Kiper's 2016 Big Board(s)

[boozeman]

An asterisk denotes a junior for the 2015 season; two asterisks denote a redshirt sophomore.

1.. Joey Bosa* DE Ohio St.
2.. Laremy Tunsil* T Mississippi
3.. Jalen Ramsey* S Florida St.
4.. Robert Nkemdiche* DT Mississippi
5.. Vernon Hargreaves* CB Florida

6.. A'Shawn Robinson* DT Alabama
7.. Laquon Treadwell* WR Mississippi
8.. Emmanuel Ogbah* DE Oklahoma St.
9.. Jared Goff* QB California
10. Ronnie Stanley* T Notre Dame

11. Christian Hackenberg* QB Penn St.
12. Jack Conklin* T Michigan St.
13. Kendall Fuller* CB Virginia Tech
14. Taylor Decker T Ohio St.
15. Connor Cook QB Michigan St.

16. Darron Lee* OLB Ohio St.
17. D'haquille "Duke" Williams WR Auburn
18. Jaylon Smith* OLB Notre Dame
19. Ezekiel Elliott* RB Ohio St.
20. Tony Conner* S Mississippi

21. Myles Jack* OLB UCLA
22. Shawn Oakman DE Baylor
23. DeForest Buckner DE Oregon
24. Su'a Cravens* S USC
25. Cardale Jones* QB Ohio St.

-

A dozen more considered (not in any order):

Von Bell S Ohio St.
Maliek Collins DT Nebraska
Spencer Drango T Baylor
Shilique Calhoun DE Michigan St.
Reggie Ragland ILB Alabama
Germain Ifedi T Texas A&M
Max Tuerk C USC
Scooby Wright OLB Arizona
Carl Lawson DE Auburn
Tre'Davious White CB LSU
Eric Striker OLB Oklahoma
Cody Kessler QB USC

 

[Smitty]

Connor Cook and Cardale Jones are within striking distance.

 

[boozeman]

Connor Cook and Cardale Jones are within striking distance.

You want Cardale Jones as a QB?

 

[Jiggyfly]

You want Cardale Jones as a QB?

Yeah that's a bit disturbing.

But Schmidt likes the shiny things.

 

[Carp]

Kessler should be the #2 QB behind Cook.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Kessler should be the #2 QB behind Cook.

I love what he did last year as a QB, I'm just concerned that he may be a college QB who doesn't have enough physical ability to translate to the pros. He doesn't have a big time arm that I can see. He isn't particularly tall or big. He isn't a tremendous athlete.

What he does really well though is he anticipates his throws, he reads defenses and plays in a pro style offense. If the guy was 6'4" with a strong arm he'd be the top pick in the draft.

 

[boozeman]

11/19/15
An asterisk denotes a junior for the 2015 season.

1. *Joey Bosa DE Ohio St.
2. *Paxton Lynch QB Memphis
3. *Robert Nkemdiche DT Mississippi
4. *Jalen Ramsey CB/S Florida St.
5. *Vernon Hargreaves CB Florida

6. *Laremy Tunsil T Mississippi
7. *Jaylon Smith OLB Notre Dame
8. DeForest Buckner DE Oregon
9. Ronnie Stanley T Notre Dame
10. *Jared Goff QB California

11. *Laquon Treadwell WR Mississippi
12. *Kenny Clark DT UCLA
13. *Emmanuel Ogbah DE Oklahoma St.
14. *Kendall Fuller CB Virginia Tech
15. *Tre'Davious White CB LSU

16. A'Shawn Robinson DT Alabama
17. Jarran Reed DT Alabama
18. *Ezekiel Elliott RB Ohio St.
19. **Mackensie Alexander CB Clemson
20. *Shaq Lawson DE Clemson

21. Reggie Ragland ILB Alabama
22. *Jack Conklin T Michigan St.
23. *Myles Jack LB UCLA
24. *Josh Doctson WR TCU
25. *Michael Thomas WR Ohio St.


Quarterbacks
1. *Paxton Lynch, Memphis
2. *Jared Goff, California
3. Carson Wentz, North Dakota St.
4. Connor Cook, Michigan St.
5. *Christian Hackenberg, Penn St.
6. Dak Prescott, Mississippi St.
7. *Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
8. Cody Kessler, USC
9. Brandon Doughty, Western Kentucky
10. Trevone Boykin, TCU

Running backs
1. *Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio St.
2. *Derrick Henry, Alabama
3. *C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame
4. Devontae Booker, Utah
5. *Alex Collins, Arkansas
6. *Paul Perkins, UCLA
7. James Conner, Pitt
8. Jonathan Williams, Arkansas
9. Jordan Howard, Indiana
10. *Corey Clement, Wisconsin

Fullbacks
1. Derek Watt, Wisconsin
2. Dan Vitale, Northwestern
3. *Glenn Gronkowski, Kansas St.
4. Chris Swain, Navy
5. Quayvon Hicks, Georgia
6. *Freddie Stevenson, Florida St.
7. Soma Vainuku, USC
8. Joe Kerridge, Michigan
9. Trevon Pendleton, Michigan St.
10. Cody Clay, West Virginia

Wide receivers
1. *Laquon Treadwell, Mississippi
2. Josh Doctson, TCU
3. *Michael Thomas, Ohio St.
4. *Corey Coleman, Baylor
5. *Will Fuller, Notre Dame
6. *Tyler Boyd, Pitt
7. Leonte Carroo, Rutgers
8. *Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina
9. *Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington
10. *Rashard Higgins, Colorado St.

