ESPN’s Mel Kiper put out his second 2017 NFL Mock Draft on Wednesday, and it contained plenty of surprises and head scratchers.
Here are five takeaway’s from Kiper’s latest mock draft:
Mike Williams to Eagles: This would be a dream scenario for the Eagles — the top receiver in the draft falling to them in the first round. Kiper sees it happening, as he doesn’t have a single receiver going before Clemson’s Mike Williams. It would be surprising to see Williams fall to the Eagles, as if he did start to fall, a team would likely trade up to get him (including the Eagles). Williams falling in the Eagles’ lap, however, would be a steal for top personnel executive Howie Roseman, as it would give him the young, playmaking receiver the team desperately wants to pair with quarterback Carson Wentz.
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Fournette to the Jets: Another surprising pick by Kiper is LSU running back Leonard Fournette going to the Jets at No. 6 overall. Taking Fournette at No. 6 would not be a reach by the Jets, as the running back is considered one of the best players in the draft regardless of position, and should have an instant impact on any offense he lands with. The Jets, however, have so many issues — on both offense and defense — that using their first pick on a running back might not be the best use of their resources. Still, it would be a safe pick.
No QB for the Browns: The Browns badly need a quarterback, and with two picks in the top 12 this year, many assume at least one will be used on a quarterback. Kiper, however, has them taking Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett at No. 1 and then cornerback Tre’Davious White from LSU at No. 12. If the Browns don’t feel any quarterback is worth either pick, then clearly they should pass. After deciding not take Wentz last season, however, the Browns would be taking a major risk once again passing on taking a quarterback this year.
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Cook, Davis fall: In almost all other mock drafts that have Williams falling, it is because Western Michigan’s Corey Davis goes first. Kiper, however, has both Davis and Florida State running back Dalvin Cook slipping in the first round. Kiper has Cook going No. 17 overall to the Washington Redskins and Davis going No. 19 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Teez Tabor to Cowboys: One player that has been mocked to the Eagles in almost all mock drafts is Florida cornerback Teez Tabor. Either Kiper isn’t very high on Tabor, or he knows the rest of the league isn’t, however, as he has Tabor slipping all the way to No. 28 overall to the Dallas Cowboys. Kiper has four cornerbacks coming off of the board before Tabor.
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Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.
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