1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, defensive end, Texas A&M
The Browns have a myriad of needs and the draft capital to address many of them. They have the opportunity to make a step forward on both sides of the ball that’s desperately needed. That progress must start with Garrett, an impact pass rusher that could be a piece that helps everything else fall in line. Adding Garrett to a line that includes Shelton, Des Bryant and Ogbah is suddenly much more impactful than a year ago. Add in Nassib, Meder and others and there’s a chance to stop the run and get a pass rush that should make the defensive backfield better without even an upgrade there.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas, defensive end, Stanford
The Niners are also in a position to need a whole lot of help to get better. Thomas is a guy whose athletic gifts aren’t what Garrett’s are, but his motor and technique might be even a little bit cleaner. Either way I expect both guys to be immediate impact players and that’s what the Browns and Niners need.
3. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Allen, defensive linemen, Alabama
The Bears had one of the worst run defenses in the NFL last season, rank 24th in scoring and allowed too much time for opposing quarterbacks. The versatile Allen should help in each area as a super lineman that can move around and take advantage of matchups and schematics to cause maximum problems for the opponents.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, running back, LSU
The Jaguars appear ready to give Blake Bortles a final chance to prove he can take this offense to the next level. If that’s the approach then they need to do better than 21st in rushing offense and a stable of backs all incapable of crossing 40 yards per game. Personally, I’d go with Cook or McCaffrey before Fournette, but I think Jacksonville will go with the throwback prototype running back in the LSU rusher.
5. Tennessee Titans: Jamal Adams, safety, LSU
The Titans were the second worst pass defense in the NFL last season and desperately need an upgrade on that side of the ball to balance out the growing offense led by Mariota. Adams is cast as only a box safety and thumper, but his coverage skills are underrated and he should make an impact on tight ends and slot receivers.
6. New York Jets: Marshon Lattimore, cornerback, Ohio State
With guys like Mo Claiborne and Buster Skrine looking like they might be the starting corners right now, Lattimore gives the Jets barren secondary the kind of upgrade it will need next season as it moves on from the days of Revis Island. The former Buckeye could be the type of guy that replaces Revis and does so without much drop off for his new team.
7. San Diego Chargers: Malik Hooker, safety, Ohio State
The run on secondary members in a deep defensive back class continues as the best big time playmaker on the defensive side of the ball in this draft goes to San Diego, who has been searching for a playmaking safety to replace Eric Weddle. Hooker is the classic nose for the ball centerfielder in the defensive backfield that will increase the play of the Chargers corners.
8. Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey, running back, Stanford
Jonathan Stewart isn’t getting younger and nobody else in Carolina can really carry the weight to help Cam Newton develop a two-dimensional offense. McCaffrey is a multi-threat weapon that is perfect for the modern-day NFL and could be all the more dangerous with a quarterback like Newton to run any number of offensive styles.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Reuben Foster, middle linebacker, Alabama
The Bengals could use an upgrade on the defensive side of the ball as they try to get back to the type of football that helped them consistently make the playoffs before last season. Foster is one of the most talented players in the draft and should be able to chase run and pass plays as well as take on plays coming right at him.
10. Buffalo Bills: Mike Williams, wide receiver, Clemson
The Bills acquire their second Clemson wide receiver standout. Williams paired with Sammy Watkins should actually perform a playmaking duo that will rank up there with the best in the league as they try to get the most out of Tyrod Taylor at quarterback. Williams is a physical receiver who can break free in the open field and attack the ball in a crowd.
11. New Orleans Saints: Gareon Conley, cornerback, Ohio State
The Saints are barren at cornerback and Gareon Conley is an instant upgrade and probable #1 starter for them as they try to build a defense that can stop anyone in the NFL, something that has eluded them for pretty much the entirety of the Drew Brees/Sean Payton era in the Bayou.
12. Cleveland Browns: Mitchell Trubisky, quarterback, North Carolina
Any of the optimum Cleveland Browns draft scenarios for me begin with getting Myles Garrett and Trubisky on Thursday night. Anything else is some level of a disappointment. Trubisky isn’t the most experienced prospect and people that obsess over physical traits won’t like Trubisky, but he’s shown in one season that he can develop the most important QB traits in a way nobody else in the class can. He’s smart, reads defenses and processes information quickly. Given the right coaching I believe Trubisky can learn to beat defenses before the ball is snapped.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Pat Mahomes, quarterback, Texas Tech
The Cardinals window for contention has slammed shut, they have gone as far as Carson Palmer will take them. Palmer can hold the fort and mentor Mahomes for a couple years while he develops, but the team will transition to him smoothly. Mahomes has the physical gifts and the coaching from Arians and Palmer will get him ready mentally and coach some of the gunslinger out of him.
14. Philadelphia Eagles: Marlon Humphrey, cornerback, Alabama
The Eagles need an upgrade defensively, and in their secondary in particular, in order to take the next step in contention. Humphrey is a physical specimen who has the technique to play a very effective corner in the NFL.