NFL Draft Big Board: Top 100 prospects in 2017 draft class

Eric Galko

NFL Draft Big Board: Top 100 prospects in 2017 draft class image

We’ve seen quarterbacks drafted first and second overall in three of the last four years, but that won’t be the case for the 2017 NFL Draft.

Mitchell Trubisky, Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes have dominated the draft discussion since the NFL Combine. Questions about which quarterbacks (if any) will be selected in the top 15 won't go away anytime soon.

As for the bigger picture, here is our final Big Board, the top 100 overall players in the 2017 draft class.

Texas A&M's Myles Garrett leads the pack, but LSU, Alabama and Ohio State dominate the Big Board — seven of the top 10 players in the class hail from those schools.

MORE: SN's latest Mock Draft

NFL Draft: Top 100 prospect rankings

1. Myles Garrett, DE/OLB, Texas A&M

The consensus top prospect for every NFL team, Garrett is one of the best defensive prospects since 2000. He’ll be a special player who can help shape the Browns' defense.

2. Jamal Adams, S, LSU

Safeties don't often go early in the draft, but Adams’ range as a strong safety, quickness to finish on the perimeter against talented runners and ball skills in the short area all speak to his uniqueness as a highly ranked safety.

3. Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

The best running back talent since Bo Jackson, Fournette has rare upside. His games against Alabama are concerning, but most every other college game he played speaks to his ability to dominate in the NFL. He has the highest grade from Optimum Scouting for a running back prospect since Adrian Peterson.

4. O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama

Despite not being all that involved in Alabama's offense, Howard is a top-10 worthy prospect. He’s a high-level talent; a complete, versatile tight end who brings high character and perceived “safeness” for a top pick.

5. Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama

Shoulder injury concerns might cause him to slide a bit on draft day, but injuries aside, Allen is the second best defender in this class. He can be a high-impact strong-side defensive end in a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense.

6. Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford

Thomas' rise as a prospect is in large part thanks to remarkably high flashes over his junior season, capped by an impressive bowl game against North Carolina. He’s still developing and will need some time in the NFL, but he’s a top-10 worthy prospect who likely will go in the top five.

7. Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State

Hooker started playing football just five years ago and is still developing as a run defender, but his Ed Reed-like ball skills and timing in pass coverage are worth overlooking his developmental woes. Safeties don’t often go high, but Hooker is worth a top-10 pick.

8. John Ross, WR, Washington

Even before he ran a record-setting 4.22 at the Combine, Ross was the top receiver in this class. He’s not just a vertical threat (though Will Fuller was drafted 21st overall for being solely a deep threat). He can do so much in the short area and after the catch.

9. Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama

While Foster might not be the most athletically gifted Alabama linebacker prospect, he is the most complete and polished linebacker prospect Nick Saban has had. He's a plug-and-play starter in the NFL.

10. Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State

Lattimore has some serious hamstring injury question marks, injuries that caused him to miss almost two full college seasons. Outside of that, he has Darrelle Revis-like upside as a coverage cornerback.

11. Garrett Bolles, OT, Utah

Outside of being a soon-to-be-25-year-old rookie and needing to add weight to his lower half, Bolles is on par with recent top 10 offensive tackle draft picks over the last few years. His control of Takkarrist McKinley in their game was a testament to his left tackle upside.

12. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech

Mahomes is the best quarterback in a class that lacks a true No. 1-worthy prospect. Right now he’s a more reckless version of Jay Cutler, but his upside is Brett Favre/Matt Stafford. That upside is worth a team making him the first quarterback selected.

13. Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin

A one-year starter who transferred from a Division III school, Ramczyk has emerged as a surprisingly capable and technically sound left tackle who could be an immediate starter at tackle or guard in the NFL.

14. Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky

Despite being a clear guard convert after being a high-level college left tackle, Lamp is arguably the top offensive lineman in the class. His quick feet, fluidity as he works downfield and hand quickness all speak to his upside as a Zach Martin-like guard prospect.

15. David Njoku, TE, Miami (Fla.)

A physical freak at tight end, Njoku has the ideal body type and overall athleticism that gets NFL teams excited early in the draft. He has the skill set to be among the top tight ends in the NFL in time if he's used as a feature part of the offense.

16. Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU

Despite being a shorter cornerback, White is in the mix to be the top CB drafted. He's physical, stays tight with his receiver and plays with controlled and well-timed anticipation throughout a receiver's route tree.

17. Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama

While recent Alabama cornerbacks have struggled in the NFL (outside of Kareem Jackson), Humphrey’s progression over his junior year, plus use of his length and ability to play in a Cover 3, should generate interest in Round 1.

18. Zach Cunningham, ILB, Vanderbilt

With an ideal body type and outstanding range, Cunningham should quickly become a leader of his NFL defense. He’s not far behind Foster as an inside linebacker prospect.

19. Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

Offering tremendous high-point skills and physicality at the catch point, Williams is a fringe No. 1 receiver. But he can quickly emerge as a quarterback's go-to target on third downs and in the red zone.

20. Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

Davis was the darling of the receiver class for much of the 2016 college football season, but his upside as a true No. 1 is a bit limited. He’ll be a long-time starter in the NFL and an impact player for 10-plus years.

21. Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State

After a productive college career in the Big 12, Willis tested well at the Combine (as well as Jadeveon Clowney) to prove he’s worthy of a first-round grade. He’s explosive, stays low through his rushes and finishes in the backfield at a high level.

22. Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

After back-to-back National Championship Game appearances and Heisman finalist seasons, Watson brings great size, athleticism and ball placement, along with the production NFL teams should covet. But arm talent and system adjustment might be concerns for teams picking in the top 10.

23. Teez Tabor, CB, Florida

Tabor's terrible Combine and Pro Day 40 times likely will push him out of the first round, but his coverage ability and physicality against all types of receivers is rare.

24. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

McCaffrey is much more than a versatile runner with pass-catching ability. He’s a complete running back who can break off big plays inside and outside the tackle box and in space. He’ll be drafted within the top 25 picks.

25. Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama

The three-year left tackle starter brings experience and SEC toughness to his future NFL team, and the second half of 2016 proved why he might be a top-10 pick. He still has plenty to clean up, but the upside is clear.

26. Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA

His recent shoulder surgery is concerning, but he’s arguably the second best pure edge pass rusher in the class. McKinley likely will go somewhere in the top 20.

27. Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida

Some believe Wilson is a better prospect than his cornerback teammate Tabor, and given Tabor’s testing numbers, Wilson might be drafted higher. His active hands and extension away from his frame should allow him to thrive in multiple defenses.

28. Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M

Evans, viewed as a slightly lesser version of Adams as a safety prospect, is a bit more versatile but not nearly as dominant near the line of scrimmage. He’s scheme-versatile, which could make him a fit for every team picking in the 20s.

29. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

Cook has been talked about on Fournette’s level, but his injuries and repeated off-field issues likely will push him outside of the top 20 picks, maybe out of Round 1 altogether.

30. Isaiah Ford, WR, Virginia Tech

A versatile route runner with awesome acceleration and patience as a runner after catch, Ford has been underrated in this receiver class. He could have a Stefon Diggs-like impact as a rookie.

31. Tyus Bowser, OLB, Houston

One of Optimum Scouting’s favorite prospects, Bowser is finally getting the attention he deserves as a versatile edge rusher with 4-3 outside linebacker experience and capability. He’s a fit for every team in the 20s of Round 1.

32. Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan

Michigan's defense was loaded in 2016, and while Charlton wasn’t always the one dominating at the line of scrimmage, he’s easily the most talented of the bunch. He fits almost every NFL defense and has substantial upside.

33. Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan

34. Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn

35. Adoree Jackson, CB, USC

36. Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

37. DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame

38. Derek Rivers, OLB, Youngstown State

39. Raekwon McMillian, OLB, Ohio State

40. Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple

41. Dan Feeney, G, Indiana

42. Marlon Mack, RB, South Florida

43. Daeshon Hall, DE, Texas A&M

44. Nazair Jones, DT, North Carolina

45. Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida

46. Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss

47. Josh Harvey-Clemons, S, Louisville

48. Obi Melifonwu, S, UConn

49. Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech

50. Marcus Williams, S, Utah

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51. Charles Harris, DE, Missouri

52. Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois

53. Budda Baker, S, Washington

54. Montravius Adams, DT, Auburn

55. Jaleel Johnson, DT, Iowa

56. Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Alabama

57. D'Onta Forman, RB, Texas

58. Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State

59. Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy

60. Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky 8.2

61. Josh Jones, S, North Carolina State

62. Dion Dawkins, G, Temple

63. Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

64. Kevin King, CB, Washington

65. Sidney Jones, CB, Washington

66. Taylor Moton, OT, Western Michigan

67. Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama

68. T.J. Watt, OLB, Wisconsin

69. Jake Butt, TE, Michigan

70. Marcus Maye, S, Florida

71. Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan

72. Desmond King, CB, Iowa

73. Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee

74. Jarrad Davis, ILB, Florida

75. Michael Roberts, TE, Toledo

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76. Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State

77. Ethan Pocic, C, LSU

78. Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama

79. Tarell Basham, DE, Ohio

80. Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson

81. Nathan Peterman, QB, Pittsburgh

82. Josh Reynolds, WR, Texas A&M

83. Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State

84. Duke Riley, ILB, LSU

85. Curtis Samuel, WR, Ohio State

86. Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State

87. Eddie Jackson, S, Alabama

88. Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee

89. Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU

90. Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado

91. Deatrich Wise, DE, Arkansas

92. Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan

93. Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas

94. Jon Toth, C, Kentucky

95. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC

96. KD Cannon, WR, Baylor

97. Patrick Elflein, G, Ohio State

98. Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA

99. Rasul Douglas, CB, West Virginia

100. Keionta Davis, DE, Chattanooga

Optimum Scouting's 2017 NFL Draft Guide is available for purchase here. Get the draft guide pro teams read; one that will make you an expert on the 2017 NFL Draft.

Eric Galko

Eric Galko is the owner and director of scouting at Optimum Scouting and OptimumScouting.com, as well as a Sporting News contributor. Follow him on Twitter: @OptimumScouting