2017 NFL Mock Draft 5.0

Beginning April 27th in Philadelphia, the lives of many young athletes will change. New cities. New teammates. New coaches. The draft gives NFL franchises the chance to rebuild. The chance to ignite their rosters with talented studs as well as developmental projects.

Below is my first ever published mock draft. I dont claim to be the next Kiper Jr. or McShay, however I assure you my reasoning for these picks is well thought-out. Id like to thank draftbreakdown.com for providing me with the chopped game tape for many of these college players.

1. CLEVELAND BROWNS - DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

Garrett is the best player in this draft, no questions asked. He is capable of turning this defense around. The Browns can wait on a quarterback.

2. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS - S Jamal Adams, LSU

My favorite player in the draft. Fast (4.33 at pro day), strong and instinctive. A natural leader who can completely spark a team. Adams can be a stud from day one in San Francisco. If theres one thing new GM John Lynch knows it is defense. Adams is a perfect fit for their new 4-3 Over defense.

3. CHICAGO BEARS - DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford

The Bears continue to build their defense from the front back. Thomas is explosive, strong, and gives it his all on every play. Paired with OLB Leonard Floyd, Thomas can give the Bears a fierce pass rush.

4. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS - RB Leonard Fournette, LSU

A rare combination of power and speed. Fournette will give the Jaguars offense a new dimension and will help ease the pressure on Bortles.

5. CLEVELAND BROWNS (via Ten.) - QB Mitchell Trubisky, UNC

Cleveland moves up here and gets their quarterback. Trubisky put together the best tape out of all of the quarterback prospects. Hes smart, accurate and has a great arm. Lets see if Cleveland has finally found their franchise quarterback.

6. NEW YORK JETS - TE O.J. Howard, Alabama

O.J. Howard is a freak athlete and can do all things at a high level: block, run routes, catch, etc. Quarterback can wait. The Jets need to start infusing their roster with young talent. Howard is a great start.

7. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS - FS Malik Hooker, Ohio St.

Hooker has drawn numerous comparisons to Ed Reed. His instincts, ball skills and range are elite. If the Chargers nab Hooker, watch out. That defense is solid already with guys like Bosa, Verrett, Hayward and Ingram.

8. CAROLINA PANTHERS - RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford

McCaffrey is an incredible athlete. An elusive runner who can run clean routes like he belongs in the slot, he will bring another dimension to Carolinas offense. Cam needs more weapons, and this certainly helps.

9. CINCINNATI BENGALS - DT/DE Jonathan Allen, Alabama

Allen has fallen into the Bengals lap here. A strong, quick-twitch defender with clean technique, Allen can be a force from the get-go.

10. BUFFALO BILLS - CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio St.

Ultra-athletic and considered by most as the top cornerback in draft. Lattimore has the make-up of a true no. 1 corner in the NFL, which is something Buffalo desperately needs.

11. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS - LB Haason Reddick, Temple

The Saints need a playmaker on defense and that is exactly what Reddick will give them. Highly athletic and can fly around the field. He also can provide some pass rush in sub-packages.

12. TENNESSEE TITANS (via Cle.) - WR Mike Williams, Clemson

Williams is a big-bodied target with incredible ball skills and the ability to beat corners with pure physicality. He doesnt have great speed and needs to clean up his routes, though he will give Mariota a much needed weapon in the passing game.

13. ARIZONA CARDINALS - LB Reuben Foster, Alabama

Foster is a ferocious hitter with elite athleticism. He can step in and give this New Orleans defense a new mentality.

14. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES - RB Dalvin Cook, Florida St.

Cook does have fumbling problems and off-the-field baggage, though he is an elite talent. Cook would immediately step in as the guy. He possesses elite balance and agility. His 40 time was not great, though his play-speed is much better.

15. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS - DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee

Not overly athletic however he is a force off the edge with relentless effort and solid technique. Reminds me of Terrell Suggs. Barnett dominated the SEC and would give the Colts one of the best pass rushers in this class. He can play standing up or with his hand in the ground in sub-packages.

16. BALTIMORE RAVENS - WR Corey Davis, Central Michigan

With the departure of Kamar Aiken and retirement of Steve Smith Sr., the Ravens need weapons. Davis has great size, polished route running and elite ball skills. Many consider him the top receiver in this class.

