These 2017 prospects have shown flashes of brilliance during their early college careers. However, it will take a consistently-brilliant senior campaign to keep their names at the tops of scouts' lists across the league.
Even if they do excel in their final college seasons, they'll need to keep their noses clean throughout the pre-draft process, as a couple of this year's top players found out the hard way.
An average of 15 seniors were selected in the first round of the draft from 2011 to 2016, including 14 on Thursday night. Another 19 seniors, on average, were picked in the second round since 2011.
Therefore, I've devised a list of 35 future pros (adding one to the combined five-year average) hoping to become first- or second-round picks next spring. I've ranked them, not by the place I expect them to land in next year's draft, but by the interest I have in watching their progress during the 2016 season.
2017 NFL DRAFT
Tracker: Rounds | Teams | Players
Draft coverage:
Brooks: Draft grades for every team
Top undrafted free agents following draft
2017 draft: Winners | Losers
Draft's best and most worrisome picks
Eight surprises: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
Trade tracker: Details of all the moves
CFB 24/7: Full 'Path to Draft' coverage
Video:
First draft: Get to know draft prospects
NFL comparisons for top prospects
Fan Pass: Behind the scenes
1. Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
Over the past two seasons, Cook (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) has led the Spartans to 24 wins, thrown for nearly 6,000 yards, and tossed 46 touchdowns (versus just 14 intereceptions). He has the prerequisite size, athleticism, anticipation, toughness, and football intelligence to excel at the next level. He hasn't cracked the 60 percent completion barrier in his career as of yet (58.1 percent last year) and has a new receiving corps for his senior year. Cook is the most intriguing senior prospect this year. If he can lead an inexperienced passing game in his final collegiate season, he'll be in line for a very high draft slot.
2. Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
It doesn't take long to find Oakman (6-9, 280) on the field, as his tall frame and No. 2 jersey stand out even among the Bears' top competition. It was a bit of a surprise when the massive lineman decided to return to school, as he likely would have been a first-round pick after a 19.5-tackle-for-loss, 11-sack season as a junior. But the Penn State transfer wants to be picked at the very top of the draft, and apparently loves being a Baylor Bear. Lofty expectations are sometimes difficult to live up to, however; scouts will be looking for consistent explosiveness, leverage, and motor from Oakman, in addition to his bullish strength, before labeling him a "can't-miss" prospect worthy of a top-five pick.
3. D'haquille Williams, WR, Auburn
Halfway through the 2014 season, it looked as though "Duke" was going to be the second former junior college receiver climbing up NFL team draft boards, along with West Virginia's Kevin White. But a sprained MCL suffered late in the year and a suspension for breaking team rules pushed Williams (6-2, 224) to return to school to get his degree. One of eight children, Williams won't have a problem sticking out this year if the Tigers' offense can keep rolling after the graduation of quarterback Nick Marshall. His ability to put the passing game on his shoulders as a senior will be the difference between Williams being a top-10 pick and a second-rounder with question marks.
4. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
Ohio State's undisputed leader on the offensive line decided to come back for another year in Columbus instead of locking up a mid-to-late first-round placement this year. Decker (6-8, 315) not only gets a chance to win back-to-back national titles by returning for his senior year, but also an opportunity to prove he has the natural bend and elite athleticism to be a top-five selection.
5. Spencer Drango, OT, Baylor
If any senior is going to challenge Decker for the top senior offensive tackle slot, it will be Drango (6-8, 315). A four-year starter, there's no questioning his intensity or strength at the line of scrimmage. But like Decker, Drango needs to consistently hit targets in space and look comfortable holding off any top pass rushers during his final year on campus before earning a top-10 draft slot.
6. Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia
Talk about explosiveness ... Georgia's Most Improved Player for the 2014 season actually started six games as a true freshman. Jenkins (6-3, 253) came into his own as a junior, however, showing flashes of quick hands and deadly straight-line speed to the quarterback. Turning those flashes into long periods of brightness should put him squarely in the first-round conversation.
7. Dadi Lhomme Nicolas, DE/OLB, Virginia Tech
In a world where pass rushers are coveted more than umbrellas in New York during a rainstorm, Nicolas (6-4, 236) has the smooth acceleration off the line to become one of the best in the country as a senior. Scouts wonder if Nicolas could be the next great Haitian-born pass rusher, though he doesn't cut the physically-imposing presence that Jason Pierre-Paul did for South Florida (and still does for the Giants). The second-team All-ACC pick (18.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks) is misused as a base end in the Hokies' defense but is likely to transition to linebacker at the next level -- with many teams relying on 3-4 alignments as their base defense. He only started playing football his senior year of high school, so honing his skill off the edge combined with improving his bend and strength at the point of attack would make him a very highly-regarded prospect.
8. Landon Turner, OG, North Carolina
An absolute road-grader, Turner (6-4, 325) will turn the heads of NFL general managers with his ability to move the line of scrimmage. He's not too heavy-footed to protect the quarterback, either ... and when he gets beat, he'll work hard to finish the block. Will he crack the top half of the first round, or go late in the stanza like Laken Tomlinson this year? It's too early to tell, but I'll have fun watching him try to climb the rungs of the draft ladder.
