We may still be over four months away from he 2017 NFL season but this week is one of the biggest of the year for fans of Gridiron. The NFL Draft, taking place in Philadelphia, is one of the key events of the calendar for teams and fans as General Managers and Coaches look to add the hottest young talents from the college game to their roster.
The 1st Round on Thursday is of course he marquee night of the draft as the 32 teams get to pick a player each to add to their roster, and fans will be clambering for info as their team gets ready to make their selection.
There has never been more information available on the youngsters emerging from college but even taking that into account, it is very difficult to tell at this stage who will emerge as star from the first round, and who will go down as a dreaded bust.
The brilliant Zeke Elliott (pictured) was one of the stars to emerge from the 2016 draft as he ripped the NFL up at running back for Dallas, but who will follow in his footsteps?
We take a look at five players who are sure to be taken in the 1st round, their strengths and weaknesses and where they are likely to end up...
Myles Garrett - Defensive End
- Height 6-5
- Weight 261lbs
- College - Texas A&M
The presumptive #1 pick, Garrett has been in the headlines for months, and it would now be a surprise if he wasn't the first name called by the NFL Commissioner on Thursday. Entering the draft after his junior year at Texas A&M, Garrett could potentially become the first defensive player picked 1st in the draft since Jadevon Clowney in 2014, and only the 2nd since 2006.
Strengths
A fearsome pass-rusher who is an explosive and naturally strong athlete. Finished his college career with 31 sacks, 35 QB hits and 98 hurries which highlights his production, and he is only going to get better if he can stay clear of injuries.
Has the ability to explode out of the blocks, which is key, and can spin either way, which makes him a nightmare for opposition blockers. When he gets hold of the QB, he rarely fails to bring him down, and can play on either side of the line of scrimmage which adds to his versatility.
A freak athlete who impressed everyone at the combine.
Weaknesses
There is no doubting his athleticism but one or two have suggested that Garrett is perhaps not the strongest from a mental point of view. Called "lazy" by former player Warren Sapp recently, there is a feeling that the Texas A&M man can fade in games which might be a slight black mark against his name.
Garrett also recently record a video where he "jokingly" begged Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys to trade up for him in the draft, which was an ill-advised move to say the least. Even if it was meant in jest, the front office team at places like Cleveland and Chicago wouldn't have been impressed with his immaturity.
Potential Destination...
Cleveland have the #1 pick this year and they are clearly the favourites to take one of the most exciting athletes to enter the draft in recent history. Should the Browns decide to take a QB first, then Garrett could drop to Chicago at #3 as they look to re-build their defence.
Leonard Fournette - Running Back
- Height - 6-0
- Weight - 240lbs
- College - LSU
In a class awash with potential superstars at running back, there is every chance that Leonard Fournette is the best of the bunch. After an outstanding High School career, Fournette joined LSU and continued his upward curve to become of the most exciting players in college football, before he decided to enter the Draft following his junior year.
Strengths
A powerful and explosive running back who has lit up the college game over the past couple of years. Built like a tank, with the speed of a wide receiver, Fournette is a direct and big hitting runner who is sure to make a major impact on the pro ranks. He missed much of his junior season because of injury and to protect his body, which shows intelligence given how hard the NFL can be on his style of running back.
A Lenoard Fournette stiff arm is a major spectacle, and he looks like an ideal man for short yardage situations with his power and bulk next to impossible to stop when he gets those legs pumping.
Weaknesses
Longevity is a major worry for all running backs with very few of them making it past their 30th birthday and given the way Fournette plays, that will be a concern for teams considering taking him in the 1st round. Will need to learn to make defenders miss a little more, rather than walking through them, if he is to extend his career, but he has proven to be smart with his body during his college career which does bode well.
Potential Destination...
Jacksonville endured a torrid 2016 and they desperately need to add a running game to their offence which could see Fournette heading down to Florida. Similar comments apply to Carolina who will be looking to take the rushing burden away from a declining, and increasingly injured, Cam Newton.
