Five players who could be surprise first-round picks in NFL draft
No matter how close the projections come to reality, the NFL draft almost always features a handful of surprises.
With plenty of uncertainty clouding the first round this year, there's a good chance that someone outside the group of most familiar names will be selected on Thursday. Here are five players who could surprise as a potential first-round picks:
Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC
At 5-10 and 186 pounds, Jackson doesn't fit the traditional bill of a shutdown cover corner. But when the ball is in the air, he may be the best playmaker in the class. The Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation's most outstanding defensive back hauled in five interceptions and 11 pass break-ups last season, showing an improved comfort level with the position and the closing speed to compensate when he gives up ground to a receiver. He also brings immediate value on special teams after notching four touchdown returns last year.
Despite being in a loaded cornerback class, Jackson has a unique style that could make him attractive to several teams on the back end of the first round in need of secondary help. The Dallas Cowboys loom as a potential fit, as he could serve as an eventual successor to Orlando Scandrick in the slot.
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Malik McDowell, DT/DE, Michigan State
Hailed as a potential top 10 pick prior to the season, McDowell slogged through injuries and recorded just seven tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks as Michigan State went a disappointing 3-9. The year raised questions about McDowell's effort and consistency, as the gulf between his ability and production became difficult to reconcile. With a distinct ability to use his length and power to disrupt on either the edge or interior, McDowell could be one of the draft's boom-or-bust prospects.
The interview process might have been McDowell's defining moment for determining his draft stock, but his physical tools could be hard to overlook in the first round. The Oakland Raiders could use help on a defense that ranked 23rd against the run and had a league-worst 25 sacks. But the Cowboys might be the most intriguing option, as defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli could help him tap into his considerable potential.
Evan Engram, TE, Mississippi
Most of the focus on this year's unusually strong tight end class has centered on Alabama's O.J. Howard and Miami's David Njoku, both solid bets to be first-round picks. Engram, however, could join them and make this the first year since. A move tight end who looms as a matchup nightmare in the red zone, Engram also ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and separates from defenders with ease.
Engram still needs to learn the intricacies of the position and become a viable blocker, but his unique attributes might boost him to a spot earlier than many expect. The Pittsburgh Steelers or New Orleans Saints could look to him to add a new dimension to their already high-powered offenses.
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Tyus Bowser, LB, Houston
A former basketball player at Houston, Bowser had a breakout season with 8.5 sacks in eight games (he was sidelined for a stretch after fracturing his orbital bone in a fight with a teammate). His explosiveness off the edge is readily evident, and his 37.5-inch vertical leap and 6.75-second three-cone drill ranked best among all linebackers at the NFL scouting combine. Bowser still needs to learn the finer points of rushing the passer, but he's a high-upside option on the outside in either a 3-4 or 4-3.
The first round could be a stretch for Bowser, though there are several teams who could be drawn to his potential. The New York Giants could be looking for help at linebacker after missing out on Leonard Floyd last year, and the Miami Dolphins also might be looking to rejuvenate their pass rush.
Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado
Like Jackson, Awuzie's best work in the NFL may come as a nickel corner. But he has the size (6-0, 202 pounds) and experience on the outside and at safety to be a movable piece on defense, which many defensive coordinators covet. Awuzie has just three interceptions in four years, but he's a reliable asset in coverage.
With a knack for reading and reacting to routes, Awuzie would be an appealing option for zone-heavy teams in the first round. The Steelers or Green Bay Packers could give him a look toward the end of the first.
Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.
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