The official The Sports Column 7 Round 2017 NFL Mock Draft with first round explanations and player comparisons.
ROUND 1
Courtesy: CBS Sports
1. Cleveland Browns: Mitchell Trubisky (QB UNC)
The Browns cannot afford to pass up on another possible franchise QB that likely will not be available when they pick again at 12.
Player Comparison: Andy Dalton (QB Cincinnati Bengals)
2. San Francisco 49ers: Myles Garrett (DE Texas A&M)
Adding another massive defensive lineman gives the 49ers the most talented and dynamic young core in the NFL.
Player Comparison: Jadaveon Clowney (DE Houston Texans)
3. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Allen (DT Alabama)
The Bears continue to develop a young front seven, with arguably the most complete player in the draft.
Player Comparison: Malik Jackson (DL Jacksonville Jaguars)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette (RB LSU)
Watching the Ezekiel Elliott effect in Dallas, the Jaguars add the best RB prospect in a decade to alleviate pressure off of Blake Bortles.
Player Comparison: Adrian Peterson (RB New Orleans Saints)
5. Tennessee Titans: Marshon Lattimore (CB Ohio State)
Adding the top rated CB in the draft to fill the team’s biggest need is an added bonus to trading down in 2016.
Player Comparison: Marcus Peters (CB Kansas City Chiefs)
6. New York Jets: DeShaun Watson (QB Clemson)
Watson is a proven winner and has all the tools to become a franchise player if given the time to develop.
Player Comparison: Donovan McNabb (QB Retired)
7. Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Hooker (S Ohio State)
A natural ball-hawk and playmaker on the back end will free up the Chargers underrated front seven to get after the QB.
Player Comparison: Ed Reed (S Retired)
8. Carolina Panthers: Solomon Thomas (DE Stanford)
Thomas may have the most upside of any pass rusher and will have the luxury to learn under future HOFer, Julius Peppers.
Player Comparison: Olivier Vernon (DE New York Giants)
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Jamaal Adams (S LSU)
Adams was a true leader on a very talented LSU defense, while having the versatility to make plays at any spot on the field.
Player Comparison: Troy Polamalu (S Retired)
10. Buffalo Bills: Mike Williams (WR Clemson)
The Bills need a big-bodied WR to compliment Sammy Watkins on the outside and move the chains on third down.
Player Comparison: Alshon Jeffrey (WR Philadelphia Eagles)
11. New Orleans Saints: Derek Barnett (DE Tennessee)
Though his measureables will not wow teams, his technique, work ethic and college production are enough to consider him among the top edge players in the draft.
Player Comparison: Jared Allen (DE Retired)
12. Cleveland Browns: O.J. Howard (TE Alabama)
Howard’s size and speed are more than ideal for the TE position, but his great hands and blocking ability make him the best TE prospect since Rob Gronkowski.
Player Comparison: Greg Olsen (TE Carolina Panthers)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Corey Davis (WR Western Michigan)
The Cardinals add a compliment to HOFer Larry Fitzgerald, while also grooming Davis to take over as the top receiving threat on their explosive offense.
Player Comparison: Amari Cooper (WR Oakland Raiders)
14. Philadelphia Eagles: Christian McCaffrey (RB Stanford)
The Eagles are building around Carson Wentz and add the best playmaker in college over the last couple years, maybe ever.
Player Comparison: Brian Westbrook (RB Retired)
15. Indianapolis Colts: Charles Harris (DE Missouri)
Harris provides the Colts with a young and talented edge rusher the Colts have missed since Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney were in their prime.
Player Comparison: Robert Mathis (OLB Retired)
16. Baltimore Ravens: Haason Reddick (OLB Temple)
The Ravens pass rush was underwhelming the past couple seasons besides Terrell Suggs, who is on his last legs, so they draft Reddick to be his running mate and eventual replacement.
