The Way Too Early 2017 Rookie Mock Draft

The leaves are changing colors, the temperature is dropping, school is dragging on, and my fantasy team continues to underperform and/or get injured. Such is life. So I am going to take this chance to look into the future and make some predictions for how our 2017 rookie draft will go. I have not focused much on college football this year so my knowledge is fairly limited. However, the good ol’ interweb has helped me oh so kindly in learning a little bit about the future top draft picks.

Everyone seems to be hyping this draft class up more so then I can ever remember. The only class in recent history that may have been as crazed about was the 2014 draft class where we were fortunate enough to see Mike Evans, Sammy Watkins, Odell Beckham Jr., Brandin Cooks, Kelvin Benjamin, Allen Robinson, Jarvis Landry and Carlos Hyde come out and light up the NFL. However, some of these players were added to the list based on what has happened already and not how they were thought of before the draft. The 2017 draft is headlined by guys like Leonard Fournette, Nick Chubb, Dalvin Cook, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Corey Davis, Christian McCaffrey, Courtland Sutton, Royce Freeman, Wayne Gallman and many more names. This class appears to be a lot more RB heavy than previous years. With that, I begin my mock.

1.1 Jordan’s Team

Leonard Fournette, RB LSU

Well, he did it. He got the first overall pick. What will he do with it? That’s a tough question. There are a few players that are deserving of this pick. On one hand, Jordan’s Team needs some WR help badly. On the other, you can’t pass up the 6'1" 235 lbs Leonard Fournette. Fournette is a beast. A lot of analysts are saying he is as good a prospect as Adrian Peterson and Todd Gurley, if not better. So far this year his stat line is 83–670–5 running and 12–94–0. In 2015 his stat line read 300–1953–22 running and 19–253–1 (hot damn). This kid has a lot of obvious traits such as physicality (height and weight) and speed. He can make the defender miss when he wants and he can kick into high gear and run through a defender when he wants.

Who wouldn’t want a player of this caliber on their team?

1.2 A-Ron the Conquerer

Dalvin Cook, RB FSU

I think this is a more obvious pick for A-Ron the conquerer. Not so much the player, but the position. A-Ron the Conquerer desperately needs a young, up-and-coming runningback. Jamaal Charles is not the same football player he once was and there is a ton of RB talent in this draft after Fournette. I would not be surprised is Nick Chubb was slotted in here once the real draft started. Dalvin Cook had a slow start to the year but is really starting to turn it on now. He has gone over 140 yards in 4 of the past 5 games. In 2015, his stat line was 229–1691–19 running and 24–244–1 catching. So far this year he is 159–900–7 running and 21–356–1 catching. Cook’s numbers are fairly comparable to Fournette and is by no means a bad second option. Cook seems to be a little more polished in the passing game however, Fournette is no slouch. I think Cook will have an easier time adjusting to the NFL do to his pass catching ability considering how pass-happy the league is now.

1.3 Future Champs (Traded to Jordan’s Team)

Mike Williams, WR Clemson

Mike Williams might be the best WR in this class. Key phrase is might be. He is probably the most athletically and physically gifted WR. He is 6'4", runs a 4.4 40, has strong hands, and has an ability to gain yards after the catch. However, his one major drawback is his ability to run routes. We have seen many times that an inability to run routes can be detrimental to a WR. The potential here is just too much to overlook, however. With the right coaching, route running could easily become a strength of his.

1.4 House Tyrell (Traded to Jordan’s Team)

JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR USC

I had to put him here. There are too many factors here that make sense for Jordan’s Team to draft Smith-Schuster. Jordan is a USC fan. An argument can be made for Smith-Schuster to be the 2nd best WR in this class. Finally, Jordan’s Team still needs WRs even after just drafting Mike Williams. Smith-Schuster also has a good amount of size to him at 6'2". He hasn’t had the best year so far but he is still doing well and he has done very well through out his career at USC. He definitely has the ability to succeed in the NFL but can he break the mold of USC WRs transitioning to the next level?

1.5 .

Nick Chubb, RB Georgia

I like this pick a lot here. . needs RBs in any shape and form. There some great landing spots (I am looking at you Green Bay and Indianapolis) that may push Chubb higher up and therefore . may not be able to draft him. However, until that landing spot is determined, he is getting drafted here. Chubb is not the best runner in this class but he might be the best combo of running and receiving. This makes him very useful in todays NFL and should he land in Green Bay or Indianapolis, his value will be extremely high.

1.6 Shipoopi

Christian McCaffrey, RB Stanford

McCaffrey is a unique player. He is extremely athletic and can hit the homerun when needed. However, I don’t see him as being a workhorse back. He also has struggles some in pass protection, which is a tough thing to be weak on in the NFL. He is so dynamic though that he will still be fantasy relevant even if he isn’t getting as many touches as backs like David Johnson or Le’Veon Bell. Some mocks have him landing on the Patriots and I think that would do wonders for his value.

1.7 Sherleze (Traded to House Tyrell)

Corey Davis, WR Western Michigan

Davis could end up being the best WR of the class. He doesn’t have the big school name to back up his stats, and he will be 22 by the time he is starting in the NFL (not that 22 is old but it does have some impact on him when other WRs are entering the league 1–2 years younger then him and getting more experience). However, he is lighting up the scene this year with a current stat line of 61–1011–14. He has big play ability, excellent route running and excellent hands. I am very excited to see where this guy lands.

1.8 Franchise 69 (Traded to House Tyrell)

Royce Freeman, RB Oregon

Freeman is an intriguing talent. He is powerful, elusive and can be used in the passing game. All of these qualities are sought after in RBs for the NFL. He is not having his best year so far but over the course of his collegiate career he has done extremely well. House Tyrell could also use some more RBs

1.9 Repossessed (Traded to House Tyrell)

Wayne Gallman, RB Clemson

Gallman was the gear that kept grinding last year for Clemson during their title run. He did not get a lot of the attention because Watson was so dominant but Gallman was a beast of a runner. Last year he ran for 283–1527–13 and this year he currently has 120–634–8. He is very good at pass protection, which will be key to getting him onto the field early on in his NFL career.

1.10 Burger Tyme (Traded to House Tyrell)

James Washington, WR Oklahoma State

This may be a bit of a reach. I do not think Washington will be able to handle the duties of a true WR1. I think he would shine as a WR2 to someone like Alshon Jeffery. Washington might have the most big play ability in this class as evidence by his near 20 yards per catch. In his entire college career the most footballs he ever caught was 53. He is on pace to pass that this year but I don’t think he will ever get the volume that typical WR1s get in the NFL.

Honestly, this was a lot more work then I had originally thought. So I decided just to do the first round. I have not considered the latest updated standings in our league so a couple of the spots may be different. This wasn’t the most in depth analysis but it’s a starting point if anyone else would like to work off of this.

These picks are for sure subject to change. I truly believe that Cook, Fournette and Mike Williams will be interchangeable at spot 1 by the end of the year. However, where these players are drafted will obviously have a big impact on their fantasy status. I also think there will be a lot of draft day trades especially from House Tyrell needs some fresh RBs and has the fire power to trade up. Hopefully you guys enjoyed reading this and I will try to write a follow up later in the season as we learn more about these college players!