10 NFL Draft Prospects Teams Must Avoid In The First Round

10. Michigan State QB Connor Cook

Reports of Cook's poor attitude continue to come out leading up to the draft, which could lead to teams being hesitant to anoint him as a future team leader. Late first round is still a possibility for Cook, but there are enough reasons for teams picking in that area to avoid him.

9. Kansas State OG/OT Cody Whitehair

Whitehair's potential versatility should appeal to teams, even if he's fairly certain to have to move to guard. But a lack of perceived upside, less than ideal physical traits and measurables should keep Whitehair from being a first-round pick.

8. Arkansas TE Hunter Henry

Henry is the No. 1 tight end prospect in this year's class, and he's been gaining steam as a possible first-round pick. But teams with a need at the position can find better value later in the draft.

7. Alabama RB Derrick Henry

Henry is the second-best running back in this class, but he needs the right fit to succeed at the next level. Color me skeptical that any team considers him a first-round pick.

6. Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg

Jon Gruden has said he'd be shocked if Hackenberg was not a first-round pick. There are reasons to be optimistic about the former Penn State signal-caller, but I don't see any team taking him on Day 1.

5. Clemson CB Mackensie Alexander

Alexander once looked like a surefire first-round pick, but concerns about his lack of size (5-foot-10, 190 pounds) and overall skills have dropped that stock a bit. There's potential for second round value, but the first round looks a little rich for Alexander right now.

4. Texas A&M OT Germain Ifedi

Ifedi looks like a project at the next level, which makes any first-round projection look overly aggressive. Don't expect any team to take that plunge.

3. Ole Miss DT Robert Nkemdiche

Nkemdiche's talent says top-10 pick, but off-field quirks have now been compounded by an apparent interest in buying a pet panther once he signs a contract. A team picking late in the first round may embrace the risk, but Nkemdiche could easily fall into the early second round.

2. Eastern Kentucky OLB/DE Noah Spence

Once considered a potential top-10 pick in mock drafts, Spence is now widely being mentioned as a player who could slide. Past off-field issues and a poor showing at the NFL Combine, in workouts and reportedly in team interviews, make Spence someone to avoid in the first round.

1. Notre Dame WR Will Fuller

Fuller's main attribute is speed (4.32 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine), but he is small (6-foot, 182 pounds) and drop-prone (21 drops over the last two seasons). I'm not buying Fuller as one of the best five receivers in this draft class, and he's obviously not worthy of a first-round pick.