2017 NFL Draft: Draft Radar Heading into NFL Week 9
This week of college football and the NFL had everything from upsets, big plays and risers and fallers in the NFL draft world. In a class where no quarterbacks have separated themselves from the pack, one signal-caller grabbed all the headlines by taking down an undefeated West Virginia team.
In a loaded running back class, plenty of names continue to fly under the radar but deserve more hype. As always, plenty of polarizing prospects will create plenty of debate due to off-field issues, size and the transition to the next level.
Can a 5'9", 180-pound running back find a place in the NFL? What if I told you he leads the nation in rushing?
We'll round out this week's draft radar by mocking the top five picks, including finding a home for one quarterback who could have a Carson Wentz-like rise come spring.
Stock Up
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Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
In a quarterback class where no one is breaking away from the pack, Rudolph is starting to gain some midseason momentum. In a huge win over previously undefeated West Virginia, the Oklahoma State signal-caller was nearly flawless, completing over 70 percent of his passes for 273 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Rudolph has a strong arm and continues to see the middle of the field well, where he was 11-of-13 for 150 yards and one touchdown on passes of up to 19 yards. The biggest struggle for him has been throwing under pressure, but he showed huge improvement this weekend by hitting eight of his 11 attempts for more than 100 yards and a touchdown. He hasn't thrown an interception in four games and will look to continue to ride his momentum to the end of the season.
Jarron Jones, DT, Notre Dame
The fifth-year defensive tackle had a field day against Miami with a sack, another quarterback hit, two more pressures, a batted pass and seven solo stops. Jones has been unlucky over the last two years after cutting his 2014 season short with a foot injury and then losing his entire 2015 season to a torn MCL in August.
At 6'5 ½", 315 pounds, he is a load in the middle who flashes the power to shut down the interior run game. If he can stay healthy, he'll continue to rise as one of the lone bright spots on the Notre Dame defense as a true nose tackle prospect for next spring.
James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh
Conner bulldozed his way to 133 yards on just 19 carries for three touchdowns over Virginia Tech. The former ACC Player of the Year continues to prove he is back to full speed and ready for a pro career after this season. Conner projects as a short-yardage, goal-line running back who consistently picks up tough yards and can make something out of nothing. He's now forced nine missed tackles over his last two games.
Stock Down
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Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
The Ohio State highlight-reel safety is the classic case of a Jekyll-and-Hyde player. While he's created turnovers and gigantic plays for the Buckeyes defense this season, he's also surrendered plenty of long gainers. He missed two tackles against Northwestern this weekend and has now missed six in his last three games. That's a dangerous note on a player who is the last line of defense. He has all-world potential, but as expected from a young player, there will be speed bumps along the way.
Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
In a draft class that is begging for a wide receiver to separate himself, Sutton flashes moments of brilliance at times with little consistency. The Mustangs' quarterback situation leaves a lot to be desired, but Sutton has the talent to take over on his own. He was held to two catches on six targets for 25 yards and no touchdowns this weekend against Tulane.
Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo
The senior running back had trouble getting anything going against Ohio this weekend, tallying 50 yards on 15 carries for an average of 3.3 yards per carry. Hunt has become the forgotten man this season after surprisingly returning to school. 2017 features a loaded running back class, and while his offensive line has done little to help him recently, he well could slide into Day 3 of the draft.
Eye-Popping Prospect Numbers of the Week
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Illinois suffered an ugly 40-17 loss against Minnesota this weekend, but edge-rusher Dawuane Smoot was a huge bright spot for the Fighting Illini defense. He registered a sack, another quarterback hit and six total pressures. He was also much-improved against the run, notching five solo stops.
The Jabrill Peppers Show continued for the Michigan Wolverines, as the junior defensive back had a sack and four solo tackles, scored a rushing touchdown and forced four missed tackles. He continues to do just about everything on both sides of the ball.
Florida's cornerback duo of Quincy Wilson and Jalen "Teez" Tabor is possibly the best in the nation. In the Gators' big win over Georgia this weekend, it was Tabor who had the lights-out performance, surrendering only one catch on three targets for four yards. Wilson finally showed vulnerability, allowing a touchdown (his first this season), but he still held his assignments to only three catches on five targets for 33 yards. They both could go in the first round of next year's draft if they declare early.
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Running Back Prospects No One Is Talking About
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You've heard of Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook, Christian McCaffrey, Royce Freeman, Nick Chubb and Oklahoma's duo of Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine, but there's plenty more in this upcoming draft class. Here are some running backs who are flying under the radar for next spring.
Ryan Nall, Oregon State
The redshirt sophomore is averaging an absurd 7.2 yards per carry in his first full season as the Beavers' feature back. At 6'2", 241 pounds, he has the size to consistently run through arm tackles, but he also has smooth feet at the line of scrimmage that allow him to get to the second level.
