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2017 NFL Mock Draft, March 23 edition
Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett is expected to go No. 1 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. Trevor Ruszkowski-/USA TODAY Sports

2017 NFL Mock Draft, March 23 edition

Pro days and draft rumors continue to shape the projections for the 2017 NFL Draft. Here's a look at where the projections stand for the first round of the draft just a little over a month out.

 
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1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M

Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Garrett has remained as the top pick in mock drafts since the NFL season ended. Whether the Browns keep this pick or trade down remains to be seen.

 
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2. San Francisco 49ers: Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama

San Francisco 49ers: Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Will the 49ers invest in a developmental quarterback with the second overall pick or wait until later? Adding Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley has given them some depth going into 2017. Allen was the consensus No. 2 pick on the board until a subpar combine, but his career at Alabama is impossible to overlook.

 
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3. Chicago Bears: Jamal Adams, S, LSU

Chicago Bears: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Out of the quarterback search with Mike Glennon, adding secondary help still seems like one of Chicago's most likely paths. Adams can help the Bears immediately.

 
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4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford

Jacksonville Jaguars: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Adding more talent to Jacksonville's defensive line to improve the pass rush could be a priority, even after signing Calais Campbell during the offseason. The Jags' defense will be one to watch if they can get another impact player after signing cornerback A.J. Bouye as well.

 
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5. Tennessee Titans: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State

Tennessee Titans: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Strengthening Tennessee's secondary will be a priority with the team's early draft picks, of which the Titans have two in the first round. Lattimore is considered by most analysts to be the best cornerback available.

 
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6. New York Jets: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

New York Jets: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Ivan Pierre Aguirre / USA Today Sports Images

The Jets signed veteran quarterback Josh McCown this week, but given his age and recent injuries, they'd be crazy to solely rely on him going into 2017. The team's recent quarterback draftees haven't gone well, but Trubisky has far more upside, even if he's not quite ready.

 
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7. Los Angeles Chargers: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama

Los Angeles Chargers: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

The Chargers are still needy at cornerback behind Jason Verrett and Casey Hayward. That pairing would give Humphrey some time to develop, while adding a top talent to the depth chart.

 
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8. Carolina Panthers: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

Carolina Panthers: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

The need for a running back in Carolina is apparent, and Cam Newton's shoulder injury that recently required surgery shows the downside if the team doesn't create a more balanced attack soon. Fournette is somewhat one-dimensional but has more than enough talent to make opposing teams respect the run immediately.

 
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9. Cincinnati Bengals: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State

Cincinnati Bengals: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Joseph Maiorana / USA Today Sports Images

Safety isn't Cincinnati's biggest weakness with George Iloka and Shawn Williams, but Hooker's talent could certainly improve the secondary. He has extremely dynamic ability.

 
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10. Buffalo Bills: Teez Tabor, CB, Florida

Buffalo Bills: Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Adding a cornerback behind Ronald Darby will be a high priority for the Bills. This year's draft is one of the deepest at the position in recent memory. While Tabor doesn't have great speed, his ability has shown up on the field.

 
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11. New Orleans Saints: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri

New Orleans Saints: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports Images

Going 11th overall is perhaps optimistic for Harris, though his stock was nearly that high after the 2015 season. If teams watch that tape, rather than his tape last season when Mizzou changed its defensive scheme, he could vault up the draft board.

 
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12. Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

There is a strong possibility Cleveland addresses its long-term quarterback need with the 12th pick if there is a viable option. With the desperation and reckless abandon teams show to trade up for quarterbacks in the first round, the Browns might not get the opportunity. Watson is considered by many to be the best available option this year.

 
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13. Arizona Cardinals: Takkarist McKinley, DE/OLB, UCLA

Arizona Cardinals: Takkarist McKinley, DE/OLB, UCLA
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports Images

If the team can't find a cornerback or long-term quarterback that they like, adding a defensive line rusher to Chandler Jones and Markus Golden will be high on Arizona's list. McKinley's stock has risen since the end of the 2016 season.

 
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14. Philadelphia Eagles: Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC

Philadelphia Eagles: Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Cornerback is an overwhelming need for the Eagles, who struggled mightily at the position last season and would currently be relying on Dwayne Gratz as a starter. Jackson has incredible athleticism and can also help in kick returns.

 
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15. Indianapolis Colts: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah

Indianapolis Colts: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
Russell Isabella / USA Today Sports Images

The Colts have far more holes than one would expect from a team that just finished 8-8. Andrew Luck was able to stay healthy last season after getting hurt in 2015, but protecting him with a high-end talent like Bolles should still be a priority.

 
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16. Baltimore Ravens: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan

Baltimore Ravens: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
Rick Osentoski / USA Today Sports Images

The fit for Charlton and the Ravens remains rock solid. The Ravens need a pass rusher, and Charlton could go from one Harbaugh (Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh) to the other (Ravens head coach John Harbaugh).

