2017 NFL mock draft: Two-round post-Combine, post-free agency projection

While the rest of this draft has been flipped on its head, Garrett, who many believe to be a generational pass rushing talent, remains the no-brainer choice at No. 1. 

This is a prime trade down spot, as the 49ers signed two bridge quarterbacks this offseason and don’t look as if they’ll be addressing that position with this high pick. (Next year’s high pick is fair game, though, unless they land Kirk Cousins.) If they stick around at No. 2, don’t be surprised by the selection of Hooker — San Francisco’s new defensive scheme will likely be a Seattle Cover-3, meaning the team will need a game-changing, field-reading free safety (the kind you can’t get on the open market). Hooker might have only one year of college experience, but his ball-hawking record in that season should sell San Francisco on his instincts. 

Like pick No. 2, this is another prime trade-down spot, as the Bears signed a stop-gap quarterback in Mike Glennon in free agency. Chicago still might address the quarterback position in this draft — there was serious consideration given to them taking Deshone Kizer here — but the No. 3 pick, and Lattimore, who has proven himself as the top corner in this draft class, could prove too valuable to a team that needs to improve across the board heading into 2017. 

The Jaguars could go in a dozen different ways with this pick, including quarterback, but there’s buzz behind Fournette to the Jags and there’s certainly a need. Blake Bortles won’t have any excuses with a back like Fournette behind him in 2017. 

Most are saying that Corey Davis, Western Michigan’s elite wide receiver, will go here, as the Titans desperately need a wide receiver. But this is a pretty deep receiver class and Davis is unlikely to work out for teams before the NFL Draft, so No. 5 is too high to take him. Thomas is a unique player in this draft, and the Titans, who need a defensive end in a big way as well, would be fools to let him go. 

No one knows what the Jets are doing. Even if they opt to sign Jay Cutler, don’t be surprised if they select Watson here. They might even trade up to land him, should they feel some heat. 

The Chargers have more pressing needs than defensive line, but it’s still a need and Allen’s ability to play both inside and outside will prove highly attractive to new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, particularly with Hooker, who is by far the best free safety in this draft, off the board. 

 

This is a big trade-down spot, as the Panthers are in the market for a running back, defensive lineman and offensive lineman but won’t find any worthy of the No. 8 pick. Carolina does need some speed on the outside, though, and Ross, who ran a 4.22 40-yard dash, has plenty of that. 

Brandon LaFell doesn’t get the job done as a No. 2 opposite A.J. Green, and Corey Davis’ ankle will probably scare teams away. Williams, with his big body and incredible catch radius, would immediately form an imposing 1-2 punch. 

It’s criminal that Adams is still on the board, particularly since he could have easily gone at No. 2. This strong safety has a great chance to be a perennial Pro Bowler and all-around menace (in a good way), but he falls because, ironically, there are a lot of bad teams with good strong safeties. The Bills are not one of those teams, and though they have plenty of needs, Adams at No. 10 is too good to pass up. (And don’t be surprised if Buffalo is one of the teams looking to trade up for him, so he doesn’t slide to No. 10.)

The Saints have plenty of holes, but a franchise-level middle linebacker is a better pick than some of the other options available to them and there’s only one of them in this draft. 

With an extra first-round pick, the Browns really should draft and stash a quarterback with upside (Deshone Kizer), but alas, that does not appear to be their plan. The bet here is that Howard, the top tight end in the class, is still around when that quarterback eventually comes to Ohio. Cleveland is building from the inside out, and after building a strong offensive line, tight end is the next logical spot to upgrade. 

He’s was a perfect scheme fit in my first mock draft, and he’s still a perfect scheme fit today. The Cardinals will address quarterback in this draft, but if Wilson is on the board at No. 13, they’ll have to take him and then position themselves to land that signal caller.

The Eagles need a cornerback in a big way, but their need on the defensive line looms larger in the moment. Philadelphia can wait on a cornerback — there’s a ton in this class. They can’t wait on replacing Connor Barwin. 

The Colts can go anywhere but quarterback with this pick. Seriously. So why not get Andrew Luck the second-best running back in this class, whose all-around game might help the Colts actually establish some balance in 2017?

The Ravens need a pass rusher. The Ravens need a linebacker. Why not get a player who can be both?

My top quarterback in the class goes to a team that probably doesn’t need him this year. But next year? It’s your move, Kirk. 

Good things come to those who wait, and Davis, despite the injury, is a must-take at No. 18, considering he would be a viable top-five pick without it. 

If the Bucs are planning on playing Donovan Smith for 16 games next year, that’s all they’ll play. A bad offensive line didn’t add any help this offseason — until this pick, that is. 

John Elway is going to be livid that Ramczyk, the best tackle in this class, will be off the board here, but Lamp, who could play either inside or outside and has elite-level film, should be attractive to the Broncos, who need help at both guard and tackle this year and likely beyond. 

Carlton has the talent to be a top-10 pick, but his motor is of serious question. At No. 21, that doesn’t matter as much, and the Lions need all the defensive help they can get. 

The Dolphins need an athletic linebacker who can work in the open field and vacuum up ballcarriers from sideline to sideline. Cunningham couldn’t be a better fit, even if he is a bit of a stretch at 22. 

With Paul Perkins, the Giants have some thunder. With Cook, they’d have some lightning. (Ignore the Combine result and watch the game film.)

The Raiders need help at linebacker and safety. Peppers plays both spots, and his unparalleled athleticism will have the Raiders jumping over the Inner Harbor with this selection. 

It’s highly unlikely that Kizer will available at this pick, as teams get antsy when it comes to quarterbacks, but if he is, the Texans will be thrilled. Houston is going to try to land Tony Romo, but even if it gets him, Kizer here is great value. How much longer does Romo have, anyway? Kizer has the highest ceiling of any quarterback in this draft, and Bill O’Brien will relish the opportunity to develop his own guy after the Brock Osweiler debacle. 

This is the Hawks’ biggest need, and they’ll fill it admirably at No. 26. That’s good drafting. Bolles was a late riser, but he has great athleticism for a big man (a big point of emphasis for the Seahawks’ offensive line) and can play both inside and outside. 

A stellar combine made Conley a worthy first-round pick. With him, Kansas City finds a press corner to play opposite the great Marcus Peters. 

The Cowboys’ pass rush was a joke last year. Harris is the kind of talent who can immediately change that. He was productive at Mizzou — his 2015 season was incredible — and he has versatility as well as major league athleticism. If the Cowboys can’t find viable NFL production out of him, it’s time to start looking at the team as the problem. 

The Packers also need pass-rush talent, despite keeping Nick Perry this offseason, and McKinley is a perfect scheme fit in Green Bay. He can stand up or play with his hand down and is arguably the second-best fast-twitch pass rusher in this class behind the No. 1 overall pick. 

Davis is a run-stopping linebacker in a mold that Pittsburgh fans will immediately recognize and love. He is a sneaky good blitzer, as well, something Pittsburgh will utilize frequently and will help it overlook some dedicated pass-rushing options at this spot.

He’s too good to fall out of the first round, and the Falcons need to address their need at guard. Robinson, the best run blocker in this class, can start there and move outside over the next few years. 

This depends heavily on what the Saints do in regards to Malcolm Butler, but if he doesn’t sign, New Orleans will lean toward the big and physical Humphrey, whose size could project well against the elite receivers if the NFC South.