2017 NFL mock draft: Live updates for NN community draft, round 7

Welcome to the Niners Nation 2017 NFL mock draft. Or should I say, welcome to the beginning of the end of the NN community mock draft. We brought together 32 site members to potentially get through a full seven rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft, and we are just about there! We’re wrapping up the seventh round via email, and so, it is time to get the seventh round threat posted here.

The round actually starts with the 49ers, who acquired the Cleveland Browns pick in the Andy Lee trade. This is the 49ers last pick in the draft for the time being. It is possible we see them do some wheeling and dealing, but for our purposes, this is where it ends. We’ll update with the remaining seventh round picks on Tuesday.

49ers picks so far: 2) FS Malik Hooker, 34) QB DeShone Kizer, 66) WR Zay Jones, 109) WR Amara Darboh, 143) DT Carlos Watkins, 146) OL Aviante Collins, 161) CB Jeremy Cutrer, 198) RB Aaron Jones, 202) LB Jordan Evans, 219) DT D.J. Jones

Full pick rationale for prior rounds:

Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6

219. San Francisco 49ers - D.J. Jones, DT, Missisippi State (Joe Montana is GOAT)

And now for my last pick and third player named Jones. DJ Jones is projected to go in the 4th/5th round so it was amazing to get him here in the 7th. For a guy his size, he is extremely agile (I mean how often do you see a 325 lbs guy make a diving interception ? ). He and Watkins could be a very good pairing. He provides very good depth and at this stage he is more than you can ask for. Per NFL.com, "If a coach can unlock more consistency, Jones has a chance to flourish as a one-gapping nose with three-down ability.”

220. Washington - Ben Gedeon, ILB, Michigan (AzSharksFan)

Going BPA here which is luckily still at a position of need for Washington. Gedeon had very little playing time prior to 2016 but last year lead the talented Michigan defense in tackles. The knock on him is that he looks like an average athlete but plays with good technique. The was a combine all-star, however, which speaks to his sneaky athleticism. He ran a 4.75 40 which is not great but respectable. He set the mark for all ILBs for bench press with 27 reps, 20 yd and 60 ys shuttles, and had a sub-7 second 3 Cone. I think worst-case he is a special teamer but with some coaching and experience he could be a sleeper. I’m surprised with the lack of depth at ILB in this draft that he lasted this long. Great low risk, high reward seventh rounder.

221. Chicago Bears - Tarik Cohen, RB, North Carolina A&T (Rowingdave)

He's the Human Joystick. Need I say more? This is great value in the seventh round for a specialty gizmo that players bigger than his size. You should draft athletes and playmakers in the seventh round when possible, and Cohen fits the bill.

222. Jacksonville Jaguars - Travis Rudolph, WR, Florida State (riqv)

223. Miami Dolphins - Alek Torgerson, QB, Penn (Camp Frogger)

224. New York Jets - Ben Boulware, LB, Clemson (Rhardin49)

Jets choose Ben Boulware a very active linebacker with a high motor. He is not blessed with great physical gifts but has been a super performer and contributor with Clemson for the last few seasons, including capatin of their outstanding special teams unit.

225. Los Angeles Chargers - Stanley Williams, RB, Kentucky (Blackout52)

226. Seattle Seahawks - Shalom Luani, S, Washington State (v3stige)

Going in state here. Luani has a great back story if you care to look into it. That aside, the Seahawks clearly need more depth at safety after seeing Earl Thomas go down with an injury and saw how critical he is as the defense struggled without him. His replacements weren't up to par but to be fair, that's a huge void you're asking someone to fill in for. Like his fellow Cougars alum Deone Buchanon, he's undersized but I can see him fulfilling a role like Buchanon as a dime backer that can cover backs and tight ends down the field with his speed and athleticism. He'll provide insurance in case of another Earl Thomas injury as well.

227. Cincinnati Bengals - Jayon Brown, LB, UCLA (Typecast)

228. Dallas Cowboys - Travin Dural, WR, LSU (MidnightSpecial)

The Cowboys grab a big fast wideout here. Having led LSU in receptions and yards in 2014, Dural has enough athleticism to secure a spot as a 3/4/5 WR, but is a boom or bust late round project, whom NFL.com has earmarked for the 5/6th round. He doesn't go higher because of small hands and average average ball skills, but if he puts things together this can be an excellent pickup in the 7th.

