Jacksonville Jaguars Mock Draft 3.0–Get the Big Men Early
By Jacob DeFee
The Jacksonville Jaguars go big in this two-round 2017 NFL Draft mock.
Still two more weeks to go, everything has been analyzed and over analyzed at this point. As I knew would happen, I received a lot of gripes about Trubisky going number one overall, but I’m sticking to my guns this week and it looks like I might not be crazy. I still believe the Browns will do their best to land both Myles Garrett and Mitch Trubisky. The only way to do that though is to trade up from 12 back into the top six or so. Once again, there are no trades here.
Here we go, two weeks out.
1. Cleveland Browns-Mitchell Trubisky, Quarterback, North Carolina
While the Browns would love to add consensus top overall pick Myles Garrett and then take Trubisky with their second first-round pick at number 12 overall the risk is simply too great that Trubisky will have already been taken. There are at least four other teams that have quarterback issues before the Browns next pick that could take Trubisky, not to mention teams outside of the top 12 could trade up to snag him. The quarterback position is way too valuable in today’s NFL, and Trubisky seems like a perfect fit in Hue Jackson’s offense. Trubisky also grew up in the Cleveland area and everyone loves a hometown hero. While it may be a bit of a reach, the Browns cannot afford to miss out on another franchise quarterback and elect to roll the dice on Trubisky.
2. San Francisco 49ers-Myles Garrett, Defensive End, Texas A&M
If the Browns do indeed take Trubisky, the 49ers will either sprint to the stage with their draft card or they will auction off this pick to the highest bidder. Niners general manager John Lynch said the 49ers are open to trading the pick. If I was Lynch I would trade down to collect picks and pieces to help fill the holes of the weakest roster in the NFL. Garrett will go here but it may not be the 49ers who take him.
3. Chicago Bears-Jamal Adams, Safety, LSU
The Bears could go in a number of different directions with this pick, but I believe they’ll stick with Jamal Adams in this case. Adams is arguably the best safety in this class and can play any position in the secondary. He is a playmaker on defense and that is something the Bears sorely lack.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars-Solomon Thomas, Defensive End, Stanford
Will the Jaguars improve the running game by taking Leonard Fournette, improve the weapons around Blake Bortles with O.J. Howard, or continue to build what already looks to be a scary defense? The Jaguars just paid Calais Campbell a lot of money and he figures to start at the strong side defensive end position, but there isn’t a lot of depth behind him. Solomon Thomas can play any position on the defensive line and could be the strong side end of the future.
5. Tennessee Titans- Mike Williams, Wide Receiver, Clemson
The Titans have a huge need at the cornerback position. However, Williams is the best receiver in the draft and could be the missing piece to put the Titans over the top and into the playoffs. They can fill their cornerback need later in the draft.
6. New York Jets- O.J. Howard, Tight End, Alabama
Whoever starts at quarterback for the Jets this year is going to need someone to throw the ball to besides Eric Decker. Enter O.J. Howard. While number six overall may be high for a tight end, Howard is well worth it. He is the complete package at the tight end position and can block as well as many offensive linemen.
7. San Diego Chargers- Malik Hooker, Safety, Ohio State
The Chargers already have quite a stout defense. However, they could change their scheme slightly with Gus Bradley taking over as defensive coordinator. Hooker would give him a big strong safety to play the role of Kam Chancellor for the Chargers.
8. Carolina Panthers-Leonard Fournette, Running Back, LSU
What could be scarier than a 6’5 245lb quarterback running the read option? The same quarterback running the read option with a 240lb running back next to him. This one is easy for the Panthers as they add another dimension to their offense.
9. Cincinnati Bengals- Jonathan Allen, Defensive End/Defensive Tackle, Alabama
Bengals add another great piece to their defensive line, getting another big body who can line up anywhere on the line and form a great duo with defensive tackle Geno Atkins.
10. Buffalo Bills- Corey Davis, Wide Receiver, Western Michigan
The only true weapon the Bills have at receiver is the often-injured Sammy Watkins. They could use someone who can be a great number two receiver and possibly start during Watkins’ absence. The Bills grab the receiver with the most yards in Division I history.
11. New Orleans Saints-Derek Barnett, Defensive End, Tennessee
The Saints need help at every defensive position, and will take the highest rated defender on their draft board. But for now, let’s give them Barnett as a good pass rush can fix a lot of things on defense in a hurry.
12. Cleveland Browns- Marshon Lattimore, Cornerback, Ohio State
With their second pick in the round the Browns grab Lattimore. Lattimore has a great skillset and can come in and start opposite of Joe Haden immediately.
13. Arizona Cardinals- Reuben Foster, Linebacker, Alabama
The Cardinals add a great centerpiece for their defense. Karlos Dansby is well past his prime, and Foster has the skillset to be a starter in the league for a long time.
