Draft attracts 95 early entries

Eight others, including Watson, become eligible by completing degrees

For the second straight year, more than 100 players are giving up college eligibility to enter the NFL draft.

The league on Friday released a list of 95 underclassmen who have been granted early entry to draft, along with the names of eight other players, including Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, who are draft-eligible by completing their college degrees.

Last year, 96 underclassmen declared for the draft, and 11 others became eligible by finishing their degrees. Of those 96 underclassmen, 66 were drafted (69 percent). In 2015, 71 percent of 74 underclassmen were drafted.

Among the other notable underclassmen entering the draft are star running backs Leonard Fournette of LSU, Dalvin Cook of Florida State and Christian McCaffrey of Stanford. Junior quarterbacks DeShone Kizer of Notre Dame and Mitch Trubisky of North Carolina are expected to challenge Watson to be the first quarterback drafted.

London games: The NFL says the Jacksonville Jaguars will play the Baltimore Ravens in the first game at Wembley Stadium next season on Sept. 24. The Miami Dolphins will take on the New Orleans Saints the following weekend at English soccer’s national stadium. They are two of four regular-season games being played in London next season. Twickenham, England’s national rugby stadium, is hosting two games later in October.

Falcons: Star wide receiver Julio Jones cleared his final hurdle for Sunday’s NFC championship game against Green Bay by practicing for the first time this week on Friday. Coach Dan Quinn said Jones had no limitations in his first practice since aggravating his sprained left toe last week.

Packers: Green Bay may not know the status of injured receivers Jordy Nelson (broken ribs), Davante Adams (ankle) and Geronimo Allison (hamstring) until just before the NFC championship game on Sunday.

Orr retires: Ravens linebacker Zachary Orr announced his retirement after learning he has a congenital spinal condition. The 24-year-old Orr hurt his neck on Christmas Day in a game against Pittsburgh and missed the season finale against Cincinnati. Orr was told he could not pass a physical and that playing football was potentially life-threatening, so he had no choice but to retire.

Steelers: The NFL fined Pittsburgh safety Sean Davis $24,309 for his helmetto-helmet hit on the Chiefs’ Chris Conley in the fourth quarter of the Steelers’ 1816 win at Kansas City last weekend.