229. New Orleans Saints - Jalen Robinette, WR, Air Force (Fred Mercury)

230. Philadelphia Eagles - Eric Saubert, TE, Drake (ejdrummond)

231. Arizona Cardinals - Damien Mama, OG, USC (HarbaughalypseNow)

Doubling down on the guard position alongside Taylor Moton. Another big bodied, if unrefined, power guard who will benefit greatly from NFL nutrition and workout regimens.

232. Minnesota Vikings - Quincy Adeboyejo, WR, Ole Miss (dumpster fire fan)

This is a height/speed pick. The Vikings now have a 6'3" wide receiver with 4.42 speed. Most of the Vikings receivers right now are possession/middle of the field players. This pick gives them a vertical threat to develop.

233. Carolina Panthers - Keionta Davis, DE, Chattanooga (BryKno)

A small-school product with great numbers in FCS -- back-to-back All-American seasons, with 23.5 sacks in the last two years. Yes, that's against lesser competition, but he held up well against Alabama when they played early last season. He's got the frame you're looking for, though he could stand to add some more muscle mass, and he has the work ethic and motor needed to become a late-round contributor. Stiff as a board, mind you, and he'll probably have to move to three-technique because of his lack of athleticism, but hey, it's a seventh-round pick; you find a trait you like and hope everything else works itself out.

Other players considered: Nate Hairston, CB, Temple (a converted receiver with promise); Stacy Coley, WR, Miami (FL) (undeniably talented, but his work ethic is a question mark); C.J. Beathard, QB, Iowa (Quarterbacks are so hard to find that basically everyone should take a late-round flyer whenever they get the chance; Beathard at least has pro-set experience)

234. Los Angeles Rams - Jerod Evans, QB, Jerod Evans (ak4niner)

I'll be honest; I wasn't sure who to pick. I looked over who was left and saw that Jerod Evans was still available. Why grab a QB when we have our franchise QB? My thinking is that he can sit as #2 or even #3 and learn the NFL game. If he is a bust, so be it; it's a 7th rounder. But his talent level is better than this draft pick, so I figured what the heck? If Goff gets hurt the Rams are in trouble anyway, so why not roll the dice?

235. Washington - Josh Tupou, NT, Colorado (AzSharksFan)

Josh Tupou doesn't do a lot, but what he does he does very well. Specifically: taking up space, engaging blockers, and not getting pushed back. Exactly what you need in a Nose. I also liked Elijah McGuire here but with 25 or so RBs already off the board there's a decent chance to pick him up as a udfa. Also CJ Beathard was on my list but probably also a udfa target at this point.

236. Tennessee Titans - Chase Roullier, OL, Wyoming (GSheen)

His lack of length and quickness won't appeal to a lot of teams, but the Titans' smashmouth scheme would suit him best. Well-built body with sound football techniques. He made good use of his strength and leverage to easily steer defensive linemen. The movement he generates is as good as any lineman in this draft. He would add depth and competition to the Titans' already amazing offensive line.

237. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Avery Gennesy, OT, Texas A&M (BayAreaBOI)

238. Denver Broncos - Jack Tocho, DB, NC State (Jonas Lima)

239. New England Patriots - Jon Toth, C, Kentucky (Mertons_merkin)

Last year the Pats drafted Ted Karras at Center. He's real limited. The plan was to hopefully find a starter after this season, to let David Andrews walk in free agency. Even if they like Karras, they'd need a new backup. And if they don't, there's no harm in tossing in more competition. Toth and Karras are very similar players. Toth may be slightly better coming out. He had a great showing at the Senior Bowl.

240. Miami Dolphins - Hunter Dimick, DL, Utah(Camp Frogger)

241. New York Giants - Ashton Lampkin, CB, Oklahoma State (86derps)

242. Oakland Raiders - Erik Magnuson, OL, Michigan (TryAndCatchVD)

A quality starter at a big time program in college, he doesn't have all the physical tools, but has the mental tools to succeed. A year of strength and conditioning, perhaps as a PS guy, could lead to Magnuson fighting his way to a job at RT, IOL, or swing tackle. His primary competition as a "6th man" will be fellow 2017 draftee Chad Wheeler, ultimately hoping to fortify one of the already solid OLs in the NFL.

