Matt Miller's Early 2017 NFL Draft Big Board
Whether you work in the NFL or the media, the late offseason months are used for getting familiar with the next year's draft class. With a few weeks of film study already in the tank, here's a look at the top 50 players for next season and top-10 rankings for each position.
These rankings include seniors, juniors and those redshirt sophomores who stood out as better than their upperclassmen counterparts during film study. How does this list come about? It's a constant tracking of the best players when studying one year's draft class. While watching Florida's Keanu Neal and Jonathan Bullard, you make note of Jarrad Davis, Jalen Tabor and Marcus Maye. The same goes for North Carolina offensive guard Landon Turner—you notice the three studs he's playing alongside on the offensive line.
The rankings here aren't meant to be final; they are more of a prioritized watch list for those wanting to start tracking names and players for the 2017 draft class.
Top 50 Overall Players
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Here are the top 50 players overall for the 2017 NFL draft.
| Rank | Player | School | Pos |
| 1 | Leonard Fournette | LSU | RB |
| 2 | Deshaun Watson | Clemson | QB |
| 3 | Christian McCaffrey | Stanford | RB |
| 4 | Jonathan Allen | Alabama | DL |
| 5 | Carl Lawson | Auburn | EDGE |
| 6 | Cam Robinson | Alabama | T |
| 7 | Myles Garrett | Texas A&M | EDGE |
| 8 | Brad Kaaya | Miami (Fla.) | QB |
| 9 | Jalen Tabor | Florida | CB |
| 10 | Raekwon McMillan | Ohio State | LB |
| 11 | Tim Williams | Alabama | EDGE |
| 12 | Dalvin Cook | Florida State | RB |
| 13 | O.J. Howard | Alabama | TE |
| 14 | Roderick Johnson | Florida State | T |
| 15 | Mike Williams | Clemson | WR |
| 16 | Jarrad Davis | Florida | LB |
| 17 | Jabrill Peppers | Michigan | S |
| 18 | Carlos Watkins | Clemson | DL |
| 19 | Malik McDowell | Michigan State | DL |
| 20 | Marlon Humphrey | Alabama | CB |
| 21 | Jamal Adams | LSU | S |
| 22 | Nick Chubb | Georgia | RB |
| 23 | Reuben Foster | Alabama | LB |
| 24 | Jake Butt | Michigan | TE |
| 25 | Mason Rudolph | Oklahoma State | QB |
| 26 | Pat Elflein | Ohio State | G |
| 27 | Mike McGlinchey | Notre Dame | T |
| 28 | Ethan Pocic | LSU | C |
| 29 | Devonte Fields | Louisville | EDGE |
| 30 | Jordan Leggett | Clemson | TE |
| 31 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | USC | WR |
| 32 | Luke Falk | Washington State | QB |
| 33 | Jehu Chesson | Michigan | WR |
| 34 | Evan Engram | Ole Miss | TE |
| 35 | Adoree' Jackson | USC | CB |
| 36 | Desmond King | Iowa | CB |
| 37 | Jalen Reeves-Maybin | Tennessee | LB |
| 38 | Kendell Beckwith | LSU | LB |
| 39 | Dalvin Tomlinson | Alabama | DL |
| 40 | Chris Wormley | Michigan | DL |
| 41 | Montravius Adams | Auburn | DL |
| 42 | Jalen Hurd | Tennessee | RB |
| 43 | Samaje Perine | Oklahoma | RB |
| 44 | Malachi Dupre | LSU | WR |
| 45 | Royce Freeman | Oregon | RB |
| 46 | Corey Davis | Western Michigan | WR |
| 47 | Bucky Hodges | Virginia Tech | TE |
| 48 | Derek Barnett | Tennessee | EDGE |
| 49 | Jourdan Lewis | Michigan | CB |
| 50 | Tre'Davious White | LSU | CB |
Quarterbacks
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Most NFL-Ready: Brad Kaaya, Miami (Florida)
Best Arm: Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
Best Runner: Deshaun Watson, Clemson
Best Potential: Deshaun Watson, Clemson
Biggest Question Mark: J.T. Barrett, Ohio State
Biggest Sleeper: Mitch Leidner, Minnesota
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Deshaun Watson | Clemson |
| 2 | Brad Kaaya | Miami (Fla.) |
| 3 | Mason Rudolph | Oklahoma State |
| 4 | Luke Falk | Washington State |
| 5 | Josh Dobbs | Tennessee |
| 6 | Mitch Leidner | Minnesota |
| 7 | Chad Kelly | Ole Miss |
| 8 | Seth Russell | Baylor |
| 9 | C.J. Beathard | Iowa |
| 10 | J.T. Barrett | Ohio State |
Running Backs
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Most NFL-Ready: Leonard Fournette, LSU
Best Third-Down Back: Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
Best Speed: Dalvin Cook, FSU
Best Power: Leonard Fournette, LSU
