With The First Pick
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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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Dec 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Carlos Watkins (94) sacks Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans (4) in the second half during the ACC Championship college football game at Camping World Stadium. Clemson Tigers won 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Carlos Watkins (94) sacks Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans (4) in the second half during the ACC Championship college football game at Camping World Stadium. Clemson Tigers won 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

DT. Clemson. Carlos Watkins. 23. player. 31. There are no left tackles for the New York Giants to take here so QB Eli Manning is out of luck. Perhaps they give Will Beatty another shot in 2017 if Ereck Flowers still can’t handle it. But the Giants can make their front-7 more dominant than it is. <p>They already have two top-notch DEs in Oliver Vernon and Jason Pierre-Paul, who should be back. A penetrating 3-technique would help the Giants put that much more pressure on opposing QBs. The Giants can use that with the QBs they have to play twice a year.</p> <p>They can especially use that to keep beating young QB Dak Prescott who will only get better. So at No. 23 overall, the Giants select Carlos Watkins from Clemson to be that disruptive 3-technique. At 6’3″, 300 pounds, he has an excellent combination of power and quickness.</p> <p>Opposing QBs will have nowhere to step up with Vernon and Pierre-Paul coming off the edge. Watkins is also tough against the run so the Giants will lose nothing there. This could be the move that leads to the Giants taking the NFC East for the Dallas Cowboys. </p>

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