Kiper's 2017 Big Boards/Rankings

Cowboysrock55

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Kiper's 2017 Big Board: Stellar running back class taking shape

Mel Kiper Jr.
Football analyst

In this edition of my Big Board: A Big 12 running back and MAC wide receiver who put up monster numbers in 2016 make their debuts, and a speedy Pac-12 wideout jumps into the top 20.

A reminder: General scouting reports on these players won't change week to week unless my overall evaluation changes. I'll simply be updating performance notes and providing updates on key matchups to come.

One asterisk denotes a junior, and two asterisks denote a redshirt sophomore for the 2016 season.


1. *Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M

Garrett has had a frustrating season, hampered by a high ankle sprain he suffered in late September. The injury has taken away some of the explosion that makes him such a promising talent. But when he's on -- the way he was against UTSA in mid-November, when he had 4.5 sacks -- he's a brilliant, natural pass-rusher. The injury shouldn't affect Garrett's draft status, as long as it doesn't linger past January. At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, he has the length, strength and ability to bend the edge. I think he's a top-five lock in April.


2. *Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

Fournette, too, hasn't had an ideal season, as he has struggled with a gimpy ankle and missed four games. Don't worry about him, though. Fournette's really special when he's healthy. At 6-1, 235 pounds, he has an incredible combination of size, speed and power that can make him look like a varsity player hanging with the JV. Mileage was a concern heading into the season, so the ankle injury could benefit him in NFL scouts' eyes. He had a whopping 300 carries in 2015, and he has only 129 this season.

3. Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama

Allen is consistently great for the Crimson Tide. He has seven sacks this season after having 12 in 2015. I wrote a couple of weeks ago about Allen's performance against Texas A&M, in which he had a signature sack and returned a fumble for a touchdown. Defensive end, defensive tackle -- Allen can play anywhere on the line, and coach Nick Saban loves him. By April, he could be in the mix for the top pick.


4. Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama

Foster is a big-time inside linebacker, and he might have been Alabama's best linebacker last season. Yes, better than Reggie Ragland, who went in the second round to the Bills in this year's draft and whom I had as the No. 24-ranked prospect. Foster (6-1, 240) has more range, runs sideline to sideline and is a more complete player. Expect him to follow in the footsteps of inside linebackers from Alabama who have gone in the first round, such as Rolando McClain, Dont'a Hightower and C.J. Mosley.


5. **Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan

Peppers won't win the Heisman, but there's a case to be made that he is the most valuable player in college football. He's the best prospect on one of the best defenses in the country -- Michigan is giving up only 12.5 points per game. And Peppers (6-foot, 210 pounds) is also playing some offense -- running the ball and catching passes -- and is a dynamic returner, too. Could he become a Deone Bucannon type of linebacker at the next level? I expect him to test off the charts at the NFL combine.


6. *Jamal Adams, S, LSU

Adams has been a huge part of LSU's defensive success, even if it doesn't show on the stat sheet (one interception, one sack). The Tigers rank seventh in the country in points allowed per game (16.4). Adams (6-1, 213) has great bloodlines -- his dad, George Adams, was the No. 19 overall pick in the 1985 NFL draft -- and he is built for today's NFL as a versatile safety who can play in the box effectively, make tackles against the run and move to the edges and track slot receivers. There is a premium on these monsterbacks.


7. Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama

Williams, the top-ranked prospect in my preseason Big Board, does one thing incredibly well: rush the passer. And that's what NFL teams are looking for. He's a fantastic pass-rushing talent who can be unblockable at times. But Williams showed some of his other talents in the Crimson Tide's victory over LSU on Nov. 5. I wrote about his day, in which he showed that he can adequately take on blockers and play the run. I feel much better about his all-around game. After 10.5 sacks in 2015, when he played only about 20 percent of Alabama's defensive snaps, Williams (6-4, 250) has eight sacks this season.


