The 2017 NFL Draft is still many months away, but with several teams already out of the playoff hunt at the midway point of the season, they have turned their attention to adding a few impact players - especially in the first round. This draft is especially strong at running back, defensive end and in the secondary, and many teams are hoping they will find future stars in the first round.
This draft order is adjusted due to the current records and playoff seeding of all 32 teams in the league. Without further ado, here the first round of our 2017 mock NFL Draft:
1. Cleveland Browns: Jonathan Allen, DT/DE, Alabama
Cleveland could very easily go quarterback here, and may very well do so. However, they really like what they have in Cody Kessler, and Deshaun Watson - who was projected to be the top quarterback taken - hasn't played great and has had problems turning the ball over this year. They're in a long rebuilding process and have a whole roster to revamp. If they aren't happy with a quarterback in this class, they'll try to develop Kessler for another year and draft the best defensive player available in the versatile Allen.
2. San Francisco 49ers: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
The 49ers are desperate for a quarterback, and Kizer has emerged as the top quarterback prospect due to his size, arm talent and mobility. He is still inconsistent and has struggled at times this season, but that has a lot to do with Notre Dame's lackluster offensive line and poor playcalling. Kizer isn't the perfect prospect, but for a team that needs a QB, they'll take him.
3. Chicago Bears: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
The Bears are reportedly "done" with Cutler after the season, and they'd be ecstatic if Watson was the guy they got to replace. He has an extremely accurate arm and is an excellent runner. However, he has made some poor decisions with the football this year, leading to a good deal of turnovers.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Jacksonville can't rush the passer. Enter Garrett, who is arguably the best overall prospect in this class and can contribute from day one.
5. New York Jets: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Matt Forte can't play forever. Enter Fournette, who is the complete package of size, speed, strength and agility. New York would be elated if he fell this far. Don't be surprised if a team opts for him over a defensive player in the top 5.
6. Carolina Panthers: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Is this high for Humphrey? Probably. But he's the best cornerback in this class, and Carolina's secondary has been dreadful this year after choosing not to re-sign Josh Norman. They'll try to make up for that in the first round.
7. Cincinnati Bengals: Jabrill Peppers, S/CB, Michigan
The Bengals need another receiver to put across from A.J. Green, but the declining play of their secondary has been a major factor in their struggles this season. Enter the dynamic Peppers, who can play where ever the Bengals need him.
8. San Diego Chargers: Malik McDowell, DE/DT, Michigan State
San Diego pass rush was awful last year. Adding Joey Bosa in the 2016 draft addressed one half of the problem, and now they'll look to find the solution at the other side of the line in McDowell, who is a perfect fit as a 3-4 defensive end.
9. Tennessee Titans (via Los Angeles Rams): Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
The Titans desperately need an upgrade at cornerback, and Tabor is one of the best available. He appears to be the total package of size, physicality, speed and playmaking ability.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Tampa Bay's secondary is one of the worst in the NFL, particularly at the safety position. Enter Adams, who simply makes play after play at LSU.
11. Indianapolis Colts: Tim Williams, DE/OLB, Alabama
The Colts are a complete mess defensively, and general manager Ryan Grigson has blamed Andrew Luck's contract on their inability to build a solid unit. Whether that's true or not, they know they need to draft a defensive player in the first round, and Williams is a top-five talent.
12. Green Bay Packers: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Green Bay could go offensive line or wide receiver with this pick, but with both Julius Peppers and Nick Perry set to become free agents this offseason, adding a pass rusher is necessary. Barnett is a top-10 talent.
13. Buffalo Bills: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
The Bills need a No. 2 to pair with Sammy Watkins, so why not go with another great Clemson receiver? Williams missed all of last season with a neck injury, but has routinely shown the deadly combination of size and speed that has some calling him the next Sammy Watkins.
