2017 NFL Mock Draft: 3 Round Edition

We are three-quarters of the way through the NFL regular season. Time to see how the 2017 NFL Draft may play out.

With clear question marks at quarterback and a projected top-five draft picks, the Browns, 49ers and Bears should have the chance to groom a young passer for the future. North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky and Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer should be on the short list of candidates for each of these teams.

Both players check the boxes for size and arm strength and are an outstanding athletes, which shows in their playmaking abilities..

Trubisky and Kizer make smart, efficient decisions, but the main concern for NFL teams is the lack of starting experience on each player’s résumé. The top five picks could very well alter the rest of the draft..

Let’s check out our final three-round 2017 NFL Mock Draft before the end of the season.

ROUND ONE

Cleveland Browns-Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M

–Cleveland passed on top QBs at the top of the 2015 draft and it’s hard to see them pulling the trigger in a lesser heralded QB class. Garrett is an elite talent and could take the Cleveland defense to another level.

Myles Garrett has elite skills as a pass rusher.

San Francisco 49ers-Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

–Whether Chip Kelly is around after this season or not, the 49ers are in dire need of a franchise QB. Trubisky is not a household name, but he has proven that he’s worthy of top-end consideration.

Jacksonville Jaguars-Jamal Adams, S, LSU

–Again, the Jags are picking in the top-5, after a year ripe with expectation. The backend of the defense needs a talent infusion, and Adams has unique ability at safety and is one of the smartest players in this class.

Chicago Bears-DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame

–Jay Cutler appears on the way out in Chicago. The Bears need a new face of the franchise and Kizer has the tools to be a good one. He’s still young and raw, however.

New York Jets-Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

–The Jets may have bigger needs, but Fournette is the type of talent that can take an offense to another level, similar to Ezekiel Elliott in Dallas.

Tennessee Titans (from LA)-Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama

–It would take some serious pondering to remember the last time Tennessee had a top-flight cover man. Humphrey is the type of long, fast corner to eradicate that trend in short order.

Carolina Panthers-Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama

–Allen, an elite talent, falls in the lap of the Panthers. The combination of Kony Ealy and Charles Johnson just doesn’t cut it. Allen has been the most dominant player on a loaded Alabama defense in 2016.

Cincinnati Bengals-Jabril Peppers, S, Michigan

–The Bengals defense is looking like the dreaded “old and slow” tag may need be applied. The versatile and athletic Peppers is just the kind of Swiss-Army-Knife the bland Bengals defense could use.

Adding a player like Jabril Peppers would a definite boost for the Cincinnati defense.

New Orleans Saints-Tim Williams, DE/OLB, Alabama

–Aside from Cam Jordan, the Saints don’t have any consistent pass rush. Tim Williams may be raw and a bit one-dimensional at this point. But, it sure is one hell of a dimension.

San Diego Chargers-Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

–With the constant injuries to Keenan Allen, the Chargers need to find another target out wide for Phillip Rivers. Williams has been dominant for the high-octane Clemson offense this season.

Cleveland Browns (from PHI)-Teez Tabor, CB, Florida

–The Browns have relied on Joe Haden for years, but he can’t cover everyone. Tabor, a Gator like Haden, has the skill set to match was Haden has done throughout his career.

Arizona Cardinals-Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

–Carson Palmer no longer looks like a quarterback capable of carrying a playoff caliber team. Watson has his issues (ball-security, reading defenses), but he’s a winner with plus athleticism.

Buffalo Bills-John Ross, WR, Washington

–With Sammie Watkins unable to stay healthy and Robert Woods not being more than a solid #2, a speedy, technically-sound receiver like Ross would be a welcomed addition.

Tennessee Titans-O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama

–The Titans need to address receiving options for Marcus Mariota. Howard may be more of a threat in the passing game than any receiver left on the board, although he is grossly underutilized in the Alabama offense.