Tight ends
1. *Hunter Henry, Arkansas
2. *Jake Butt, Michigan
3. Jerell Adams, South Carolina
4. *Jordan Leggett, Clemson
5. *Austin Hooper, Stanford
6. *O.J. Howard, Alabama
7. Nick Vannett, Ohio St.
8. *Evan Engram, Mississippi
9. **Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech
10. Bryce Williams, East Carolina.

Offensive tackles
1. *Laremy Tunsil, Mississippi
2. *Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
3. *Jack Conklin, Michigan St.
4. Taylor Decker, Ohio St.
5. Jason Spriggs, Indiana
6. Le'Raven Clark, Texas Tech
7. Tyler Johnstone, Oregon
8. Kyle Murphy, Stanford
9. Parker Ehinger, Cincinnati
10. Spencer Drango, Baylor

Guards
1. *Denver Kirkland, Arkansas
2. Cody Whitehair, Kansas St.
3. *Pat Elflein, Ohio St.
4. *Greg Pyke, Georgia
5. Christian Westerman, Arizona St.
6. Joshua Garnett, Stanford
7. Landon Turner, North Carolina
8. Vadal Alexander, LSU
9. Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas
10. Joe Thuney, NC St.

Centers
1. Ryan Kelly, Alabama
2. Max Tuerk, USC
3. *Dan Voltz, Wisconsin
4. Nick Martin, Notre Dame
5. Jack Allen, Michigan St.
6. Matt Skura, Duke
7. *Kyle Fuller, Baylor
8. Evan Boehm, Missouri
9. Austin Blythe, Iowa
10. *Ethan Pocic, LSU

Defensive end
1. *Joey Bosa, Ohio St.
2. DeForest Buckner, Oregon
3. *Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma St.
4. *Shaq Lawson, Clemson
5. *Jonathan Allen, Alabama
6. Jonathan Bullard, Florida
7. Shilique Calhoun, Michigan St.
8. **Carl Lawson, Auburn
9. Carl Nassib, Penn St.
10. Shawn Oakman, Baylor

Defensive tackles
1. *Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi
2. *Kenny Clark, UCLA
3. *A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
4. Jarran Reed, Alabama
5. *Austin Johnson, Penn St.
6. Jihad Ward, Illinois
7. Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
8. Sheldon Day, Notre Dame
9. Anthony Zettel, Penn St.
10. Adolphus Washington, Ohio St.

Inside linebackers
1. Reggie Ragland, Alabama
2. *Myles Jack, UCLA
3. Kentrell Brothers, Missouri
4. Cassanova McKinzy, Auburn
5. *Reuben Foster, Alabama
6. Steven Daniels, Boston College
7. *Kendell Beckwith, LSU
8. *Scooby Wright, Arizona
9. Antonio Morrison, Florida
10. Terrance Smith, Florida St.

Outside linebackers
1. *Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
2. *Su'a Cravens, USC
3. Jordan Jenkins, Georgia
4. **Darron Lee, Ohio St.
5. *Leonard Floyd, Georgia
6. Kyler Fackrell, Utah St.
7. Joshua Perry, Ohio St.
8. Tyler Matakevich, Temple
9. Joe Schobert, Wisconsin
10. Deion Jones, LSU

Cornerbacks
1. *Jalen Ramsey, Florida St.
2. *Vernon Hargreaves, Florida
3. *Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech
4. *Tre'Davious White, LSU
5. **Mackensie Alexander, Clemson
6. **Eli Apple, Ohio St.
7. *Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
8. William Jackson, Houston
9. KeiVarae Russell, Notre Dame
10. *Zack Sanchez, Oklahoma


Safeties
1. *Vonn Bell, Ohio St.
2. Jeremy Cash, Duke
3. *Jayron Kearse, Clemson
4. *Tony Conner, Mississippi
5. *T.J. Green, Clemson
6. *Marcus Maye, Florida
7. Darian Thompson, Boise St.
8. Karl Joseph, West Virginia
9. Jalen Mills, LSU
10. Miles Killebrew, Southern Utah

Kickers and punters
1. *Roberto Aguayo, PK, Florida St.
2. Brad Craddock, PK, Maryland
3. Drew Kaser, P, Texas A&M
4. Ka'imi Fairbairn, PK, UCLA
5. Hayden Hunt, K, Colorado St.
6. Jaden Oberkrom, PK, TCU
7. Riley Dixon, P, Syracuse
8. *Jake Elliott, PK, Memphis
9. Nick O'Toole, P, West Virginia
10. Ross Martin, PK, Duke

 

[boozeman]

12/10/15

An asterisk denotes a junior for the 2015 season.