9. Vadal Alexander, OG/OT, LSU
After starting for two years next to La'el Collins at left guard, Alexander (6-6, 320) moves back to right tackle for his senior year. He started the last seven games of his freshman campaign at right tackle, earning Freshman All-American honors. Alexander has shed at least 30 pounds since arriving on campus, giving him a shot to stay at tackle when he arrives in the NFL. It is possible Alexander has done enough to land a first-round slot as a guard with his length, strength, and footwork. Success at his new/old position is crucial, however, for Alexander to earn the respect of general managers across the league as a pass protector on the outside.
10. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
Unfortunately, Buckner (6-7, 290) will be compared to former Duck defensive lineman Dion Jordan, who was picked third overall by the Dolphins in 2013 and struggled to earn that status before being suspended for the 2016 season for a third violation of the league's substance-abuse policy. He's not a similar player to Jordan because his thicker frame portends a NFL career with his hand on the ground; nonetheless, the comparisons will be drawn. Buckner's path towards the 2017 draft is also interesting because, while he flashes the skills of a top prospect, better offensive linemen can dominate him, using his tall frame to keep him from getting leverage. If he can improve his stack-and-shed ability and his motor, and consistently win the edge, scouts will forget about Jordan and grade Buckner well based on his own merits.
11. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
The East Mississippi Community College transfer doesn't light up the stat sheet (6.5 tackles for loss, one sack in 2014) for the Tide, but is utterly disruptive in the middle. Reed (6-4, 313) commands double teams and eats them like a 313-pounder should -- and doesn't have the sloppy body and inconsistent motor that prevented former JC/Alabama stud NT Terrence "Mount" Cody from earning a first-round draft spot. If Reed continues to push forward on early downs and keeps his nose clean this year (he had a DUI in the summer of 2014), he'll he the first nose tackle off the board next spring.
12. Jeremy Cash, S, Duke
The Blue Devils are looking for their first back-to-back drafts with a first-round pick in school history. Seeing Green Bay pick Damarious Randall from Arizona State as a cornerback made me believe teams will like Cash's cover skills enough to pick him on Draft Thursday. Cash (6-2, 205) might not line up outside on Sundays, but proving himself as a slot cover man during the 2016 season should help him join teammate Laken Tomlinson as an initial-round selection.
13. Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
The question isn't whether Ragland (6-2, 252) will be a starting 3-4 inside linebacker in the NFL -- it's whether he is athletic enough to be a three-down linebacker in any system. While taken off the field by Nick Saban on third downs at times during his first year as a starter as a junior, Ragland is not slow-footed by any means. In his second year running Saban's pro-style defense in 2016, the former five-star recruit can now let his natural ability shine.
14. Adolphus Washington, DT/DE, Ohio State
Apparently Washington (6-4, 290) is ready to go for his senior season -- he had four sacks in Ohio State's Scarlet-Gray Game. He has quickness off the ball for his size, and although he will likely face a lot of double teams in 2016, his future might be as a difference-making 3-4 end at the next level. Shedding one-on-one blocks and exploding into the backfield throughout the Big Ten season will show scouts he's ready to take the next step no matter where they want him to line up.
15. Devontae Booker, RB, Utah
Booker (5-11, 212), a former Washington State signee and junior college star, only ran a total of 31 times in his first three games with the Utes in 2014 -- then he ran for 130 yards a game through the rest of the season. His combination of power, quickness, elusiveness in the hole, and receiving ability give him an excitement factor lacking from most collegiate backs. The devaluation of his position might prevent him from being a first-round pick, but another ultra-productive season and top-notch Combine workout could push him in that direction.
2017 NFL Mock
The draft order is random and I picked on what I think each team will need that season. This mock draft will change a lot before the 2017 Draft, but it’s always fun to look ahead to the future. Comment below and let us know who you think will be the number one pick in 2017.