8. *Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

Cook (5-11, 213) is a home run hitter who can turn small creases into massive gains. He has eight 100-yard games in his last nine games. Cook is averaging 6.0 yards per carry this season -- after averaging 7.4 in 2015 -- and he has surpassed his catch total from last season, with 30 receptions for 426 yards. With good hands and the ability to find and pick up blitzes, he's versatile. He has a whopping 39 touchdowns in the past two seasons.


9. Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA

Pac-12 offensive tackles had nightmares this season about McKinley, who is a dominant speed rusher. At 6-2, 240, he's not huge, but his explosion off the line is suited for today's NFL. A former junior-college player, McKinley has really come on as a senior -- he has 10 sacks and three forced fumbles. McKinley has impressed me with his motor, too, even while dealing with multiple injuries.


10. *Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

Barnett has been stellar after a slow start to the season. He has 12 sacks, and he even had an interception in a loss to Alabama. At 6-3, 265 pounds, Barnett is an all-around defender who beats double-teams, makes plays in the run game and gets after quarterbacks. I see him as a 4-3 defensive end in the NFL, not a 3-4 outside linebacker, but that shouldn't hurt his value. He's a really good player.


11. **Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State

This is the year of the third-year sophomore, and Ohio State has two really good ones who could jump to the draft, including Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker, who was in an earlier Big Board. At 6-1, 190, Lattimore is a first-year starter who struggled because of a hamstring injury during his first two years in Columbus. He has been fantastic this season, standing out in a group of talented defenders. He tackles well and has locked down receivers; he has four interceptions. The cornerback class for the 2017 draft could be special, and Lattimore is in the top tier.


12. *D'Onta Foreman, RB, Texas

Foreman, who declared for the draft Wednesday, rushed for 2,028 yards this season, tops in the country. He was a huge portion of Texas' offense this season -- he had 323 carries, which also led the country, and 15 touchdowns. At 6-1, 249 pounds, he's a big back, but he showed enough speed to break away from defenders. I'll be interested to see what he runs at the combine. Foreman is also a very capable blocker, and I think he could be a three-down back in the NFL. One issue: with only 13 catches in three seasons, we still don't know much about his hands.


13. *Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama

This isn't a great class for top-tier blindside protectors, and some of that has to do with the lack of seniors. The first senior in my list of the top 10 offensive tackles comes in at No. 6. Robinson, a junior, was a starter from day one at Alabama, and he has already a known commodity around the NFL. At 6-6, 327 pounds, he's battle-tested and extremely consistent. I still think he'd be better as a right tackle in the NFL -- he's a better run-blocker than he is a pass-blocker -- but he's probably going to get a shot on the left side. He has the talent to be a top-10 pick and the first tackle off the board.


14. *Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

Williams, my No. 1 receiver, has great burst and speed for his size (6-2, 225). He has put behind him the scary neck injury that prematurely ended his 2015 season, and he's back to being Deshaun Watson's go-to target. He has 79 catches for 1,114 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, including three scores in the Tigers' rout of South Carolina last Saturday. He had more than 1,000 receiving yards as a sophomore in 2014 while averaging a whopping 18.1 yards per catch.


15. *Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State

McDowell, who drops a few spots here, suffered an ankle injury in the Spartans' loss to Illinois in early November and missed the last three games of the season, as 3-9 Michigan State won't make a bowl game. He has had some growing pains, but the talent is there. He is a fantastic athlete with a 6-6, 290-pound frame. Production has been his issue -- McDowell had 1.5 sacks this season and only 7.5 in his career. He's an elite-level prospect, though, and he could be a top-15 pick.


16. *Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

I've been looking for a quarterback to make the leap this season, and I found it in Trubisky, who has been one of the best signal-callers in the country in his first year as the full-time starter. Trubisky (6-3, 220) is completing 68.9 percent of his passes, even with the nightmare game while playing in Hurricane Matthew in which he was just 13-of-33. He has 28 touchdown passes and only four interceptions. He throws a nice ball, has some touch and velocity, and is mobile, too. He has five rushing touchdowns. He could be the first quarterback off the board in April.


