans

Brad Kaaya – Quarterback – Miami (Fla.)

58^th Overall Pick – Seattle Seahawks

Marcus Maye – Safety – Florida

59^th Overall Pick – Kansas City Chiefs

Samaje Perine – Running Back – Oklahoma

60^th Overall Pick – Dallas Cowboys

Bucky Hodges – Tight End – Virginia Tech

61^st Overall Pick – Green Bay Packers

Marcus Williams – Safety – Utah

62^nd Overall Pick – Pittsburgh Steelers

Joe Mathis – Outside Linebacker – Washington

63^rd Overall Pick – Atlanta Falcons

Dion Dawkins – Offensive Guard – Temple

64^th Overall Pick – Carolina Panthers

John Johnson – Safety – Boston College

3rd Round

65^th Overall Pick – Cleveland Browns

Taylor Moton – Offensive Tackle – Western Michigan

66^th Overall Pick – San Francisco 49ers

Tyus Bowser – Defensive End – Houston

67^th Overall Pick – Chicago Bears

Carlos Watkins – Defensive Lineman – Clemson

68^th Overall Pick – Jacksonville Jaguars

Tim Williams – Outside Linebacker – Alabama

69^th Overall Pick – Los Angeles Rams

Jake Butt – Tight End – Michigan

70^th Overall Pick – New York Jets

Antonio Garcia – Offensive Tackle – Troy

71^st Overall Pick – Los Angeles Chargers

Rasul Douglas – Cornerback – West Virginia

72^nd Overall Pick – New England Patriots

Chris Wormley – Defensive Tackle – Michigan

73^rd Overall Pick – Cincinnati Bengals

Juju Smith-Schuster – Wide Receiver – USC

74^th Overall Pick – Baltimore Ravens

Jeremy McNichols – Running Back – Boise State

75^th Overall Pick – Buffalo Bills

Jaleel Johnson – Defensive Tackle – Iowa

76^th Overall Pick – New Orleans Saints

Kendell Beckwith – Linebacker – LSU

77^th Overall Pick – Arizona Cardinals

Fabian Moreau – Cornerback – UCLA

78^th Overall Pick – Baltimore Ravens

Trey Hendrickson – Outside Linebacker – Florida Atlantic

79^th Overall Pick – Minnesota Vikings

Adam Bisnowaty – Offensive Tackle – Pittsburgh

80^th Overall Pick – Indianapolis Colts

Chidobe Awuzi – Cornerback – Colorado

81^st Overall Pick – Washington Redskins

Jarron Jones – Defensive Lineman – Notre Dame

82^nd Overall Pick – Denver Broncos

Montravious Adams – Defensive Lineman – Auburn

83^rd Overall Pick – Tennessee Titans

Kevin King – Cornerback – Washington

84^th Overall Pick – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Demarcus Walker – Defensive End – Florida State

85^th Overall Pick – Detroit Lions

Alex Anzalone – Linebacker – Florida

86^th Overall Pick – Minnesota Vikings

George Kittle – Tight End – Iowa

87^th Overall Pick – New York Giants

Roderick Johnson – Offensive Tackle – Florida State

88^th Overall Pick – Oakland Raiders

Cooper Kupp – Receiver – Eastern Washington

89^th Overall Pick – Houston Texans

Wayne Gallman – Running Back – Clemson

90^th Overall Pick – Seattle Seahawks

Eddie Vanderdoes – Defensive Tackle – UCLA

91^st Overall Pick – Kansas City Chiefs

D.J. Jones – Defensive Lineman – Ole Miss

92^nd Overall Pick – Dallas Cowboys

Elijah Qualls – Defensive Tackle – Washington

93^rd Overall Pick – Green Bay Packers

James Conner – Running Back – Pittsburgh

94^th Overall Pick – Pittsburgh Steelers

Derek Willis – Outside Linebacker – Youngstown State

95^th Overall Pick – Atlanta Falcons

Jeremy Sprinkle – Tight End – Arkansas

96^th Overall Pick – New England Patriots

Tanoh Kpassagnon – Defensive End – Villanova

97^th Overall Pick – Miami Dolphins (Compensatory Pick)

Josh Jones – Safety – North Carolina State

98^th Overall Pick – Carolina Panthers (Compensatory Pick)

Jourdan Lewis – Cornerback – Michigan

99^th Overall Pick – Philadelphia Eagles (Compensatory Pick)

Obi Melifonwu – Safety – Connecticut

100^th Overall Pick – Tennessee Titans (Compensatory Pick)

Josh Harvey-Clemons – Safety – Louisville

101^st Overall Pick – Denver Broncos (Compensatory Pick)