Player Comparison: Terrell Suggs (OLB Baltimore Ravens)
17. Washington Redskins: Reuben Foster (ILB Alabama)
Off field concerns cause Foster’s stock to drop in the draft but the Redskins cannot pass up the talented ILB to fill one of their biggest needs.
Player Comparison: Donta Hightower (LB New England Patriots)
18. Tennessee Titans: John Ross (WR Washington)
With their dynamic running game, the Titans add an explosive WR on the outside to take the top off the defense.
Player Comparison: DeSean Jackson (WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
19.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: David Njoku (TE Miami)
As they continue to build their offense around Jameis Winston, they add an athletic freak at TE to control the seam.
Player Comparison: Vernon Davis (TE Washington Redskins)
20. Denver Broncos: Garrett Bolles (OT Utah)
Though Bolles is not as hyped as other OTs in the first round, he is the best pure blind side protector of the bunch.
Player Comparison: Taylor Decker (OT Detroit Lions)
21. Detroit Lions: Dalvin Cook (RB Florida State)
Cook will provide the Lions with an every down back to alleviate pressure off Matt Stafford and the passing game.
Player Comparison: Ezekiell Elliott (RB Dallas Cowboys)
22. Miami Dolphins: Gareon Conley (CB Ohio State)
Though the Dolphins did get production from Byron Maxwell last year, they need a true No. 1 CB to lock down some of the better WRs in the AFC East.
Player Comparison: Darrelle Revis (CB Free Agent)
23. New York Giants: Cam Robinson (OT Alabama)
Erek Flowers has struggled on the blind side and by adding a top talent like Robinson, they can move him to a more natural RT spot, improving two positions with one pick.
Player Comparison: Trent Williams (OT Washington Redskins)
24. Oakland Raiders: T.J. Watt (LB Wisconsin)
The Raiders need help on defense, especially in their thin LB core and the addition of Watt provides an underrated athlete that can play multiple positions in their hybrid scheme.
Player Comparison: Thomas Davis (LB Carolina Panthers)
25. Houston Texans: Patrick Mahomes II (QB Texas Tech)
Mahomes is a gunslinger with a strong arm that will open up their offense on the outside and get the ball down the field.
Player Comparison: Matt Stafford (QB Detroit Lions)
26. Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Ramcyzk (OT Wisconsin)
The Seahawks need help across their entire offensive line and Ramcyzk is the type of mauling blocker that will help in the running game.
Player Comparison: Andre Smith (OT Cincinnati Bengals)
27. Kansas City Chiefs: Zach Cunningham (LB Vanderbilt)
Derrick Johnson’s injury late last season had a major effect on their defense, so adding Cunningham adds depth and an eventual replacement for their Pro Bowl ILB.
Player Comparison: Kiko Alonso (LB Miami Dolphins)
28. Dallas Cowboys: Marlon Humphrey (CB Alabama)
After letting their top two CBs leave in free agency, the Cowboys add a top talent with arguably the most upside of anyone at the position in the draft.
Player Comparison: Aqib Talib (CB Denver Broncos)
29. Green Bay Packers: Tre’Davious White (CB LSU)
The struggles in the defensive backfield led to the Packers loss in the NFC Championship game, so they add the best cover CB in the draft.
Player Comparison: A.J. Bouye (CB Jacksonville Jaguars)
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jabrill Peppers (S/LB Michigan)
Peppers is a top flight athlete without a natural position, but the Steelers defense will be able to use his hybrid skill set to get the most out of him.
Player Comparison: Deone Buchanon (S/LB Arizona Cardinals)
31. Atlanta Falcons: Taco Charlton (DE Michigan)
The Falcons need to add more QB pressure outside of Vic Beasley and Charlton fits naturally into Dan Quinn’s 4-3 base defense.
Player Comparison: Trey Flowers (DE New England Patriots)
32. New Orleans Saints: Kevin King (CB Washington)
The Saints continue their defensive overhaul by adding a huge CB that can battle the large WRs in the NFC South.
