NFL Draft 2017- Best Fits for Top Prospects
Myles Garrett- 49ers
- Even though it’s a foregone conclusion that Myles Garrett will be heading to Cleveland with the #1 overall pick, Garrett is certainly a better fit in San Francisco. Garrett is a traditional 4-3 defensive end like 2015 #1 pick Jadeveon Clowney and even though he is athletic enough to be a stand up outside edge rusher in a 3-4, it would be a better investment to keep the Texas A&M standout at his natural position. A defensive line consisting of Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner and Myles Garrett would give San Francisco a pretty dominant pass rushing group going forward for the next 7-10 years.
Jonathan Allen- Bears
- Speaking of defensive lineman why not continue this position group with Jonathan Allen and his fit with the Bears. Allen was one of the best interior lineman in college and maybe the best 3-4 defensive end in the draft so with the Bears running a 3-4 defense it only seems fitting to pair the two together. Chicago already has some nice pieces in their front seven including Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Pernell McPhee and last year’s top pick Leonard Floyd so adding Allen to the mix would solidify their defensive line for the long haul.
Reuben Foster- Bengals
- Sticking with the Alabama trend, Reuben Foster and the Bengals seem like a pretty good fit and one that would not be shocking in the least. Foster is one of those old school, tough linebackers who delivers viscous hits to the ball carrier but is also good at defending the pass game and is one of the best all-around linebackers in the draft. The Bengals already have one good linebacker in Vontaze Burfict so pair him with Foster and maybe they form a Luke Kuechly-Thomas Davis type duo.
Leonard Fournette- Jaguars
- Now I am a firm believer that Leonard Fournette will end up with the Jacksonville Jaguars at #4 and I believe it’s one of the best pairings in the entire draft. The Jaguars have not been able to find their next Maurice Jones-Drew and with neither Chris Ivory nor TJ Yeldon taking control of the #1 running back role, why not give them the best running back in the draft. Blake Bortles is entering a crucial season and if the Jaguars still believe in the former first round pick, Fournette would certainly give the Jaguars offense some excitement and a work horse running back for the next decade.
Mike Williams- Bills
- At one point in time, the Buffalo Bills had a promising group of young receivers led by Sammy Watkins but with the departures of both Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin, the Bills are now lacking a complementary piece across from Watkins. Mike Williams is a big receiver who has some of the best hands in the draft and is excellent in those down field, jump ball situations. The pairing of Williams and Watkins seems to be a great fit in Buffalo and I did forget to mention both receivers went to Clemson. It almost seems like fate, no?
Malik Hooker- Chargers
- Ever since Eric Weddle left the Chargers for Baltimore, Los Angeles has not seemed to be able to recover from that loss at the safety position. Malik Hooker is one of the best single high cover safeties in the draft and is already garnering some comparisons to NFL great Ed Reed. While those are some steep expectations, Hooker has proven to be a ball-hawk safety and one that would great perfectly in Los Angeles next to cornerbacks Jason Verrett and Casey Hayward.
Patrick Mahomes- Saints
- Over the last decade, Drew Brees has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in the NFL eclipsing over 50,000 yards with the Saints but it seems like the Brees era in New Orleans is slowly coming to an end. If the Saints are preparing for Brees’ retirement within the next 2-3 years, why not make the transition to a quarterback a little smoother by drafting his replacement in Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes is a gunslinger who can throw 70 yard bombs with ease and is just scratching the surface with his potential. Pairing Mahomes with Brees and head coach Sean Payton would allow him to learn from one of the best quarterbacks in the league and be coached up by one of the best offensive minded coaches as well. The Saints offense is known for being a pass happy scheme so it only seems fitting to add a quarterback with one of the strongest arms in college.