For this week's Top Ten Tuesday, we listed the top ten draft eligible prospects for the 2017 NFL Draft. As we get closer towards the draft in late-April, we will have more content on it.
1. Deshaun Watson, Clemson QB
Most people seem to think Deshaun Watson is not even the top quarterback in this draft class. We don’t think there’s any question he’s the best quarterback—and perhaps the best player eligible for the 2017 Draft. He is accurate, smart, athletic, and has a quick release. Last night, he showed how clutch he is when he calmly drove his team down the field to win the National Championship. The Browns and other teams that may be looking for a quarterback should be very excited about the opportunity to sit down with Watson.
2. Myles Garrett, Texas A&M EDGE
Garrett may not have gotten as much attention as he could have this season, after Texas A&M fell off after a fast start. Garrett has an insane acceleration and first step, making it tough for offensive tackles to keep him from drilling their quarterback.
3. Malik Hooker, Ohio State S
Ed Reed has come up as a comparison for Malik Hooker. If Hooker is even close to as good as Reed, he’d be well worth a top five pick. On Hooker’s interception against Clemson in the CFB Playoff Semifinal, he easily covered ground from center field and came over for the interception (his seventh of the season). Hooker also had 74 tackles, and 5.5 tackles for loss this season. He’s just a redshirt sophomore, but intends to enter the NFL Draft after his stellar season.
4. Jonathan Allen, Alabama DL
Allen is a versatile defensive lineman that any team would be happy to have. The Alabama senior had 16.0 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks this season. Jonathan Allen should be able to make an immediate impact in the NFL.
5. Leonard Fournette, LSU RB
At 6’1”, 235 lbs. and likely to run a sub-4.5 in the 40 yard dash, Leonard Fournette is a physical specimen. He battled injury all season, but still averaged 6.5 yards per carry in the games he played (same as last season when he rushed for 1,953 yards). Fournette already signed with Roc Nation before LSU’s bowl game, and some teams might have concerns about Fournette (like Christian McCaffrey) not playing in his team’s bowl game.
6. Dalvin Cook, FSU RB
Like Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook may be a top ten pick in late-April. It might not seem like it because of his speed, but Cook is solidly built. Despite a different body shape, Cook runs similarly to Chiefs’ star running back Jamaal Charles. He may not be as good a receiver as Charles, but Cook should be a dynamic player in the NFL.
7. Solomon Thomas, Stanford DL
Solomon Thomas absolutely destroyed North Carolina in the Sun Bowl. Thomas had seven total tackles, two for loss (including one sack) against the Tarheels. He is a very athletic player that may move up the draft board even more after the combine.
8. Jamal Adams, LSU S
Adams is a safety that fits what a lot of NFL defenses are looking for in a safety. While he doesn’t play center field as well as Malik Hooker, Adams is a hard hitter that can drop down in the slot and cover receivers.
9. Jabrill Peppers, Michigan S/LB
As a super athletic defensive player, Peppers would give defensive coordinators a good chess piece to use on defense. Peppers can also return punts and kicks, and he can even play some offense.
10. Mike Williams, Clemson WR
In last night’s National Championship, Williams showed up big time for Clemson. Deshaun Watson trusted Williams with a few 50/50 balls, and Williams seemed to come down with all of them. The 6’3” receiver was a huge difference-maker in the game and help put Clemson over the top for their first national championship since 1981.