Player Comparison: Dre Kirkpatrick (CB Cincinnati Bengals)
ROUND 2
Courtesy: Getty Images
33. Cleveland Browns: Obi Melinfonwu (DB UConn)
34.San Francisco 49ers: Zay Jones (WR East Carolina)
35. Jacksonville Jaguars: Forest Lamp (OL Western Kentucky)
36. Chicago Bears: DeShone Kizer (QB Notre Dame)
37. Los Angeles Rams: Evan Engram (TE Ole Miss)
38. Los Angeles Chargers: Curtis Samuel (WR Ohio State)
39. New York Jets: Takkarist McKinley (OLB UCLA)
40. Carolina Panthers: Alvin Kamara (RB Tennessee)
41. Cincinnati Bengals: Raekwon McMillian (LB Ohio State)
42. New Orleans Saints: Jarrad Davis (LB Florida)
43. Philadelphia Eagles: Chidobe Awuzie (CB Colorado)
44. Buffalo Bills: Budda Baker (S Washington)
45. Arizona Cardinals: Davis Webb (QB California)
46. Indianapolis Colts: Teez Tabor (CB Florida)
47. Baltimore Ravens: Pat Elfein (C Ohio State)
48. Minnesota Vikings: Taylor Moton (OT Western Michigan)
49. Washington Redskins: Malik McDowell (DT Michigan State)
50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Carl Lawson (DE Auburn)
51. Denver Broncos: Chris Wormley (DT Michigan)
52. Cleveland Browns: Joe Mixon (RB Oklahoma)
53. Detroit Lions: Duke Riley (LB LSU)
54. Miami Dolphins: Adam Shaheen (TE Ashland)
55. New York Giants: Gerald Everett (TE South Alabama)
56. Oakland Raiders: Adoree’ Jackson (CB USC)
57. Houston Texans: Antonio Garcia (OT Troy)
58. Seattle Seahawks: Sidney Jones (CB Washington)
59. Kansas City Chiefs: Dan Feeney (OG Indiana)
60. Dallas Cowboys: Jordan Willis (DE Kansas State)
61. Green Bay Packers: Tyus Bowser (OLB Houston)
62. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tim Williams (OLB Alabama)
63. Atlanta Falcons: Dorian Johnson (OG Pittsburgh)
64. Carolina Panthers: Roderick Johnson (OT Florida State)
ROUND 3
Courtesy: Sporting News
65. Cleveland Browns: DeMarcus Walker (DE Florida State)
66. San Francisco 49ers: Condrea Tankersly (CB Clemson)
67.Chicago Bears: Fabian Moreau (CB UCLA)
68. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tarrell Basham (DE Ohio)
69. Los Angeles Rams: JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR USC)
70. New York Jets: Kareem Hunt (RB Toledo)
71. Los Angeles Chargers: Dion Dawkins (OL Temple)
72. New England Patriots: Ryan Anderson (OLB Alabama)
73. Cincinnati Bengals: Ethan Pocic (OL LSU)
74. Baltimore Ravens: Jourdan Lewis (CB Michigan)
75. Buffalo Bills: Larry Ogunjobi (DT Charlotte)
76. New Orleans Saints: Isaac Asiata (OG Utah)
77. Arizona Cardinals: Ahkello Witherspoon (CB Colorado)
78. Baltimore Ravens: Chris Godwin (WR Penn State)
79. Minnesota Vikings: Desmond King (DB Iowa)
80. Indianapolis Colts: D’Onta Foreman (RB Texas)
81. Washington Redskins: Josh Jones (S NC State)
82. Denver Broncos: Jordan Leggett (TE Clemson)
83. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Sanders-Williams (S Utah)
84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ardarius Stewart (WR Alabama)
85. Detroit Lions: Quincy Wilson (CB Florida)
86. Minnesota Vikings: Marlon Mack (RB South Florida)
87. New York Giants: Alex Anzalone (LB Florida)
