On the morning of one of my three favorite days on the football calendar, full of anticipation for one of the best draft classes in recent memory finding homes, I feel compelled to re-visit a draft topic I haven't covered in years. In 2011 and 2012, when I was admittedly a much more avid blogger, I studied the skill position players to create my personal ranking for the top skill talent available to NFL teams. The results can be used as a rough guide for dynasty drafters, though as it's pre-draft, it focuses solely on skill sets and developmental upside, without accounting for team fit and early-career roles. It's purely about individual talent.

Since this class is loaded and tonight's first round has 32 selections, that's the number I limited my rankings to. [Spoiler alert: the toughest name to leave off the list was Joshua Dobbs, the quarterback from Tennessee]

If you think this endeavor lacks merit, feel free to first review my appraisals for the 2011 class and get my pre-draft impressions of stars like Cam Newton, A.J. Green, Julio Jones and DeMarco Murray (the links to the 2012 iteration mysteriously don't work; seriously, they just don't and it has nothing to do with my gushing over Trent Richardson).

Satisfied?

Ignored the link? Scrolled right to the players and skipped the intro altogether, didn't you?

Heck, why do I care. It's Draft Day and it's about the kids. Enjoy!

THE DRAFT'S BEST SKILL PLAYERS:

1. Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma Sooners (6-1, 226 ; 4.43 40)*
   - Mixon possesses the trifecta of attributes that go into being a successful NFL runner – vision, balance and burst – and he has them in spades. His footwork is also well above average and his long speed allows him to break off the big play. What truly separates Mixon from his peers, however, is that he's the uncommon big-bodied back who runs smooth routes and catches the ball effortlessly, much like fantasy superstars David Johnson and Le'Veon Bell. Projected: 2nd Round
2. DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-4, 230 ; 4.83 40)*
   - The jury may be out on Kizer's true character, but any skepticism about his ability or intelligence does not need to be under the microscope. The bottom line is, a quarterback like this comes along quite rarely. Few draft prospects possess the combination of arm talent to make touch, laser and deep throws, the mobility to extend plays and gain chunk yardage and scores with his legs, and the grit to lead comebacks and nerve to make clutch plays. Moreover, the roller coaster 4-8 Notre Dame season served as the learning experience most players get out of their rookie years. Kizer is better off for it and he is the only player in the 2017 draft with multiple-MVP upside. Projected: Late 1st to Early 2nd Round
3. Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU Tigers (6-1, 235 ; 4.51 40)*
   - A locomotive runner with quality vision, good acceleration and teeth-rattling power, Fournette often looks like the second coming of Bo Jackson, a light-on-his-feet generational athlete that could run through or away from defenders. If Fournette's physical style doesn't lend itself to injury, this runaway train could be a 10,000-yard back some day. Projected: Top 10
4. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State Seminoles (5-10, 210 ; 4.49 40)*
   Cook is a special open-field runner who possesses an innate ability to raise his level of play above his competition when the stakes are highest. He does a great job of pressing the line of scrimmage and then dancing through traffic to break into the second and third levels with a tremendous burst. It's not hyperbole to say he's entering the league with a skillset reminiscent of Marshall Faulk, and it's a safe bet he'll be a similar yardage machine. Projected: Mid to Late 1st Round
5. Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan Broncos (6-2, 213 ; N/A)
   - Davis has ballerina feet and with power forward, vacuum hands. As he refines his route running his physical tools and tenacity should put him in the discussion for All-Pro teams. He is a less demonstrative, silkier Dez Bryant. Projected: Top 20
6. Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma Sooners (5-11, 233 ; 4.65 40)*
   - A runner in the mold of a slower but considerably heftier Maurice Jones-Drew, Perine laughs in the face of arm tackles as he bounces off defenders and occasionally buries them in the turf. His game combines vision, balance and beef to pummel would-be tacklers and churn out yards after contact. Translation: Oklahoma's all-time leading rusher is the consummate two-down chain-mover and touchdown-maker. Projected: Late 2nd Round
7. O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama Crimson Tide (6-6, 251 ; 4.51 40)
   - Howard has not even scratched the surface of what he can do on a football field. Aside from a monstrous championship showing at the end of the 2015 season, Alabama simply did not utilize his immense receiving ability. With the light feet to develop elite route skills, natural hands and breakaway speed, Howard could threaten Rob Gronkowski's single-season yards record for a tight end, particularly if he lands in the right offense. Projected: Top 20
8. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford Cardinal (5-11, 202 ; 4.48 40)*
   - Patience, lightning quick feet, and superb balance allow McCaffrey to generate huge chunk plays by creating holes and escaping into the secondary. With a punt returner's elusiveness in the open field, he's a constant big-play waiting to happen. Oh, and it sure doesn't hurt that he could be most teams' starting slot receiver from Day 1. The ultimate Swiss Army knife in pads. Projected: Top 20
9. Mike Williams, WR, Clemson Tigers (6-4, 218 ; 4.54 40)*
   - Williams boasts a similar body to Demaryius Thomas, but while Denver's Pro Bowler plays faster, this former Clemson stud plays taller. An instant starter, Williams can be an elite red zone weapon from Day 1 and should develop into a perennial 1,000-yard receiver with the right quarterback. Projected: Top 20
