Here’s a look at the top 12 average pick results from mocks drafts conducted on NFL.com, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports and CBS Sports.
The first thing you might notice is that Zeke Elliot’s suspension has only impacted the results of ESPN and CBS results. I think that shows those platforms update their results quicker than Yahoo! and NFL. Elliot is now falling into the early third round due to his six game suspension. I think it will get reduced to four games so draft him based on missing four and not six games.
With Zeke out of the first round it let’s in a RB like DeMarco Murray, who I think will still have a big season even if Derrick Henry gets more touches. Another result could be another WR like Jordy Nelson or TY Hilton sneaking into the first round.
The most under-valued RB in my view is Jordan Howard. He only cracks the top 12 of the Yahoo! draft. I wouldn’t hesitate to draft him in the 11 or 12 hole. You will still get a top WR at #13 or 14.
The biggest swing in rankings belongs to RB Melvin Gordon. Gordon had a disappointing rookie season but rung up 10 TDs last season. He still hasn’t cracked a 1,000 yards in a season though. You want more from your first round pick.
My out on a limb prediction is that WR Mike Evans is the high scoring WR in 2017. Hence I have him fourth in my rankings behind only David Johnson, Le’Veon Bell and LeSean McCoy. That’s a little high for McCoy based on these results but I think new Bills HC Sean McDermott will focus on his ground game to protect his QB Tyrod Taylor.