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Minnesota Gophers: Todd McShay’s Early 2017 Mock Draft

By Paul Bellesen

Dec 28, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner (7) throws the ball against the Central Michigan Chippewas in the second half at Ford Field. The Golden Gophers won 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner (7) throws the ball against the Central Michigan Chippewas in the second half at Ford Field. The Golden Gophers won 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the 2016 NFL Draft coming to a close last weekend, Todd McShay has just released his “Way to Early 2017 NFL Mock Draft.” It has some interesting names in it for the Minnesota Gophers.

As we look ahead to the next NFL season, some of the draft analysts are already jumping ahead to look at next year’s top prospects. There are a lot of names that people are already familiar with.

Deshaun Watson, QB for the Clemson Tigers, is an exciting prospect and set to be the first QB off the board, if not the first pick.2017 should be loaded with potential star running backs. Leonard Fournette, RB from LSU, was an early pick for the 2016 Heisman Trophy Award. He had nine games last year with 150 or more yards.

The interesting pick here is the late first round selection of Minnesota Gophers QB Mitch Leidner. In McShay’s mock, he has Leidner going to the Dallas Cowboys with the 25th pick. A possible replacement for Tony Romo? Here is what McShay wrote about Leidner.

"Leidner shows some upside as a passer, but I’ll be looking to see if he can improve his accuracy (59.5 completion rate and 14/11 TD/INT ration in 2015). Listed at 6-foot-4 and 237 pounds, Leidner has ideal size and has shown the ability to make plays with his legs off designed runs and scrambles. He’s a late riser to keep an eye on, similar to Blake Bortles and Carson Wentz."

Next: Minnesota Vikings: Reviewing the 2016 NFL Draft

An interesting take. I have seen a lot of Minnesota Gopher games in the last few years. Leidner does not look like a first round talent to me. But, let’s hope for the best and a great year from our Minnesota Gopher QB. Hopefully we can replenish the team with talent as we lost a few key contributors in this years NFL draft. De’Vondre Campbell, selected in the fourth round, is now an Atlanta Falcon. Eric Murray, also selected in the fourth round, is now a Kansas City Chief. Briean Boddy Calhoun signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars. We will have to revisit this theory after the College Football season ends.

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