1. *Joey Bosa DE Ohio St.
2. *Jaylon Smith OLB Notre Dame
3. *Jalen Ramsey CB/S Florida St.
4. DeForest Buckner DE Oregon
5. *Robert Nkemdiche DT Mississippi

6. *Laremy Tunsil T Mississippi
7. *Paxton Lynch QB Memphis
8. Ronnie Stanley T Notre Dame
9. *Vernon Hargreaves CB Florida
10. *Jared Goff QB California

11. *Shaq Lawson DE Clemson
12. A'Shawn Robinson DT Alabama
13. Jarran Reed DT Alabama
14. *Myles Jack LB UCLA
15. *Ezekiel Elliott RB Ohio St.

16. *Kenny Clark DT UCLA
17. *Laquon Treadwell WR Mississippi
18. *Kendall Fuller CB Virginia Tech
19. *Emmanuel Ogbah DE Oklahoma St.
20. *Tre'Davious White CB LSU

21. *Jack Conklin T Michigan St.
22. **Mackensie Alexander CB Clemson
23. Taylor Decker T Ohio St.
24. Reggie Ragland ILB Alabama
25. *Michael Thomas WR Ohio St.

-

Quarterbacks
1. *Paxton Lynch, Memphis
2. *Jared Goff, California
3. Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
4. Connor Cook, Michigan State
5. *Christian Hackenberg, Penn State
6. Dak Prescott, Mississippi State
7. *Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
8. *Cardale Jones, Ohio State
9. Cody Kessler, USC
10. Brandon Doughty, Western Kentucky

Running backs
1. *Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
2. *Derrick Henry, Alabama
3. *C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame
4. *Paul Perkins, UCLA
5. Devontae Booker, Utah
6. *Alex Collins, Arkansas
7. *Jordan Howard, Indiana
8. Jonathan Williams, Arkansas
9. Tyler Ervin, San Jose State
10. *Corey Clement, Wisconsin

Fullbacks
1. Dan Vitale, Northwestern
2. *Glenn Gronkowski, Kansas State
3. Chris Swain, Navy
4. Derek Watt, Wisconsin
5. Quayvon Hicks, Georgia
6. *Freddie Stevenson, Florida State
7. Soma Vainuku, USC
8. Joe Kerridge, Michigan
9. Trevon Pendleton, Michigan State
10. Cody Clay, West Virginia

Wide receivers
1. *Laquon Treadwell, Mississippi
2. *Michael Thomas, Ohio State
3. Josh Doctson, TCU
4. *Corey Coleman, Baylor
5. *Tyler Boyd, Pitt
6. Leonte Carroo, Rutgers
7. *Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina
8. Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma
9. *Rashard Higgins, Colorado State
10. Braxton Miller, Ohio State

Tight ends
1. *Hunter Henry, Arkansas
2. Jerell Adams, South Carolina
3. **Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech
4. *Austin Hooper, Stanford
5. *Jordan Leggett, Clemson
6. Nick Vannett, Ohio State
7. David Morgan II, UTSA
8. *Evan Engram, Mississippi
9. Tyler Higbee, Western Kentucky
10. Bryce Williams, East Carolina

Offensive tackles
1. *Laremy Tunsil, Mississippi
2. *Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
3. *Jack Conklin, Michigan State
4. Taylor Decker, Ohio State
5. Jason Spriggs, Indiana
6. Le'Raven Clark, Texas Tech
7. Tyler Johnstone, Oregon
8. Kyle Murphy, Stanford
9. Parker Ehinger, Cincinnati
10. Spencer Drango, Baylor

Guards
1. *Denver Kirkland, Arkansas
2. Cody Whitehair, Kansas State
3. *Pat Elflein, Ohio State
4. *Greg Pyke, Georgia
5. Christian Westerman, Arizona State
6. Joshua Garnett, Stanford
7. Landon Turner, North Carolina
8. Vadal Alexander, LSU
9. Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas
10. Joe Thuney, NC State

Centers
1. Ryan Kelly, Alabama
2. Max Tuerk, USC
3. *Dan Voltz, Wisconsin
4. Nick Martin, Notre Dame
5. *Ethan Pocic, LSU
6. Jack Allen, Michigan State
7. Matt Skura, Duke
8. Austin Blythe, Iowa
9. *Kyle Fuller, Baylor
10. Evan Boehm, Missouri

Defensive ends
1. *Joey Bosa, Ohio State
2. DeForest Buckner, Oregon
3. *Shaq Lawson, Clemson
4. *Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State
5. *Jonathan Allen, Alabama
6. Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State
7. Jonathan Bullard, Florida
8. **Carl Lawson, Auburn
9. Carl Nassib, Penn State
10. Sheldon Rankins, Louisville

Defensive tackles
1. *Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi
2. *A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
3. Jarran Reed, Alabama
4. *Kenny Clark, UCLA
5. *Andrew Billings, Baylor
6. Sheldon Day, Notre Dame
7. Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech
8. Jihad Ward, Illinois
9. Adolphus Washington, Ohio State
10. Anthony Zettel, Penn State

