2017 NFL Draft Big Board: Matt Miller's Early Rankings
It's a good year to need a running back, pass-rusher or defensive back in the 2017 NFL draft. And if your team can't get one early, don't panic: The depth is impressive.
Judge this draft class against the previous classes—especially 2016—and it looks like a good year for most positions. The money spot, of course, is at quarterback, and there are three with a first-round grade. DeShone Kizer, Deshaun Watson and Brad Kaaya each offer unique traits, and all look like future NFL starters. After that, there is at least potential.
The running back class is loaded from top to bottom. Everyone knows about Leonard Fournette, but Dalvin Cook, Nick Chubb and Christian McCaffrey also carry a Round 1 grade at this point in the season. There are also another four backs with a second-round grade.
The weakness of the class is at offensive line. There's not a top-10 tackle—at least not with questions surrounding Cam Robinson—and while there are good players at guard and center, there isn't a Ryan Kelly-level center showing himself yet.
On defense, you can find franchise-caliber players at every position group. We'll spend months talking about Myles Garrett, Jonathan Allen and Reuben Foster—and for good reason. But it's the depth in the secondary that stands out. There are 10 legitimate NFL cornerbacks who could go in the first 50 picks. At safety, there are two blue-chip stars in Jamal Adams and Jabrill Peppers, with another first-rounder in Justin Evans. It's a good year to have needs or a lot of draft picks.
Which players should NFL teams be eyeing for the 2017 draft at this early juncture? Find out with my list of the top 50 overall players and then my top 10 players at each position.
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 | DeShone Kizer | Notre Dame | QB |
| 3 | Myles Garrett | Texas A&M | EDGE |
| 4 | Jamal Adams | LSU | S |
| 5 | Deshaun Watson | Clemson | QB |
| 6 | Jonathan Allen | Alabama | DL |
| 7 | Carl Lawson | Auburn | EDGE |
| 8 | Christian McCaffrey | Stanford | RB |
| 9 | Jabrill Peppers | Michigan | S |
| 10 | Reuben Foster | Alabama | LB |
| 11 | Dalvin Cook | Florida State | RB |
| 12 | Raekwon McMillan | Ohio State | LB |
| 13 | Dawuane Smoot | Illinois | EDGE |
| 14 | Tim Williams | Alabama | EDGE |
| 15 | Brad Kaaya | Miami (Fla.) | QB |
| 16 | Malik McDowell | Michigan State | DL |
| 17 | DeMarcus Walker | Florida State | EDGE |
| 18 | Jalen Tabor | Florida | CB |
| 19 | Justin Evans | Texas A&M | S |
| 20 | Cam Robinson | Alabama | T |
| 21 | Mike Williams | Clemson | WR |
| 22 | Derek Barnett | Tennessee | EDGE |
| 23 | Marlon Humphrey | Alabama | CB |
| 24 | Nick Chubb | Georgia | RB |
| 25 | Jourdan Lewis | Michigan | CB |
| 26 | Jordan Thomas | Oklahoma | CB |
| 27 | Desmond King | Iowa | CB |
| 28 | Charles Harris | Missouri | EDGE |
| 29 | O.J. Howard | Alabama | TE |
| 30 | Jarrad Davis | Florida | LB |
| 31 | Jake Butt | Michigan | TE |
| 32 | Jehu Chesson | Michigan | WR |
| 33 | Mike McGlinchey | Notre Dame | T |
| 34 | Adoree' Jackson | USC | CB |
| 35 | Isaiah Ford | Virginia Tech | WR |
| 36 | Evan Engram | Ole Miss | TE |
| 37 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | USC | WR |
| 38 | Jarron Jones | Notre Dame | DL |
| 39 | Lowell Lotulelei | Utah | DL |
| 40 | Devonte Fields | Louisville | EDGE |
| 41 | Jalen Reeves-Maybin | Tennessee | LB |
| 42 | Royce Freeman | Oregon | RB |
| 43 | Jordan Leggett | Clemson | TE |
| 44 | Carlos Watkins | Clemson | DL |
| 45 | Pat Elflein | Ohio State | G |
| 46 | Sidney Jones | Washington | CB |
| 47 | Cordrea Tankersley | Clemson | CB |
| 48 | Tre'Davious White | LSU | CB |
| 49 | Cameron Sutton | Tennessee | CB |
| 50 | Budda Baker | Washington | S |
Top 10 Quarterbacks