243. Houston Texans - Javarius Leamon, OT, South Carolina State (TopFlightSecurity)

244. Oakland Raiders - Des Lawrence, CB, North Carolina (TryAndCatchVD)

A long cornerback with significant starting history, Des Lawrence needs a lot of work to improve his game but has a shot of turning into a good outside corner.

245. Kansas City Chiefs - Calvin Munson, Edge, San Diego State(JMichael39)

Munson's biggest weakness is that he's not great at any one thing. But he can rush from the edge or he can slip inside and help stop the run or he can fall back into coverage and handle that. He'll likely end up being a fine ST addition and back up.

246. Dallas Cowboys - William Likely, CB, Maryland (MidnightSpecial)

247. Green Bay Packers - Amba Etta-Tawo, WR, Syracuse (HashtagMafioso)

Another BPA pick as Etta-Tawo is a 4th-6th round talent IMO

248. Pittsburgh Steelers - Isaiah McKenzie, WR, Georgia (Fenderfreak81)

Hear me out on this. I am aware that if Martavis comes back, the Steelers are stacked at WR. We have Antonio Brown (obviously), Martavis, John Ross, Eli Rogers, Coates, Heyward-Bey, Cobi Hamilton, and now McKenzie (I am sure I'm forgetting someone). I understand this.

The hope is McKenzie can make this roster as a 6th receiver/gadget player/return man. I believe he has enough utility to earn a roster spot over Hamilton. Primarily I am drafting him as a returner, though. Truth is, I strongly considered Matt Dayes here, but felt McKenzie could make the biggest immediate impact for the Steelers amongst the players is left in this draft. McKenzie's impact is going to be in protecting Antonio Brown and John Ross from taking dangerous hits as return men. If I'm running the Steelers, and I am here, I do not want either of those guys returning kicks. McKenzie is a very good returner, I believe he can fill that job capably for us as a rookie. That is why I take him here, to capably return punts and kicks and limit the injury risk to our top wideouts.

Dayes was my other consideration here. I think he could be a solid third running back for us. However, when I watched his games and scrimmages at the senior bowl I was not nearly as optimistic that he could be a good NFL contributor as the commentators were. He's the best back left, I believe, but I wasn't going to pass up a chance to protect Antonio from returning kicks for a third string running back.

249. Atlanta Falcons - Brandon Wilson, CB, Houston (wiseguy545)

A high-upside athlete with experience playing offense, defense, and special teams. Should be an immediate contributor on special teams with potential to grow into a part of the corner rotation.

250. Detroit Lions - Nate Hairston, CB, Temple(GreatOden’sRaven)

Nate Hairston is a great value pick if you believe in your coaching staff. He has everything you want in a corner. Size, speed, athleticsm, no injuries... what he doesnt have is very much experience. He is a converted WR with 1-2 years under his belt on the defense. He tends to give WR too much room underneath, which I imagine is mental from having played WR and not wanting to get beat. He just needs time to get better. Like Dontae Johnson with SF a few years ago, I think the talent for Hairston is there to be an actual starter in the NFL from the 7th round, it all comes down to his work ethic and coaching to get it done. He has a long way to go but all the talent is there. I personally think he's a steal here and considered him up to 2 rounds earlier.

While I could certainly have focused more on the offense (including the line) in this draft, I felt this was a very strong defensive draft and a mediocre offensive one. Detroit has enough firepower in the passing game and now with Perine, some horsepower on the ground. What they lack is up the middle. I tried to focus on making the center of the defense stronger with talent AND depth and sort of filled out from there.

251. Cincinnati Bengals - I'Tavius Mathers, RB, Middle Tennessee State (Typecast)

252. Denver Broncos - Fred Zerblis, OG, Colorado State (Jonas Lima)

253. Denver Broncos - Cooper Rush, QB, Central Michigan (Jonas Lima)