2017 NFL mock draft: Detroit Lions take a linebacker at 21 overall

With the 2017 NFL Draft now less than a day away, it’s time for our annual first-round mock. Last year, we did pretty good, matching 10 players to their respective teams, including Taylor Decker to the Detroit Lions. It’ll be tough to top last year’s results, but let’s give it a shot.

1. Cleveland Browns - Myles Garrett - EDGE

It would truly be a Browns move to pass up on the consensus No. 1 talent in the entire draft. I doubt that would really happen though, and they have another chance later in the first to take a quarterback.

2. San Francisco 49ers - Solomon Thomas - EDGE

Like the Browns, the 49ers need help at almost every position. They could take a quarterback at second overall to build around, or they could take the second best player in the draft. I think they go with the latter option.

3. Chicago Bears - Jamal Adams - S

Adams isn't my top safety, but there isn't much separating the two of them, and I believe the Bears may like Adams more due to his versatility and leadership. Lions fans should feel unhappy with this pick.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars - Leonard Fournette - RB

I like Fournette as much as the next guy, but I'm one that believes this spot is way too high for a running back, especially when the top RB talents really aren't that great in this year's class. Still, the Jags seem to like Fournette a lot, and I believe this will be the pick for them.

5. Tennessee Titans - Marshon Lattimore - CB

Lattimore comes with injury concerns, but he is without a doubt a top player in this draft and easily the best CB prospect on the board. The Titans are pretty stout against the run, but they still need some help against the pass. Lattimore can step in and start Day 1 and should provide an immediate impact as long as he stays healthy.

6. New York Jets - Deshaun Watson - QB

Watson gets added to the laundry list of quarterbacks that the Jets have, but I believe he would come in as easily the most talented passer on this roster. To me, Watson is the No. 1 QB in this class. He offers upside and comes up huge in the biggest of moments.

7. Los Angeles Chargers - Corey Davis - WR

Most are mocking one of the top safeties to the Chargers, but they've had some pretty bad luck at drafting wide receiver as of late. They could really use a big-bodied receiver like Davis who is a top-6 talent in the draft. Reports of him sliding may be true, but that's what happens when teams start to overthink.

8. Carolina Panthers - Christian McCaffrey - RB

A lot of signs are pointing this way and there have been plenty of rumors suggesting McCaffrey is selected in the top 10. I see the Panthers as one of the more obvious destinations with their big need for a running back. I don't love his fit in their power run scheme, but I'm sure they'll find a way to utilize his phenomenal skill-set.

9. Cincinnati Bengals - Jonathan Allen - DL

Defensive line may not be the Bengals' most pressing need, but adding a top talent like Allen to help bolster their pass rush is a no-brainer for who's left on the board. I could also see Barnett going here, but I believe that may be too rich for the Tennessee pass rusher.

10. Buffalo Bills - O.J. Howard - TE

The Bills could definitely go with quarterback or linebacker here, but it will be hard for them to pass on O.J., who I believe is a top-10 talent in this draft. I'm not enamored by the current TE talent on Buffalo's roster and believe Howard would be an immediate upgrade over what they currently have.

11. New Orleans Saints - Haason Reddick - LB

Reddick could be the top player available by the time the Saints are on the clock and they just so happen to have a big need at linebacker. Reddick can immediately come in and help out as a pass rusher and in coverage.

12. Cleveland Browns - Deshone Kizer - QB

It's really tough to tell where each quarterback is going to go with the top 4 being graded so closely together. I like Kizer a lot more than I like Trubisky and Mahomes and think that Kizer would easily be the best QB on the Browns’ roster should they draft him here.

13. Arizona Cardinals - Patrick Mahomes - QB

God bless Carson Palmer, but he struggled a lot last year and will turn 38 by the end of the year. Reuben Foster may have been the pick here a week or two ago, but the baggage keeps on getting heavier and I think the Cardinals will prioritize QB at No. 13.

14. Philadelphia Eagles - Marlon Humphrey - CB

My source tells me that the Eagles really like Charles Harris or Derek Barnett at this spot, but cornerback is also an option. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz loves his physical corners and Marlon Humphrey would be a perfect fit and good value at this spot.

15. Indianapolis Colts - Forrest Lamp - OG/OT

The Colts could go either side of the trenches here. Harris or Barnett is an option, but I have them a lot lower than most. Still, there have been a ton of rumors about Harris going top 25 despite his poor testing. I like Lamp here and believe he is the best offensive lineman on the board. He can play both guard and tackle at the next level.

