Watson ranked #1 QB for 2017 NFL Draft

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ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. released his rankings of the top quarterbacks for the 2017 NFL Draft and Clemson's Deshaun Watson was ranked the #1 underclassmen on the list.

"Watson and Kaaya are the top two names in this class, but don't bet against Webb and Leidner as first-round possibilities," Kiper Jr. said. "Webb in particular has an NFL skill set and is a player NFL teams will watch closely. He could thrive in the draft process. (He also isn't officially committed for 2016 but should be this week.)"

Clemson junior quarterback Deshaun Watson finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting last season and will be one of the favorites in 2016. Watson completed 333-of-491 passes for 4,104 yards and 35 touchdowns and also had 207 rushes for 1,105 yards and 12 scores this past season.

Watson became the first player in NCAA FBS history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.

Kiper's Seniors QB Ranking

1. Davis Webb, Cal

2. Mitch Leidner, Minnesota

3. Chad Kelly, Mississippi

4. C.J. Beathard, Iowa

5. Cooper Rush, Central Michigan

Kiper's Underclassmen QB Ranking

1. Deshaun Watson, Clemson

2. Brad Kaaya, Miami (Fla.)

3. Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State

4. J.T. Barrett, Ohio State

5. Pat Mahomes, Texas Tech

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