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NFL Draft 2017: Top 5 draft prospects from Washington Football

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:15 p.m. ET

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Fansided, Jerran Anderson/FanSided via Saturday Blitz

Oct 8, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter in a game against the University of Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Washington football enjoyed a strong season in the Pac-12. Here's a look at their 2017 NFL Draft prospects.

The Washington Huskies have looked very good under the direction of head coach Chris Petersen. As a result, the Huskies have a number of defensive prospects up for grabs in the NFL Draft.

Now, the Huskies defense is producing a new caliber of talent with the offense slowly catching up. Led by quarterback Jake Browning and company, the offense was eighth in the FBS in points per game with 41.8. The defense allowed 17.7 points per game, also eighth in the FBS.

The NFL Draft gives fans just a taste of what the Washington Huskies are developing out in Seattle under Chris Petersen. Last season's draft saw three Huskies taken in the first round for the first time in school history.

Although Petersen coached those players for one season, his recent success offers up a good sign of things to come. He's picking right up where he left off at Boise State, where he produced six draft picks after their 2012 season.

The Huskies had eight players participate in the NFL Combine. With April 27 approaching, here's a look at the top five prospects from that group.

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) is tackled by Washington Huskies defensive lineman Elijah Qualls (11) after a run by Hurts during the third quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Elijah Qualls

DT, Washington

Defensive tackle Elijah Qualls was a two-year starter on the Washington Huskies defense. He sat a few games in the past two seasons with injuries but still turned enough heads with his play to a valuable player in the NFL Draft.

Qualls was a first-team All-Pac 12 selection. He started in 11 out 14 games in 2016. He missed three games with ankle injury. When on the field, Qualls proved to be a solid force in the middle. He had 38 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks on the interior.

Qualls had 26 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 2015 in eight starts. He showed off his strength with 33 reps in the bench press at NFL Combine. At 6-foot-1 and 313-pounds, he tied for second next to Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett.

He's got athleticism for a guy of his build and has potential as a run-stopper in the NFL. Qualls is currently projected to be a third or fourth round pick.

Nov 25, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Sidney Jones (26) carries the the Apple Cup Trophy after a game against the Washington State Cougars after a game at Martin Stadium. The Huskies won 45-17. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Sidney Jones

CB, Washington

Cornerback Sidney Jones was struck by a bit of bad luck back at Washington's pro day, rupturing his Achilles'. But he's assured teams that he'll return healthy in time for the season if taken in the NFL Draft. His early entry in the draft shows the need in the league for better prospects at the defensive back position.

Jones was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2016 for the Washington Huskies. He was also a first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2015 after posting 45 tackles (30 solo, 15 assisted), 10 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, an interception return for a touchdown as well as a fumble return for a touchdown.

Jones post the same numbers in 2016 but he still did enough to get the first-team selection nod. He recorded 39 tackles (27 solo, 12 assisted), 6 pass breakups, 2.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.

Jones did perform at the NFL Combine, running a 4.47 40-yard dash and registering a 33.5″ vertical leap. So scouts will surely take his numbers in other combine events into consideration. That's if he returns healthy. He's currently projected to be a second or third round pick.

Sep 3, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Kevin King (20) points to the stands after making a tackle for a loss against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin King

CB, Washington

Cornerback Kevin King was probably the most active cornerback of the Washington Huskies' defense in 2016. He led the team in pass breakups with 13 and also had two interceptions, tied for second among the other Huskies' players from their vaunted secondary. He enters this year's NFL Draft class a bit on the underrated side of things.

King has 4.43 40-yard dash speed to go with 6-foot-3 height, a rarity at the cornerback position. He recorded 44 total tackles (26 solo, 18 assisted) and 3.5 tackles for loss out the Huskies' secondary last season.

He started in all 14 games for the Huskies in 2016, earning All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors. He's a playmaking corner with height and reasonable size at 200 pounds.

King posted the second-highest vertical leap at the NFL Combine (39.5″) and displayed his quickness in the three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle and 60-yard shuttle. He's currently projected to be a first or second round pick.

Sep 24, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Budda Baker (32) warms up before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Budda Baker

Safety, Washington

Washington Huskies safety Budda Baker is another early entry in this year's NFL Draft and maybe the best safety in the draft class.

Baker is a bit undersized for an NFL safety, but he makes up for it with his numbers. He racked up 70 total tackles (48 solo, 22 assisted), 9.5 tackles for loss, 5 pass breakups, 3.0 sacks, 2 interceptions and a forced fumble in 2016.

Baker put up 90 solo and 39 assisted tackles and 13 pass breakups in the past two seasons for the Huskies' defense as well. His hard-hitting ability on full display this past season leading the Huskies in total tackles and tackles for loss on his way to first-team All-Pac 12 honors on the Washington defense. They allowed just 182.9 passing yards per game on defense, first in the conference.

Baker showed despite his small stature, he's got the speed with a 4.45 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, fourth-best among safeties. Current draft projections have Baker going in the second round.

Oct 29, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) catches a pass during the first half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

John Ross

WR, Washington

Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross is the final early draft entry, only he's an offensive player. He reminds many scouts of former California Golden Bear DeSean Jackson, which is reasonable enough.

Ross torched the Pac-12 on both offense and kick return much like Jackson did in his time in college. Since returning from a torn left ACL injury in 2015, Ross hit the ground running in 2016. He caught 81 passes for 1,150 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns.

On kick return, he had 17 returns for 411 return yards and a touchdown. He racked up four kick return touchdowns in three seasons at Washington.

The second-team All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 selection tied for third in the FBS in receiving touchdowns and second in the conference in receiving yards. After setting a new 40-yard dash record at the NFL Combine at 4.22 seconds, Ross enters this year's NFL Draft as the fastest receiver on a lot of team's draft boards. He's currently projected as a first round pick.

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