2017 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Watson joins Shanahan in San Francisco
You know the drill.
With the 2016 season now officially in the books, it's time to look ahead to the offseason.
Updated with the official order, save for a coin flip that will decide the 14th and 15th pick, here's a projection of how the opening round of the 2017 NFL Draft could shake out in April.
1. Cleveland Browns - Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Barring a trade for Jimmy Garoppolo or Kirk Cousins, quarterback will remain a strong possibility in this spot. But with the lack of a can't-miss prospect at the position, and the Browns still a ways away from competing, they're best suited taking the best player in the draft. That's Garrett.
2. San Francisco 49ers - Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Kyle Shanahan takes care of his top priority and lands a quarterback to grow with from day one. The budding offensive genius should be able to make the most of the undeniable talent that allowed Watson to terrorize the Alabama defense in back-to-back national title games.
3. Chicago Bears - DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
Moving on from Jay Cutler, albeit a year or two late, the Bears finally get their potential quarterback of the future. Kizer may need a transition period, potentially allowing Brian Hoyer to stick around and compete for snaps, but he has plenty of long-term upside.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars - Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Jacksonville upgrades the secondary with an early first-round pick for the second time in as many years, adding a centerfield ballhawk in Hooker. The Ohio State star joins Jalen Ramsey in providing a foundation in the defensive backfield for years to come.
5. Tennessee Titans (via LA) - Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Right there with Hooker as a sure-fire top-10 pick, Adams fills a major need in the secondary for Tennessee. The LSU product's physicality makes him an ideal fit for a Kam Chancellor-type role underneath, but he'll also provide a much-needed boost in coverage.
6. New York Jets - Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
The Jets refusing to play Christian Hackenberg in what was clearly a lost season tells us everything we need to know about their early evaluations of the 2016 second-round pick. Trubisky falling to this spot presents an opportunity New York can't afford to pass up in potentially finding a quarterback.
7. Los Angeles Chargers - Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
San Diego already has one of the league's strongest edge-rush tandems in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram (provided that the latter is re-signed in free agency). Adding a dominant interior presence like Allen could make the Chargers front nearly unstoppable.
8. Carolina Panthers - Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
The Panthers' offense needs playmakers to complement Cam Newton. With Cook still on the board, and Jonathan Stewart beginning to slow down, the value and need match up perfectly. Cook is a home-run weapon as a ball-carrier and as a receiver out of the backfield.
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Solomon Thomas, DL, Stanford
Everything the Bengals should be looking for to address their pass-rush needs conveniently falls right into their lap at No. 9. Thomas has the ability to both control the edge on early downs, and kick inside next to Geno Atkins in the nickel.
10. Buffalo Bills - Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Whether it ends up being Tyrod Taylor, a rookie, or a veteran added this offseason, the Bills quarterback could certainly use another target alongside Sammy Watkins. Davis, a scoring machine at Western Michigan, has the size and athleticism NFL teams are looking for in a No. 1 wideout.