The lead up to the NFL draft features all sorts of rumors and speculation. We’ve heard the Cleveland Browns might be split between Texas A&M pass rusher Myles Garrett and North Carolina quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. We’ve heard the 49ers could trade down, could draft Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas, or could even go with LSU running back Leonard Fournette. With two weeks remaining until the draft, the rumors are not going to slow down.
On Wednesday, Bleacher Report columnist Mike Freeman spoke with an NFC scout to get a lay of the land in advance of the 2017 NFL Draft. It is not a “mock draft,” but it reads like one in terms of potential projections. And considering the 49ers are picking at No. 2, there are fewer variables impacting their pick.
The scout says Myles Garrett is the obvious choice for the Browns, but he has heard the Browns want to move down and accumulate picks. He also mentioned that the front office and head coach Hue Jackson are split over who to take. The scout has heard Jackson wants a quarterback and the front office does not.
For the 49ers at No. 2, the scout says, “They want to trade down pretty bad. I think of all the teams in the top 10, they want to trade down the most.” He thinks the team ends up staying putting and drafting Solomon Thomas.
The scout thinks Mitchell Trubisky ends up in play for the Buffalo Bills at No. 11. They re-worked Tyrod Taylor’s deal, but as always, there are no long-term guarantees with that. The scout suggests the Browns could move up to this pick, but otherwise are a wild card with the No. 12 pick.
Here is how his top ten sort of shakes out. He offers caveats and alternatives with each pick.
1. Cleveland Browns - Myles Garrett, Edge, Texas A&M
2. San Francisco 49ers - Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
3. Chicago Bears - Defense
4. Jacksonville Jaguars - Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
5. Tennessee Titans - Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
6. New York Jets - Not QB
7. Los Angeles Chargers - Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
8. Carolina Panthers - Best wide receiver
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Derek Barnett, Edge, Tennessee
10. Buffalo Bills - Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina