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2017 NFL Mock Draft: First-round projections after first bowl weekend

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) defends against Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) during the 2nd half of a game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) defends against Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) during the 2nd half of a game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 28. . CB. Michigan. Jourdan Lewis. 24

Call me crazy, but I think Jourdan Lewis was the best player on Michigan’s defense this season. Forget about the Jabrill Peppers hype train for a second and just think about how solid Lewis has been for the past couple of years with the Wolverines.

Lewis got his start as a sophomore and looked like a solid player in Brady Hoke’s final season, but really broke out in 2015 under Jim Harbaugh. He had 52 total tackles and two interceptions, but the number that really stood out to me was his pass deflection total of 20. Quarterbacks didn’t believe how good he was and he continued to prove them wrong all year.

The eight pass deflections and two interceptions this year are proof that quarterbacks stayed away from his side of the field more often than not. Heck, he might not even be available this late in the first round, but Oakland would be silly to pass on an elite corner such as Lewis.

Oakland had another great cornerback come through the organization and become an eventual Hall of Famer in Charles Woodson who retired this past offseason. Why not replace him with another potential shutdown corner in Lewis?

Although he’s a bit undersized at 5-foot-11, he has great ball skills and can stick to his receiver like glue. This would be an excellent choice for the Raiders in this spot.

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