2017 NFL Draft: Latest rumors, mock draft predictions, draft schedule

NFL Draft 2017 kicks off Thursday night

DETROIT – The 2017 NFL Draft is April 27 - 29 in Philadelphia. The entire event will take place outdoors.

The Cleveland Browns hold the first overall pick in the 2017 Draft, followed by the 49ers, Bears and Jaguars.

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Draft schedule (Full NFL Draft viewer guide, draft order here):
 

Round 1: Thursday, April 27 at 8PM ET: Round 1 includes the first 32 picks of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Rounds 2 & 3: Friday, April 28 at 7PM ET: Picks 33-107 are selected on day two of the NFL Draft.

Rounds 4 - 7: Saturday, April 29 at 12PM ET: Watch as the final selections of the 2017 NFL Draft are made.

Latest NFL Draft rumors and reports:

 

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News and notes:

Two running backs who are projected high picks — Leonard Fournette of LSU and Christian McCaffrey of Stanford , skipped their bowl game a year after Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith cost himself millions by blowing out his left knee in the Fiesta Bowl.

Smith was projected as a potential top-five pick before his injury, and instead went to the Dallas Cowboys in the second round with the 34th overall pick. The difference in guaranteed contract money is about $19 million.

McCaffrey, the 2015 Heisman Trophy runner-up, sat out the Dec. 30 Sun Bowl between Stanford and North Carolina after an injury-marred 2016 season "so I can begin my draft prep immediately." Three days later, Fournette said he would miss LSU's Citrus Bowl matchup with Louisville on Dec. 31 to rest an injured ankle.

JOE MIXON: The Oklahoma running back set the school's single-season record for all-purpose yards last season, but he was suspended for the 2014 season after punching a woman in the face. Mixon's lawyers released video in December of him breaking Oklahoma student Amelia Molitor's jaw and cheekbone in July 2014, and heavy criticism of Mixon and Sooners coach Bob Stoops followed. Mixon gave a tearful public apology a week later.

CHAD KELLY: The Ole Miss QB is both a character concern and a health risk . He was leading the SEC with 2,758 passing yards when he tore his right ACL and lateral meniscus and underwent surgery in November. His long list of off-the-field troubles include getting kicked off the Clemson team in 2015, an arrest after a bar fight in 2014 and sparking a brawl at his brother's high school football game. "I've made stupid mistakes in the past. I can't deny that," he said. "But ... I've learned from it."

SETH RUSSELL: Like Kelly, Baylor's QB went to the Senior Bowl, where he sat in on meetings and observed practices even though he couldn't play in the game. Russell broke his left ankle in a loss at Oklahoma in November. He had 2,126 yards passing with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions, and also ran for 506 yards and eight more scores. He was 14-3 as the Bears starter.

SHAWN OAKMAN: Baylor's career sacks leader went undrafted last year after finishing his eligibility in 2015. He was indicted last July on a charge of sexually assaulting a woman. The school was criticized after Oakman was seen on the sideline at the Bears' game against Rice in 2016. Coach Art Briles was removed last year following a report alleging the private Baptist university mishandled complains of sexual assault, a cloud that could hang over other Bears prospects.

DALVIN COOK: The Florida State running back has both a long list of accomplishments and arrests. He topped 1,000 yards in all three seasons and ran for 46 career TDs. He's No. 2 on the ACC career charts in yards rushing and is the ACC's all-time leader with 5,399 yards from scrimmage. His run-ins with the law include accusations he punched a woman outside a bar, brandished a firearm and mistreated dogs.

COREY DAVIS: The Western Michigan wide receiver might not work out at the combine in Indianapolis because of ankle issues. Davis could have been a high draft pick had he left after his junior year last season, but he returned for his senior season and had 97 receptions for 1,500 yards and 19 TDs. That gave him 331 catches for 5,278 yards and 52 TDs overall.

MALIK HOOKER: The Ohio State All-American safety will miss the combine after undergoing hernia surgery. He returned three of his seven interceptions for TDs last season when he also made 74 tackles and broke up 11 passes. Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Greg Schiano has compared the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder to former NFL All-Pro safety Ed Reed.

Scouting some of the top prospects available in the NFL draft that will be held April 27-29 in Philadelphia ((asterisk)-denotes early entrant):

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

(asterisk)Myles Garrett, 6-4, 272, Texas A&M

Notable: All-American last season and one of the best pass rushers in the country, despite some nagging injuries.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Elite speed, quickness and strength add up to a potentially dominant pass rusher with only the need to stay on the field more.

Outlook: Odds-on favorite to be No. 1 overall pick.

(asterisk)Solomon Thomas, 6-3, 273, Stanford

Notable: Pac-12 defensive player of the year in 2016 and has been gaining steam in the postseason draft process.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Gets rid of blockers with strength and quickness, though he might need to add some bulk and power to handle massive NFL linemen.

Outlook: Top-five probable, top-10 seems a lock.

Jonathan Allen, 6-3, 286, Alabama

Notable: Finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2016 and won two defensive player of the year awards (Bednarik and Nagurski).

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: A fundamentally sound and furious competitor who can play inside and out, but not ideal length on the edge.

Outlook: If Allen slips out of the top-10, it won't be very far.

(asterisk)Derek Barnett, 6-3, 259, Tennessee

Notable: Set a school record with 33 career sacks.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Makes up for lack of burst off the edge with strong and fast hands, plus good power for his size.