Indianapolis Colts-Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

–Running back is not one of the Colts’ primary needs. However, Frank Gore can’t last forever (can he?) and the offense could use a game-breaking option in the backfield.

Dalvin Cook is the explosive threat the Colts’ currently lack out of the backfield.

Philadelphia Eagles-Sidney Jones, CB, Washington

–The Eagles are terribly thin at corner, especially with Nolan Carroll on a one-year deal. Sidney Jones is a fluid, high-ceiling corner with the ability to contribute from day one.

Green Bay Packers-Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

–Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Ty Montgomery have alternated being the Packers’ leading rushers as of late. Needless to say, a talent like McCaffrey is sorely needed, even if Eddie Lacy is welcomed back next year.

Washington-Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt

–Washington needs more speed and playmaking ability on the defensive side of the ball. The little-known Cunningham is a perfect remedy to such ills.

Miami Dolphins-Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

–With Cameron Wake being a free agent this upcoming off-season, the Dolphins will need a young pass rusher to step in. Barnett is not dynamic, but he’s solid and shows a knack for getting to the QB.

Pittsburgh Steelers-Carl Lawson, OLB, Auburn

–James Harrison, Jarvis Jones and possibly Arthur Moats may all be out of Pittsburgh next year. Lawson is an explosive edge rusher who leads the SEC in QB hits. His injury history is the only downside.

Carl Lawson could be the next in a long line of menacing Steelers’ linebackers.

Houston Texans-Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama

–The Texans have had issues along the offensive line for the last couple of seasons. Robinson has not been as dominant as expected, especially early in the season, but he’s got the length and feet to mature into a quality starter.

Baltimore Ravens-JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC

-The Ravens would love to get a pass rusher here. But, there are none worthy of this pick. So, the go with the receiver, Smith-Schuster to take over possession duties for soon to be retired, Steve Smith, Sr.

Atlanta Falcons-Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State

–The Falcons’ defense is rounding into shape, especially now that Vic Beasley is getting after the passer as expected. There are still holes up front to fill, however, and a talent like McDowell would go a long way in filling them.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Lowell Lotulelei, DT, Utah

–Gerald McCoy has long been the lone ranger in the middle of the Bucs’ defense. It’s time to get the man some top-of-the-line help. Lowell, younger brother of the Panthers’ Star, is the run-stopping plugger this defense could use.

Detroit Lions-Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan

–Devin Taylor is a free agent after the season and Ziggy Ansah has ZERO sacks In what was supposed to be a breakout campaign. Charlton has the size and athletic ability to be a consistent force off the edge.

New York Giants-Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon

–The Giants’ running game is plain anemic. They’ve addressed the offensive line with high picks in the recent past. It’s time to add a high-end running back like Freeman.

Royce Freeman could add a new dimension to the Giants plodding running game.

Denver Broncos-Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama

–The Broncos’ run defense has taken a step back in 2016. An every-down ‘backer like Foster would fit right in, and could be an absolute star on a defense like the Broncos.

Seattle Seahawks-Dan Feeney, OG, Indiana

–Seattle’s offensive line has improved over the course of the season, but could is still a bit of a patchwork unit. A top-tier guard prospect like Feeney could stabilize this group.

Kansas City Chiefs-Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

–Not many people are familiar with Davis, but they will soon be. The Chiefs could use his speed, hands and size on the outside.

New England Patriots-Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin

–The Patriots haven’t had consistent stability at left tackle in a half-decade. Ramczyk has come out of nowhere to establish himself as one of the better pass protectors in the country.

Oakland Raiders-Adoree’ Jackson, CB, USC

–With the talented playmakers the Raiders are assembling, this team will be good for a long time. Adding a versatile corner/return man such as Jackson will surely help that cause.

Dallas Cowboys-Charles Harris, DE, Missouri

-The return of Randy Gregory can not be relied upon and DeMarcus Lawrence has regressed. Charles Harris is a tough, high-motor pass rusher that can contribute early in Dallas and add some sizzle off the edge.