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Cherry

Cherry's Way Too Early 2017 Top 20 Mock

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NOTE: All picks are made as if I'm the GM and taking the best option available to build my team and help my team win games and progress further. The picks are made valuing my personal grade on their talent, what teams may be looking for in terms of positional ability, and various concerns that may lower their stock.

 

 

1. :Browns:DeShone Kizer QB Notre Dame

The most talented QB prospect since Andrew Luck in my opinion. Hue Jackson has already shown he's regretting his selection of Kessler, and has no faith in him going forward. The Browns could go for talent here in a guy like Myles Garrett, but it's very rare you see a talent like Kizer come in at the QB position. He's the pick, or the Browns trade back for a war-chest.

 

2. :49ers:Mitch Trubisky QB North Carolina

As much as I'd like to give the 49ers someone else, I don't see the 49ers trying to get Myles Garrett here. The Browns were in a somewhat awkward situation with a QB being so high on the board, but the 49ers have an option. Great pass-rusher, or potential pro bowl caliber QB in Trubisky. I think the new staff will want to get a franchise quarterback to build around in San Fran, so Trubisky is the pick. (Also, Lynch and Brooks are holding the 3-4 OLB spots.)

 

3. :Bears:Brad Kaaya QB Miami

Kaaya at #3? You heard it. Matt Barkley is currently the top quarterback in Chicago headed into 2017, and that's a gigantic problem. The Bears could shore up the problem in free agency by getting a guy like Tyrod Taylor, but I think it's more likely they try to find a QB in the draft. They could grab a big arm threat deeper in the draft, but with Falk and Rudolph returning to school, Kaaya seems like the best big-arm QB to chase too early. Behind a solid O-line with a few decent weapons? Kaaya could be pretty solid.

 

4. :jags:Myles Garrett 4-3 DE Texas A&M

The Jaguars once again go best player available in the draft. They grabbed Myles Jack and Jalen Ramsey last year to build that defense up, and I think they continue to build it this year by taking a guy who many consider to be the best prospect in the nation in Myles Garrett. He slides in great across from Dante Fowler. The Jags can take another year of loading up on talent before deciding where to go with the Bortles situation.

 

5. :Titans:Sidney Jones CB Washington

I had a Titans fan tell me that they just wanted to see the Titans get some help in the secondary, regardless of the position. This was an incredibly tough decision on whether to go safety or cornerback, but I decided to go cornerback. Sidney Jones is my top prospect at the moment, and the Titans seem to at least have two low-tier starters in Searcy and Rashad Johnson at safety. Titans get a future all-pro lockdown corner.

 

6. :Jets:Leonard Fournette RB LSU

On defense I considered chasing after a safety, but Marcus Gilchrist and Calvin Pryor are solid enough. Tabor was certainly an option too, but in the end I settled down on Leonard Fournette. He's one of the most dominant players in the country and has some ridiculous ability to fight through tackles and pick up yardage. He's exciting, and would no doubt become a fan favorite in NY. Matt Forte still has some miles on him, but the days are numbered. Grab Fournette as the back of the future.

 

7. :Chargers:Jabrill Peppers S Michigan

This was tough to decide, because while I like Jamal Adams and Malik Hooker, I think they are both way more effective at free safety, whereas Peppers is better at strong safety. I have Peppers going here to replace Jahleel Addae. He's a ridiculous athlete who has solid tackling ability and can come down in the box and accelerate to the ball. His coverage skills aren't as refined as Hooker or Adams but he's could end up playing that Bucannon role for a defense.

 

8. :panthers:Dan Feeney OG Indiana

I thought about adding to the defensive side of the ball or giving Cam a new toy to work with, but that Panthers offensive line is absolutely atrocious. Feeney is an absolute beast who can maul people in the run game and anchor your line in the pass game. Put him up against any D-lineman in the NFL right now and I think Feeney would be able to hold his own.

 

9. :Bengals:Malik Hooker S Ohio State

Reggie Nelson leaving left a gigantic hole in the Bengals defense that was impossible to fill. His ability to cover half the field and use his range to constantly be a factor in the passing game was huge. That's why I'd have Hooker going to the Bengals if he does declare. He's the reincarnation of Ed Reed. Solid tackler, but what really makes him stand apart from other players is his coverage ability. He can recover whenever he gets burnt with ease, and has the range to leave his assignment once the ball is in the air and go make a play somewhere else. He's special.

 

10. :Bills:Jamal Adams S LSU

He's the perfect blend of what Hooker does well and what Peppers does well. Adams is a solid tackler with the range to play free safety at the next level and do very well in coverage. He's not going to wow you with any particular areas of his game, but he's a smart and well-rounded prospect that I think teams are going to really get interested in once draft time starts to get closer.

 

11. :Saints:Tim Williams 3-4 OLB Alabama

The Saints don't need much help on offense, so I decided to look for an immediate impact player that can help the secondary as a whole do better in New Orleans. That answer came in the form of pass-rushing specialist Tim Williams. Williams has great burst around the edge and plays very physical. He's able to utilize a variety of moves to get through hand-fighting and find his way to the quarterback. The Saints don't have too many true pass-rushing talents, so the addition of Williams is huge.

