It’s a two-team race for the top pick in the 2017 draft, writes Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. The 0-12 Browns essentially control their draft destiny, as the team has an 85.1-percent chance at the top pick (they’ve essentially clinched a top-5 pick). According to Seifert, the only thing standing in the Browns way is Robert Griffin III, although it’s unlikely the embattled quarterback will guide the team to any kind of winning streak.
The 1-11 49ers also loom as a contender for the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, with Seifert giving them a 14.1-percent chance at the top pick and a 99.7-percent chance at a top-5 pick. The organization will likely be making their highest pick since they drafted Alex Smith first overall in 2005.
Let’s take a look at some other draft notes from around the league…
- Is LSU running back Leonard Fournette as good as Todd Gurley, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2015 draft? “[He’s] better,” two high level evaluators told Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
- NFL teams are “softening” on Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon, who could end up being selected in the first round of the 2017 draft, reports Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (video link). Mixon, who was involved in a physical altercation in 2014, claims he was provoked by a female who used a racial slur and spit in his face. Video of the incident is set to be released later this month, according to Nolan Clay of the Oklahoman, which could shed light on the episode.
- We learned last night that Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey is expected to declare for next year’s draft. The talented offensive weapon rushed for 1,596 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, and Matt Miller of Bleacher Report declared him a “lock” to be a top-50 draft pick.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.