NFL Draft 2017: Top 5 prospects who could free fall
By Joel W. Cade
Which five 2017 NFL Draft prospects could be in for a long wait to hear their names called?
The 2017 NFL Draft is just around the corner. Every year somebody becomes that guy sitting uncomfortably in the green room while player after player gets picked before them. Although nothing may come close to the Aaron Rodgers draft day experience, these five players may just be “that guy” who free falls.
Players free fall for various reasons. If Watson free-falls, it will not be because of anything he did wrong. It will be because of the depth at every other position in the draft compared to quarterback. Many experts believe this is a weak quarterback class. Combine that with a strong defensive draft and quarterbacks may start free falling.
Working against Watson is the recent rise of Patrick Mahomes from Texas Tech. Although he comes from an “Air Raid” system that has yet to produce an outstanding NFL quarterback, teams are falling in love with Mahomes’ arm and gunslinger mentality.
Also, Deshaun Watson is the second rated quarterback in the draft. Most experts pick Mitchell Trubisky of North Carolina to come off the board first. If teams like the Jets, Bears, Cardinals and Browns pass on a quarterback in the first round, no quarterback may come off the board until pick 25 with the Houston Texans. This means Watson may be in for a long night.
Watson comes from a spread system, meaning he will have to learn a lot at the NFL level. His short passing game is excellent. However, there are questions about arm strength and long throw accuracy. Teams will think twice about taking a developmental quarterback with arm strength questions in the top ten.
Watson better start practicing his stoic look now.