Todd McShay Way-too-early 2017 NFL mock draft Kaaya #2

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Todd McShay
ESPN Senior Writer



Let's start by emphasizing the first part of the headline above: Way-too-early. There's a reason we use that terminology for this piece. I have not studied tape on most of these players. I've simply done my best to match up many of the top players on my preliminary list with teams that make sense.

A few more important notes:

-- Most of my evaluations below came from what I've been able to see watching them in person or on TV. We still have a ton of work to do on everyone in the 2017 class.

-- Last year, 15 players who were featured in my way-too-early mock draft ended up going in the 2016 first round. As we saw with Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith, injuries are impossible to predict and certainly impact a player's draft stock.

-- The draft order below was generated by Football Outsiders, using its early projected records for the 2016 season.

Here is my way-too-early NFL mock draft for 2017. Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.


1. Cleveland Browns

Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson*

We have limited information on Watson's intangibles, measurables and medical information, but by all accounts, he has outstanding personal and football character. While I still need to study his reads and true accuracy more, he has a good arm and flashes anticipation as a passer. Watson put up 40 points in the CFP Championship against an Alabama defense that had four players drafted in the top 60 and has another three featured here.


2. San Francisco 49ers

Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami (FL)*

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Kaaya will have to bulk up to withstand the pounding in the NFL, but he's a tough competitor. You can tell watching him play that he's very smart and processes information quickly. He has the tools to develop and shows good touch/timing as a passer. If the 49ers are picking this high -- remember: I didn't set the order -- they're likely still in need of a quarterback upgrade.
 
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No, no. I was told this guy is not a top level quarterback by our CIS scouting department.
 
Kaaya would be the next joe Montana in sf. Golden would then have to answer how he sucked so much with Trinidad brad lighting up the nfl!
 
McShay has always been high on Kaaya. Draft gurus sometimes are a dime a dozen too but he might be the tallest midget in the room. Interesting to see what a kid like Kaaya would do if he's a projected top 10 pick. We'll probably have every potential factor that'd bring a kid back working in our favor- program potentially poised to do something big in 2017, a coach he'll probably have a very strong relationship with, a kid that won't feel outside financial pressures to bolt in the way many others do and also someone that may be really enjoying college life ala Matt Leinart. That said, we may not want to get too emotionally invested in hoping he's back for a senior year.
 
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McShay has always been high on Kaaya. Draft gurus sometimes are a dime a dozen too but he might be the tallest midget in the room. Interesting to see what a kid like Kaaya would do if he's a projected top 10 pick. We'll probably have every potential factor that'd bring a kid back working in our favor- program potentially poised to do something big in 2017, a coach he'll probably have a very strong relationship with, a kid that won't feel outside financial pressures to bolt in the way many others do and also someone that may be really enjoying college life ala Matt Leinart. That said, we may not want to get too emotionally invested in hoping he's back for a senior year.
[MENTION=9712]Tad Footeball[/MENTION], a better example would be Andrew Luck even though he was a redshirt JR and not a senior in his final year. Both had(or will have in Kaaya's situation) teams that not only are front runners to win their conference and a potentially high chance to contend for the NC
 
Looking forward to Watson v.s. Kaaya head-to-head...

Already watched that

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Kaaya would be the next joe Montana in sf. Golden would then have to answer how he sucked so much with Trinidad brad lighting up the nfl!

Golden would claim he knew Kaaya would be great, and The NCAA Cloud prevented surrounding Kaaya with better surrounding talent.
 
I just don't like QB's who come from gimmick offenses like Watson. He's capable, but 75% of what they do is read option. I can't get a true read on those guys ability to make reads at the line, make adjustments and then make the read to the right receiver or play. Can he adjust to taking a snap under center and control his athletic abilities to pass/throw it away instead of run. Not saying spread QB's can't make the adjustment, but its an intangible that makes you have doubts. My only concern with Kaaya is arm strength, but I've never seen him up close to gage his velocity.
 
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