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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for Next Year's Top Prospects

Published by Bleacher Report on Sat, 30 Apr 2016


There's an unspoken commandment when it comes to the NFL draftthou shall not ever suggest it's too early for next year's mock draft.The 2016 draft isn't in the books yet, with the slog through Round 4 and beyond taking place Saturday. But it's not an excuse to avoid looking at what 2017 has to offer.While it's fun to review 2016 picks, thinking ahead creates some interesting scenarios for the future of the league's landscape.For those who want to get ahead, here's a mock draft based on updated team need, projections and the current stock market of the 2017 class.2017 NFL Mock DraftNote: Draft order is courtesy of Odds Shark's 2017 Super Bowl odds. Teams with the same odds are listed in alphabetical order.Analyzing Notable Early Picks1. Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson, QB, ClemsonThe Cleveland Browns selected USC quarterback Cody Kessler with the No. 93 pick in the 2016 class, but it won't stop new coach Hue Jackson and the organization from getting a can't-miss prospect in 2017.Such a moniker goes to Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, who completed 67.8 percent of his passes last year for 4,104 yards and 35 touchdowns with another 1,105 yards and 12 scores on the ground.One quarterback coach told FoxSports.com's Bruce Feldmanthat Watson could be the top pick and it's all about his landing in the right situation:Asked about whether some NFL personnel people might hold the Clemson offensive scheme against him, since hes not playing in a pure pro-style system, the QB coach said, Some coaches probably will be uncomfortable with him because thats not the style theyre used to, but guys that know what they are doing wont have an issue with it."Cleveland is the right situation.Look at it this wayJackson squeezed the most out of Andy Dalton in Cincinnati during his role as offensive coordinator. He also happens to love quarterbacks who can extend plays with their feet or get upfield.Watson is tailor-made for the Cleveland offense, especially with 2016 first-round pick Corey Coleman now on board. After another free-agency period and with the rest of the 2017 class in tow, Watson could make an impact right away.2. Tennessee Titans: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSUIt's not typically a wise move for a team to take a running back in the top 10 these days, but rules go out the window when it comes to LSU running back Leonard Fournette.Arguably an even better prospect than Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott, who came off the board No. 4 to Dallas Thursday, Fournette is the definition of a pro-ready back who would already be playing in the NFL were it not for arbitrary rules.The LSU star was a man among boys last year, averaging 6.5 yards per carry while going for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns. And as NFL Network's Ian Rapoport pointed out, he headlines a class of running backs that dwarfs the 2016 offering by a mile:In this scenario, folks will point out the Tennessee Titans already have DeMarco Murray on the roster and just added Derrick Henry.But that's the same Murray who Dallas let walk so it could draft Elliott and the same Murray who rushed for 3.6 yards per carry last year while being ignored by the team that signed him, Philadelphia.Tennessee can afford to skimp on giving Marcus Mariota the best of the best. Murray accounts for around only a $6 million cap hit in base salary per year through 2019, per Spotrac, which is a rather small cost to payespecially if he can form a committee with Fournette and Henry and extend the young running backs' careers for the first few years. Murray doesn't have to stick around for the duration of the contract, either.Did anyone mention Tennessee sits in the luxurious position of having two picks in the round'5. San Diego Chargers: Brad Kaaya, QB, MiamiThere's been a quiet watch for the San Diego Chargers to grab Philip Rivers' eventual successor over the past few seasons.That's for good reason, with Rivers going on 35 years old in December, though in this scenario the Chargers couldn't have waited for a better class.Brad Kaaya out of Miami is the answer. While his numbers won't blow anyone away after throwing for 3,238 yards and 16 scores last year, those are great given the shoddy circumstances around him. Otherwise, he's every bit the prototypical quarterback the NFL desires.Standing at 6'4" and 210 pounds, Kaaya is already at the point where he can work through progressions well and hit most pro throws. Upon his arrival in San Diego, he could possibly learn from Rivers for a year or join the fray right away and have a target like Keenan Allen, not to mention new tight end Hunter Henry, with new center Max Tuerk leading the way in the trenches.With San Diego building the rest of the roster and getting ready to transition to a new face of the franchise under center, the 2017 class is a sweet spot for the move with a prospect like Kaaya available.Stats are courtesy ofNFL.comand accurateas of April 30. All advanced metrics courtesy ofPro Football Focus.
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