17. *John Ross, WR, Washington

After major knee injuries cost him most of the 2014 season and all of 2015, Ross has been sensational for the Huskies this season. He has 72 catches for 1,071 yards and 16 touchdowns, plus two more TDs on a kick return and rush. He's a speedster. You won't find many players in college football -- or the NFL -- faster than Ross, who reportedly ran a hand-timed 4.25 40-yard dash in March. And that speed shows on tape, as he consistently blows by Pac-12 defenders. Ross is only 5-11, 190, but he's not a guy who has to play in the slot. He can play outside at the next level, as he does at Washington.


18. *Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida

Brantley was featured as my "prospect on the rise" after Florida beat LSU. He was sensational in that game, with three tackles for loss and a forced fumble. A fourth-year junior, Brantley's issue is consistency. At 6-2, 300 pounds, he flashes the upside and talent of a top-10 pick. But he only had 3.5 tackles for loss in the nine games before the win over LSU and he isn't dependably disruptive, though he did have another two tackles for loss in Florida's loss to Florida State. Maybe the lightbulb has come on now. Brantley could be a bigger name in the NFL than he was in college.


19. **Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama

At 6-1, Humphrey is a big, lockdown corner. He had three interceptions as a redshirt freshman last season and was a key playmaker for the national champs. He has two interceptions this season, and the first was returned for a touchdown in the Tide's beatdown of USC in Week 1. Humphrey has great bloodlines: His father, Bobby, was a big-time running back at Alabama who was picked by the Broncos in the first round of the 1989 supplemental draft.


20. *Teez Tabor, CB, Florida

Tabor just makes plays. He showed up in big moments every time I turned on last season's tape, breaking up passes and locking down receivers. He returned two interceptions for touchdowns in 2015. He's all over the field this season, too. You could argue that Tabor was the most consistently effective Florida cornerback last season, and Vernon Hargreaves III went No. 11 overall to the Bucs. Tabor has four interceptions this season, including a 39-yard touchdown return vs. Missouri.


21. *Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech

Hodges is an unbelievable athlete. He was a quarterback in high school, and I think he'll be one of the fastest tight ends of the past few years when he runs at the combine. At 6-7, 245 pounds, he is imposing. He's productive, too, with 127 catches and 20 touchdowns in his career. In a great tight end class, Hodges might be the best.


22. O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama

Howard hasn't been a prolific pass-catcher at Alabama, including only 35 catches this season, but he has all the tools scouts look for in an NFL tight end. At 6-6, 250, he is going to light up the NFL combine. He can stretch the deep middle of the field and become a more dynamic weapon. He could be a playmaker in the NFL. Just look at last season's national title game, in which he had 208 receiving yards and two touchdowns.


23. *Charles Harris, DE, Missouri

Harris has moved up and down on my Big Board a couple of times because his play has been up and down. The highlight of his season was his effort in the Tigers' loss to Georgia in September. He was tremendously disruptive with three sacks, a tackle for loss and a batted-down pass, and he showed off a variety of pass-rushing moves. That's how he can perform when he's at his best. Harris had 9.0 sacks this season. A 6-3, 255-pound pass-rusher, Harris can stand up in a 3-4 or put his hand on the ground in a 4-3. He even moved inside to defensive tackle a few times to rush the quarterback. Last season, he led the SEC with 18.5 tackles for loss.



24. *Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

One of the most productive receivers in the country, Davis is a big-time playmaker for the 12-0 Broncos. He has 318 catches for 5,068 yards and 50 touchdowns in his career and he leads the country this season in receiving touchdowns (17). At 6-2, 212 pounds, Davis has ideal size and length to be a great NFL wideout. He has a chance to be really good, and I think he could be a lead option for an offense. He's considered one of the hardest workers on his team, too, and he really studies the game.


