Advertisement

NFL beat writer mock draft: Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett and Stanford’s Solomon Thomas are first to go

Share via

With the NFL draft just a week a way it’s time for The Times’ beat writer mock draft.

Beat writers from around the country will played the role of general manager for the team’s they cover. Scroll for complete results for picks 1-32.

Share via

Mock draft: Saints select LSU CB Tre’Davious White with No. 32 pick

(Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

CB Tre’Davious White, LSU

Sean Payton has made it no secret that the Saints still need to add multiple cornerbacks. This pick might actually be used to trade with New England to acquire CB Malcolm Butler. If not, White makes sense for the Saints at a position of need.

Larry Holder, New Orleans Times-Picayune

Share via

Mock draft: Falcons add Auburn DE Carl Lawson with 31st-overall pick

(Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

DE Carl Lawson, Auburn

The Falcons must continue to improve their pass rush. Lawson has the speed that teams covet. Atlanta needs someone to rush opposite Vic Beasley.

D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Advertisement
Share via

Mock draft: Steelers take Michigan SS Jabrill Peppers at No. 30

(Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

SS Jabrill Peppers, Michigan

The Steelers are looking for playmakers in the secondary who can cover the field. With so much sub package, Peppers would be the ideal fifth DB for now.

Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Share via

Mock draft: Packers take J.J. Watt’s brother, Wisconsin OLB T.J. Watt, at No. 29

(Tom Pennington / Getty Images)

OLB T.J. Watt, Wisconsin

The Packers’ greatest needs are on defense, and nothing helps more on that side of the ball than a pass rusher. Watt is a high-effort player whose physical testing and inexperience -- he switched from TE to OLB only two years ago -- suggest that he has some upside too.

Pete Dougherty, Green Bay Press-Gazette

Advertisement
Share via

Mock draft: Cowboys go with Missouri DE Charles Harris with the No. 28 pick

(L.G. Patterson / Associated Press)

DE Charles Harris, Missouri

The Cowboys will take the best defensive end or cornerback on the board at 28, assuming they stay put. Of their 30 national visitors, only two were offensive players. They have not made a secret of how much they like Harris.

Charean Williams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Share via

Mock draft: Chiefs draft Clemson QB Deshaun Watson with No. 27 pick

(Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)

QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson

A winner with a pedigree who has a little Donovan McNabb in him. He can sit and learn behind Alex Smith and solidify the QB position for years to come.

Terez Paylor, Kansas City Star

Advertisement
Share via

Mock draft: Seahawks go after Washington CB Kevin King with No. 26 pick

(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

CB Kevin King, Washington

At 6-foot-3 King is the kind of big corner Pete Carroll covets. He would help a secondary that could be in transition.

Bob Condotta, Seattle Times

Share via

Mock draft: Texans take Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes at No. 25

(Ron Jenkins / Associated Press)

QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech

With Tom Savage entrenched as the starter, Mahomes will be given time to develop. They like his arm, movement skills and leadership ability.

John McClain, Houston Chronicle

Advertisement
Share via

Mock draft: Raiders select Florida ILB Jarrad Davis at No. 24

(Mark Humphrey / Associated Press)

ILB Jarrad Davis, Florida

General Manager Reggie McKenzie has always thought he can fill linebackers needs late in the draft or via free agency, but this match is too good to pass up. Davis can play sideline to sideline, and the Raiders defense needs playmakers.

Vic Tafur, San Francisco Chronicle

Share via

Mock Draft. New York Giants go for Miami TE David Njoku at No. 23

TE David Njoku, Miami

Eli Manning began his career with an athletic, seam-busting TE taken in the first round from the U already on the Giants. He can now come to the end of his career with one too. The Giants signed Rhett Ellison to handle the blocking duties of the position; now they’ll add Njoku to handle the pass-catching part, force teams out of the Cover-2s that kept Odell in check in 2016, and be another big red zone target. Njoku is everything GM Jerry Reese thought Adrien Robinson would be when he called him “the JPP of tight ends” in 2012. The only difference is that he actually is.

Tom Rock, Newsday

Advertisement
Share via

Mock draft: Dolphins add a big body with Michigan State DT Malik McDowell at No. 22

(Al Goldis / Associated Press)

DT Malik McDowell, Michigan State

The Dolphins were one of the NFL’s worst teams when it came to stopping the run. McDowell has the talent to be an NFL starter if someone can motivate him to play every snap.