17. WASHINGTON REDSKINS - DE Charles Harris, Missouri

Harris is a name that has gained significant attention as we near the draft. He has an explosive first step and the ability to get around the edge. He put up impressive sack numbers at the collegiate level. He would be a great fit in the Redskins offense opposite OLB Ryan Kerrigan.

18. TENNESSEE TITANS - CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama

Humphrey has good size for the position and his ultra athletic. Hes fast, has great feet and fluid hips. He does sometimes struggle when the ball is in the air as well as covering deep routes, though those are technical issues that if solved can make him a Pro Bowl corner.

19. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS - DE Takkarist McKinley, UCLA

The Buccaneers get an athletic pass rusher on the edge. He is a bit raw but the potential is certainly there. His motor is relentless and with some coaching on technique, he can be a real problem for offensive tackles.

20. DENVER BRONCOS - OT, Garrett Bolles, Utah

Scouts have said there hasnt been an offensive lineman this athletic in a long time. Bolles is 25 years old, but he is a book-end left tackle with the right coaching. His aggressive, mauler mentality is exactly what new HC Vance Joseph is looking for.

21. DETROIT LIONS - LB Jarrad Davis, Florida

Davis has everything you want in a football player from athleticism to character. Detroit needs a difference-maker at that position, and gets one in Davis.

22. MIAMI DOLPHINS - DL Taco Charlton, Michigan

Charlton possesses a rare combination of size and athleticism. His pass-rushing ability is elite and even leaves you wanting more. With the right coaching, Charlton can reach his all-pro ceiling.

23.NEW YORK GIANTS - OT Cam Robinson, Alabama

GM Jerry Reese is known to love size and athleticism. While Robinson may have some technical flaws, his strength, quickness and length fit the bill for a starting left tackle. Many see him on the right, which he certainly can play, but I would not be surprised if he is molded into the left tackle position.

24. OAKLAND RAIDERS - LB Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt

Cunningham is a pure three-down linebacker who can flat out fly. He is quick and plays downhill. He also has great instincts. The Raiders have been looking for a guy like that.

25. HOUSTON TEXANS - QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson

Great arm talent and a dual-threat. Watson is a winner. He has the it factor you want to lead your team and take over your locker room. He may need some development, though the intangibles are there. HC Bill OBrien would love a guy like this so the Texans pull the trigger.

26. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS - OL Forrest Lamp, W. Kentucky

Ramczyk is the most technically sound offensive tackle in this draft. He has good size/length and has the ability to become a dependable left tackle at the next level if his medicals check out. The Seahawks desperately need help here.

27. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS - DL Malik McDowell, Michigan St.

McDowell is one of the most intriguing prospects in this class. Character issues aside, McDowell deserves to be drafted in the top 5. He is a monster against the run and can blow past tackles to get after the quarterback. Some scouts believe he is the most gifted player in this draft. At 66 and 295 lbs., he moves similar to (if not better) than Myles Garrett. Veteran HC Andy Reid is no stranger to character problems (ehem... Tyreek Hill) and lighting fires under players.

28. DALLAS COWBOYS - CB Adoree Jackson, USC

Jackson is a Swiss Army knife. Once a receiver, Jackson can return punts and kickoffs as well. He has elite speed, quickness and footwork at the cornerback position. He may be a bit undersized, but the talent and competitiveness is there.

29. GREEN BAY PACKERS - OLB T.J. Watt, Wisconsin

Watt wont wow you with athleticism, but his motor is non-stop. His effort is unquestioned. Hes stout against the run and has the ability to rush the passer thanks to his solid technique and hand work. The Packers would love a homegrown guy of the Watt bloodlines.

30. PITTSBURGH STEELERS - TE David Njoku, Miami

Njoku is a physical freak. He has the ability to create big match-up problems for opposing defenses at the next level with his speed and size. Roethlisberger could use a guy like that. The TE position in Pittsburgh has been brutal.

31. ATLANTA FALCONS - OL Forrest Lamp, W. Kentucky

A tackle in college, Lamp will almost definitely move to his more natural position in the NFL at guard. The Falcons have some questions at guard (i.e. Chris Chester), and Lamp would put them to rest. He is fast and technically sound. Some view him as the best OL in this draft.

32. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS - S/LB Jabrill Peppers, Michigan

The Saints already got one playmaker in Reuben Foster, now lets give them Peppers. Many were and are still trying to find out where Peppers fits best on the field, but I think the Saints would love to have him as their strong safety. Hes explosive, strong, and has a true football mentality. He showed great hip fluidity at the combine as well. At pick no. 32, the Saints got a steal.