McShay's 2017 NFL Mock Draft 3.0
Mar 15, 2017
1. Cleveland Browns
Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
The Browns shouldn't overthink this: Garrett is the best pure pass-rusher -- and one of the best overall athletes -- in the draft. His freakish combine numbers (4.64 40-yard dash and a 41-inch vertical at 272 pounds) cemented his status as the No. 1 overall pick, in my opinion. Garrett can fit into any scheme. He's a transcendent-type player.
Round 1: April 27, 8 p.m. ET
Rds. 2-3: April 28, 7 p.m. ET
Rds. 4-7: April 29, noon ET
Where: Philadelphia
2. San Francisco 49ers
Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley aren't long-term answers at quarterback, but them signing with San Francisco may free up the 49ers to take a top-tier talent like Thomas here before drafting a developmental QB on Day 2. With a good combination of quickness and power, Thomas would be a good fit for the defense Robert Saleh hopes to build out West.
3. Chicago Bears
Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Quarterback isn't quite as pressing of a need after the addition of Mike Glennon in free agency, so the Bears can take a similar approach to what I laid out above for the 49ers. Adams is one of the few players with an elite grade in this year's class. A big hitter with impressive range versus the run, the LSU product can play in the box and back deep. He has excellent intangibles and would immediately make the Bears' secondary better.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
After spending big on defense two offseasons in a row, I think the Jaguars will use their first-rounder this season to improve QB Blake Bortles' supporting cast. RB Leonard Fournette is an option here, but I opted for Howard, who has had a spectacular pre-draft process, standing out during Senior Bowl practices and combine testing (4.51 40 at 251 pounds). Howard profiles as a big-play threat in the NFL and an underrated blocker.
5. Tennessee Titans (from Rams)
Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
Allen didn't test well at the combine, but he's a much better football player than his workout numbers would indicate. While some long-term concerns regarding his shoulder might cause him to fall, the Titans have the luxury of taking the best player on their board with this pick, because they also own the 18th selection. Allen would slide right in and start opposite Jurrell Casey at the 5-technique spot.
6. New York Jets
Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
The Jets' quarterback situation is still unsettled, but Jay Cutler remains unsigned and could be a bridge to 2016 second-round pick Christian Hackenberg or TBD 2017 draftee. Durability issues are a concern with Lattimore -- he suffered two separate hamstring injuries in 2014 and 2015 -- but he has the potential to develop into a cornerback who takes away an opponent's top target each Sunday
7. Los Angeles Chargers
Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
A rangy safety with elite ball skills, Hooker is a perfect fit for Gus Bradley's defense, which features a lot of Cover 3 and zone coverage. Hooker is one of the five best prospects in this class, but it's unclear whether he'll be able to work out for teams prior to the draft after having offseason surgery on his labrum.
Washington WR John Ross and Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey both put on a show at the NFL combine. Where did they jump to in Todd McShay's latest prospect rankings for the 2017 NFL draft?
8. Carolina Panthers
Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Fournette weighed in at 240 pounds and he's a violent, powerful runner on tape. That kind of skill set would fit nicely in the Panthers' downhill power-run offense. Fournette has elite straight-line explosiveness for his size (4.51 40) that will translate well to the next level.
Mar 15, 2017
-
Todd McShayESPN Senior Writer
1. Cleveland Browns
Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
The Browns shouldn't overthink this: Garrett is the best pure pass-rusher -- and one of the best overall athletes -- in the draft. His freakish combine numbers (4.64 40-yard dash and a 41-inch vertical at 272 pounds) cemented his status as the No. 1 overall pick, in my opinion. Garrett can fit into any scheme. He's a transcendent-type player.
Round 1: April 27, 8 p.m. ET
Rds. 2-3: April 28, 7 p.m. ET
Rds. 4-7: April 29, noon ET
Where: Philadelphia
2. San Francisco 49ers
Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley aren't long-term answers at quarterback, but them signing with San Francisco may free up the 49ers to take a top-tier talent like Thomas here before drafting a developmental QB on Day 2. With a good combination of quickness and power, Thomas would be a good fit for the defense Robert Saleh hopes to build out West.
3. Chicago Bears
Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Quarterback isn't quite as pressing of a need after the addition of Mike Glennon in free agency, so the Bears can take a similar approach to what I laid out above for the 49ers. Adams is one of the few players with an elite grade in this year's class. A big hitter with impressive range versus the run, the LSU product can play in the box and back deep. He has excellent intangibles and would immediately make the Bears' secondary better.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
After spending big on defense two offseasons in a row, I think the Jaguars will use their first-rounder this season to improve QB Blake Bortles' supporting cast. RB Leonard Fournette is an option here, but I opted for Howard, who has had a spectacular pre-draft process, standing out during Senior Bowl practices and combine testing (4.51 40 at 251 pounds). Howard profiles as a big-play threat in the NFL and an underrated blocker.
5. Tennessee Titans (from Rams)
Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
Allen didn't test well at the combine, but he's a much better football player than his workout numbers would indicate. While some long-term concerns regarding his shoulder might cause him to fall, the Titans have the luxury of taking the best player on their board with this pick, because they also own the 18th selection. Allen would slide right in and start opposite Jurrell Casey at the 5-technique spot.
6. New York Jets
Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
The Jets' quarterback situation is still unsettled, but Jay Cutler remains unsigned and could be a bridge to 2016 second-round pick Christian Hackenberg or TBD 2017 draftee. Durability issues are a concern with Lattimore -- he suffered two separate hamstring injuries in 2014 and 2015 -- but he has the potential to develop into a cornerback who takes away an opponent's top target each Sunday
7. Los Angeles Chargers
Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
A rangy safety with elite ball skills, Hooker is a perfect fit for Gus Bradley's defense, which features a lot of Cover 3 and zone coverage. Hooker is one of the five best prospects in this class, but it's unclear whether he'll be able to work out for teams prior to the draft after having offseason surgery on his labrum.
Washington WR John Ross and Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey both put on a show at the NFL combine. Where did they jump to in Todd McShay's latest prospect rankings for the 2017 NFL draft?
8. Carolina Panthers
Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Fournette weighed in at 240 pounds and he's a violent, powerful runner on tape. That kind of skill set would fit nicely in the Panthers' downhill power-run offense. Fournette has elite straight-line explosiveness for his size (4.51 40) that will translate well to the next level.
