2017 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting First Three Rounds before Scouting Combine

The Chicago Bears are probably going to part ways with Jay Cutler this offseason, but that doesn’t mean that they need to reach for a quarterback with the No. 3 pick. Instead, they should focus on adding talent to their secondary after rebuilding their front seven this past offseason.

Jamal Adams is the best safety in this class, and he looked like he kept getting better as the 2016 season progressed. The LSU star could play either inside the box or covering deep, showcasing some excellent awareness and closing speed.

The comparisons to Troy Polamalu might be a bit over the top, but Adams definitely has the upside of a multiple-time Pro Bowler, and that’s something that the Bears would love to have on their defense.

I could definitely see the Jacksonville Jaguars going with a running back here, but with a top-five pick how can you pass up on who might be arguably the safest pick in the draft? A slam-dunk selection is something that the Jaguars could use given their track record of draft picks.

Alabama’s Jonathan Allen was a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate given his constant presence in opposing backfields this past season. He stays low off of the snap and has some exceptional hand speed to disengage from would-be blockers.

Is Allen the sexiest pick? Definitely not. However, the Crimson Tide prospect looks like a legitimate impact defensive lineman, and that could go a long way towards turning Jacksonville’s defense into a formidable one.