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NFL Mock Draft 2017: Predictions for Most Coveted Prospects
- Updated: December 30, 2016
The fate of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft will be decided by the end of the weekend.
The Cleveland Browns are currently in pole position for the top selection, but they could cede that spot to the San Francisco 49ers with a win in Week 17. It would be fitting for the Browns to start a year 0-14 and somehow manage to not get the No. 1 pick, which otherwise at least would make all of that losing more tolerable.
Whatever the order between the two, the Niners and Browns are poised to have a number of options at their disposal come April.
Below is a mock draft for the first round, followed by a breakdown of four of the best players available.
Mock Draft
Forecasting Top 4 Picks 1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
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Since they’re in line to potentially have two top-10 picks, the Browns would be better off going anywhere but quarterback with the No. 1 overall selection. Although Cleveland obviously needs to address the QB position, nobody from this year’s class warrants that kind of investment.
As a result, Myles Garrett is the route the Browns should go. Garrett is the best pass-rusher in the 2017 draft, and between him, Emmanuel Ogbah and Danny Shelton, Cleveland would have the framework for a great, young front seven.
In October, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Garrett to former defensive end Jevon Kearse:
Garrett has freaky athleticism, explosiveness and footwork. The guy is a freak, which leads us to a comparable NFL talent in Jevon “The Freak” Kearse. Kearse measured in at the NFL Scouting Combine at 6-4, 262, which happens to be very close to the listed measurements for Garrett. Garrett’s strength, initial explosion up the field lateral agility is very similar to Kearse’s. Kearse had longer arms and Garrett appears to be a more skilled pass rusher than Kearse was at this same juncture of their college careers, but their playing style and high-end ability make this my preferred comp.
It’s easy to forget how good Kearse was early in his NFL career. He made three straight Pro Bowls and registered 36 sacks from …
