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2017 NFL mock draft: Picks, predictions for each team

By Frank Cooney, NFLDraftScout.com
Stanford's Christian McCaffrey is a top pick in most mock drafts. File photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI
Stanford's Christian McCaffrey is a top pick in most mock drafts. File photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo

Who is the best fit for each team in the NFL Draft, based loosely on where they are picking, but with little regard to whether that player may logically already be chosen?

That was the assignment for The Sports Xchange insiders who cover each of the NFL's 32 teams. The result is telling, depending on how one looks at it.

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Eight players were chosen by two teams, with four of those being edge players and another six pass rushers named by one team.

The so-called return of the running back was acknowledged with four teams picking three rushers. Stanford's Christian McCaffrey was named by NFC East rivals Philadelphia (No. 14) and Washington (No.17).

The survey confirms a hesitance to regard quarterbacks as highly as they are often selected.

Twelve teams list quarterback as a need, six as a top three need and three as No. 1. But only two teams found quarterbacks as a best fit, and with different quarterbacks.

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Cleveland used its second of two first-round picks, at No, 12, to name North Carolina's Mitchell Trubisky. Texas A&M's Myles Garrett was selected as a better fit with the Browns' No. 1 pick. Make of that what you will. The Houston Texans, in the No. 25 spot, named Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahones as the best fit.

Now about those pass rushers. Ten teams took one as a best fit initial pick. Four were selected by two teams -- Garrett (No 1. Cleveland; No 2. San Francisco; Tennessee's Derek Barnett (No. 11 New Orleans; No. 15 Indianapolis); Michigan's Taco Charlton (No. 22 Miami; No. 28 Dallas) and Wisconsin's T.J. -- brother of J.J. and Derek -- Watt (No. 29 Green Bay; No. 31 Atlanta).

The other six were Stanford's Solomon Thomas (No. 4 Jacksonville), UCLA's Takkarist McKinley (No. 16 Baltimore), Temple's Haason Reddick (No. 21 Detroit), Vanderbilt's Zach Cunningham (No. 24 Oakland), Auburn's Carl Lawson (No. 30 Pittsburgh) and, in the third round, Florida Atlantic's Trey Hendrickson (No. 72 New England)

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The run on edge players upstaged the strong cornerback class, where NFLDraftScout.com listed six potential first rounders and 16 within the top 100. Only four were named as initial best fits, and none attracted more than a single team.

Here is a look at who and why NFLDraftScout.com insiders matched up best fits on initial picks for each team.

Round 1

1. Cleveland Browns

BEST FIT: DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M. There is no premier quarterback in this draft, so the Browns can get the next best thing - a premier pass rusher. The Browns were one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year because they had difficulty pressuring the quarterback, ranking 29th in sacks per pass play. Garrett had 31 sacks in three years in college. Garrett is big, fast and strong, and he has the fiery attitude the Browns need to change the defense. There is nothing not to like about him.

2. San Francisco 49ers

BEST FIT: DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M. When you get a chance to pick No. 2, you absolutely, positively have to come away with a game-changer. There is no such player out there this year at arguably the club's top four areas of need -- quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback and safety. So if Garrett, the consensus top talent in the draft, were to fall onto their laps, they'd be crazy not to take him. Yes, the club used its top pick on a defensive end each of the last two seasons. Last year's choice, DeForest Buckner, might be as good as Garrett. Arik Armstead from 2015 definitely is not.

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3. Chicago Bears

BEST FIT: S Jamal Adams, Louisiana State. Adams is the most logical choice for the Bears' long-standing need at safety with their third pick in the draft. A young playmaker with great hitting ability, Adams can play in the box or cover a slot receiver. Traditionally, teams do not select safeties this early on Day 1, but the truly elite safeties are taken there and Adams gives an indication he could be this type of player. At 6-foot, 214 pounds, he runs a 4.56 40-yard dash but defends against the run like a linebacker. Teaming a physical safety like Adams with veteran playmaker Quintin Demps in the deep secondary would be a good blend. And in Adams, the Bears wouldn't be taking an injury risk like they might have if they select defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, whose past shoulder injuries have raised red flags.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

BEST FIT: DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford. Thomas has outstanding athleticism with both power and quickness. At 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, he could add another 10 pounds to make it even tougher for opposing linemen to block. He is relentless when it comes to run or pass and has the skillset to fight off blockers. He has all the athletic traits to become a high-impact player and could be a standout for the next decade. Some say the downside is that his size makes him a "tweener" where he might struggle to keep weight on to play inside and that at 6-foot-3 he doesn't have the length to hold his own on the outside. But the arrow appears to be decisively pointing up for Thomas and how his skills would fit in with the Jaguars' 4-3 scheme. Jonathan Allen might be the better overall player, but there are concerns about his past with injuries. Thomas thus gets the nod over Allen if the Jaguars have their choice of the two defensive standouts.