 

12. :Browns:Jalen Tabor CB Florida

The Browns really can do whatever they want right here. I considered getting Kizer a weapon with John Ross or Corey Davis, but they already have Coleman and Pryor. With Feeney off the board already, I had the Browns go BPA and take a great cornerback in Jalen Tabor. He's versatile enough to play both man and zone, and would take a lot of the pressure in that secondary off of Joe Haden.

 

13. :Cardinals:OJ Howard TE Alabama

Is Jermaine Gresham terrible? Not really. The issue with the Cardinals is that most of their defense is already filled out, and with the addition of Robert Nkemdiche last year, it's too early to take a guy like Allen or McDowell here to pair across from Campbell. I considered adding Ross or Davis, but Fitzgerald is still doing well enough, so I added a guy who could be the next Gronk in OJ Howard. Howard is an absolute animal as both a blocker and receiver. He's near impossible to take down in space.

 

14. :Eagles:John Ross WR Washington

It was only a matter of time before the super talented John Ross came off the board. I considered Mike Williams here, but the Eagles already have a project big target in DGB, so I figured I'd give them a speedster to put on the outside and let Wentz bomb it to him. Ross isn't the most polished out there, but he has great hands and legitimate high 4.2 speed. Worried teams will crack down on Wentz and bring the DBs closer down to the LOS? Ross will open that up.

 

15. :Colts:Jonathan Allen 3-4 DE Alabama

Jonathan Allen fell due to a multitude of reasons. First off, he's not one of the higher players on my board right now. I do think he is talented, but this is an absolutely loaded class and I don't buy into the idea that he's in that elite top tier right now. That said, he's a very versatile inside guy who can be used as both a 3-4 DE or a 4-3 DT. I like the fit of him as a 3-4 DE on the Colts defense. It's about time the Colts get someone solid on defense with their first rounder.

 

16. :Ravens: Malik McDowell 3-4 DE Michigan State

Oh you thought Jonathan Allen to the Colts was a good pick-up. Meet Malik McDowell. McDowell isn't as versatile as Allen is, but he's an absolute mauler in the run game and does a great job doing damage in both the pass and run game as a 3-4 DE. Remember all the people comparing DeForest Buckner to Calais Campbell coming into the draft last year? This is a better guy to compare to him.

 

17. :Redskins:Cam Robinson OG Alabama

I have Robinson as a guard, not a tackle. I don't think he has the footwork and sliding ability that you need in a tackle who can shuffle out and deal with faster pass-rushers. I do think he has the ability to become an absolute tank in the run game and maul people though. I would not be shocked to see him get taken by the Skins as a run blocker and take over for Lauvao.

 

18. :Titans:Mike Williams WR Clemson

Well, the premier safeties seem to be off the board, so the Titans have to find options elsewhere. Rather than double dip on corners, I decided to give them Mike Williams. Corey Davis is a more polished route-runner and arguably more dangerous coming out as a rookie, but Williams has an outrageous frame and is great at going up and using his catch radius to make a play on the ball. He can get 15-20 targets a game and devour teams with his physical nature and good hands.

 

19. :Bucs:Caleb Brantley 4-3 DT Florida

Brantley is currently the #6 player on my board, and I was shocked to see him fall so far, but there isn't as much of a demand for 4-3 DTs from what I saw looking through what the top 20 teams needed. Brantley has the versatility to play as both an incredibly explosive pass-rusher or as an anchor in the run game. He can drag down inside runners regardless of what you put against him in terms of blocking schemes. He's able to shoot through on double teams and blow plays up in the backfield. I think the Bucs would love to pair him up with Gerald McCoy and let the tandem terrorize the NFC South.

 

20. :Broncos:David Njoku TE Miami

This one was tough because there aren't that many players left on my board that scream to be picked over positional needs. The Broncos are pretty well-rounded, and their defense has almost no holes in it right now. On the offensive side of the ball you have the QB position tied up between Trevor & Paxton, and at RB you have a mess between CJ, Booker, and whoever else you wanna throw back there. WR is solid enough. No linemen really stood out to me. This left one guy sitting here that I have a second round grade on as a perfect fit. Virgil Green is most certainly not the future of the position. David Njoku is. Njoku is a ridiculously athletic receiving TE who has the size and physical ability to block in the run game, but can also be spread out all over the field and find his way into space. He has good hands, and is a pain to stop in the open field. He's not the phenom that Howard is in terms of toughness and technique, but he's every bit as good of a receiver. You could honestly send him out wide against cornerbacks and he would find a way to do damage.

 

 

 

 

I know it's pretty early to be doing one of these, but I figured since the first 20 picks have been locked down barring trades I might as well toss this out there and see what people think. Free agency is definitely gonna shuffle this deck around, but it's entertaining nonetheless to think about what teams like Cleveland are gonna do with their top 5 pick.