Outlook: The NFL loves pass rushers and Barnett does it well enough to go in middle of first round.

Takkarist McKinley, 6-2, 250, UCLA

Notable: Junior college transfer who took three seasons at UCLA to become a star.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Relentless effort and raw technique.

Outlook: The NFL loves pass rushers and McKinley does it well enough to go mid-first round.

Charles Harris, 6-3, 253, Missouri

Notable: Missouri has been pumping out NFL defensive ends recently (Shane Ray, Markus Golden, Kony Ealy). Harris is next up.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Good first-step pass rusher who needs to better hold his ground against the run.

Outlook: The NFL loves pass rushers — get the message? — and Harris does it well enough to go late in first round.

___

LINEBACKERS

Reuben Foster, 6-0, 229, Alabama

Notable: All-American and MVP of the SEC championship game last season.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Vicious hitter who is probably too light to play middle linebacker in the NFL.

Outlook: Top-10 talent who might slip a bit because the value of linebackers who are not edge rushers is down in the NFL. He also was dismissed from NFL combine for argument with hospital worker.

Haason Reddick, 6-1, 237, Temple

Notable: Former walk-on defensive back grew into force as an edge rusher and then showed potential at linebacker at the Senior Bowl.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Freaky athlete whose only limits seem to be lack of experience at the position he seems best suited for in the NFL.

Outlook: Reddick went from possible first-rounder to borderline top-10.

Jarrad Davis, 6-1, 238, Florida

Notable: A leg injury cost Davis about a third of last season, but he was still second-team All-SEC.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Athletic outside linebacker who needs to be better working his way through traffic to ball carriers.

Outlook: Strong pro day could push him into the first round.

(asterisk)T.J. Watt, 6-4, 252, Wisconsin

Notable: Brother of Texans All-Pro and former Wisconsin star J.J. Watt. Knee injuries limited him to one full season of college football.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Frame to grow into a full-time defensive end, but not necessarily the athleticism to be an elite rusher.

Outlook: Last quarter of the first round.

___

CORNERBACKS

(asterisk)Marshon Lattimore, 6-0, 193, Ohio State

Notable: Hamstring injuries and good players in front of him meant Lattimore only started one season at Ohio State.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Long, athletic and aggressive at the line, but needs to locate the ball better.

Outlook: In a deep cornerback class, Lattimore is mostly likely to be first off the board.

(asterisk)Quincy Wilson, 6-1, 211, Florida

Notable: Was overshadowed by teammate Teez Tabor, but Wilson is the better prospect.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Perfect size, very tough, but does he have the speed and athleticism to keep up with deep threats?

Outlook: That size could make him the first cornerback off the board.

(asterisk)Marlon Humphrey, 6-0, 197, Alabama

Notable: Son of former Alabama star and NFL running back Bobby Humphrey.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Can be overly reliant on his elite athleticism and sprinter's speed.

Outlook: There could be a half-dozen cornerbacks taken in the first round and Humphrey should be among the first group.

(asterisk)Gareon Conley, 6-0, 195, Ohio State

Notable: Started every game for the Buckeyes the last two seasons.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Good footwork and quickness, but gets a little lost in when he is not in press coverage.

Outlook: Middle of the first round.

(asterisk)Tre'Davious White, 5-11, 192, LSU

Notable: White broke up 14 passes, eighth in the FBS, last season.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Shows skills on the outside and in the slot, but needs to be more physical.

Outlook: Could be first LSU cornerback drafted in first round since Morris Claiborne in 2012.

(asterisk)Adoree' Jackson, 5-10, 186, USC

Notable: Played some offense and caught 39 passes in three seasons, and had eight career touchdowns on punt and kickoff returns.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Spectacular athlete, though size could make him better fit in the slot but could be a problem in run support.

Outlook: Jackson's return skills are likely to push him into the first round.

Kevin King, 6-3, 200, Washington

Notable: Played safety his first two seasons at Washington before moving to cornerback as a junior.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: That height makes NFL scouts excited, though his speed tempers that enthusiasm.

Outlook: There are about six other cornerbacks who grade out around King, so maybe he slips to the second day of the draft. But 6-3!

___

SAFETIES

Jamal Adams, 6-0, 214, LSU

Notable: Son of former Kentucky running back George Adams, who played for the New York Giants.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Adams gets high marks for leadership, on top of elite athletic ability, and makes it difficult to find flaws here.

Outlook: Adams won't go first overall, but he can make the case.

Malik Hooker, 6-1, 206, Ohio State

Notable: Hooker was a Division I basketball prospect coming out of high school and started just one season at Ohio State.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Sideline-to-sideline range and excellent instincts in the passing game, but needs improvement playing close to the line.

Outlook: Safeties are not often selected in the top-10. Hooker and Adams are likely to buck that trend.

Jabrill Peppers, 5-11, 213, Michigan

Notable: Three-way player (defense, offense and special teams) who lined up all over the defense for Michigan last year. Finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Explosive athlete who was mostly used as a linebacker in 2016, but does not have an obvious position fit.

Outlook: The versatility could get him into the second half of the first round, but the 'tweener' label could push him out.

Budda Baker, 5-10, 195, Washington

Notable: Given name is Bishard, but was nicknamed Budda as a baby because his mother thought he looked like a Buddha doll.

Sum-it-up-in-a-sentence scouting report: Undersized, instinctive and tough.

Outlook: Late first-round because he has just enough similarities to Tyrann Mathieu.


About the Author:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.