Breakout Candidates for 2017 NFL Draft Class
Those of you who follow the NFL draft year round are probably already familiar with the biggest names attached to the 2017 draft class.
Clemson's DeShaun Watson, LSU's Leonard Fournette and others will receive an overwhelming amount hype during the early draft coverage, and deservedly so.
But the first round of next April's draft will inevitably be filled with 10 to 15 other names who aren't being mentioned on every "way-too-early" draft board or mock draft this time of year.
Many of the prospects who will make up the first round of the 2017 draft have yet to make their mark on college football, but there are a number of players on the verge of breaking out and reaching elite status in the college game.
Here's an early look at eight prospects who may not be universally viewed as first-round picks at the moment but are in position to quickly rise up draft boards in September.
Inevitably some of these players will meet these expectations and land in the first round, while others will trend the other direction and go undrafted. So don't take these early projections too seriously.
Instead, consider this a starting point and a small sampling of prospect who should be monitored during summer workouts and into the start of the 2016 college football season.
Damore'ea Stringfellow, WR, Ole Miss
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Damore'ea Stringfellow, a transfer from Washington, hauled in 36 receptions for 503 yards during his first season with Ole Miss in 2015, but he's in position to play a much larger role in the offense in 2016 due to the departures of Laquon Treadwell and Cody Core to the NFL.
At 6'2", 220 pounds, Stringfellow has the size to seamlessly step into Treadwell's role in the offense, but he also has enough speed to stretch the field.
Stringfellow will compete with Quincy Adeboyejo, another potential draft prospect, for the No. 1 job, but both receivers should see plenty of targets from quarterback Chad Kelly.
Even if Adeboyejo takes the No. 1 job, Stringfellow's size will attract the attention of NFL scouts if he continues to develop this season.
Demetrious Cox, S, Michigan State
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Demetrious Cox's inclusion on this list may surprise some Big Ten fans who watched him get repeatedly burned in 2015, but it's important to note that he's listed as a safety here.
Cox was forced into action at cornerback last season, starting eight games there, but doesn't have the skill set to excel in the role long term.
In 2016, Cox will likely be firmly planted at free safety, where he'll have an opportunity to show off his range in the deep secondary.
Cox is also among the most reliable tacklers on the Spartans defense, an impressive accomplishment for a safety without elite size (he's listed at 6'1", 198 pounds).
As a fifth-year senior, he'll be one of the leaders of the Michigan State defense and should see his stock rise if everyone stays healthy and he's able to put in a full year at safety.
Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson
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Mackensie Alexander was the big name in Clemson's secondary last season, which forced opposing quarterbacks to target Tankersley early and often. But the 21-year-old was up for the challenge and made them pay for their decision.
According to CFB Film Room, Tankersley allowed just 27 receptions on 77 targets in 2015.
At 6'1", Tankersley has the length that the NFL loves at cornerback. If he's able to combine that height with an impressive workout at the combine next year, he could be among the first cornerbacks off the board in 2017.
Clemson lost an awful lot on defense from last year's team, including pass-rushers Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd.
There's a chance Tankersley's production will drop off without the help from his supporting cast. But if he's able to remain a dominant force in the Clemson secondary, he could emerge as an early first-round prospect.
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Marquis Haynes, LB, Ole Miss
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If you're looking for the next Myles Jack to emerge from this draft class, that guy might be Ole Miss' Marquis Haynes.
Haynes won't enter the year with nearly as much hype as Jack, but that may simply be a function of the role he plays with the Rebels.
Ole Miss has been using the 6'3", 220-pound Haynes at defensive end—that's right, a 220-pound defensive end.
His explosive speed off the edge helped him generate 10 sacks a season ago, but it's difficult to imagine him continuing to excel in that role in the NFL.
NFL scouts will be hoping to see Ole Miss use Haynes in a more traditional linebacker role at times this season to help them project his talent to the next level.
If he does show off a more versatile skill set in 2016, there's a chance his stock could skyrocket.
Henry Mondeaux, DL, Oregon
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Unlike many of the other prospects on this list, Henry Mondeaux has accomplished very little on the field to this point in his career.
But since Oregon has churned out defensive ends such as DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead in recent years, Mondeaux's development is worth keeping an eye on in 2016.
Oregon lists Mondeaux at 6'5", 280 pounds, making him an ideal replacement for Buckner on the defensive line.
Mondeaux showed flashes in a reserve role last season, racking up four sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.
He's only entering his true junior year, so we may be two years away from evaluating Mondeaux as a draft prospect.
But if he continues his development and posts Buckner-like numbers for the Ducks defense, he will certainly rank among the most highly touted prospects at his position when he turns pro.
Marquez White, CB, Florida State
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One of the most baffling developments of the 2015 college football season in Tallahassee was the willingness of opposing quarterbacks to challenge eventual top-five draft pick Jalen Ramsey.
Typically a player of Ramsey's caliber sees just one or two balls thrown his way per game, but he was challenged on a consistent basis throughout the season.
The reason may have been the man on opposite side of the field, Marquez White.
While not as highly touted as Ramsey, White played at an equally dominant level in 2015 and could become a first-round pick in the 2017 draft.
At 6'0", 181 pounds, White doesn't have the size that made Ramsey such an intriguing prospect. But he's an impressive athlete who has the skills to excel in man coverage.
The dynamics of the Florida State defense will obviously be different without Ramsey, but if White can match his production from a season ago, he should be among the first cornerbacks off the board next April.
Joey Ivie, DL, Florida
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Florida defensive tackle Joey Ivie has an opportunity to emerge as one of the breakout seniors in the 2017 draft class.
Ivie made just five starts a season ago, partially due to injuries keeping him off the field, but was productive in spurts. He finished the season with 3.5 sacks.
Florida primarily uses the 6'3", 295-pound Ivie at defensive tackle, but he moves well for his size and would be a candidate to also play defensive end in 3-4 schemes in the pros.
If Ivie can continue to develop his ability to penetrate the backfield and generate pressure on the quarterback, his stock will rise in 2016.
Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
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Notre Dame fans already know just how dominant Mike McGlinchey can be, but the rest of the country will find out in 2016 when he shifts from right tackle to left tackle to replace Baltimore Ravens first-round pick Ronnie Stanley.
McGlinchey was every bit as dominant as Stanley in 2015, and he should be able to make a seamless transition to the left side.
The difference between left and right tackle in the NFL has become blurred in recent years, as great pass-rushers line up on both sides of the line. But in the college game there is still a distinct difference.
For that reason, McGlinchey's 2016 performance on the left side will be closely monitored, but if he maintains his steady play, he should emerge as a first-round lock.
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