Each month, ESPN.com.au AFL draft expert Christopher Doerre - aka Knightmare - unveils his power rankings to give readers an early insight into the top 20 prospects ahead of the 2017 draft.

These are his final rankings for 2017, with the AFL draft to be held on Friday night in Sydney.

ESPN.com.au's draft coverage will ramp up through the week, with Doerre to assess the draft's most underrated prospects on Wednesday, a live Q&A on Thursday evening and his final, full phantom draft on Friday.

1. Cameron Rayner (VIC)

Best position: General forward/inside midfielder

Height, weight: 187cm, 88kg

Recruited from: Western Jets

Projected draft range: Top five

Similar to: Dustin Martin

October Ranking: 1

Rationale: Tops the rankings with his impact forward of centre making him the most damaging of the difficult-to-separate top-four prospects.

Strengths:

Damaging both as a forward and midfielder

Aggression

Scoreboard impact

Strength

Powerful fend-off

Burst through tackles at speed

Stands up through tackles and delivers handballs to target

Clean at ground level

First possession winner at stoppages

Contested ball-winner

Clearances

Draws free kicks

Explosive pace

Evasiveness in traffic

High leap

Tackles with force

Plays with desperation and provides second and third efforts

Powerful and damaging kick over distance often with good placement

Vision

Decision-making

One-on-one marking

Marking on the lead

Aerial marking

Production

Big game and big moment performer

Weaknesses:

Endurance

Set shot goal kicking

Kicking mildly inconsistent

Cameron Rayner has topped the draft rankings ahead of this month's draft. Michael Dodge/Getty Images

2. Luke Davies-Uniacke (VIC)

Best position: Inside midfield/general forward

Height, weight: 187cm, 85kg

Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays

Projected draft range: Top five

Similar to: Patrick Dangerfield

October Ranking: 2

Rationale: Big game performer and efforts against more mature bodies is what separates Davies-Uniacke from the other top-end prospects. Promise when pushing deep forward and isolated one-on-one and his acceleration out of stoppages sees Davies-Uniacke rated the next most damaging of this year's top tier.

Strengths:

Stoppage work

Contested ball-winning

Reading of ruck taps

Smart positioning at stoppages

Clearance winner

Explosive 10m burst of speed to break away from contest

Freakishly clean and one touch at ground level

Vision

Decision-making

Precise short kick to target

Quick hands in close

Scoreboard impact

Overhead marking

Strength in one-on-one contests to gain and hold front position consistently

Strength through core and hips to keep his feet in the contest and stands up through tackles

A matchup nightmare up forward with one-on-one strength and nous at ground level

Has played his best football against more mature bodies

Big game, big moment performer

Weaknesses:

Placement of kicks over medium and long distance inconsistent

Can have quiet games or quiet patches in games

Luke Davies-Uniacke Michael Dodge/Getty Images

3. Adam Cerra (VIC)

Best position: Inside midfielder

Height, weight: 186cm, 85kg

Recruited from: Eastern Ranges

Projected draft range: Top 10

Similar to: Trent Cotchin

October Ranking: 3

Rationale: Cerra is as dominant and classy as any midfield in this year's draft crop. Less exposed form and slight lack of explosiveness is all that places him slightly behind Rayner and Davies-Uniacke.

Strengths:

Contested ball-winning

Wins first possession at stoppages

Stoppage work

Wins clearances

Stands up through tackles

Strong build

Powerful mark overhead

One-on-one marking

Clean at ground level

Clean ball user on both sides of the body

Decision-making

Vision

Composure under pressure

Production

Evasiveness

Endurance

Workrate

Best suited through midfield but can also be utilised forward or back

Weaknesses:

Acceleration

Adam Cerra (with ball) possesses excellent composure under pressure. Paul Kane/Getty Images

4. Paddy Dow (VIC)

Best position: Inside midfield

Height, weight: 185cm, 78kg

Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers

Projected draft range: Top five

Similar to: Joel Selwood

October Ranking: 4

Rationale: Contested ball-winning capabilities only equalled by Cerra of the top tier midfielders. Has acceleration from contest but overall marginally less hurt-factor is all that sees Dow placed behind Rayner, Davies-Uniacke and Cerra.

Strengths:

First-possession winner at stoppages

Contested ball-winner

Wins clearances

Burst out of stoppages at speed

Acceleration

Desperation

Tackling

Clean skills

Lowers eyes

Composure in traffic

Evasiveness

Scoreboard impact

Weaknesses:

At stoppages can be prone to bombing long for territory rather than taking his time to consider his options

5. Darcy Fogarty (SA)

Best position: Utility

Height, weight: 192cm, 95kg

Recruited from: Glenelg

Projected draft range: Top 10

Similar to: Jake Stringer

October Ranking: 6

Rationale: While 2018 was a letdown due to meniscus tear which resulted in below expected form, Fogarty is one of a small few of this year's draft crop with the scope to be one of, if not the best, with his combination of attributes.