Inside linebackers
1. Reggie Ragland, Alabama
2. *Myles Jack, UCLA
3. Kentrell Brothers, Missouri
4. *Reuben Foster, Alabama
5. Cassanova McKinzy, Auburn
6. Antonio Morrison, Florida
7. Terrance Smith, Florida State
8. *Kendell Beckwith, LSU
9. Blake Martinez, Stanford
10. Steven Daniels, Boston College

Outside linebackers
1. *Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
2. *Su'a Cravens, USC
3. *Tim Williams, Alabama
4. Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
5. *Leonard Floyd, Georgia
6. *Devonte Fields, Louisville
7. **Darron Lee, Ohio State
8. Kyler Fackrell, Utah State
9. Joshua Perry, Ohio State
10. Jordan Jenkins, Georgia

Cornerbacks
1. *Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
2. *Vernon Hargreaves, Florida
3. *Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech
4. *Tre'Davious White, LSU
5. **Mackensie Alexander, Clemson
6. *Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
7. **Eli Apple, Ohio State
8. *Zack Sanchez, Oklahoma
9. William Jackson, Houston
10. KeiVarae Russell, Notre Dame

Safeties
1. *Vonn Bell, Ohio State
2. Jeremy Cash, Duke
3. Karl Joseph, West Virginia
4. *T.J. Green, Clemson
5. Darian Thompson, Boise State
6. *Jayron Kearse, Clemson
7. *Tony Conner, Mississippi
8. *Marcus Maye, Florida
9. Jalen Mills, LSU
10. *Keanu Neal, Florida

Kickers and punters
1. *Roberto Aguayo, PK, Florida State
2. Drew Kaser, P, Texas A&M
3. Brad Craddock, PK, Maryland
4. Ka'imi Fairbairn, PK, UCLA
5. *Hayden Hunt, P, Colorado State
6. Jaden Oberkrom, PK, TCU
7. Conrad Ukropina, PK, Stanford
8. Nick O'Toole, P, West Virginia
9. Ross Martin, PK, Duke
10. Riley Dixon, P, Syracuse

 

[dallen]

An asterisk denotes a player who was a junior for the 2015 season. Two asterisks denotes a redshirt-sophomore.


1. *Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State Buckeyes

No change here. Bosa's final college game was a downer, but he left it healthy. He's an explosive pass-rusher who has power and awareness and is consistently disruptive against the run. Bosa has size and versatility that will fit any scheme, as well as the ability to go around blockers or right through them. He's been double- and triple-teamed. When he's one-on-one he wins, period.


2. *Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State Seminoles

Status quo all season after the move back to cornerback. A does-it-all talent who had already started 28 college games heading into this season. I would have rated him the top safety taken in the 2015 draft, but this season he's at cornerback. He has the length, range and exceptional instincts to make plays all over the field; indeed, he has enjoyed an expected smooth transition to corner. He is a truly gifted athlete.


3. *Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss Rebels

Missed a lot of time, but not due to injury. And looked good upon return. The entire skill set is there. He is flexible, quick, powerful and long. I still think he's the best pass-blocker in the draft at this point in my evals, a guy who wouldn't look out of place if he had to play on Sundays this season. Nimble but strong, he has all the traits you look for at that spot.


4. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon Ducks

I think he's a top-10 lock if he does well in workouts. Love his motor and his production while dealing with a lot of blocking attention. Similar to Bosa in that regard. At 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds, he has an impressive frame and with another year of polish could be a fit in almost any kind of system.



5. *Jared Goff, QB, California Golden Bears

I think the Senior Bowl could help Wentz and bring the group closer, but Goff is still my top QB. The arm can be special, as Goff can not only drill the ball down the field and into tight windows with ease but also has a changeup and proper trajectory. He has good movement skills and anticipation and he sees the whole field. He can also move defenders with his eyes pretty well and will continue to get better.


6. *Myles Jack, ILB, UCLA Bruins

A gifted athlete, he's a linebacker with quickness you would get from a smaller safety, and that extends to his ability to cover, as well. He can attack the backfield and is a physical kid, but he's especially good at anticipating and covering ground quickly to make plays across the formation and in coverage. Yeah, he got hurt, but he didn't fall on my board.


7. A'Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama Crimson Tide

A versatile talent, he was special over the second half of this season. Robinson isn't just a block-occupying force against the run. If he gets to your shoulder, he can push you aside and fly into the backfield. He'll be good in any scheme and has really come on for Kirby Smart's defense.


8. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

He marries prototypical length with impressive movement skills. He moves well laterally and can flash great hand use. I thought consistency was the problem last year, but he put things together in 2015. He could push to become the top tackle available.


9. *Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss Rebels

Has been in the top spot among wide receivers all year and has momentum into the draft process because he's healthy. He looked a little leaner this year, and showed explosiveness because of that. He has size, speed and tremendous hands. Physical player.


10. *Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State Spartans

I had him down a bit lower, but you go back to the tape and he's just not making mistakes. At 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, he moves well -- he was a good basketball player in high school -- and is most impressive in his consistency. He just doesn't give up sacks and is showing more pop as a run-blocker. The one-time walk-on is a great story.


