2017 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting First Three Rounds before Scouting Combine
By Tyler Brooke
51. . WR. USC. JuJu Smith-Schuster. 37. player
The Los Angeles Rams have to wait 36 picks before they’re finally on the clock in this year’s draft, unless they try to trade up. After waiting so long to pick, the Rams are probably going to want to find an effective playmaker at wide receiver.
USC’s JuJu Smith-Schuster is the next best receiver on the board, and he’s an awfully exciting prospect to watch on tape. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, JuJu is still a speedster with great acceleration off of the line of scrimmage. His soft hands also allow him to make some impressive catches in traffic.
Schuster is still inconsistent and can get jammed off of the snap, but he has WR1 potential, and that’s something that the Rams really need right now.
13. . EDGE. UCLA. Takkarist McKinley. 38. player
There is a very real chance that Melvin Ingram doesn’t come back to play for the Chargers next season. Even if he does come back, the Chargers could seriously consider adding another talented edge rusher.
Takkarist McKinley out of UCLA is getting a ton of buzz, and for good reason. He reacts well and jumps off of the snap while using his long arms to create separation and bend the edge. He’s an incredible athlete who is able to hold his ground and rarely gets washed out by blockers.
His pad level can be inconsistent at times and he’s still a little raw, but McKinley is one of those edge rushers with the potential to produce double-digit sacks in the NFL.