NFL Mock Draft 2017: Updated 1st-Round Predictions After Week 17

The 2016 regular season has nearly concluded, so fans of the 20 teams not in the playoffs will begin shifting their focus to the 2017 NFL draft on April 27.

The Cleveland Browns nearly threw away the No. 1 overall pick after taking the Pittsburgh Steelers to overtime, but a 26-yard touchdown pass by Landry Jones ensured Cleveland will be selecting first this spring.

The full draft order for the first round will go through a few different iterations based on the playoff results, but many of the first 32 teams are known.

Below is a mock for the first round of the draft, followed by two questions that will linger throughout draft season.

2017 Mock Draft

Draft-Season Storylines How Do the Browns Mess This Up?

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Every NFL draft, the Browns become a Rube Goldberg machine of bad decision-making. It’s impressive how the franchise’s draft futility has continued through various owners, general managers and head coaches.

With two first-round picks, Cleveland should be positioned to come out of the 2017 draft with at least one future Pro Bowler. Of course, two first-round picks also gives the Browns double the chance to screw it up.

In 2012, they came out of the first round with Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden, and two years later, they grabbed Johnny Manziel and Justin Gilbert with their two first-rounders. Cleveland showed some progress, though, when it selected Danny Shelton in 2015 and followed up with Cameron Erving.

With two top-12 picks, the Browns can focus a little less on need and instead target the best player available with the No. 1 selection. Quarterback is obviously a priority for Cleveland in 2017, …

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