2017 NFL draft: Blue Chip Prospects 1.0

Which players does the author consider to be blue chip prospects for the 2017 NFL Draft?

Due to length, this list will be split into two parts. These prospects aren’t ranked in order, so it’s merely a list with explanations for their ranking within the 2017 NFL Draft class.

-Myles Garrett, DE Texas A&M

Garrett is good as Jadeveon Clowney as a prospect, only without the injury concerns. He’s a smart guy, cultured and has been putting in the work.

It’s really hard to see him dropping out of the top 3 unless a couple more quarterbacks rise up into the top 5. However, unlike with a potential blue chip quarterback, no one will be trading up for Garrett like teams did with Wentz and Goff.

Although teams like Washington, Cleveland, Buffalo and the colts should seriously consider the idea if they’re out of the top 3 come draft day.

-DeShone Kizer, QB Notre Dame

Kizer’s draft stock truly has exploded. He started the season as a late day 2 pick in the 2017 NFL draft. Now, he’s flashed so much development as a passer that he’s ended a quarterback competition in South Bend. It also means he might be the polished passing prospect available in the draft.

The worry with Kizer is his footwork. He doesn’t plant properly and this can weaken his throws. But he has great skills in dealing with a blitz and doesn’t use his running ability as his safety blanket. All in all, a very impressive prospect.

-Christian McCaffrey, RB Stanford

The questions about McCaffrey seem to have quieted down after his start to the season. He’s been playing more like a traditional running back and less like an old style flanker(split out at wideout or in the slot).

But his production isn’t suffering and he’s flashing more athleticism than he did in 2015. Here he is in that famous punt return this season which was called back. There’s still a fair question of whether or not he could be a 30 carry a game running back. However, there’s less and less of those in the NFL each year.

A smart team will team him up with a powerback to handle the short yardage plays and to give him a breather but he could be a franchise player quickly. He should be the first running back taken in the 2017 NFL draft, but teams rarely make the right decision.

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-Chad Kelly, QB Ole Miss

This pundit is higher on Kelly than most, especially after his inconsistent performance vs Alabama. He has a pro level arm, good touch and the guts to take chances. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn’t.

What’s most impressive is that he’s playing at a high level despite losing a lot of talent to the NFL. The comparisons to Ben Roethlisberger are still fair. Any team drafting him in the 2017 NFL draft has to understand the risk in taking Chad Kelly and that he’ll need to sit for a year and learn.

-Tim Williams, DE Alabama

Williams have the usual caveats that all Saban/Smart front 7 defenders. However, the stereotype that he’s slower and softer just doesn’t apply. Williams is a terror as an edge rusher and he needs to go to a team in the NFL which will never put him in coverage.

There’s just no point in doing so, he struggles in space and can’t use his acceleration. If he’s attacking the ball, then a team will be getting a potential Von Miller/DeMarcus Ware clone: a speedster who puts in the film work so much that he seems to know snap counts and fake really well.

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