25. *Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan

As I wrote on Monday, Charlton was the best defensive player on the field in Michigan's loss to Ohio State on Saturday. The 6-5, 270-pound defensive end had 2.5 sacks and nine total tackles, showing off a full arsenal of pass-rushing moves. He's up to 8.5 sacks this season despite missing two games earlier in the year because of an ankle injury. Charlton plays with good leverage for his height, has active hands and takes great angles when rushing quarterbacks. And he's helped by an incredible wingspan. Charlton showed Saturday that he can play on his feet, which means he could fit in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme.
 

boozeman

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Thanks for posting.

Charlton is a player we may have a shot at that I like a lot.

He's bigger than others like Charles Harris.

If Corey Davis were available, I would tell Williams to hit the road and go win a title.
 

Cotton

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I just can't talk about the draft yet. I'm looking at shining a Lombardi before I get into that.
 

Rev

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Thanks for posting.

Charlton is a player we may have a shot at that I like a lot.

He's bigger than others like Charles Harris.

If Corey Davis were available, I would tell Williams to hit the road and go win a title.
Cant go wrong with a guy named Taco.
 

Cowboysrock55

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Cant go wrong with a guy named Taco.
He played his best game against Ohio State. You have to love a DE who rises to the occasion. Plus his size makes him a perfect 4-3 fit. Plus he already has the Marinelli nickname.
 

Plan9Misfit

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He played his best game against Ohio State. You have to love a DE who rises to the occasion. Plus his size makes him a perfect 4-3 fit. Plus he already has the Marinelli nickname.
And he's still improving. You guys know that I rarely tout players from my school, but we've got a number of really talented guys entering the draft this year.
 

Jiggyfly

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Thanks for posting.

Charlton is a player we may have a shot at that I like a lot.

He's bigger than others like Charles Harris.

If Corey Davis were available, I would tell Williams to hit the road and go win a title.
You take him in 1st over a defensive player?
 

dallen

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Welcome to Dallas, Bucky!
 

Simpleton

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My only concern with Charlton is that he isn't really that truly athletic, edge-bending threat that we need off the corner, he's kind of a souped up Tyrone or Jack Crawford in that he is probably best off as a strong-side DE who can go inside in nickel/dime.

Now, he's way beyond those two athletically and I love his potential with his frame and wingspan, I just wonder if he is really going to bring that explosiveness that we need off the edge like a Carl Lawson or Takkarist McKinley could bring.

I'd definitely still take him at 27, 28, 31, 32 or where ever we're picking, I just don't think people should expect him to be some speed demon crashing off the edge like a Simeon Rice.
 

Cowboysrock55

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My only concern with Charlton is that he isn't really that truly athletic, edge-bending threat that we need off the corner, he's kind of a souped up Tyrone or Jack Crawford in that he is probably best off as a strong-side DE who can go inside in nickel/dime.

Now, he's way beyond those two athletically and I love his potential with his frame and wingspan, I just wonder if he is really going to bring that explosiveness that we need off the edge like a Carl Lawson or Takkarist McKinley could bring.

I'd definitely still take him at 27, 28, 31, 32 or where ever we're picking, I just don't think people should expect him to be some speed demon crashing off the edge like a Simeon Rice.
No but as we saw last night, Lawrence can be a pretty damn good pass rusher. The problem is teams are able to sort of double team him because we don't have any real pass rush threat on the opposite side. One on one he destroyed Clemmings. So eventually the Vikes started using two guys on that side to block him. Crawford isn't a bad LE but he isn't a consistent pass rusher there at all. I'd really like someone who can force offenses to pay some attention in that spot. Having someone like Charlton who can win with his length, power and athletic ability would be kind of nice.

Of course if you get one of those smaller speed guys like you mention you just put Lawrence at LE and let those guys play RE and it's the same concept.
 
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Simpleton

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No but as we saw last night, Lawrence can be a pretty damn good pass rusher. The problem is teams are able to sort of double team him because we don't have any real pass rush threat on the opposite side. One on one he destroyed Clemmings. So eventually the Vikes started using two guys on that side to block him. Crawford isn't a bad LE but he isn't a consistent pass rusher there at all. I'd really like someone who can force offenses to pay some attention in that spot. Having someone like Charlton who can win with his length, power and athletic ability would be kind of nice.