16. Baltimore Ravens - Mike Williams - WR

The Ravens are in a similar situation as the Lions. They don't exactly have a No. 1 receiver and are lacking talent at receiver even more so than the Lions. Williams is the best receiver on the board and in time, could become their No. 1 receiving threat.

17. Washington Redskins - Dalvin Cook - RB

Most believe Dalvin Cook will be slotted two spots later, but the Redskins have a big need for a running back as well, and to me, Cook is the top running back in this draft despite his issues. It will be tough for the Redskins to pass up on such a dynamic runner.

18. Tennessee Titans - John Ross - WR

Ross is a risky pick no matter how you look at things, but you simply can't teach speed. Teams value elite top speed and rightfully so. Mariota gets his deep threat that isn't Mike Wallace.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Malik Hooker - S

If you read this earlier, then you noticed I completely goofed up and forgot about Malik Hooker. This pick was originally slotted for Budda Baker before this was pointed out to me. Hooker would be a godsend for the Bucs at No. 19 overall.

20. Denver Broncos - Ryan Ramczyk - OT

The Broncos are likely going in the direction of offensive tackle here unless a top player falls into their lap. This is a perfect situation for them where they get to choose whatever tackle they want, whether it's Ramczyk, Garett Bolles or Cam Robinson. I like Robinson the most, but think the Broncos will go with Ramczyk.

21. Detroit Lions - Jarrad Davis - LB

With Reddick gone and teams scrambling to get info on Gareon Conley, I decided to pick between Reuben Foster, T.J. Watt and Jarrad Davis. Foster's medical concerns are even more worrisome than Watt and Davis, as he's suffered multiple concussions (that we know of). Davis has his own issues, but has seen his stock skyrocket as of late. He's reportedly knocking the interview process out of the park and is an elite athlete. I think the Lions take Davis and avoid the risk with Foster.

22. Miami Dolphins - Reuben Foster - LB

I'd say Reuben Foster is a pretty nice consolation prize for the Dolphins with Haason Reddick and Jarrad Davis both gone. Even with the addition of Lawrence Timmons, the Dolphins need to add as much talent as they can at linebacker and getting younger and more athletic is what the cool teams are doing these days.

23. New York Giants - Cam Robinson - OT

The Giants are probably looking to add a new OT with Ereck Flowers struggling at left tackle. Bolles might be the better LT prospect to start right away, but Robinson's upside is through the roof and he moves like a tight end.

24. Oakland Raiders - Tre'Davious White - CB

The list of top cornerbacks to choose from is dwindling, but I still like Tre'Davious White quite a bit. If it were up to me, I'd go with Quincy Wilson here, but it appears that most boards have Wilson in the second round. I'm also not enamored with Kevin King this high. The Raiders need help at CB and get their man.

25. Houston Texans - Mitchell Trubisky - QB

White quarterback? Check. Bill O'Brien? Check.

26. Seattle Seahawks - Garett Bolles - OT

Bolles is a stud prospect with great potential, but his age and lack of experience are what has pushed his stock down. The Seahawks need to do whatever they can to protect Russell Wilson and they have a need at both tackle positions. Bolles may be the best case scenario for them.

27. Kansas City Chiefs - Kevin King - CB

This is too high for King if you ask me, but if the rumors are true, teams seem to love him and there is no denying his size and athleticism. King is as raw as it gets, but in a few years he could end up paying dividends for the Chiefs.

28. Dallas Cowboys - Adoree' Jackson - CB

The Cowboys need to go either defensive back or defensive line here. I could see them going with a number of guys, but Jackson has the highest upside of anyone available and would make the Cowboys an even scarier team with another top playmaker added to their squad.

29. Green Bay Packers - T.J. Watt - LB/EDGE

This seems like the perfect fit for the Packers, and I hate to say that because I really like Watt. They need a threat off the edge and Watt has tremendous athleticism and upside.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers - Obi Melifonwu - S

The Steelers use an extra DB on more than 70 percent of their snaps and while they do not need a starting safety, Obi can come in and develop while possibly playing in sub packages as a rookie. This is an investment for the future.

31. Atlanta Falcons - Derek Barnett - EDGE

I'm not sure how I let Barnett fall this far, so you're welcome, Atlanta. Barnett didn't test well athletically, but his tape is great and he just finds a way to get to the quarterback. You can never have too many pass rushers.

32. New Orleans Saints - Quincy Wilson - CB

The Saints' secondary is a mess, per usual. Here, they add one of my favorite cornerbacks in this year's draft and likely look to add a WR on Day 2.