14. New Orleans Saints: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
Just pencil in the top defensive player on the board for the Saints in the draft, as they have needs at basically every spot but safety. Lattimore should give them a true No. 1 cornerback for the next decade.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
After getting gashed by Ezekiel Elliott, it's clear that the Steelers need to get stronger up the middle. Enter Cunningham, an excellent run stuffer who is also athletic enough to be good in coverage.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Trubisky is going to be that quarterback who goes in the first round just because he's a quarterback, but Arizona would be the perfect spot for him. It's clear that Carson Palmer is starting to decline, and they need a long-term answer. Trubisky has the arm talent to be that guy, and will also have time to develop.
17. Tennessee Titans: Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC
Jackson is crazy fast. He's a gifted athlete that plays some WR for USC. His NFL future is at CB, something the Titans really need. He has fallen a bit from his preseason top 10 projection, but teams will fall in love with his athletic ability.
18. Baltimore Ravens: Charles Harris, DE/OLB, Missouri
The pass rush is severely lacking in Baltimore, and Harris would fix that in a hurry. He has routinely beaten double teams in the SEC and should have immediate success in the NFL.
19. Miami Dolphins: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Miami also needs a cornerback, but they can't pass on their opportunity to upgrade their linebacking core with Foster, who has arguably been Alabama's best linebacker each of the last two years.
20. Detroit Lions: Desmond King, CB, Iowa
Another CB, a position the Lions have ignored for too long. Darius Slay has played well, but he's a free agent and the team could use another starter anyway.
21. Cleveland Browns (via Philadelphia Eagles): Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
The Browns may gamble on a quarterback at this spot if Trubisky is available, but if they go with the best player available, Robinson is their guy. He was a projected top five pick before the season, but has been inconsistent. However, he has all the tools and all the ability in the world. Robinson would also take over the left tackle position from Joe Thomas at some point in the future.
22. Philadelphia Eagles (via Minnesota Vikings): Malachi Dupre, WR, LSU
Dupre has plenty of talent, but doesn't get much of a chance to show it because LSU can't throw the ball (see Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry). However, he is as explosive as anyone in this class and possesses amazing ball skills. Philadelphia needs a receiver, and Dupre is the only with the most upside.
23. Atlanta Falcons: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
The Falcons will likely draft the best defensive player available, and if Hooker is still on the board, they'll won't waste much time selecting him. Hooker is arguably the best safety in this class and will upgrade their secondary.
24. Washington Redskins: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
By now, it's clear that neither Matt Jones or Chris Thompson is a No. 1 running back. Enter Cook, who has been carrying Florida State's offense each of the last two years. On talent alone, Cook could be a top five pick, but because he's a running back, he should still be available.
25. Houston Texans: Marcus Maye, S, Florida
Houston's front seven is good, and they have a group of good skill players on offense. They really need to upgrade their secondary, particularly at the back end, and Maye if someone who can play from day one.
26. New York Giants: Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois
Jason Pierre-Paul is a free agent this offseason, and the Giants may want to move on. Smoot is someone who could step in and fill that role immediately.
27. Denver Broncos: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
The Broncos lost Danny Trevathan last offseason and have missed him this season. They neglected the ILB spot last year and should target one early.
28. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
Seattle's offensive line is a mess, but they've neglected it for the past several years. They may very well to choose to neglect it again, but it's something they can't ignore much longer.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma
The Chiefs really need to upgrade their receiving core, and Westbrook emerged as the best wideout in the college game. He has shown the ability to be reliable every down option while also being an explosive deep threat.
30. New England Patriots: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
McCaffrey's game won't translate as well to the NFL as it does in college. Of course, he's one of the best backs in college and is going to be a very good pro. The Patriots taking McCaffrey just seems like an inevitable outcome (and one that will fit very, very well).
31. Oakland Raiders: Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan
Oakland can look to either the secondary or to the linebacking score, and with Lewis still on the board, that'll be the way they go. He is the best pure cover cornerback in the country and can play both on the outside and as a nickel corner.
32. Dallas Cowboys: Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
Jones has emerged as a mid- to late-first round talent, and while they could use a pass rusher, corner is still a big need. He and Byron Jones give the Cowboys two young game-changers in the secondary.