Can you believe the 2017 draft is next week? Time for another edition of my favorite prospects in the class. A reminder of how this works:
This is neither a list of the best players in the draft overall, nor guys I consider the best at each position. They're all good, and they're all going to be drafted, but they fit into a couple of separate categories. These are prospects who I've:
Often rated higher than other evaluators within the draft media or team evaluators I discuss prospects with, or ...
Ranked higher in close debates within position groups, namely at quarterback, or ...
Just like the way they play the game
In the end, these guys will probably just be considered "guys Kiper really likes." That's a pretty nebulous designation, but in this business you hear it often. So here's the Class of 2017, with projections on the round in which each will be drafted:
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech: This kid is just entertaining -- he has no conscience when it comes to throwing the football. Now, that means he'll throw some picks (he had 25 over the past two seasons), but he'll also throw some 60-yard touchdown bombs. Mahomes (6-foot-2, 225 pounds) is not going to dink and dunk down the field like a lot of spread quarterbacks; he'll throw it downfield early and often. Over the past two seasons, he had 137 completions that went for 20 yards or more, which ranked No. 1 in FBS (likely first-round pick Deshaun Watson was No. 2 with 129, and 2018 prospect Mason Rudolph was No. 3 with 120). Projection: First round, maybe as high as Arizona at No. 13.
Nathan Peterman, Pitt: He was fantastic in Pitt's upset win over Clemson in November, throwing for 308 yards with five touchdown passes and no interceptions. He wasn't as consistent the rest of the season, but he's stellar when he's on. He reminds me of Trent Green, who started 113 NFL games and went to two Pro Bowls (not bad for an eighth-round pick in 1993). Peterman (6-2, 226) doesn't have big-time arm strength, but that should improve when he gets into the league. Teams can win with Peterman as their starter. Projection: Second round.
Running back
Samaje Perine, Oklahoma: He's a steamroller. He just bullies defenders in the style of Earl Campbell (no, I'm not saying Perine's as good as Campbell, but he hammers defenders just like Campbell). This is a kid who set Oklahoma's all-time rushing record in only three seasons (4,122 yards), along with 51 total touchdowns. At 5-foot-11, 233 pounds, Perine won't run away from defenders in the NFL (he ran a 4.65 40-yard dash at the combine), but he'll be a good player and a value pick. Projection: Second or third round.
Fullback
George Kittle, Iowa: You thought I'd forget fullback? Kittle (6-4, 247) will do anything teams ask of him -- he'll block, catch passes, line up as a fullback, H-back or inline tight end, and contribute on special teams. He'll wear a lot of hats and play hard. He had 42 catches and 10 touchdowns over the past two seasons for the Hawkeyes. Projection: Fourth to sixth round.
Wide receiver
Zay Jones, East Carolina: Jones has been one of my favorite players all year. What I love about him is that he'll drop a pass on one play and then go make a great block on the next play. He doesn't get down, and he always plays hard. Yes, I love his ability and his numbers -- 158 catches for 1,746 yards and eight touchdowns last season -- but his attitude and approach are what make him fun to watch. He lit up the combine (4.45 40 and a 36.5-inch vertical at 6-2, 201) and was one of the best prospects at Senior Bowl practices, too. Projection: Late first round or early second round.
Chris Godwin, Penn State: Godwin doesn't get the publicity of other receivers in this draft, but he has a high ceiling. He's my No. 6-ranked wideout. He was phenomenal in his final college game (nine catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns in the Nittany Lions' loss to USC in the Rose Bowl), and he had 11 touchdown grabs in 2016. Godwin (6-1, 209) flashed No. 1 receiver ability at times, and his 4.42 40 at his size showed his athleticism. He was also the strongest wideout at the combine, with 19 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Projection: Third round.
Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington: Kupp (6-2, 204) catches everything. He's not a burner -- he ran a 4.62 40 at the combine -- but he's a playmaker. Remember: Jarvis Landry ran a 4.77 40 at the combine, and he has averaged 96 catches per season so far. Kupp's college numbers are historic -- he owns the FCS career record for catches (428) and receiving touchdowns (73), and he had at least 90 catches, 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns in all four of his seasons. He's one of the most NFL-ready receivers in this draft. Projection: Second or third round.
Tight end
TE: Adam Shaheen, Ashland (Ohio): Who doesn't love a basketball player-turned-football prospect? Shaheen was 210 pounds when he walked on to the D-II Ashland football team after enrolling to play basketball at D-II Pittsburgh-Johnstown. Now he's a 6-6, 278-pound tight end prospect with a legitimate chance to be picked in the top 50. He dominated the GLIAC with 127 catches for 1,670 yards and 26 touchdowns over the past two seasons, and he ran a 4.79 40 at the combine. Yes, the NFL will be a big step up from playing against Lake Erie, but Shaheen has the size and athleticism to be a top-tier tight end. Projection: Second or third round.
Offensive tackle
Antonio Garcia, Troy: There aren't many starting-caliber left tackles in this class -- Ryan Ramczyk, Cam Robinson and Garett Bolles all could end up on the right side -- and Garcia could be the best. He's a natural left tackle who got better and better throughout his career (42 starts for the Trojans). Few are talking about the 6-6, 302-pound Garcia, but he could be an immediate starter. Projection: Second round.