Of course if you get one of those smaller speed guys like you mention you just put Lawrence at LE and let those guys play RE and it's the same concept.
Yea, I think Lawrence is better suited for the left side so that's why I'd prefer a smaller, more explosive right DE type, but beggars can't be choosers so I'd be fine with Charlton for the most part.
 

Cowboysrock55

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In case anyone is curious here is Kipers top players by position that just came out on December 1st as well.

Top 10 prospects at each position for 2017 NFL draft
Mel Kiper Jr.


Time for another edition of my position rankings for the 2017 NFL draft. Dig in.

One asterisk denotes a junior, and two asterisks denote a redshirt sophomore for the 2016 season.

Quarterbacks

1. *Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina
2. *Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
3. *Luke Falk, Washington State
4. **DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
5. *Deshaun Watson, Clemson
6. *Brad Kaaya, Miami (Fla.)
7. *Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
8. *Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
9. Antonio Pipkin, Tiffin
10. Davis Webb, California

Watson (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) keeps falling here. The 27 interceptions in the past two seasons are a problem. Pipkin (6-3, 225) went 8-3 with the Dragons in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), their first winning season since joining in 2007. He completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 2,534 yards with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. He had another seven rushing touchdowns. Pipkin also played two seasons on the Dragons' basketball team.


Running backs

Kiper's 2017 Big Board: Stellar RB class taking shape
You might already know about LSU star Leonard Fournette, but two more star running backs make Mel Kiper's updated ranking of the top 25 prospects for the 2017 draft.
1. *Leonard Fournette, LSU
2. *Dalvin Cook, Florida State
3. *D'Onta Foreman, Texas
4. *Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
5. *Akrum Wadley, Iowa
6. *Royce Freeman, Oregon
7. *Wayne Gallman, Clemson
8. Matthew Dayes, NC State
9. *James Conner, Pittsburgh
10. Corey Clement, Wisconsin

Foreman (6-1, 249), who declared for the draft Wednesday, made his debut in my latest Big Board. Wadley has rushed for 966 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Hawkeyes, and he also has 32 catches and three TDs.

Fullbacks

1. *Jaylen Samuels, NC State
2. Sam Rogers, Virginia Tech
3. *Khalid Hill, Michigan
4. Nate Iese, UCLA
5. *Dimitri Flowers, Oklahoma
6. *Austin Ramesh, Wisconsin
7. Anthony Firkser, Harvard
8. Christopher Herndon, Miami (Fla.)
9. *Christian Payne, Georgia
10. *Daniel Marx, Stanford

I just love Hill's stat line this season: 25 carries, 39 yards and 10 touchdowns, with a longest run of four yards. The 6-2, 263-pounder has some hands, too -- he has 14 catches for 105 yards and another two scores.

Wide receivers

1. *Mike Williams, Clemson
2. *John Ross, Washington
3. Corey Davis, Western Michigan
4. *JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC
5. *Curtis Samuel, Ohio State
6. *Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech
7. Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma
8. Stacy Coley, Miami (Fla.)
9. Amara Darboh, Michigan
10. Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington

Health has been an issue for Coley (6-1, 195), but he's a talented player. He had eight total touchdowns as a freshman in 2013, and he has another nine this season.


