5. Cam Robinson (Offensive Lineman, Alabama)
In the days and months leading up to the draft, many experts considered Alabama’s Cam Robinson to be the best offensive tackle in an otherwise unimpressive class. However, as name after name came off the board on Thursday night, Robinson remained.
Along the same lines, the constantly dropping draft stock of offensive linemen proved to be an accurate projection. So while those in the know had the positional value correct, they apparently missed on Robinson. Instead, it was Utah’s Garett Bolles who came off the board first and Wisconsin’s Ryan Ramczyk who came off second.
Robinson won’t likely remain undrafted for too long into Round 2, but he still has to compete with Western Kentucky’s Forrest Lamp, who also nearly made this list, and the aforementioned Dion Dawkins. Either way, all three will likely be gone on Day 2 and, by all accounts, Robinson should have the higher upside.
4. Davis Webb (Quarterback, California)
The run on quarterbacks was to be expected entering Thursday’s draft, and that ultimately meant some talented gunslingers would fall. And while it was relatively easy to predict who would slide and who wouldn’t, there’s still no denying that more than a handful of quarterbacks had a first-round grade.
In any other year, Davis Webb is likely to be a first-round pick. But with players like Deshaun Watson and Mitch Trubisky also there for the taking, Webb ended up sliding.
Webb posted big numbers at Cal as a senior after transferring from Texas Tech. He threw for 4,295 yards, 37 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Coming from Sonny Dykes’ Bear Raid offense may have given some teams concern about whether he’d fit an NFL system.
Webb is not the only quarterback who slid or will continue to slide, but like many others on this list, that’s all a part of the numbers game. He’ll be snagged on Day 2 and will undoubtedly enter the NFL with a chip on his shoulder.
3. DeShone Kizer (Quarterback, Notre Dame)
Like Webb, DeShone Kizer took a somewhat unexpected tumble on Thursday. There had been some smoke — smoke that seems humorous in hindsight — that he’d be one of the first two quarterbacks taken, but that did not come to fruition. Instead, he and Webb will be forced to wait for their name to be called on Day 2.
Had Kizer returned to Notre Dame for one more season, he very well could have been considered among the best quarterback prospects in the nation. Instead, while likening himself to a combination of Tom Brady and Cam Newton, Kizer gambled and declared for the draft two years early.
The slide might not be a terrible thing for Kizer, however. Rather than landing with a team like the Cleveland Browns or San Francisco 49ers, who will want their picks to start on Day 1, Kizer could now fall into a developmental role and really ready himself for a starting job down the line.
2. Dalvin Cook (Running Back, Florida State)
Dalvin Cook was one of the most elusive running backs in college football, but a long history of red flags may have been the reason behind him going undrafted in Round 1 of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Dating back to middle school, there have been serious concerns about Cook’s attitude and decision-making. Those issues were compounded when he began to struggle further away from the football field. And whether they’re to be blamed on his poor and strenuous upbringing or the person intentionally trying to sabotage him, it was clearly enough for 32 NFL teams to steer clear. At least initially.
The ultimate reality is that Cook is an athletic gem and a talented running back. His fall won’t be as drastic as some others who have had red flags in previous years, but it was enough to make for a sour situation. In the end however, someone is going to get a quality player and have the opportunity to straighten his ship.
1. Joe Mixon (Running Back, Oklahoma)
Mixon’s availability in Round 2 shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Despite reaching a settlement with the woman he assaulted and offering her a public apology, there is just too much baggage that comes with Mixon for a team to spend a first round pick on him.
Whether or not the same rings true in Round 2 remains to be seen, but there’s little denying the sort talent Mixon possesses. At some point, and for that reason alone, his name is going to be called.
Some scouts have raved over his honesty and maturity in the aftermath of one of his worst moments, so perhaps he won’t have to wait much longer to find a new home.