10. David Njoku, TE, Miami Hurricanes (6-4, 246 ; 4.64 40)*
    - Njoku is a matchup nightmare for offensive coordinators and he will torment defenses with a catch radius that has him open the moment he strolls into the locker room. Tack on the speed and elusiveness to burn up yards after the catch and there will be no ceiling to Njoku's game when he actually learns how to run proper routes. Projected: Top 20
11. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC Trojans (6-1, 215 ; 4.54 40)*
    - A slightly shorter, more compact version of Allen Robinson, Smith-Schuster uses his sculpted body to create throwing windows, claims contested throws with strong, "grown-man" hands and runs with aggression and good open field vision after the catch. Like Robinson, he will blossom into a No. 1 receiver at the price tag of a second rounder. Projected: Top Half of 2nd Round
12. John Ross, WR, Washington Huskies (5-11, 188 ; 4.22 40)*
    - More than just blurring speed, Ross projects as a T.Y. Hilton clone more so than the next DeSean Jackson. With calculated suddenness in his route running, there's no way to prevent him from gaining separation. Moreover, his soft hands and returner's instincts after the catch make him a constant homerun threat and a migraine-waiting-to-happen for defensive coordinators. Projected: 1st Round
13. Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson Tigers (6-2, 221 ; 4.67 40)*
    - Sometimes it's best not to focus on what a player struggles with, but instead keep in mind what's truly important. In the case of Watson, it's that poise. That focus and will to win that help him make plays when plays need to be made. His accuracy can be inconsistent. And he doesn't offer prototypical size or arm strength. He does, however, boast elite mobility and the unshakeable poise to make touch and rhythm throws that will keep him winning on the next level. Projected: Top 20
14. Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington Eagles (6-2, 204 ; 4.62 40)
    - Superb route runner with a veteran's feel for setting up defenders and finding soft spots in coverage, Kupp has better functional strength and play speed than his combine numbers suggest. With his attention to the craft, underrated athleticism and sticky hands, he has all the makings of top-notch possession receiver in the mold of a longer Jarvis Landry. Projected: Mid 2nd to Mid 3rd Round
15. Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss Rebels (6-3, 234 ; 4.42 40)
    - An oversized wide receiver disguising as a tight end, Engram will utilize his elite speed and movement skills to line up all over the formation as a hybrid weapon. Fantasy owners should take note since he's essentially a tight end by name only. A terror up the seam and matchup issue in the red zone, Engram could prove a more durable version of Jordan Reed. Projected: Late 1st to Early 2nd Round
16. Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland Eagles (6-6, 278 ; 4.79 40)*
    - A towering, behemoth of a tight end, Shaheen looks exactly like what the "Monstars" from Space Jam would turn into if they wanted to steal football powers to square off in a game of pigskin with the Looney Tunes. With vice-grip hands, long-striding speed and a mean streak at the point of contact, any concerns about him adjusting to the level of competition from his DII roots are silly. Heck, they're downright looney. Projected: 2nd Round
17. Nathan Peterman, QB, Pittsburgh Panthers (6-3, 226 ; 4.82 40)
    - Peterman's experience in a pro style system allowed him to accentuate his strengths – reading defenses through full progressions; throwing with accuracy, timing and anticipation; navigating the pocket. A cerebral player with underrated scrambling ability, he profiles as an Alex Smith type. Projected: 2nd Round
18. Jeremy McNichols, RB, Boise State Broncos (5-9, 214 ; 4.49 40)*
    - McNichols sports a compact build but with good hip flexibility to weave through traffic and quality leg drive to shed contact. He particularly excels as a route runner who snags the ball cleanly and maximizes his forays into the secondary. His vision and toughness are not on the same level, but he possesses many similar traits to Devonta Freeman. Projected: Day 3
19. Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State Nittany Lions (6-1, 209 ; 4.42 40)*
    - Sure-handed with good long speed and toughness before and after the catch, Godwin possesses a similar body type and playing style to Pierre Garcon. He projects as a nice No. 2 receiver that can post big numbers in the right offense. Projected: 2nd Round
20. Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina Tar Heels (6-2, 222 ; 4.67 40)*
    - Trubisky has a smooth, natural release that he adjusts well for touch throws or darts as the situation dictates. His pocket presence and mobility appear solid, and he rarely seems panicked in the face of a rush. All the physical tools are there if he can command an NFL huddle and adapt to a pro-style system. Big "if's" no doubt, and if Cleveland awaits him, his upward climb may be too daunting. Projected: Top 12
21. ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama Crimson Tide (5-11, 204 ; 4.49 40)*
    - Stewart's route tree is incomplete and he especially needs refinement on his intermediate routes (which he ran infrequently at Alabama), but he's ultra competitive and a pure playmaker. His ability to track the deep ball and high-point contested passes combined with his running back mentality after the catch will get him on the field early as a rookie. Projected: 3rd Round
22. Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina Pirates (6-2, 201 ; 4.45 40)
    - Jones is a rock-solid No. 2 receiver who compares favorably with Marvin Jones, with perhaps less acrobatics but more precision in his route running. He's got the potential to catch 70-plus balls a year as a slithery possession target that never strikes fear into a defense but quietly produces. Projected: 2nd Round

