Post-Pro Day 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Bucs Trade Back; Browns Pick Twice in Top 5

Mock Drafts are fun. They allow both the reader and the writer to express and explore creativity and imagination between what could happen, what might actually happen, and what should happen.

For the most part, draft writers enjoy doing them. Some like the creative process of it all, but there are many who take pride in making their mocks as accurate as possible in hope of pounding their chest with a celebratory, “I called it!” when a foretold pick is announced. However, once that first trade of the night happens on Day 1 of the NFL Draft, so many of those picks and predictions can be thrown out the window.

With early mock drafts in January and February, there’s really no point to predicting trades. You’re still trying to identify team needs, and the potential partners for trades haven’t even emerged yet. But, now that we’re less than one month away from draft night, throwing out some trade scenarios makes sense, since you know they’re coming.

In this mock, we have five trade. Around them you’ll see five quarterbacks get selected, all three top running backs, all three top wide receivers, and all three top tight ends. Thought it’s pretty standard at the very top, the farther down you go, the more we shake things up.

Here’s a look at some possible trade scenarios and the picks that come before, after and during.

#	Team	Pick	Reason
1	Cleveland Browns	Myles Garrett	Analysis
2	San Francisco 49ers	Solomon Thomas	Analysis
3	Chicago Bears	Marshon Lattimore	Analysis
4	Cleveland Browns (TRADE)	Mitchell Trubisky	Analysis
5	Tennessee Titans	John Ross	Analysis
6	New York Jets	Deshaun Watson	Analysis
7	Los Angeles Chargers	Malik Hooker	Analysis
8	Carolina Panthers	Dalvin Cook	Analysis
9	Washington Redskins (TRADE)	Mike Williams	Analysis
10	Buffalo Bills	O.J. Howard	Analysis
11	New Orleans Saints	Jon Allen	Analysis
12	Jacksonville Jaguars (TRADE)	Jamal Adams	Analysis
13	Denver Broncos (TRADE)	Garett Bolles	Analysis
14	Philadelphia Eagles	Christian McCaffrey	Analysis
15	Indianapolis Colts	Leonard Fournette	Analysis
16	Baltimore Ravens	Corey Davis	Analysis
17	Cincinnati Bengals (TRADE)	Reuben Foster	Analysis
18	Tennessee Titans	Gareon Conley	Analysis
19	Seattle Seahawks (TRADE)	Forrest Lamp	Analysis
20	Arizona Cardinals (TRADE)	Patrick Mahomes	Analysis
21	Detroit Lions	Haason Reddick	Analysis
22	San Francisco 49ers (TRADE)	Deshone Kizer	Analysis
23	New York Giants	David Njoku	Analysis
24	Oakland Raiders	Fabian Moreau	Analysis
25	Houston Texans	Evan Engram	Analysis
26	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TRADE)	Budda Baker	Analysis
27	Kansas City Chiefs	Davis Webb	Analysis
28	Dallas Cowboys	Carl Lawson	Analysis
29	Green Bay Packers	Marlon Humphrey	Analysis
30	Pittsburgh Steelers	Derek Rivers	Analysis
31	Atlanta Falcons	Charles Harris	Analysis
32	New Orleans Saints	Adoree’ Jackson	Analysis

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

About the author

Trevor Sikkema

Trevor Sikkema is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat reporter and NFL Draft analyst for PewterReport.com. Sikkema, an alumnus of the University of Florida, has covered both college and professional football for much of his career. As a native of the Sunshine State, when he's not buried in social media, Sikkema can be found out and active, attempting to be the best athlete he never was. Sikkema can be reached at: trevor@pewterreport.com

1

chetthevette
Apr 10, 17 at 4:50 pm
If we got 2 third rounders doing this, I’d have to say Hell Yeah!!!!!
GO BUCS

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2

Ken Grant
Apr 10, 17 at 5:26 pm
Shameless pandering to the Budda Baker fan club on The Red Board.

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1. 2.1
  
  Nobody
  Apr 10, 17 at 11:12 pm
  Or it could be that (a) Trevor actually has integrity (unlike the implication you’re making), (b) is accurate in his assessment, and (c) PR has a wee bit of scoopage that the Bucs are high on Baker.
  
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  1. 2.1.1
    
    Trevor Sikkema
    Apr 10, 17 at 11:28 pm
    *ding ding ding*
    
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    1. 2.1.1.1
      
      Nobody
      Apr 10, 17 at 11:47 pm
      Logic is hard when I’M AN ANGRY INTERNET POSTER, YOU WILL FEEL MY WRATH has you under its sway.
      
