2017 NFL Draft: 5 Reasons Why Deshaun Watson will be First Pick

Coming off a season in which he led the Clemson Tigers to the National Championship Game, quarterback Deshaun Watson is the early favorite to be the first overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. In fact, Watson would have challenged Jared Goff for the top pick of the 2016 draft had he been eligible.

Expectations are through the roof for Watson and the Tigers this year with fans in Death Valley already preparing for their next pizza party. If everything falls into place, Watson could win a triple crown of sorts by winning the Heisman Trophy, a national championship and being the first pick of the draft in the same season. Only three players have ever accomplished this feat, Notre Dame QB Angelo Bertelli in 1943-1944, Notre Dame end Leon Hart in 1949-1950 and most recently Auburn QB Cam Newton in 2010-2011. Watson will look to become the fourth member of that exclusive club this season.

Being the most outstanding player in college football doesn’t guarantee an early pick in the draft. Just ask 2015 Heisman winner Derrick Henry, who had to wait until the second round to hear his name called last month. This is true even at the quarterback position. For every Cam Newton and Jameis Winston, there’s a Troy Smith and Chris Weinke.

So what separates Watson from the Smiths or Weinkes of the world? Here are just five of the reasons why Watson, like Newton and Winston, will be the first pick of the NFL Draft.

Next: Reason One