Advertisement

2017 NFL Draft class: Top 10 senior and underclassmen prospects; RB's Fournette, Cook, and McCaffrey highlight group

By The Sports Xchange
The 2017 NFL Draft class could possibly include Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey who piqued interest last year with his impressive season. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI
1 of 2 | The 2017 NFL Draft class could possibly include Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey who piqued interest last year with his impressive season. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo

The 2016 NFL Draft is so yesterday. While Sunday's stars of tomorrow prepare for rookie minicamps, NFLDraftScout.com has already turned the page to the 2017 draft class. In fact, NDS has been evaluating the next three draft classes since they arrived on campus.

The Class of 2017 is shaping up to be much stronger among edge rushers and running backs than this year's class. There does not appear to be an elite quarterback prospect waiting in the wings, but we have seen quarterbacks shoot up draft boards with flashy senior seasons (hello, Cam Newton and Carson Wentz).

Advertisement

Much will change in a year, but here are the top 10 seniors to keep an eye on, along with 10 more underclassmen already piquing the interest of NFL scouts.

SENIORS

1. Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama: Don't look now, but Nick Saban's most disruptive pass rusher (12 sacks in 2015) is back for seconds.

Advertisement

2. Desmond King, CB, Iowa: The reigning Thorpe Award winner is a ballhawk who may have earned first-round consideration had he entered the 2016 NFL Draft.

3. DeMarcus Walker, DE, Florida State: The 6-3, 281-pound Walker led the Seminoles with 15.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and four forced fumbles and he's just scratching the surface of his potential.

4. Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU: Few programs produce NFL-caliber defensive backs like the Tigers, and White is as fluid in coverage as any of the recent LSU prospects.

5. O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama: Scouts have a tendency to remember national title breakout performances.

6. Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson: Leggett may not be quite as athletic as his Alabama counterpart, but he's more consistent and offers an intriguing blend of size (6-4, 255 pounds), athleticism and strength.

7. Zach Banner, OT, Southern Cal: Not a fit for every scheme at 6-8, 360 pounds, but Banner's combination of size and athleticism will draw plenty of interest.

8. Skai Moore, OLB, South Carolina: While perhaps lacking elite size at 6-2, 220 pounds, Moore is athletic, instinctive and possesses a knack for making the game-changing play.

9. Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan: He may lack imposing size at just 5-9, 176 pounds, but Lewis just might be the most dynamic athlete among the 2017 senior class.

Advertisement

10. Chad Kelly, QB, Mississippi: Dismissed by Clemson, Kelly comes with off-field questions, but his strong arm and bloodlines (nephew of Hall of Famer Jim Kelly) earns him our top spot among senior QBs.

UNDERCLASSMEN:

1. Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU: Earning comparisons to Adrian Peterson and Bo Jackson, Fournette just has to stay healthy to earn a top 10 pick in 2016.

2. Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M: Explosive off the edge at 6-5, 260 pounds, Garrett paced the SEC with 12.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss (19.5) and five forced fumbles as a true sophomore.

3. DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson: The 2015 Heisman Trophy finalist lacks ideal size, but his arm, mobility and composure are certainly NFL-caliber.

4. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State: In a "normal" draft, Cook might top the chart - and not just among running backs. Quick, elusive and surprisingly powerful, he's a future franchise back in an era missing them.

5. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Southern Cal: At 6-2, 215 pounds, Smith-Schuster's frame and game are similar to another star who used to play out west - Terrell Owens.

Advertisement

6. Jamal Adams, S, LSU: Looking for the next superstar safety? Here's a hint. He plays at LSU, wears No. 33 and has the look of a future Pro Bowler.

7. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford: Arguably the most dynamic player on this list, McCaffrey offers a terrific blend of vision, burst and agility - just like his boyhood idol, Reggie Bush.

8. Adoree Jackson, CB, Southern California: A triple threat as a receiver, returner and cornerback, Jackson simply offers a different level of athleticism than most.

9. Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn: Possessing a compact, powerful frame and an explosive burst off the edge, Lawson is an NFL-ready defensive end right now.

10. Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech: A former quarterback, Hodges is raw as sushi now, but the 6-5, 249-pounder has the athleticism to develop.

--NFLDraftScout.com is a property of The Sports Xchange, distributed in partnership with CBSSports.com.

Latest Headlines