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      1. 2.1.1.1.1
        
        cgmaster27
        Apr 11, 17 at 4:06 pm
        Well tbh I have never seen this guy on here before so it could be some trolling. OR just somebody joking, hard to tell with no sarcasm font.
        
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      2. 2.1.1.1.2
        
        Ken Grant
        Apr 25, 17 at 1:22 am
        Was being sarcastic.
        
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3

BucWild02
Apr 10, 17 at 7:11 pm
I just read that John Lynch is very high on Stanford’s Solomon Thomas and Christian McCaffery. Shock coming?

I hope and pray you are right about 2 QB’s in the top 6 and Cook going to Carolina.

How do the Jags pass on Fournette in this mock? And for another safety?

No way the Colts take a RB in round 1. They need OL, CB and LB.

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4

surferdudes
Apr 10, 17 at 7:36 pm
With the second over all pick in the draft the 49ers will select D Watson Q.B.! Why? John Lynch knows full well he’d have more rings if his old Buc teams had a franchise Q.B.. Lynch, and his offensive minded coach have six year contracts. If not now, with time on their side, and the second pick, then when? Watson fits the mold of a west coast quarterback, Hoyer is there to mentor him along,nothing more. The Browns might beat them to the punch. They’re picking at one because they pinned their hopes on McClown, like we did by passing on the Carr. Oakland picked him two years later they made the playoffs. Had he not got injured,who knows how far they’d gone. Jets, are you listening? I’m telling you, three Q.B.’s will go earlier then they should, but with the new CBA it’s not the gamble it use to be. We as Buc fans should know damn well without a good Q.B. you’re going nowhere. Bad teams without one can’t afford to draft D.E.’s with picks that high. Look at this years playoffs. Not many Hoyers, McClowns playing in them.

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5

seat26
Apr 11, 17 at 1:54 am
I wonder if the Bucs have the discipline to trade down ? They love to trade up and reach for players that are not worth it, but trading down takes discipline. Especially if there is a blue chip player on the board that you really want.

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1. 5.1
  
  WiltheBrewer
  Apr 11, 17 at 10:20 am
  The discipline to trade down- like they did last draft?
  
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  1. 5.1.1
    
    WiltheBrewer
    Apr 11, 17 at 9:58 pm
    And yes, they did reach on Aguayo, but at least they got Spence with their first 2nd round pick, then tried to get creative…
    
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2. 5.2
  
  Naplesfan
  Apr 12, 17 at 1:17 pm
  The extra pick that the Bucs used to trade back up into the late second round from their third round pick was paid for by the Bucs trade down in the first round, where they still got their man (VHIII).
  
  So yes, the Bucs Jason Licht has plenty of discipline, up or down, or pat.
  
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6

Bmore.Buc
Apr 11, 17 at 4:55 am
Do you really see Jamal Adams sliding down to 12? Sheesh…love the trade back tho. I’m thinking the Giants and Texans would be prime partners to do so with. Giants being extremely interested in McCaffrey, and the Texans getting the QB they want for the future.

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1. 6.1
  
  Trevor Sikkema
  Apr 11, 17 at 1:52 pm
  Box safeties don’t go Top 10. Not saying it can’t happen, but history is against it.
  
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7

scubog
Apr 11, 17 at 6:23 am
That would be great if five teams reach out and grab QB’s who don’t look like they qualify for first round status to me. It would shock me much less if no QB’s went on Thursday night.

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8

kram0789
Apr 11, 17 at 8:20 am
Good job. We get one of the best players at a position of need at a draft slot appropriate to his ranking. We get extra picks that will be very valuable in this draft. This is how you win the draft. My favorite tight-end (not counting O.J. as we have no chance of getting him) is Engram. He has the size 6’3″ and the speed 4.4 to play tight-end, specifically move tight-end. With his athleticism we could move him around. Line him up as tight-end, or move him outside and put DeSean Jackson in the slot or put him in motion. This makes him a three down player and very valuable. Note that Cameron Brate would be on the field all three downs in the traditional tight-end role. With the extra picks from trading down we could move up in the second round to get him.

