With The First Pick
Fansided

5 Bold Predictions for the 2017 NFL Draft

By Jon Dove

Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) scans the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) scans the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Sep 17, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) rushes the ball against the Portland State Vikings during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) rushes the ball against the Portland State Vikings during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Prediction: Someone looks past John Ross’ injury history and selects him within the top-15 picks.

Speed kills and this is especially true when it comes to the wide receiver position. The ability to run past a defender is extremely valuable in the NFL. We’ve see this trait force players like Darrius Heyward-Bey and Ted Ginn Jr. up draft boards.

John Ross has the honor of owning the fastest 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine. His 4.22 second time pushed him ahead of Chris Johnson who held the record for several years.

More from With the First Pick

Ross’ speed is his biggest selling point, but he’s also a natural receiver who shows solid route-running skills. He has the potential to be much more than a “speed” receiver which is very important to keep in mind.

The hanging up is that Ross has a long injury history that should scare more than a few teams away. Availability is key to an NFL player’s success and it’s a gamble to say Ross will be a durable player.

However, it only takes one team to feel good about his medical reports to pull the trigger. The Carolina Panthers are a team that needs help at wide receiver. They especially need someone to help replace Ted Ginn who left via free agency.

The Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals are a few other teams that could jump on Ross.

Home/NFL Draft News