| Pick | Team | Player | Pos | HT | WT | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tennessee Titans | Joey Bosa | DE | 6'5" | 285 | Ohio State |
| 2 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Laremy Tunsil | OT | 6'5" | 305 | Ole Miss |
| 3 | San Francisco 49ers | Cardale Jones | QB | 6'5" | 250 | Ohio State |
| 4 | Oakland Raiders | Shawn Oakman | DE | 6'9" | 280 | Baylor |
| 5 | Cleveland Browns | Christian Hackenberg | QB | 6'4" | 234 | Penn State |
| 6 | Chicago Bears | Connor Cook | QB | 6'4" | 218 | Michigan State |
| 7 | Washington Redskins | Jared Goff | QB | 6'4" | 205 | Cal |
| 8 | New York Jets | Vernon Hargreaves III | CB | 5'11" | 194 | Florida |
| 9 | Minnesota Vikings | Robert Nkemdiche | DT/DE | 6'4" | 280 | Ole Miss |
| 10 | New York Giants | Ezekiel Elliott | RB | 6'0" | 220 | Ohio State |
| 11 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Ronnie Stanley | OT | 6'5" | 315 | Notre Dame |
| 12 | New Orleans Saints | Kendall Fuller | CB | 6'1" | 190 | Virginia Tech |
| 13 | Kansas City Chiefs | Laquon Treadwell | WR | 6'3" | 216 | Ole Miss |
| 14 | Detroit Lions | A'Shawn Robinson | DT | 6'4" | 320 | Alabama |
| 15 | Atlanta Falcons | Leonard Floyd | OLB | 6'4" | 230 | Georgia |
| 16 | Miami Dolphins | Derrick Henry | RB | 6'3" | 241 | Alabama |
| 17 | Houston Texans | Gunner Kiel | QB | 6'4" | 208 | Cincinnati |
| 18 | Buffalo Bills | Taylor Decker | OT | 6'7" | 315 | Ohio State |
| 19 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Tyler Boyd | WR | 6'2" | 190 | Pittsburgh |
| 20 | Dallas Cowboys | Spencer Drango | OT | 6'5" | 315 | Baylor |
| 21 | Baltimore Ravens | DeForest Buckner | DE | 6'7" | 287 | Oregon |
| 22 | San Diego Chargers | Scooby Wright III | OLB | 6'1" | 246 | Arizona |
| 23 | Arizona Cardinals | Shilique Calhoun | DE | 6'4" | 249 | Michigan State |
| 24 | Carolina Panthers | Jack Conklin | OT | 6'6" | 303 | Michigan State |
| 25 | St. Louis Rams | Jaylon Smith | OLB | 6'2" | 235 | Notre Dame |
| 26 | Philadelphia Eagles | Cameron Sutton | CB | 6'1" | 190 | Tennessee |
| 27 | Indianapolis Colts | Su'a Cravens | SS | 6'1" | 216 | USC |
| 28 | Cincinnati Bengals | Myles Jack | OLB | 6'1" | 232 | UCLA |
| 29 | Green Bay Packers | Jalen Ramsey | DB | 6'1" | 204 | Florida State |
| 30 | Denver Broncos | O.J. Howard | TE | 6'6" | 242 | Alabama |
| 31 | Seattle Seahawks | Emmanuel Ogbah | DE | 6'4" | 270 | Oklahoma State |
NFL Draft Picks
This is a list of first overall 2017 National Football League draft picks. The National Football League draft is an annual sports draft in which NFL teams select newly eligible players for their rosters. To be eligible, a player must be out of high school at least three years. Teams are ranked in reverse order based on the previous season's record, with the worst record picking first. Each NFL franchise seeks to add new players through the annual NFL Draft. The draft rules were last updated in 2009. The team with the worst record the previous year picks first, the next-worst team second, and so on. Teams that did not make the playoffs are ordered by their regular-season record, with any remaining ties broken by strength of schedule. Playoff participants are sequenced after non-playoff teams, based on their round of elimination (wild card, division, conference, and Super Bowl).
From 1947 through 1958 the first selection was awarded by a random draw. The team which received this "bonus" pick forfeited its selection in the final round of the draft. The winner of the "bonus pick" was eliminated from the draw in future years. By 1958 all twelve clubs in the league at the time had received a bonus choice and the system was abolished.
Before the merger agreements in 1966, the American Football League (AFL) operated in direct competition with the NFL and held a separate draft. This led to a massive bidding war over top prospects between the two leagues, along with the subsequent drafting of the same player in each draft. As part of the merger agreement on June 8, 1966, the two leagues held a multiple round "Common Draft". Once the AFL officially merged with the NFL in 1970, the "Common Draft" simply became the NFL Draft.
Through the 2016 NFL Draft, 80 players have been selected first overall, with the most recent being Jameis Winston in 2016. The Indianapolis Colts - formerly the Baltimore Colts - have made the most first overall selections in history with seven. Of the first overall draft picks, 42 have been selected to a Pro Bowl and of those 42, twelve have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Only five first overall draft pick players have been selected the NFL Rookie of the Year: Earl Campbell (1978); Billy Sims (1980); George Rogers (1981); Sam Bradford (2010); and Cam Newton (2011).
From 1947 through 1958 the first selection was awarded by a random draw. The team which received this "bonus" pick forfeited its selection in the final round of the draft. The winner of the "bonus pick" was eliminated from the draw in future years. By 1958 all twelve clubs in the league at the time had received a bonus choice and the system was abolished.
Before the merger agreements in 1966, the American Football League (AFL) operated in direct competition with the NFL and held a separate draft. This led to a massive bidding war over top prospects between the two leagues, along with the subsequent drafting of the same player in each draft. As part of the merger agreement on June 8, 1966, the two leagues held a multiple round "Common Draft". Once the AFL officially merged with the NFL in 1970, the "Common Draft" simply became the NFL Draft.
Through the 2016 NFL Draft, 80 players have been selected first overall, with the most recent being Jameis Winston in 2016. The Indianapolis Colts - formerly the Baltimore Colts - have made the most first overall selections in history with seven. Of the first overall draft picks, 42 have been selected to a Pro Bowl and of those 42, twelve have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Only five first overall draft pick players have been selected the NFL Rookie of the Year: Earl Campbell (1978); Billy Sims (1980); George Rogers (1981); Sam Bradford (2010); and Cam Newton (2011).