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9

stlbucsfan
Apr 11, 17 at 9:19 am
I consider drafting a safety a luxury pick, we have Tandy who has earned the right to start and Wilcox who I think is the perfect compliment. Conte can play either spot if needed and be serviceable so I just dont see the need to address this position in the first round. I would prefer we take J.Davis the LB from Florida if we are taking BPA at least he can start at SLB, be a potential replacement for Lavonte and provide some position flexibility. Not that its the way I would prefer we go bc obviously we need more weapons for Jameis and another actual CB but unless one of these guys in the next Sean Taylor I dont get the selections.

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1. 9.1
  
  chetthevette
  Apr 11, 17 at 10:52 am
  As much as I root for Conte he is just a stop gap. Sorry Chris. Baker seems to be pretty good. I’ve seen him compared to Eric Berry. Doubtful he is that good though.
  GO BUCS
  
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2. 9.2
  
  GoldsonAges
  Apr 11, 17 at 11:04 am
  Wilcox isn’t a very good safety though. He is much better kept way far away from the back end of the defense like Dallas did with him last year. He lost his starting job in Dallas, and was playing more of the hybrid role. I would be cautious about penciling him in as a starter quite yet. If mine is an accurate assessment then we are one injury away from a disaster if Conte or Tandy goes down, and I recall Conte struggling last year for a long stretch. I think safety should probably be addressed this year. We are lacking leadership back there and that’s what Budda would bring.
  
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3. 9.3
  
  stlbucsfan
  Apr 11, 17 at 12:53 pm
  Certainly not endorsing Conte but I can’t say that drafting another undersized player for the back end is the solution to our problems. Wilcox has flashed some things that could help us but Im not sure adding another undersized member to the secondary will fix our issues. Budda could work out but we need to address our inabaility to handle the bigger receivers that we struggled with last year, adding somebody 5’10 does address that IMO.
  
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10

Charlie
Apr 11, 17 at 9:44 am
So if we are hoping to trade back and get two 3rds, then I’m hoping we use em to try and nab jordan willis in the top half of the second while maintaining our already 2nd rd pick. Seems like something Mr Licht would do and then add weapons for our offense. If he can pull it off, why not?

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11

LondonBuccaneer
Apr 11, 17 at 10:44 am
If Adams does slide to 12 what are the chances the Bucs try and trade up to get him? I haven’t heard much chatter linking the Bucs to either Hooker or Adams – is this because they think they will be long gone? If they’ve done their due diligence then would a trade up make sense?

In my opinion we have too many holes to fill to use up a 3rd round pick (or equivalent compensation). Just interested in other’s views.

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1. 11.1
  
  Trevor Sikkema
  Apr 11, 17 at 1:53 pm
  I do not see the Bucs trading up in this draft. I think it’s too rich of a class to give away picks
  
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  1. 11.1.1
    
    Naplesfan
    Apr 12, 17 at 1:21 pm
    But Trevor … does not the same logic apply to every other team that picks after our 19?
    
    That’s the thing – everybody in the NFL universe knows exactly how deep this draft is at many positions, and so unless their GMs are ignorant dummies, they’re thinking exactly the same thing as Jason Licht is.
    
    And Seattle’s GM is no dummy. They’re in a rebuild mode now (Lynch gone, Sherman about to be gone, and an aging team all around) and they can certainly use those compensatory picks in the late 3rd more than most teams.
    
    This trade down is but a fantasy, and as much as the results are likeable from a Bucs perspective, they’re very unlikely.
    
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12

GoldsonAges
Apr 11, 17 at 10:52 am
Budda Baker and two 3rd rounders? Yes please. You just won the draft.

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13

RootsCrew
Apr 11, 17 at 11:58 am
Trevor, you hurt us with Dalvo going to the filthy Panthers, only to redeem yourself with the selection of Budda late in the first. Lol. Trading back and getting a player like Budda is the perfect scenario (outside of Corey Davis, Davlo, Williams, or Howard falling to 19) in this years draft. Secure additional picks and get a talented/need player.

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1. 13.1
  
  Trevor Sikkema
  Apr 11, 17 at 1:54 pm
  I think Cook makes the most sense for the Panthers. I know Bucs/Noles fans would be sad, but then they’d know what it’s like to be a Gators fan and have Cook run all over your favorite team, haha.
  
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  1. 13.1.1
    
    RootsCrew
    Apr 11, 17 at 2:11 pm
    He does make sense for them. I’d legit be beside myself if he ends up with the Panthers. *shudder* I can only hope they grab Fournette.
    
