2017 NFL Draft Prospects with Most to Prove This Season

Early big boards and mock drafts have already been released for the 2017 NFL draft, but many of the highly touted prospects appear on these lists based on projections. 

College athletes are still developing well into their junior and senior years, so we assume, based on past trends, that certain players will take the next step and elevate their game to an elite level. However, there are a few players who still have a lot to prove during the 2016 college football season. 

Here's a look at eight top draft prospects who will be highly scrutinized during the 2016 season for various reasons. These prospects all have first-round potential, but they must first answer various questions regarding their health or their ability to continue to produce in new roles or with changes in their supporting cast.

Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

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Mike McGlinchey is solidly in the first-round conversation based on his dominant performance at right tackle in 2015. But as he shifts to the left side to replace Baltimore Ravens first-round pick Ronnie Stanley, McGlinchey has an opportunity to elevate his stock to another level.

The difference between right and left tackle has been blurred in the NFL in recent years as defensive coordinators have become progressively more creative in where they line up their best pass-rushers. But at the college level, the most dominant pass-rusher—specifically the fastest pass-rusher—almost always lines up across from the left tackle. 

McGlinchey's quickness will be tested more often in 2016, and if he demonstrates the footwork necessary to handle his most difficult assignments, he could emerge as a top-10 pick.

James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh

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James Conner was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in November and has spent much of his offseason undergoing chemotherapy treatments. 

Conner announced in early May that he had finished his scheduled chemo treatments, giving hope for a return to the field in September. 

Despite the setback, Conner has managed to continue to work out with the team for much of the offseason, and there is hope that he can return to form. 

Scouts evaluating Conner's performance in 2016 will be looking to see how quickly he regains his strength. Conner is a punishing runner with a frame that rivals some defensive ends. But obviously with the treatments this offseason, he may struggle to immediately regain that form.

Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama

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Cam Robinson deserves credit for battling through a shoulder and knee injuries throughout the 2015 season. However, the results were often ugly. 

According to CFB Film Room, Robinson allowed nine sacks in 2015, more than the first four offensive linemen selected in the 2016 NFL draft combined. 

Of course these concerns about Robinson's health and consistency on the field have taken a back seat after his recent arrest on multiple charges, including a felony possession of a stolen firearm. 

Robinson's primary concern, in regards to his NFL future, is now proving to his future employers that this was a one-time incident and a poor decision he can put behind him. 

The best-case scenario for Robinson would be to avoid jail time and return to Alabama at some point this season. Alabama head coach Nick Saban has strong connections around the NFL and is known for providing teams an honest assessment of his players. If Robinson returns to Alabama and wins over Saban, he will still have some supporters in the NFL as well. 

If Robinson's career at Alabama is over, his situation becomes significantly more complicated. 

Assuming he's not at Alabama. the best course of action for Robinson would be to surround himself people who can keep him on the right track and vouch for him when NFL teams start asking questions in the future. 

Tyquan Lewis, DE, Ohio State

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Tyquan Lewis was Ohio State's "other" pass-rusher the past two seasons, playing opposite the San Diego Chargers' first-round pick, Joey Bosa. 

Bosa routinely was faced with double or even triple teams, lining up on the left side of the Buckeyes defensive line. As a result, Lewis was consistently locked in one-on-one battles with opposing left tackles and generated a team-high eight sacks in 2015. 

In 2016, however, Bosa gets replaced with sophomore Sam Hubbard, which means Lewis will likely be the one to attract the extra attention from defenses. 

Lewis will also need to prove he's back to full health, after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum, according to Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch. 

If Lewis maintains his production, a spot in the first round could be in his future.

Tim Williams, LB, Alabama

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Tim Williams was Alabama's most productive pass-rusher in 2015 and enters this season as a potential early first-round selection. But how much did Williams benefit from the presence of 2016 NFL draft picks Jarran Reed and A'Shawn Robinson attracting attention on the interior of Alabama's defensive line?

Alabama's defensive front seven will look substantially different in 2016, and Williams won't be able to fly under the radar as he did for much of the 2015 season. 

Williams will likely see more double-teams this season, and how he handles the increased attention will have a significant impact on his draft stock. 

To cope with the loss of other defensive linemen, Alabama will also be relying on Williams to play a larger role on first and second down, rather than just as a situational pass-rusher.

In an effort to prepare for an increased role, Williams has added seven pounds this offseason, according to ESPN.com's Alex Scarborough. 

Defensive end Dalvin Tomlinson also shared this insight on Williams: "Because he’s a speed guy, a lot of people want him to go straight speed around the corner, but he’s been practicing on his power moves, too.”

If Williams establishes himself as a more well-rounded player, he could emerge as an early first-round prospect. 

Skai Moore, LB/S, South Carolina

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Skai Moore is an incredibly versatile player who compares favorably to Washington Redskins second-round pick Su'a Cravens out of USC. 

Like Cravens, Moore has the size of a safety but has primarily played linebacker during his career at South Carolina. 

According to Josh Kendall of the State, after new head coach Will Muschamp was hired he spoke about a potential new role for Moore: "When we’re in our regular package, he may be able to play some safety and be able to increase his role as far as playing in space."

The NFL will value Moore for his versatility regardless of his role in Muschamp's new defense, but proving he can line up at multiple spots on the field and remain productive could give a significant boost to his stock and potentially land him in the first round in 2017.

Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia

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Prior to a season-ending knee injury last October, Nick Chubb was keeping pace with Leonard Fournette in the conversation for best running back in the SEC. 

While the injury was gruesome, Chubb avoided tearing his ACL and appears to be on track to play in 2016. 

In March, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart stated that Chubb was actually ahead of schedule, according to UGASports.com's Anthony Dasher. 

Chubb is still a junior, so he has the option to return to school if things don't go as planned. But given his injury history, he would likely bolt for the pros if he's able to return to form in 2016. 

The key for Chubb will be proving he can still take a pounding and remain productive. While he has decent speed, Chubb is a downhill runner who isn't shy about taking on contact. Scouts will be watching closely to see if the injury impacts his style.

Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

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If not for a neck injury suffered in Clemson's season opener in 2015, Mike Williams could have been in the discussion to be the No. 1 receiver in the 2016 NFL draft class. 

According to Tony Crumpton of TigerNet.com, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney recently gave this update on Williams: "if we were playing a game today, he would play. He would be ready to roll. He had a great spring. ... He did all the one on ones. He dove for balls, did flips, fell. He looks great."

That's great news for Williams' draft stock, but neck injuries are scary, so it will be critical that Williams gets back on the field and maintains his health for a full season. 

With the majority of Clemson's offense also returning—most notably Heisman-candidate Deshaun Watson at quarterback—Williams could be in line for a monster season in 2016. 

He has the size (6'3") to re-emerge as Watson's go-to target in the red zone, which could help solidify his place atop the draft board at the wide receiver position.