11. *Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida Gators

A gifted cover man, Hargreaves lacks size but mostly makes up for it with instincts and effortless fluidity in moving with receivers. Of course, at 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds, he's not small; he just lacks a margin for error compared to some. A starter since he arrived, he's still the best pure cover corner in the draft class at this point.


12.*Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson Tigers

Full arsenal. Quickness, spin moves, rips, power. Lawson also has a special knack for finding the ball early. Lawson has tremendous quickness for his size (275 pounds), which means you can use him as an edge rusher in a 4-3 setup. He'll gain polish, but there's a lot to work with here.


13. Jarran Reed, DL, Alabama Crimson Tide

Tough to move and with a great on-field instincts for the ball, Reed plays with leverage and has a sixth sense. A juco transfer who started a little slow for Smart's D last season, he has become arguably its most important player up front and has been really good every week since the light came on last year.


14. Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama Crimson Tide

The tape is really stacked up for the productive Ragland. He just makes plays. Ragland doesn't blow anyone away with speed, limiting his range to the edges, but he is quick and flows quickly to the ball, anticipating early and making plays on time. He is a great assignment football player, and he hits gaps and gets off blocks, all while maintaining vision beyond what's directly in front of him.


15. *Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss Rebels

Had to drop him recently on off-field questions, and it's not just some lame scolding. You have to be able to trust your top players. It's all in the eval. He's a talent, but you need the reliability. Powerful, quick, football smart, disruptive when he's 100 percent, he's a talent. The draft process will be interesting.


16. *Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

He's an absolute stud, and he's essentially just here in limbo as we wait to see where his knee is at. A rare player at his position who could be drafted this high. Jumps off the screen. It's really hard to pick out serious flaws, aside from a missed tackle here and there and occasional overpursuit. Smith is making a case to be a versatile linebacker you can select safely knowing he can be plugged in right away. He can be moved around, has good length and can flat-out fly for a linebacker, with sub-4.5 speed.


17. *Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State Buckeyes

Elliott has outstanding vision, durability, patience and pad level, and we know he has breakaway speed in the open field. He shows a passion for blocking, as well as maybe the best hands of any back in this draft, both of which will endear him to evaluators. The big plays are there, but I think quickness in space will be something to watch.


18. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State Bison

Great size, big arm, exceptional mobility, and there's enough tape where you can remove him from the surroundings with your eyes and know he's a success. Put him in the SEC or Pac-12 and you're still talking about a great prospect. Senior Bowl will be huge.


19.*Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis Tigers

A so-so end of the season didn't help, but the kid has talent. Lynch has good size with room to fill out. He not only has a strong arm but also the ability to get the ball out fast. He has the height to see the whole field quickly without creating space, and he throws well on the move when he needs that space. It sounds trite, but the talent for the position is so clear, and the decision-making has been very good.


20. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State Buckeyes

Decker could have been in the mix to go in Round 1 last year but came back to school and added some more good tape to his résumé. Defenders were able to use his length against him in the past, but I think he's become better with his hands, and he's a really good run-blocker. Does he stay on the left side? We'll see, but he's a solid tackle.


21. *Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State Nittany Lions

I spent more time on the Penn State defensive line toward the end of the season, and it was Johnson who really stood out even though he's often overshadowed by other names. Now definitely in the mix as a first-rounder. He won't be chasing down quarterbacks, but he'll just eat you alive in the run game if you're coming his direction.


22.**Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson Tigers

I waited a little while to add him, given he is a redshirt sophomore, but there's no way around discussing his NFL prospects at this point. I'm not sure a cornerback outside of Ramsey and Hargreaves has been better this season. He was hurting in the title game and might need to be cautious on working out in Indy. We'll see.


23. *Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson Tigers

Not only did Dodd put up almost the same numbers as his teammate Lawson, he was actually No. 2 in the nation in tackles for loss. Yep -- Lawson was the only player ahead of him. Dodd does a great job of creating space for himself and does have the speed to beat a tackle upfield and turn the corner. Give the Clemson staff credit for getting these guys so good with their hands.


24. *Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State Buckeyes

Apple has plus length, an extra gear to catch receivers who create space over the top, and is fluid enough to stick with guys all over the field. What I really like: he tackles. Apple will attack the play in front of him and make plays.


25. *Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA Bruins

Incredibly powerful with tremendous lower-body strength and also a good deal of burst off the line. When he plays with leverage, you need more than one blocker to move him; and he's tough to handle one-on-one and can throw you to the side. I had him too low at first, but after spending more time seeing him play, I have moved him up accordingly.

 

[dallen]

Quarterbacks

1. *Jared Goff, California
2. Carson Wentz, North Dakota St.
3. *Paxton Lynch, Memphis
4. Connor Cook, Michigan St.
5. *Christian Hackenberg, Penn St.
6. Dak Prescott, Mississippi St.
7. *Cardale Jones, Ohio St.
8. Brandon Allen, Arkansas
9. Cody Kessler, USC
10. Brandon Doughty, Western Kentucky

The notable change here is that Wentz moves to No. 2 ahead of Lynch. How he looks at the Senior Bowl could determine his staying power, but he's in pretty good shape. Brandon Allen is another name to watch. I could see him moving up a few more spots.