Omar Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Share via

Mock draft: Lions select Michigan DE Taco Charlton at No. 21

(Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

DE Taco Charlton, Michigan

The Lions finished 31st in sacks and need to ramp up their pass rush. They like Charlton and Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis. They like Charlton’s length at left defensive end, even though linebacker is a bigger need.

Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press

Advertisement
Share via

Mock draft: Broncos shore up left side with Utah OT Garett Bolles at No. 20

(Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

OT Garett Bolles, Utah

The Broncos have a crying need for a left tackle, and Bolles is better than the other two top tackles in this draft, Cam Robinson and Ryan Ramczyk.

Mike Klis, 9News

Share via

Mock draft: Buccaneers add RB Dalvin Cook from Florida State at No. 19

(Joel Auerbach / Getty Images)

RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State

Doug Martin will miss the first 3 games serving a suspension for PEDs, his contract is no longer guaranteed, he’s been hurt three out of five years and the team won’t commit to him. Although a defensive player would fill a bigger need, Cook, a former teammate of Jameis Winston’s, would give the Bucs an explosive, three down back and bring balance to the offense.

Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times

Advertisement
Share via

Mock draft: Titans add to O-line with Western Kentucky’s Forrest Lamp at No. 18

(Gregory Payan / Associated Press)

OL Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky

Surprise! With the top three wideouts off the board, the Titans still go offense, selecting the former Western Kentucky offensive tackle with an eye toward starting him at guard. He’s a stud in pass protection and as a run blocker, and provides tremendous versatility.

Jason Wolf, Tennessean

Share via

Mock draft: Redskins go offense first with Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey at No. 17

(Thomas Boyd / Associated Press)

RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford

The Redskins could use depth along the defensive line, but they just need to add talent. Period. McCaffrey gives them a versatile weapon as a running back and wide receiver, plus he’s a threat on special teams as a returner.

Master Tesfatsion, Washington Post

Advertisement
Share via

Mock draft: Ravens draft Western Michigan WR Corey Davis with No. 16 pick

(Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan

Ideally, the Ravens would find a top pass rusher sitting there at 16, but with Derek Barnett, Takkarist McKinley and Haason Reddick all gone, they add a much-needed playmaker for Joe Flacco. Ozzie Newsome hasn’t had much success with first-round wide receivers, but Davis has all the qualities of a future No. 1 receiver.

Jeff Zrebeic, Baltimore Sun

Share via

Mock draft: Colts select UCLA OLB Takkarist McKinley at No. 15

(Rick Bowmer / Associated Press)

OLB Takkarist McKinley, UCLA

The Colts’ priority this off-season has been their pass rush. They addressed it to a degree by signing Jabaal Sheard and Johnathan Hankins, but his would be as big or bigger.

Stephen Holder, Indianapolis Star

Advertisement
Share via

Mock draft: Eagles add to receiving corps with Washington’s John Ross at No. 14

(Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images)

WR John Ross, Washington

Ross gives Carson Wentz a speedy target, and the two can develop together. Cornerback is a bigger need for the Eagles, but they can get one in a later round.

Les Bowen, Philadelphia Daily News

Share via

Mock draft: Cardinals go with Alabama ILB Reuben Foster at No. 13

(Vasha Hunt / Associated Press)

ILB Reuben Foster, Alabama

They have to be tempted by quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson in this scenario. But inside linebacker is a need, and the Cardinals won’t be scared off by Foster’s off-field issues. They feel confident veteran Karlos Dansby would be a perfect mentor.

Kent Somers, Arizona Republic

Advertisement
Share via

Mock draft: Browns take Alabama TE O.J. Howard with No. 12 pick

(Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

TE O.J. Howard, Alabama

The Browns would like Mitchell Trubisky at 12, but if they can’t get him, Howard would give them an offensive weapon they did not have last year. When he was with Cincinnati, Hue Jackson showed with Tyler Eifert what he can do with a good tight end. Howard fills that role.