Ryan Switzer – Wide Receiver – North Carolina

102^nd Overall Pick – Seattle Seahawks (Compensatory Pick)

Carlos Henderson – Wide Receiver – Louisiana Tech

103^rd Overall Pick – New Orleans Saints (Compensatory Pick)

Justin Evans – Safety – Texas A&M

104^th Overall Pick – Kansas City Chiefs (Compensatory Pick)

Nathan Peterman – Quarterback – Pittsburgh

105^th Overall Pick – Pittsburgh Steelers (Compensatory Pick)

Duke Riley – Inside Linebacker – LSU

106^th Overall Pick – Seattle Seahawks (Compensatory Pick)

Gerald Everett – Tight End – South Alabama

107^th Overall Pick – New York Jets (Compensatory Pick)

Desmond King – Safety – Iowa

4^th Round

108^th Overall Pick – Cleveland Browns

Davis Webb – Quarterback – California

109^th Overall Pick – San Francisco 49ers

Josh Dobbs – Quarterback – Tennessee

110^th Overall Pick – Jacksonville Jaguars

Cordrea Tankersley – Cornerback – Clemson

111^th Overall Pick – Chicago Bears

Eddie Jackson – Safety – Alabama

112^th Overall Pick – Los Angeles Rams

Marlon Mack – Running Back – USF

113^th Overall Pick – Los Angeles Chargers

Damien Mama – Offensive Guard – USC

114^th Overall Pick – Washington Redskins

Jayon Brown – Inside Linebacker – UCLA

115^th Overall Pick – Carolina Panthers

Amara Darboh – Wide Receiver – Michigan

116^th Overall Pick – Cincinnati Bengals

Tyler Orlosky – Center/Offensive Guard – West Virginia

117^th Overall Pick – Chicago Bears

Larry Ogunjobi – Defensive Lineman – Charlotte

118^th Overall Pick – Philadelphia Eagles

William Likely – Cornerback – Maryland

119^th Overall Pick – Arizona Cardinals

Josh Reynolds – Wide Receiver – Texas A&M

120^th Overall Pick – Minnesota Vikings

Charles Walker – Defensive End – Oklahoma

121^st Overall Pick – Indianapolis Colts

Joe Williams – Running Back – Utah

122^nd Overall Pick – Baltimore Ravens

ArDarius Stewart – Wide Receiver – Alabama

123^rd Overall Pick – Washington Redskins

Conor McDermott – Offensive Tackle – UCLA

124^th Overall Pick – Tennessee Titans

Chris Godwin – Wide Receiver – Penn State

125^th Overall Pick – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Curtis Samuel – Wide Receiver – Ohio State

126^th Overall Pick – Denver Broncos

Corn Elder – Cornerback – Miami (Fla.)

127^th Overall Pick – Detroit Lions

Taywan Taylor – Wide Receiver – Western Kentucky

128^th Overall Pick – Minnesota Vikings

Tarik Cohen – Running Back – North Carolina A&T

129^th Overall Pick – Oakland Raiders

Ryan Glasgow – Defensive Tackle – Michigan

130^th Overall Pick – Houston Texans

Chad Hansen – Wide Receiver – California

131^st Overall Pick – New England Patriots

Lorenzo Jerome – Safety – St Francis (PA)

132^nd Overall Pick – Kansas City Chiefs

Ben Gedeon – Inside Linebacker – Michigan

133^rd Overall Pick – Dallas Cowboys

Travis Rudolph – Wide Receiver – Florida State

134^th Overall Pick – Green Bay Packers

Blair Brown – Inside Linebacker – Ohio

135^th Overall Pick – Pittsburgh Steelers

Travin Dural – Wide Receiver – LSU

136^th Overall Pick – Atlanta Falcons

Howard Wilson – Cornerback – Houston

137^th Overall Pick – Indianapolis Colts

Delano Hill – Safety – Michigan

138^th Overall Pick – Cincinnati Bengals (Compensatory Pick)

Justin Senior – Offensive Tackle – Mississippi State

139^th Overall Pick – Philadelphia Eagles (Compensatory Pick)

Vince Biegel – Linebacker – Wisconsin

140^th Overall Pick – New York Giants

Jehu Chesson – Wide Receiver – Michigan

141^st Overall Pick – Los Angeles Rams (Compensatory Pick)

Tedric Thompson – Safety – Colorado

142^nd Overall Pick – Houston Texans (Compensatory Pick)

Ahkello Witherspoon – Cornerback – Colorado

143^rd Overall Pick – San Francisco 49ers (Compensatory Pick)

Jeremy Clark – Cornerback – Michigan

144^th Overall Pick – Indianapolis Colts (Compensatory Pick)

Adam Shaheen – Tight End – Ashland