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NFL Draft 2017: Top NFL prospects from Florida State Football

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:16 p.m. ET

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Fansided, Jerran Anderson/FanSided via Saturday Blitz

Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end DeMarcus Walker (44) reacts after a sack in the fourth quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Camping World Stadium. Florida State Seminoles won 45-34. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State football didn't have the worst season in 2016, producing a good number of NFL Draft prospects.

The Florida State Seminoles were probably the best three-loss team in all of college football, if that helps anything. The Seminoles made due with freshman quarterback Deondre Francois under center and things ultimately worked out.

They finished with 10 wins for the fifth-straight season. Despite starting fourth in the AP Poll, the team finished eighth in the final AP Poll thanks to the play of their NFL Draft prospects.

While they don't have many players who jump off the page, there are some Seminoles players who could contribute at the next level. Some will have an opportunity to contribute right away while others will work their way into the rotation for things to work in their favor.

Running back Dalvin Cook headlines a small number of prospects in this year's draft class. Next year's prospects out of Florida State are sure to impress even more. Here's a look at the top prospects from the Seminoles in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Travis Rudolph (15) catches the ball and runs it in for a touchdown against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Rudolph

WR, Florida State

Wide receiver Travis Rudolph had a big junior season, which caused him to enter his name early in the NFL Draft. Rudolph made headlines early in the season not for his play on the field, but for his kindness off of it. He ate lunch with Bo Paske, a boy with autism, not knowing how far his gesture would go.

After that, Rudolph went on to lead the Seminoles offense in receiving yard and receiving touchdowns. He caught 56 receptions for 840 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. He earned second-team All-ACC honors for his performance, prompting him to enter this year's NFL Draft.

Rudolph served as Florida State's top receiver for the past two seasons. He caught 59 passes for 916 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns in 2015. The junior receiver was an honorable mention All-ACC selection that season.

He doesn't possess breakaway speed but has solid route-running ability. Rudolph is currently projected to be a fifth or sixth round pick.

Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end DeMarcus Walker (44) rushes against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Florida State Seminoles defeated the Mississippi Rebels 45-34. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Demarcus Walker

DE, Florida State

Florida State Seminoles defensive end DeMarcus Walker is an underrated draft prospect in this year's draft class. The early entree isn't getting much attention from NFL scouts, but that should motivate him in either case.

Walker won the 2016 ACC Defensive Player of the Year award and earned first-team All-American and All-ACC honors last season for his play. He recorded 67 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 16.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.

Some question Walker's drive to the ball but he has 33.5 tackles for loss and 25.0 sacks in the past two seasons to his credit. At 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, he's got the build to play as an interior rusher in special packages in the NFL, but is questionable as an edge rusher.

He would thrive in a 3-4 system as a defensive end or outside linebacker but not in a traditional 4-3 defense. He's currently projected as a second or third round pick.

Nov 19, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) carries the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Dalvin Cook

RB, Florida State

Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook is one of the best running backs in the NFL Draft. Cook was a first-team AP All-American and was a first-team All-ACC regular in his career. He averaged 135.8 rush yds per game, sixth in the FBS and first in the ACC last season.

Cook ran for 1,765 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns in 2016. He finished the final four games with 100 rushing yards or more and had a rushing touchdown in the final six games of the season.

Cook set a new career-high in rushing yards against South Florida last season, running for 267 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Cook is a running back with tons of ability but a few red flags with lingering injuries and off-the-field issues. If he can leave his past where it is, he'll be a reliable back in the NFL for years to come.

Cook showed his speed at the NFL Combine with a 4.49 40-yard dash. He also showed off his underrated strength with 22 bench press reps. He's currently projected to be a first or second round pick.

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