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Rival Views: Adam Gorney's NFL mock draft

Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson (AP Images)

In conjunction with the start of the NFL Scouting Combine, Rivals.com is releasing its first mock draft leading up to April’s NFL Draft. Here is a breakdown of each pick from Rivals.com National Analyst Adam Gorney.

RELATED: Mike Farrell's Mock Draft

No. 1 Cleveland Browns  

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The Browns need help everywhere especially at quarterback but taking the best player available is smart for a team that’s been so bad. Garrett is the top player and he’s off the board first.

No. 2 San Francisco 49ers  

Long-term quarterback is the first necessity and the 49ers go with the best one available. Not Deshaun Watson and not DeShone Kizer but Trubisky, even though he’s a little bit of a gamble.

No. 3 Chicago Bears  

The Bears need a quarterback for the future, but this is too high to take a chance on DeShaun Watson or DeShone Kizer. They’ve bolstered their defensive front so Lattimore, a lockdown defensive back, makes sense to keep improving Chicago’s defense.

No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars  

A top defensive lineman like Solomon Thomas or Jonathan Allen could definitely go here but the Jaguars also need a cover safety and the best one is Adams – by far. He could be a superstar early in the NFL.

No. 5 Tennessee Titans  

The Titans could go wide receiver here since they need to keep building that corps, but a do-everything defender is also needed. Peppers can play all over the place and be productive so he’s attractive here.

No. 6 New York Jets  

Foster is a tackling-machine who could dramatically help the Jets’ defense in a variety of ways. He has the physical presence and speed to make things happen and that’s one thing New York needs.

No. 7 Los Angeles Chargers  

The Chargers need an upgrade at offensive tackle and Ramczyk could be a start. A wild and crazy route to the NFL leads him to the Chargers and an opportunity to protect Philip Rivers late in his career.

No. 8 Carolina Panthers  

Allen might not even fall this far because he’s so gifted, but the Panthers need an impact player at defensive end and Allen is the man. He was unstoppable at Alabama and could be a tremendous pick up here.

No. 9 Cincinnati Bengals  

If the Bengals are looking to upgrade their athleticism at linebacker then there’s no one better than Williams, who doesn’t make a lot of tackles but almost all of them are for loss.

No. 10 Buffalo Bills  

There’s a big financial commitment to Tyrod Taylor if he stays. My bet is that they move on and go after Watson, who is a much better overall quarterback and playmaker.

No. 11 New Orleans Saints  

Upgrade at cornerback will be a priority and I still believe Tabor is the best of a loaded bunch. It could be Gators teammate Quincy Wilson or Washington’s Sidney Jones but I think Tabor moves up here.

No. 12 Cleveland Browns  

I have the the Browns taking the best player available in Myles Garrett at No. 1. Now Cleveland takes one of the best safeties left in Hooker, a big-time playmaker.

No. 13 Arizona Cardinals  

Arizona has given up too much in its secondary so the Cardinals will target a capable, solid cornerback. That is Jones, who has been really solid for the Huskies and could be a big addition early.

No. 14 Indianapolis Colts  

The Colts cannot believe their good luck if Fournette is still available this deep into the first round. Indianapolis needs more help protecting QB Andrew Luck, but getting the ball to Fournette is a huge plus, too.

No. 15 Philadelphia Eagles  

The Eagles gave up a lot to get QB Carson Wentz last draft and now they need to upgrade across the offense. Wide receiver is a top priority for a team that needs a big-time target. Williams has proven to be that guy.

No. 16 Baltimore Ravens  

Baltimore needs a physical edge rusher and McKinley is an excellent option. Plus, he’s a tough guy who will compete in the combine before needing shoulder surgery. That sounds like a John Harbaugh kind of guy.

No. 17 Washington Redskins  

A talented, smart, hard-nosed defensive lineman is always a necessity and Thomas would be a steal this late in the first round. The Redskins could use assistance on the defensive back end as well, but Thomas is too good to pass up.

No. 18 Tennessee Titans  

Earlier in the first round, I have Jabrill Peppers going to the Titans to bolster their secondary in a variety of ways. Another offensive weapon is a big priority as well and Davis could be the best WR available.

No. 19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers   

If the Bucs are looking for a disruptive force on the defensive line, I’m going on record saying Barnett could be the best of the bunch. Jonathan Allen and Solomon Thomas could be taken higher but Barnett is a tremendous addition here.

No. 20 Denver Broncos  

The offensive line needs to be addressed, both inside and outside, and with someone of Robinson’s caliber available, the Broncos cannot pass him up. I wouldn’t be shocked to see TE O.J. Howard, also of Alabama, taken here, either.

No. 21 Detroit Lions  

A Detroit five-star who played at Michigan State and fits the need at defensive tackle for the Lions? What could be a better story for Detroit and it all seems to make sense by taking a little gamble on McDowell here.

No. 22 Miami Dolphins  

Linebacker and defensive end needs to be addressed by the Dolphins so who better than an athletic defensive end who could help the Dolphins in a variety of ways. Charlton could be the answer Miami is looking for.

No. 23 New York Giants  

The future in New York’s backfield could be Paul Perkins, but if the Giants could make a tremendous upgrade at the position and take Cook then they’ll do it. Cook is a great RB but also can catch the ball, opening up the Giants’ offense more.

No. 24 Oakland Raiders  

Cornerback is still a position of need for the Raiders and Wilson is the best one still on the board. There’s a good chance Wilson will go much higher than this but if he’s available, the Raiders snatch him up.

No. 25 Houston Texans  

A linebacker who can play inside with speed is a priority and McMillan is a playmaker who covers a lot of ground to make tackles. Of course, quarterback is also an issue, but McMillan helps the defense in a big way.

No. 26 Seattle Seahawks  

Offensive tackle, offensive tackle, offensive tackle. That is the biggest priority by far and with Ryan Ramczyk and Cameron Robinson off the board, the Seahawks look to a big, fierece player who will be a welcome addition.

No. 27 Kansas City Chiefs  

Finding some help at linebacker is a priority for the Chiefs and Cunningham could be the answer. He was huge in Vanderbilt’s defense, especially this past season and he flies all over the field.

No. 28 Dallas Cowboys  

Going back to the defensive end well should pay off with Harris, who lived in the backfield and could not be blocked at times. Michigan’s Taco Charlton might be a more athletic option but Harris is pure power off the edge.

No. 29 Green Bay Packers  

The Packers need help at cornerback. A bunch of talented ones came off the board earlier but White is a great addition because he can also be utilized on special teams. LSU is DBU and the Packers won’t hesitate.

No. 30 Pittsburgh Steelers  

If the Steelers choose to bolster the linebacker corps instead of going with an offensive weapon at tight end, then Davis could be the man. He’s another tackling machine who covers a lot of ground.

No. 31 Atlanta Falcons  

Clemson’s defensive line was loaded with talent and Watkins was probably the most productive, putting up huge numbers this season. Atlanta needs help at defensive tackle and Watkins makes a lot of sense.

No. 32 New England Patriots  

Adding Christian McCaffrey in one way or another just seems to fit for the Patriots but an athletic tight end option is also needed. There’s no better one than Njoku, who can stretch the field in ways where maybe Rob Gronkowski will be limited now.

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