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5. Tennessee Titans (from Los Angeles Rams)

BEST FIT: CB Marshawn Lattimore, Ohio State. The Titans are armed with two first-round picks, thanks to last year's trade of the first overall pick to the Los Angeles Rams. Having just released Jason McCourty and his $7 million base salary, the Titans have a need in the secondary, even after adding Logan Ryan in free agency. Lattimore is regarded as potentially the best cornerback available in this draft. The biggest question about him has been injuries. The talent, however, seems to be in abundance. The Titans, however, might try and trade down a few slots if there is a pool of players to be chosen from that they like and no consensus at No. 5.

6. New York Jets

{bB:EST FIT:} S Jamal Adams, Louisiana State.: The Jets need talent everywhere, but going with secondary help in Adams is a safer bet than rolling the dice on North Carolina quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who started just one season with the Tar Heels, or Alabama tight end O.J. Howard, whose impact would be minimized by the league's worst quarterback situation. As an experienced prospect with a well-rounded game, Adams would provide an immediate upgrade on hard-hitting but inconsistent Calvin Pryor while helping to jump-start a long-needed rebuild of the back end of the secondary for the Jets, who have ignored or overlooked safety going back to the Rex Ryan days.

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7. Los Angeles Chargers

BEST FIT: S Malik Hooker, Ohio State. The Chargers hit their bull's eye by drafting the right Buckeye in last year's first round in selecting Joey Bosa, NFL defensive rookie of the year. The team could grab Hooker, Bosa's former teammate and solidify a secondary that is still overcoming the loss of All-Pro Eric Weddle. Hooker is a ball-hawking, All-America who had eight interceptions last year. Considering the AFC West teams' outside threats, having Hooker in the middle of the defense on its back end could cause havoc, with Bosa doing likewise.

Ohio State's Malike Hooker (24) should go to the Chargers. File photo by Molly Riley/UPI

8. Carolina Panthers

BEST FIT: RB Leonard Fournette, Louisiana State. The Panthers, who head into the draft with eight choices, have made it no secret they'll be coming out of the weekend with a running back or two. They've been in love with Fournette's power and potential the entire pre-draft process and the big back is their ideal choice at No. 8. The thought of Fournette in the same backfield as quarterback Cam Newton and running back Jonathan Stewart makes Carolina coaches salivate and would make opposing coaches very nervous.

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9. Cincinnati Bengals

BEST FIT: LB Reuben Foster, Alabama. Cincinnati's defense got old fast, which tends to happen in the NFL. With Foster, the Bengals would add an athletic but fierce linebacker with sideline-to-sideline speed and run-stopping ability. His dismissal from the Combine due to an altercation doesn't play in his favor. Neither does a rather lengthy injury history. However, the Butkus Award winner could help fill a void left by the release of veteran Rey Maualuga who also was adept in stifling the running game and the loss of Karlos Dansby to free agency. The Bengals also have needs on the defensive line, but Foster teaming with Vontaze Burfict and newcomer Kevin Minter would give the Bengals' defense a ferocious t

Alabama's Reuben Foster is projected to go to the Bengals. File photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
andem at linebacker.

10. Buffalo Bills

BEST FIT: WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan: The Bills are painfully thin at wide receiver and they need to find a viable starting option to play opposite Sammy Watkins. Davis, or Clemson's Mike Williams, would fit the bill. At 6-foot-3, 209 pounds, Davis would give the Bills a playmaker with good size and speed.

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11. New Orleans Saints

BEST FIT: DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee. With only 30 sacks last season, the Saints desperately need some power and speed on the edge to line up opposite Pro Bowler Cameron Jordan. The 6-foot-3, 259-pound Barnett would fill the bill. Barnett is the next-best defensive end on the draft board behind Myles Garrett and Solomon Thomas and his 33 sacks and 52 tackles for loss in just three seasons at Tennessee have to make him an attractive target for the Saints.

12. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia Eagles)

BEST FIT: QB Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina. The Browns can take a quarterback with the 12th pick. The question is whether they'll be able to get the one they want. Head coach Hue Jackson demands accuracy, and that would give Trubisky the edge over Deshaun Watson and DeShone Kizer. Trubisky completed 68 percent of his passes last fall while throwing 30 touchdown passes and only six interceptions. Trubisky won't be ready to start immediately, but the Browns are willing to give him time to develop.

13. Arizona Cardinals

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BEST FIT: LB Reuben Foster, Alabama. The Cardinals replaced departed free agent Kevin Minter with 35-year-old veteran Karlos Dansby, who turns 36 in November. But they need a younger, meaner version of Dansby to man the middle long-term and Foster represents everything the franchise likes in a hungry, angry middle linebacker. He can help set the tone for the entire defense moving forward.

14. Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota Vikings)

BEST FIT: RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford. The Eagles have an unsettled running back situation. Darren Sproles is 34 and is calling it quits after next season. Ryan Mathews probably isn't expected to be back. The versatile McCaffrey would be a perfect fit for head coach Doug Pederson's West Coast hybrid. He is a three-down back who can line up anywhere in the formation, including as a slot receiver, and be a big part of the Carson Wentz-led passing game.

15. Indianapolis Colts

BEST FIT: OLB Derek Barnett, Tennessee. The Colts need immediate help at rush outside linebacker. While trying to add help through free agency to the rest of the defense during this offseason, Indianapolis is in dire need of a young, athletic outside pass rusher who can also handle the responsibilities in pass coverage. The Colts pick 15th overall in the first round and Barnett is expected to still be available at that point of the draft.

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16. Baltimore Ravens

BEST FIT: OLB Takkarist McKinley, UCLA. McKinley is one of the top pass rushers in the draft and would fit perfectly in the Ravens' defense. Baltimore is in desperate need of another player who can attack the quarterback after cutting ties with Elvis Dumervil at the end of the season. McKinley could serve as the heir to Terrell Suggs, who is the franchise's all-time sacks leader but turns 35 in October. McKinley has the motor to thrive in the AFC North. Baltimore might be able to move back to get him and acquire an additional pick.

17. Washington Redskins

BEST FIT: RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford: The Redskins need more defensive players. But so what? They have 10 picks in this year's draft and could trade down for more. They still need help at running back, too, and McCaffrey is lauded for his pass-catching abilities, his explosiveness and he wouldn't have to be used as an every-down back in Washington, which has Rob Kelley for the tough up-the-middle runs and Chris Thompson as a true third-down back. Add McCaffrey to that mix and the Redskins' offense can again be explosive even after the loss of wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon in free agency. Tight ends Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis, slot receiver Jamison Crowder, free-agent signing Terrelle Pryor and 2016 first-round draft pick Josh Doctson provide plenty of other weapons for head coach Jay Gruden and quarterback Kirk Cousins to work with.

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18. Tennessee Titans

BEST FIT: TE O.J. Howard, Alabama: Rankings for Howard have been all up and down the first round, depending on which mock draft you look at. It is possible that Howard might be a Titans target, even if they have to move down from No. 5 or up from No. 18. He has the type of size and athletic skills that are becoming a weapon in the NFL, and Tennessee having lost Anthony Fasano in free agency needs a second tight end to pair with Delanie Walker, and to eventually be the heir apparent to the 32-year-old Pro Bowler.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

BEST FIT: RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State. The Bucs refuse to commit to Doug Martin, who will miss the first three games of 2017 serving a suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing drugs. His salary is no longer guaranteed. The team also re-signed Jacquizz Rodgers. But Cook would guarantee a needed component for the Bucs and quarterback Jameis Winston, his former Seminoles teammate. Cook is a three-down running back, a bell cow the Bucs really lack with explosive speed, power and the ability to make plays in the passing game. Kicker Roberto Aguayo may have been a miss in the second round a year ago, but Winston will lobby hard for Cook.

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20. Denver Broncos

BEST FIT: T Cam Robinson, Alabama. Although fellow tackles Ryan Ramczyk and Garett Bolles may have higher ceilings, Robinson is the most ready to step in and start immediately, and with a gaping hole at left tackle, the Broncos need to find a starter, one way or another. Robinson's stellar performance against Texas A&M's Myles Garrett last year offers evidence that he can handle edge rushers; he held the likely No. 1 overall pick without a sack.