Strengths:

Strength

Contested ball-winning

Clearance winner

Contested marking

Body-on-body strength

Fend-offs

Stands up through tackles

Courage

Competitiveness

Versatility to play anywhere other than ruck

Scoreboard impact

Clean ball user by hand and foot

Vision

Decision-making

High leap

Evasion

Agility

Weaknesses:

Endurance

Unclear best position

Inconsistent 2017 performances and production

Poor Under-18 Championships

Draft prospects take part in the AFL Draft Combine. Michael Dodge/Getty Images

6. Noah Balta (VIC)

Best position: Key forward/key defence

Height, weight: 195cm, 95kg

Recruited from: Calder Cannons

Projected draft range: First to second round

Similar to: Jarrad Waite

October Ranking: 5

Rationale: Balta's attributes and on-field impact means he has the potential to be the best key position player in the draft. He only drops below Fogarty because he's more likely to be the best key position player, whereas Fogarty has the scope to be the best in the entire draft.

Strengths:

Versatility to impact games in any of the 18 field positions

Freakishly clean and one touch at ground level

Wins the ball cleanly at speed

Explosive, breakaway pace from congestion

Breaks the lines

Burst athlete who can get several touches in chains forward

Agility

Vertical leap

Strength

Contested marking

Gets front position in marking contests

Reads the drop of the ball early

Difficult to contain on the lead or leaping up at the football

Takes marks at full stretch

Stands up through tackles

Tackling

Scoreboard impact

Weaknesses:

Unclear best position

Inconsistent performances

7. Aaron Naughton (WA)

Best position: Key defence

Height, weight: 194cm, 85kg

Recruited from: Peel Thunder

Projected draft range: First round

Similar to: Alex Rance

October Ranking: 17

Rationale: Transition to WAFL League football has been seamless. Naughton may be the most ready-to-play key position prospect in the draft. Low risk choice and likely 200-plus gamer. Review of WAFL League play results in Naughton's massive rise in this month's rakings.

Strengths:

Intercept marking

Strong hands overhead

Reading the ball in flight early

Football smarts

Contested marking

One-on-one marking

Keeps his feet in the contest

Agility

Acceleration

WAFL League performances

Weaknesses:

Kicking while reliable enough is of a high, loopy style which is too easily intercepted

8. Andrew Brayshaw (VIC)

Best position: Inside midfielder/outside midfielder

Height, weight: 184cm, 82kg

Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons

Projected draft range: Top five

Similar to: Angus Brayshaw

October Ranking: 10

Rationale: While Brayshaw is in the mix for pick No. 1 overall, he sits behind the other top talents on this draft board due to lower impact per possession and less scope to change games by contrast to the other midfielders in the mix for the first handful of selections. Rises slightly on review due to complete game.

Strengths:

Contested ball-winning

Tackling

Second and third tackling efforts

Stoppage work

Clean at ground level

Footy smarts

Kicking

Vision

Lowers his eyes and finds inside 50m targets

Endurance

Evasiveness

Pace

Production

Consistency

Contributes effectively both at stoppages and in general play Just as comfortable as an inside or outside midfielder

Weaknesses:

Impact per possession only moderate

Needs to use athleticism more offensively

Andrew Brayshaw Michael Dodge/Getty Images

9. Jack Higgins (VIC)

Best position: General forward/outside midfield

Height, weight: 178cm, 77kg

Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers

Projected draft range: First round

Similar to: Toby Greene

October Ranking: 8

Rationale: Looks ultra-impressive as both a forward and midfielder. One of this year's most ready-to-go and complete performers. Rightly awarded the Morrish Medal for TAC Cup's best player of 2017. A hard worker who is a safe first-round selection. Drops one position as others rise.

Strengths:

One-touch at ground level

Natural crumbing forward Kicking skills on both sides of the body

Goal sense

Lowers his eyes and hits forward 50m targets

Plays taller than his height with his overhead marking

Capable one-on-one mark

Tackling pressure

Plays well as forward or midfielder

Production

Leap

Agility

Endurance

Workrate

Consistent performer

Intangibles

Weaknesses:

Impact per possession low as midfielder

10. Hunter Clark (VIC)

Best position: Inside midfielder/outside midfielder

Height, weight: 186cm, 80kg

Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays

Projected draft range: First round

Similar to: Steele Sidebottom

October Ranking: 9

Rationale: Drops slightly as others rise. Production stacks up with the best midfielders in the draft but his ball use under pressure and less hurt-factor sees him slightly lower.

