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Big-name college players who will go in the late rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft
Houston Cougars quarterback Greg Ward Jr. is moving to wide receiver in the hopes of getting drafted in the upcoming NFL Draft. Thomas B. Shea/USA TODAY Sports

Big-name college players who will go in the late rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft

While the potential day one picks get most of the attention in the NFL Draft, plenty of big names will still be drafted in the later rounds. If history is any indication, plenty of teams will find significant contributors after the first round. Here, we feature many of the big names likely to go in the later rounds.

 
1 of 24

C.J. Beathard, QB, Iowa

C.J. Beathard, QB, Iowa
Jeffrey Becker / USA Today Sports Images

Iowa rode on Beathard's back to the Big Ten Championship game just one year ago. He has the head and leadership to help an NFL team but lacks the physical tools to be a high draft choice. He threw for 17 touchdowns in his senior year for the Hawkeyes.

 
2 of 24

Ben Boulware, ILB, Clemson

Ben Boulware, ILB, Clemson
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

The heart and soul of the Clemson defense, Boulware is slightly undersized but was highly productive for some strong defenses. He's likely to serve is a special teamer in the NFL and could be drafted in the very late rounds.

 
3 of 24

Jake Butt, TE, Michigan

Jake Butt, TE, Michigan
Rick Osentoski / USA Today Sports Images

Butt was a possible first-round pick until tearing his ACL in the Orange Bowl. The tight end still has a chance to go as early as the third round after a highly productive college career.

 
4 of 24

Bryan Cox Jr., OLB/DE, Florida

Bryan Cox Jr., OLB/DE, Florida
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

The son of the former NFL linebacker and current Falcons defensive line coach Bryan Cox, Cox Jr. was a productive player at Florida despite missing time last season. He should be a late-round pick.

 
5 of 24

Malachi Dupre, WR, LSU

Malachi Dupre, WR, LSU
Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports Images

At one point projected as a potential first-rounder, Dupre fell victim to an anemic Tigers offense. He still managed 41 receptions for 593 yards in his junior season and could go as high as the third round.

 
6 of 24

Jerod Evans, QB, Virginia Tech

Jerod Evans, QB, Virginia Tech
Jeremy Brevard / USA Today Sports Images

Evans leaves Virginia Tech after only one season with the Hokies in which he threw for more than 3,500 yards with a 29/8 TD/INT. He could be a late pick or undrafted free agent pickup.

 
7 of 24

Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson

Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Deshaun Watson's go-to guy in the Clemson backfield, Gallman rushed for more than 3,400 yards over three seasons at Clemson. He could go as early as day two of the draft.

 
8 of 24

Elijah Hood, RB, North Carolina

Elijah Hood, RB, North Carolina
Jason Getz / USA Today Sports Images

A powerful runner, Hood had 1,463 yards rushing in his sophomore season but struggled through injuries last year. As a result, he's likely to be a late day three pick.

 
9 of 24

Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami (FL)

Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami (FL)
Logan Bowles / USA Today Sports Images

At one point considered the best quarterback in the draft class, Kaaya had an inconsistent junior season. He still threw for more than 3,500 yards and could go as early as the second round.

 
10 of 24

Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss

Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss
Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports Images

The nephew of Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, Chad had two strong seasons in the SEC at Ole Miss. There are questions about his off-field issues, and he's also coming off of a major knee injury. Kelly's versatile talent should still get him drafted on the third day of the draft.

 
11 of 24

Gunner Kiel, QB, Cincinnati

Gunner Kiel, QB, Cincinnati
Rich Barnes / USA Today Sports Images

A three-year starter at Cincinnati, Kiel has had health issues over the last two seasons. He's a fringe prospect for the third day of the draft.

 
12 of 24

Trevor Knight, QB, Texas A&M

Trevor Knight, QB, Texas A&M
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Knight had a strong year for the Aggies after three seasons at Oklahoma, throwing for 2,432 yards and rushing for 614 more. He's trying to stick at quarterback, despite some teams' efforts to move him off the position.

 
13 of 24

Shock Linwood, RB, Baylor

Shock Linwood, RB, Baylor
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

Linwood is Baylor's all-time leader in rushing, but he struggled in his senior season following the departure of offensive guru Art Briles. Linwood's lack of hands limits his attractiveness.

 
14 of 24

Hardy Nickerson Jr., ILB, Illinois

Hardy Nickerson Jr., ILB, Illinois
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

The son of five-time Pro Bowler Hardy Nickerson, Nickerson Jr. had 107 tackles in his senior season at Illinois. He lacks optimal NFL height but could still be a third-day pick for his pedigree.

 
15 of 24

Dakota Prukop, QB, Oregon

Dakota Prukop, QB, Oregon
Scott Olmos / USA Today Sports Images

Prukop played only six games for the Ducks last season, getting benched despite strong numbers. He could be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent signing.

 
16 of 24

Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State

Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State
Troy Babbitt / USA Today Sports Images

The all-time FBS rushing leader, Pumphrey is pushed down in the draft by a very deep running back class. He still shows the shiftiness and versatility to be an intriguing back and could be drafted as early as day two.

 
17 of 24

Travis Rudolph, WR, Florida State

Travis Rudolph, WR, Florida State
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Rudolph is coming off of two extremely productive seasons for the Seminoles. He should be drafted at some point on the third day.

 
18 of 24

Seth Russell, QB, Baylor

Seth Russell, QB, Baylor
Mark D. Smith / USA Today Sports Images

Injuries and a coaching change ruined what potentially could have been an amazing college career for Russell. He still threw for more than 2,100 yards in each of the last two seasons, and that production should get him drafted late.

 
19 of 24

Artavis Scott, WR, Clemson

Artavis Scott, WR, Clemson
John David Mercer / USA Today Sports Images

Scott had nearly 2,500 receiving yards for his career at Clemson. He has potential as a slot receiver in the NFL.

 
20 of 24

Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas

Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas
Nelson Chenault / USA Today Sports Images

Sprinkle became a household name after getting suspended from the Belk Bowl for shoplifting. He has the physical tools of an NFL tight end and had 380 receiving yards and four scores last season.

 
21 of 24

Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson

Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson
Glenn Beil / USA Today Sports Images

Tankersley is pushed down in the NFL Draft by a deep cornerback class, but he's been a lock-down cornerback at Clemson over the last two seasons. He could be drafted as early as the second day.

 
22 of 24

Zach Terrell, QB, Western Michigan

Zach Terrell, QB, Western Michigan
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

NFL teams certainly took notice of Terrell after his last three seasons at Western Michigan. He threw for more than 3,400 yards in each season and had 33/4 TD/INT in his senior year.

 
23 of 24

Greg Ward Jr., WR/QB, Houston

Greg Ward Jr., WR/QB, Houston
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

A productive quarterback at Houston, Ward Jr. is attempting to transition to wide receiver. He had trouble staying healthy in college, but he has the speed to make the move and possibly be a late-round pick.

 
24 of 24

Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma

Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

Westbrook was a candidate for the Heisman Trophy last season, with 80 receptions for 1,524 yards and 17 scores. Past health issues could make teams nervous to use an early-round pick on him, however.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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