2017 NFL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions for Every Team Ahead of Super Bowl

Forget about Ohio State, Alabama and Michigan prospects for a moment. What about the small-school products without the cachet of a powerhouse program? Where will the shining stars from outside the Power Five conferences land in the 2017 NFL draft? 

At the Senior Bowl, one FCS wide receiver wowed spectators. Scouts spoke favorably about his surging rank at a position without many elite talents. Will we see a relatively unknown name reach the first round? 

The evaluation process scrutinizes and nitpicks everything about a player before teams make their selections. Last year, buzz surrounding New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple focused on his lack of cooking skills. The scout disclosed his concern to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Bob McGinn, citing life skills or independence as an issue for the 20-year-old.

As far as on-the-field scrutiny, a Temple linebacker could become a first-round pick, but his size may scare away front offices. Will production, impressive workouts and satisfactory film supersede his physical shortcomings?

Unfortunately, an injury poses a threat to a small-school prospect who could drop from a top-10 selection to an early-second-round pick.

We'll discuss some unfamiliar names in the draft and provide potential landing spots for each prospect.

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Cleveland Browns	Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
2	San Francisco 49ers	Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
3	Chicago Bears	Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
4	Jacksonville Jaguars	Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
5	Tennessee Titans (via Rams)	Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
6	New York Jets	Jamal Adams, S, LSU
7	Los Angeles Chargers	Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
8	Carolina Panthers	Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
9	Cincinnati Bengals	Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
10	Buffalo Bills	Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington
11	New Orleans Saints	Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
12	Cleveland Browns (via Eagles)	Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
13	Arizona Cardinals	Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State
14	Indianapolis Colts	Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
15	Philadelphia Eagles (via Vikings)	Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
16	Baltimore Ravens	Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
17	Washington Redskins	Carlos Watkins, DT, Clemson
18	Tennessee Titans	Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
19	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
20	Denver Broncos	Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
21	Detroit Lions	Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
22	Miami Dolphins	Caleb Brantley, DL, Florida
23	New York Giants	Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
24	Oakland Raiders	Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
25	Houston Texans	T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin
26	Seattle Seahawks	Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
27	Kansas City Chiefs	Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
28	Dallas Cowboys	Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
29	Green Bay Packers	Tim Williams, LB/DE, Alabama
30	Pittsburgh Steelers	Takkarist McKinley, LB, UCLA
31	Atlanta Falcons	Desmond King, CB, Iowa
32	New England Patriots	Ryan Anderson, LB, Alabama

FCS Star Wide Receiver Cooper Kupp on the Rise

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Bleacher Report Lead Draft Writer Matt Miller labeled Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp as an FCS star. Looking at his collegiate numbers (428 catches, 6,464 yards and 73 touchdowns), it's fair to say he's worth a deeper look. 

Of course, Kupp's level of competition doesn't compare to most players at his position. Nevertheless, he passed the early eyeball test for some scouts in Mobile, Alabama, during the Senior Bowl.

One scout gave a highly favorable comparison, per Miller: "You watch him explode off the line, and he sinks his hips so well. I've never seen him not ready for the ball. There's some Jordy [Nelson] there, but the better comparison is Nuk [DeAndre Hopkins], because he's not the fastest guy but still separates well."

Buffalo Bills beat writer Joe Buscaglia captured Kupp executing a smooth double-move to break free for a catch during one-on-one drills:

Due to Sammy Watkins' perpetual foot injuries, the Bills may have wide receiver at the top of their draft priority list. Regardless of the quarterback under center, the offense still needs another perimeter playmaker to add another dimension to the offensive game plan. Buffalo may consider Kupp at No. 10, especially if Clemson wideout Mike Williams goes to the Tennessee Titans at No. 5. 

Potential Landing Spots: No. 10 Buffalo Bills, No. 16 Baltimore Ravens, No. 19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Haason Reddick's Glowing Senior Bowl Impression

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Two NFL Network analysts pointed to Temple linebacker Haason Reddick as the standout defensive player after the Senior Bowl:

Reddick played defensive end as a senior, but his 6'1", 237-pound frame will likely fit at linebacker in the pros. He logged 9.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for a loss in his final collegiate season. His ability to play downhill should allow defensive coordinators to bring creativity to blitz packages and run-stopping schemes.

Miller pointed out Reddick's versatility as a perfect match for the New England Patriots defense. However, the Oakland Raiders also need a talent who can line up in different spots at linebacker. Malcolm Smith doesn’t seem like a potential re-sign candidate for the Silver and Black.

The Raiders should explore a first-round upgrade at the position to pair with Bruce Irvin. At the moment, they don't have a reliable coverage linebacker signed beyond 2017, and Neiron Ball has dealt with myriad injures since entering the league as a fifth-round pick in 2015.

Potential Landing Spots: No. 24 Oakland Raiders, No. 29 Green Bay Packers, No. 32 New England Patriots

How Far Will Corey Davis Fall?

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Initially, Western Michigan wideout Corey Davis stood tall at 6'3", 213 pounds, ranking behind Williams out of Clemson as the No. 2 prospect at his position. However, ankle surgery may knock him down a notch on draft boards. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, he could miss the NFL Scouting Combine and resume activity for rookie minicamps:

As Schefter reported, Davis' injury is considered minor, but every missed workout counts against his draft stock, especially since he didn't participate in the Senior Bowl.

The Bills might have considered Davis, but it's best they avoid another wide receiver with an injury cloud hanging above his head. The Baltimore Ravens could potentially lose two wide receivers, as Kamar Aiken will become an unrestricted free agent, while Steve Smith Sr. has officially signed on with the NFL Network as an analyst:

The Ravens' AFC North division rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, may also entertain adding another wide receiver as insurance for Martavis Bryant, who officially applied for reinstatement at the end of January, per his agent Tom Santanello, via the Houston Chronicle's Aaron Wilson:

If quarterback Ben Roethlisberger decides to return for another season, why not surround him with another reliable perimeter weapon not named Antonio Brown?

Potential Landing Spots: No. 16 Baltimore, No. 30 Pittsburgh Steelers, No. 37 Los Angeles Rams