2017 NFL Mock Draft: Giants get a dynamic playmaker

The 2016 NFL regular season is almost in the books, and the draft order is almost solidified — excepting the slotting of the play-off teams. That makes it a good time to run Big Blue View’s first mock draft.

Who is going where? Who will the Giants draft? Let’s get to it and find out.

The Mock

1. Cleveland Browns (1-14) - Jonathan Allen (DL, Alabama) - Cleveland needs a QB, but I’m not sure there’s enough value for their “Moneyball” approach. Allen’s unique versatility puts him above Myles Garrett in Ray Horton’s defense.
2. San Francisco 49ers (2-13) - Mitch Trubisky (QB, North Carolina) - Chip Kelly’s teams have made some mystifying reaches in the past, but this isn’t one. Trubisky is a talented QB prospect with enough athleticism to put the threat of a QB run in defenses’ minds.
3. Chicago Bears (3-12) - DeShone Kizer (QB, Nortre Dame) - Jay Cutler’s time in Chicago might be over, and he hasn’t given the Bears much reason to keep him. Kizer might need some development, but his physical tools are outstanding.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) - Cam Robinson (OT, Alabama) - The Jags will go as Blake Bortles goes, so improving the blocking up front is the move to make. Robinson isn’t the top prospect on the board, but in a bad tackle class, they might need to make the pick.
5. Tennessee Titans (8-7, via Los Angeles Rams) - Myles Garrett (DE, Texas A&M) - It’s a stroke of luck (and Moneyball) that Garrett has fallen this far. The Titans’ run defense is solid, but their passing defense leaves something to be desired. Garrett is a natural pass rusher and a freakish athlete.
6. New York Jets (4-11) - Teez Tabor (CB, Florida) - It has gotten almost painful to watch Darrelle Revis play this season. Any blitz-happy defense demands reliable play from the secondary, and Revis just isn’t that anymore. There will be a stiff competition for top CB in this class, and right now that is Tabor.
7. San Diego Chargers (5-10) - Mike Williams (WR, Clemson) - This pick might be influence by whether or not the Chargers are able to retain Melvin Ingram in free agency. If so, Williams gives Phillip Rivers another big, athletic receiver in the mold of Julio Jones or Dez Bryant.
8. Cincinnati Bengals (5-9-1) - Tim Williams (EDGE, Alabama) - The Bengals’ pass rush has been anemic this year. Williams has a very good first step and the ability to rush off the edge as a linebacker or defensive end.
9. Carolina Panthers (6-9) - Leonard Fournette (RB, LSU) - The Panthers’ feature a BIG offense. Big QB, big wide receivers, and a big tight end. With Jonathan Stewart potentially on his way out, the Panthers nab one of the best size/athleticism combinations since Adrian Peterson.
10. Cleveland Browns (1-14, via the Philadelphia Eagles) - Jabrill Peppers (S, Michigan) - Peppers is a unique talent, with the explosive athleticism to play almost any skill position on the field. In the NFL he is a safety, and the Browns desperately need help on their back end.
11. Arizona Cardinals (6-8-1) - Rueben Foster (ILB, Alabama) - The top of this draft has been almost ridiculously ‘Bama-heavy, but they’re just that talented. Foster is a hard-hitting and remarkably athletic linebacker who can help restore the Cards’ defense to what it was.
12. Buffalo Bills (7-8) - Jamal Adams (S, LSU) - The Bills need help in their defensive backfield and LSU’s safety can play all over. He has experience playing the center field, in the box, or lining up as a slot corner.
13. Indianapolis Colts (7-8) - Zach Cunningham (LB, Vanderbilt) - The Colts have been trying to build an actual defense since Chuck Pagano took over as head coach, and they never seem to be able to do it. Cunningham can play outside or inside linebacker, and has the production and smooth yet twitchy athleticism to suggest an impact player at the next level.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8) - John Ross (WR, Washington) - The Philadelphia receiving core is awful. And not “full of awe-inspiring players” either; they’re bad. Washington’s John Ross has been shooting up boards over the last two months, and his blistering athleticism draws comparisons to DeSean Jackson. He would be a big boost to a (rightfully) maligned unit.
15. New Orleans Saints (7-8) - Takkarist McKinley (EDGE, UCLA) - The Saints have precisely one threat on defense. While they could certainly do with help on the back end, McKinley is a powerful, incredibly high-motor player who should be able to disrupt from the defensive end or linebacker positions.
16. Tennessee Titans (8-7) - Sidney Jones (CB, Washington) - The Husky’s players aren’t really on the national radar (yet), but they’re really good. Jones is a bit undersized, but his quick feet, fluid hips, and fantastic cover ability will get him noticed by the NFL.
17. Baltimore Ravens (8-7) - Carl Lawson (EDGE, Auburn) - Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil are up against Father Time, and not going to win that match-up. Lawson has all the tools to be a first-rate edge rusher and a good fit for Baltimore’s hybrid defense.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7) - Corey Davis (WR, Western Michigan) - Jamis Winston has benefited from a pair of big, talented receivers. But with Vincent Jackson aging, it might be time to find him another one. Davis is a smooth receiver for his size and has earned praise for his route running. He could feast across from Evans.