 
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17. Washington Redskins: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

Washington Redskins: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

McCaffrey could effectively end Washington's two-year-plus search for a running back. Matt Jones and Robert Kelley have had moments, but McCaffrey's versatility and upside blow those two backs out of the water. After losing DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon (though adding Terrelle Pryor), Washington can use the offensive weapons wherever it can get them.

 
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18. Tennessee Titans: John Ross, WR, Washington

Tennessee Titans: John Ross, WR, Washington
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

We've been projecting Ross with Tennessee's initial first-round pick, but health questions could allow the Titans to wait until their second pick to take him. He is a perfect fit for the team, adding an elite deep threat for Marcus Mariota and the power running game.

 
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19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

While the Bucs do like Cameron Brate, he simply doesn't have the athletic ability of Howard. Howard could be the most well-rounded tight end prospect in years and would be appealing as another receiving weapon to add to Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson. The team could also address running back with this pick.

 
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20. Denver Broncos: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama

Denver Broncos: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Denver still needs to address its offensive tackle issues, and there isn't much available in free agency. It would be an upset if the Broncos don't do anything in the early rounds, and Robinson has the ability to help immediately.

 
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21. Detroit Lions: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

Detroit Lions: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Cook's durability is in question, but there's no doubt he has greater upside than what the Lions have on their roster currently. Some consider him the best running back talent in a loaded running back class.

 
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22. Miami Dolphins: David Njoku, TE, Miami

Miami Dolphins: David Njoku, TE, Miami
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

While the Dolphins traded for Julius Thomas, his struggles since leaving Denver shouldn't deter Miami from addressing the position in the draft. Miami had an opportunity to get a look at Njoku up close in recent seasons in college.

 
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23. New York Giants: Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State

New York Giants: Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports Images

The Giants have an elite defensive tackle in Damon Harrison, but that shouldn't stop them from adding another to pair with him. McDowell has the ability to make New York's defensive line the best in football.

 
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24. Oakland Raiders: Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama

Oakland Raiders: Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama
John David Mercer / USA Today Sports Images

Oakland is in desperate need of middle linebacker help, currently looking at Jelani Jenkins as the starter. Foster's stock remains to be seen after his combine run-in, but he was considered a top 10 talent before that issue.

 
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25. Houston Texans: Patrick Mahomes III, QB, Texas Tech

Houston Texans: Patrick Mahomes III, QB, Texas Tech
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

The Texans remain the favorites for Tony Romo, but adding a young quarterback could be in the cards either way. Mahomes showed incredible productivity at Texas Tech and would do well to develop for a year or two under Bill O'Brien.

 
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26. Seattle Seahawks: Jabrill Peppers, DB, Michigan

Seattle Seahawks: Jabrill Peppers, DB, Michigan
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Peppers' versatility is extremely attractive for the Seahawks, and head coach Pete Carroll would likely be open to trying Peppers in the return game and on offense. The dynamic defender is a pure football player.

 
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27. Kansas City Chiefs: Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina

Kansas City Chiefs: Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina
John David Mercer / USA Today Sports Images

Chiefs fans would like the team to draft the quarterback of the future, but K.C. certainly isn't going to reach. Jones was a highly productive college contributor who had a great Senior Bowl and combine. The K.C. offense could always use more firepower. 

 
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28. Dallas Cowboys: Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU

Dallas Cowboys: Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

The Cowboys have seen turnover at cornerback this offseason and currently sit without a viable No. 2 corner behind Orlando Scandrick. White would certainly address that need, with the ability to help in 2017.

 
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29. Green Bay Packers: Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky

Green Bay Packers: Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

After losing T.J. Lang, the Packers are in the market for a guard. Adding a running back is also a strong possibility with the issues the team had last season, along with losing Eddie Lacy in free agency.

 
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30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

Pittsburgh Steelers: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

In search of youthful pass rushers, Barnett is a great option for Pittsburgh. James Harrison will return for the 2017 season, but Barnett could develop behind him.

 
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31. Atlanta Falcons: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida

Atlanta Falcons: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Atlanta showed its secondary depth by filling in nicely behind the injured Desmond Trufant last season, but Wilson can still improve cornerback for the team. The Falcons already addressed the defensive line with a big one-year deal for Dontari Poe.

 
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32. New Orleans Saints: Obi Melifonwu, S, UConn

New Orleans Saints: Obi Melifonwu, S, UConn
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Melifonwu is perhaps the most athletic secondary prospect in the draft, showing insane measurables at the combine. While the Saints took Vonn Bell at safety in the second round last year, Melifonwu's upside could be too good to pass up.

Seth Trachtman

Seth Trachtman is a sportswriter, digital marketer, and fantasy sports expert based in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s a two-time winner of the Tout Wars Fantasy Baseball Expert’s League, and his work has appeared in hundreds of fantasy baseball and fantasy football newsstand and online publications

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