2017 Top Draft Prospects
2017 TOP NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS
| Fabian Moreau | CB | 1 | UCLA | Sr | 6-0 | 200 |
| Jordan Lucas | CB | 3 | Penn State | Sr | 6-0 | 198 |
| William Jackson | CB | 5 | Houston | Sr | 6-1 | 175 |
| Domonique Noble | CB | –– | Georgia Tech | rSr | 6-1 | 216 |
| Donovan Riley | CB | –– | Virginia Tech | Sr | 5-11 | 207 |
| Juston Burris | CB | –– | NC State | rSr | 6-1 | 207 |
| Steven Montgomery | CB | –– | Minnesota | rSr | 5-10 | 206 |
| Cortez Johnson | CB | –– | Oklahoma | rSr | 6-2 | 206 |
| Danzel McDaniel | CB | –– | Kansas State | Sr | 6-1 | 205 |
| Kweishi Brown | CB | –– | Arizona State | Sr | 5-11 | 205 |
| Matthias Farley | CB | –– | Notre Dame | rSr | 5-11 | 204 |
| Ra'Chard Pippens | CB | –– | Stanford | rSr | 6-2 | 202 |
| Jalen Brown | CB | –– | Notre Dame | rSr | 6-1 | 202 |
| Kenya Dennis | CB | –– | Missouri | Sr | 6-0 | 200 |
| Alvin Hill | CB | –– | Maryland | Sr | 5-11 | 200 |
| Josh M. Harris | CB | –– | Wake Forest | rSr | 5-11 | 200 |
| Wayne Morgan | CB | –– | Syracuse | Sr | 5-10 | 199 |
| Wayne Lyons | CB | –– | Michigan | rSr | 6-1 | 196 |
| Patrick Glover | CB | –– | Arizona | Sr | 6-1 | 196 |
| Anthony Brown | CB | –– | Purdue | Sr | 5-11 | 195 |
| Eric Murray | CB | –– | Minnesota | Sr | 6-0 | 195 |
| Lafayette Pitts | CB | –– | Pittsburgh | rSr | 5-11 | 195 |
| Morgan Burns | CB | –– | Kansas State | Sr | 5-11 | 195 |
| Larry Scott | CB | –– | Oregon State | rSr | 5-11 | 195 |
| Naji Patrick | CB | –– | Oregon State | rSr | 5-8 | 195 |
2017 NFL Draft Tracker
Drafted
Prospects
| PLAYER | POS | HT | WT | COLLEGE | GRADE | WATCH | |||
| Agnew, Malcolm | RB | 5'9" | 207 | Southern Illinois | 5.2 | ||||
| Allen, Darius | OLB | 6'3" | 239 | Colorado State-Pueblo | 4.8 | ||||
| Allen, Etauj | CB | 5'9" | 185 | Ouachita Baptist | 4.8 | ||||
| Anderson, Dres | WR | 6'1" | 187 | Utah | 5.3 | ||||
| Andrews, David | C | 6'2" | 294 | Georgia | 4.9 | ||||
| Ariguzo, Chi Chi | OLB | 6'3" | 230 | Northwestern | 4.7 |
2017 NFL Draft Scout
Running Back
Derrick Henry*, RB, Alabama
Height: 6-3. Weight: 241.
Projected 40 Time: 4.59.
Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
5/16/15: Henry averaged 5.8 yards per carry in 2014 for 990 yards with 11 touchdowns. He added five receptions for 133 yards, too. The 6-foot-3, 241-pounder would be in store for a huge season in 2016 with T.J. Yeldon and Amari Cooper in the NFL and Alabama starting a new quarterback. That has been the trend for the Crimson Tide in years past with players like Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy and Yeldon taking over as the lead back after an older player moves on to the NFL.
Henry finished the 2013 season in impressive fashion, while T.J. Yeldon wasn't as dominant as many thought he would be. Henry showed what he is capable of when he racked up 382 yards on only 36 carries with three touchdowns in 2013. In the Sugar Bowl, Henry had 100 yards and a score on only eight carries.
Ezekiel Elliott*, RB, Ohio State
Height: 6-0. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
5/16/15: Elliot was the workhorse who carried the Buckeyes to the National Championship. He destroyed Wisconsin (20-220-2), Alabama (20-230-2) and Oregon (36-246-4) in the final three games to lead Ohio State. Elliot averaged 6.9 yards per carry in 2014 for 1,878 yards with 18 touchdowns. He had 28 receptions for 220 yards. Elliot showed speed, cutting ability and the ability to pick up yards after contact.
Quarterbacks
Connor Cook*, QB, Michigan State
Height: 6-4. Weight: 218.
Projected 40 Time: 4.85.
Projected Round (2016): 1-2.