14. Philadelphia Eagles-Marlon Humphrey, Cornerback, Alabama
The Eagles lack a true number one corner, and grab Humphrey here to step in and be that guy immediately. Humphrey is the first of three Alabama players about to come off the board in a row.
15. Indianapolis Colts- Haason Reddick, Defensive End/Linebacker, Temple
Reddick is one of the most interesting players projected to go in the first round. He’d fill a huge hole for the Colts and immediately become their best pass rusher.
16. Baltimore Ravens- Cam Robinson, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
The Ravens lost right tackle Ricky Wagner to free agency, and in this case, they grab the top tackle prospect in the draft to step in and take his spot.
17. Washington Redskins- Dalvin Cook, Running Back, Florida State
The Redskins are another team that could go a number of different directions as they have holes to fill on both sides of the ball. In this case, they select best available player, and make life easier for quarterback Kirk Cousins.
18. Tennessee Titans- Gareon Conley, Cornerback, Ohio State
The Titans are quickly becoming the team to beat in the AFC South. They fill the biggest weakness on their team here with Conley.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Ryan Ramczyk, Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin
If Dalvin Cook makes it to this pick quarterback Jameis Winston will personally run the draft card up to the stage to select his former FSU teammate. But, since he is not available the Bucs grab Ramczyk to protect their prized young quarterback Winston.
20. Denver Broncos- Taco Charlton, Defensive Tackle, Michigan
Denver’s biggest need is on the offensive line. IN this case though they fill another need as they get a huge steal at pick 20 with Taco Charlton. Charlton could be a top ten pick come draft night but in this case, he slips to 20.
21. Detroit Lions- Takkarist McKinley, Defensive End, UCLA
The Lions are building a solid defense in the NFC North. However, like most teams they could use another good pass rusher. They get a really good prospect here with Takkarist McKinley.
22. Miami Dolphins- Forrest Lamp, Guard, Western Kentucky
The Dolphins rode running back Jay Ajayi to the playoffs in 2016, and if they want to return they’ll need to do it again. Lamp is a big athletic guard that would come in and start immediately on most teams.
23. New York Giants- David Njoku, Tight End, Miami
Say whatever you want about rookie sensations Ezekiel Elliot, and Dak Prescott over in Dallas. The Giants are the team to beat in the NFC East as they boast a top 5 defense and have added another top wide receiver in Brandon Marshall. Now they add Njoku, an athletic freak at tight end to give Eli Manning yet another weapon on offense. Watch out for the Giants in 2017.
24. Oakland Raiders- Christian Mccaffrey, Running Back, Stanford
Mccaffrey stays in California, well for another couple years anyway. He adds speed to the running back position for the Raiders, and can be a playmaker on special teams as well, something the raiders could use if they want to compete for a super bowl.
25. Houston Texans- Deshaun Watson, Quarterback, Clemson
The Texans don’t have a pick in the second round so the Texans can’t afford to miss on this pick. There is no way the Texans go into the new year with only Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden as the only quarterbacks on the roster. Watson is regarded as the quarterback with the best skillset to come in and start immediately. He’ll have to do just that if Houston drafts him.
26. Seattle Seahawks- Malik McDowell, Defensive Tackle, Michigan State
The Seahawks are salivating if McDowell falls all the way to them at pick 26. The Seahawks can use help on both the offensive and defensive lines, so McDowell make perfect sense here.
27. Kansas City Chiefs- Tre’davious White, Cornerback, LSU
The Chiefs grab a corner to pair with Marcus Peters. The Chiefs defense is already good and another good corner can take them to the next level.
28. Dallas Cowboys- Jabrill Peppers, Linebacker/Safety, LSU
Peppers is one of the best athletes and intriguing prospects in this draft class. He can play linebacker or safety on defense, and he can also return kicks. I have him slipping a bit in the draft because there have been reports that teams like him more as a safety, but he does not have a lot of experience there as he primarily played linebacker at Michigan. The Cowboys need help at several positions on defense and grab Peppers here and will likely play him at strong safety, to fill the hole Barry Church left.
29. Green Bay Packers- Adoree Jackson, Cornerback, USC
With the NFL being such a high passing league now cornerback has become a premium position. The Packers are another team that can use help at corner and grab the best one available. Jackson is a bit undersized at only 5’9” but he makes up for his size with athleticism.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers- John Ross, Wide Receiver, Washington
Le’veon Bell, Antonio Brown, John Ross, maybe Martavis Bryant…Yeah, I think it’s safe to say Big Ben Roethlisberger will be back.
31. Atlanta Falcons- Garett Bolles, Offensive Tackle, Utah
The Falcons don’t have any glaring holes on their roster it seems. Their number one priority should be protecting league MVP Matt Ryan so they grab the best offensive lineman available here.
32. New Orleans Saints- Cordrea Tankersley, Cornerback, Clemson
Once again, the Saints need help all over the defense. They already added a pass rusher in Derek Barnett, so they’ll look to add to their secondary here. Especially if they don’t pull the trigger on a trade for Malcom Butler.