The 2017 NFL Draft is only weeks away, and after a month full of pro days it’s about time we finalize what players we believe will go first in the NFL Draft. Like with past drafts, there are always a few sleepers in the draft, so we’re going to highlight a few gems.
From Devin Hester to Odell Beckham Jr. to Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, every draft there are a few breakout rookie stars who go beyond expectations. These players end up being franchise players and future NFL Pro Bowlers. Last years’ duo, Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot, stunned the NFL in their rookie season for the Dallas Cowboys.
Dak’s rise to stardom isn’t a situation we haven’t seen before; franchise quarterback goes down with a long-term injury and an unproven quarterback gets the start and never gives the starting job back to the old starter. The irony in Dak’s situation is that the guy he replaced (Tony Romo) got his start the same way. So, we’re going to find out who is the next Dak and Ezekiel.
Sleeper
Curtis Samuel out of Ohio State, one of the biggest sleepers in this draft. He is another Percy Harvin, without the migraines. I imagine he will get picked up by a team who are legit Super Bowl contenders. He is fast and dynamic with a lot of upside to him. He comes from a winning program and has game changing abilities. He’s your ideal slot guy that can come into the back field and take a hand off occasionally. Th e best fit for Samuel would be the New Orleans Saints. He would be a great replacement for the loss of Brandon Cooks. I think the Saints are preparing for Drew Brees to retire, and Curtis Samuel would be a great start in putting weapons around a future young quarterback.
Joe Mixon out of Oklahoma, a first-round talent with some old baggage from his freshman year of college. Mixon is a three-down running back that reminds me of Latavius Murray. He’s a tall running back that runs tall. He would be a great fit for the Carolina Panthers; the Panthers could use a running back that can run for 100 yards a game and catch for 100 yards too. He’s what we would call a do it all back. Cam Newton could use a guy like Mixon to balance the Carolina offense.
Zay Jones out of East Carolina, this dynamic receiver will be something special for any team who picks him. Zay blew scouts away at the Senior Bowl, but his performance shouldn’t be a surprise when you put the film on. He is a good size receiver who will, in my opinion, get picked by a team looking to build. The Cleveland Browns would be a nice fit, or the Baltimore Ravens could use a player like Zay Jones to help quarterback Joe Flacco.
Rookie Year Impact
Jamal Adams out of LSU, is an instinctual player with a strong comparison to Kansas City Chiefs’ safety, Eric Berry. What I like about this kid is that he is a complete safety and he comes from LSU. When LSU has a defensive back projected to be a top pick in a draft, I always consider the player as an instant impact player. Whoever gets Jamal Adams is getting a quality player and a future pro bowler.
John Ross out of Washington, although he did not make it into my mock draft, I think he would be very productive in his first season. A guy who can run a 4.22 in the 40 and understands how to use it in a game is very dangerous. Ross is compared to DeSean Jackson, and that is a fair comparison. He can stretch the field and take back kicks as well. For some odd reason, I think he would do well for the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have zero weapons for the future quarterback to throw too. Ross would make it a little easier for whoever is under center for the Browns.
O.J. Howard out of Alabama, could do wonders for the team who select him. He faster than most linebackers and bigger than most corners. In today’s game, teams need to have a solid go to tight end that can stretch the field. I believe he’ll have the same impact Jimmy Graham had for the New Orleans Saints. If he can improve his blocking skills, he should be a pro bowler by the end of the season or maybe close to one. It’s hard for tight ends to make quick impact in the league, but Howard might be the exception.
|
SportsHungry 2017 NFL Mock Draft |
|||
|
NFL Teams |
Prospects |
Position |
College |
|
Cleveland Browns |
Myles Garrett | DE |
Texas A&M |
|
San Francisco 49ers |
Soloman Thomas | DE | Stanford |
|
Chicago Bears |
Jamal Adams | S | LSU |
|
Jacksonville Jaguars |
Leonard Fournette | RB |
LSU |
| Tennessee Titans | Mike Williams | WR |
Clemson |
| New York Jets | O.J. Howard | TE |
Alabama |
|
Los Angeles Chargers |
Malik Hooker | S | Ohio State |
| Carolina Panthers | Dalvin Cook | RB |
Florida State |
|
Cincinnati Bengals |
Jonathan Allen | DE | Alabama |
|
Buffalo Bills |
David Njoku | TE |
Miami (FL) |
| New Orleans Saints | Christian McCaffrey | RB |
Stanford |
|
Cleveland Browns |
Corey Davis | WR | Western Michigan |
| Arizona Cardinals | Marshon Lattimore | CB |
Ohio State |
|
Philadelphia Eagles |
Garreon Conley | CB | Ohio State |
| Indianapolis Colts | Ryan Ramczy | OL |
Wisconsin |
|
Baltimore Ravens |
Charles Harris | DE | Missouri |
| Washington Redskins | Haason Reddick | LB |
Temple |
|
Tennessee Titans |
Cam Robinson | OT | Alabama |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Reuben Foster | LB |
Alabama |
|
Denver Broncos |
Forrest Lamp | OG | Western Kentucky |
|
Detroit Lions |
Garrett Bolles | OT |
Utah |
| Miami Dolphins | Derek Barnett | DE |
Tennessee |
|
New York Giants |
Tre’Davious White | CB |
LSU |
|
Oakland Raiders |
Marlon Humphrey | CB | Alabama |
| Houston Texans | Mitchell Trubisky | QB |
North Carolina |
|
Seattle Seahawks |
Kevin King | CB | Washington |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Deshaun Watson | QB |
Clemson |
|
Dallas Cowboys |
Quincy Wilson | CB | Florida |
| Green Bay Packers | John Ross | WR |
Washington |
|
Pittsburgh Steelers |
T.J. Watt | LB | Wisconsin |
| Atlanta Falcons | Tim Williams | LB |
Alabama |
|
New Orleans Saints |
Curtis Samuel | WR/RB | Ohio State |