88. Oakland Raiders: James Conner (RB Pittsburgh)
89. Houston Texans: Marcus Maye (S Florida)
90. Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Orlosky (C West Virginia)
91. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Dobbs (QB Tennessee)
92. Dallas Cowboys: Cooper Kupp (WR Eastern Washington)
93. Green Bay Packers: Samaje Perine (RB Oklahoma)
94. Pittsburgh Steelers: Nathan Peterman (QB Pittsburgh)
95. Atlanta Falcons: Montravious Adams (DT Auburn)
96. New England Patriots: Eddie Jackson (S Alabama)
97. Miami Dolphins: Dalvin Tomlinson (DT Alabama)
98. Carolina Panthers: Jake Butt (TE Michigan)
99. Philadelphia Eagles: Tanoh Kpassagnon (DE Villanova)
100. Tennessee Titans: Derek Rivers (DE Youngstown State)
101. Denver Broncos: Nico Siragusa (OG San Diego State)
102. Seattle Seahawks: Nazair Jones (DT UNC)
103. New Orleans Saints: Carlos Henderson (WR Louisiana Tech)
104. Kansas City Chiefs: Amara Darboh (WR Michigan)
105. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cameron Sutton (CB Tennessee)
106. Seattle Seahawks: Daeshon Hall (DE Texas A&M)
107. New York Jets: Jalen Myrick (CB Minnesota)
ROUND 4
Courtesy: Zimbio
108. Cleveland Browns: Shaq Griffin (CB UCF)
109. San Francisco 49ers: Brad Kaaya (QB Miami)
110. Jacksonville Jaguars: Julie’n Davenport (OT Bucknell)
111. Chicago Bears: Chad Hansen (WR California)
112. Los Angeles Rams: Danny Isidora (OG Florida)
113. Los Angeles Chargers: Jaleel Johnson (DT Iowa)
114. Washington Redskins: Kyle Fuller (C Baylor)
115. Carolina Panthers: David Sharpe (OT Florida)
116. Cincinnati Bengals: Trey Hendrickson (DE Florida Atlantic)
117. Chicago Bears: Chad Wheeler (OT USC)
118. Philadelphia Eagles: Kendall Beckwith (LB LSU)
119. Arizona Cardinals: Zach Banner (OG USC)
120. Minnesota Vikings: Davon Godchaux (DT LSU)
121. Indianapolis Colts: George Kittle (TE Iowa)
122. Baltimore Ravens: Will Holden (OT Vanderbilt)
123. Washington Redskins: Rasul Douglas (CB West Virginia)
124. Tennessee Titans: Caleb Brantley (DT Florida)
125. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Erik Magnuson (OT Michigan)
126. Denver Broncos: Jamaal Williams (RB BYU)
127. Detroit Lions: Justin Evans (S Texas A&M)
128. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. Dielman (OT Utah)
129. Oakland Raiders: Ryan Glasgow (DT Michigan)
130. Houston Texans: Howard Wilson (CB Houston)
131. New England Patriots: Vincent Taylor (DT Oklahoma State)
132. Kansas City Chiefs: Elijah Qualls (DT Washington)
133. Dallas Cowboys: Bucky Hodges (TE Virginia Tech)
134. Green Bay Packers: Carlos Watkins (DT Clemson)
135. Pittsburgh Steelers: Deatrich Wise Jr. (DE Arkansas)
136. Atlanta Falcons: Delano Hall (S Michigan)
137. Indianapolis Colts: Eddie Vanderdoes (DT UCLA)
138. Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Malone (WR Tennessee)
139. Philadelphia Eagles: Dede Westbrook (WR Oklahoma)
140. New York Giants: Brian Hill (RB Wyoming)
141. Los Angeles Rams: John Johnson (S Boston College)
142. Houston Texans: Jordan Morgan (OG Kutztown)