Running backs

1. *Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio St.
2. *Paul Perkins, UCLA
3. *Alex Collins, Arkansas
4. *C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame
5. *Derrick Henry, Alabama
6. Devontae Booker, Utah
7. *Jordan Howard, Indiana
8. Jonathan Williams, Arkansas
9. *Wendell Smallwood, West Virginia
10. Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech

Zeke stays at No. 1 and should through the process. He's the one guy here I can see going in the first round.

Fullbacks

1. Dan Vitale, Northwestern
2. Dakota Gordon, San Diego St.
3. *Glenn Gronkowski, Kansas St.
4. Derek Watt, Wisconsin
5. Chris Swain, Navy
6. Andy Janovich, Nebraska
7. Quayvon Hicks, Georgia
8. Soma Vainuku, USC
9. Joe Kerridge, Michigan
10. Trevon Pendleton, Michigan St.

Yes, the Gronkowski and Watt you see above are in fact little brothers of players you might have heard of.

Wide receivers

1. *Laquon Treadwell, Mississippi
2. Josh Doctson, TCU
3. *Corey Coleman, Baylor
4. *Will Fuller, Notre Dame
5. *Michael Thomas, Ohio St.
6. Leonte Carroo, Rutgers
7. *Tyler Boyd, Pitt
8. *Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina
9. Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma
10. Braxton Miller, Ohio St.

Doctson moves up to No. 2, and Fuller skips ahead of Thomas. Goes without saying (but I will anyway): Workouts are absolutely pivotal for these guys.

Tight ends

1. *Hunter Henry, Arkansas
2. *Austin Hooper, Stanford
3. Jerell Adams, South Carolina
4. Nick Vannett, Ohio St.
5. David Morgan, Texas (SA)
6. Tyler Higbee, Western Kentucky
7. Bryce Williams, East Carolina
8. *David Grinnage, NC State
9. Ben Braunecker, Harvard
10. Kivon Cartwright, Colorado St.

Henry is the one guy who could slide into Round 1. Jake Butt returned to Michigan, which is why he's no longer near the top of the list.

Offensive tackles

1. *Laremy Tunsil, Mississippi
2. *Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
3. *Jack Conklin, Michigan St.
4. Taylor Decker, Ohio St.
5. *Shon Coleman, Auburn
6. Jason Spriggs, Indiana
7. *Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M
8. *Jerald Hawkins, LSU
9. Kyle Murphy, Stanford
10. John Theus, Georgia

This has turned into a pretty solid class at the top. If the draft was tomorrow I can see up to six guys as possibilities for Round 1. Keep an eye on Spriggs, as he could be a workout warrior and move up.

Guards

1. Cody Whitehair, Kansas St.
2. Spencer Drango, Baylor
3. Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas
4. Joshua Garnett, Stanford
5. *Denver Kirkland, Arkansas
6. Vadal Alexander, LSU
7. Christian Westerman, Arizona St.
8. Joe Dahl, Washington St.
9. Connor McGovern, Missouri
10. Landon Turner, North Carolina

Whitehair played tackle, but he'll end up inside. Same story for several others here.

Centers

1. Ryan Kelly, Alabama
2. Max Tuerk, USC
3. Nick Martin, Notre Dame
4. Jack Allen, Michigan St.
5. Matt Skura, Duke
6. Austin Blythe, Iowa
7. Evan Boehm, Missouri
8. Kyle Friend, Temple
9. Mike Matthews, Texas A&M
10. Graham Glasgow, Michigan

Kelly won't be at the Senior Bowl, but his stock isn't a concern. Tons of tape; great kid. A sleeper here to watch is Blythe. He was just so consistently good. The coaches there rave about him.

Defensive ends

1. *Joey Bosa, Ohio St.
2. DeForest Buckner, Oregon
3. *Shaq Lawson, Clemson
4. *Kevin Dodd, Clemson
5. *Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma St.
6. Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
7. Shilique Calhoun, Michigan St.
8. Jonathan Bullard, Florida
9. Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
10. Jihad Ward, Illinois

Kevin Dodd is the guy crashing the party here. He closed his season on fire and is now solidly in the first-round mix. Bullard is a guy you can move around -- not a classic edge-bending DE.

Defensive tackles

1. *A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
2. Jarran Reed, Alabama
3. *Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi
4. *Austin Johnson, Penn St.
5. *Kenny Clark, UCLA
6. *Andrew Billings, Baylor
7. Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech
8. Sheldon Day, Notre Dame
9. *Chris Jones, Mississippi St.
10. Adolphus Washington, Ohio St.

Bama was pretty good up front, huh? The big riser here is Johnson, who is just a mountain in the middle. It feels like people are starting to catch up on Vernon Butler. We profiled him last year, and he has continued to dominate.

Inside linebackers

1. *Myles Jack, UCLA
2. Reggie Ragland, Alabama
3. *Scooby Wright, Arizona
4. Kentrell Brothers, Missouri
5. Antonio Morrison, Florida
6. *Dominique Alexander, Oklahoma
7. Cassanova McKinzy, Auburn
8. Terrance Smith, Florida St.
9. *Nick Vigil, Utah St.
10. Nick Kwiatkoski, West Virginia

I've been a big Jack fan for a while now, and his ability to cover makes him really special. He could play safety if he wanted to. Scooby Wright is a guy to watch, as he's dropped some weight and should be moving well.

