2017 NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: January 16, 2017.
You can read our 2017 NFL Draft underclassmen list. You can also check out last year's 2016 Underclassmen tracker to compare and contrast the prospects in this years draft that are underclassmen to last years draft if you want.
Quarterbacks
Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
- Deshaun Watson helped Clemson win the 2017 College Football Playoff. Despite not playing his best football until 2017, he still may be the first quarterback taken.
Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
- Mitch Trubisky has only one year of experience as a starter. Despite his lack of experience he is considered by many to be a first round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
- Patrick Mahomes is considered to be the quarterback with the most upside. He also is the biggest project in the eyes of some NFL scouts.
DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
- DeShone Kizer should have seriously considered the idea of returning to school. I don't think Kizer is ready to start yet, but he received a first round grade.
Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami FL
- Brad Kaaya entered the preseason as the second best quarterback. While he disappointed early in the season, he rebounded late in the season. He's still a third to fourth round prospect when watching his tape though.
Jerod Evans, QB, Virginia Tech
- Jerod Evans only has one year of experience as a starter. Evans will be a day 3 pick and should have considered returning to school.
Running Backs
Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
- Leonard Fournette is considered the top running back in the 2017 NFL Draft. We'll see if Fournette can keep the top spot leading up to the draft.
Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
- Some consider Dalvin Cook a better running back than Leonard Fournette. He's a better pass catcher then Leonard Fournette at this point.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
- Christian McCaffrey is considered the final of the first round running backs. Christian McCaffrey was the Heisman runner up to Derrick Henry in 2015.
Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming
- Brian Hill is a top 5 running back. Hill has to improve as a pass catcher though.
D'Onta Foreman RB, Texas
- D'Onta Foreman went from having under 700 rushing yards in 2015 to having over 2,000 this season. Foreman is overweight at 6-1 249 lbs and is a bad pass catcher. Foreman drew comparisons to LeGarrette Blount on the New England Patriots.
James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh
- James Conner defeated cancer. He came back to school to compete with Pittsburgh in 2016 after taking a medical redshirt in 2015.
Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson
- Wayne Gallman has back-to-back seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards. Gallman is a top 10 running back in the 2017 NFL Draft despite being a project.
Marlon Mack, RB, South Floirda
- Marlon Mack has three consecutive seasons of 1,000 rushing yards. His heavy feet may keep him from succeeding in the NFL.
Jeremy McNichols, RB, Boise State
- Jeremy McNichols is a great runner and pass catcher. I have questions about his running and pass protection when watching his tape though.
Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
- Alvin Kamara took Jalen Hurd's job at running back. Kamara may have the potential to develop into a starting running back in the NFL despite a lack of carries during his career at Tennessee.
Devine Redding, RB, Indiana
- Devine Redding split carries with Jordan Howard in 2015. Redding tooik over as Indiana's starter in 2016.
Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma
- Samaje Perine had three consecutive seasons of 1,000 rushing yards. Perine's ability may get overlooked by his teammate.
Aaron Jones, RB, UTEP
- Aaron Jones got arrested in 2015 after being redshirted. He returned in 2016 and declared for the 2017 NFL Draft after a huge junior season.
Elijah Hood, RB, North Carolina
- Elijah Hood dominated in 2015. He struggled in 2016 though.
Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma
- Joe Mixon outplayed Perine in 2016. He hit a woman on camera though. Are NFL teams going to look past that?
Joe Yearby, RB, Miami FL
- Joe Yearby didn't stand out on tape in 2016. I think his offensive line helped him open up lanes to attack though.
Stanley Williams, RB, Kentucky
- Stanley Williams is nicknamed "Boom" Williams. He could be a decent late-round pick.
Chris Samuel, RB, Ohio State
- Chris Samuel took over for Ezekiel Elliott in 2016. Samuel had his moments, but did not stand out like Elliott.
Wide Receivers
Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
- Mike Williams is the top receiver in the 2017 NFL Draft. Declaring for the NFL Draft was a no brainer for Mike Williams.
John Ross, WR, Washington
- John Ross is the best slot receiver in the 2017 NFL Draft. He may be the other underclassmen outside of Mike Williams to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Chad Hansen, WR, California
- Chad Hansen became the leader of California's offense after declaring for the 2017 NFL Draft.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
- JuJu Smith-Schuster dominated in 2015. He didn't stand out like he did without quaterback Cody Kessler to begin the year. JuJu Smith-Schuster ended the season on a very high note though.
Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma
- Dede Westbrook complimented Sterling Shepard in 2015. Westbrook emerged into a stud wide receiver and slot receiver target for Baker Mayfield in 2016.
Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech
- Carlos Henderson stepped up in 2016. Henderson declared for the 2017 NFL Draft, and could move up boards with a huge NFL Combine.
K.D. Cannon, WR, Baylor
- K.D. Cannon stepped up for Corey Coleman once Coleman declared for the 2016 NFL Draft. Cannon is a good receiver and should go in the first four rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Isaiah Ford, WR, Virginia Tech
- Isaiah Ford had a good 2016 season. He only dominated against teams with weaker cornerbacks on tape though.
Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State
- Chris Godwin didn't dominate like he did in 2016 statistically. He did more in the end zone though despite having less receptions and receiving yards with a career high 11 receiving touchdowns. Godwin had 11 receiving touchdowns including 2 on USC cornerback Adoree Jackson who some consider a first round prospect.
Josh Malone, WR, Tennessee
- Josh Malone had 11 receiving touchdowns. Malone only had 4 games without a receiving touchdown against Georgia, Texas A&M, Alabama, and South Carolina. Tennessee went 1-3 in those four games, but Malone won 1-on-1 battles versus Cameron Sutton prior to the start of the season.
Jerome Lane, WR, Akron
- The 6-3 220 lb Jerome Lane had 62 receptions, 1,018 receiving yards, and 6 receiving touchdowns in 2016. Lane had 8 receiving touchdowns in 2015.
Travis Rudolph, WR, Florida State
- Travis Rudolph is capable of developing into a slot receiver. He's gonna need time on the bench first even though his character off the field is outstanding.
Malachi Dupre, WR, LSU
- Malachi Dupre entered the 2016 season as a potential first round pick. Dupre's terrible play in 2016 may have been due to LSU's quarterback problems.
Artavis Scott, WR, Clemson
- Artavis Scott complimented Mike Williams at Clemson. Scott, like Williams declared for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Speedy Noil, WR, Texas A&M
- Speedy Noil entered this season as a mid round pick. He's probably going to be a day 3 pick now plus he has character concerns.
Ricky Seals-Jones, WR, Texas A&M
- Ricky Seals-Jones is a talented wide receiver. He has good size, but underperformed in 2016 after being a potential candidate to declare for the 2016 NFL Draft in 2015.
ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama
- ArDarius Stewart outplayed Calvin Ridley in 2016. I still question his decision to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft though.
Shelton Gibson, WR, West Virginia
- Shelton Gibson did well against weak opponents. He struggled in every game where he faced a quality cornerback though.
Isaiah McKenzie, WR, Georgia
- Isaiah McKenzie had a good opening game against North Carolina cornerback Des Lawrence. McKenzie is still undersized though and probably should have went back to school.
Deon Tay-McManus, WR, Marshall
- Deon Tay-McManus should have returned to school. McManus had some durability issues.
Noah Brown, WR, Ohio State
- Noah Brown is a 6-2 218 lb sophomore redshirt. Brown could have gone back to school and had a huge year with J.T. Barrett returning at quarterback. I really don't understand this decision by Brown.
Da'more'ea Stringfellow, WR, Ole Miss
- Da'more'ea Stringfellow is being compared to Laquon Treadwell. The former UNLV Red Rebel declared for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Ishmael Zamora, WR, Baylor
- Ishmael Zamora declared for the 2017 NFL Draft. He complimented K.D. Cannon at Baylor this season.
Derrick Griffin, WR, Texas Southern
- Derrick Griffin is 6-7 230 lbs. He may be big enough to play wide receiver or tight end in the NFL. Griffin got dismissed from Texas Southern for character concerns which is the main reason he declared for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Tight Ends
David Njoku, TE, Miami FL
- David Njoku was Clive Walford's successor. He played well enough to jump Bucky Hodges as the #3 tight end in the 2017 NFL Draft. If Evan Engram converts to wide receiver then Njoku may end up being the #2 tight end after O.J. Howard. The sophomore redshirt would have challenged Tennessee tight end Ethan Wolfe to be the top tight end in 2018 if he returned.
Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech
- Bucky Hodges slightly underperformed despite being the third best tigyht end heading into the presesaon. I still see Hodges as a top 5 tight end and like him much better on tape than Michigan's Jake Butt.
Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland
- The 6-6 270 lb Adam Shaheen had 70 receptions, 803 receiving yards, and 10 receiving touchdowns in 2015 as a sophomore after becoming Ashland's starting tight end. Shaheen added 7 lbs of muscle to be 6-6 277 lbs in 2016 having 57 receptions, 867 receiving yards, and 16 receiving touchdowns. Shaheen has incredible size and could be Division 2's version of Rob Gronkowski without the durability issues Gronkowski had coming out of Arizona. Shaheen is 22-years-old and older than most tight ends his age. He's also projected to run a 4.87 40-time which is probably the biggest reason he's a late round pick along with the lack of competition.
Offensive Tackles
Ryan Ramczyk, LT, Wisconsin
- Ryan Ramczyk is a 6-6 314 lb left tackle with one year of starting experience. Despite the lack of experience many believe he is the top pass blocker and best offensive tackle in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Cam Robinson, LT, Alabama
- Cam Robinson showed everything you look for in a complete left tackle coming out of highs chool and to begin the season. He struggled against better pass rushers on tape. He's still a pretty complete run blocker. Robinson may end up moving to right tackle, but I am gonna list him as a left tackle for now.
Garrett Bolles, LT, Utah
- Utah left tackle Garrett Bolles will declare for the 2017 NFL Draft. Bolles lacks the strength to be a left tackle and his footwork was slow versus Washington. I could see Bolles even moving over to guard. Right now I see Bolles as a developmental left tackle.
Roderick Johnson, LT, Florida
- Roderick Johnson was a three year starter at left tackle at Florida State. He's a much better run blocker than a pass blocker so I would not rule out a move to right tackle in the NFL.
David Sharpe, LT, Florida
- David Sharpe played left tackle at Florida. With him being 360 lbs, he's either going to move over to right tackle or play left guard in the NFL. That's why he's listed as an offensive lineman rather than an offensive tackle because teams are more uncertain about whether Sharpe plays right tackle or left guard in the NFL.
Guards
Damien Mama, LG, USC
- USC left guard Damien Mama declared for the 2017 NFL Draft. Mama could have been a 2018 first round pick if he went back to school.
Defensive Ends
Myles Garrett, RE, Texas A&M
- Myles Garrett will probably be the top pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. This was a no brainer decision for Garrett.
Derek Barnett, RE, Tennessee
- Tennessee pass rusher Derek Barnett passed Reggie White for all time sacks at Tennessee. Barnett should be a top 10 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Solomon Thomas, LE, Stanford
- Solomon Thomas is the best 4-3 left end who can face right tackles and stop the run effectively. I don't see him as an effective pass rusher or this first round prospect that people are making him out to be though.
Defensive Tackles
Malik McDowell, DT/3-4 DE, Michigan State
- Malik McDowell entered the preseason as my top defensive tackle. He's now my third best defensive tackle behind Carlos Watkins and Montravius Adams in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Davon Godchaux, DT/3-4 DE, LSU
- LSU defensive tackle Davon Godchaux played both 4-3 defensive tackle and 3-4 defensive end on both sides at LSU. Godchaux is NFL ready despite not being as good on tape in 2016 as he was in 2015.
Caleb Brantley, DT/3-4 DE Florida
- Caleb Brantley didn't dominate statistically. He has incredible burst off the snap though and can play 4-3 defensive tackle or 3-4 defensive end on either side with his versatility.
Nazair Jones, DT, North Carolina
- Nazair Jones is a prototypical 4-3 defensive tackle. He's a day 3 prospect in my opinion since he's great against the run, but terrible on passing plays.
Charles Walker, DT, Oklahoma
- Charles Walker could be a day 2 pick. He needs a strong NFL Combine though.
Vincent Taylor, DT/NT, Oklahoma State
- The 6-3 310 lb Vincent Taylor was a 4-3 defensive tackle. He also has lined up as a 3-4 nose tackle.
Elijah Qualls, DT/NT, Washington
- The 6-1 321 lb Elijah Qualls can line up as a 4-3 defensive tackle or a 3-4 nose tackle with his versatility. Qualls will be an intriguing underclassmen to watch.
Linebackers
T.J. Watt, 3-4 ROLB, Wisconsin
- T.J. Watt can play linebacker on the inside or outside anywhere in the 4-3 or the 3-4. He is a machine with getting tackles for loss and sacks. T.J. Watt should be a beast like his brother in the NFL.