Florida State's Dalvin Cook is projected to fit best with the Tampa Bay Bucs. File photo by Gary Rothstein/UPI
21. Detroit Lions

BEST FIT: LB Haason Reddick, Temple. Reddick's stock has skyrocketed since the end of the college season to the point that he might sneak into the top half of the first round. If he makes it to 21, though, the Lions would be wise to snap him up. Reddick played defensive end at Temple, but should transition to linebacker in the NFL. The Lions have a huge need at the position, with Tahir Whitehead, Paul Worrilow and Antwione Williams their projected starters, and Reddick's athletic profile fits what they want in linebackers. In sub packages, the Lions could even use Reddick as a pass rusher to help their thin crop of defensive ends.

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22. Miami Dolphins

BEST FIT: DE Taco Charlton, Michigan. His speed and explosiveness off the edge would be a perfect complement to Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and Pro Bowl defensive end Cam Wake. Charlton, who has been called "inconsistent," had 9.5 sacks and 13 tackles for losses in 2016, and had a good showing in the Orange Bowl vs. Florida State. While Miami returns defensive ends Andre Branch and Terrence Fede, among others, Charlton is a different type of pass rusher than anyone in the group except for Wake. And the Dolphins badly need defensive line help.

23. New York Giants

BEST FIT: LB Jarrad Davis, Florida. Despite having glaring needs on offense, the Giants will probably look to add pieces to their defense. One such area where the defense, although showing some improvement, could get even better is in covering running backs and tight ends. Davis, 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, could be that guy who can help contribute to the run defense with his instincts and tackling ability. Davis has 201 total tackles over his four-year career, 20 tackles for a loss. Lest anyone think he's a one-trick pony, Davis can also bring the heat on the blitz. Davis generated 22 pass-rush pressures on 49 pass rushes in 2015, his last full season.

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24. Oakland Raiders

BEST FIT: LB Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt. The Raiders have been looking for a fast, athletic and play-making linebacker in the Bobby Wagner mode and Cunningham could be a plug-and-play starter to join Bruce Irvin as a second active player on the second line of defense. Cunningham probably translates to an outside linebacker in a 4-3 and inside in a 3-4, but the Raiders do a little of both and often have only two linebackers on the field anyway.

25. Houston Texans

BEST FIT: QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech. The Texans have a glaring need at quarterback after trading away Brock Osweiler to the Browns and Tony Romo opting to go to CBS as an analyst rather than play for them. They currently have Tom Savage, who is prone to injuries, atop the depth chart. They need to identify a quarterback for the future and Mahomes fits the bill. He has a strong arm and is instinctive, but needs polish and time to develop.

26. Seattle Seahawks

BEST FIT: CB Kevin King, Washington: The Seahawks have not drafted a player from the local Division I school since taking tight end Jerramy Stevens in the first round of the 2002 draft. With the Seahawks lacking cornerback depth and an apparent fraying of the relationship with star cornerback Richard Sherman, King would fill a significant need for Seattle. He's got the textbook size Seattle prefers in its cornerbacks and had perhaps the best workouts of any player at the NFL Combine. While King is still a bit raw as a prospect, the Seahawks have proven capable of developing cornerbacks well through head coach Pete Carroll's tenure.

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27. Kansas City Chiefs

BEST FIT: CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama. In today's NFL, a defense never has enough defensive backs; even though the Chiefs have drafted five cornerbacks in the last four drafts, they are still looking for a consistent and talented cover corner to match with 2014 first-round choice Marcus Peters. Humphrey has the obvious physical tools in size and speed, and the tape of two seasons as a starter for the Crimson Tide. Coming out of Nick Saban's program, he should be advanced in fundamentals and understanding of coverages and how he fits into a defensive scheme

28. Dallas Cowboys

BEST FIT: DE Taco Charlton, Michigan. The Cowboys are looking for a war daddy pass rusher and Charlton has the upside to develop into one. He is a guy who should be there at 28 when it's the Cowboys turn to pick. The Cowboys brought Charlton in for a pre-draft visit.

29. Green Bay Packers

BEST FIT: OLB T.J. Watt, Wisconsin: An entire state of Packers and Badgers fans is clamoring for this selection to be made toward the end of the opening night of the draft. General manager Ted Thompson has held the successful Wisconsin football program in high regard for a long time. Interestingly, however, the Packers have taken only one player from the state's only Division I team on Thompson's watch since 2005, and that was wide receiver Jared Abbrederis in the fifth round in 2014. What's more, the last time Green Bay selected a player from Wisconsin in Round 1 happened in 1948 with back Earl "Jug" Girard. The emergence of Watt as a viable first-round pick would address a top need for the Packers.

