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2016 is in the books, time to look ahead to a 2017 class which looks to be pretty strong.
QB:
DeShaun Watson - Clemson
His dropback needs work, his plant and drive needs work, he needs to get bigger. All that said, it would be a huge upset if he's not the first QB off the board. Talent wins, and he's got the most talent for the position and can beat you both ways.
Luke Falk - Washington State
Poor man's Jared Goff, overcoming the misconceptions about offensive scheme and developing into a pretty well rounded prospect. Not the biggest guy nor does he have the strongest arm, but he wins in the pocket because of solid mechanics and has more than enough arm talent for the next level.
Brad Kaaya - Miami
There's alot to like physically. He's got more than enough arm and good legs. For having good athleticism, he doesn't avoid pressure in the pocket well. He lets pressure allow poor mechanics and a ton of bad throws. Can the Richt brothers help him take a leap forward? I'll need to see it before I'm buying in.
Chad Kelly - OleMiss
Losing a ton of talent in the receiver core. Does he take a leap in spite of that? He's got enough arm, but his mechanics and makeup leave alot to be desired. Not buying.
Sleepers: Mason Rudolph (OKST), Mitch Leidner (Minn.), Josh Dobbs (Tenn.)
RB:
*This class is stacked. I'll keep these short.
Leonard Fournette - LSU - Simply a freak who will continue to be a stud.
Christian McCaffery - Stanford - Don't think he's the every down bell cow, but is a great all-purpose back who will have a solid role at the next level.
Nick Chubb - Georgia - He's not Todd Gurley, but he's got great balance and excellent first cut quickness.
Dalvin Cook - FSU - He's the second best back in this class for me, excellent lateral movement and balance. Runs low, tough to tackle and has great speed.
Jalen Hurd - Tennessee - Tough to bring down and moves well for a guy as big as he is (6'2, 230).
Royce Freeman - Oregon - Tough runner with a low center, but just OK vision and quickness. Pass catching threat.
Elijah Hood - UNC - One of my favorite players, just gets north and south quickly and picks up tough yards. Breakout candidate in 2016.
Sleepers: Justin Davis (USC), Akeel Lynch (PSU), Wayne Gallman (Clemson), Semaji Perine (OU), Marshawn Williams (VT)
WR:
Mike Williams - Clemson
Ran headfirst into the goalpost last year and missed the rest of the year. Best WR in this class prior to that, hopefully he comes all the way back.
JuJu Smith - USC
Sizeable playmaker on the outside, has excellent hands and can really make it happen after the catch.
Malachi Dupre - LSU
Travin Dural - LSU
Both are held back by a complete lack of QB play, but both are outstanding talents with good length and athleticism. Dupre is great at tracking the ball from the limited times I've seen him have a chance, his long stride allows him to get deep but is still quick enough as a route runner.
Dural looks a bit bigger, but he's long and can also make plays deep with good speed. Not the most natural catcher, lets it get into his body too often.
If an LSU QB can't develop w/ these guys, I just don't know how they'll ever do it.
ArDarius Stewart - Bama
The forgotten man in Alabama because Calvin Ridley will be a Top 10 pick in 2018. Stewart runs good routes and has a similar knack for making tough catches look easy. Great high point skills and catches with his hands. Great package of tools.
OL:
Cam Robinson - Bama
This will be one of those guys who gets the "best OL since..." comparisons. He might be worthy of them, he's a monster. Top overall pick potential.
Roderick Johnson - FSU
Speaking of monsters, Roderick Johnson has a huge wingspan and elite athleticism for his size. He seems to move so well. Top 5-10 pick potential.
Mike McGlinchey
Rounding out the trifecta of underclassman tackles, McGlinchey isn't as naturally talented as the other two, but likely is a first round pick.
Jon Heck - UNC
Another of the many UNC guys I like. Heck might not be a LT, but he's going to play in the league for a long time as a technician.
Caleb Peterson - UNC
Well coached line at UNC, he's one of the better interior lineman because of his quickness and technique.
Pat Elfein - Ohio State
Will play center this year, but is smooth and has blossomed into a consistent force.
Isaac Asiata - Utah
Just a bad-ass interior guy. Will have about 45 starts under his belt after this year, his brother is Matt Asiata (Vikings RB).