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14

cobraboy
Apr 11, 17 at 1:00 pm
Cam Robinson & Derek Barnett still on the board and the Bucs pick a safety?

That’s a real head-scratcher…

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1. 14.1
  
  Trevor Sikkema
  Apr 11, 17 at 1:55 pm
  That trade down could very well go to a pass rusher (Barnett, Willis, etc.). I still don’t see O-Line.
  
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15

Buc 1976
Apr 11, 17 at 1:06 pm
Budda Baker is a good player. IMO bucs need a taller DB we have I think3-4 ,5’10 DB’S so another one makes NO SENSE.
If we don’t take TE David N. That would be a surprise.

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1. 15.1
  
  Trevor Sikkema
  Apr 11, 17 at 1:56 pm
  A “Buccaneer corner” is a real thing. Not that they run their team in absolutes, but they have their preferences and types.
  
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16

Hank Scorpio
Apr 11, 17 at 1:30 pm
In this scenario, I could see us taking Budda at 26, a pass rusher (Jordan Willis maybe?) or WR (Curtis Samuel?) at 50, and then trading back in to the 2nd to take someone like Adam Shaheen.

Or we really slow play the TE position and target someone like Roberts in the 4th.

SO MANY POSSIBILITIES!!!

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17

MagicMike
Apr 11, 17 at 3:06 pm
I didn’t think you could trade compensatory picks?

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1. 17.1
  
  Trevor Sikkema
  Apr 11, 17 at 4:09 pm
  They changed the rule at this year’s owners meeting to allow compensatory pick trading starting this year.
  
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18

EastEndBoy
Apr 11, 17 at 4:10 pm
A few thoughts – all just my opinions of course:
1) I think if the Bucs are high on Baker, then they should just take him at 19. Getting cute, when there’s one guy you want, in order to pick up some mid-round choices (probably not two 3rds) could backfire…if Baker is the guy they really want. This almost happened last year to us, thank goodness for the NY Giants.

2) I like Baker, and I think he would be an immediate upgrade at safety. I respect @stlbucsfan that safety is a bit of a luxury pick, but the guys we have made me vomit one too many times watching WRs run past them for TDs.

3) I think the potential strength of our team is on the other side of the ball. Winston/Evans needs a little more help – a solid running game would be nice (OL and/or RB), or some help in the passing game (OL and/or athletic TE). Add one solid piece on offense and we might finally have a real strength to hang our hat on – like we did in the glory days with our defense. Adding Baker still leaves our current defense middle of the pack at best, and our offense not quite there yet.

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1. 18.1
  
  stlbucsfan
  Apr 12, 17 at 8:41 am
  @eastendboy Maybe I need to rewatch some games but I feel like once Tandy became the starter that our coverage was pretty good on the backend. I attribute the struggles they had late in the season to an inconsistent pass rush more than terrible safety play. The Oakland, Arizona, Rams and 2nd Atlanta games stick out as horrible performances by the secondary and they all occurred before the change was made at safety. Adding Chris Baker and returning JacSmith should help that problem. If they have Budda graded out that high then I will take the wait and see approach I just think if it’s safety we are addressing then it should be Obi who is taller and can help with the taller players we struggle with. Adding another undersized player to the secondary in the 1st round is puzzling given our struggles last season.
  
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  1. 18.1.1
    
    EastEndBoy
    Apr 12, 17 at 4:03 pm
    I’m aligned with you on safety as a luxury – I think our focus should be on offense too – not that we don’t have holes around the roster, but I just think we’re pretty close on offense to having something that we could lean on to carry us through hard games (like we used to lean on Sapp/Brooks/Lynch/Rice/Barber)…it’s not there yet IMO, but close enough that one or two more pieces might just about do the trick.
    
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19

cgmaster27
Apr 11, 17 at 4:13 pm
Personally, I love the trade down scenario if it plays out like this. All of the offensive weapons we would want in the first would be gone, so why not. I like Budda Baker as well, but man safety just doesn’t seem like our biggest need. A need no doubt, but not our biggest. Although I like that pick of Baker over Obi. Obi could very well turn into a workout warrior as after watching some of his film, his is really lazy and sloppy at times.
I am a little depressed that you have Evan Engram going that high. I was really hoping he would be there with our second round pick. That speed with that size is crazy at TE.

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20

1040Buc
Apr 12, 17 at 9:57 am
Trevor,

Do you think we go RB or te? If one of the big 3 or Howard falls to us somehow?

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