MOBILE, Ala. -- Which prospects at this week's Reese's Senior Bowl have the best chance to be selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft?
Give the inside track to Alabama TE O.J. Howard and LSU CB Tre'Davious White, both of whom were projected as first-round selections in NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah's initial mock draft. After that, several others have a chance, but scouts who spoke with College Football 24/7 offered nothing resembling a consensus third choice.
"I would go with Howard, White, (Western Kentucky OL Forrest) Lamp and (Temple LB Hasaan) Reddick," said NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein. "You're not hearing a lot about Reddick right now, but his tape is really good. He'll have some really explosive traits in his workouts. He's got a chance because he can do a lot of things -- he can blitz, he can cover, he can do whatever you need."
Alabama LB Ryan Anderson called Lamp the best left tackle that he faced all season, and Crimson Tide Jonathan Allen, who Jeremiah projects as the No. 3 pick, said Lamp rates "one or two" on his list of toughest foes. Nevertheless, the anchor of the Hilltoppers' offensive line might not get a chance to play tackle at the next level.
"He's an inside guy all the way," Zierlein said. "His arms are less than 32 inches (31 1/8), so he's looking at guard."
Indeed, Lamp got a look at offensive guard during one-on-one drills Tuesday, taking on defensive tackles like Alabama's Dalvin Tomlinson rather than defensive ends. However, his status for the game Saturday is uncertain after he suffered a high ankle sprain during Tuesday's practice.
As for other potential first-rounders in Mobile, three NFL scouts suggested three different possibilities -- Alabama's Anderson, Texas A&M safety Justin Evans and Auburn defensive tackle Montravius Adams -- with two of the three scouts mentioning Anderson. Another name to remember: South Alabama TE Gerald Everett, whom Jeremiah initially pegged as the No. 23 pick to the New York Giants. Eastern Washington WR Cooper Kupp, one of the stars of the week thus far in practices, is improving his draft stock. NFL.com senior analyst Gil Brandt believes Kupp could end up in the first-round conversation.
Last year, the Senior Bowl included four eventual first-round picks: QB Carson Wentz, OG Joshua Garnett, DT Sheldon Rankins and DT Vernon Butler. This year's crop could end up with four as well. Beyond Howard and White, the possibilities had yet to separate from one another entering the week. It could be a different story by the end of the week with players like Kupp making a push.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
