http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25458239/nfl-draft-top-50-draft-board-10
The 2016 NFL Draft is still three months away, but with the all-star circuit in full gear, the draft process is picking up steam. After countless hours of tape and in-person scouting, I put together my initial top-50 draft board for this year's class.
This board will fluctuate somewhat throughout the process with three more updates (one after the NFL Combine, another after Pro Days and a final update the week prior to the draft).
1. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss (6-5, 305, 5.23, Jr.)
Despite never earning SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors in his three-year Ole Miss career, Tunsil is the best prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft. He is a nimble big man with a rare athletic skill-set for the position and his flaws are more nit-picking than true weaknesses.
2. Myles Jack, LB, UCLA (6-1, 245, 4.56, Jr.)
Jack is an athletic specimen with above-average pursuit speed, contact balance and mental processor to know everything going on around him. He doesn't have ideal size or power and his medicals need vetting (meniscus), but Jack has the athletic skill-set to be a difference-maker.
3. Jalen Ramsey, DS, Florida State (6-1, 202, 4.49, Jr.)
If you combined a safety, cornerback and linebacker into one prospect, the result would look something like Ramsey, who was blessed with the inherent instincts and an impressive size/athletic profile. It's rare to see defensive backs mentioned as worthy of the top pick, but he deserves it.
4. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State (6-5, 275, 4.82, Jr.)
Bosa is very physically gifted, but even better, he knows how to use those gifts, and works his tail off to maximize his potential. He might never be a consistent double-digit sack artist in the NFL, but he is scheme versatile with the power, athleticism and instinctive traits to disrupt the pocket.
5. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State (6-0, 225, 4.42, Jr.)
Elliott has the resume of a playmaker and is extremely well-rounded, doing some of his best work away from the ball. He is outstanding at syncing his eyes with his feet to read, cut and go in a fluid motion, displaying the playmaking traits to make an impact runner from day one.
6. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss (6-2, 210, 4.52, Jr.)
Although he's not a sudden athlete, Treadwell plays with athletic twitch and power to be a threat before and after the catch. He has exceptional ball skills and catching radius with strong hands to pluck away from his body, drawing comparisons to a less-dynamic version of Dez Bryant.
7. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon (6-7, 290, 4.87, Sr.)
Buckner plays with explosive movements and terrific body control for a man his size, flashing heavy hands and initial power to be a disruptive force. He's still learning how to string together rush moves, but he developed into more of a consistent playmaker as a senior.
8. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame (6-6, 315, 5.17, RJr.)
A dancing bear, Stanley was blessed with the athleticism, long arms and above-average feet to handle speed and mirror rushers in space. He needs to fine-tune his mechanics before he's ready for NFL snaps, but his upside and athletic skill-set should land him in the top 10.
9. Jared Goff, QB, California (6-4, 210, 4.82, Jr.)
Goff has good, but not great, physical traits and arm strength, but his best qualities are his intelligence, pocket mechanics and ability to self-evaluate. He undoubtedly faces a learning curve in the NFL, but he has the passing traits and mental process to find success early in his pro career.
10. Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (6-3, 240, 4.67, Jr.)
A special athlete for the position, Smith jumps off the screen with his sudden pursuit speed and twitchy movements, which compliments his quick-thinking play style. His knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl obviously puts his draft projection in limbo, but shouldn't take him out of the first round.
The 2016 NFL Draft is still three months away, but with the all-star circuit in full gear, the draft process is picking up steam. After countless hours of tape and in-person scouting, I put together my initial top-50 draft board for this year's class.
This board will fluctuate somewhat throughout the process with three more updates (one after the NFL Combine, another after Pro Days and a final update the week prior to the draft).
1. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss (6-5, 305, 5.23, Jr.)
Despite never earning SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors in his three-year Ole Miss career, Tunsil is the best prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft. He is a nimble big man with a rare athletic skill-set for the position and his flaws are more nit-picking than true weaknesses.
2. Myles Jack, LB, UCLA (6-1, 245, 4.56, Jr.)
Jack is an athletic specimen with above-average pursuit speed, contact balance and mental processor to know everything going on around him. He doesn't have ideal size or power and his medicals need vetting (meniscus), but Jack has the athletic skill-set to be a difference-maker.
3. Jalen Ramsey, DS, Florida State (6-1, 202, 4.49, Jr.)
If you combined a safety, cornerback and linebacker into one prospect, the result would look something like Ramsey, who was blessed with the inherent instincts and an impressive size/athletic profile. It's rare to see defensive backs mentioned as worthy of the top pick, but he deserves it.
4. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State (6-5, 275, 4.82, Jr.)
Bosa is very physically gifted, but even better, he knows how to use those gifts, and works his tail off to maximize his potential. He might never be a consistent double-digit sack artist in the NFL, but he is scheme versatile with the power, athleticism and instinctive traits to disrupt the pocket.
5. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State (6-0, 225, 4.42, Jr.)
Elliott has the resume of a playmaker and is extremely well-rounded, doing some of his best work away from the ball. He is outstanding at syncing his eyes with his feet to read, cut and go in a fluid motion, displaying the playmaking traits to make an impact runner from day one.
6. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss (6-2, 210, 4.52, Jr.)
Although he's not a sudden athlete, Treadwell plays with athletic twitch and power to be a threat before and after the catch. He has exceptional ball skills and catching radius with strong hands to pluck away from his body, drawing comparisons to a less-dynamic version of Dez Bryant.
7. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon (6-7, 290, 4.87, Sr.)
Buckner plays with explosive movements and terrific body control for a man his size, flashing heavy hands and initial power to be a disruptive force. He's still learning how to string together rush moves, but he developed into more of a consistent playmaker as a senior.
8. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame (6-6, 315, 5.17, RJr.)
A dancing bear, Stanley was blessed with the athleticism, long arms and above-average feet to handle speed and mirror rushers in space. He needs to fine-tune his mechanics before he's ready for NFL snaps, but his upside and athletic skill-set should land him in the top 10.
9. Jared Goff, QB, California (6-4, 210, 4.82, Jr.)
Goff has good, but not great, physical traits and arm strength, but his best qualities are his intelligence, pocket mechanics and ability to self-evaluate. He undoubtedly faces a learning curve in the NFL, but he has the passing traits and mental process to find success early in his pro career.
10. Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (6-3, 240, 4.67, Jr.)
A special athlete for the position, Smith jumps off the screen with his sudden pursuit speed and twitchy movements, which compliments his quick-thinking play style. His knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl obviously puts his draft projection in limbo, but shouldn't take him out of the first round.
