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Most interesting prospects from the 2017 NFL Draft
All eyes will be on Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky after the team traded up to take him No. 2 overall. Patrick Gorski/USA TODAY Sports

Most interesting prospects from the 2017 NFL Draft

The 2017 NFL Draft is finally in the books, with plenty of surprises. The following features some of the most interesting players to keep an eye on as they embark on their professional careers. Who is primed to shine with their new teams? Let's take a look.

 
1 of 25

Gareon Conley, CB, Raiders

Gareon Conley, CB, Raiders
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Conley was likely to go in the top half of the first round until sexual assault allegations just days before the draft clouded his status. The Raiders still took the risk with the 24th overall pick. It's a pick that could be remembered for all the wrong reasons if the off-field issues continue to snowball.

 
2 of 25

James Conner, RB, Steelers

James Conner, RB, Steelers
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

A cancer survivor, Conner had his most productive years early in his college career at Pitt. He goes down the road to the Steelers, where he will get a chance to back up Le'Veon Bell. It's an intriguing possibility given Bell's past injury issues.

 
3 of 25

Leonard Fournette, RB, Jaguars

Leonard Fournette, RB, Jaguars
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Acclaimed by some as the best prospect in the entire draft, Fournette still has his blemishes. He missed time last season to an ankle injury and isn't exactly a great receiving threat. Jacksonville has been desperate to find a featured back since Maurice Jones-Drew left, with names like Toby Gerhart, T.J. Yeldon and Chris Ivory among the team's attempts. Will Fournette finally be the answer?

 
4 of 25

Wayne Gallman, RB, Giants

Wayne Gallman, RB, Giants
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Gallman was highly productive over the last two seasons at Clemson, so he's already been on the big stage. The Giants invested a fourth-round pick on him, hoping he can add to a crowded running back committee that already includes Paul Perkins and Shane Vereen.

 
5 of 25

Chad Hansen, WR, Jets

Chad Hansen, WR, Jets
John Hefti / USA Today Sports Images

Hansen is coming off of an incredibly productive year at Cal, with 92 receptions in only 10 games. Wide receiver is one of the few positions that's crowded for the Jets, but Hansen has the ability to emerge from the pack in spite of his fourth-round draft status.

 
6 of 25

Kareem Hunt, RB, Chiefs

Kareem Hunt, RB, Chiefs
Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

The Chiefs traded up in the third round to ensure they got Hunt. An incredibly productive and polished runner at Toledo, he's likely to jump Charcandrick West as the No. 2 back on the depth chart and could even challenge Spencer Ware for carries.

 
7 of 25

Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints

Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
Randy Sartin / USA Today Sports Images

Saints head coach Sean Payton has proved he knows how to use speed weapons, and Kamara has the ability to be one. His versatility and flashiness draw Reggie Bush comparisons, and he will have a third-down role behind Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram.

 
8 of 25

Chad Kelly, QB, Broncos

Chad Kelly, QB, Broncos
Matt Bush / USA Today Sports Images

Kelly's talent was described by some evaluators as first-round worthy, but his off-field issues made him Mr. Irrelevant. Jim Kelly's nephew still has great physical tools and should fit in well in a young quarterback room behind Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch. 

 
9 of 25

DeShone Kizer, QB, Browns

DeShone Kizer, QB, Browns
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Kizer proclaimed himself a future star, while Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said Kizer isn't ready for the NFL. The Browns are taking a chance on Kizer's upside with a second-round pick. He could play late this season, with only Brock Osweiler and Cody Kessler in the way.

 
10 of 25

Marlon Mack, RB, Colts

Marlon Mack, RB, Colts
Logan Bowles / USA Today Sports Images

Frank Gore has been uber-durable in Indianapolis but has shown limited production. Mack, a fourth-round pick, is a great complement with flashy speed and could even compete for carries if he shines early this season.

 
11 of 25

Patrick Mahomes II, QB, Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes II, QB, Chiefs
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

Mahomes' stock increased quickly during the draft process. The skeptics point to his poor decision making and the Air Raid offense, but Chiefs head coach Andy Reid's track record with quarterbacks is tremendous. Playing to win now, would the Chiefs speed up Mahomes' timetable if Alex Smith doesn't deliver early in the year?

