This week, the NFL draft will take place at the Philadelphia Art Museum. Over four days, many young men’s dreams of playing on Sundays will come true. From Pee-Wee league all the way up through the NCAA’s elite programs, players from all walks of life have been targeting this day, and they will have their eyes glued to the screen as the draft commences.
Without further ado, here is TheAOSN’s projected list of the thirty-two players who will be drafted in the first round.
TheAOSN Mock First-Round NFL Draft
1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas
This pick should be a slam dunk for the Cleveland Browns. Garrett is an immediate plug-and-play defensive end from the moment he is drafted. He has the prerequisite size, speed, and quickness needed for today’s NFL. Unless a team gives up its entire draft to the Browns, Garrett’s name should already be on the card to be turned in to the Commissioner on draft night.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
Another year and a new regime in San Francisco means this pick is going to be traded. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have holes on the 49ers everywhere. More picks will help in the rebuilding effort, but if they stand pat, Thomas is the pick. He brings to the 49ers the best of both worlds in terms of positional value and upside. The 49ers were unable to stop the run in 2016 and will need a defensive end who can set the edge against the run but also get after opposing teams’ quarterbacks on passing downs.
3. Chicago Bears: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
This is the perfect fit for both the player and team. In 2016, the Chicago Bears stunk at getting interceptions, but Adams is a play-making safety. This year’s draft is full of talented safeties early, so look for the Bears to draft Adams and plug him in immediately to help one of the most abysmal secondary units in football.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
This pick here is a a need pick. Jacksonville ranked 22nd in rushing last season, and could definitely use Fournette. What he brings to the Jaguars is a defense’s ultimate conundrum. Put eight in the box to stop him, and Blake Bortles goes over the top and picks apart opposing secondaries with Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. Worry about the passing game, and Fournette has the ability to gash you on the ground. The Jaguars have talented players in place, and now it is time to win.
5. Tennessee Titans (via the Los Angeles Rams): Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
With multiple picks in the first round, the Tennessee Titans need to spend one of these picks to get Marcus Mariota a legitimate number one receiving threat. Mariota’s progress as a quarterback will be monitored and a way to speed up the process will be to get him a fast, big-bodied wide receiver to throw to. Christmas just came in April for Mariota and the Titans in the form of Williams.
6. New York Jets: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, UNC
The adage in the NFL is either you do or you do not have a franchise quarterback. Coach Todd Bowles has absolutely no idea what to do with the quarterbacks currently on the Jets’ roster. If the draft breaks like this, the Jets should immediately scoop up this year’s consensus top available quarterback. Trubisky has everything it takes to make it in the NFL, but what do the Jets have that can help a young quarterback be successful? The answer is “Very little.” Good luck, Mitchell Trubisky – you are going to need it.
7. Los Angeles Chargers: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
With the move to Los Angeles, many are looking for a splashy pick here. However, if the Jets do not draft Allen, the uber-talented defensive lineman will be a steal. Based on talent alone, he is a top three pick and if this draft plays out as we anticipate, the Chargers will boast one of the most explosive defensive lines in the AFC West this coming season.
8. Carolina Panthers: Dalvin Cook, RB, FSU
Similar to the Tennessee Titans, the Panthers need to get the quarterback some help. Jonathan Stewart cannot be relied on to play a full 16-game season, so enter Cook, who can become an explosive complement in the backfield. Look for him to be the type of playmaker who will flourish in the Panthers offensive system.
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