2017 NFL Draft: Round 1 Order and Sleeper Prospects to Monitor

Typically, there's a surprise in the first round of the NFL Draft. Last year, how many analysts projected safety Karl Joseph as a top-15 pick coming off a torn ACL? Due to his second-round grades, many would consider him a first-round sleeper who surged based on the Oakland Raiders' roster needs.

This year, several prospects could cause some confusion among draft gurus and fans glued to the selection ticker. Yet rumors and NFL executives gave early indications as to which players may rise to first-round picks or immediate impact players.

Is it possible that four quarterbacks hear their names called in the first round? Has Notre Dame product DeShone Kizer dropped to No. 5 among the signal-callers?

In a deep draft for defensive backs, one cornerback has potentially reached first-round status after starting as a borderline Day 2 prospect.

We'll identify the sleeper picks and project what round they'll come off the board.

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Cleveland Browns	Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
2	San Francisco 49ers	Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
3	Chicago Bears	Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
4	Jacksonville Jaguars	Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
5	Tennessee Titans (via Rams)	Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
6	New York Jets	Jamal Adams, S, LSU
7	Los Angeles Chargers	Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
8	Carolina Panthers	Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
9	Cincinnati Bengals	Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
10	Buffalo Bills	Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
11	New Orleans Saints	Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
12	Cleveland Browns (via Eagles)	Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
13	Arizona Cardinals	Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
14	Philadelphia Eagles (via Vikings)	Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
15	Indianapolis Colts	Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
16	Baltimore Ravens	Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
17	Washington Redskins	John Ross, WR, Washington
18	Tennessee Titans	Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
19	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
20	Denver Broncos	O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
21	Detroit Lions	Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
22	Miami Dolphins	Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
23	New York Giants	Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
24	Oakland Raiders	Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida
25	Houston Texans	Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
26	Seattle Seahawks	Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
27	Kansas City Chiefs	Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
28	Dallas Cowboys	Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
29	Green Bay Packers	Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado
30	Pittsburgh Steelers	Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
31	Atlanta Falcons	Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
32	New Orleans Saints	Haason Reddick, LB, Temple

Is Chidobe Awuzie a Day 1 Prospect?

Initially, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie listed as a third- or fourth-round pick. After a solid showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, he's a borderline Day 1 prospect, per CBS Sports.

Awuzie's low interception count as a collegian (3) hurts his stock, but he's described as an NFL-ready slot cornerback, per NBC Sports draft writer Josh Norris:

The Colorado prospect displays the physicality and foot quickness to take on nickelback duties right out of the draft. At 6'0”, 202 pounds, he carries the size needed to line up on the outside as well.

The Raiders put together their cornerback tandem in David Amerson and Sean Smith via free-agent acquisitions over the past two seasons. T.J. Carrie, who's projected to play in the slot position lists as general manager Reggie McKenzie's best draft pick at the position.

The front office may decide to headline the 2017 class with a cornerback, per draftanalyst.com writer Tony Pauline:

"

In just about all the mock drafts I've completed, my pick for the Oakland Raiders in Round 1 has been inside/middle linebacker Zach Cunningham. Yet many I've spoken with believe there's a real good chance the franchise bypasses Cunningham and takes a cornerback in the first frame.

"

Pre-draft visits shouldn't be used as a tip-off as to who a team may draft. However, it's worth noting the Raiders hosted an official visit for Awuzie and worked him out at the facility, per Pauline's report above.

Prediction: Late Round 1 prospect

Davis Webb Gaining Traction 

The quarterback selection order will draw intrigue, especially with two ascending prospects at the position. Texas Tech passer Patrick Mahomes II falls into the group of rising prospects, and California signal-caller Davis Webb could be surging alongside him.

Ironically, Webb transferred from Texas Tech to California after Mahomes took his starting job. With his second program, the senior passer threw for 4,295 yards, 37 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

SiriusXM radio analyst Phil Savage verified talk about Webb as a first-round selection:

Webb has a majority of three collegiate seasons on tape. Team scouts can identify his strengths and weaknesses without having to play the guessing game.

According to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, deep-throw accuracy could be a concern on the professional level: 

"

System quarterback with more than 65 percent of his attempts coming inside of 10 yards. Webb has enough raw talent to be considered a developmental prospect, but his decision-making and accuracy issues beyond 10 yards is a big red flag that might be tough to overcome in the NFL. 

"

Quarterbacks who rely on short-arm accuracy and not making a lot of mistakes such as Tyrod Taylor and Alex Smith could be the mold for Webb. A strong rushing offense becomes a must with a signal-caller who shows questionable accuracy throwing 10 or more yards downfield. With those limitations, it's difficult envisioning the California product as a first-round pick. 

Prediction: Mid-Round 2 Prospect

Chris Godwin Among Top 5 Wide Receivers

Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Penn State wideout Chris Godwin's stock rise started with his productive Rose Bowl appearance. He led the Nittany Lions receiving corps in a losing effort (9 recs, 187 yds and 2 TDs) but helped himself while in the national spotlight. He followed up with a 4.42 40-time at the combine.

This year's wide receiver class doesn't provide many Grade-A prospects, which allows Godwin's recent performances to elevate his stock, per CBS Sports. After Mike Williams (Clemson), Corey Davis (Western Michigan) and John Ross (Washington), Godwin could come off the board at the end of the first round or early in the second round. 

Last year, four teams selected wide receivers in the opening round. History isn't likely to repeat itself with the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints choosing at the end of the first round. All four teams have solid receiving units. A team will likely draft the speedy Penn State receiver early on Day 2.

Prediction: Early Round 2 Prospect