1.) Myles Garrett, EDGE, Texas A&M
Let's be honest: you knew this one was going to make this list. Garrett has all-pro, franchise saving potential. Garrett is the modern day Julius Peppers, Mario Williams, and Jadaveon Clowney. Garrett should be an instant impact player and will likely record upwards of 10 sacks as a rookie.
2.) Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
This is the last obvious choice, I swear. Fournette turned NCAA Football on its head with a tantalizing display of talent and god given ability during the 2016 season. It was obvious to anyone watching those games that Leonard Fournette was a superstar in the making.
3.) Corey Davis, WR, WMU
Considered by many to be the #2 WR in this class behind Mike Williams, Davis has had a relatilvely quiet draft process. After stringing together consecutive dominant seasons at Western Michigan, Davis is ready to bring his talents to the NFL. Davis has the route-running efficiency of an NFL veteran, and makes incredible catches on a routine basis.
4.) Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Reuben Foster has had about as bad of a Draft process as you can have. After showing up in less than optimal shape to the Combine, Reuben Foster screamed and threatened a hospital worker and was dismissed from the Combine as a result. A few weeks later, reports came out that Foster did not have a great football mind, and struggled with the X's and O's portion of the game. Teams worry about him learning the playbook. And a week before the draft, information was released saying the Foster's Combine drug test contained a diluted sample which counts as a failed test. However, through all of that, Foster still projects as a young Ray Lewis. Foster should be a mainstay at the middle linebacker position for whatever team picks him for a decade.
5.) Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Leader of a top collegiate defense, NFL Bloodlines, dominating combine performance, yet heavily slept on as the top corner in this class. Humphrey isn’t talked about as the top corner in this class which he clearly is. Humphrey has the size and speed to be a true shutdown corner at the next level. Humphrey dominated his competition in the SEC and the talent drop off between him the backups they would put in when Alabama was up by a lot was significant. I expect Humphrey to be selected in the top 10 picks.
6.) O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
7.) Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
The anchor on a top collegiate defense, Malik McDowell entered the draft process as a lock to go in the top 20 picks. McDowell showcased the strength, smarts, and awareness to dominate on the defensive line at the next level. McDowell has all the physical traits that you can ask for. However, his draft stock is plummeting due to his poor interviews with teams at the Combine in Indianapolis. Teams question McDowell’s effort and passion for the game. McDowell will now likely slip to the middle second round, but could still creep into the second half of the first round. My analysis: nobody questions Leonard Fournette’s passion for the game even though he took an entire season off; McDowell plays a thankless position and still dominated when he wanted to. The financial relief and coaching of the NFL should make McDowell reach his potential and he should dominate the league for years to come.
8.) Budda Baker, S, Washington
9.) Forrest Lamp, OG, WKU
Forrest Lamp is going to be a dominate professional if whichever team drafts him is smart enough to keep him at the guard position. Lamp was critical to the success of WKU and was acknowledged as a true leader and dedicated worker. Lamp dominated each opponent and has set himself up to be a late first round or early second round pick. The top guard in this class, I don’t expect Lamp to fall past Miami in the first round.
10.) Adoree Jackson, CB, USC
Adoree’ Jackson has been in the spotlight since starting as a redshirt freshman at USC. For the Trojans, Jackson mirrored opposing #1 receivers and was rarely targeted while in man coverage. Jackson ran a blazing fast 40 yard dash, and should be selected in the second half of the first round. Jackson should be considered a far superior prospect to Tre’Davious White, whom is often mocked to be selected before Jackson. Jackson shouldn’t last through the end of the first round.
11.) Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
Sizing in at 6’3 and over 230 lbs, Evan Engram truly dominated the combine by running a 4.4 40 yard dash… a top 10 time overall. Engram is the prototypical new age tight end ala Jimmy Graham and Jordan Reed that is taking over the NFL and feasting over the middle of the field. Engram had a far more productive college career than peer David Njoku, and is gaining momentum to become the 2nd tight end selected. While not a great blocker, Engram offers more than Njoku as a pass protector/run blocker. Engram compares favorably to Jordan Reed. Engram won’t slip past teams picking at the top of the 2nd round.