Outside linebackers

1. *Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
2. *Leonard Floyd, Georgia
3. *Kamalei Correa, Boise St.
4. *Su'a Cravens, USC
5. **Darron Lee, Ohio St.
6. Kyler Fackrell, Utah St.
7. Joshua Perry, Ohio St.
8. Deion Jones, LSU
9. Joe Schobert, Wisconsin
10. Eric Striker, Oklahoma

We're in wait-and-see mode on Jaylon Smith's knee. Special player who should still be in Round 1.

Cornerbacks

1. *Jalen Ramsey, Florida St.
2. *Vernon Hargreaves, Florida
3. **Mackensie Alexander, Clemson
4. **Eli Apple, Ohio St.
5. *Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech
6. William Jackson, Houston
7. KeiVarae Russell, Notre Dame
8. *Artie Burns, Miami (FL)
9. Harlan Miller, Southeastern Louisiana
10. *Zack Sanchez, Oklahoma

Deep group. Someone will get a really good cornerback well into the draft.

Safeties

1. *Vonn Bell, Ohio St.
2. Jeremy Cash, Duke
3. Karl Joseph, West Virginia
4. Darian Thompson, Boise St.
5. *Tyvis Powell, Ohio St.
6. DeAndre Houston-Carson, William & Mary
7. *Jayron Kearse, Clemson
8. Kevin Byard, Middle Tennessee St.
9. Miles Killebrew, Southern Utah
10. Deiondre' Hall, Northern Iowa

There isn's a dead-certain first-rounder here. I should mention that Ramsey (under cornerbacks) would be the No. 1 safety if he was grouped here.

Kickers and punters

1. *Roberto Aguayo, PK, Florida St.
2. Drew Kaser, P, Texas A&M
3. Brad Craddock, PK, Maryland
4. Riley Dixon, P, Syracuse
5. *Eric Enderson, P, Delaware
6. Ka'imi Fairbairn, PK, UCLA
7. Jaden Oberkrom, PK, TCU
8. Conrad Ukropina, PK, Stanford
9. Nick O'Toole, P, West Virginia
10. Ross Martin, PK, Duke

Remember that Aguayo could have entered the draft last season.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

18. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State Bison

Great size, big arm, exceptional mobility, and there's enough tape where you can remove him from the surroundings with your eyes and know he's a success. Put him in the SEC or Pac-12 and you're still talking about a great prospect. Senior Bowl will be huge.


19.*Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis Tigers

A so-so end of the season didn't help, but the kid has talent. Lynch has good size with room to fill out. He not only has a strong arm but also the ability to get the ball out fast. He has the height to see the whole field quickly without creating space, and he throws well on the move when he needs that space. It sounds trite, but the talent for the position is so clear, and the decision-making has been very good.

I think he still has probably both of these QBs a little too low but he is echoing the vibe I have kind of gotten as well. Which is that these two are neck and neck and that maybe Wentz even has a little bit of a lead on Lynch.

 

[Jiggyfly]

Interesting that he has Henry rated so low.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Updating the Big Board after the NFL combine
play


With the NFL combine now completed for 2016, it's time for a new batch of rankings. For a deep look at every position, I have an updated ranking of the top 10 players at all positions available here. Below you'll find the top players regardless of position. I should remind readers that there are evaluations left to be done, and a number of crucial pro days and interviews will take place over the next month-plus. More will change.


A couple of notes: I am limiting scouting report notes below, because this is addressing where guys stand post-combine.

Also, the Big Board is not a prediction of where guys will be drafted, only where I have them ranked.

An asterisk denotes a player who was a junior for the 2015 season. Two asterisks denotes a redshirt sophomore.


1. *Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss Rebels

The top left tackle in the draft did nothing to diminish his standing in Indianapolis. The question now is whether the Titans see Tunsil as a good value at No. 1 or find a way to trade out of that draft slot. They seem interested.


2. *Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State Seminoles

Ramsey tested exceptionally well at the NFL combine. This is a top 1 percent-type of kid, with extraordinary explosiveness that's particularly obvious when he's jumping. He won't be a project at cornerback but will face some growing pains, so you hear mixed feelings on his best eventual position, corner or safety.


3. *Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State Buckeyes

While Bosa faced some tough interview questions that stem from a one-game suspension that started the 2015 season, he did nothing from a testing standpoint to lower his standing as the best pass-rusher in the draft.


4. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon Ducks

The more you watch Buckner simply control blockers at the line of scrimmage, the less you worry about fit at the next level and realize he's going to be good anywhere he lines up.


5. *Myles Jack, ILB, UCLA Bruins

Arguably the most versatile player in the entire draft, Jack has the size and tackling skills (and instincts) of a top linebacker, but the coverage skills of a safety. And yes, he can run the ball if you need him to. He's also a fun podcast guest.


6. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

A solid combine leaves Stanley roughly where he was headed in, as the likely second tackle drafted. Like any left tackle, if he starts there early there will be some growing pains, but the upside is there.


7. *Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida Gators

Hargreaves tested even better than some expected, and solidified his place as a likely top-10 pick. It's not a shot at Ramsey to call Hargreaves the best pure cover corner in the draft. And at 200-plus pounds, he's a physical player too.


8. *Jared Goff, QB, California Golden Bears

My latest mock draft has the next guy on the list going to the Browns at No. 2, ahead of Goff, but I still have Goff as the superior QB at this stage. The question of small hands is a real one, but it doesn't show up on tape.


9. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State Bison

The darling of the draft process so far, Wentz impressed at the Senior Bowl and then showed off how physically imposing he is at the combine, coming in at over 6-foot-5 and 237 pounds. That he moves so well is a bonus.


10. *Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State Spartans

Conklin reduced the distance between himself and Stanley with an impressive combine showing. He has the long arms you want in a left tackle, and the tape is there. He's a great finisher in the running game.


11. *Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss Rebels

He faces a crucial pro day soon because he opted not to run in Indy, but while the 40 time might be the question, it's just about the only one. The tape puts Treadwell in good shape. The 40 time will only inch him up or down the board a bit.


12. Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama Crimson Tide

A leaner Ragland (down to 247 pounds after checking in at 259 in Mobile) tested just fine in Indy and solidified mid-first-round placement in the draft based on what I hear. He's an immediate starter for someone.


13. *Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

This, frankly, is a mystery right now. Until I have a clear picture of Smith's medical condition I can neither put him where he belongs based on tape (top five) or lower him out of the first-round mix entirely based on the injury. More to come ...


14. Sheldon Rankins, DL, Louisville Cardinals

The quickness is what really jumps off the screen, and I think it means Ragland could be labeled a defensive end and fit well in a 3-4. He has plenty of good tape but has been particularly impressive in the draft process.


15. *Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky Colonels

I'm sure the interview process has been and will continue to be uncomfortable for Spence, but the reality is he's one of the best pass-rushers in a draft class full of good ones. If his problems are behind him, he's a first-round lock, likely the upper half.


16. *Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State Buckeyes

A complete back who tested well in Indy, it's now harder to see him falling out of Round 1, despite the fact that many teams loathe the thought of taking a RB so early. What happens is you get to a point where he might be the best player available on your board. If the need is there ...


17. Josh Doctson, WR, TCU Horned Frogs

I didn't expect Doctson to break land speed records, but he was just fine at the combine, running 4.5 and showing off good quickness and jumping ability. He's great after the catch, has reliable hands and is a wizard at finding tough passes and getting his body in the right position.


18.*Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson Tigers

Lawson also tested well at the combine, backing up his productivity. This is a player who is physically ready to come in and hold up at the point of attack and win against both run and pass. He does not wow with quickness, but he gets himself free.


19. A'Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama Crimson Tide

Solidly a top defensive tackle in this class, with miles of film to back it up, Robinson has the size and strength to stay on the inside. It's hard to see him falling far.


20. **Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State Buckeyes

The one-time high school quarterback was a workout warrior at the combine, running the fastest time among linebackers and jumping a mile. Lee can miss some plays, but he only needs more experience, and he has the athletic ability to get anywhere on the field. First-round lock now.


21. *Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss Rebels

There's no way to diminish the athlete here. Nkemdiche is an extraordinarily gifted player from a testing standpoint at over 290 pounds. And when he's at his best, he jumps off the screen. His problem is teams need to trust that he can stay focused on football. He has work to do there.


22. *Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State Buckeyes

Apple had a tremendous combine, showing that he is the best size/speed combination among the top cornerbacks next to Ramsey and the next guy on this list. Apple needs technical work, but he's got the tool set you look for.


23. William Jackson III, CB, Houston Cougars

He has good length, long arms, and was simply much faster than many of us realized. Jackson ran the 40 in a blazing 4.37 in Indy and pushed himself up some boards. The key here is that his tape is solid, now the speed adds to the mix.


24. *Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

On tape Fuller was arguably the best deep-ball threat in college football this season. He gets behind defenses and makes plays. And when he ran 4.32, it made it clear what we've seen was no fluke. The question mark here is about consistent hands. They need to get better.


25.*Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis Tigers

The No. 3 QB in this group has a strong arm, a huge frame, and a ton of upside if he gets the right development. That said, Lynch isn't the QB you take if you want him starting right away. In reality, you don't want to do that to any rookie, but this is more definitively a case where you want time to mold him.

_________________________________________________________________________

New draft board and position rankings by Kiper are out.

 

[GForce78NJ]

very interesting moves - Kiper seems to be very high on Eli Apple and William Jackson

Ragland higher than Rankins is a crime

 

[Cowboysrock55]

very interesting moves - Kiper seems to be very high on Eli Apple and William Jackson

Ragland higher than Rankins is a crime

Yeah Kiper is coming really late to the Rankins party. This is the first time he has had him anywhere close to his top 25. I don't get the Ragland hype as much either. He looks like a limited old school LBer who will get picked on in coverage.