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Detroit Lions 2017 NFL Draft Watchlist: Washington at Oregon

By Erik Schlitt

Oct 17, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) is tackled by Washington Huskies linebacker Scott Lawyer (47) during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) is tackled by Washington Huskies linebacker Scott Lawyer (47) during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 24, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Budda Baker (32) celebrates after a Arizona Wildcats fumble during the fourth quarter at Arizona Stadium. Washington won 35-28 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Budda Baker (32) celebrates after a Arizona Wildcats fumble during the fourth quarter at Arizona Stadium. Washington won 35-28 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

4.3 Speedsters

Safety Budda Baker (Junior, #32, 5’10”, 192) is the big name on one of the top defenses in the nation. Baker was a day one starter and has round-one type potential. Labeled as the next “Honey Badger”, Baker is an aggressive play-maker, with a nose for the ball.

While Baker lacks “ideal” NFL size, he has the elite speed to compensate. And with the recent success of smaller defenders like Tyrann Mathieu and Damarious Randall, teams may be willing overlook his size, because of his overall skill set.

Speedy wide receiver John Ross (#1, 5’11”, 190) missed 2015 while recovering from two separate knee injuries. Now a redshirt Junior, Ross has returned to form, and is once again a big-play waiting to happen. He has blazing speed and accelerates away from defenders both as a wide receiver and as a kick returner.

CBS sports ranks Ross as a top 50 player and Rob Rang elaborated:

"Ross is not as polished as some of the other top receivers in college football, and obviously NFL teams will want to do their own investigating of his health whenever Ross makes himself eligible. The first-round selections spent on fellow speedsters Phillip Dorsett (Indianapolis) and Will Fuller (Houston) in recent years, however, prove that teams are willing to gamble on dynamic playmakers, making Ross (and the Huskies, as a whole) one to watch this season."

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