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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Deep in Defensive Players

By Carl Cockerham

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) and defensive lineman Reggie Chevis (13) celebrate a defensive stop against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) and defensive lineman Reggie Chevis (13) celebrate a defensive stop against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Dedrick Mills (26) scores a rushing touchdown against Vanderbilt Commodores linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) and cornerback Tre Herndon (31) in the third quarter of their game at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Yellow Jackets won 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Dedrick Mills (26) scores a rushing touchdown against Vanderbilt Commodores linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) and cornerback Tre Herndon (31) in the third quarter of their game at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Yellow Jackets won 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

ILB. Vanderbilt. Zach Cunningham. 13. player. 46. QB Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts came alive on offense lately to try to make a run at the playoffs. But that run ended Saturday in Oakland as the loss there officially put them out of the playoffs. If they had a defense, they might not have had to try to make a run. <p>Speaking of run the Colts don’t seem to be able to stop that at all with Jerrell Freeman now gone. If you can’t stop the run, it’s hard to win football games no matter how good your offense is. Your offense can’t do anything from the sidelines, screaming for the defense to get off the field.</p> <p>And that’s the position they were in for too much of the season, which is why they missed the playoffs. So at No. 13 overall, the Colts take Zach Cunningham from Vanderbilt to fix it. Cunningham, with his speed, physicality and instincts, is underrated by many but ready for the NFL.</p> <p>So he will come in and ball, giving the Colts a chance to actually stop the run in 2017. The Colts will have to put more around him but Cunningham will make a big immediate impact. Then perhaps the race for the AFC South will go much better for them. </p>

Oct 17, 2015; Evanston, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) intercepts a pass intended for Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Christian Jones (14) during the first quarter at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Evanston, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) intercepts a pass intended for Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Christian Jones (14) during the first quarter at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

CB. Iowa. Desmond King. 14. player. 54. The Philadelphia Eagles have a ferocious defensive front-7 that gets after opposing QBs. The would be one of the best defensive teams in the NFL if their coverage were better. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz would be happy to get a CB to fit his zone scheme. <p>Desmond King is just what the doctor ordered for Schwartz and the Eagles as he can do it all. But he is especially good at reading routes and breaking on the ball in his zone. He’s probably the best CB prospect coming out in the 2017 NFL Draft at playing in a zone defense.</p> <p>KIng also has great ball skills so when he reads the route and breaks on the ball, it’s an INT. As much pressure as the Eagles put on opposing QBs he will increase the team’s INT total immediately. The Eagles pass defense would likely go from the middle of the NFL to the Top-10</p> <p>With all the QBs in the NFC East, tightening up the pass defense would help a lot. The Eagles already have a young QB and offense growing around him as we speak. So the Eagles could turn into contenders for the NFC East pretty quick here.</p>

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