Alabama Crimson Tide

2017 NFL Draft Big Board: Holiday Update

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:07 p.m. ET

Fansided, Jon Dove/FanSided via With the First Pick

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) tackles Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

This most recent version of my 2017 NFL Draft Big Board features several major changes with new players making the cut and others dropping off.

As the college football season draws to a close, my 2017 NFL Draft Big Board starts to become more stable. Things are still fluid at the moment based on the fact I’m still working through my scouting reports. Another factor is the status of the underclassmen and whether or not we’ll see a mass exodus.

The biggest movement in this update comes from my ability to get a closer look at several players. Florida’s Quincy Wilson is someone it took me awhile to get a good look at, but now that I have he’s entered my top-25.

My evaluation of the quarterbacks is still ongoing, but I don’t see much change coming. The fact is that this group of quarterbacks are high risk prospects that shouldn’t be considered at the top of the 1st round.

It’s a different story at the cornerback position where there’s a ton of talent. I currently have 13 cornerbacks inside my top-75. This doesn’t include the handful of safeties who also appear early and often.

Overall, the 2017 NFL Draft may not have the sure-fire franchise quarterback but it has a lot of depth and talent.

Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) celebrates with linebacker Tim Williams (56) during the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

1. Myles Garrett, Edge, Texas A&M

2. Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama

3. Tim Williams, Edge, Alabama

4. Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama

5. Jabrill Peppers, DB/LB, Michigan

6. Carl Lawson, Edge, Auburn

More from With the First Pick

51. Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida

52. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

53. Adoree’ Jackson, CB, USC

54. Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State

55. DeDe Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma

56. Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State

57. Mason Cole, OL, Michigan

58. Akrum Wadley, RB, Iowa

59. James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

60. Deatrich Wise Jr, Edge, Arkansas

Florida State’s Dalvin Cook is the darling of the NFL Draft community with many having him rated has a high 1st round prospect. He is further down on my list based on the fact that there are more rounded running back prospects available.

Ryan Anderson is an intriguing prospect who isn’t flashy but knows how to make plays. He’ll likely play outside linebacker in a 3-4 system where his pass-rushing ability will be put to good use. However, it’s important to note that Anderson is a versatile defender who can hold up in coverage and support the run.

Iowa’s Akrum Wadley is a stud running back who reminds me a lot of Jamaal Charles. He’s extremely explosive and excels at making defenders miss. Wadley is a threat to score every time he touches the football.

Nov 5, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) goes into the end zone after scoring a forth quarter touchdown run against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 48-20. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

61. Carlos Watkins, DL, Clemson

62. Dan Feeney, OG, Indiana

63. Cam Sutton, CB, Tennessee

64. Devonte Fields, Edge, Louisville

65. Lowell Lotulelei, DT, Utah

66. Dion Dawkins, OT, Temple

67. Matthew Dayes, RB, NC State

68. Isaiah Ford, WR, Virginia Tech

69. Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami

70. Malachi Dupre, WR, LSU

71. Patrick Mahomes II, QB, Texas Tech

72. Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

73. DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame

74. Montravius Adams, DL, Auburn

75. Corey Clement, RB, Wisconsin

This group is heavy on the quarterback position with Brad Kaaya, Patrick Mahomes II, Mitch Trubisky and DeShone Kizer all finally making an appearance. Their ranking on my Big Board shows that I feel most of these prospects should’ve returned to school for another season.

Kaaya is the most polished of the group but is also the least physically gifted. His experience in a pro-style system is something that really helps his overall draft stock.

Trubisky and Kizer have taken turns getting the bulk of the media hype in the draft community. They both have tremendous upside but neither are ready to start in the NFL. Their games are filled with inconsistencies and lack of overall polish.

Mahomes is in a similar boat in that he has the physical talents, but his experience Texas Tech’s spread attack will slow his transition to the NFL. It’ll be interesting to see where these quarterbacks are actually selected as it looks like they are all destined to be over drafted.