The 2017 NFL draft appears to be one of the deepest in recent memory, and that is especially true when it comes to skill-position players capable of making game-changing plays.Running back, wide receiver and tight end are all remarkably stacked in the current class, which means multiple teams will have the ability to add a dynamic element to their offenses throughout the draft, but especially in the opening round.Here is a first-round mock draft, as well as a closer look at some of the most exciting prospects likely to come off the board in the first 32 picks.John RossIn a draft brimming with talent at wide receiver, there is perhaps no speedier or more electric wideout than Washington's John Ross.According to NFL.com, Ross broke the NFL Scouting Combine record when he ran the 40-yard dash in a blistering 4.22 seconds.He was already considered one of the top pass-catchers in the draft, but that performance likely cemented him as a first-round prospect.Ross is coming off a remarkable season with the Huskies, as he racked up 81 receptions for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns, along with a rushing touchdown and kick return touchdown as well.Although he only had one big year in college, Ross believes he compares favorably to Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver DeSean Jackson, per the NFL's official Twitter account:Among the teams in most dire need of a deep threat of Ross' ilk are the Tennessee Titans, who will pick at both No. 5 and No. 18.If Ross is available with the 18th selection, it is difficult to envision them passing on a big-time target for young quarterback Marcus Mariota.According to NFL.com's Chase Goodbread, Ross visited with the Titans and expressed excitement at the thought of playing with Mariota:"He's one of my favorite quarterbacks ever. When [Washington] played Oregon, he was doing things I'd never seen before in person. I would love to catch balls from Marcus. We're both young, we'd be able to grow together."Tennessee's offense was largely dependent on DeMarco Murray and the running game last season, but adding Ross alongside wide receiver Rishard Matthews and tight end Delanie Walker would boost the passing attack significantly.Mariota needs more weapons in order to take the next step, and Ross looks like the perfect fit in that regard.David NjokuAlabama's O.J. Howard is likely to be the first tight end off the board in the 2017 NFL draft, but David Njoku of the Miami Hurricanes may not be far behind.Njoku had a breakout season for the 'Canes in 2016, as he produced to the tune of 43 receptions for 693 yards and eight touchdowns.He averaged a ridiculous 16.3 yards per catch at the tight end position and put up even more impressive numbers in terms of yards after catch, according to Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus:Njoku started out as a wide receiver and has the ball skills most often possessed by wideouts, but the fact that he has a tight end body makes him a highly intriguing prospect.He ran the 40-yard dash in an excellent 4.64 seconds at the combine and finished among the best at his position in the vertical jump, broad jump and three-cone drill, per NFL.com.A potentially good fit for Njoku would be the New York Giants at No. 22. The G-Men boast a great receiving corps with Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall and Sterling Shepard, but they have little to speak of at tight end.Njoku is from Cedar Grove, New Jersey, and expressed excitement regarding possibly getting taken by hishometown team, according to Art Stapleton of theRecord:When the Giants went to the Super Bowl, obviously I was a Giants fan. I've heard great things about the players, [quarterback] Eli [Manning], Odell, now [Marshall]. I was told if the Giants draft a tight end, they could make a run for the Super Bowl, and if that was me, it'd be really cool to go back home. I'm sure that would cause a big uproar in Cedar Grove.New York may have bigger offensive needs at tackle and running back, but Njoku may be a far more valuable commodity at No. 22.The Giants already figure to be a difficult offense to slow down in 2017 following the addition of Marshall, but throwing Njoku into the mix would arguably give New York the best group of pass-catchers the NFL has to offer.Christian McCaffreyOne of the biggest stories during the first round of the draft figures to be running back Christian McCaffrey and where he lands.It is difficult to get a read on precisely how much teams value him, but every indication is that he has cemented his status as a first-round selection.McCaffrey did it all at Stanford, especially in 2015 as a sophomore when he rushed for 2,019 yards, racked up 645 receiving yards, scored 13 offensive touchdowns and added two more scores on returns.His numbers dropped off a bit in 2016, but he still managed nearly 2,000 total yards from scrimmage and 16 scores.According to ESPN.com's Jenna Laine, Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter views McCaffrey as a potential every-down back:I think most teams are probably looking at him as a weapon, but Stanford definitely used him as an every-down back and Stanford is not a spread team. Not last year, but the year before, I think he had over 300 touches. They were using him as an 'I' back and their main running play was power, old-school power. He's shown that he can do that.McCaffrey's versatility means he could likely fit in almost any offensive system, but one team that may love to have him in particular are the Kansas City Chiefs.After parting ways with Jamaal Charles, Kansas is left with the combination of Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West in the backfield.While they combined for solid production last season, they lack explosiveness. McCaffrey has that in spades and would give the Chiefs another electric playmaker along with wide receiver Tyreek Hill.Kansas City's offense is based largely on gimmickry with quarterback Alex Smith under center, and McCaffrey would make it even harder to defend.Add in the possibility of McCaffrey establishing himself as a three-down back, and there is plenty of incentive for the Chiefs to nab him if he is still there at No. 27.
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