With the 2017 NFL draft now only a couple weeks away, the overall picture is beginning to come into focus. Of course, the view isn't entirely clear and isn't going to be until after the draft has actually concluded. This is because there is still a lot that can and will change between now and draft weekendand during it.When we think of changing the draft picture, we often think about actions on the part of teams. Will there be more first-round trades' Will the Cleveland Browns really pass on Myles Garrett with the first overall pick' Which teams are going to reach for a quarterback in Round 1'While we're looking for answers to these questions, we should also consider how certain draft prospects can impact the draft. Sometimes a guy will improve his stock enough during the pre-draft process to shake things up in a big way.Just think back a decade when former LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell forced his way into being the first overall pick with a pro day that wowed the collective football world (there's a cautionary tale in there somewhere).It doesn't seem likely that a prospect is going to supplant Garrett as the top overall pick this year, but there are plenty of players who can shake up this year's draft. We're going to examine some here today and analyze how they may do so.The tough part on our end is trying to figure out what teams actually think of these prospects. We don't usually get information about how they've performed at private workouts or in private interviews. We can, however, use some educated guesswork to help fill in the blanks.Before we dig into our picks for prospects who can shake up the draft landscape, let's take a look at the current first-round draft order.2017 NFL Draft OrderProspects to WatchMitchell Trubisky, QB, North CarolinaThere is no definitive top quarterback in this year's draft class, but North Carolina's Mitchell Trubisky seems to be trending in that direction. A solid combine and a crisp pro day have helped Trubisky overcome the stigma of being a one-year starter.NFL Media's David Carr believes that Trubisky is best suited to be a Day 1 starter."On film, I've seen him go through read progressions consistently," Carr explained. "He looks from his main target to the next guy and sometimes even his third and fourth options. He also has the ability to tuck the ball and run, making a positive play."The thing here is that Trubisky has to convince teams that his limited starting experience (13 games) won't be a hindrance as he adapts to the pro game. His best chance to do this is likely in private workouts and white board sessions.One person Trubisky has met with is San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan."It went really good," Shanahan said of the meeting, per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. "I enjoyed it. Met with him at the combine, too, and then got to spend a little bit more time with him last week."If Trubisky adequately convinces Shanahan and the 49ers that he can be the team's franchise quarterback, he could come off the board with the second overall pick. The Chicago Bears and New York Jets could also be in play inside the top 10.If Trubisky does end up going within the first few pick, it would not only shake up the top of Round 1, it could start a run on quarterbacks that defines the first couple rounds.Joe Mixon, RB, OklahomaIn many ways, former Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon has already shaken up the draft outlook. The early belief was that teams would shy away from Mixon in the draft because of his 2014 assault on a woman.However, Mixon has apparently shown enough potential in the pre-draft process that some teams are willing to deal with the potential public backlash.Mixon wasn't allowed to attend the scouting combine, but he did manage to impress at his pro day. NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah explained just how impressive Mixon was:Impressed everybody that was there. There were a handful of running backs coaches there. I spoke with a scout who was in attendance. ... He said 'That was a Round-1 workout in any draft class.' He said he was phenomenal.I think he's right in the discussion to be considered the top player at the position. I compare him to David Johnson. That's the kind of skill set he possesses.Has Mixon impressed enough to work his way into the first round' NFL Medias Bucky Brooks certainly seems to think so. He recently mocked Mixon to the Green Bay Packers.Mixon going in the first round and being one of the first backs off the board would certainly shake things up.In order for him to get to that point, though, he'll have to convince teams that his violent past won't re-emerge in the future. Dealing with public backlash is one thing. Dealing with another incident and suspension would be another.Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio StateThe general consensus seems to be that Ohio State product Marshon Lattimore is the top cornerback in this draft class. There are a number of corners vying to be the No. 2 guyincluding Alabama's Marlon Humphrey, LSU's Tre'Davious White and Washington's Kevin King.However, it might be Lattimore's former teammate, Gareon Conley, that ultimately ends up going second. The former Buckeye measured in at 6'0" and 195 pounds at the combine and ran the 40 in a solid 4.44 seconds. This, along with some quality 2016 tape, has put Conley on the rise.Pro Football Focus (PFF College) rated Conley 11th in pass coverage among all college cornerbacks last season.According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, many scouts feel Conley is just a notch below Lattimore:Conley is already shaking up the draft by changing the way we view this year's crop of cornerbacks. If he comes off the board early on the opening night of the draftand potentially right behind Lattimoreit could create a run on defensive backs.This is a deep class of defensive backs, but teams could start scrambling to secure their own elite safety or cornerback at the top of the draft. A run on defensive backs would potentially push some talented pass-rushers or offensive skill players into Rounds 2 and 3.
Click here to read full news..