Michael Roberts caught 15 touchdowns for the Rockets in 2016. Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire
Tight ends

1. *Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech
2. O.J. Howard, Alabama
3. Jake Butt, Michigan
4. Cole Hikutini, Louisville
5. Jordan Leggett, Clemson
6. Evan Engram, Mississippi
7. Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas
8. Pharaoh Brown, Oregon
9. Gerald Everett, South Alabama
10. Michael Roberts, Toledo

This tight end class is really good. Roberts (6-5, 270) has ridiculous numbers this season: 43 catches for 514 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Offensive tackles

1. *Cam Robinson, Alabama
2. *Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
3. *Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame
4. **Orlando Brown, Oklahoma
5. *Garett Bolles, Utah
6. Dion Dawkins, Temple
7. *Roderick Johnson, Florida State
8. Taylor Moton, Western Michigan
9. Zach Banner, USC
10. Dan Skipper, Arkansas

This offensive tackle class is very young, and there isn't a sure-fire, top-five pick in the group. Bolles (6-5, 300) is a first-year starter for the Utes after transferring from junior college. He can move defenders.

Offensive guards

1. **Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
2. *Billy Price, Ohio State
3. Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky
4. Dan Feeney, Indiana
5. Dorian Johnson, Pittsburgh
6. *Braden Smith, Auburn
7. Nico Siragusa, San Diego State
8. *Damien Mama, USC
9. Greg Pyke, Georgia
10. Josh Boutte, LSU

I'm a big fan of Lamp (6-3, 300). He could be a starting guard in the NFL immediately.

Centers

1. Ethan Pocic, LSU
2. Pat Elflein, Ohio State
3. *Mason Cole, Michigan
4. Tyler Orlosky, West Virginia
5. *Frank Ragnow, Arkansas
6. Jon Toth, Kentucky
7. *Bradley Bozeman, Alabama
8. Chase Roullier, Wyoming
9. Cameron Tom, Southern Mississippi
10. Kyle Fuller, Baylor

Not a lot of movement here in the past few updates. Pocic (6-7, 302) and Elflein (6-3, 300) are fighting for the top spot.


K-State's Jordan Willis has 25.5 career sacks. Scott Sewell/USA TODAY Sports

Defensive ends

1. *Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
2. Jonathan Allen, Alabama
3. Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
4. *Derek Barnett, Tennessee
5. *Charles Harris, Missouri
6. Taco Charlton, Michigan
7. **Solomon Thomas, Stanford
8. *Carl Lawson, Auburn
9. Jordan Willis, Kansas State
10. DeMarcus Walker, Florida State

This is a great class for pass-rushers. Willis (6-5, 250) led the Big 12 in sacks with 10.5.

Defensive tackles

1. *Malik McDowell, Michigan State
2. *Caleb Brantley, Florida
3. *Elijah Qualls, Washington
4. *Charles Walker, Oklahoma
5. Ryan Glasgow, Michigan
6. Montravius Adams, Auburn
7. Chris Wormley, Michigan
8. Carlos Watkins, Clemson
9. *Davon Godchaux, LSU
10. Jarron Jones, Notre Dame

Brantley (6-2, 300) is the big mover here, up from No. 5 and now in my Big Board.

Inside linebackers

1. Reuben Foster, Alabama
2. *Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
3. *Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
4. Kendell Beckwith, LSU
5. *Azeem Victor, Washington
6. *Anthony Walker, Northwestern
7. Ben Gedeon, Michigan
8. *Shaun Dion Hamilton, Alabama
9. Keith Kelsey, Louisville
10. Hardy Nickerson, Illinois

Foster (6-1, 240) is in a class by himself at the top, but keep an eye on Cunningham (6-4, 225), who is a tremendous athlete.


Temple pass-rusher Haason Reddick was named to the AAC all-conference first team. Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
Outside linebackers

1. Tim Williams, Alabama
2. Ryan Anderson, Alabama
3. Jarrad Davis, Florida
4. Steven Taylor, Houston
5. Haason Reddick, Temple
6. Vince Biegel, Wisconsin
7. Devonte Fields, Louisville
8. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee
9. *Marquis Haynes, Mississippi
10. *T.J. Watt, Wisconsin

Reddick (6-1, 215) has 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles for the Owls. With Reddick and Dawkins, my No. 6 offensive tackle, Temple has some talent.

