NFL Draft: 5 names to watch closely in Round 1

The NFL Draft is only four days away. Finally, after the months of mock drafts and endless debate about what the combine means for a prospect, we’re almost to the actual show.

Of course, no draft journey is the same. There will be plenty kids who fall much farther than expected. There will be others who come off the board two rounds before they believed possible. However, all of the focus on Thursday night will be centered on the blue-chippers, the first round picks.

Here are five names to watch for various reasons once the Arizona Cardinals are on the clock.

5. Dwayne Haskins

Haskins is an enigma. For the longest time, it appeared he was a safe bet to be in the top 10 choices. Now? Many believe Haskins is in danger of falling out of the first round, including a general manager who spoke to me on the subject a week ago. If Haskins gets past the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 11, the freefall could be on.

4. D.K. Metcalf

Metcalf is a fascinating player. When at Ole Miss, he was never the best statistical receiver on his team, oftentimes lagging behind fellow star, A.J. Brown. However, Metcalr honed at the combine, showcasing size, speed and a dazzling physique. On the flip side, all the testing showed that he has a brutal time turning in tight spaces. It’ll be interesting to see how NFL teams evaluate him when they have to compare against other potential top pick.

3. Kyler Murray

Murray is likely the top selection in the draft, but will he go to the Cardinals or someone else? There’s a ton of drama surrounding that choice, and whether Arizona will simply take Murray or hang on to Josh Rosen and acquire a bevy of draft capital by moving down.

2. Montez Sweat

Unfortunately for Sweat, the interest here isn’t about his talents. Instead, it’s about the discovery of his enlarged heart, which reportedly has some teams taking him completely off their boards. If Sweat begins to fall out of the top half of the first round, will other franchises see it as an opportunity to land a steal, or a warning sign not to touch him?

1. Jeffery Simmons

Another defensive star from Mississippi State, Simmons is a tantalizing talent. However, he is dealing with a torn ACL and his history, which includes punching a woman in the face on video. Considering both his knee issue an the character concerns, which team will take a a chance on the ultra-talented youngster?