NFL Draft: Five Bowl Games with the most NFL Talent

1. The Orange Bowl: Michigan vs Florida State (Dec. 30th)

Neither team in the Orange Bowl is competing for a spot in the National Championship. However, Friday’s matchup between the Wolverines and Seminoles could have as many as 20 prospects on the field, 13 of which wearing a Michigan uniform.

As a talent evaluator or draft enthusiast, it doesn’t get any better than this year’s Orange Bowl.

Michigan

The Wolverines defense is a special group. Defensive ends Taco Charlton and Chris Wormley are dynamic edge players and could both sneak into the latter half of the first round. The two have combined for 14.5 sacks and 10 hurries this season.

Defensive tackles Maurice Hurst and Ryan Glasgow also possess NFL-caliber talent and could be great mid-round finds for any team looking for plug-and-play interior players.

Linebacker Ben Gedeon is an underrated Day 3 prospect, who led Michigan in tackles (98) and tied for the team-lead in tackles for loss (15). He may not be the best athlete at the position, but he finds a lot of ways to make plays.

While only 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, Jourdan Lewis is a tough, feisty defensive back with tremendous instincts. If he had better size, he could be a first-round player. However, he’s probably a Day 2 pick and will make plays in the NFL as a nickel corner.

Jabrill Peppers is one of the most anticipated defensive prospects coming out of college. Calling him versatile feels like an understatement. He’s played linebacker, safety, nickel corner, halfback, slot receiver, and has been one of the more dynamic return men in college football.

He’s a special player, but uncertainty about his fit in the NFL could cause him to slip a little in the draft. Regardless, he’ll still be off the board in the first 15 picks of the draft.

On offense, Michigan has two decent offensive lineman in center Mason Cole and tackle Erik Magnuson. Running back De’Veon Smith is also a solid player and could be a late-round gem in the draft.

Jake Butt is one of the top tight end prospects of the class and grades out closely behind Alabama’s O.J. Howard. Butt will get selected in the first two rounds.

Wide receiver tandem Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson are interesting prospects who could break into Day 2 if they run well at the NFL Combine this spring. Darboh has had the more productive 2016 season and his big-play ability jumps out on film, but Chesson may be the more well-rounded prospect.

Florida State

Dalvin Cook may be the best prospect on the field this Friday. The FSU running back has amassed over 1600 yards on the ground and 400 receiving yards in the passing game to go along with his 19 touchdowns. This follows up a 2015 performance where he registered 1935 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns.

The dynamic halfback is one of the most gifted prospects in the 2017 draft class and he should be taken in the first 20 picks.

Staying on the offensive side of the ball, wide receiver Travis Rudolph is a mid-round prospect with good hands and route-running ability. Left tackle Roderick Johnson should be a Day 2 prospect, while center Alec Eberle appears to be an early Day 3 offensive lineman and guard Wilson Bell a late-rounder.

Defensive end Demarcus Walker is second in the nation in sacks with 15. However, I’m not convinced the 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive end is anything more than a really good college player, but average NFL talent. Granted, his ability to make plays will warrant at least a mid-round selection.

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The rest of the Florida State defense has a couple of notable Day 3 prospects. Defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi shows flashes of pushing the pocket and generating interior pressure. Right now, Marquez White looks like a fourth-round cornerback prospect who could move into Day 2 with good workout numbers.