Yardbarker
x
11 names you need to know for the NFL Draft
Mar 3, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

11 names you need to know for the NFL Draft

We’ve reached the NFL mid-offseason blues. It’s been about three months since real football has been played, and the season is still about four months away. NFL fans are rocking back and forth in the fetal position, watching highlights of Derek Carr, Tom Brady and Antonio Brown to get a quick fix and keep their football addiction at bay.

While the NFL offseason is long grind for fans, it also means getting excited for the future. The NFL Draft is on the horizon, and that means your favorite NFL team’s fortunes could change with a phone call.

As the teams are gearing up, here are some names to keep track of when the 2017 NFL Draft begins.

Deshaun Watson, Clemson QB 

After his draft stock was in question for much of the season, Watson’s big-time performance in the National Championship Game along with good performances at the NFL Combine and his pro day have apparently secured him a spot in the first round.

Where he’ll be taken is another issue. Some prognosticators have him high in the first, while others have him out entirely. Usually hot names get picked up quickly, but there’s always a sexy quarterback prospect that falls in the draft somehow.  Watson might be that quarterback.

John Lynch, San Francisco 49ers GM 

Former Denver Bronco great John Lynch walked into a quite a situation when he joined the San Francisco 49ers: 10 picks in the 2017 NFL Draft, including the No. 2 overall pick. Not a lot of general managers have that kind of flexibility in their first year.

Lynch can basically have his pick of the litter near the top of the draft, or he can trade that No. 2 pick to get even more players further down. When draft day comes, expect the 49ers' phone to be ringing off the hook with calls from other teams.


Mar 3, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center.  Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina QB 

It’s a two-horse race for the first quarterback selected in this year’s draft, and Mitchell Trubisky has been the front-runner for much of it. You have quarterback-hungry teams like the Browns, 49ers and Jets early, so one of them is bound to take a flier on the North Carolina product.

However, Deshaun Watson is coming into the draft with a lot of momentum, so Trubisky might be the second quarterback taken. As we’ve seen with Aaron Rodgers, Brady Quinn and Johnny Manziel, top quarterback prospects tend to fall if teams aren’t feeling the pressure to draft at the position.

Sashi Brown, Cleveland Browns GM 

Remember when the Browns had a competent quarterback? Yeah, neither do the fans. It’s another year, another attempt to get a franchise signal caller for Cleveland, but the team doesn’t want to be desperate about it. The Browns hold the No. 1 pick but can still get the quarterback they want further down in the draft.

This year’s projected No. 1 pick, Myles Garrett, is a player some experts project to be an All-Pro. If the Browns can get more picks or a proven star by trading that pick, they might actually be able to step out of the AFC North basement for once.


Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.  Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Jabrill Peppers, Michigan DB 

Peppers was one of the most entertaining college football players to watch last year. To say he is versatile would be a gross understatement, as he finished the year playing 11 positions at least once. That kind of flexibility is enticing to a lot of teams but can also scare away teams because he’s not particularly an expert at any one position.

He may be taken high in the first round, but he can also slide down quite a bit before he is picked up. It will be interesting to see how valuable NFL teams find his Swiss Army Knife-like skill set.

Ryan Pace, Chicago Bears GM 

Chicago holds the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft and could be shopping it around. The Bears don’t need a quarterback after getting Mike Glennon and know there are plenty of teams willing to trade into the top five to get their guy. The bears need to address plenty of positions after going 3-13 last year, so securing more picks could be the team’s priority this year to inject more youth into the organization.


Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jimmy Garoppolo, New England Patriots QB 

Poor Jimmy. He filled in valiantly when Tom Brady was suspended at the beginning of the season, going a perfect 2-0 with 502 passing yards, four touchdowns and one game-winning drive. Unfortunately for him, Brady just engineered a Super Bowl comeback victory and doesn’t look to be leaving New England anytime soon. If the Patriots have no use for you, they will be the first to cut you loose.

The asking price may be high for Garoppolo, but his talent may be intriguing enough for teams to trade for him on draft night. The Patriots have a way of convincing teams to pay a steep price for their players, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they were able to fleece a franchise into giving up the world for the former Eastern Illinois quarterback.

Dan Synder, Washington Redskins Owner 

Whether it’s a controversial mascot or the NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins are always grabbing headlines. Washington has 10 picks in this year’s draft that gives them a lot of options at young players or a very enticing package to trade into the top five picks or get a star from another team. Look for Washington to be a big player in this year’s draft.


Mar 8, 2017; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon (25) participates in drills during Oklahoma Pro Day at Everest Training Center.  Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Mixon, Oklahoma RB 

It’s crazy how one second of bad judgment could have a lifetime effects. In 2014, Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon punched a woman in an altercation. He received a one-year deferred suspension before being allowed to return to the team. Last season, he lit up college football with 1,812 yards from scrimmage with 15 touchdowns.

Mixon has top-round talent, but the NFL doesn’t like bad publicity. That being said, teams also have a history of ignoring past transgressions if a player can help them on the field. Mixon might be the most unpredictable pick in this year's draft.

Mike Maccagnan, Jets GM

Like a lot of teams in the top 10, the New York Jets need a lot of help. They could get a quarterback with the sixth overall pick, but it could still be a reach with so many other talented players at other positions. They could pick up a pass rusher or running back at that position and be set for the foreseeable future instead of taking a risk at quarterback.

Whether they trade down or stand pat, the Jets will have a lot of eyes on them to see how they approach this draft.

Jamal Adams, LSU S

With most of the attention fixated on can’t-miss defensive ends and where quarterbacks are going, a lot of good players get left out of the light — like hard-hitting safeties with 4.3 40 speed. Jamal Adams is projected to be a strong safety, but his incredible time at LSU’s pro day and natural leadership abilities could push him into the top three with the Bears needing a whole lot of help on defense.

Strong safeties, however, are rarely taken that high, so there is a possibility he can fall. It just doesn't seem likely given that some experts have said Adams could become the best player in this draft. With his ability to direct a defense, it wouldn’t be surprising.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.