5/16/15: Cook completed 58 percent of his passes in 2014 for 3,214 yards with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. League sources identified Cook as a potential high first-round pick. He needs improve certain aspects of his game to meet that grade though, mainly accuracy. Cook has proven to NFL evaluators that he has a big arm, pocket presence, the mobility to avoid rushers and roll out, and the ability to make the occasional precision throw. Cook plays in a pro-style system and has shown steady improvement with his ability to function out of the pocket while working through his progressions.
Cook has often thrown the ball better than his numbers illustrate. He can make some amazingly accurate throws into extremely tight windows for completions downfield, but also has some inconsistency with his accuracy on the routine passes and when going deep down the middle. Cook has to improve his footwork, which in turn will help his accuracy.
8/27/14: 2013 was Cook's first year as the full-time starter, and he got off to a slow start before coming on strong in the second half of the season to help lead the Spartans to a Big Ten title and victory over Stanford in the Rose Bowl. Cook completed 58.7 percent of his passes for 2,755 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions for the year. He had great games against Ohio State (24-40 for 304 with 3 touchdowns, 1 interception) and Stanford (22-36 for 332 yards with 2 touchdown, 1 interception) to close out the season.
Cook is generally a good decision-maker who has the size, arm and field vision to be a good pocket passer. He should be even better now that he has a year of experience. Becoming a first-round prospect isn't out of the question for Cook, but skipping the 2016 NFL Draft and returning for his senior season of college football could help him achieve that.
Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
Height: 6-4. Weight: 234.
Projected 40 Time: 4.87.
Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
5/16/15: Hackenberg completed 56 percent of his passes in 2014 for 2,677 yards with 12 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He played better than the numbers indicate as his supporting cast was a huge liability, including an awful offensive line. Hackenberg closed out the 2014 season with a huge comeback overtime win over Boston College, completing 34-of-50 for 371 yards and four touchdowns.
In terms of a skill set, Hackenberg has what the NFL is looking for with a size, pocket presence, field-vision potential and a strong arm that can push the ball downfield. James Franklin's offense didn't help him develop much as a NFL pocket-passer prospect last season as so many of the play calls were instant throws because of a weak offensive line that couldn't maintain its blocks. Hackenberg needs to improve his ball placement and decision-making in some areas, but his supporting cast really hurt him last year. At times, Hackenberg makes some brilliant throws downfield after working off his first read, and if he does that regularly as a junior, he could be a high first-rounder.
Hackenberg was the star recruit for Bill O'Brien and proved the hype legit during an impressive freshman season that saw him named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Hackenberg completed 59 percent of his passes for 2,955 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2013. He also ran for four touchdowns.
WalterFootball.com has heard from sources in the NFL that Hackenberg could end up being an elite quarterback prospect.
Personal: Son of Erick and Nicole Hackenberg.
Cardale Jones*, QB, Ohio State
Height: 6-5. Weight: 250.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2017): 1-3.
5/16/15: Jones put on a display in 2014 after entering the starting lineup behind Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett. Jones has great size and a cannon for an arm. In his three starts, he completed 61 percent of his passes for 860 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Jones has a lot of upside and it will be fun to watch him in 2016, assuming he wins the starting job over J.T. Barrett. Jones needs to improve his ability to throw while under heat. He also needs to get faster working through his progressions, moving his eyes and getting rid of the ball. Jones can hold onto the ball too long when plays start to break down on him. When Jones has a clean pocket, he displays the ability to make any throw the NFL asks for. While Jones is a pocket passer, he will take yards on the ground when available and has some athleticism as a runner. Jones can be tough to bring down for defenders in or out of the pocket.
Jonathan Goff, QB, California
Height: 6-4. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
Projected Round (2017): 1-3.
5/16/14: Goff enjoyed a breakout 2014 season. The sophomore completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,973 yards with 35 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Goff displayed real pocket-passing potential while playing with a less-than-ideal supporting cast. He became the starter as a freshman in 2013 and completed 60 percent of his passes for 3,508 yards with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Dak Prescott*, QB, Mississippi State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
Projected Round (2016): 2-4.
5/16/15: Prescott completed 61 percent of his passes in 2014 for 3,449 yards with 27 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry for 986 yards with 14 scores on the ground. Prescott underwhelmed against Alabama, but that was really the only game of the season in which he struggled.
Prescott's play has been somewhat reminiscent of Tim Tebow at Florida because Prescott is playing in the same offense for Tebow's former offensive coordinator, Dan Mullen, the Mississippi State head coach. Like Tebow, Prescott needs to improve his pocket passing and accuracy for the NFL.
In 2013, Prescott completed 58 percent of his passes for 940 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Personal: Son of Nathan and the late Peggy Prescott. Majoring in educational psychology.
Cody Kessler, QB, USC
Height: 6-1. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.85.
Projected Round (2016): 3-4.
5/16/15: Kessler completed 71 percent of his passes in 2014 for 3,505 yards with 36 touchdowns and four interceptions. He was an effective game-manager for the Trojans. Kessler is undersized and could be lacking in his physical skill set to be a starter for the NFL. He needs to prove that wrong as a senior. Kessler was considering entering the 2016 NFL Draft, but decided to return to USC.
