NFL Network draft expert Mike Mayock answered questions about the 2017 NFL Draft for more than an hour on a teleconference Friday, and suggested various prospects as strong potential fits for a number of NFL clubs. College Football 24/7 compiled a look at some of the connections Mayock made between 10 clubs and their potential draftees.
Tennessee Titans
Look for the Titans, with two first-round selections, to bolster their secondary with the No. 5 overall pick, and draft some help at wide receiver for QB Marcus Mariota at No. 18. LSU S Jamal Adams or Ohio State CB Marshon Lattimore are the likely targets at No. 5, while the WR trio of Corey Davis (Western Michigan), Mike Williams (Clemson) or John Ross (Washington) should provide Tennessee with an option at No. 18, Mayock said.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have a big need at the cornerback position, but it's a good draft to need help there. Good enough, Mayock said, that the club might consider waiting until the second or third round to select one. Philadelphia holds the No. 14 overall pick, but quality cornerbacks will trickle down to later rounds in this draft. "If (Ohio State's Gareon) Conley is on the board at 14, you have to compare him to the best play maker on offense on your board," Mayock said. "Because I'm not convinced the Eagles should go defense, to be honest with you. If Conley's not there, I think you want to get your corner in the second or third round. I think you need two corners."
New York Giants
If the Giants want Alabama TE O.J. Howard, they'd better trade up. "I don't think he'll be there at No. 23," Mayock said of the former Crimson Tide star. "As a matter of fact, if I had to name my top 10, and when my top 100 list comes out next week before the draft, he'll be in the top 10 or 12. That's how good a football player I think he is." A more realistic TE option for the Giants: Miami's David Njoku.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers could be looking for a pass rusher at No. 30 overall, and Mayock offered a flurry of names as possibilities. One among Tennessee's Derek Barnett, UCLA's Takkarist McKinley and Missouri's Charles Harris might slip to GM Kevin Colbert, Mayock said. If not, other possible Steelers targets include Wisconsin's T.J. Watt, Kansas State's Jordan Willis, or Alabama's Tim Williams.
Dallas Cowboys
Three names to watch for with Dallas at the No. 28 pick, although both could be gone by then, per Mayock, are pass rushers Charles Harris of Missouri, Takkarist McKinley of UCLA and T.J. Watt of Wisconsin. Harris is "picking up steam," per Mayock, and there's a good chance he won't be available to the Cowboys so late in the first round.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While the Bucs could use some help on the defensive side of the ball, another weapon for QB Jameis Winston is in order. And the answer could come from within the state of Florida for Bucs GM Jason Licht. "I think (FSU RB Dalvin) Cook's going to slide because of character concerns. Could Dalvin Cook be staring them in the face at 19? I think he could be, and I think he needs to be a consideration." Mayock cited Winston's 24 turnovers a year ago, and a need for the Bucs offense to help take some pressure off the third-year quarterback. Cook could do just that, and with his receiving skills, he could stay on the field to help Winston on crucial third downs, as well.
Seattle Seahawks
Western Kentucky OL Forrest Lamp would be a stellar pick for the Seahawks at No. 26 overall. "If Lamp was there, I'd sprint to the podium. That's how highly I think of him," Mayock said. "I think he can play right tackle. I think he'd be better off playing guard or center. But, regardless, he would upgrade their line and be a day one plug-and-play starter."
Baltimore Ravens
One possible fit for the Ravens in the first round: Michigan's Jabrill Peppers. Coach John Harbaugh has a bit of an edge on the evaluations of Michigan prospects, and the versatile safety could be a nice fit in Baltimore. "With (Eric) Weddle aging, you've got to be looking at safety. I would think that Peppers would be one of those guys you look at. I think he makes sense," Mayock said.
Carolina Panthers
If the Panthers taking a running back with the No. 8 overall pick, what about a pass rusher later in the draft? One possible fit is Florida Atlantic's Trey Hendrickson, who Mayock views as a third-round value. He's a bit undersized, but he was a dominant presence at the East-West Shrine Game practice week in January, and Mayock sees a scheme fit for him in Carolina.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings don't have a first-round pick, and with their first selection at No. 48 overall, Mayock sees the offensive line as one area due for an upgrade. Another possibility: running back, where controversial RB Joe Mixon could be available. "One of the things that you have to exhaust if you're the Vikings is whether or not to look at Joe Mixon," Mayock said. "I think Joe Mixon's going to go in the second round, and I'll preface this for people who go crazy and just say that if I'm the GM, I take him off my board. As soon as I see that video, he's off my board. ... I don't have any idea what they are or aren't doing with Joe Mixon, but I would assume that's a guy they're looking at really hard, trying to evaluate him."
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