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2017 NFL Draft Update: Best players available entering NFL draft's second round

By Dane Brugler, The Sports Xchange
Overall view of the NFL Draft Theater during the 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia, PA on April 27, 2017. The 82nd NFL Draft returned to Philadelphia for the first time in more than 50 years and runs from April 27-29. Photo by Derik Hamilton/UPI
Overall view of the NFL Draft Theater during the 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia, PA on April 27, 2017. The 82nd NFL Draft returned to Philadelphia for the first time in more than 50 years and runs from April 27-29. Photo by Derik Hamilton/UPI | License Photo

With 32 picks in the books, NFL teams have a chance to reset their draft board for Friday and rounds two and three.

Below are the top 50 players available starting with the 33rd overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

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1. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State (5-10, 210, 4.49, #4)

The two main traits NFL teams want in a running back prospect: can you navigate and create? Cook is exceptional in both areas with the foot quickness and vision to gash defenses. His history of shoulder issues could knock him down draft boards, but he has the best talent at running back in this class.

2. Forrest Lamp, OT/OG, Western Kentucky (6-4, 309, 5.00, #76)

A four-year starter at left tackle, Lamp might be able to stay at tackle in the NFL, but he projects much better inside at guard due to his square-blocking style and lack of length. He has the body control, core strength and stubborn mentality to start and thrive early in his pro career.

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3. Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State (6-6, 295, 4.85, #4)

Based on his flashes, McDowell is one of the top-five talents in this draft class, but inconsistency and concerns over fit create some doubt. Nonetheless, he has outstanding movement skills for a man his size with the length and upper body strength to rush from different positions up front.

4. Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt (6-3, 234, 4.67, #41)

A linebacker with a quick trigger, Cunningham's game tape is like a clinic on how to play the position. His play speed makes him tough to block, diagnosing in a flash and arriving with pop to detach from blocks and make stops. The production (125 tackles, 16.5 for loss in 2016) matches the tape.

5. Curtis Samuel, RB, Ohio State (5-11, 196, 4.31, #4)

The east coast version of McCaffrey, Samuel was the only FBS player with 700+ yards rushing and receiving this past season. He projects very well as a slot receiver with his routes and reliable ballskills, but also averaged 7.9 yards per rush in 2016 and is a true hybrid weapon in the NFL.

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6. DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame (6-4, 233, 4.83, #14)

Although his 2016 tape was far from perfect, Kizer was making mistakes you expect from a 20-year old sophomore and it is encouraging to think where he might be in his development a few years from now. He checks the necessary boxes physically and mentally with a high number of NFL throws on his Notre Dame film.

7. Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA (6-0, 206, 4.35, #10)

A high school running back, Moreau steadily developed on defense for the Bruins and belongs in the top-50 conversation. He has some flaws, but doesn't give up much separation in man coverage with the size/speed blend to blanket receivers.

8. Budda Baker, FS, Washington (5-10, 195, 4.45, #32)

A defensive back with a honey badger mentality, Baker has the playing range, timing and pop at contact that jumps off the screen. Although his overaggressive tendencies lead to mistakes and his lack of ideal size also shows, Baker can do a little bit of everything and fits best as a NFL nickelback.

9. Chad Hansen, WR, California (6-2, 202, 4.53, #6)

A transfer from the FCS-level, Hansen waited his turn at Cal and dominated as a junior in 2016, attacking defenses at every level with the athleticism to get open and create after the catch. He is simply a fun player to watch play football.

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10. Teez Tabor, CB, Florida (6-0, 199, 4.62, #31)

Comfortable in press and off-coverage, Tabor doesn't have ideal long-speed for the position, but trusts his talent and competes with the "my ball" mentality needed for the NFL. He needs to pay more attention to his technique, but the position appears to come very natural to him.

11. Carl Lawson, DE/OLB, Auburn (6-2, 261, 4.67, #55)

A Brandon Graham type of rusher, Lawson does a great job using his lower body movement skills and upper body power in unison to beat blockers off the edge. He lacks ideal length and his past medical issues are a concern, but Lawson has the energetic play style off the edge that NFL teams covet.

12. Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan (5-10, 188, 4.54, #26)

An interesting test case, Lewis has the film and coverage skills of a first round cornerback, showing speed, toughness and ball awareness. However, his lack of size, length and growth potential also shows on his film in both the run game and coverage.

13. Tarell Basham, DE, Ohio (6-4, 269, 4.70, #93)

A player who improved every season in college, Basham earned MAC defensive player of the year honors in 2016, leaving Ohio with the school record with 29.5 career sacks. His blend of quickness, power and length helps him win one-on-one battles on the edges.

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14. Duke Riley, LB, LSU (6-0, 232, 4.58, #40)

Taking the Deion Jones path to the pros, Riley starred on special teams as an underclassman, waiting his turn and rising up draft boards since he became a starter last fall. His play speed and attacking motor are what teams are looking for at the position.

15. Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado (6-0, 202, 4.43, #4)

Awuzie is a fluid athlete with the feet and body control to mirror receivers and seamlessly transition with various routes. While toughness isn't a question mark, Awuzie doesn't have ideal size/length/strength measurements for the next level and those limitations will show on film, however, he is one of the better blitzing corners in the draft class.

16. Kevin King, CB, Washington (6-3, 200, 4.43, #20)

Although King's thin-boned, slight frame stands out, so does his exceptional height and length for the position -- valuable inches that give him an advantage at the catch point. With his improved route anticipation and ballskills, King has the makings of a future NFL starter in a press scheme.

17. ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama (5-11, 204, 4.49, #13)

A former high school quarterback, Stewart is still relatively new to the position and needs mechanical work in certain areas, but he is a three-level threat. He has yet to play his best football and can be as good as his volume once he gets to the NFL.

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18. Marcus Williams, FS, Utah (6-1, 202, 4.56, #20)

The only player from a power-five conference with five or more interceptions each of the past two seasons, Williams has the athletic range that allows him to cover a lot of green. He is a prototypical centerfield safety who can be a playmaker from his single-high perch.

19. Pat Elflein, OC, Ohio State (6-3, 303, 5.12, #65)

Elflein isn't the type of blocker who will simply overwhelm defenders, but his combination of quickness, toughness and intelligence gets the job done. He is a very efficient snap-to-step player and has the skill-set to be a quality starting center in the NFL for a long time.

20. Josh Jones, FS, NC State (6-1, 220, 4.41, #11)

After he moved from strong to free safety in 2016, Jones looked like a new player and watched his production skyrocket. He is a big, rangy athlete with the play strength, versatility and developing football IQ that translates well to the NFL game.

21. Tyus Bowser, DE/OLB, Houston (6-3, 247, 4.65, #81)

Bowser was a Ferrari stuck in the garage at Houston as he wasn't asked to consistent rush the passer in the Cougars' 3-4 scheme. With his combination of size, athleticism and explosive pop at contact, Bowser is a prime candidate to be a better pro once a NFL team unleashes him as a pass rusher.

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22. Tim Williams, DE/OLB, Alabama (6-3, 244, 4.68, #56)

If players were based strictly on talent, Williams would have been drafted Thursday night. But factoring in the off-field, the former Alabama pass rusher is a true wildcard and the team that drafts him will be hoping his football focus improved in the NFL.

23. Marcus Maye, SS, Florida (6-0, 210, 4.64, #20)

Maye plays like a strong safety in a free safety body, competing with athletic range and an attacking mindset vs. the run. Although there are concerns with his game from single-high alignment, Maye has clear talent with the mental alertness and physical temperament to fight for a starting NFL strong safety role and make plays on special teams.

24. Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama (6-6, 322, 5.15, #74)

A three-year starter at left tackle for Alabama, Robinson moves well for his size and has the natural measureables that teams seek at the position. However, he ends up on the ground too often due to balance issues, which is the main reason he was left out of round one.

25. Dan Feeney, OG, Indiana (6-4, 305, 5.24, #67)

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A four-year starter at guard in the Big Ten, Feeney isn't a rangy or athletic blocker, but he wins with power, toughness and effort, gaining position and winning the point of attack. He allowed only two sacks in his collegiate career and should be a steady NFL starter for a long time.

26. Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland (6-6, 278, 4.79, #44)

27. Dion Dawkins, OG, Temple (6-4, 314, 5.11, #66)

28. Larry Ogunjobi, DT, Charlotte (6-3, 305, 4.97, #65)

29. Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida (6-3, 307, 5.14, #57)

30. Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson (6-1, 199, 4.40, #25)

31. Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee (5-10, 214, 4.56, #6)

32. Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State (6-1, 209, 4.42, #12)

33. Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech (5-11, 199, 4.46, #1)

34. Desmond King, DB, Iowa (5-10, 201, 4.53, #14)

35. Derek Rivers, DE/OLB, Youngstown State (6-4, 248, 4.61, #11)

36. Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma (6-1, 228, 4.47, #25)

37. Taylor Moton, OT, Western Michigan (6-5, 319, 5.18, #72)

38. Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State (6-4, 255, 4.53, #75)

39. Ryan Anderson, LB, Alabama (6-2, 253, 4.78, #22)

40. Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State (6-2, 240, 4.61, #5)

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41. Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina (6-2, 201, 4.45, #7)

42. Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma (6-0, 178, 4.39, #11)

43. Chris Wormley, DL, Michigan (6-5, 298, 4.92, #43)

44. Quincy Wilson, DB, Florida (6-1, 211, 4.54, #6)

45. Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Alabama (6-3, 310, 5.19, #54)

46. Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington (6-2, 204, 4.62, #10)

47. Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado (6-3, 198, 4.45, #23)

48. Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy (6-6, 302, 5.15, #53)

49. Jake Butt, TE, Michigan (6-5, 246, 4.74, #88)

50. Dorian Johnson, OG, Pittsburgh (6-5, 300, 5.27, #53)

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