It took some time, but Kessler eventually won the starting quarterback spot for USC to replace Matt Barkley, and Kessler has improved as he gained experience. Kessler completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,968 yards with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Patrick Towles*, QB, Kentucky
Height: 6-5. Weight: 238.
Projected 40 Time: 4.85.
Projected Round (2016): 3-5.
5/16/15: Towles didn't have a great supporting cast in 2014, but the first-year starter flashed at times. He has a big arm and pocket presence. Towles completed 57 percent of his passes for 2,718 yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has the skill set and upside to develop.
Derrick Henry*, RB, Alabama
Height: 6-3. Weight: 241.
Projected 40 Time: 4.59.
Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
5/16/15: Henry averaged 5.8 yards per carry in 2014 for 990 yards with 11 touchdowns. He added five receptions for 133 yards, too. The 6-foot-3, 241-pounder would be in store for a huge season in 2016 with T.J. Yeldon and Amari Cooper in the NFL and Alabama starting a new quarterback. That has been the trend for the Crimson Tide in years past with players like Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy and Yeldon taking over as the lead back after an older player moves on to the NFL.
Henry finished the 2013 season in impressive fashion, while T.J. Yeldon wasn't as dominant as many thought he would be. Henry showed what he is capable of when he racked up 382 yards on only 36 carries with three touchdowns in 2013. In the Sugar Bowl, Henry had 100 yards and a score on only eight carries.
Ezekiel Elliott*, RB, Ohio State
Height: 6-0. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
5/16/15: Elliot was the workhorse who carried the Buckeyes to the National Championship. He destroyed Wisconsin (20-220-2), Alabama (20-230-2) and Oregon (36-246-4) in the final three games to lead Ohio State. Elliot averaged 6.9 yards per carry in 2014 for 1,878 yards with 18 touchdowns. He had 28 receptions for 220 yards. Elliot showed speed, cutting ability and the ability to pick up yards after contact.
Quarterbacks
Connor Cook*, QB, Michigan State
Height: 6-4. Weight: 218.
Projected 40 Time: 4.85.
Projected Round (2016): 1-2.
5/16/15: Cook completed 58 percent of his passes in 2014 for 3,214 yards with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. League sources identified Cook as a potential high first-round pick. He needs improve certain aspects of his game to meet that grade though, mainly accuracy. Cook has proven to NFL evaluators that he has a big arm, pocket presence, the mobility to avoid rushers and roll out, and the ability to make the occasional precision throw. Cook plays in a pro-style system and has shown steady improvement with his ability to function out of the pocket while working through his progressions.
Cook has often thrown the ball better than his numbers illustrate. He can make some amazingly accurate throws into extremely tight windows for completions downfield, but also has some inconsistency with his accuracy on the routine passes and when going deep down the middle. Cook has to improve his footwork, which in turn will help his accuracy.
8/27/14: 2013 was Cook's first year as the full-time starter, and he got off to a slow start before coming on strong in the second half of the season to help lead the Spartans to a Big Ten title and victory over Stanford in the Rose Bowl. Cook completed 58.7 percent of his passes for 2,755 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions for the year. He had great games against Ohio State (24-40 for 304 with 3 touchdowns, 1 interception) and Stanford (22-36 for 332 yards with 2 touchdown, 1 interception) to close out the season.
Cook is generally a good decision-maker who has the size, arm and field vision to be a good pocket passer. He should be even better now that he has a year of experience. Becoming a first-round prospect isn't out of the question for Cook, but skipping the 2016 NFL Draft and returning for his senior season of college football could help him achieve that.
Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
Height: 6-4. Weight: 234.
Projected 40 Time: 4.87.
Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
5/16/15: Hackenberg completed 56 percent of his passes in 2014 for 2,677 yards with 12 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He played better than the numbers indicate as his supporting cast was a huge liability, including an awful offensive line. Hackenberg closed out the 2014 season with a huge comeback overtime win over Boston College, completing 34-of-50 for 371 yards and four touchdowns.
In terms of a skill set, Hackenberg has what the NFL is looking for with a size, pocket presence, field-vision potential and a strong arm that can push the ball downfield. James Franklin's offense didn't help him develop much as a NFL pocket-passer prospect last season as so many of the play calls were instant throws because of a weak offensive line that couldn't maintain its blocks. Hackenberg needs to improve his ball placement and decision-making in some areas, but his supporting cast really hurt him last year. At times, Hackenberg makes some brilliant throws downfield after working off his first read, and if he does that regularly as a junior, he could be a high first-rounder.
Hackenberg was the star recruit for Bill O'Brien and proved the hype legit during an impressive freshman season that saw him named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Hackenberg completed 59 percent of his passes for 2,955 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2013. He also ran for four touchdowns.
WalterFootball.com has heard from sources in the NFL that Hackenberg could end up being an elite quarterback prospect.
Personal: Son of Erick and Nicole Hackenberg.
Cardale Jones*, QB, Ohio State
Height: 6-5. Weight: 250.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2017): 1-3.