Best Potential: Leonard Fournette, LSU
Biggest Question Mark: Nick Chubb, Georgia (injury)
Biggest Sleeper: Wayne Gallman, Clemson
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Leonard Fournette | LSU |
| 2 | Christian McCaffrey | Stanford |
| 3 | Dalvin Cook | FSU |
| 4 | Nick Chubb | Georgia |
| 5 | Jalen Hurd | Tennessee |
| 6 | Samaje Perine | Oklahoma |
| 7 | Royce Freeman | Oregon |
| 8 | Wayne Gallman | Clemson |
| 9 | Shock Linwood | Baylor |
| 10 | Corey Clement | Wisconsin |
Wide Receivers
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Most NFL-Ready: Mike Williams, Clemson
Best Boundary Receiver: Mike Williams, Clemson
Best Slot Receiver: Stacy Coley, Miami (Florida)
Best Hands: Mike Williams, Clemson
Best Route-Runner: Corey Davis, Western Michigan
Best Potential: Mike Williams, Clemson
Biggest Question Mark: Travin Dural, LSU
Biggest Sleeper: Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Mike Williams | Clemson |
| 2 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | USC |
| 3 | Jehu Chesson | Michigan |
| 4 | Malachi Dupre | LSU |
| 5 | Corey Davis | Western Michigan |
| 6 | Travin Dural | LSU |
| 7 | Cooper Kupp | Eastern Washington |
| 8 | Fred Ross | Mississippi State |
| 9 | Stacy Coley | Miami (Fla.) |
| 10 | Gabe Marks | Washington State |
Tight Ends
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Most NFL-Ready: O.J. Howard, Alabama
Best Slot Tight End: Jordan Leggett, Clemson
Best Hands: O.J. Howard, Alabama
Best Route-Runner: O.J. Howard, Alabama
Best Blocker: Evan Baylis, Oregon
Best Power: Jake Butt, Michigan
Biggest Question Mark: Eric Cotton, Stanford
Biggest Sleeper: Taylor McNamara, USC
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | O.J. Howard | Alabama |
| 2 | Jake Butt | Michigan |
| 3 | Jordan Leggett | Clemson |
| 4 | Evan Engram | Ole Miss |
| 5 | Bucky Hodges | Virginia Tech |
| 6 | Eric Cotton | Stanford |
| 7 | Taylor McNamara | USC |
| 8 | Evan Baylis | Oregon |
| 9 | Billy Freeman | San Jose State |
| 10 | Blake Jarwin | Oklahoma State |
Offensive Tackles
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Most NFL-Ready: Cam Robinson, Alabama
Best Run-Blocker: Cam Robinson, Alabama
Best Pass-Blocker: Cam Robinson, Alabama
Best Potential: Cam Robinson, Alabama
Biggest Question Mark: Zach Banner, USC
Biggest Sleeper: Julie'n Davenport, Bucknell
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Cam Robinson | Alabama |
| 2 | Mike McGlinchey | Notre Dame |
| 3 | Roderick Johnson | FSU |
| 4 | Dion Dawkins | Temple |
| 5 | Julie'n Davenport | Bucknell |
| 6 | Zach Banner | USC |
| 7 | Avery Gennesy | Texas A&M |
| 8 | Chad Wheeler | USC |
| 9 | Clint Van Horn | Marshall |
| 10 | Sean Harlow | Oregon State |
Offensive Guards
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Most NFL-Ready: Pat Elflein, Ohio State
Best Run-Blocker: Pat Elflein, Ohio State
Best Pass-Blocker: Pat Elflein, Ohio State
Best Potential: Pat Elflein, Ohio State
Biggest Question Mark: Kent Perkins, Texas
Biggest Sleeper: Kyle Kalis, Michigan
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Pat Elflein | Ohio State |
| 2 | Dorian Johnson | Pitt |
| 3 | Dan Feeney | Indiana |
| 4 | Caleb Peterson | North Carolina |
| 5 | Kyle Kalis | Michigan |
| 6 | Greg Pyke | Georgia |
| 7 | Alex Kozan | Auburn |
| 8 | Josh Boutte | LSU |
| 9 | Kent Perkins | Texas |
| 10 | Jamal Danley | Oklahoma |
Centers
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Most NFL-Ready: Ethan Pocic, LSU
Best Run-Blocker: Lucas Crowley, North Carolina
Best Pass-Blocker: Jon Toth, Kentucky
Best Potential: Ethan Pocic, LSU
Biggest Question Mark: Cameron Dillard, Florida
Biggest Sleeper: Lucas Crowley, North Carolina
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Ethan Pocic | LSU |
| 2 | Dan Voltz | Wisconsin |
| 3 | Nick Linder | Miami (Fla.) |
| 4 | Austin Golson | Auburn |
| 5 | Cameron Dillard | Florida |
| 6 | Cameron Tom | Southern Miss |
| 7 | Kyle Fuller | Baylor |
| 8 | Lucas Crowley | North Carolina |
| 9 | Jon Toth | Kentucky |
| 10 | Jay Guillermo | Clemson |
Defensive Linemen
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Most NFL-Ready: Jonathan Allen, Alabama
