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2017 NFL Combine: 10 Players to Watch

By John Buhler

Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) before a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) before a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes (5) drops back to pass against the University of Texas Longhorns in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes (5) drops back to pass against the University of Texas Longhorns in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
5

Patrick Mahomes

Quarterback, Texas Tech Red Raiders

From the early looks of it, it seems that three college quarterbacks will almost certainly go in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft: DeShone Kizer of Notre Dame, Mitch Trubisky of North Carolina, and Deshaun Watson of Clemson. There might be a fourth and that would be Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech.

Never mind that he play in an Air Raid offense at Texas Tech or often displayed lousy footwork at times, this guy could have the highest upside of any quarterback in the draft. Mahomes is the son of a former Major Leaguer and could be the best thing to come out of Lubbock since Buddy Holly.

Though he never took a snap under center in a Big 12 game, 75 percent of all NFL snaps are in shotgun. Mahomes reportedly took snaps under center in practice for Red Raiders head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Saying Mahomes’ talent is raw would be misguided. He was at times a Heisman contender for a lousy Texas Tech team he was carrying that had no idea how to play defense whatsoever.

With the trio in front of him frankly lacking serious NFL upside, could Mahomes force his way into the first round of the NFL Draft? He’s still unrefined, but Mahomes has a little bit of that Aaron Rodgers/Derek Carr prototype. A great showing at the combined makes him a top-40 pick, maybe as high as the late 20s in the first round.

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