http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/big-board
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller dominated the Carolina Panthers to take home Super Bowl MVP honors and perhaps help Peyton Manning retire a champion. Expect the copycat NFL to follow the path the Broncos set by seeking upgrades on the edge.
As good fortune would have it, the class of 2016 is loaded with playmakers, and outside linebacker competes only with defensive tackle as the best position group in this year's draft. The Big Board isn't just another mock draft. No attention is paid to team needs or upcoming free agency. This is my personal ranking of the top 32 prospects available in the 2016 NFL Draft, along with eight others who just missed the cut.
Bosa has the ability to be successful in multiple schemes. (USATSI) 1. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State, 6-5, 275, 4.82, Junior: Bosa isn't the dominant edge rusher his hype might suggest but no one in this class is better at a more important position. Powerful, athletic, technically sound and ultra-competitive, Bosa is a threat to make a big play on every snap, whether it be rushing the passer or defending the run. He projects best in the left defensive end role in which he's starred for much of his career with the Buckeyes but has experience rushing out of the two-point stance, as well. He is agile and instinctive enough to handle the transition to a 3-4 alignment should the team lucky enough to get him favor that approach.
2. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi, 6-5, 305, 5.23, Junior: Tunsil was suspended for the first seven games of the season by the NCAA for multiple rules violations that include accepting improper benefits. Since he has returned, Tunsil shut down first-round caliber pass rushers in Texas A&M's Myles Garrett, Auburn's Carl Lawson and Oklahoma State's Emmanuel Ogbah (No. 11 overall on this list) in the Sugar Bowl. Tunsil possesses a remarkable combination of size, agility and strength that has scouts comparing him to Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro Jason Peters.
3. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State, 6-1, 202, 4.49, Junior: A freakish athlete with legitimate Olympics hopes and the physicality required for the NFL, Ramsey is the best of a strong draft for defensive backs. He has starred at safety, cornerback and even linebacker over his three seasons with the Seminoles, standing out on tape regardless of the position he played.
4. Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA, 6-1, 222, 4.56, Junior: The NFL will have to carefully evaluate Jack's health after UCLA announced Oct. 6 that the true junior was leaving for the pros despite suffering a season-ending knee injury. The decision was bold but not reckless. Put simply, Jack is a "natural" whose fluidity, instincts and knack for game-breaking plays made him the only player in Pac-12 history to be named both the Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2013. Given Jack's talent and the gains made in player recovery from surgeries, Jack remains very much in the early first round conversation despite his injury.
Lawson is a threat on every snap. (USATSI) 5. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson, 6-3, 275, 4.64, Redshirt Junior: Battling through a knee injury, Lawson teamed with fellow Tigers defensive end Kevin Dodd to record five sacks (three from Dodd) in the national championship game. Quick off the ball, powerful and tenacious, he's a threat on every snap, leading the country with 25.5 tackles for loss this season. Better yet, with only one starting season under his belt, Lawson may only be scratching the surface of his potential.
6. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame, 6-6, 315, 5.17, Redshirt Junior: Stanley has the length, agility and balance to remain at left tackle in the NFL, where he's starred the past three seasons for the Irish. Stanley isn't as powerful or tenacious a run blocker as my top-rated tackle (Tunsil) but he's athletic, technically sound and battle-tested.
7. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon, 6-7, 290, 4.87, Senior: All of the attention goes to Vernon Adams III and Oregon's offense but the imposing Buckner was one of the few consistent bright spots for the Ducks this season, earning the most votes from Pac-12 blockers to win the Morris Trophy as the conference's top defensive linemen. Buckner isn't an explosive edge rusher but his length, strength and balance will intrigue coaches at the next level, especially as a five-tech defensive end. He's my top-rated senior, regardless of position.
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller dominated the Carolina Panthers to take home Super Bowl MVP honors and perhaps help Peyton Manning retire a champion. Expect the copycat NFL to follow the path the Broncos set by seeking upgrades on the edge.
As good fortune would have it, the class of 2016 is loaded with playmakers, and outside linebacker competes only with defensive tackle as the best position group in this year's draft. The Big Board isn't just another mock draft. No attention is paid to team needs or upcoming free agency. This is my personal ranking of the top 32 prospects available in the 2016 NFL Draft, along with eight others who just missed the cut.
2. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi, 6-5, 305, 5.23, Junior: Tunsil was suspended for the first seven games of the season by the NCAA for multiple rules violations that include accepting improper benefits. Since he has returned, Tunsil shut down first-round caliber pass rushers in Texas A&M's Myles Garrett, Auburn's Carl Lawson and Oklahoma State's Emmanuel Ogbah (No. 11 overall on this list) in the Sugar Bowl. Tunsil possesses a remarkable combination of size, agility and strength that has scouts comparing him to Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro Jason Peters.
3. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State, 6-1, 202, 4.49, Junior: A freakish athlete with legitimate Olympics hopes and the physicality required for the NFL, Ramsey is the best of a strong draft for defensive backs. He has starred at safety, cornerback and even linebacker over his three seasons with the Seminoles, standing out on tape regardless of the position he played.
4. Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA, 6-1, 222, 4.56, Junior: The NFL will have to carefully evaluate Jack's health after UCLA announced Oct. 6 that the true junior was leaving for the pros despite suffering a season-ending knee injury. The decision was bold but not reckless. Put simply, Jack is a "natural" whose fluidity, instincts and knack for game-breaking plays made him the only player in Pac-12 history to be named both the Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2013. Given Jack's talent and the gains made in player recovery from surgeries, Jack remains very much in the early first round conversation despite his injury.
6. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame, 6-6, 315, 5.17, Redshirt Junior: Stanley has the length, agility and balance to remain at left tackle in the NFL, where he's starred the past three seasons for the Irish. Stanley isn't as powerful or tenacious a run blocker as my top-rated tackle (Tunsil) but he's athletic, technically sound and battle-tested.
7. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon, 6-7, 290, 4.87, Senior: All of the attention goes to Vernon Adams III and Oregon's offense but the imposing Buckner was one of the few consistent bright spots for the Ducks this season, earning the most votes from Pac-12 blockers to win the Morris Trophy as the conference's top defensive linemen. Buckner isn't an explosive edge rusher but his length, strength and balance will intrigue coaches at the next level, especially as a five-tech defensive end. He's my top-rated senior, regardless of position.