Strengths:

First possession winner at stoppages

Contested ball-winner

Clean at ground level

Clean hands in close

Tackling

Runs in support

Workrate

Endurance

Outside run and carry

Agility

Evasiveness

Football smarts

Precise, dual-sided kick with time and space Just as comfortable as an inside or outside midfielder

Ability to play midfield, back or forward

Capable crumber off packs and inside 50m

Rate of improvement

Weaknesses:

Decision-making and ball use under pressure

Hurt factor with ball in hand

11. Jaidyn Stephenson (VIC)

Best position: Outside midfield/general forward

Height, weight: 189cm, 76kg

Recruited from: Eastern Ranges

Projected draft range: First round

Similar to: Isaac Smith

October Ranking: 7

Rationale: Heart irregularity while medically cleared is still a concern and sees Stephenson drop. With strong finish to the season and big performances in the biggest games, Stephenson should remain a first round choice.

Strengths:

High leap

Aerial marking threat

Clean at ground level

Takes on the game with his run and is a genuine line-breaker

Acceleration

Agility

Tackling pressure

Provides second and third efforts Strong tackler

Reading of ruck taps

Composed with ball in hand

Vision Improving contested ball-winner

Versatility to play wing, forward or on the ball for patches as needed

Rises to the big games and big moments consistently

Weaknesses:

Hands overhead inconsistent

Strength

Inconsistent kick to target

Outside linking up

Consistency from game to game

Heart irregularity (medically cleared but still a query)

Jaidyn Stephenson Robert Prezioso/AFL Media/Getty Images

12. Zac Bailey (NT)

Best position: Inside midfield

Height, weight: 180cm, 80kg

Recruited from: Southern Districts

Projected draft range: First to second round

Similar to: Dayne Zorko

October Ranking: Not ranked

Rationale: Rises upon review of Under-18 Championships play and rate of improvement in 2017. Bailey's ability to run around opponents like they're traffic cones after winning the ball in traffic is best-in-draft standard. Has the upside to be anything if he can become a more consistent ball user.

Strengths:

Freakishly fast movement through traffic

Acceleration away from the contest

Evasiveness

Speed

Agility

Strength through hips to stand up through tackles

Powerful don't-argue

Contested ball-winning

One touch at ground level

Rate of improvement

Decision-making

Production

Lowers his eyes

Vision

Weaknesses:

Unreliable by foot

Finishing in front of goal

Needs to take more marks

Unclear capabilities as a forward

13. Nicholas Coffield (VIC)

Best position: General defence/inside midfield

Height, weight: 191cm, 83kg

Recruited from: Northern Knights

Projected draft range: Top 10

Similar to: James Kelly

October Ranking: 11

Rationale: Drops slightly as others rise. At his height and with his mix of attributes he may develop into a midfielder with time, but ball-winning ability remains unclear, so Coffield is rated behind other top midfielders.

Strengths:

Evasiveness

Sidestepping and composure in traffic

Sound decision-maker in traffic|

Classy ball user and clean kick over a variety of distances

Agility

Takes on players with his run

Clean at ground level

Clean, quick hands in close

Intercept marking

Reading of the ball in flight

Scope to develop into midfielder

Holds his own in one-on-one contests

Weaknesses:

Unclear contested ball-winning capabilities

Inconsistent production from game to game

Tackling

Tackle pressure

14. Charlie Constable (VIC)

Best position: Inside midfield/general defender

Height, weight: 191cm, 83kg

Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons

Projected draft range: First to second round

Similar to: David Mundy

October Ranking: Not ranked

Rationale: Combination of classy ball use, contested ball-winning ability and work by hand under pressure at 191cm sees Constable earn a top 20 position on review. If Constable covered more ground on game-day and ran quicker he would be more highly rated.

Strengths:

Kicking

Kicking penetration

Vision

Decision-making under pressure

Height in traffic to see over numbers and deliver handballs to targets

Contested ball-winning

Production

Scope to play midfield or back

Weaknesses:

Endurance

Workrate

Pace

Agility

Nicholas Coffield Robert Prezioso/AFL Media/Getty Images

15. Oscar Allen (WA)

Best position: Key forward/general forward

Height, weight: 191cm, 83kg

Recruited from: West Perth

Projected draft range: First to second round

Similar to: Jack Gunston

October Ranking: 20

Rationale: Larke medallist who led the Under-18 Championships with 11 goals and was Team Enright's best in the Under-18 All Stars game. While short by position, his football smarts, athleticism, marking and work at ground level tick the boxes to suggest Allen is a safe choice as either a key forward or third tall forward. Rises on review of Under-18 Championships play and Under-18 All Stars game.

