Best underclassmen available in the 2017 NFL Draft
Underclassmen continue to dominate the early rounds of the NFL Draft, as the amount of juniors and redshirt sophomores making the leap to turn pro continues to rise. The following list features the top 25 underclassmen available in the draft.
Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Almost a sure thing to go to Cleveland with the first overall pick in the draft, Garrett had 31 sacks over three seasons at A&M. He also added 141 tackles.
Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
The Stanford defensive end's stock has risen quickly in the draft process. Likely to go in the top five, he had 12 sacks over the last two seasons for the Cardinals.
Jamal Adams, S, LSU
One of the best safeties available in the draft in quite a while, Adams had three very productive seasons at LSU. He finished his career with five picks, two sacks and 209 tackles.
Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
Lattimore opted for the NFL Draft after a huge sophomore season at Ohio State. He had four interceptions and 41 tackles in 13 games.
Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
An elite safety, Hooker was a ball hawk at Ohio State last season. He had seven interceptions and 74 tackles in his sophomore season.
Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Fournette played only seven games in his junior season due to an ankle injury after rushing for 1,953 yards in his sophomore season. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry for his career.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
McCaffrey's best year was his sophomore campaign, a historic season in which he had 2,019 rushing yards, 645 receiving yards and 1,200 yards as a return man. For his career, the versatile back had 3,922 rushing yards in three seasons.
John Ross, WR, Washington
Injuries were an issue for Ross in college, but he's the fastest player on the draft board after setting the 40 combine record. He had 81 receptions for 1,150 yards and 17 receiving touchdowns in his redshirt junior season.
Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Williams rebounded from a neck injury to have 98 receptions for 1,361 yards and 11 scores in his redshirt junior season. The tall wideout could be the first player at his position drafted.
Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
Bolles is likely to be the first offensive lineman drafted after three seasons at Utah.
Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Cook was incredibly productive for the Seminoles in three seasons. He finished his career with 4,464 rushing yards and 46 rushing touchdowns, translating to 6.5 yards per carry.
Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Watson needs no introduction after going to two straight College Football Playoff Finals and winning in his junior season. He had 4,593 yards passing and 629 yards rushing in his junior season, with a total of 50 touchdowns.
Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
The anchor of the Alabama offensive line, Robinson could play left tackle immediately in the NFL after three college seasons.
Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Barnett was highly productive in three seasons for the Vols. He had 32 sacks and 198 tackles in his three seasons.
Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Humphrey is leaving Alabama after two productive seasons. He had five picks and 81 tackles over those two years.
Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Trubisky only started full time for one year at UNC, and he's leaving while his stock his high. He passed for 3,748 yards and 30 touchdowns in his junior season.
David Njoku, TE, Miami
A gifted receiver, Njoku had 43 receptions for 698 yards and eight touchdowns at Miami in his junior season. He's likely to be the second tight end drafted behind O.J. Howard.
Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
Conley leaves a talented secondary after his junior season at Ohio State. He had six picks and 75 tackles over the last two seasons.
Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
Wilson has overtaken Teez Tabor as the top cornerback available in the draft. He had three interceptions and 33 tackles in his junior season.
Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
A gifted pass rusher, Harris had 18 sacks in three seasons at Mizzou. He's likely to be drafted near the end of the first round.
Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
A big load on the interior of the defensive line, McDowell was dominant over the last two seasons at Michigan State. He had six sacks and 75 tackles over his sophomore and junior seasons.
Jabrill Peppers, DB, Michigan
A versatile football player who can play defense, offense and special teams, Peppers was a Heisman candidate in his junior season. He had one pick, three sacks, 66 tackles, three rushing touchdowns and one return score last season.
Patrick Mahomes II, QB, Texas Tech
An incredibly productive college player for the Red Raiders, Mahomes threw for 5,052 yards and 41 touchdowns in his junior season. His stock has increased into the first round of the draft.
Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC
A gifted athlete as a cornerback and kick returner, Jackson had five interceptions and 55 tackles last season. He had four return touchdowns for the Trojans.
T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin
The younger brother of J.J. Watt, T.J. had a dominant junior season for the Badgers. He finished with 11.5 sacks and 63 tackles.
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