2017 Big Board: Top 100 Players

It’s that time once again...

Scouting season is upon us. With underclassmen still declaring daily for the 2017 NFL Draft, the scouts of the NFL are kicking it into overdrive as there’s only four months remaining to find the top talents available for their teams. There are sleepers everywhere, and as usual there are game changing, ready right now, players at the center of attention.

This years draft is strongest at the following positions;

1. Running back
2. Cornerback
3. Wide Receiver

Defensive end would undoubtedly be fourth on this list, as it is once again a loaded year for the position. Lucky for the Los Angeles Rams, they could use a player from each position, so they should be able to find decent talent at those three positions in each round. However, the Rams will struggle to find help on the offensive line as it’s a really weak year for the offensive line as they make up two of the three weakest position groups this year;

1. Offensive Tackle
2. Tightend
3. Guard

If a team is in need of offensive line help, this would be the year that one should expect to see a lot of reaching for help up front. The few good ones available will be snatched up pretty quickly.

***CAUTION: THIS IS NOT A MOCK DRAFT AND IS NOT AN INDICATION OF WHERE THE PLAYER WILL BE PICKED. ALL RANKINGS ARE BASED SOLEY ON THE TAPE THAT I HAVE PERSONALLY STUDIED THUS FAR, AND MAY BE TWEAKED FOR SOME AS WE DRAW CLOSER TO THE DRAFT***

So without, further ado, the 2017 Draft Big Board...

A few highlighted points to cover:

1. Jabrill Peppers is my unquestioned number one overall player. Simply put, I believe he can start in the NFL at five different positions (nickel corner, LB, safety, Slot WR, RB) and be anywhere from productive player, to an All-Pro player. Add in his return skills, and that type of versatility cannot be matched by anyone since arguably Deion Sanders.
2. Yes Dalvin Cook is rated higher than Leonard Fournette. I personally have loved this kid since his freshman season. The game that won me over was against Miami that year. He took over the game. And while Jameis Winston was the leader and best QB in the country, Cook won them that game and about four others by simply taking over. Fournette has some serious holes in his game, while Cook in my eyes is better than every running back to come out the last five years.
3. Cory Davis is a name I am sure not very many people are familiar with. I’ve been hooked since the first time I watched him play last season. I have since followed him closely, and he is a true stud. Built in the mold of Julio Jones from a size and pure athleticism standpoint, Davis is a special talent with natural hands. I can’t wait to drop his scouting report.
4. Derek Barnett is another guy that not many folks are talking about. Unlike Davis though, he played at a big name school in the SEC, yet he is still somewhat over looked. Myles Garrett has receive most of — if not all of — the hype surrounding the D-End position, but it’s actually Barnett that is the most disruptive. He plays with speed, and he’s eerily similar to a healthy Robert Quinn.
5. Solomon Thomas is a guy that for fans on the west coast is a very familiar name. But if you’re closer out east — and you don’t stay up for the late games — then you are cheating yourself. He’s no Aaron Donald, but he might be the closest thing you will see to him.
6. DeShawn Watson and Mitch Trubisky are my biggest points of confusion. I go back and forth with these two daily. Tomorrow they may very well be flipped. You’ll likely see them listed next to each other non-stop.
7. Deshon Kizer is his own point of confusion. Make no mistake about it, he is the most talented QB in the draft, and by far has the highest ceiling. He at times finds himself as my number one QB. But so often I watch tape and he slips back down to third.
8. Brian Hill is another name I can’t wait to drop a scouting report on. In the mean time — for both him and Cory Davis — I would suggest going to youtube or a scouting base and checking out the skills. Davis is like a slightly smaller Steven Jackson. The jump cut ability is unreal. Though, it’s his power and surprising speed to pull away that led to his surge to the top. Playing for Wyoming may lead to him being one of, if not the absolute, steals of the draft.
9. Vita Vea is Haloti Ngata reincarnated. That is all...
10. Ok for my west coast peeps, Adoree Jackson is the man! He’s a double threat as a corner, and a returner. However, I think he’s simply just ok as a corner, but really impressive as a returner. So while many sites and scouting reports will have him listed as a late first early second round guy, I see more of a middle of the third prospect. However, he does have the potential to be a really solid player both as a corner and return specialist in the pros.
11. Please go check out Damontae Kazee. He reminds of of Janoris Jenkins but with even better ball skills. His name is not well known, but his caliber of play is some of the best his position has to offer in this years draft.