Over the course of the next few months as we head toward the 2017 draft, we’ll be talking to other draft analysts out there to get their impressions of the latest issues impacting the draft. And we start the series with one arguably the best independent draft analyst in the business in Scott Wright, editor and publisher of NFL draft Countdown.
GBN: Our sense is that, at least where we stand today, that the 2017 draft may not be all that strong. What is your sense of the overall quality of this year’s draft?
Scott Wright: As always the underclassmen will play a major role in the overall quality of this draft class. At the start of the season, which is still very early in the process, I had four seniors with first round grades – Alabama OLB Tim Williams, Alabama TE O.J. Howard, Florida LB Jarrad Davis and Alabama DL Jonathan Allen. After that there was a group of about 20 prospects in that Top 50-75 range. Where I think the 2017 NFL Draft will be different from 2016 is the elite level talent at the top. For example, Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett and LSU RB Leonard Fournette are both potentially rare, generational prospects at their positions. I have also been a long-time fan of Alabama OT Cam Robinson since he kept flashing as a true freshman when I was evaluating other prospects.
GBN: What do consider to be the positions of strength in this year’s draft class?
Scott Wright: Since we don’t know which underclassmen will come out I’ll stick to the senior class. As a byproduct of a number of juniors returning cornerback is quite strong, led by Tre’Davious White of L.S.U., Desmond King of Iowa, Cordrea Tankersley of Clemson and Jourdan Lewis of Michigan. Don’t sleep on Cole Luke of Notre Dame either. This may end up being one of the stronger crops of tight ends in a number of seats as well, led by O.J. Howard of Alabama who may be the best prospect to come along at the position since Vernon Davis in 2006.
GBN: Our sense is that neither the OL nor the WRs look particularly strong this year. Your thoughts …
Scott Wright: I think this will be a solid crop of blockers when all is said and done. If anyone out there is a fan of offensive line play, I urge them to check out Indiana OG Dan Feeney. I do agree on wide receiver though and there certainly doesn’t appear to be a draft-eligible pass catcher with a Calvin Johnson or A.J. Green type of elite grade. With that said, Mike Williams of Clemson is one heck of a player and in my opinion the favorite to be the first wideout off the board. Perhaps in the Top 10-12 overall. I have to mention uber-productive small school standout Cooper Kupp of Eastern Washington too, who I think is a legit Top 50 talent.
GBN: What are your comments on the quality of the QB class?
I think there are multiple draft-eligible quarterbacks with first round talent and potential, but no can’t miss, top of the draft types at this point. That can and probably will change in the coming months though, if for no other reason than signal callers tend to get pushed up the board on Draft Day. To this point most of the focus has been on Deshaun Watson of Clemson and Brad Kaaya of Miami (FL) but an argument can be made that DeShone Kizer of Notre Dame has the most potential of all. With a prototypical blend of physical tools and intangibles, Kizer has all of the makings of a franchise quarterback prospect and only seems to be lacking experience as a redshirt sophomore. Then again, Jameis Winston was a redshirt sophomore as well. The depth at quarterback may be shaky though so if a team needs one they had better get them early. For example, the consensus seems to be that Chad Kelly of Ole Miss is the top senior signal caller but I’m not even sure he will be a Top 100 pick when all is said and done.
GBN: Give us a player or two that you think is really being undervalued at this time.
Scott Wright: How do I choose just one! I already mentioned guys like Notre Dame CB Cole Luke and Eastern Washington WR Cooper Kupp earlier, so I will go with Texas A&M S Justin Evans. As I was doing my initial fieldwork this past summer I was having trouble coming up with early round safety possibilities in the senior class beyond Eddie Jackson of Alabama. I liked Marcus Maye of Florida but wasn’t blown away. I thought Josh Harvey-Clemons of Louisville was incredibly overrated. I was impressed with the tape of Richmond’s David Jones but there are some size and and level of competition concerns. Then I came upon Evans, who not only has the athleticism and range to be a difference maker in coverage but also isn’t afraid to throw his body around and hit. I have a feeling there is going to be a considerable amount of buzz about Evans in the scouting and draftnik communities in the coming months.
