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2016 NFL Draft: Braxton Miller Already A 1st-Round Pick?

By Nick Dudukovich

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The 2016 NFL Draft may be months away, but Braxton Miller may have scouts convinced he’s a first-round pick after his debut performance in the receiver/hybrid role during the Ohio State Buckeyes win over Virginia Tech.

From the moment of Miller’s stellar first catch, it was obvious that his draft stock was trending up, as many NFL analysts wrote on Twitter during the game.

https://twitter.com/nballaccess/status/641049382612246529

Of course, this was just the beginning of what turned out to be a spectral night for the Huber Heights, Ohio native.

With the Buckeyes trailing at halftime, Miller came and rejuvenated the Scarlet and Gray by hauling in a Cardale Jones touchdown pass, and then there was “spin class.”

Miller ended the night with eight touches for 140 yards and two scores.

Entering the season, one NFL scout told CBS Sports that there were two grades on Miller. One as a quarterback, and one as an “athlete.” As a quarterback, Miller would’ve been a late-round pick, if he would’ve been drafted at all.

But as an athlete. How Miller is viewed is a different story. Which team would’ve at least risked on a third-rounder on Miller prior to his breakout performance against the Hokies. Now, he’s undoubtedly on track to become a first round pick if he can keep up the production and avoid injury. He’s Percy Harvin, except–some might disagree–he’s already better!

Miller’s smart. As ESPN’s Marty Smith noted, Miller’s a receiver with a quarterback’s mind.

Harvin was the 22nd overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft. The League is built around playmakers who possess the potential to create highlight-reel material each time they touch the ball. Miller is one of those guys…that’s why he’ll hear his name on the first day of the draft this April.

Updated 12:15 p.m.

Former Browns GM and current Senior Bowl director Phil Savage weighed in on Miller’s prospects after last night. Savage thought highly of Miller entering the Virginia Tech game–that’s why Miller had a Senior Bowl invitation before last night’s contest.

Savage doesn’t go as far as saying Miller should be a first-rounder today, but I contend that’s the way things are trending. From backup/specialist to starter after one game. That’s one heck of a debut!

What do you think? Should Miler already be viewed as a first-round draft pick by NFL teams?

Next: Behind The Numbers: Ohio State Gets Revenge On Virginia Tech

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