Against Washington State on Saturday, he rumbled for 139 yards on just 20 carries, with one of his two touchdowns coming off a 90-yard sprint. This was also his second game in 2016 where he forced 10 missed tackles, with the other one coming against California. Nall is most likely a long shot to leave early for the draft, but he's an impressive player to keep an eye on for the future.
Wayne Gallman, Clemson
Playing for undefeated Clemson has helped Gallman get more recognition recently, but he still gets overlooked in comparison to the other top running backs. The offensive line has struggled at times, but he consistently takes what's there and finds more with high-end burst and elusiveness. Gallman is a long shot to be one of the first five running backs taken next spring, but he has the talent to find his way into an NFL committee as a rookie.
Jamaal Williams, BYU
After being away from football for all of 2015 and going down with a season-ending injury in 2014, Williams is back with a vengeance for the BYU Cougars. His quick burst out of the backfield, combined with a powerful leg drive, has helped him already tally 942 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in just seven games this season. At 6'2", 220 pounds, he has the prototypical size and strength to be a workhorse running back at the next level. It's hard to see him escaping the top 75 picks next spring.
Debate Time: Meet the Most Polarizing 2017 Prospects
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Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma
The talented Mixon is a polarizing prospect for all the wrong reasons. He was suspended for the 2014 season after allegedly punching a woman in the face on July 25, 2014. The Sooners running back is one of the most elusive skill players in next year's draft, but NFL front office will investigate his off-field record. While he might possess top-75 talent, there is a chance that some teams remove him from their draft boards.
Ejuan Price, EDGE, Pittsburgh
Price continues to be one of the most disruptive edge-rushers in the entire country, registering 11 sacks, nine quarterback hits and 40 total pressures in the 2016 season. Listed at only 6'0" (255 pounds), his height will be scrutinized leading up to the draft. While length is a positive trait to have, it's not the only skill that should be evaluated with pass-rushers. Price has the talent to find a situational pass-rushing role at the next level; he just needs a team to give him a shot.
Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State
The nation's leading rusher (1,469 yards this season) has video game-type numbers over the last two-and-a-half years, but his 5'9", 180-pound frame makes him such a debatable prospect. The production is there, along with the speed and receiving ability to be an NFL third-down back. He has to not only add mass to his frame but also improve as a pass protector.
Mock Draft: Predicting the Top Five Picks
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1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Browns pass up a quarterback yet again and continue to stockpile their defense. Hue Jackson and the front office did not feel the need to force selecting a quarterback in 2016, and they should not stray from that strategy in 2017.
The Browns rebuild is not a one- or two-year process, and passing up on a blue-chip edge talent in Garrett would be hard for them to do. While they round out their roster, they can look toward a 2018 quarterback class that should include Josh Rosen and Lamar Jackson.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
If the 49ers stick with Chip Kelly, he should not hesitate to grab a quarterback to develop. Watson has had a roller-coaster season, but the talent to develop into a franchise passer is evident. He has the arm and mobility to create plays, and the 49ers have a ground attack with Carlos Hyde that can help him. His development will be one of the many hurdles San Francisco faces in a long rebuild, but it's a good foundation for the head coach to build on.
3. Chicago Bears: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
The Bears, much like the 49ers, have to start from scratch at quarterback. As they are expected to move on from Jay Cutler after the season, they have no one else on the roster worth developing as a starter. Kizer has the most upside in this class, but he also represents a big-time gamble. Chicago's first order of business should be to extend Alshon Jeffery, who could be a huge crutch for a rookie quarterback such as Kizer who can push the ball down the field.
4. Carolina Panthers: Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
The Panthers find their replacement for Josh Norman by adding the trash-talking, playmaking Tabor. He's a lockdown cornerback who can get Ron Rivera's defense back on track. He's allowed only one touchdown all season while picking off four passes. At 6'0, 200 pounds, he is the physical presence the Panthers need to add to their thin secondary.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mitch Trubisky, QB, UNC
The first "surprise" of this mock, Trubisky is my prediction to be the biggest "riser" for this year's draft (similar to Carson Wentz last year). Blake Bortles has failed to make any progress in his third season, and the rehaul of the coaching staff has already begun, as Jacksonville recently let go offensive coordinator Greg Olson.
If Gus Bradley is fired this offseason, a new staff might want to start over at the quarterback position. The Jaguars have a lot of talented skill players who are currently putting up their best numbers in garbage time.
Trubisky has been impressive in his first full season as the Tarheels starter. He moves well, can make all of the throws and keeps his eyes down the field on the move. His limited amount of tape will raise the risk factor in taking him this early, but his talent could pay huge dividends in the long run.
Stats per Pro Football Focus.
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