Jeff Schudel, News Herald

Share via

Mock draft: Saints add Temple OLB Haason Reddick with No. 11 pick

(Brynn Anderson / Associated Press)

OLB Haason Reddick, Temple

The Saints need defensive playmakers in the front seven, and the versatile Reddick is one the fastest riders in the draft. He has the speed to rush the quarterback off the edge or cover backs and tight ends downfield.

Jeff Duncan, New Orleans Times-Picayune

Advertisement
Share via

Mock draft: Bills draft QB of future in North Carolina’s Mitchell Trubisky at No. 10

(Gerry Broome / Associated Press)

QB Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina

The Bills have so many needs, they would be better off trading back for more picks. They resigned Tyrod Taylor but still must shape the organization’s long-term future at quarterback.

Tim Graham, Buffalo News

Share via

Mock draft: Bengals draft Tennessee DE Derek Barnett at No. 9

(Wade Payne / Associated Press)

DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee

The Bengals need a pass rusher, and they love productive players from the Southeastern Conference. Barnett, Tennessee’s all-time sacks leader, checks all the boxes.

Paul Dehner, Cincinnati Enquirer

Advertisement
Share via

Mock draft: Panthers grab LSU RB Leonard Fournette with No. 8 pick

(Samantha Baker / Associated Press)

RB Leonard Fournette, LSU

Christian McCaffrey would help the Panthers in the slot and as a punt returner. But if the Panthers want to ensure opponents bring a safety in the box and open up the field for Cam Newton, Fournette is their man.

Joe Person, Charlotte Observer

Share via

Mock draft: Chargers add WR depth with Clemson’s Mike Williams at No. 7

(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

WR Mike Williams, Clemson

The secondary and offensive line might be the two biggest needs, but with this board, finding quarterback Philip Rivers another weapon makes too much sense. The Chargers get insurance in case Keenan Allen can’t stay healthy. And if he can, they get an impressive tandem of wideouts.

Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times

Advertisement
Share via

Mock draft: N.Y. Jets select Ohio State CB Marshon Lattimore with No. 6 pick

(Gregory Payan / Associated Press)

CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State

The Jets have holes all over their roster, so they could go many directions here. Lattimore is the best corner in the draft and gives them a replacement for the recently jettisoned Darrelle Revis.

Brian Costello, New York Post

Share via

Mock draft: Titans take LSU SS Jamal Adams with fifth-overall pick

(John Raoux / Associated Press)

SS Jamal Adams, LSU

A year after dealing the No. 1 overall selection to the Rams, the Titans would once again like to trade down to acquire more draft capital. But absent a deal for the fifth pick, they’re in position to go with the best available talent. Tennessee could land a much-needed wide receiver or cornerback when it picks again at 18.

Jason Wolf, The Tennesseean

Advertisement
Share via

Mock draft: Jaguars take Alabama DT Jonathan Allen with fourth-overall pick

(Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

DT Jonathan Allen, Alabama

LSU tailback Leonard Fournette makes a ton of sense here since the Jaguars desperately need to add a play-maker in the running game. But new football boss Tom Coughlin goes the safe route with the versatile Allen, who can rotate with newcomer Calais Campbell at strong-side end and also serve as an interior pass rusher on third down.

Ryan O’Halloran, Florida Times-Union

Share via

Mock draft: Bears draft Ohio State FS Malik Hooker with third pick

(Jamie Sabau / Getty Images)

FS Malik Hooker, Ohio State

The Bears’ 11 takeaways last season tied for the worst single-season total in league history. Hooker’s elite range and ball skills can remedy that as long as the team is comfortable with off-season hip labrum surgery.

Rich Campbell, Chicago Tribune

Advertisement
Share via

Mock draft: 49ers pick Stanford DE Solomon Thomas with second-overall pick

(Mark Lambie / Associated Press)

DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford

Thomas is just the sort of foundational player the 49ers are seeking as they revamp their roster. The only problem is he’d be the third straight defensive lineman they’ve taken in the first round, which is why a trade-down scenario makes sense too.

Matt Barrows, Sacramento Bee

Share via

Mock draft: Browns make Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett the No. 1 pick

DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M — The Browns need to add a surefire impact player instead of taking a chance on a quarterback here. Garrett can help transform the defense, and the Browns still have the picks to land a quarterback later.

Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland Plain Dealer

Advertisement