5/16/15: Jones put on a display in 2014 after entering the starting lineup behind Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett. Jones has great size and a cannon for an arm. In his three starts, he completed 61 percent of his passes for 860 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Jones has a lot of upside and it will be fun to watch him in 2016, assuming he wins the starting job over J.T. Barrett. Jones needs to improve his ability to throw while under heat. He also needs to get faster working through his progressions, moving his eyes and getting rid of the ball. Jones can hold onto the ball too long when plays start to break down on him. When Jones has a clean pocket, he displays the ability to make any throw the NFL asks for. While Jones is a pocket passer, he will take yards on the ground when available and has some athleticism as a runner. Jones can be tough to bring down for defenders in or out of the pocket.
Jonathan Goff, QB, California
Height: 6-4. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
Projected Round (2017): 1-3.
5/16/14: Goff enjoyed a breakout 2014 season. The sophomore completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,973 yards with 35 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Goff displayed real pocket-passing potential while playing with a less-than-ideal supporting cast. He became the starter as a freshman in 2013 and completed 60 percent of his passes for 3,508 yards with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Dak Prescott*, QB, Mississippi State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
Projected Round (2016): 2-4.
5/16/15: Prescott completed 61 percent of his passes in 2014 for 3,449 yards with 27 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry for 986 yards with 14 scores on the ground. Prescott underwhelmed against Alabama, but that was really the only game of the season in which he struggled.
Prescott's play has been somewhat reminiscent of Tim Tebow at Florida because Prescott is playing in the same offense for Tebow's former offensive coordinator, Dan Mullen, the Mississippi State head coach. Like Tebow, Prescott needs to improve his pocket passing and accuracy for the NFL.
In 2013, Prescott completed 58 percent of his passes for 940 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Personal: Son of Nathan and the late Peggy Prescott. Majoring in educational psychology.
Cody Kessler, QB, USC
Height: 6-1. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.85.
Projected Round (2016): 3-4.
5/16/15: Kessler completed 71 percent of his passes in 2014 for 3,505 yards with 36 touchdowns and four interceptions. He was an effective game-manager for the Trojans. Kessler is undersized and could be lacking in his physical skill set to be a starter for the NFL. He needs to prove that wrong as a senior. Kessler was considering entering the 2016 NFL Draft, but decided to return to USC.
It took some time, but Kessler eventually won the starting quarterback spot for USC to replace Matt Barkley, and Kessler has improved as he gained experience. Kessler completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,968 yards with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Patrick Towles*, QB, Kentucky
Height: 6-5. Weight: 238.
Projected 40 Time: 4.85.
Projected Round (2016): 3-5.
5/16/15: Towles didn't have a great supporting cast in 2014, but the first-year starter flashed at times. He has a big arm and pocket presence. Towles completed 57 percent of his passes for 2,718 yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has the skill set and upside to develop.
NFL Draft Time
2017 Timing changes. Shortly before the draft, the NFL shortened the amount of time for certain selections to be made. The time for seventh-round selections was reduced from five minutes to four minutes; similarly, the time for all compensatory selections, which cannot be traded, was reduced from seven minutes to four minutes.
It's finally here. The 2017 NFL Draft finally begins tonight. Over the next three days, the NFL's future stars will take the stage in Chicago, Illinois as they find out the teams they will play for to begin their careers.
As has been the case for the better part of the last decade, fans will have two options for draft coverage on television: ESPN and the NFL Network. The four-letter network will continue to feature Chris Berman, Mel Kiper, and company on its draft telecasts (full details here), while Mike Mayock gets top billing over on the league's channel.
We have compiled the broadcast schedules for you here to get you ready for the event.
Round One: Thursday, April 30th
7:00 PM Central
The first round begins at 7 and will of course be televised on both ESPN and NFL Network. Time on the clock for each pick will be ten minutes. But as one would expect both networks will have coverage leading up to the first round much of the day. Here's what you can expect if you want nothing but NFL coverage all day long:
ESPN
1:30 PM to 2:30 - NFL Insiders
2:30 to 3:30 - NFL Live
6:00 - SportsCenter Special: Draft Countdown
NFL Network
9:00 AM to 12 noon - Path to the Draft
12 noon to 5:00 PM - NFL Draft Kickoff
5:00 to 6:30 - NFL Draft Gold Carpet
6:30 to 7:00 - NFL Draft Kickoff
Rounds Two and Three - Friday, May 1st
6:00 PM Central
Everything gets going an hour earlier on Friday so the league can fit two rounds of the draft into Prime Time. The second round will have seven minutes per pick, and the third round five minutes (with the exception of the three compensatory picks after the third round, which get four minutes each). ESPN's pre-draft coverage is scaled back by an hour (no Draft Countdown show), while the NFL Network is, of course, all draft analysis:
ESPN
1:30 PM to 2:30 - NFL Insiders
2:30 to 3:30 - NFL Live
NOTE: Friday's draft coverage will be televised on ESPN. This article previously indicated that Friday would be shown on ESPN2, but that has been changed back to the primary network.