12.) Pat Elflein, OC/OG, Ohio State
13.) Desmond King, S, Iowa
Desmond King is a converted ballhawking corner now playing free safety. King had a great display at the combine, and has shot up from a 6th round corner to a roaming free safety who could be selected at the top of the 3rd round.
14.) Jordan Willis, EDGE, Kansas State
Jordan Willis had one of the best combines an edge rusher has ever had. Willis tested out at the most athletic linebacker since 1999 (Kent Lee Plattes RAS), and had an elite RAS at the defensive end position. Willis is slightly undersized, but will find the most success as a weakside end in a 4-3 schemed defense. Willis should be drafted at the end of the first round or the beginning of the second round. He will be a tremendous steal if he is available after the 32nd pick.
15.) Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State
I suspect that Chris Godwin will have a meaningful, productive NFL career. Godwin is 6’2 and ran a blazing fast (4.42 s) 40 yard dash. Weighing in at over 200 pounds, Godwin has the size and speed combination to win over the top, and the build to win over the middle. Watch for Godwin to sneak into the top of the second round.
16.) Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan
Jourdan Lewis entered this draft process as a top prospect at the corner position, but concerns over Lewis’ height and speed pushed him down draft boards. Following that, Lewis was convicted of domestic abuse and faces jail time. That being said, Lewis was dominant at Michigan and will likely be a good starter in the NFL. Lewis has first round talent, but will likely be selected at the end of the 3rd round or the beginning of the 4th round.
17.) Zay Jones, WR, ECU
Zay Jones, the Senior Bowl darling, plays a different game than the other receivers listed here. Jones’ set the mark for the most catches of all time in his last season at lowly ECU. While he was schemed open on many plays, he found ways to get open quite often as well. Jones’ impressed at the combine with a 4.45 second 40 yard dash, proving that Jones can be more than a simple slot receiver in the NFL. Measuring in at 6’2, 200lbs, Jones should be able to withstand his transition to the NFL and provide a security blanket to the quarterback of whichever team is lucky enough to select him at the top of the second round.
18.) Marcus Maye, S, Florida
19.) Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy
Garcia dominated at the FCS level, and continued his propensity for blocking at the Senior Bowl, where he was far and away the best lineman there. Garcia should be selected in the late second round or early 3rd. I expect the Browns to pull the trigger if he is available at their first pick in the 3rd round.
20.) Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA
Moreau was not a dominating college player, but dominated the Combine and finished with a top 10 RAS for the cornerback position. Moreau has great size and even better speed. He should be selected in the second half of the 2nd round.
21.) Duke Riley, LB, LSU
22.) Jake Butt, TE, Michigan
Jake Butt entered this draft process with a tremendous pedigree and resume. He was expected to be in contention with O.J. Howard as the top tight end in the class. A torn achilles has likely sent Butt to the late 3rd round, but when he is finished rehabbing it is likely that Jake Butt will become the dominant player he is expected to be.
23.) Eddie Jackson, S, Alabama
24.) Jehu Chesson, WR, Michigan
25.) Corn Elder, Slot CB, Miami
Corn Elder dominated at college, but lacks the size to play outside corner. Elder should continue to be a terrific pass defender, but will struggle against the run when he makes it to the league. A true slot defender, Elder is expected to be selected in the 4th round of the NFL draft.
26.) George Kittle, TE, Iowa
27.) Zane Gonzalez, K, Arizona State
Daniel Jeremiah says a scout of more than 20 years told him ASU’s Zane Gonzalez got the highest grade he’s ever given a kicker.
— Adam Stites (@AdamStites_) January 28, 2017
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