Strengths:

Football smarts

Reads play early

Reads ball in flight early

Leading patterns

Workrate

Forward pressure

Clean at ground level

Strong hands overhead

Weaknesses:

Below average height and reach by position

16. Harrison Petty (VIC)

Best position: Key defender

Height, weight: 195cm, 82kg

Recruited from: Norwood

Projected draft range: Second round

Similar to: Robbie Tarrant

October Ranking: 16

Rationale: Named South Australia's MVP during the Under-18 Championships. Petty is a relatively untapped talent who has improved significantly this season and is still growing, having shot up 5cm this season. Petty's potential as a still growing key defender with a late-year birthday sees him hold firm despite others rising.

Strengths:

Intercept marking

Reads the flight of the ball early

Takes marks at highest point

Clean at ground level

Effective ball user

Composure with ball in hand

Rate of improvement

Strong performances from limited exposure

Weaknesses:

Keeping balance in one-on-one contests

Strength solid but not as advanced as some of his peers

Capable but not a freakish athlete

17. Brayden Crossley (QLD - Gold Coast Academy)

Best position: Ruck

Height, weight: 198cm, 105kg

Recruited from: Labrador Tigers

Projected draft range: Third round

Similar to: Shane Mumford

September Ranking: 14

Rationale: Strength in the ruck combined with his rare follow-up work by position gives Crossley the scope to be the best ruckman in this draft. Late season and finals performances impacting games up forward only add to enhance Crossley's draft stocks, but drops down this draft board as others rise.

Strengths:

Rare speed to recover and compete at ground level following ruck contests

Follow-up work with ground ball-winning and tackling

Freakish cleanness at ground level for someone his height/size

Aggressive tackler

Roves off contests like a small

Physical impact around the ball

Strength to not go to ground when tackled and dispose cleanly of the ball

Bodywork in the contest

Agility

Provides a marking target forward of centre

Scoreboard impact when used forward

Strong NEAFL performances against men

Weaknesses:

Endurance

Leap

Acceleration

Connor Ballenden of the Allies gets a kick away during the match against Vic Metro in July, 2017. Michael Dodge/Getty Images

18. Charlie Ballard (SA)

Best position: Key forward/outside midfield

Height, weight: 196cm, 82kg

Recruited from: Sturt

Projected draft range: Second round

Similar to: Justin Westhoff

October Ranking: Not ranked Rationale: Late bloomer, having grown 15cm over the past two years and is still growing, Ballard has unique scope to develop into a key forward given his mix of attributes. Upside sees Ballard earn top 20 position.

Strengths:

Decision-making

Composure under pressure

Time and space

Works through traffic without getting tackled is like second nature

Vision

Lowers his eyes and finds inside 50m targets

Workrate

Endurance

Kicking

Mobility

Marking

Contested marking

Clean at ground level

Attributes suggest possible key forward potential

Pressure and tackling

Late bloomer

Rate of improvement

Weaknesses:

Unproven as a key position player

Contested ball-winning

19. Connor Ballenden (QLD - Brisbane Academy)

Best position: Key defence

Height, weight: 199cm, 95kg

Recruited from: University of Queensland

Projected draft range: Second round

Similar to: Jeremy McGovern

October Ranking: 15

Rationale: Drops slightly as others rise. Promising late season and finals NEAFL performances and projects to develop into a powerful intercept marking key defender.

Strengths:

Intercept marking

Reading of the flight

Size and strength

Contested marking

Clean and reliable kick to targets on both sides

Vision

Decision-making

Physical style of play

Scoreboard impact

Forceful tackler

Versatility to play key defence, ruck or key forward

Weaknesses:

Endurance

Workrate

Athleticism

Agility

Acceleration Inconsistent performances as a forward

20. Jordan Butts (VIC)

Best position: Key defence

Height, weight: 196cm, 82kg

Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers

Projected draft range: Third to fourth round

Similar to: Jake Lever

October Ranking: Not ranked

Rationale: Averaged a TAC Cup-high 7.5 marks per game as the youngest in the draft pool. Scope to improve and re-evaluation of upside sees Butts place inside the top 20.

Strengths:

Powerful overhead mark

Intercept marking

Aerial marking

Reading of the ball in flight

Endurance

Capability to play at either end

Youngest in draft pool and likely to continue growing

Weaknesses:

Strength in one-on-one contests

Pace

Not always clean below the knees