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[author image=”https://www.the3pointconversion.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/PicsArt_1437506260531.jpg” ] Abade Stanley @strakt_Marino [/author]
Running Backs:
The running back position in the NFL has been diminished in recent years. That seems to be the talk amongst executives and coaches around the league. A premier player is a premier player, no matter what position they play. Four out of the top five rushers last season were former 1st round picks.
Top Prospects: Ezekiel Elliot (Ohio State), Derrick Henry (Alabama), Jordan Howard (Indiana), Devontae Booker (Utah), Kenneth Dixon (Louisiana Tech), Kenyan Drake (Alabama)
Teams in the Hunt: Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots.
Quarterbacks:
When looking for a signal caller during draft time, teams might “reach” when they think they’ve found “the guy”. Two trades for the top two picks (St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles) in this year’s draft all but proves that. In the defense of these two teams, we did just watch a Super Bowl that featured two #1 overall picks at the quarterback (QB) position. In my defense, those two guys weren’t reaches at pick 1.
Top Prospects: Carson Wentz (North Dakota State), Jared Goff (California), Paxton Lynch (Memphis), Connor Cook (Michigan State), Dak Prescott (Mississippi State)
Teams in the Hunt: St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers.
Offensive Line:
The players that protect the QBs are not always praised but seem to be worth a lot to every organization with good reasons. Five out of the six lowest ranked offensive lines will have top 10 picks in the draft.
Top prospects: Tackles: Laremy Tunsil (Ole Miss), Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame), Jack Conklin (Michigan State), Taylor Decker (Ohio State), Center: Ryan Kelly (Alabama), Guards: Cody Whitehair (Kansas State), Joshua Garnett (Stanford)
Teams in the hunt: San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, New England Patriots.
Wide Receivers/TE:
A quarterback’s best friend is a guy he can rely on every time he drops back and targets him, especially on 3rd down and in the red zone. If you look at the top 10 QBs in passing yards, nine of them had a receiver/tight end who managed to exceed at least 1,100 receiving yards.
Top Prospects: Wide Receivers: Laquon Treadwell (Ole Miss), Josh Doctson (TCU), Corey Coleman (Baylor),
Will Fuller (Notre Dame), Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma), Michael Thomas (Ohio State)
Tight Ends: Hunter Henry (Arkansas), Austin Hooper (Stanford)
Teams in the hunt: Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, New York Giants, St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns.
