Jeremiah mock draft 3.0: Chargers, Saints get QB successors
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In the latest version of my top 50 prospects list, I noted how so many of the top prospects in this draft carry similar grades. More than anywhere else, mock drafts are reflecting this. From one to the next, a player could land in the top 10 to the bottom third of the first round, and vice versa. Throw in the effects of the combine, pro days and free agency, and it's almost like throwing darts.
With that said, here's the latest iteration of how I think the first round could play itself out:
**Myles Garrett - DE, Texas A&M:** The
[Browns](/teams/clevelandbrowns/profile?team=CLE) are still in search of their franchise quarterback, but they can't pass up the opportunity to land a premier pass rusher.
**Solomon Thomas - DE, Stanford:** Thomas has the versatility to play up and down the line of scrimmage, and he seems like a perfect match for what John Lynch is trying to build.
**Jamal Adams - S, LSU:** Adams is a special talent who would provide the
[Bears](/teams/chicagobears/profile?team=CHI) with outstanding leadership in the secondary.
**Jonathan Allen - DE, Alabama:** The
[Jaguars](/teams/jacksonvillejaguars/profile?team=JAX) already added
[Calais Campbell](/player/calaiscampbell/744/profile) in free agency, but Tom Coughlin and David Caldwell both understand the importance of loading up on the defensive line.
**Malik Hooker - S, Ohio State:** The
[Titans](/teams/tennesseetitans/profile?team=TEN) added
[Johnathan Cyprien](/player/johnathancyprien/2539223/profile) in free agency, but Hooker is a far superior talent who would add some much-needed playmaking skills to the backend of the defense.
**Marshon Lattimore - CB, Ohio State:** Lattimore's durability is a concern but he is the most gifted cornerback in this draft class.
**Deshaun Watson - QB, Clemson:** The
[Chargers](/teams/losangeleschargers/profile?team=LAC) start preparing for life after
[Philip Rivers](/player/philiprivers/2506121/profile) by selecting Watson. He's not ready to play right away but he'll have time to sit and learn behind one of the best in the business.
**Leonard Fournette - RB, LSU:** This seems like the perfect fit for both Fournette and the
[Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR).
**Derek Barnett - DE, Tennessee:** Barnett isn't a great tester but he's a heck of a football player.
**Gareon Conley - CB, Ohio State:** Conley is a rock-solid football player on tape and his combine workout was outstanding.
**Christian McCaffrey - RB, Stanford:** The
[Saints](/teams/neworleanssaints/profile?team=NO) have holes on the defensive side of the ball, but selfishly I'd love to see McCaffrey in this system.
**O.J. Howard - TE, Alabama:** The
[Browns](/teams/clevelandbrowns/profile?team=CLE) coached Howard at the
[Senior Bowl](http://www.nfl.com/seniorbowl), and he's one of the safest players in the draft class.
**Reuben Foster - LB, Alabama:** Foster would be a steal if he fell this far in the draft.
**Tre'Davious White - CB, LSU:** The
[Eagles](/teams/philadelphiaeagles/profile?team=PHI) upgraded the receiver spot in free agency, and now they need to address the cornerback position in the draft.
**Forrest Lamp - OG, Western Kentucky:** It's not a sexy pick, but Lamp would team up with last year's first-round selection (Ryan Kelly) and
[Jack Mewhort](/player/jackmewhort/2543744/profile) to provide a rock-solid interior offensive line.
**Charles Harris - DE, Missouri:** Harris is a very productive edge rusher who is plenty athletic enough to drop in coverage if needed.
**Jabrill Peppers - S, Michigan:** Peppers is a unique athlete, with the ability to excel at the nickel position as well as play as a high safety. He will also be a major difference-maker on special teams.
**Corey Davis - WR, Western Michigan:** Davis has all of the tools to develop into a true No. 1 receiver.
**Chidobe Awuzie - CB, Colorado:** I'm a big fan of Awuzie's game; he is another player with the versatility to play cornerback or safety.
**Cam Robinson - OT, Alabama:** Robinson has some flaws on tape but he has excellent size, length and power.
**Takkarist McKinley - DE, UCLA:** McKinley would be ultra-productive playing opposite of Ziggy Ansah in the
[Lions](/teams/detroitlions/profile?team=DET)' defensive front.
**David Njoku - TE, Miami:** I know the
[Dolphins](/teams/miamidolphins/profile?team=MIA) are bringing in
[Julius Thomas](/player/juliusthomas/2495353/profile), but Njoku is too good to pass up at this point in the draft. He is a matchup nightmare.
**Haason Reddick - OLB, Temple:** Reddick has the ability to play any of the three linebacker spots and he can provide some pass rush off the edge if needed.
**John Ross - WR, Washington:** This isn't a big need for the
[Raiders](/teams/oaklandraiders/profile?team=OAK) but Ross could take this passing game to a new level with his big-play ability.
**Garett Bolles - OT, Utah:** Bolles is not only ultra-athletic, but he plays with a nasty streak in the run game.
**Kevin King - CB, Washington:** King is the perfect fit in the
[Seahawks](/teams/seattleseahawks/profile?team=SEA)' scheme. His stock continues to soar following an outstanding combine performance.
**Dalvin Cook - RB, Florida State:** Cook is the perfect fit in Andy Reid's system, and he would be a tremendous value at this point in the draft. The
[Chiefs](/teams/kansascitychiefs/profile?team=KC) could then turn around and trade one of their current backs for an extra draft pick.
**Evan Engram - TE, Ole Miss:** Engram would be a matchup nightmare in the
[Cowboys](/teams/dallascowboys/profile?team=DAL)' offense and he'd help
[Dak Prescott](/player/dakprescott/2555260/profile) continue to develop into a top-tier signal-caller.
**Taco Charlton - DE, Michigan:** The
[Packers](/teams/greenbaypackers/profile?team=GB) lost
[Julius Peppers](/player/juliuspeppers/2505010/profile) in free agency; Charlton has the tools to develop into a double-digit sack artist at the next level.
**[Mike Williams](/player/mikewilliams/2508048/profile) - WR, Clemson:** The
[Steelers](/teams/pittsburghsteelers/profile?team=PIT) can't rely on Martavis Bryant; Williams would be an incredible value if he were to slip this far down the board.
**T.J. Watt - OLB, Wisconsin:** Watt has tremendous upside as a pass rusher and his motor never stops running.
**Mitch Trubisky - QB, North Carolina:** The
[Saints](/teams/neworleanssaints/profile?team=NO) need to start planning for life after
[Drew Brees](/player/drewbrees/2504775/profile), and Trubisky has plenty of upside at the position.
Follow Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter @MoveTheSticks.