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We've never seen an NFL draft so full of not-a-sure things. There's quarterback Carson Wentz, the out-of-nowhere $20 million man. There's enigmatic defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche and his dream of owning a panther. Linebacker Myles Jack left his team, had knee surgery and still could be a top-five pick. All are huge risks. But they also could bring huge rewards.
Here are six more players on the boom-or-bust list:
Jared Goff
QB, California | 6-foot-4, 215 pounds
Kiper's draft range: Top 10
4,719 yards, 43 TDS, 13 INTS, 64.5% completion rate
The reward: Goff has the footwork and quick release that pro teams covet. The ball comes out hot, he can fit passes into tight windows and he has the vision to work through progressions. His football IQ is also off the charts: He threw 56 touchdowns versus one interception in the red zone in 37 starts at Cal. "From a mental standpoint," one scout said, "Goff is the best of all the quarterbacks in the draft."
The risk: Goff isn't a gunslinger, and Cal's air raid spread system won't translate to the pros. His arm strength is average, and he needs to add thickness to his frame. Some observers think Goff will be overdrafted because of the need at the position and that he'd be best served sitting as a rookie. "If he gets forced onto the field," one scout said, "he's not going to be ready."
Derrick Henry
RB, Alabama | 6-foot-2, 247 pounds
Kiper's draft range: 2nd round
4.54 40, 37" vertical, 10'10" broad jump, 395 carries, 2,219 yards (5.6 per carry), 28 touchdowns in 2015
The reward: Henry pushes the freak meter through the roof at 6-foot-2, 247 pounds with 4.54 speed. The big boy is durable, can create his own inside running lanes and has the power to push the pile coming from a pro system at Alabama. "He punishes you. He's just going to wear your ass down," a scout said. He is an Eddie George clone, and he has enough vision to find daylight in the pro game.
The risk: Henry carried the ball 395 times last season at Alabama. That's a big number. He comes into the league with some wear on the tires, and he's not a shake-and-bake runner in the hole. His lack of lateral ability, or wiggle, could be exposed at the NFL level. Plus, he needs some time to develop as a route runner out of the backfield.
Jaylon Smith
LB, Notre Dame | 6-foot-2, 223 pounds
Kiper's draft range: 2nd round
115 tackles, 9 tackles for loss
The reward: Before a serious knee injury, Smith was on his way to the top of draft boards. "He would've been a top-three prospect," one scout said. Smith gets to the ball in a hurry, has good coverage skills, projects as a weakside linebacker in a 4-3 and has potential as a pass-rusher. He's a modern-day linebacker who can stay on the field no matter what the situation. What could possibly go wrong?
The risk: Oh yeah -- the injury. Smith shredded his left knee against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl -- to the tune of a torn ACL and LCL and possible nerve damage -- and likely is on the shelf for his entire NFL rookie season. "How long is it until he's ready to play?" one scout asked. "And when he is ready, is he the same player that he was before?" Also, despite elite talent, Smith produced only 4½ sacks in three seasons. You feeling lucky, general managers?
Noah Spence
DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky | 6-foot-2, 251 pounds
Kiper's draft range: 1st round
4.80 40, 35" vertical, 10'1" broad jump, 22½ tackles for loss, 11½ sacks last season
The reward: Spence wowed scouts at the Senior Bowl by putting on a pass-rushing clinic in workouts. His explosive first step eased doubts that his dominance at Eastern Kentucky came against FCS teams. "His tape speaks for itself," one scout said. Spence has the frame, burst and countermoves to fit the mold as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 front or as a nickel end in pass-rush situations. He's athletic, strong and nasty versus the run.
The risk: Spence started his college career at Ohio State but was ruled permanently ineligible by the Big Ten after failing two drug tests for ecstasy. That's a red flag. Then there are the questions about his speed. Expected to run in the mid-4.6 range, he hung a 4.80 40 at the combine. Even his praise comes with a caveat: "If he stays clean," a scout said, "he can be a very good pro."
Laquon Treadwell
WR, Ole Miss | 6-foot-2, 221 pounds
Kiper's draft range: Top 20
33-inch vertical, 9'9" broad jump, 82 receptions, 1,153 yards, 11 touchdowns last season
The reward: Treadwell is a big target and is physical in his routes, making him a tailor-made NFL prospect. Said one scout: "He's not going to be a home run hitter, but I do think he's going to be a good player at the next level." Treadwell wins with premier footwork, soft hands and top-tier body control. With a wide catch radius, he's a difference-maker in the end zone.
The risk: In 2014, Treadwell suffered a gruesome leg injury (seriously, don't YouTube it), snapping his fibula and dislocating his ankle, and some scouts questioned whether he looked as explosive in 2015. He was never a true burner, but he raised red flags when he opted not to run the 40 at the combine. "I'd be surprised if he breaks 4.5," a scout told me. After playing in a simplified offense at Ole Miss, Treadwell will need time to develop in the pros.
Laremy Tunsil
OT, Ole Miss | 6-foot-5, 310 pounds
Kiper's draft range: Top 3
34¼-inch arms, 10-inch hands , Started 26 of 29 games in college
The reward: Five minutes. That's all the time it took watching tape for one scout to recognize Tunsil as the top offensive tackle prospect in the draft: "He's got as many natural tools as any tackle in the draft the last few years." Given his frame and athleticism, Tunsil can neutralize pass-rushers or drive to the second level on running plays.
The risk: Tunsil and his stepfather -- who reportedly alleged that Tunsil received improper benefits -- accused each other of domestic assault after a June incident at the home of Tunsil's mother. (The two later agreed to drop charges.) But although an NCAA investigation led to a seven-game suspension, teams don't view the incident as a detriment to his stock. On the field, though, they do see an imperfect prospect: He lacks lower-body strength, isn't a mauler at the point of contact and is still raw. There will be a learning curve.