 
12 of 25

Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers

Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers
Jim Dedmon / USA Today Sports Images

Not many players in the draft showed more versatility than McCaffrey, who should be able to take some of the pressure off of Cam Newton. Jonathan Stewart is set to take a backseat to the former Stanford star.

 
13 of 25

Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals

Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals
John David Mercer / USA Today Sports Images

Off-field issues removed Mixon from some draft boards entirely, yet the Bengals seemingly have never seen a player they're unwilling to rehabilitate. Mixon clearly had first-round talent and could be set to jump Jeremy Hill as the team's starting running back.

 
14 of 25

Jabrill Peppers, S, Browns

Jabrill Peppers, S, Browns
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Few prospects were more polarizing than Peppers, a versatile Heisman candidate who could play safety, linebacker, return man and wideout. He gives Cleveland's secondary playmaking ability that it didn't have previously.

 
15 of 25

Samaje Perine, RB, Redskins

Samaje Perine, RB, Redskins
Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports Images

Washington has been anxious to find a running back in recent seasons. 2015 draft pick Matt Jones has apparently not worked out due to fumbling issues, and Rob Kelley was up and down in his rookie year. Perine was a very productive player at Oklahoma and could find a lot of playing time in his rookie season after going in the fourth round.

 
16 of 25

Nathan Peterman, QB, Bills

Nathan Peterman, QB, Bills
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Peterman was called one of the most NFL-ready quarterback prospects in the draft, but apparently teams weren't impressed with the upside after letting him fall to the fifth round. Buffalo hasn't been publicly complimentary of Tyrod Taylor, so Peterman could still emerge this year if things go bad for Buffalo.

 
17 of 25

Donnel Pumphrey, RB, Eagles

Donnel Pumphrey, RB, Eagles
Glenn Andrews / USA Today Sports Images

The career rushing record holder in college enters a favorable situation in an Eagles running back committee. His skills and profile resemble current Eagles veteran Darren Sproles.

 
18 of 25

John Ross, WR, Bengals

John Ross, WR, Bengals
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

The new record holder in the 40 at the combine, Ross could allow A.J. Green and Tyler Eifert more single coverage underneath. Andy Dalton struggled last season after losing Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu, so Ross's arrival could have a big impact this year.

 
19 of 25

Curtis Samuel, WR/RB, Panthers

Curtis Samuel, WR/RB, Panthers
Matthew Emmons / USA Today Sports Images

Carolina wanted to add a speedy weapon after losing Ted Ginn this offseason. Samuel is exactly that, showing the flashiness comparable to Chiefs 2016 rookie star Tyreek Hill.

 
20 of 25

Adam Shaheen, TE, Bears

Adam Shaheen, TE, Bears
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports Images

Chicago was heavily criticized for drafted several non-D1 prospects, Shaheen among them. The tape shows incredible upside, but was that only because of Shaheen's competition?

 
21 of 25

Teez Tabor, CB, Lions

Teez Tabor, CB, Lions
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Tabor was considered a first-round prospect until he struggled in the 40 at the combine. An active talker, he's still out to prove the scouts wrong and is a good fit for Teryl Austin's defense.

 
22 of 25

Mitchell Trubisky, QB, Bears

Mitchell Trubisky, QB, Bears
Patrick Gorski / USA Today Sports Images

Chicago made a shocking move by paying significantly to move up just one draft spot to No. 2, taking Trubisky. He will sit this season behind new acquisition Mike Glennon, and some are still skeptical of his ability after only one year of starts in college.

 
23 of 25

Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans

Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

No college quarterback delivered more team success than Watson, and he could start immediately in Houston over Tom Savage with a good preseason showing. The Texans have an excellent defense, but Watson's high rate of interceptions at Clemson could be a red flag.

 
24 of 25

T.J. Watt, LB, Steelers

T.J. Watt, LB, Steelers
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Is Watt, the brother of Texans star J.J. Watt, a case of nepotism or the real deal? He was very productive at Wisconsin last season, but his name likely got him pushed into the first round. The Steelers really need a go-to pass rusher and hope Watt can be that player.

 
25 of 25

Dede Westbrook, WR, Jaguars

Dede Westbrook, WR, Jaguars
Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports Images

Westbrook was a Heisman candidate at Oklahoma last season, but issues early in his college career deflated his stock to the fourth round. Jacksonville has a very strong group of wideouts and hopes Westbrook's upside can pay off.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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