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Most NFL-Ready: Brad Kaaya, Miami (Florida)
Best Arm: DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
Best Runner: Deshaun Watson, Clemson
Best Potential: DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
Biggest Question Mark: Chad Kelly, Ole Miss
Biggest Sleeper: Mitch Leidner, Minnesota
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | DeShone Kizer | Notre Dame |
| 2 | Deshaun Watson | Clemson |
| 3 | Brad Kaaya | Miami (Fla.) |
| 4 | Chad Kelly | Ole Miss |
| 5 | C.J. Beathard | Iowa |
| 6 | Davis Webb | California |
| 7 | Seth Russell | Baylor |
| 8 | Baker Mayfield | Oklahoma |
| 9 | Josh Dobbs | Tennessee |
| 10 | Mitch Leidner | Minnesota |
Top 10 Running Backs
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Most NFL-Ready: Leonard Fournette, LSU
Best Third-Down Back: Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
Best Speed: Dalvin Cook, Florida State
Best Power: Leonard Fournette, LSU
Best Potential: Leonard Fournette, LSU
Biggest Question Mark: Royce Freeman, Oregon (scheme)
Biggest Sleeper: Wayne Gallman, Clemson
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Leonard Fournette | LSU |
| 2 | Christian McCaffrey | Stanford |
| 3 | Dalvin Cook | Florida State |
| 4 | Nick Chubb | Georgia |
| 5 | Royce Freeman | Oregon |
| 6 | Jalen Hurd | Tennessee |
| 7 | Samaje Perine | Oklahoma |
| 8 | Wayne Gallman | Clemson |
| 9 | Matthew Dayes | NC State |
| 10 | James Conner | Pittsburgh |
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Top 10 Wide Receivers
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Most NFL-Ready: Mike Williams, Clemson
Best Boundary Receiver: Mike Williams, Clemson
Best Slot Receiver: Travis Rudolph, Florida State
Best Hands: Mike Williams, Clemson
Best Route-Runner: Corey Davis, Western Michigan
Best Potential: Mike Williams, Clemson
Biggest Question Mark: JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC
Biggest Sleeper: Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Mike Williams | Clemson |
| 2 | Jehu Chesson | Michigan |
| 3 | Isaiah Ford | Virginia Tech |
| 4 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | USC |
| 5 | Travis Rudolph | Florida State |
| 6 | Malachi Dupre | LSU |
| 7 | Corey Davis | Western Michigan |
| 8 | Artavis Scott | Clemson |
| 9 | Cooper Kupp | Eastern Wash. |
| 10 | Zay Jones | East Carolina |
Top 10 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: Jake Butt, Michigan
Best Power: Jake Butt, Michigan
Biggest Question Mark: Pharaoh Brown, Oregon
Biggest Sleeper: George Kittle, Iowa
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | O.J. Howard | Alabama |
| 2 | Jake Butt | Michigan |
| 3 | Evan Engram | Ole Miss |
| 4 | Jordan Leggett | Clemson |
| 5 | Bucky Hodges | Virginia Tech |
| 6 | Gerald Everett | South Alabama |
| 7 | Jonnu Smith | FIU |
| 8 | Blake Jarwin | Oklahoma St. |
| 9 | Pharaoh Brown | Oregon |
| 10 | George Kittle | Iowa |
Top 10 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 | Florida State |
| 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 |
Top 10 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 | Dan Feeney | Indiana |
| 3 | Quenton Nelson | Notre Dame |
| 4 | Dorian Johnson | Pittsburgh |
| 5 | Billy Price | Ohio State |
| 6 | Nico Siragusa | SDSU |
| 7 | Greg Pyke | Georgia |
| 8 | Johnny Caspers | Stanford |
| 9 | Chase Roullier | Wyoming |
| 10 | Isaac Asiata | Utah |
Top 10 Centers
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Most NFL-Ready: Ethan Pocic, LSU
Best Run-Blocker: Mason Cole, Michigan
Best Pass-Blocker: Tyler Orlosky, West Virginia
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 | Mason Cole | Michigan |
| 3 | Tyler Orlosky | West Virginia |
| 4 | Kyle Fuller | Baylor |
| 5 | Jon Toth | Kentucky |