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The fact we have the 5th pick and finished at 9-7?? Exciting for sure. If we hit on both picks, we are a threat for sure next year.

 

I like both picks too. If we can't get Mike Williams, Dede Westbrook is the guy.

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The fact we have the 5th pick and finished at 9-7?? Exciting for sure. If we hit on both picks, we are a threat for sure next year.

 

I like both picks too. If we can't get Mike Williams, Dede Westbrook is the guy.

I considered both Corey Davis and Dede Westbrook there, but I decided to go with Williams solely due to the Titans needing a big #1 receiver coming into next year. I love almost anyone there at receiver though. Ross, Davis, Westbrook, or Williams. All very good.

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I don't know enough about prospects to comment on any of them, but I support the Eagles taking a WR in the 1st round. #HotTake

 

I have a feeling,though, that Dalvin Cook is gonna be an Eagle if he's on the board.

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I don't know enough about prospects to comment on any of them, but I support the Eagles taking a WR in the 1st round. #HotTake

 

I have a feeling,though, that Dalvin Cook is gonna be an Eagle if he's on the board.

 

Ross is pretty electric and could be a legitimate #1 receiver. Like I said, he's a bit raw at times with his route-running but he has good footwork with what he has been asked to do so far and is a danger to kill a team over the top every time. I really wanted to take Williams and give Wentz a big body guy, but Ross made more since just because of the DGB project. I have Ross as my #1 receiver and the #7 overall prospect on my board. He's my top receiver and that's essentially locked in barring some dramatic change.

 

Cook :no:

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I can't see the Browns using the #1 pick on a QB.

Myles Garrett is almost a lock for them. After that I think they build up the OL and Weapons for the future QB.

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I can't see the Browns using the #1 pick on a QB.

Myles Garrett is almost a lock for them. After that I think they build up the OL and Weapons for the future QB.

 

I have Kizer as my highest graded QB since Andrew Luck came out. He's a 7.8 on my scale, which is a perennial pro bowler and potential all-pro guy. Garrett is an 8.1 which is a perennial all-pro. The position value and rarity of Kizer's talent was why I had him going first overall. Also, I think Garrett fits so much nicer as a 4-3 DE than a 3-4 OLB.

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I am fine with the Peppers pick but I wonder if the Chargers would get better value if they went for a luxury pick there or O-Line. I have done zero research on o-line so far but my draft cluster for the Chargers right now would be:

 

Any top OL prospects

Jabril Peppers S

Malik Hooker S

Tim Williams OLB

Malik McDowell 3-4 DE

Mike Williams WR

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Ross is pretty electric and could be a legitimate #1 receiver. Like I said, he's a bit raw at times with his route-running but he has good footwork with what he has been asked to do so far and is a danger to kill a team over the top every time. I really wanted to take Williams and give Wentz a big body guy, but Ross made more since just because of the DGB project. I have Ross as my #1 receiver and the #7 overall prospect on my board. He's my top receiver and that's essentially locked in barring some dramatic change.

 

Cook :no:

 

Don't get excited about DGB. The Eagles absolutely will not refrain from acquiring a big-body receiver because of DGB's potential.

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Don't get excited about DGB. The Eagles absolutely will not refrain from acquiring a big-body receiver because of DGB's potential.

 

I'd still probably go Ross anyways just based on my grade, but it would really be about what you prefer in a guy. :shrug:

 

I got Ross as a 7.8 and Williams as a 6.6

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I am fine with the Peppers pick but I wonder if the Chargers would get better value if they went for a luxury pick there or O-Line. I have done zero research on o-line so far but my draft cluster for the Chargers right now would be:

 

Any top OL prospects

Jabril Peppers S

Malik Hooker S

Tim Williams OLB

Malik McDowell 3-4 DE

Mike Williams WR

 

McGlinchey is up there but he's far from a lock to enter the draft. I like Dan Feeney a lot around that area more than anyone else.

 

Hooker is solid but you'd need to move Lowery over to SS. Tim Williams is solid but pass rush isn't as big of a need just from what I saw on depth chart. Mike Williams isn't bad but IMO he's not worth being taken THAT early. He's the #31 prospect on my board.

 

McDowell is solid but it'd be weird trying to slot him in across from Bosa, although the talent is definitely there.

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McGlinchey is up there but he's far from a lock to enter the draft. I like Dan Feeney a lot around that area more than anyone else.

 

Hooker is solid but you'd need to move Lowery over to SS. Tim Williams is solid but pass rush isn't as big of a need just from what I saw on depth chart. Mike Williams isn't bad but IMO he's not worth being taken THAT early. He's the #31 prospect on my board.

 

McDowell is solid but it'd be weird trying to slot him in across from Bosa, although the talent is definitely there.

As far as I know we have mainly used Bosa as a 3-4 LOLB/4-3 DE. McDowell would form an interior line with Luiget and Mebane. Definite luxury pick but I like him. Honestly, I am not sure why we don't move to a 4-3 though with our current personnel. Depends on the coaching changes.

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