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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Final Predictions For First Round

By Dan Parzych

Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) before a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) before a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

11. New Orleans Saints: Alabama DE Jonathan Allen

Only time will tell when it comes to whether the New Orleans Saints will regret shipping Brandin Cooks off to the New England Patriots, but at least the team was able to earn an extra first-round pick from the deal. With two picks in the first round, the Saints could easily focus on filling needs on both sides of the football, but using the No. 11 and No. 32 pick on defense may not be the worst decision in the world.

As long as Drew Brees is healthy under center, New Orleans is always going to seem set on offense since the future Hall of Famer has always been the type of quarterback who makes just about every player around him better. Not to mention, the Saints are hoping to end up with one of the biggest deals of free agency by landing Adrian Peterson at a huge bargain when looking at the original money he was going to make in 2017 with the Minnesota Vikings.

If New Orleans does end up taking advantage of landing a potential defensive superstar with this pick, it may be difficult for them to pass on Jonathan Allen if he’s available. Alabama has produced plenty of great players that have gone on to have successful careers in the NFL, and after recording 22.5 sacks during his final two seasons with the Crimson Tide, the defensive end hopes to be part of that elite group.

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