OJ Howard - Tight End
- Height - 6-6
- Weight - 251lbs
- College - Alabama
Top class tight ends are few and far between in the NFL at the moment but in the form of OJ Howard, the draft class of 2017 could well contain a man to watch. A huge talent, he was recruited to Alabama and although he hasn't quite lived up to that hype, he remains an exceptionally gifted football player who is sure to go in the 1st round.
Strengths
Some can catch a football and some cant. OJ Howard falls into the former category and that natural ability is sure to have caught the eye of a number of teams. Long arms and massive hands, he has the ideal natural abilities to be a top pass-catching weapon in the NFL. His size lends itself well to being able to block which could be an excellent string to his bow, whilst he is far from slow which should be another advantage for his chances of going early on Thursday.
Weaknesses
His Alabama career was an up and down one with highlight games, like the Alabama Bowl, not seen as regularly as some would have liked. His productions levels were often low and that would be a worry heading into the NFL draft, although there are two ways to look at his inconsistent college stats.
Were Alabama worried he wasn't good enough to be a consistent target for them, or was it simply a matter that they had so many options, Howard was always going to struggle to rack up impressive number every game?
Potential Destination...
As well as having the #1 pick, Cleveland also have the #12 selection, and a pass catcher like Howard might fit perfectly into their scheme as they look to boost their offence. Buffalo are in dire need of weapons to support Tyrod Taylor which could lead them to looking at Howard, whilst the Jets are also in a similar boat as they look to rebuild their faltering offence
Mike Williams - Wide Receiver
- Height - 6-4
- Weight - 218lbs
- College - Clemson
A huge talent who recovered from a fractured neck, to catch 98 passes, for 1361 yards in 2016 for Clemson on their run to the National title. One of three or four wide receivers likely to go in the 1st round, Williams is seen by many top be the best of the bunch, and he won't be short of suitors as teams consider their options.
Strengths
Size and speed are a lethal combination for a wide receiver to have and Williams ticks both boxes. A major player as Clemson went all the way to the National title, Williams has the ability to dominate defensive backs with his long arm span and size making him very difficult to cover. Capable of making some spectacular catches, expect Williams to be a social media hit when he turns pro.
A dream downfield target for a quarterback, he was used on a regular basis in that capacity by Deshaun Watson at Clemson and as well as having that ability downfield, he also has the size and power to block around the edge if needed.
Weaknesses
Will he only be used as a deep field big play option?
There are some concerns that his general route running is perhaps not up to others in his class like Corey Davis, which may limit his ability as a high volume option. Seems to have bounced back from a terrible neck injury but any worry in that area could also pout off teams when it comes to picking him high in the 1st round.
Potential Destination...
Arizona need to replace an ageing Larry Fitzgerald at some point soon which means they could be tempted to take Williams 13th in the 1st round. Other potential landing sports for the Clemson star include Tennessee, who are looking to add options for Marcus Mariota, and Baltimore, who will want to fill the gap left by the retired Steve Smith.
Mitch Trubisky - Quarterback
- Height - 6-2
- Weight - 222lbs
- College - North Carolina
2017 is widely considered to be a weak class in terms of potential superstar quarterbacks but a number of them are still likely to go in the 1st round, with Mitch Trubisky perhaps the best of them. A top level quarterback can transform the fortunes of a franchise and every team without a leader under centre, will be taking a very close look at Trubisky.
Strengths
A comfortable and accurate pocket passer, particularly when it comes to short and medium length throws. Very good at releasing the ball quickly which will be a massive positive for him in the NFL, and he appears to have the size and strength to withstand the pressures of the pro ranks.
He perhaps doesn't have the ceiling of a Deshaun Watson or a Deshone Kizer, but Trubisky is a safer and more reliable option than both of them heading into the draft.
Weaknesses
Only has a year of experience behind him as a starter which is a worry heading into the NFL, especially for a team that will want to start him as a rookie. A number of coaches and experts have also expressed doubts about his ability to read the blitz, whilst his deep throwing will also need to improve in accuracy for him to be a success at the highest level.
Potential Destination...
Plenty of potential landing spots for Trubisky this week with the Browns, 49ers, Bears and Jets some of the teams in the top ten looking for a new starting signal-caller. New York could perhaps be the most likely destination at #6 as they look for a solid Carson Wentz like figure to move them forward into the future.