23. Marlon Mack, RB, South Florida Bulls (5-11, 213 ; 4.50 40)*
    - A creative runner with good acceleration and long speed, Mack does a nice job of setting up defenders before beating them to the perimeter. NFL defenses will force him to stay inside the hashes more often, but with good vision to find creases and the slashing style to knife up field quickly, he can thrive with a Tevin Coleman-esque ceiling. Projected: Day 3
24. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-2, 225 ; 4.80 40)*
    - The only thing bigger than Mahomes' arm is his bravado. In the NFL that gunslinger mentality will hurt him as much as it helps him, even when at times it becomes his secret weapon, Jay Cutler-style. But for all the throws he can laser into a tight window, there will be too many that hurt him. Natural leadership and football enthusiasm, however, could carry him farther than the surly Cutler. Projected: 1st Round

25. Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee Volunteers (5-10, 213 ; 4.56 40)*
    - Quicker than fast, Kamara thrives on a stop-start ability that allows him to set up defenders and shoot past them with a burst of acceleration. He doesn't offer much power, though he fights hard for extra yardage and shows impressive balance at times. His chops as a receiver could be his true calling card as a pro, as he'll likely end up a committee back. Projected: 2nd Round

26. Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan Wolverines (6-2, 214 ; 4.45 40)
    - A highly competitive, underrated athlete with sticky hands and an NFL-ready body, Darboh is the type of late bloomer to be a better pro than he was college receiver. He suffered from inconsistent quarterback play and a run-heavy offense at Michigan, but with the right passer at the next level Darboh can emerge as a dependable chain-mover and red-zone weapon. Projected: Day 3

27. Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss Rebels (6-2, 224 ; 4.66 40)
    - One of the prettiest throwers of the football, Kelly's college highlight reel looks intriguingly similar to former Fresno State stud Derek Carr's. Both exhibited the ability to drop sideline throws in a bucket, hit a striding receiver on the numbers in traffic, and manage the pocket with moxie and poise. Kelly does have a lot of off-field concerns that Carr did not, of course, but he also thrived versus SEC competition, including topping 700 yards with six touchdowns in two appearances against Alabama. Even coming off ACL and wrist injuries, Kelly is worth the gamble. Projected: Day 3 or Priority Free Agent
    
28. Curtis Samuel, WR, Ohio State Buckeyes (5-11, 196 ; 4.31 40)*
    - A dynamic playmaker with flash acceleration and breakaway speed, Samuel filled a Percy Harvin role for Urban Meyer's Buckeyes. Like Harvin did, he'll have to transition into more of a full-time receiver role at the next level. His athleticism won't amount to much, however, until he develops from almost purely a bubble screen, slant and go route runner to a more complete product as a receiver. Projected: 2nd Round

29. Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (5-11, 203 ; 4.50 40)
    - Taylor was a prolific receiver against weak competition, but he did also lay a nine-catch, 121-yard effort on the stacked Alabama defense in Tuscaloosa. He fits that "quicker than fast" designation to a T and takes advantage of it using fluid movement skills to shake defenders at multiple stages of a route. Could have a Willie Snead-like impact. Projected: 3rd Round

30. Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma Sooners (6-0, 178 ; 4.34 40)
    - Westbrook's thin frame is an obvious concern, but what he lacks in bulk he more than makes up for in acceleration and deep speed. The 2016 Biletnikoff winner clocked a sub-4.4 at his pro day and showcased that blazing speed often as he averaged 19.1 yards per catch. Westbrook displays nice suddenness in his routes to create separation and tracks the deep ball exceptionally well. A poor man's DeSean Jackson is the natural and fair comparison. Projected: Day 3
31. D'Onta Foreman, RB, Texas Longhorns (6-0, 233 ; 4.45 40)*
    - You simply can't coach 4.4-speed at Foreman's size. He took advantage of that and a spread Texas offense in a weak defensive conference to easily lead the FBS (2,028 yards) in rushing and take home the Doak Walker Award. Foreman needs a good position coach in the NFL, however, if he wishes to maximize his potential. He doesn't run with aggression, can't pass protect and needs to improve his vision. Projected: Day 3
32. James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh Panthers (6-1, 233 ; 4.65 40)*
    - If you are a defensive back and do not square up Mr. Conner (and even sometimes when you do), he will flatten you. There's not much wiggle to his game, and he runs too upright, but with a powerful leg drive pushing his muscular 233 pounds he is a load to bring down. Someone will tab him as a short yardage and goal-line specialist, but he has the passion and dedication to become more. Projected: Day 3

* Denotes early entry.