After his outstanding workout at the NFL Scouting Combine, Myles Garrett made the Cleveland Browns’ decision with the No. 1 overall pick even easier. But the 49ers at No. 2 remain a mystery.
Could San Francisco go quarterback? What about a safety, a position John Lynch is obviously familiar with? Cornerback is a possibility with Ohio State’s Marshon Lattimore. The 49ers can’t go defensive line for the third straight season, right? Not so fast.
With Lynch and company looking to take the best player available and a prospect that will help build the culture in the locker room, Alabama’s Jonathan Allen and Stanford’s Solomon Thomas make a lot of sense. And with Allen’s past shoulder issues, Thomas gets the nod in this exercise, making it three straight years the 49ers go with a Pac-12 lineman in Round 1.
1. Cleveland Browns
Myles Garrett, DE/OLB, Texas A&M: The combine basically confirmed this pick. Cleveland choosing Garrett is the easiest decision for a team picking No. 1 overall since the Colts drafted Andrew Luck.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford: Yes, there is the Stanford connection with general manager John Lynch, but more importantly, Thomas is an excellent football player who adds immediate pass rush help on the defensive line.
3. Chicago Bears
Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama: With the Bears likely addressing their quarterback issue in free agency, Chicago would then look to best player available here, which might be Allen if the medicals are OK.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jamal Adams, SS, LSU: The Jaguars hit a home run with Jalen Ramsey in last year’s first round and could continue upgrading the secondary this year with Jamal Adams, who fits Jacksonville’s profile.
5. Tennessee Titans (from Los Angeles)
Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State: Tennessee needs cornerback help and Lattimore is the best this draft class has to offer. The one variable is his history with hamstring issues, which could be a deal-breaker for some teams.
6. New York Jets
Malik Hooker, FS, Ohio State: The Jets have no choice but to address the secondary this off-season with question marks at both cornerback and safety. Hooker is coming off two surgeries, but is on track to be ready for training camp.
7. Los Angeles Chargers
Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin: With several unreliable spots on the Chargers’ offensive line, Ramczyk will be an appealing prospect with this pick — as long as his surgically repaired hip heals as expected.
8. Carolina Panthers
Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee: Barnett might not be as physically gifted as Garrett, but he was more productive the past three seasons and competes with the pedigree and impact to be a reliable edge rusher.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama: Linebacker Rey Maualuga is a serviceable player, but Foster would be an instant upgrade with his combination of play speed, instincts and violence — as long as that violence remains on the field.
10. Buffalo Bills
Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson: The Tyrod Taylor situation in Buffalo will continue to play itself out the next few weeks, but if he’s out of the picture then Watson becomes an intriguing option with this pick. His résumé and intangibles continue to win over NFL coaches.
11. New Orleans Saints
Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama: The Saints ranked dead-last in the NFL last season in passing yards allowed and collected only nine interceptions (only three by cornerbacks). Humphrey is a well-built athlete with the speed and toughness to start from day one.
12. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia)
Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina: Ideal scenario for Cleveland? Garrett at No. 1 and then the hometown kid falls to No. 12. Trubisky has only 13 career starts, but all the traits are present for him to be a reliable NFL starter.
13. Arizona Cardinals
DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame: Many believe this will be the final season for Carson Palmer in the NFL and the Cardinals need to plan for the future at the position. Kizer is inconsistent, but the physical tools and mental ability are worth developing.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota)
Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan: The Eagles are expected to do some shuffling at the wide receiver position and with no receiver off the board at this point, Philadelphia could have their choice — and in this scenario it is Corey Davis.
15. Indianapolis Colts
Haason Reddick, LB, Temple: Coming from Kansas City, new Colts general manager Chris Ballard understands the impact of speed on defense and that is exactly what Reddick offers. He can line up inside or outside and give position flexibility to drop in coverage or blitz.
16. Baltimore Ravens
Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State: The Ravens have a stable of average backs on the roster, which is one of the reasons they ranked near last in the NFL in rushing in 2016. Cook would help change that and open up the offense.
17. Washington Redskins
Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State: McDowell has an impressive blend of size, athleticism and power to be effective from multiple positions along the defensive line.
18. Tennessee Titans
Mike Williams, WR, Clemson: No, he’s not a burner. But Williams wins in other ways and can provide Marcus Mariota with a large target who plays about the rim in the passing game.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
John Ross, WR, Washington: Mike Evans is the top target of Jameis Winston, but he needs help. Ross is dwarfed by Evans in size, but his explosive athleticism and savvy route-running will only improve the Tampa offensive attack.
20. Denver Broncos
David Njoku, TE, Miami (Fla.): The Broncos have plenty of names on the tight end depth chart, but no difference-makers. Njoku is only 20-years old and still raw in areas, but his potential is off the charts.
21. Detroit Lions
Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU: There are plenty of names on the Lions running back depth chart, but Fournette would quickly jump to the top and give Detroit another dimension at the position.
22. Miami Dolphins
Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan: The Dolphins will be looking to add another pass-rush option in the draft and Charlton is an ascending prospect that can be groomed behind Cameron Wake.
23. New York Giants
Garett Bolles, OT, Utah: Bolles is a polarizing prospect throughout the league. After taking some time off from the game, he rediscovered his love for the game, showing NFL-level athleticism, but needs strength and technique work.
24. Oakland Raiders
Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt: The Raiders could use a tough, rangy linebacker and Cunningham fits the bill with his ball awareness, play speed and length to keep himself free from blocks.
25. Houston Texans
O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama: Tight end might not be at the top of the priority list for the Texans, but with Howard still available in this scenario, the fit makes sense. Whoever is at quarterback will be better with Howard on the field.
26. Seattle Seahawks
Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky: The Seahawks are getting by with the bodies they have on the offensive line, but that doesn’t mean Seattle shouldn’t be looking for upgrades. Lamp can probably survive at tackle in the NFL, but he might be a Pro Bowl guard with his square-blocking skill-set and stubborn mentality.
27. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech: There is a lot about Mahomes that is simply unknown at this point. But what is known is his arm talent and playmaking skills that translate to intriguing upside. In Kansas City, he would be given the opportunity to sit and develop at his own pace.
28. Dallas Cowboys
Charles Harris, DE, Missouri: The Cowboys are in search of a right defensive end who can wrap the edge and put pressure on the pocket. Harris is the latest off the line in the Missouri pass rush factory.
29. Green Bay Packers
Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford: Although he might not be a feature back by the traditional definition, McCaffrey is capable of 25 offensive touches per game and would help transform the Packers’ backfield attack.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers
T.J. Watt, DE/OLB, Wisconsin: Whether he is lined up inside or outside, Watt is a versatile linebacker with the athleticism and competitive drive that will help him make plays on the football field.
31. Atlanta Falcons
Obi Melifonwu, DB, Connecticut: Ricardo Allen has held his own at free safety, but Melifonwu brings positional versatility to the secondary and would give Atlanta a dynamic safety duo along with last year’s first rounder Keanu Neal.
32. New England Patriots
Jabrill Peppers, DB, Michigan: Linebacker? Safety? Running back? Regardless, Bill Belichick will know how to best use Peppers’ athleticism and cultivate all that talent.
Source:www.cbssports.com