BILL WUNKLE’S 2017 NFL MOCK DRAFT: VERSION 1.0

Hello, Browns fans! This is Bill Wunkle coming to you once again from that undisclosed location known as “The Padded Cell”. We’ve got quite a bit to cover today, so we’re just going to cut straight to the chase with this year’s first edition of my 2017 NFL mock draft.

Myles Garrett – DE – Texas A&M

Our beloved brownies finished ranked 30th in overall offense and 31st in overall defense. Suffice to say that the Browns would be well advised to just take the best player available -regardless of position – throughout this draft. One of the “must have” items on any team’s defensive roster is a bona fide pass rusher. Garrett is, not only the best pass rusher in the draft, but he’s the best player in the draft – period. Opposing offenses will have to account for him on every play.

Jonathan Allen – DE/DT – Alabama

The only NFL team to have worse offensive and defensive rankings than your Cleveland Browns is . . . You guessed it, the San Francisco 49ers. And while this is a quarterback driven league; if there’s not one worthy of the selection, you need to take the BPA regardless of position. At this point in the season, I’m not convinced that there’s a quarterback in this draft worthy of a top ten – much less a top five- pick. As we get closer to the draft, that opinion may be subject to change. Allen is the most versatile D-lineman in the draft, possessing the ability to play the 3 technique or DE in a 4-3 or a DE in a 3-4.

Malik Hooker – FS – Ohio State

Much has been said about finding a replacement for veteran starting quarterback Jay Cutler, and Da’Bears may still do it. Until I’m convinced otherwise, I’ve got them taking the most complete defensive back in the draft. Hooker even has the ability to play cornerback. His nose for the football is uncanny.

Mike Williams – WR – Clemson

The Jags were ranked 23rd overall on offense and 6th in total defense, so you know which side of the football will get addressed early. While the maturity of starting quarterback Blake Bortles has been a rocky road, a match-up nightmare and big playmaker like Williams can go a long way towards paving the way. Offensive line help will have to come via free agency or sometime later in the draft.

Jamal Adams – SS – LSU

(from Rams) The Titans finished 2016 11th on offense and 20th on defense. Seems to me they’ll take a top notch cornerback with some size and ball skills.

Deshaun Watson – QB – Clemson

Ryan Fitzpatrick pretty much played himself off the 2017 roster; and it’s uncertain whether Geno Smith, Bryce Petty or Christian Hackenberg has the right stuff to play QB in the Big Apple. I’m not totally convinced that Watson does either, but he has shown the ability to shine when the spotlight is brightest on the collegiate level. It remains to be seen whether that ability will show up at the NFL level.

Teez Tabor – CB – Florida

Still feeling the loss of Eric Weddle to Baltimore, the Los Angeles Chargers (that sounds so strange). Unfortunately, two safeties  are already off the board. They do pick up the top corner in the draft, though.

Davin Cook – RB – Florida State

A healthy running game could be just one way to help out a defense that had its share of struggles in 2016.

Solomon Thomas – DE – Stanford

Well, I figured that one of the top D-linemen would slide a little. As it turns out, it was Thomas. There will be opportunities to address the offensive shortcomings later in the draft.

Derek Barnett – DE – Tennessee

Not sure if the Bills management team is sold on Tyrod Taylor at the quarterback position, but there are other positions that need attention in the meantime.

Reuben Foster – LB – Alabama

It’s pretty evident which side of the football needs the most attention.

Mitch Trubisky – QB – North Carolina

(from Eagles) Just because I said there wasn’t a QB worth taking in the top ten, that doesn’t mean the Browns shouldn’t take one at 12th overall if the selection is justified. Far from being a finished NFL ready quarterback; Trubisky has the size, athleticism, arm strength and leadership capabilities for the position. How soon it’ll take for him to adjust to the speed of the NFL game is anyone’s guess.

Cam Robinson – OT – Alabama

Keeping Carson Palmer upright has got to be a top priority.

Corey Davis – WR – Western Michigan

(from Vikings) Give Carson Wentz a big play receiver and his maturation process will quicken by leaps and bounds.

Jabrill Peppers – SS – TSUN

While Andrew Luck needs some serious help up front, the Colts defense is one of the worst in the league.

Marlon Humphrey – CB – Alabama

I’d like to address the Ravens offense first, but there are too many better defensive players still on the board.

Tim Williams – OLB – Alabama

With the 3rd ranked offense and the 28th ranked defense, it’s pretty easy to see where the Skins are going to focus on early in the draft.

Marshon Lattimore – CB – Ohio State

The Titans use their own pick to finish solidifying the secondary.

Sidney Jones – CB – Washington

Unless a playmaker on offense slides, I see the Bucs going defense early and often.

O.J. Howard – TE – Alabama

I want to give the Broncos an OT here, but if Ryan Ramczyk’s off-season surgery has too long a recovery time, then there’s no one worthy of the pick at the position.

Malik McDowell – DE- Michigan State

If he recovers well from his ankle injury, then this pick is almost a no-brainer.

Takkarist McKinley – OLB – UCLA

With a defense ranked 29th overall, the Dolphins need to do something here.

Garrett Bolles – OT – Utah

This is a reach pick, but the G-men have got to protect Eli Manning better than they did in 2016.

Taco Charlton – DE – TSUN

A more perfect name for Raider Nation you’ll be hard pressed to find.

John Ross – WR – Washington

They’ll be spending multiple picks on offense early.

Dan Freeney – OG – Indiana

The Seahawks make a slight reach in taking this interior O-linemen.

Charles Harris – DE – Missouri

The Chiefs have got to do something to bolster the defense.

Cordrea Takkersley – CB – Clemson

Everyone in “Big D” knows that the offense is good enough to win a Super Bowl, but the defense isn’t.

Leonard Fournette – RB – LSU

You cannot deny that the Packers running game needs help. What you may not believe is that Fournette lasts this long in round one.

Gareon Conley – CB – Ohio State

Another Buckeye that I’ve rooted for on Saturdays and I’ll end up rooting against on Sundays.

Carl Lawson – DE – Auburn

Throw another pass rusher into the mix.

Christian McCaffrey – RB/WR – Stanford

This is a classic Hoodie pick.

And the bonus pick  . . .

Ryan Ramczyk – OT/OG – Wisconsin

If his surgically repaired hip checks out, this could be the steal of the entire 2017 draft.

OTHER BROWNS PICKS . . .

52 Marcus Williams – FS – Utah (from Tennessee)

65 Jourdan Lewis – CB – TSUN

97 Conor McDermott – OT – UCLA

129 Kyle Fuller – C – Baylor

159 Corey Clement – RB – Wisconsin (from New England)

160 Jeremy Sprinkle – TE – Arkansas