Cornerbacks

1. **Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
2. **Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
3. *Teez Tabor, Florida
4. *Quincy Wilson, Florida
5. Tre'Davious White, LSU
6. Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
7. Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson
8. *Sidney Jones, Washington
9. Desmond King, Iowa
10. *Adoree' Jackson, USC

Jackson is so dynamic, but size (5-11, 185) is an issue. He has an NFL future as a returner.

Safeties

1. **Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
2. *Jamal Adams, LSU
3. *Budda Baker, Washington
4. **Malik Hooker, Ohio State
5. Marcus Maye, Florida
6. Eddie Jackson, Alabama
7. Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado
8. Justin Evans, Texas A&M
9. *Marcus Williams, Utah
10. Johnathan Ford, Auburn

Baker jumped into the top three after a huge performance in the Apple Cup (one interception, eight tackles). He's not big -- 5-10, 173 -- but he's a playmaker.

Kickers and punters

1. *Daniel Carlson, Auburn (kicker)
2. Zane Gonzalez, Arizona State (kicker)
3. *JK Scott, Alabama (punter)
4. *Johnny Townsend, Florida (punter)
5. *Trevor Daniel, Tennessee (punter)
6. Jake Elliott, Memphis (kicker)
7. Cameron Johnston, Ohio State (punter)
8. *Jonathan Barnes, Louisiana Tech (kicker)
9. Justin Vogel, Miami (Fla.) (punter)
10. Austin Rehkow, Idaho (kicker & punter)

Auburn isn't afraid to let Gonzalez have a go from distance. The senior is 7-of-9 on kicks of more than 50 yards this season, and he is the NCAA record holder for field goals in a career.
 

1bigfan13

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Thanks for posting.

Charlton is a player we may have a shot at that I like a lot.

He's bigger than others like Charles Harris.

If Corey Davis were available, I would tell Williams to hit the road and go win a title.
Physique wise, he kind of reminds me of Julius Peppers. Looks like he has similar athleticism as well.
 

Jiggyfly

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Yes, if he is the best player. Not taking a defender just because.
Offense whore.:lol

I think there are to many holes that need filling on all 3 levels of the defense, I think that is prime territory for a LB or Safety.

Would love to have somebody like Foster or a safety if he is rated that high.

I think replacing Williams could happen later in the Draft and F.A.

I would also be willing to give Butler a shot.
 
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Cowboysrock55

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Offense whore.:lol

I think there are to many holes that need filling on all 3 levels of the defense, I think that is prime territory for a LB or Safety.

Would love to have somebody like Foster or a safety if he is rated that high.

I think replacing Williams could happen later in the Draft and F.A.

I would also be willing to give Butler a shot.
I'd probably try and plug some holes in free agency as well if possible. DE though is the one spot where it seems near impossible to find a good free agent. Well unless of course you get someone in their thirties like a Peppers or Ware type.

LBer is way down my list of needs. I've said it before, I wouldn't pass up an elite talent there but it wouldn't be a priority either. Not with Lee and Jaylon Smith. Not to mention Wilson has really started to play well this year (Only his second year) and Hitchens is at least solid. Safety may be a little different though. Safety is a position that should be picking off a lot of passes in our defense. The problem is our safeties either lack the athletic ability or the hands to create turnovers.
 

Simpleton

DCC 4Life
Joined
Apr 8, 2013
Messages
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Offense whore.:lol

I think there are to many holes that need filling on all 3 levels of the defense, I think that is prime territory for a LB or Safety.

Would love to have somebody like Foster or a safety if he is rated that high.

I think replacing Williams could happen later in the Draft and F.A.

I would also be willing to give Butler a shot.
While this is all true I think Davis is too good to pass up at 28, 29 or where ever we're picking in the late 20's/early 30's.

I think he's a top 15-20 talent and probably will be gone, especially if he goes to the Senior Bowl and kills it. If there was a DL, LB or safety prospect that was his caliber of prospect I'd definitely go that route, I just don't think that's likely.

I'm not ready to say this with full confidence just yet but I think he may be the best WR in the class.
 
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