Sleepers: Conor McDermott (UCLA OT), KC McDermott (Miami OT), Zach Banner (USC OT)
QB:
DeShaun Watson - Clemson
His dropback needs work, his plant and drive needs work, he needs to get bigger. All that said, it would be a huge upset if he's not the first QB off the board. Talent wins, and he's got the most talent for the position and can beat you both ways.
Luke Falk - Washington State
Poor man's Jared Goff, overcoming the misconceptions about offensive scheme and developing into a pretty well rounded prospect. Not the biggest guy nor does he have the strongest arm, but he wins in the pocket because of solid mechanics and has more than enough arm talent for the next level.
Brad Kaaya - Miami
There's alot to like physically. He's got more than enough arm and good legs. For having good athleticism, he doesn't avoid pressure in the pocket well. He lets pressure allow poor mechanics and a ton of bad throws. Can the Richt brothers help him take a leap forward? I'll need to see it before I'm buying in.
Chad Kelly - OleMiss
Losing a ton of talent in the receiver core. Does he take a leap in spite of that? He's got enough arm, but his mechanics and makeup leave alot to be desired. Not buying.
Sleepers: Mason Rudolph (OKST), Mitch Leidner (Minn.), Josh Dobbs (Tenn.)
RB:
*This class is stacked. I'll keep these short.
Leonard Fournette - LSU - Simply a freak who will continue to be a stud.
Christian McCaffery - Stanford - Don't think he's the every down bell cow, but is a great all-purpose back who will have a solid role at the next level.
Nick Chubb - Georgia - He's not Todd Gurley, but he's got great balance and excellent first cut quickness.
Dalvin Cook - FSU - He's the second best back in this class for me, excellent lateral movement and balance. Runs low, tough to tackle and has great speed.
Jalen Hurd - Tennessee - Tough to bring down and moves well for a guy as big as he is (6'2, 230).
Royce Freeman - Oregon - Tough runner with a low center, but just OK vision and quickness. Pass catching threat.
Elijah Hood - UNC - One of my favorite players, just gets north and south quickly and picks up tough yards. Breakout candidate in 2016.
Sleepers: Justin Davis (USC), Akeel Lynch (PSU), Wayne Gallman (Clemson), Semaji Perine (OU), Marshawn Williams (VT)
WR:
Mike Williams - Clemson
Ran headfirst into the goalpost last year and missed the rest of the year. Best WR in this class prior to that, hopefully he comes all the way back.
JuJu Smith - USC
Sizeable playmaker on the outside, has excellent hands and can really make it happen after the catch.
Malachi Dupre - LSU
Travin Dural - LSU
Both are held back by a complete lack of QB play, but both are outstanding talents with good length and athleticism. Dupre is great at tracking the ball from the limited times I've seen him have a chance, his long stride allows him to get deep but is still quick enough as a route runner.
Dural looks a bit bigger, but he's long and can also make plays deep with good speed. Not the most natural catcher, lets it get into his body too often.
If an LSU QB can't develop w/ these guys, I just don't know how they'll ever do it.
ArDarius Stewart - Bama
The forgotten man in Alabama because Calvin Ridley will be a Top 10 pick in 2018. Stewart runs good routes and has a similar knack for making tough catches look easy. Great high point skills and catches with his hands. Great package of tools.
OL:
Cam Robinson - Bama
This will be one of those guys who gets the "best OL since..." comparisons. He might be worthy of them, he's a monster. Top overall pick potential.
Roderick Johnson - FSU
Speaking of monsters, Roderick Johnson has a huge wingspan and elite athleticism for his size. He seems to move so well. Top 5-10 pick potential.
Mike McGlinchey
Rounding out the trifecta of underclassman tackles, McGlinchey isn't as naturally talented as the other two, but likely is a first round pick.
Jon Heck - UNC
Another of the many UNC guys I like. Heck might not be a LT, but he's going to play in the league for a long time as a technician.
Caleb Peterson - UNC
Well coached line at UNC, he's one of the better interior lineman because of his quickness and technique.
Pat Elfein - Ohio State
Will play center this year, but is smooth and has blossomed into a consistent force.
Isaac Asiata - Utah
Just a bad-ass interior guy. Will have about 45 starts under his belt after this year, his brother is Matt Asiata (Vikings RB).
Sleepers: Conor McDermott (UCLA OT), KC McDermott (Miami OT), Zach Banner (USC OT)