NFL Network
9:00 AM to 12 noon - Path to the Draft
12 noon to 6:00 PM - NFL Draft Kickoff
Rounds Four through Seven - Saturday, May 2nd
11:00 AM Central
On Saturday, the draft wraps up with the final four rounds. ESPN is showing just the draft itself, as it has other non-NFL-specific programming (read: lots and lots of SportsCenter) planned for the morning. Picks in rounds four through six are five minutes each, while the seventh round and all compensatory picks are four minutes apiece.
NFL Network
9:00 AM to 12 noon - Path to the Draft
Players Attending Draft
The NFL has extended invitations to numerous players to attend the draft in Chicago, and 28 players accepted. Here's the list of players who will be in attendance, as announced by NFL.com.
RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
WR DeVante Parker, Louisville
WR Breshad Perriman, Central Florida
WR Devin Smith, Ohio State
WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
WR Kevin White, West Virginia
OL La'el Collins, LSU*
OL Cameron Erving, Florida State
OL D.J. Humphries, Florida
OL Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
OL Andrus Peat, Stanford
OL Brandon Scherff, Iowa
OL Donovan Smith, Penn State
OL Laken Tomlinson, Duke
S Landon Collins, Alabama
CB Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
CB Byron Jones, Connecticut
CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
LB Benardrick McKinney
LB/DE Vic Beasley, Clemson
LB/DE Alvin "Bud" Dupree, Kentucky
LB/DE Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida
LB/DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska
LB/DE Shane Ray, Missouri
DL Arik Armstead, Oregon
DL Danny Shelton, Washington
DL Leonard Williams, USC
It's finally here. The 2017 NFL Draft finally begins tonight. Over the next three days, the NFL's future stars will take the stage in Chicago, Illinois as they find out the teams they will play for to begin their careers.
As has been the case for the better part of the last decade, fans will have two options for draft coverage on television: ESPN and the NFL Network. The four-letter network will continue to feature Chris Berman, Mel Kiper, and company on its draft telecasts (full details here), while Mike Mayock gets top billing over on the league's channel.
We have compiled the broadcast schedules for you here to get you ready for the event.
Round One: Thursday, April 30th
7:00 PM Central
The first round begins at 7 and will of course be televised on both ESPN and NFL Network. Time on the clock for each pick will be ten minutes. But as one would expect both networks will have coverage leading up to the first round much of the day. Here's what you can expect if you want nothing but NFL coverage all day long:
ESPN
1:30 PM to 2:30 - NFL Insiders
2:30 to 3:30 - NFL Live
6:00 - SportsCenter Special: Draft Countdown
NFL Network
9:00 AM to 12 noon - Path to the Draft
12 noon to 5:00 PM - NFL Draft Kickoff
5:00 to 6:30 - NFL Draft Gold Carpet
6:30 to 7:00 - NFL Draft Kickoff
Rounds Two and Three - Friday, May 1st
6:00 PM Central
Everything gets going an hour earlier on Friday so the league can fit two rounds of the draft into Prime Time. The second round will have seven minutes per pick, and the third round five minutes (with the exception of the three compensatory picks after the third round, which get four minutes each). ESPN's pre-draft coverage is scaled back by an hour (no Draft Countdown show), while the NFL Network is, of course, all draft analysis:
ESPN
1:30 PM to 2:30 - NFL Insiders
2:30 to 3:30 - NFL Live
NOTE: Friday's draft coverage will be televised on ESPN. This article previously indicated that Friday would be shown on ESPN2, but that has been changed back to the primary network.
NFL Network
9:00 AM to 12 noon - Path to the Draft
12 noon to 6:00 PM - NFL Draft Kickoff
Rounds Four through Seven - Saturday, May 2nd
11:00 AM Central
On Saturday, the draft wraps up with the final four rounds. ESPN is showing just the draft itself, as it has other non-NFL-specific programming (read: lots and lots of SportsCenter) planned for the morning. Picks in rounds four through six are five minutes each, while the seventh round and all compensatory picks are four minutes apiece.
NFL Network
9:00 AM to 12 noon - Path to the Draft
Players Attending Draft
The NFL has extended invitations to numerous players to attend the draft in Chicago, and 28 players accepted. Here's the list of players who will be in attendance, as announced by NFL.com.
RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
WR DeVante Parker, Louisville
WR Breshad Perriman, Central Florida
WR Devin Smith, Ohio State
WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
WR Kevin White, West Virginia
OL La'el Collins, LSU*
OL Cameron Erving, Florida State
OL D.J. Humphries, Florida
OL Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
OL Andrus Peat, Stanford
OL Brandon Scherff, Iowa
OL Donovan Smith, Penn State
OL Laken Tomlinson, Duke
S Landon Collins, Alabama
CB Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
CB Byron Jones, Connecticut
CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
LB Benardrick McKinney
LB/DE Vic Beasley, Clemson
LB/DE Alvin "Bud" Dupree, Kentucky
LB/DE Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida
LB/DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska
LB/DE Shane Ray, Missouri
DL Arik Armstead, Oregon
DL Danny Shelton, Washington
DL Leonard Williams, USC
Suscribirse a:
Entradas (Atom)