Aviante Collins, TCU: Collins turned heads at the combine after running a 4.81 40, which was the fastest -- by far -- among offensive linemen. After digging into his tape some more, I see a really solid prospect with great athleticism. Now, he's another guy who will likely play right tackle -- he's a better run-blocker than pass-protector -- but he could be a steal. Collins (6-4, 295) played both guard and tackle spots for the Horned Frogs, so the versatility is a plus. Projection: Fourth round.
Interior offensive line
Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky: I pegged Lamp (6-4, 309) as a second-round pick when I wrote about him in November, but now he's my top-rated guard, and he's destined for the first round. I love him as an interior lineman who could play guard or center, like Cody Whitehair last year. The Bears took Whitehair in the second round and moved him to center, and he's already one of the 10 best in the league. Draft Lamp in the first round, plug him into the starting lineup, and be worry-free for the next 10 years. Projection: First round.
Dion Dawkins, Temple: The 6-4, 314-pound Dawkins started at left tackle the last three seasons for the Owls, but he's likely a guard at the next level. His tape was consistently solid. He's a dominant run-blocker who explodes at the snap and locks onto defenders, and he has the ability to get to the second level with ease. Projection: Second round.
Defensive end
DeMarcus Walker, Florida State: Walker did it all for the Seminoles, and he'll do it all in the NFL. He'll play the run well, he'll get after the quarterback (he had 28.5 career sacks, including 16 last season), he'll set the edge, and he'll even block a kick. He's solid at everything, and he'll work harder than most everyone on the roster. The 6-4, 280-pound Walker could be an NFL starter at end or tackle. Projection: Second to fourth round.
Defensive tackle
Carlos Watkins, Clemson: If Deshaun Watson was the most entertaining player on the Tigers' offense, Watkins was the most entertaining player on that defense. He's explosive and quick. He was Clemson's defensive tempo-setter the past two seasons. Watkins (6-3, 309) had 10.5 sacks from the interior last season. If he had been more consistent on every down, he might be a first-round pick. The talent is there. Projection: Second or third round.
Inside linebacker
Jarrad Davis, Florida: I love Davis' intangibles. Though he has made it through a full season only once (2015) and played nine games last season because of an ankle injury, he's a reliable linebacker with a nose for the football who could play inside or outside in the NFL. He didn't work out at the combine, but he had a spectacular pro day, running a 4.56 40 with a 38½-inch vertical at 6-1, 238. He has every-down player potential, and he'd start for my team from day one. Projection: First round.
Outside linebacker
Takkarist McKinley, UCLA; Tyus Bowser, Houston; Derek Rivers, Youngstown State: I'm grouping together these three because they have similar skill sets and they're premier pass-rushers who are suited to play in a 3-4 defense. McKinley (6-2, 250) is a late bloomer and former junior college player who came on as a senior in 2016 with 10 sacks and three forced fumbles. Bowser (6-3, 247) is rising after a phenomenal combine workout (4.65 40, 37½-inch vertical and 10-foot-7 broad jump), but he had 8.5 sacks in eight games last season. Rivers (6-4, 248) is a ferocious pass-rusher -- he had 41 career sacks -- with a great motor who could have thrived at Ohio State. Projections: First round for McKinley; first or second round for Bowser; and third round for Rivers.
Haason Reddick, Temple: A former walk-on, Reddick's a superb athlete who has absolutely nailed the pre-draft process. He had a great week at the Senior Bowl, and he was one of the MVPs of the combine, running a 4.52 40 with a 36½-inch vertical and 11-foot-1 broad jump, all of which ranked in the top three among defensive linemen. At 6-2, 237, Reddick could play any linebacker position, but I see him as an outsider 'backer in a 4-3. He could go in the top 10 on draft night. Projection: First round.
Duke Riley, LSU: Turn on the 2016 LSU tape and Riley was all over the field. In a talented lineup from top to bottom, he was the Tigers' top defender. Riley (6-0, 232) became a starter only after Deion Jones, who made my All-Rookie Team, graduated, but he could follow a similar path as the 2016 second-round pick. Jones played weakside linebacker at LSU and then moved to the middle for the Falcons, and Riley has the versatility to do the same. The speedy Riley (4.58 40 at the combine) fits today's NFL. Projection: Third round.
Cornerback
Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado: Awuzie is the best tackling corner in this draft. At 6-0, 202, he tackles so well that he could play safety. I'm not saying he will -- his 4.43 40 and 11-foot broad jump at the combine show that he has the athleticism to stay at corner -- but he could if needed. Awuzie is tough and physical (he had eight sacks to go with his three interceptions over the past two seasons), and he just blankets receivers. Projection: Second round.
Damontae Kazee, San Diego State: He's a ball hawk. He catches interceptions like a receiver -- he had 15 over the past two seasons for the Aztecs. Now, he's not big (5-10, 184), and he doesn't have high-end speed (4.54 40 at the combine), so that will probably keep him from being picked on Day 1 or 2. But I think he'll have a better career than some of the guys drafted in the second round. One comp I like for Kazee: Tavon Young (5-9, 177), who had a great rookie season for the Ravens in 2016 and could be their full-time slot corner next season. Projection: Fourth round.
Safety
Budda Baker, Washington: Baker just makes plays -- everywhere. He had two interceptions, 3.0 sacks, a forced fumble and broke up six passes last season. Size is the issue, and that could scare off a few teams. He's only 5-10, 195. If he were bigger, I think he'd be a top-15 pick. He has everything else teams want in a safety. I expect to see him on my Rookie Big Board throughout the 2017 season. Projection: Second round.