6 most intriguing prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft

Matt Williamson is a former scout for the Cleveland Browns, and spent the last 10 years at ESPN as a scout and co-host of the podcast, "Football Today."

Analyzing draft prospects isn’t an easy chore. Evaluators must identify what each young man does well and where they struggle, and then decide which NFL schemes will provide optimal situations for success. Below are several prospects who are extremely intriguing for many different reasons.

Patrick Mahomes, QB

Mahomes could very well have the best arm strength in the entire draft, and if you factor in the ability to throw rockets when his feet aren’t set or in difficult conditions, Mahomes owns the honor. But wow, this guy sure flies by the seat of his pants, and he operated out of Texas Tech’s spread attack - a system that's rarely translated well to the NFL. He has bad habits, but also makes spectacular plays that few would even attempt. So, is he Brett Favre or Johnny Manziel? Ideally, Mahomes will end up in a place like Arizona where he can be taught a little before eventually taking the reins.

Davis Webb, QB

If Mahomes doesn’t have the strongest arm in this draft, then that distinction belongs to Webb. However, the latter is a big thrower that must win from the pocket, and isn’t an athletic playmaker like Mahomes. Adjusting to an NFL system will take time, and Webb's deep accuracy is very worrisome, which is a big problem for a pocket passer. While he and Mahomes are very different players, landing in Arizona - to learn behind Carson Palmer - would also make sense for Webb.

Evan Engram, TE

Pass-catchers in today’s NFL come in all shapes and sizes. Engram is a tight end by name, but at 6-foot-3 and 234 pounds, looks more like a beefed-up wide receiver. He also stretches the field, and ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the combine - excellent even for someone 40 pounds lighter. Engram was a highly productive receiver at Mississippi and will present major matchup problems at the next level if used properly. And, while he probably will never be confused with Rob Gronkowski as an inline blocker, Engram's efforts in this department are also strong, and he's not consistently ragdolled. The Saints picked up the last draft pick of Round 1 in the Brandin Cooks trade, and with Coby Fleener disappointing, maybe Sean Payton pounces on Engram with that extra selection and uses him like a more athletic version of Marques Colston.

T.J. Watt, LB

Yes, this is J.J.'s brother. And like big brother, T.J. was a late bloomer at Wisconsin, producing by far his best season in 2016. He's also highly intriguing - is the best still yet to come? He proved to be an excellent athlete, and we know the work ethic and desire to be great are certainly there. His pass-rush technique needs work, but that can be taught. On the other hand, Watt closes on ball-carriers and changes directions extremely well for a player his size - something that can't be taught. What if he were to end up in Pittsburgh and learn the finer points of the position from someone like James Harrison? Now that is very intriguing.

Haason Reddick, LB

Reddick has an amazing story. After dealing with injuries in high school, he walked on at Temple as a cornerback and eventually morphed into a demon of a pass-rusher off the edge from a defensive end position. He has shined during the draft process, and his great tape and measurables mesh completely. But at 6-foot-1 and 237 pounds, can Reddick play outside linebacker in a typical 3-4 scheme? Or, is he more of a Ryan Shazier-type player with his great speed and athletic ability, along with blitzing prowess? Either way, Reddick is going in the first round.

Obi Melifonwu, S

There isn’t a more intriguing prospect in this entire draft than Melifonwu. Get this: listed as a safety, he stands 6-foot-4 and 224 pounds with extremely long arms. He ran a 4.4 flat, and jumped out of the gym in the broad (141”) and vertical (44-inch); for those of you who don’t know, those numbers are simply amazing. Some even think Melifonwu can play a Richard Sherman-like cornerback role in the right scheme. He could also be a nickel linebacker, or is he a Kam Chancellor-type safety? Like Reddick, Melifonwu is going in the first round, and once coached up, there isn’t a player in this draft that you would rather have playing man coverage on a tight end like Travis Kelce.