2017 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for Top Prospects Who Will Get Overdrafted

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There's an old NFL draft word called reaching. Typically, it happens when a team selects a player based on need without consideration for his value. Now, it's almost certain front offices will select a quarterback higher than expected because he could become the next Dak Prescott in the right system. 

This year, the quarterback class doesn't have a prospect who's head and shoulders above the rest. It's anyone's guess as to who's the best passer within the incoming crop. ESPN's Ron Jaworski doesn't see a signal-caller worthy of a first-round pick: 

Many agree with Jaworski, but it's almost certain at least one team will draft a quarterback on April 27. The position holds so much importance in elevating a franchise from the cellar to the penthouse—look no further than the Oakland Raiders with Derek Carr. 

Nonetheless, personnel scouts and team executives often fall hard for particular prospects and sometimes it proves to be a costly mistake that sets the franchise backward. Who should we lay cautious eyes on at the top of this year's draft class?

Mitchell Trubisky at No. 1 or Top 15:

Adam Schefter of ESPN pulled back the curtain on the Cleveland Browns and revealed the team's decision-makers didn't have a consensus on the No. 1 overall pick:

Bet your bottom dollar North Carolina quarterback Mitchell Trubisky doesn't rank as the top prospect on any big board. He's a one-year collegiate starter with upside but far from the best player in the draft. Yet, Cleveland considers him an option with the top pick. It shows the tremendous value in finding a franchise signal-caller. 

There's no doubt Trubisky at No. 1 would be a reach, but he fulfills a roster need that's plagued Cleveland for decades. Anyone could forgive the Browns for trying to find their quarterback of the future.

Without a consensus top prospect, it's all about preference. Do the Browns value starting experience? How much stock does the front office put into projection and potential? Is the quarterback expected to start right away? How much time does he have to develop? 

Regardless of the reasoning, Trubisky's collegiate film and upside don't translate to a top-15 pick. The Browns have two first-round selections, which allows them to roll the dice on the second opening-round choice to fulfill the most important roster position. If the North Carolina product remains on the board at No. 12 for Cleveland, the front office can have its cake and eat it with Myles Garrett and Trubisky on the roster for 2017.

Haason Reddick in the First Round

Impressive showings at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine boosted linebacker Haason Reddick's draft stock. In addition, the linebacker position isn't top heavy with exceptional talent. As a result, teams will reach for a prospect who's still learning the position at a basic level in the first round.

NFL Network's Charley Casserly didn't sugar coat Reddick's transition into the NFL. He also highlighted the Temple product's shortcomings at the Senior Bowl and filed it under inexperience:

Reddick could develop into a linebacker with a long career, but NFL teams should draft him knowing he's headed for growing pains in the first year or two. Ideally, general managers want immediate impact players in the opening round.

How can anyone expect a 237-pound defensive end at the collegiate level to seamlessly pick up the inside linebacker position on the fly while adjusting to the pros on a macro level? It's a double-pronged learning curve. 

As a second-round pick, Reddick would be ideal, but his favorable offseason performances will cause a team to draft him mid-to-late first round.

Curtis Samuel as an Early Second-Round Pick 

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CBS Sports projects Ohio State H-Back Curtis Samuel as a second-round pick. There's one major problem. He hasn't perfected the skills needed to excel in either position he'll play in the pros.

During his final collegiate season with the Buckeyes, Samuel racked up 865 receiving yards and 771 rushing yards. His production sounds very Percy Harvin-esque when translated to the NFL, but one regional scout questioned important traits necessary to make a splash in the league as a running back-wide receiver package player, per NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: 

"It's kind of like with Jalin Marshall last year. How do you use him? He's not a running back and his routes and hands really aren't that good. Marshall went undrafted. Samuel is a better athlete, but they are about the same size and give you the same concerns with how to use them," said the scout.

Samuel ran a 4.31 40-time at the combine. A team will likely use him on special teams until he finds a niche within the offense. General managers reserve late-round draft picks to add depth and fill the special teams unit, not the second round.

The Ohio State product has upside as a dangerous player in space, but he's going to need coaching to reach his maximum potential as a ball-carrier or receiver. The previous statement applies to all prospects, but it's ideal to know what you're getting out of second-round pick.