| 6 | Cameron Dillard | Florida |
| 7 | Cameron Tom | Southern Miss |
| 8 | Deyshawn Bond | Cincinnati |
| 9 | Lucas Crowley | North Carolina |
| 10 | Alex Kelley | Colorado |
Top 10 Defensive Linemen
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Most NFL-Ready: Jonathan Allen, Alabama
Best Run-Stopper: Chris Wormley, Michigan
Best Nose Tackle: Lowell Lotulelei, Utah
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: Jake Replogle, Purdue
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Jonathan Allen | Alabama |
| 2 | Malik McDowell | Michigan State |
| 3 | Jarron Jones | Notre Dame |
| 4 | Lowell Lotulelei | Utah |
| 5 | Carlos Watkins | Clemson |
| 6 | Eddie Vanderdoes | UCLA |
| 7 | Taco Charlton | Michigan |
| 8 | Chris Wormley | Michigan |
| 9 | Isaac Rochell | Notre Dame |
| 10 | Jake Replogle | Purdue |
Top 10 EDGE Defenders
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Most NFL-Ready: Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Best Run-Stopper: Devonte Fields, Louisville
Best 4-3 Defensive End: Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Best 3-4 Outside Linebacker: Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Best Pass-Rusher: Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Best Potential: Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Biggest Question Mark: Devonte Fields, Louisville
Biggest Sleeper: Ryan Anderson, Alabama
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Myles Garrett | Texas A&M |
| 2 | Carl Lawson | Auburn |
| 3 | Dawuane Smoot | Illinois |
| 4 | Tim Williams | Alabama |
| 5 | DeMarcus Walker | Florida State |
| 6 | Derek Barnett | Tennessee |
| 7 | Charles Harris | Missouri |
| 8 | Devonte Fields | Louisville |
| 9 | Deatrich Wise Jr. | Arkansas |
| 10 | Ryan Anderson | Alabama |
Top 10 Linebackers
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Most NFL-Ready: Reuben Foster, Alabama
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: Nyeem Wartman-White, Penn State
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Reuben Foster | Alabama |
| 2 | Raekwon McMillan | Ohio State |
| 3 | Jarrad Davis | Florida |
| 4 | Jalen Reeves-Maybin | Tennessee |
| 5 | Kendell Beckwith | LSU |
| 6 | Nyeem Wartman-White | Penn State |
| 7 | Skai Moore | South Carolina |
| 8 | Vince Biegel | Wisconsin |
| 9 | Harvey Langi | BYU |
| 10 | Keith Kelsey | Louisville |
Top 10 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: Jalen Tabor, Florida
Biggest Sleeper: Sidney Jones, Washington
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Jalen Tabor | Florida |
| 2 | Marlon Humphrey | Alabama |
| 3 | Jourdan Lewis | Michigan |
| 4 | Jordan Thomas | Oklahoma |
| 5 | Desmond King | Iowa |
| 6 | Adoree' Jackson | USC |
| 7 | Sidney Jones | Washington |
| 8 | Cordrea Tankersley | Clemson |
| 9 | Tre'Davious White | LSU |
| 10 | Cameron Sutton | Tennessee |
Top 10 Safeties
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Most NFL-Ready: Jamal Adams, LSU
Best Coverage: Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Best Strong Safety: Jamal Adams, LSU
Best Free Safety: Justin Evans, Texas A&M
Best Hybrid Defender: Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Best Run-Stopper: Jamal Adams, LSU
Best Potential: Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Biggest Question Mark: Marcus Maye, Florida
Biggest Sleeper: Budda Baker, Washington
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Jamal Adams | LSU |
| 2 | Jabrill Peppers | Michigan |
| 3 | Justin Evans | Texas A&M |
| 4 | Budda Baker | Washington |
| 5 | Malik Hooker | Ohio State |
| 6 | Armani Watts | Texas A&M |
| 7 | Quin Blanding | Virginia |
| 8 | Eddie Jackson | Alabama |
| 9 | Xavier Woods | La. Tech |
| 10 | Marcus Maye | Florida |
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