Best Run-Stopper: Chris Wormley, Michigan
Best Nose Tackle: None in top 10
Best 3-4 Defensive End: Jonathan Allen, Alabama
Best 3-Technique: Jonathan Allen, Alabama
Best Pass-Rusher: Jonathan Allen, Alabama
Best Potential: Malik McDowell, Michigan State
Biggest Question Mark: Eddie Vanderdoes, UCLA (injury)
Biggest Sleeper: DeMarcus Walker, FSU
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Jonathan Allen | Alabama |
| 2 | Carlos Watkins | Clemson |
| 3 | Malik McDowell | Michigan State |
| 4 | Dalvin Tomlinson | Alabama |
| 5 | Chris Wormley | Michigan |
| 6 | Montravius Adams | Auburn |
| 7 | Eddie Vanderdoes | UCLA |
| 8 | Isaac Rochell | Notre Dame |
| 9 | Davon Godchaux | LSU |
| 10 | DeMarcus Walker | FSU |
Edge Defenders
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Most NFL-Ready: Carl Lawson, Auburn
Best Run-Stopper: Devonte Fields, Louisville
Best 4-3 Defensive End: Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Best 3-4 Outside Linebacker: Carl Lawson, Auburn
Best Pass-Rusher: Carl Lawson, Auburn
Best Potential: Devonte Fields, Louisville
Biggest Question Mark: Devonte Fields, Louisville
Biggest Sleeper: Kylie Fitts, Utah
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Carl Lawson | Auburn |
| 2 | Myles Garrett | Texas A&M |
| 3 | Tim Williams | Alabama |
| 4 | Devonte Fields | Louisville |
| 5 | Derek Barnett | Tennessee |
| 6 | Kylie Fitts | Utah |
| 7 | Lewis Neal | LSU |
| 8 | Deatrich Wise | Arkansas |
| 9 | Kemoko Turay | Rutgers |
| 10 | Daeshon Hall | Texas A&M |
Linebackers
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Most NFL-Ready: Jarrad Davis, Florida
Best Weak-Side Linebacker: Jarrad Davis, Florida
Best Strong-Side Linebacker: Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
Best Inside Linebacker: Reuben Foster, Alabama
Best Run-Stopper: Reuben Foster, Alabama
Best Pass-Rusher: Vince Biegel, Wisconsin
Best Pass Coverage: Jarrad Davis, Florida
Best Potential: Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
Biggest Question Mark: Skai Moore, South Carolina
Biggest Sleeper: Josh Carraway, TCU
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Raekwon McMillan | Ohio State |
| 2 | Jarrad Davis | Florida |
| 3 | Reuben Foster | Alabama |
| 4 | Jalen Reeves-Maybin | Tennessee |
| 5 | Kendell Beckwith | LSU |
| 6 | Hardy Nickerson Jr. | Illinois |
| 7 | Josh Carraway | TCU |
| 8 | Skai Moore | South Carolina |
| 9 | Vince Biegel | Wisconsin |
| 10 | Ryan Anderson | Alabama |
Cornerbacks
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Most NFL-Ready: Jalen Tabor, Florida
Best Slot Cornerback: Desmond King, Iowa
Best Man Coverage: Jalen Tabor, Florida
Best Zone Coverage: Desmond King, Iowa
Best Potential: Jalen Tabor, Florida
Biggest Question Mark: Fabian Moreau, UCLA
Biggest Sleeper: Des Lawrence, North Carolina
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Jalen Tabor | Florida |
| 2 | Marlon Humphrey | Alabama |
| 3 | Adoree' Jackson | USC |
| 4 | Desmond King | Iowa |
| 5 | Jourdan Lewis | Michigan |
| 6 | Tre'Davious White | LSU |
| 7 | Cameron Sutton | Tennessee |
| 8 | Cordrea Tankersley | Clemson |
| 9 | Des Lawrence | North Carolina |
| 10 | Fabian Moreau | UCLA |
Safeties
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Most NFL-Ready: Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Best Coverage: Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Best Strong Safety: Jamal Adams, LSU
Best Free Safety: Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Best Run-Stopper: Jamal Adams, LSU
Best Potential: Eddie Jackson, Alabama
Biggest Question Mark: Marcus Maye, Florida
Biggest Sleeper: Budda Baker, Washington
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Jabrill Peppers | Michigan |
| 2 | Jamal Adams | LSU |
| 3 | Armani Watts | Texas A&M |
| 4 | Quin Blanding | Virginia |
| 5 | Eddie Jackson | Alabama |
| 6 | Xavier Woods | La. Tech |
| 7 | Marcus Maye | Florida |
| 8 | Budda Baker | Washington |
| 9 | Johnathan Ford | Auburn |
| 10 | Max Redfield | Notre Dame |
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