In honor of Senior Bowl week, Heavy is releasing the next installment of our NFL mock draft. This week, we look at picks 11-21 as we start to examine teams that were on the bubble of making the playoffs. Click here to revisit our initial mock draft with picks 1-10. NFL decision makers have been in Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Bowl, and I have had the opportunity to watch some of the best college prospects during the three days of practices. A few players that have impressed this week include Alabama tight end O.J. Howard, Texas A&M wide receiver Josh Reynolds, Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram, LSU cornerback Tre'Davious White and Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Howard is likely to be the first Senior Bowl player selected in the 2017 NFL Draft. Engram has proved there is more than just one great tight end in this draft class and will make a team very happy that is looking for a receiving tight end. White displayed great physicality in one-on-one drills but suffered an ankle injury that prevented him from playing in the Senior Bowl game. Reynolds displayed great hands throughout the week with the ability to go up and get the football. Kupp proved he can play against high-level competition and has generated buzz that he could slip into the first round.
Tight end appears to be the strength of this draft class with potential for 2-3 players to sneak into the first round. The secondary is another area of strength as teams will take a look at a number of quality cornerbacks and safeties this year. To summarize, the deepest positions at this year's Senior Bowl have been the tight ends, cornerbacks and wide receivers. The Senior Bowl is the first major event in the pre-draft process and features the best senior college football players. It also marks the last time NFL personnel will see prospects play actual football. The next event on the path to the draft is February 28 as the NFL Combine begins in Indianapolis. Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @JonDAdams to discuss what players impressed at the Senior Bowl and all things related to the NFL Draft. Heavy will unveil the bottom half of the first round next week. Click the arrow on the right side of the above image to see Heavy's latest NFL mock draft. (Getty)
No. 11 New Orleans Saints: S Jamal Adams
School: LSU
Position: Safety
Class: Junior
Outlook: Adams is in competition to be the first secondary player taken in April's draft. He can do it all in coverage and is a solid tackler as his 76 tackles in 2016 show. New Orleans has a lot of holes to fills, but it is no surprise that it is the defense that continues to need help. The Saints need to strengthen their secondary this offseason. Adams will likely face questions on having just one interception this past season, but it would be scrutinized more if he was a cornerback. (Getty)
No. 12 Cleveland Browns (via Eagles): RB Dalvin Cook
School: Florida State
Position: Running Back
Class: Junior
Outlook: Cook may be the most complete back in the draft, but there are questions about shoulder injuries. This is the predicament the Browns could be in if they pass on quarterback with the top pick. With all the teams that need quarterbacks picking at the top of the draft, the well could be dried up when Cleveland has their second pick. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller reported the Browns are "enamored" with Deshaun Watson with this pick. MMQB's Peter King reported the Browns reached out to Watson to request he play in the Senior Bowl, but Watson declined. It will be interesting to watch if that decision has any impact on their draft. (Getty)
No. 13 Arizona Cardinals: FS Malik Hooker
School: Ohio State
Position: Free Safety
Class: Red-Shirt Sophomore
Outlook: It may seem like a duplicate pick given the Cardinals have Tyrann Mathieu, but Mathieu has struggled to stay healthy. While Arizona needs to add depth at linebacker, Hooker is too good to pass up if he falls this far. Hooker passes the eye test and has eye-popping stats. Hooker had seven interceptions and 74 tackles this past season. One thing worth noting, Hooker is technically a sophomore, but red-shirted so is only coming off two years of college football. Hooker will be one of the younger players in the draft meaning he will be viewed as a player with a lot of potential, but a prospect that has already produced at a high level. (Getty)
No. 14 Indianapolis Colts: TE O.J. Howard
School: Alabama
Position: Tight End
Class: Senior
Outlook: If you just look at Howard's senior season stats (595 yards and three touchdowns), it is underwhelming. However, Howard's talent far outweighs his statistical production in Tuscaloosa. Howard has shined here in Mobile during Senior Bowl week. If he can convince teams he can block, he is a lock to go in the top 15. Howard noted he returned for his senior season to become a better blocker and tighten up his game. Alabama's offense did not utilize Howard to his full potential, but he shined in his two championship performances against Clemson. Howard would quickly become the best tight end Andrew Luck has ever played with. While the Colts have needs on defense, Howard is too talented a player to pass up. (Getty)
Tre'Davious White heads to Green Bay where they are in desperate need of better corners. (Getty)
No. 16 Baltimore Ravens: DE Solomon Thomas
School: Stanford
Position: Defensive End
Class: Junior
Outlook: Thomas is one of the most versatile defensive players in the draft. Thomas made himself some money in Stanford's bowl game against North Carolina. He can line up outside and inside (think Seahawks Michael Bennett) and is the kind of player that fits into the Ravens defense. Thomas 8.5 sacks last season along with his tape will continue to push him up draft boards. (Getty)
No. 17 Washington Redskins: DE Derek Barnett
School: Tennessee
Position: Defensive End
Class: Junior
Outlook: Barnett is one of the best defensive players in this draft at getting to the quarterback. He finished the 2016 season with 13 sacks and had 32 sacks over his three-year career at Tennessee. He's been on team's radars for a few years and will finally be eligible for the draft. Barnett had 56 tackles and 19 tackles for loss his last season with the Vols. He likely will be battling Solomon Thomas to be the third defensive end to come off the board on Day 1. (Getty)
No. 18 Tennessee Titans: CB Marshon Lattimore
School: Ohio State
Position: Cornerback
Class: Red-shirt Sophomore
Outlook: We have the Titans going with a wide receiver with the fifth pick, leaving the 18th selection to help bolster their secondary. Lattimore is one of the best young corners in April's draft. He is a red-shirt sophomore with just two college football seasons under his belt. The good news for the team that drafts Lattimore is he still has a lot of potential but has already provided fans with glimpses of his playing ability. Lattimore had 41 tackles and four interceptions in his final season at Ohio State. He gives the Titans a player that can come in and fight for a starting position right away. (Getty)
John Ross is the fastest player in NFL Combine history. (Getty)
No. 20 Denver Broncos: TE Evan Engram
School: Ole Miss
Position: Tight End
Class: Senior
Outlook: While O.J. Howard is the consensus top tight end, teams like the Broncos will be fine selecting the next in line with the depth of this year's tight ends. There is some buzz around Miami's David Njoku, but Engram had a really impressive Senior Bowl week in Mobile. For Engram, so much of his success depends on where he lands and what the team asks him to do. He's not a traditional blocking tight end, but is a really impressive receiver. If a team drafts him to use like the Redskins utilize Jordan Reed, they could wind up with a Pro Bowl caliber tight end. During the Senior Bowl, Engram told Heavy he models his game after former NFL great Shannon Sharpe. (Getty)
No. 21 Detroit Lions: LB Tim Williams
School: Alabama
Position: Linebacker/Defensive End
Class: Senior
Outlook: Williams was one of the best players on Alabama's infamous defense. The Lions could use an EDGE player and Williams has versatility. Williams projects as a linebacker but can also play at times on the defensive line. He is a good fit for a Lions team that is looking to rebuild a defense that was once the anchor of their team. The versatile linebacker had nine sacks during the 2016 season to follow up his 9.5 sacks in 2015. Williams' athleticism allows him to drop in coverage, but, as his numbers show, his real strength is the threat he poses to quarterbacks. Click here to see Part I of Heavy's 2017 NFL Mock Draft. (Getty)
NFL Mock Draft 2017: O.J. Howard Shines Among Picks 11-21