This is not a mock draft, but how I feel the player projects to the NFL. There will surely be some surprises (Fournette, Brown, Mahomes, Hunt), and some that are universally accepted (Garrett, Thomas, etc.).
Some explanations: Dalvin Cook is not on my board. Although never convicted of crimes, he has had a long list of problems staying out of trouble in the past few years. While explosive on tape, his combine numbers were shockingly bad. You mix in a high rate of fumbles, and put everything into a blender, and I see too many issues to post a high grade on him.
Reuben Foster is probably the most talented ILB in this draft. But, he is way down my board. The blowup at the hospital in Alabama may seem like no big deal, but middle linebackers are usually the leader of defenses. I want guys who show more maturity than what he displayed. Add some issues reading the board with coaches and scouts, once again, too many red flags for me.
To me, Mahomes is clearly the best QB in this draft. He needs a ton of work. His footwork may be the worst of all the QBs in this draft. He plays in a silly, video game system, he has a funny voice. I don't care. This dude loves football, and he wants to be great. His arm may be the strongest in the last 5-10 years, and he does some magical things when under pressure (like Roethlisberger). He is going to throw some picks, for sure. But, I like the make-up. This kid is going to be really good in this league. Just needs time.
I am a big believer in MAC players. Though ignored by many in the media, they simply put out stud players year after year. This year, I have Davis, Lamp, Hunt, Moton, and Blair Brown in my top 50. In fact, I know I have nearly a dozen players on this list who played ball in either the state of Ohio or Michigan.
Final note: I know I am in the minority on my belief that Leonard Fournette is not a top back in this draft. I don't see an effective three down back, and don't see a player who can make the necessary cuts (lateral movement) to be a star NFL back. I want to see him stick his foot into the ground, make a hard cut, and continue down the field. I don't see it. But, as always, and in every draft, I will be wrong a LOT. That is the fun of following the draft. It is magic, witchcraft, to figure out who emerges as a star. You just hope to hit more often than others. So, my board here is surely not of arrogance. The draft humiliates all, and often. You have to have thick skin...and watch a lot of football.
Cheers,
2017 NFL Draft Best 50 Board
Pick Player School Position
1 Myles Garrett Texas A&M DE/OLB
2 Solomon Thomas Stanford DE
3 Malik Hooker Ohio State S
4 Marshawn Lattimore Ohio State CB
5 Patrick Mahomes Texas Tech QB
6 Haason Reddick Temple LB
7 Corey Davis Western Michigan WR
8 Derek Barnett Tennessee DE/OLB
9 Jonathan Allen Alabama DE/DT
10 Forrest Lamp Western Kentucky G
11 OJ Howard Alabama TE
12 Christian McCaffrey Stanford RB
13 Evan Engram Mississippi TE
14 Jarrad Davis Florida LB
15 Gareon Conley Ohio State CB
16 Mike Williams Clemson WR
17 Fabian Moreau UCLA CB
18 Zay Jones East Carolina WR
19 John Ross Washington WR
20 Kevin King Washington CB
21 Charles Harris Missouri DE/OLB
22 Mitchell Trubisky North Carolina QB
23 Marlon Humphrey Alabama CB
24 Carl Lawson Auburn OLB
25 Cooper Kupp Eastern Washington WR
26 Budda Baker Washington S
27 Kareem Hunt Toledo RB
28 Jamal Adams LSU S
29 Ryan Ramczyk Wisconsin OT
30 Quincy Wilson Florida CB
31 Jordan Willis Kansas St DE
32 Takkarist McKinley UCLA LB
33 Curtis Samuel Ohio State RB/WR
34 TJ Watt Wisconsin DE/LB
35 Taco Charlton Michigan DE/OLB
36 Jabrill Peppers Michigan OLB/S
37 Tarell Basham Ohio DE
38 Dion Dawkins Temple G
39 Tyus Bowser Houston DE/OLB
40 Blair Brown Ohio LB
41 Alvin Kamara Tennessee RB
42 Joe Mixon Oklahoma RB
43 Garrett Bolles Utah OT
44 Cam Robinson Alabama OT/G
45 Leonard Fournette LSU RB
46 David Njoku Miami TE
47 Marcus Maye Florida S
48 Taylor Moton Western Michigan OT
49 Reuben Foster Alabama LB
50 TreDavious White LSU CB
[ Edited by MadDog49er on Mar 31, 2017 at 2:06 AM ]