143. San Francisco 49ers: Wayne Gallman (RB Clemson)
144. Indianapolis Colts: Vince Biegel (LB Wisconsin)
ROUND 5
Courtesy: Getty Images
145. Cleveland Browns: Taywan Taylor (WR Western Kentucky)
146. San Francisco 49ers: Sean Harlow (OG Oregon State)
147. Chicago Bears: Jermaine Eluemunor (OG Texas A&M)
148. Jacksonville Jaguars: Carroll Phillips (LB Illinois)
149. Los Angeles Rams: Jayon Brown (LB UCLA)
150. New York Jets: Connor McDermott (OT UCLA)
151. Los Angeles Chargers: Josh Reynolds (WR Texas A&M)
152. Carolina Panthers: Mack Hollins (WR UNC)
153. Cincinnati Bengals: Marquel Lee (LB Wake Forest)
154. Washington Redskins: Isaiah Ford (WR Virginia Tech)
155. Philadelphia Eagles: Damontae Kazee (CB San Diego State)
156. Buffalo Bills: Dawuane Smoot (DE Illinois)
157. Arizona Cardinals: Ben Gedeon (LB Michigan)
158. Indianapolis Colts: Adam Bisnowaty (OT Pittsburgh)
159. Baltimore Ravens: Malachi Dupre (WR LSU)
160. Minnesota Vikings: Jonnu Smith (TE Florida International)
161. San Francisco 49ers: Brian Allen (CB Utah)
162. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rayshawn Jenkins (S Miami)
163. Buffalo Bills: Erik Magnuson (OT Michigan)
164. Tennessee Titans: Corn Elder (CB Miami)
165. Detroit Lions: Shelton Gibson (WR West Virginia)
166. Miami Dolphins: Damien Mama (OG USC)
167. New York Giants: Xavier Woods (S Louisiana Tech)
168. Oakland Raiders: Hunter Dimik (DE Utah)
169. Houston Texans: Jeremy McNichols (RB Boise State)
170. Kansas City Chiefs: Jarron Jones (DT Notre Dame)
171. Buffalo Bills: Donnel Pumphrey (RB San Diego State)
172. Green Bay Packers: Tanzel Smart (DT Tulane)
173. Pittsburgh Steelers: Corey Clement (RB Wisconsin)
174. Atlanta Falcons: Jeremy Sprinkle (TE Arkansas)
175. Cleveland Browns: Sam Rogers (FB Virginia Tech)
176. Cincinnati Bengals: Brendan Langley (CB Lamar)
177. Denver Broncos: KD Cannon (WR Baylor)
178. Miami Dolphins: Jeremiah Ledbetter (DT Arkansas)
179. Arizona Cardinals: Jadar Johnson (S Clemson)
180. Kansas City Chiefs: Matthew Dayes (RB NC State)
181. Cleveland Browns: Jordan Evans (LB Oklahoma)
182. Green Bay Packers: Noah Brown (WR Ohio State)
183. New England Patriots: Jessamen Dunker (OG Tennessee State)
184. Miami Dolphins: Jeremy Cutrer (CB Middle Tennessee)
ROUND 6
Courtesy: Zimbio
185. Cleveland Browns: Dan Skipper (OT Arkansas)
186. Baltimore Ravens: Blair Brown (ILB Ohio)
187. Jacksonville Jaguars: Eric Saubert (TE Drake)
188. Cleveland Browns: Erik Austell (OG Charleston Southern)
189. Los Angeles Rams: Kenny Golladay (WR Northern Illinois)
190. Los Angeles Chargers: Dylan Cole (LB Missouri State)
191. New York Jets: Ryan Switzer (WR UNC)
192. Carolina Panthers: Isaiah McKenzie (WR Georgia)
193. Cincinnati Bengals: De’Angelo Henderson (RB Coastal Carolina)
194. Philadelphia Eagles: Sam Tevi (OT Utah)
195. Buffalo Bills: Chad Kelly (QB Ole Miss)
196. New Orleans Saints: Stevie Tu’ikolovatu (DT USC)
197. Arizona Cardinals: Charles Walker (DT Oklahoma)
198. San Francisco 49ers: Matt Milano (LB Boston College)
199. Minnesota Vikings: Cameron Tom (C Southern Mississippi)
