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2017 NFL Draft Big Board: Ranking the top 32 prospects

By Patrick Schmidt

Dec 5, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to pass the ball during the second quarter against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the ACC football championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Clemson defeated North Carolina 45-37. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to pass the ball during the second quarter against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the ACC football championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Clemson defeated North Carolina 45-37. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) throws a pass against the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) throws a pass against the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Brad Kaaya is the second best quarterback in my early rankings for the 2017 NFL Draft and because of the position he plays will be drafted ahead of players I have ranked higher. That just comes with the territory and we saw it this year with Jared Goff and Carson Wentz going first and second in the draft and you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who had them as the two best players in the draft.

Kaaya is an intriguing draft prospect because he has been a starter since his freshman year with the Miami Hurricanes and has had nice individual success despite not much overall team success during the Al Golden era. But in comes Mark Richt who has a reputation for developing quarterbacks and inherits his NFL prospect at the position since Matthew Stafford went first overall.

If Kaaya takes his game to the next level under Richt he’ll be firmly in place as one of the top two signal-callers in the draft. And if he can lead Miami to a 9-10 win season that’ll enhance his draft profile although Goff 14 games in college and that didn’t hurt his draft stock.

Next: Malik McDowell

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