19. Denver Broncos (8-7) - Dan Feeney (OG, Indiana) - The Broncos Super Bowl formula of a dominant defense and a dependable ground game fell short without Peyton Manning orchestrating the offense at the line of scrimmage. Feeney provides an upgrade to the interior of a badly depleted offensive line to help their young quarterbacks and sputtering running game.
20. Washington Redskins (8-6-1) - Jarad Davis (ILB, Florida) - Washington’s defense just isn’t good. They have talented edge rushers, but they’re lacking up the middle. Davis is a smart, athletic, and highly aggressive linebacker who could clean up in the running game and give them coverage over the middle.
21. Detroit Lions (9-6) - Derek Barnett (DE, Tennessee) - Ziggy Ansah had a very forgettable season while dealing with injury in 2016, but even with him healthy the Lions need more up front. Barnett is the epitome of consistency with three straight seasons of at least 10 sacks.
22. Miami Dolphins (10-5) - Jake Butt (TE, Michigan) - The Dolphins’ draft could depend on how free agency pans out. At this point, I’ll give them the most well-rounded TE in the draft, who can help them in both the running and passing games.
23. New York Giants (10-5) - Dalvin Cook (RB, Florida State) - I had several options here, but my top two were Virginia Tech’s Bucky Hodges and FSU’s Cook. I don’t think I could go wrong here, but I decided to go with Cook. He is a game breaking play-maker who has no business falling this far in the draft. He could very well go in the top 10, but in this scenario his position dropped him down the board. The Giants need a viable run game to take the load off the passing game and open up the vertical aspect through play-action. Cook has elite vision, balance, agility, and acceleration and is a threat to take it to the house on any given play. I broke one of Ed’s Rules For Draft Success in making this pick, but while I think Jerrel Adams could grow into a reasonable facsimile of Hodges, there isn’t another “Cook” in this class that I’ve found (yet).
24. Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) - Raekwon McMillan (ILB, Ohio State) - Derrick Johnson, KC’s current starting inside linebacker is 34, which means that it’s probably a good idea to find another. McMillan hasn’t announced his draft intentions yet, but if he leaves he will be a good fit in the Chiefs dangerous defense.
25. Houston Texans (9-6) - DeShaun Watson (QB, Clemson) - The Texans seem to have busted when they signed Brock Osweiler to a big contract without him even meeting their head coach first. Watson needs some polish to play at the NFL level, but his legs and leadership could make him special.
26. Green Bay Packers (9-6) - Charles Harris (EDGE, Missouri) - While Nick Perry has rewarded the Packers’ faith, both Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews are getting up there in years. Harris is an explosive (if a bit stiff) edge rusher who can step in and help threaten opposing offenses.
27. Seattle Seahawks (9-5-1) - Taco Charlton (DE, Michigan) - The return of Michael Bennett didn’t revitalize the Seahawks’ defensive front like it was hoped. Charlton is a big, long, and athletic DE with more agility than he would appear to have. He could find a home in Seattle’s hybrid front. If Earl Thomas does indeed retire, the free safety position becomes their priority.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) - Bucky Hodges (TE, Virginia Tech) - Ladarius Green has become yet another weapon for the dangerous Pittsburgh offense. He hasn’t, however, been able to stay on the field, nor has Jesse James emerged as an heir to Heath Miller. Hodges is a big athletic freak of a tight end, and he could emerge as a steal this late in the draft.
29. Atlanta Falcons (10-5) - Montravious Adams (DT, Auburn) - The Falcons’ offense isn’t just dominant, it’s on a whole different level compared to the rest of the NFL. Their defense, on the other hand, hasn’t kept pace. Vic Beasley has emerged as an edge rusher, but a disruptive interior force like Adams could help raise their defensive game.
30. Oakland Raiders (12-3) - Chris Wormley (DT, Michigan) - It’s difficult to think of a defense featuring Khalil Mack as needing help. However, they really could use an interior force to keep quarterbacks from stepping up in the pocket and clog interior running lanes.
31. New England Patriots (13-2) - Garrett Bolles (OT, Utah) - Benefiting from a weak tackle class, Bolles has gotten a longer look from scouts than he might have otherwise, and has risen up boards as the college season has drawn to a close. The Patriots’ offense appears to be a machine, but they need to infuse talent on their offensive line.
32. Dallas Cowboys (13-2) - DeMarcus Walker (DE, Florida State) - Walker is flying under the radar at the moment, but he has had a great 2016 season. He is a bit short for defensive end in the NFL, but he has plenty of bulk to stand up at the point of attack. The Dallas defense has been helped by their running game, but needs a viable pass rush.