NFL MOCK DRAFT 2017: TOP 5 PICKS

AUTHOR: PETER DIPAOLA
EDITOR: NICHOLAS PETERSEN

PICK 1.) CLEVELAND BROWNS- MYLES GARRETT, DE, TEXAS A&M
 
The Browns need to improve their pass rush, especially in the AFC North where they face Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, and Andy Dalton. Grant holds the top grade, a 7.8, from nfl.com, and with the skill set he developed in college, this selection makes sense for the Browns. A player with Garrett’s ability and potential would be a welcomed addition to a team that went 1-15 in 2016.

PICK 2.) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS- MITCH TRUBISKY, QB, NORTH CAROLINA
 
San Francisco’s new Head Coach, Kyle Shanahan, is an offensive minded coach. Couple that with the 49ers need for a quarterback and Trubisky makes perfect sense - he fits the type of offense that Shanahan will want to run, and he is the top rated quarterback heading into the draft according to nfl.com. He might not be the day one starter if the 49ers want to groom him and give him time to learn, but a second overall pick isn’t out the of the realm of possibility.

PICK 3.) CHICAGO BEARS- JONATHAN ALLEN, DE, ALABAMA
 
Chicago plays in a competitive NFC North, where the top two quarterbacks in the division are Aaron Rodger and Matthew Stafford. Both of them led their teams to the playoffs in 2016. Getting a defensive end at the third spot would help John Fox reclaim the signature song of the great Bears teams of the past: a stout defense. Jonathan Allen is listed at 6'3" and 291 pounds, his size and skills are a good match for the Bears. He lead Alabama, known for their elite college defenses, in 2016 with 10.5 sacks. If the goal is the glory of the Bears teams of the past, this is a good place to start.

PICK 4.) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- LEONARD FOURNETTE, RB, LSU
 
Jacksonville needs to help Blake Bortles, as Jacksonville ranked 22nd in rush yards in 2016 and 23rd in total yards. Developing a running game is the place to start, and Fournette would give the Jaguars a legitimate option at running back. Nfl.com has him listed as the second best grade - 7.1 - heading into the draft. At just 22 years old, he will have plenty of time to help the Jaguars before he would turn 30 and "hit the wall" like so many running backs seem to do.

PICK 5.) TENNESSEE TITANS- MARSHON LATTIMORE, CB, OHIO STATE
 
Tennessee ranked 30th in passing yards in 2016. Obtaining a cornerback at number five would make a difference for the defense overall. There are plenty of talented receivers in the AFC, especially in the AFC South. Lattimore’s 4 interceptions, 9 passes defended and a defensive touchdown in 2016 at Ohio State, suggest that his abilities would make him a welcome asset to the Titans who need to work on their passing defense. If Tennessee wants to compete for their division and go the distance in the playoffs, then beefing up their secondary for the long haul is a requirement. Lattimore can help them do that quickly. 

MARSHON LATTIMORE'S STATS: http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/marshon-lattimore-1.html