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2017 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch: Dec. 30-31 Bowls

By Shawn Spencer

Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) gets the crowd into the game during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) gets the crowd into the game during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NFL Draft Jamal Adams
Oct 15, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrates after picking up a fumble during the third quarter of a game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Citrus Bowl: Strong Safeties Jamal Adams (LSU) and Josh Harvey-Clemons (Louisville)

Leonard Fournette won’t be participating in the Citrus Bowl, but there are still plenty of prospects in this game who will be selected in the 2017 NFL Draft. That includes the starting strong safeties for both teams.

In what is considered a deep safety class, Jamal Adams is at or near the top. The junior is a first-round lock barring any unforeseen injury or off-field issue and may surpass Jabrill Peppers as the top-rated safety by the time 2017 NFL Draft rolls around. He’s scheme versatile and has the awareness, range and toughness to play either safety position at the next level.

Josh Harvey-Clemons is the much larger of the two safeties, listed at 6-foot-5, 228 pounds by the school. While he may be close to Adams in terms of stopping the run, his marginal coverage skills are what separate the two. That, in addition to the issues that led to his dismissal at Georgia, are why Harvey-Clemons is expected to still be available on day three of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Both teams are capable of moving the football downfield, especially on the ground. How well both safeties play may not heavily influence when the two are selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, although it will impact which team comes away with the victory.

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