Here is my way-too-early NFL mock draft for 2017. Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.
1. Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson*
We have limited information on Watson's intangibles, measurables and medical information, but by all accounts, he has outstanding personal and football character. While I still need to study his reads and true accuracy more, he has a good arm and flashes anticipation as a passer. Watson put up 40 points in the College Football Playoff National Championship against an Alabama defense that had four players drafted in the top 60 and has another three featured here.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami (FL)*
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Kaaya will have to bulk up to withstand the pounding in the NFL, but he's a tough competitor. You can tell watching him play that he's very smart and processes information quickly. He has the tools to develop and shows good touch/timing as a passer. If the 49ers are picking this high -- remember: I didn't set the order -- they're likely still in need of a quarterback upgrade.
3. New York Giants
Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M*
Ranked as the fourth overall recruit by ESPN in 2014, Garrett has lived up to the hype in his first two seasons in College Station. It's hard to watch much of a Texas A&M game without seeing him in the backfield. In total, he has posted an incredible 33.5 tackles for loss (including 24.0 sacks) in 25 college games. That's the kind of production you're looking for from a potential top-five pick.
4. Miami Dolphins
Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU*
Fournette has averaged 6.13 yards per carry in his first two college seasons, scoring 32 rushing touchdowns. If there's a concern, it's that he'll put too much wear on his tires before getting to the NFL -- he had 300 carries in 2015 and has totaled 487 for his career. But you just don't see this kind of game-breaking ability very often.
5. Oakland Raiders
Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida*
Listed at 6-foot, 191 pounds, Tabor has good length and flashed great ball skills/playmaking ability in his first two seasons. Tabor made an incredible touchdown-saving interception as a freshman and followed that up with four picks -- two of which he took to the house -- in 2015. Florida coach Jim McElwain has a ready-made replacement for cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, who was drafted No. 11 overall last weekend.
6. Cleveland Browns*
Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama
Browns fans will spend much of the 2016 season cheering against the Eagles, as they own Philly's first-round pick in 2017 as part of the Carson Wentz trade. Williams decided to return to school after racking up 10.5 sacks in 15 games as a junior. He wins with power, relentlessness and first-step quickness off the edge.
* Acquired in trade with Eagles
7. Washington Redskins
Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
Allen played limited snaps last season along Alabama's stacked defensive front, but when he was in the game, opponents sure noticed -- 14.5 tackles for loss (including 12.0 sacks) and two forced fumbles. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do with more playing time in 2016.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC*
The Buccaneers didn't draft a wide receiver this year, but with Vincent Jackson now 33, they should be looking to develop a young pass-catcher opposite Mike Evans. Smith-Schuster has the speed to run past defensive backs, the size to go up and get the ball (he's listed at 6-2) and the instincts in the open field to turn a short pass into a big play.
9. New York Jets
Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama*
Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 327 pounds, Robinson is a mountain of a man to get around at left tackle. He has plenty of potential to be a road grader in the running game, and he showed great toughness the past two seasons, playing through multiple injuries.
10. Tennessee Titans
Malachi Dupre, WR, LSU*
Kendall Wright is set to hit free agency in 2017, and by that point, Marcus Mariota could be in need of some more weapons. Dupre has dropped a few pivotal passes, but there's a lot to like about his size (he's listed at 6-3), speed and raw ability.
11. Chicago Bears
Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State*
The Bears spent five of their first six picks on the defensive side of the ball in 2016. Second-rounder Cody Whitehair has the skill set to contribute at guard from day one, but their long-term plan at tackle is still a little cloudy. The 6-foot-7, 307-pound Johnson is your prototypical left tackle prospect. He has been pretty consistent in his first season and a half as a starter in Tallahassee.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jamal Adams, S, LSU*
The son of George Adams, whom the Giants selected in the 1985 first round, Jamal came on strong during his sophomore season. He picked off a team-high four passes and flashed the ability to get downhill in a hurry and make plays in the running game (47 solo tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss). Defensive tackle and offensive tackle could be options for the Jaguars, as well; they declined to pick up OT Luke Joeckel's fifth-year option earlier this week.
13. Indianapolis Colts
Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee*
Trent Cole, Erik Walden and Robert Mathis are all set to be free agents after the 2016 season, so Indianapolis will be looking to beef up their pass rush. Barnett, who racked up 10 sacks last season, would be an outside linebacker in the Colts' scheme. He has shown the power to push the pocket off the edge.
14. Denver Broncos
Charles Harris, DE, Missouri*
A college defensive end who could convert to outside linebacker, Harris has speed to burn off the edge. He had seven sacks and finished second in the SEC behind Myles Garrett with 18.5 tackles for loss last season.
15. Atlanta Falcons
Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State*
Jonathan Babineaux is 34 and a free agent after next season, so Atlanta will be looking to beef up the interior of its defensive line. At 6-foot-6, McDowell is a unique talent at defensive tackle. He uses his excellent length to keep blockers off his pads.
1. Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson*
We have limited information on Watson's intangibles, measurables and medical information, but by all accounts, he has outstanding personal and football character. While I still need to study his reads and true accuracy more, he has a good arm and flashes anticipation as a passer. Watson put up 40 points in the College Football Playoff National Championship against an Alabama defense that had four players drafted in the top 60 and has another three featured here.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami (FL)*
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Kaaya will have to bulk up to withstand the pounding in the NFL, but he's a tough competitor. You can tell watching him play that he's very smart and processes information quickly. He has the tools to develop and shows good touch/timing as a passer. If the 49ers are picking this high -- remember: I didn't set the order -- they're likely still in need of a quarterback upgrade.
3. New York Giants
Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M*
Ranked as the fourth overall recruit by ESPN in 2014, Garrett has lived up to the hype in his first two seasons in College Station. It's hard to watch much of a Texas A&M game without seeing him in the backfield. In total, he has posted an incredible 33.5 tackles for loss (including 24.0 sacks) in 25 college games. That's the kind of production you're looking for from a potential top-five pick.
4. Miami Dolphins
Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU*
Fournette has averaged 6.13 yards per carry in his first two college seasons, scoring 32 rushing touchdowns. If there's a concern, it's that he'll put too much wear on his tires before getting to the NFL -- he had 300 carries in 2015 and has totaled 487 for his career. But you just don't see this kind of game-breaking ability very often.
5. Oakland Raiders
Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida*
Listed at 6-foot, 191 pounds, Tabor has good length and flashed great ball skills/playmaking ability in his first two seasons. Tabor made an incredible touchdown-saving interception as a freshman and followed that up with four picks -- two of which he took to the house -- in 2015. Florida coach Jim McElwain has a ready-made replacement for cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, who was drafted No. 11 overall last weekend.
6. Cleveland Browns*
Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama
Browns fans will spend much of the 2016 season cheering against the Eagles, as they own Philly's first-round pick in 2017 as part of the Carson Wentz trade. Williams decided to return to school after racking up 10.5 sacks in 15 games as a junior. He wins with power, relentlessness and first-step quickness off the edge.
* Acquired in trade with Eagles
7. Washington Redskins
Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
Allen played limited snaps last season along Alabama's stacked defensive front, but when he was in the game, opponents sure noticed -- 14.5 tackles for loss (including 12.0 sacks) and two forced fumbles. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do with more playing time in 2016.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC*
The Buccaneers didn't draft a wide receiver this year, but with Vincent Jackson now 33, they should be looking to develop a young pass-catcher opposite Mike Evans. Smith-Schuster has the speed to run past defensive backs, the size to go up and get the ball (he's listed at 6-2) and the instincts in the open field to turn a short pass into a big play.
9. New York Jets
Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama*
Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 327 pounds, Robinson is a mountain of a man to get around at left tackle. He has plenty of potential to be a road grader in the running game, and he showed great toughness the past two seasons, playing through multiple injuries.
10. Tennessee Titans
Malachi Dupre, WR, LSU*
Kendall Wright is set to hit free agency in 2017, and by that point, Marcus Mariota could be in need of some more weapons. Dupre has dropped a few pivotal passes, but there's a lot to like about his size (he's listed at 6-3), speed and raw ability.
11. Chicago Bears
Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State*
The Bears spent five of their first six picks on the defensive side of the ball in 2016. Second-rounder Cody Whitehair has the skill set to contribute at guard from day one, but their long-term plan at tackle is still a little cloudy. The 6-foot-7, 307-pound Johnson is your prototypical left tackle prospect. He has been pretty consistent in his first season and a half as a starter in Tallahassee.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jamal Adams, S, LSU*
The son of George Adams, whom the Giants selected in the 1985 first round, Jamal came on strong during his sophomore season. He picked off a team-high four passes and flashed the ability to get downhill in a hurry and make plays in the running game (47 solo tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss). Defensive tackle and offensive tackle could be options for the Jaguars, as well; they declined to pick up OT Luke Joeckel's fifth-year option earlier this week.
13. Indianapolis Colts
Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee*
Trent Cole, Erik Walden and Robert Mathis are all set to be free agents after the 2016 season, so Indianapolis will be looking to beef up their pass rush. Barnett, who racked up 10 sacks last season, would be an outside linebacker in the Colts' scheme. He has shown the power to push the pocket off the edge.
14. Denver Broncos
Charles Harris, DE, Missouri*
A college defensive end who could convert to outside linebacker, Harris has speed to burn off the edge. He had seven sacks and finished second in the SEC behind Myles Garrett with 18.5 tackles for loss last season.
15. Atlanta Falcons
Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State*
Jonathan Babineaux is 34 and a free agent after next season, so Atlanta will be looking to beef up the interior of its defensive line. At 6-foot-6, McDowell is a unique talent at defensive tackle. He uses his excellent length to keep blockers off his pads.
when I saw that.