200. New England Patriots: Marquez White (CB Florida State)
201. Washington Redskins: Joe Mathis (DE Washington)
202. San Francisco 49ers: Chad Williams (WR Grambling)
203. Denver Broncos: Channing Stribling (CB Michigan)
204. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Brandon Wilson (CB Houston)
205. Detroit Lions: Keionta Davis (DE Chattanooga)
206. Los Angeles Rams: Aarlon Penton (CB Missouri)
207. New York Giants: Samsun Ebukam (LB Eastern Washington)
208. Oakland Raiders: Ben Braden (OG Michigan)
209. Washington Redskins: Zane Gonzalez (K Arizona State)
210. Seattle Seahawks: Lorenzo Jerome (S St. Francis)
211. Dallas Cowboys: Tedric Thompson (S Colorado)
212. Green Bay Packers: Avery Gennesy (OL Texas A&M)
213. Pittsburgh Steelers: Artavis Scott (WR Clemson)
214. Tennessee Titans: Travis Rudolph (WR Florida State)
215. Detroit Lions: DeAngleo Brown (DT Louisville)
216. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Carraway (DE TCU)
217. Cincinnati Bengals: Jon Toth (C Kentucky)
218. Kansas City Chiefs: Nate Hairston (CB Temple)
ROUND 7
Courtesy: USAToday
219. San Francisco 49ers: Cole Hikutini (TE Louisville)
220. Washington Redskins: Joe Williams (RB Utah)
221. Chicago Bears: Grover Stewart (DT Albany State)
222. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tanner Vallejo (LB Boise State)
223. Miami Dolphins: Connor Harris (LB Lindenwood)
224. New York Jets: Elijah Lee (LB Kansas State)
225. Los Angeles Chargers: Cooper Rush (QB Central Michigan)
226. Seattle Seahawks: Ishmael Zamora (WR Baylor)
227. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Roberts (TE Toledo)
228. Dallas Cowboys: Jeremy Clark (CB Michigan)
229. New Orleans Saints: Pharaoh Brown (TE Oregon)
230. Philadelphia Eagles: Travin Dural (WR LSU)
231. Arizona Cardinals: Tarik Cohen (RB North Carolina A&T)
232. Minnesota Vikings: Stacy Coley (WR Miami)
233. Carolina Panthers: Brandon Bell (LB Penn State)
234. Los Angeles Rams: Garrett Sickels (DE Penn State)
235. Washington Redskins: C.J. Beathard (QB Iowa)
236. Tennessee Titans: Ben Boulware (LB Clemson)
237. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: T.J. Logan (RB UNC)
238. Denver Broncos: Devonte Fields (LB Louisville)
239. New England Patriots: Storm Norton (OT Toledo)
240. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jerod Evans (QB Virginia Tech)
241. New York Giants: Elijah McGuire (RB UL Lafayette)
242. Oakland Raiders: Andrew Elde (OT BYU)
243. Houston Texans: Dylan Bradley (DT Southern Mississippi)
244. Oakland Raiders: Josh Harvey-Clemons (S Louisville)
245. Kansas City Chiefs: Hardy Nickerson (LB Illinois)
246. Dallas Cowboys: Robert Davis (WR Georgia State)
247. Green Bay Packers: Blake Jarwin (TE Oklahoma State)
248. Pittsburgh Steelers: Aviante Collins (OG TCU)
249. Atlanta Falcons: Darius English (DE South Carolina)
250. Detroit Lions: Dallas Lloyd (S Stanford)
251. Cincinnati Bengals: Avery Moss (DE Youngstown State)
252. Denver Broncos: Ejuan Price (LB Pittsburgh)
253. Denver Broncos: Treyvon Hester (DT Toledo)
