Myles Garrett
First round, No. 1 overall
Defensive end, Texas A&M, 6-4½, 272 pounds
Dane Brugler NFL Draft Guide summary: A three-year starter at Texas A&M, Garrett lined up primarily as the right defensive end in the Aggies’ four-man front and finished his career ranked seventh all-time in the SEC in sacks with 32.5, the second-most in the FBS over that span. He has the impressive ability to beat blockers with his athletic gifts while also tracking the football with backfield vision. Although he has room to improve the efficiency of his rush attack, Garrett keeps his hips and feet in sync and screams off the edge with the diverse skill-set to win in different ways. His production declined slightly as a junior, but the stat sheet is deceiving as offenses often game-planned for him, attacking with double and triple teams, and health was an issue over the second half of 2016. Overall, Garrett is the No. 1 prospect in the 2017 class with his special ability to get upfield quicker than most due to his combination of explosive athleticism, length and football intuition.
Jabrill Peppers
First round, No. 25 overall
Safety, Michigan, 5-10⅞, 213 pounds
Dane Brugler’s NFL Draft Guide summary: A two-year starter at Michigan, Peppers lined up as a SAM linebacker in the Wolverines’ 4-3 base scheme last season, moving from the secondary where he previously saw snaps at safety and cornerback (inside and outside). He flashes explosive traits and above-average play speed, but his skill-set lacks sophistication. Peppers doesn’t have the play strength or take-on skills to make a living near the trenches and plays too reactive in man and zone coverages. However, he doesn’t lack for confidence and should improve once he can focus on one position. Peppers is a difficult evaluation, but his remarkable athleticism and fearless attitude project well to the NFL level, projecting best as a hybrid strong safety and return man. Top-40 overall grade.
David Njoku
First round, No. 29
Tight end, Miami, 6-4, 246 pounds
Dane Brugler’s NFL Draft Guide summary: Njoku shared the starting tight end responsibilities the past two seasons for the Hurricanes, lining up mostly inline and flexed in the slot — was the national high-jump champion (6-foot-11) as a senior at Cedar Grove and jumped in college. His freakish athleticism for the position leaps off the screen, using his seam-busting speed and dynamic YAC (yards after catch) skills to be a downfield playmaker (averaged 16.6 yards per catch over his career). Njoku is a balanced blocker with potential to be above average in this area, but needs to develop his functional strength, technique and consistency. Although he is a better athlete than football player right now, Njoku is dripping with natural talent and has the elite athleticism to stress every level of the defense — still raw in several areas, but massive upside to be a playmaking NFL starter earns him a top-20 overall grade.