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They need to replenish some of their edge-rushing depth after Julius Peppers returned to his original team by signing with the Carolina Panthers, while former first-round pick Datone Jones moved over to the rival Minnesota Vikings. Thompson certainly has to take into account Watt's pedigree as the youngest of three brothers who will play in the NFL simultaneously. And, the 6-foot-4, 252-pound Watt's breakout season of 63 tackles and 11.5 sacks with Wisconsin last season has left many a general manager and defensive coordinator wondering whether he's capable of putting up those numbers on a consistent basis at the next level, a la big brother J.J., the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year with the Houston Texans.

Wisconsin Badgers T. J. Watt is projected to fit best with the Packers. File photo by Ian Halperin/UPI ....
30. Pittsburgh Steelers

BEST FIT: OLB Carl Lawson, Auburn. The Steelers need an eventual replacement for James Harrison as well as a player who is capable of spelling the soon-to-be 39-year old veteran next season. Lawson can help on both fronts. Injuries are a concern as he missed significant time at Auburn with knee and hip injuries. But when he was healthy last season, Lawson registered 9.5 sacks and was a dominant force in the SEC. Lawson won't be under pressure to start as a rookie, but the Steelers can find ways to make him a part of their pass rush in passing situations.

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31. Atlanta Falcons

BEST FIT: DE T.J. Watt, Wisconsin. The younger brother of NFL players J.J. Watt (three-time defensive player of the year) and Derek Watt (Chargers' fullback) will be available when the Falcons select with the 31st overall pick in the draft. At first glance Watt, a converted tight end, appears to be a first-round reach. He thrived for one season in Wisconsin's 3-4 defense when he finished with 63 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles last season. Watt, who is 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds, needs to get stronger and has an injury history the Falcons must investigate. He has the frame to add the weight and a huge upside as a potentially sturdy and versatile pass rusher.

He went to Wisconsin from suburban Milwaukee in 2013 and red-shirted as a tight end. In 2014, he missed the season with a right knee injury. He then injured the left knee in the spring of 2015. In the summer of 2015, he was moved to outside linebacker and gradually became comfortable at his new position. While some scouts believe that Watt would have benefited from returning to school for another year, others like his upside as a potential game-wrecking pass rusher.

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32. New Orleans Saints (from New England Patriots)

BEST FIT: CB Tre'Davious White, LSU, In head coach Sean Payton's first 11 drafts, the Saints have taken only one player (Al Woods in 2010) from right up the road in Baton Rouge. But if they stay in the 32nd spot, they may not be able to resist grabbing him. White is a sturdy, physical 5-foot-11, 192-pounder who can cover with his 4.47 speed. He's played mostly outside during his four-year career, but also got some experience as the nickel back this past season.

Round 2

37. Los Angeles Rams

BEST FIT: WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan: The Rams need to improve the infrastructure around young quarterback Jared Goff, and desperately need a big, fast, dependable receiver who can put fear into the heads of opposing defenses. Davis fits that bill, and if he is available at pick 37 the Rams should jump at the chance to bring him in. Davis is a four-year starter and one of the most productive players in the draft, having capped his impressive career with 97 catches, 1,500 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns in 2016.

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48. Minnesota Vikings

BEST FIT: G Dion Dawkins, Temple: The Vikings need a right guard and have been burned too many times with the philosophy of drafting Day-3 guards and trying to mold them into serviceable players down the road. They need to invest more into the offensive line, which has been a weakness for too long. No first-round pick and a weak pool of linemen to sift through make it difficult to bolster the line this year. But the 6-foot-4, 314-pound Dawkins could be a good addition. He's not the top guard available, but he's a physical player with a nasty side that's similar to what the Vikings like about left guard Alex Boone. Dawkins also is experienced, having started 43 games at left tackle. He played guard at the Senior Bowl and has the skill set to move to the right side.

Round 3

72. New England Patriots BEST FIT: DE Trey Hendrickson, Florida Atlantic. Head coach Bill Belichick enters the draft without a first- or second-round pick thanks to offseason trades. But the defensive-minded coach has been working the scouting trail hard, seemingly with a focus on front-seven defenders. Hendrickson could still be available at No. 72. He fits the mold Belichick likes in edge players at 6-foot-4, 266 pounds with a 4.6 40. The Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year had a combined 23 sacks the last two years, blocks kicks on special teams and even saw action as a blocker on offense, the type of versatility in a mid-round pick that New England eats up. Hendrickson would be a nice developmental prospect at a spot of need on the edge of the Patriots defense.

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