Way-too-early 2017 NFL mock first round

The consensus top quarterback in the class, Watson will likely come out after his junior season and go No. 1 overall if he stays healthy in 2016. He led the Tigers to the College Football Playoff Championship game last season after throwing for 4,109 yards and rushing for 1,105 more. His durability is his only big question mark after missing much of 2014 with a knee injury.

The nephew of Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, Chad is much more versatile than his uncle. He threw for 4,042 yards and ran for 509 yards in his first season with Ole Miss. His tools are undeniable, but Kelly tends to be too lackadaisical with the ball at times.

Perhaps the best pass-rushing prospect since Jadeveon Clowney, Garrett is likely to leave after his junior season. He has 22.5 sacks through his first two years at Texas A&M.

Fournette is a once in a generation running back prospect. He's so good that there was talk about him sitting out his junior season to be healthy for the 2017 draft. He rushed for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2015, though his ability as a pass catcher remains to be seen.

McDermott will be one of the biggest offensive linemen in the NFL, listed at 6-9. He's covering quarterback Josh Rosen's blindside for the Bruins.

Some would argue McCaffrey deserved to win the Heisman Trophy in 2015 after contributing in every facet for Stanford and rushing for more than 2,000 yards. He could add some muscle, but has the speed to tear apart defenses and special teams coverage teams. The son of former Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey, Christian also has an impressive NFL pedigree. It remains to be seen if he will declare following his junior season.

Williams has the ability to be a premier pass rusher, and had a strong junior season for the Crimson Tide with 11.5 sacks. They'll unleash him more often in his senior season.

Most think Robinson will declare following his junior season after a dominant sophomore campaign at Alabama. He has the potential to be the No. 1 overall pick with another great year.

Players of Banner's size (6-9, 360 pounds) certainly don't grow on trees. He decided to return for his senior season, likely because scouts thought he was too slow, but the size will be extremely enticing if he has a good final year.

The athletic White is one of college football's most top speedsters as a lock down corner and punt returner. With only four picks in three seasons, he will look to pick up the pace in his senior campaign.

Barnett is a candidate for the top overall draft choice in 2017 as an elite pass rusher. He has 19 sacks through two seasons, and is very likely to declare after his junior year.

Allen and Tim Williams are an impossible pass-rushing duo to block at Bama. Allen is coming off a 12 sack season as he heads into his senior season.

Smith-Schuster had an unbelievable sophomore season with 89 receptions for 1,454 yards and 10 touchdowns. If a viable quarterback can emerge at USC this season, Smith-Schuster should be in line for another huge year.

Pocket passers seem to be a dying breed in the NFL, but Kaaya can be the next great one. He's thrown for more than 3,000 yards in consecutive seasons and could catapult up the draft board if he can emerge under Mark Richt in 2016.

Williams suffered a neck injury in the first game of last season just one year after reaching 1,000 yards receiving. Clemson expects big things from Williams this year, especially with Deshaun Watson throwing him the ball.

Reeves-Maybin has more than 100 tackles in consecutive seasons, and tallied six sacks in 2015. The speedy linebacker is set for a huge senior season.

Foster had 73 tackles and eight sacks in his junior season, and is set to take a step up after the Crimson Tide lost inside linebacker Reggie Ragland.

Cook fought through nagging lower body issues to rush for 1,691 yards last season, 7.4 yards per carry. If he can stay healthy in 2016, Cook could be a top five pick.

A dominant defensive tackle, Watkins had 34 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season while getting frequent double teams. He stayed in school for his senior season due to a deep defensive line class.

Pocic has great size for a center, and has the versatility to play anywhere on the line. If he can gain experience at other positions this season, Pocic could move up the draft board.

Elflein's lack of height hurts him, but he's been a dominant offensive lineman at Ohio State. A healthy senior season should put him in the first round of the draft.

A knee injury limited Chubb to six games in 2015, but he averaged more than eight yards per carry while on the field. He had more than 1,500 rushing yards during his freshman season and is set for a huge junior season that could move him into the top 10 in 2017.

Dupre has first round talent but needs better play at quarterback to showcase it. He had only 43 receptions in 2015 and could be forced to remain in college after next season if the Tigers can't throw the ball more effectively.

Beckwith had 10 sacks last season, and has 17.5 over the last two years. He's a top prospect entering his senior season.

King is becoming a turnover machine, with eight picks last season along with 72 tackles. Another year showcasing his playmaking ability should make him a surefire first-round pick.

Tabor became an elite prospect after his strong sophomore season with four picks and two touchdowns. He will be a more important factor for the Gators defense in 2016.

A knee injury that limited Conner last season has caused him to return for another year. Considered an elite safety before 2015, Conner is capable of rebounding in 2016.

Missouri has developed some impressive defensive linemen in recent years, Aldon Smith and Sheldon Richardson among them. Harris has the ability to be next on the list after recording seven sacks in his sophomore season.

Mayfield can do it all offensively. He helped lead the Sooners to the College Football Playoff in his junior season, with 3,700 passing yards and 405 rushing yards.

It can be difficult for tight ends to get the nod as first rounders, but Howard has the ability with great size and ball skills. He had 602 receiving yards in his junior season.

Tankersley opted to return for his senior season after a great junior year, with 48 tackles and five interceptions. He is capable of increasing his stock in his senior year.

Clement has a lot to prove in his senior season after suffering a sports hernia early last season, then having an off-field issue later in the year. He rushed for nearly 1,000 yards in his sophomore season, and could vault up the draft board with a strong year.