In
the days leading up to the 2017 NFL draft, USA TODAY Sports will take a
closer look at the burning questions that will shape the event.
To
kick off the series, we highlighted five teams that could make surprise
moves that would defy mock drafts and reverberate throughout the first
round.
Cleveland Browns
Even
if Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett is selected with the No. 1
pick as expected, Cleveland still could have a surprise or two in
store. With five of the first 65 selections, the Browns have the arsenal
and disposition to move around in a draft the organization has long
targeted as integral to the rebuilding process. At No. 12, passing on a
quarterback would cause quite a stir. But with the first pick in the
second round, Cleveland could always jump up into a late first-round
pick for a quarterback, which would be all the more appealing given the
fifth-year option it would have on a potentially successful
signal-caller.
San Francisco 49ers
Despite
this draft class seemingly running short on consensus, the 49ers have
been linked heavily to Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas. Yet
new GM John Lynch could continue the organization's outside-the-box
thinking by looking in a different direction, as the 49ers' needs are
widespread. Going with a quarterback or trading the pick would be the
most dramatic moves, but even selecting a different defender — like
LSU's Jamal Adams or Ohio State's Malik Hooker — would have a ripple
effect on the rest of the first round.
MORE COVERAGE:
Tennessee Titans
Finding
another weapon for Marcus Mariota in the aerial attack is perhaps
Tennessee's most important task in the draft, yet few pass catchers in
this class seem like a natural fit at No. 5. But what if the Titans see
corresponding value in any of the players — perhaps wide receivers John
Ross, Mike Williams or Corey Davis, as well as tight end O.J. Howard —
and don't want to risk a run on those players before they pick again at
No. 18? Defensive players are expected to dominate the top of the draft,
but Tennessee could alter that outlook.
Carolina Panthers
GM
Dave Gettleman has made his priorities known by taking a front-seven
player with his top pick in three of his four drafts in Carolina. But
the Panthers have to find a way to reconfigure their offense after Ron
Rivera said Cam Newton's contributions in the running game would be
scaled back. LSU running back Leonard Fournette would be appealing at
No. 8, but Carolina could still surprise by taking Florida State's
Dalvin Cook or Stanford's Christian McCaffrey in a slot higher than most
would expect.
Arizona Cardinals
With
Carson Palmer back in the fold, Arizona has to decide whether it wants
to pull the trigger on a successor at No. 13 (or a later stage in the
draft). Such a move by the Cardinals could raise concern for teams in
the back half of the first round hoping for a quarterback to slide to
them. Having either Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer or Texas Tech's Pat
Mahomes come off the board at this stage would serve as a potential
pivot point for the rest of the draft.
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