Charles Harris, 3-4 ROLB, Missouri
- Charles Harris played 4-3 defensive end at Missouri. He has the size to play 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL though at 6-2 255 lbs.
Garrett Sickels, 3-4 ROLB, Penn State
- Garrett Sickels stepped up at 4-3 right end with Carl Nassib gone. Sickels is more of an outside linebacker than a defensive end with his size.
Jermaine Grace, ROLB, Penn State
- The former Miami Hurricanes 4-3 right outside linebacker got dismissed from the team.
Elijah Lee, ROLB, Kansas State
- Elijah Lee had 110 total tackles in 2016. Lee can be used as a 4-3 right outside linebacker or a 3-4 middle linebacker.
Zach Cunningham, MLB, Vanderbilt
- Zach Cunningham can play anywhere in a 4-3 defense. He also has the versatility to play 3-4 middle linebacker with his versatility.
Anthony Walker Jr., MLB, Northwestern
- Anthony Walker Jr. can play anywhere in a 4-3 defense. He also has the versatility to play 3-4 middle linebacker with his versatility.
Raekwon McMillan, MLB, Ohio State
- Raekwon McMillan is a natural 4-3 middle linebacker. Some people think he'd be a better fit at 4-3 left outside linebacker, but I disagree with that.
Ukeme Eligwe, MLB, Georgia Southern
- The former Florida State linebacker transferred to Georgia Southern. Eligwe is a guy that had 105 total tackles and can play anywhere in the 4-3 or the 3-4 with his versatility. While producing this year, Eligwe has some off the field concerns.
Alex Anzalone, LOLB, Florida
- Alex Anzalone can play 4-3 left outside linebacker or 3-4 middle linebacker with his versatility. Anzalone may be an underclassmen, but since he graduated from Florida he gets to play in the 2017 Senior Bowl.
Cornerbacks
Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
- Jalen Tabor, now known as Teez Tabor is the top cornerback in the 2017 NFL Draft. Tabor could be the first cornerback selected.
Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
- The only cornerback in the 2017 NFL Draft that appears to be a lock for the top 10 at this point. I'm expecting all the corners to fall out of the top 10 tomorrow, but Tabor could be the first one picked.
Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
- Quincy Wilson is bigger than Teez Tabor at 6-1 213 lbs. Some scouts prefer him over Tabor despite the lack of experience.
Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
- Gareon Conley was the #1 field cornerback when Eli Apple was there. Conley has better coverage and faced better receivers on tape than Marshon Lattimore.
Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
- Marshon Lattimore is a one-year starter. He is faster and better against the run than Conley.
Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
- Washington cornerback Sidney Jones is a pretty complete cornerback for the most part. His only weakness is he struggles against bigger receivers.
Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
- Marlon Humphrey was good all year. He's the son of Bob Humphrey which is why him declaring wasn't a surprise.
Adoree Jackson, CB, USC
- USC cornerback Adoree Jackson played both wide receiver and cornerback at USC. He's likely a cornerback in the NFL though.
Howard Wilson, CB, Houston
- Howard Wilson came back after a medical redshirt year in 2015. Wilson had 10 deflections from pass breakups in 2016 and declared for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Safeties
Jamal Adams, SS, LSU
- Jamal Adams has the versatility to play both free safety or strong safety. Adams can play man, zone, or press coverage and is a pretty complete safety on tape.
Malik Hooker, SS, Ohio State
- Malik Hooker has the versatility to play strong safety or free safety. Hooker played wide receiver and cornerback at New Castle High School. Hooker declared despite being a sophomore redshirt at Ohio State.
Jabrill Peppers, SS, Michigan
- Jabrill Peppers is better when he is in coverage then he is stopping the run. Peppers is probably a strong safety only in the NFL despite showing the versatility to play anywhere on the secondary in 2015.
Montae Nicholson, SS, Michigan State
- Montae Nicholson played wide receiver and safety at Gateway. Nicholson is a talented strong safety. He lacks Hooker's versatility and misses a lot of tackles on tape.
Marcus Williams, FS, Utah
- Marcus Williams has the versatility to play both free safety and strong safety. He's more of a natural free safety though.
Josh Jones, FS, North Carolina State
- The 6-3 215 lb Josh Jones had 109 total tackles and 8 deflections from pass breakups at free safety in 2016 before declaring for the 2017 NFL Draft. Jones could be a sleeper to keep an eye on.