Top-100 Prospects
1, Jalen Ramsey, S, Florida State, 6-1, 209
Jalen Ramsey is a hybrid corner/safety and the best height-weight-speed athlete in the class. He shows the versatility to line up outside as a pure corner, in the slot, as a centerfielder or closer to the line of scrimmage. In past eras, his versatility would have been defined as a ‘tweener’ — a position-less player who can’t excel at one spot. In the modern era, Ramsey signals the change in defensive football. Like the Golden State Warriors of the NBA, NFL defenses are becoming position-less and adaptable. It’s become about putting the best athletes on the field. Ramsey’s combination of length, explosive athleticism and sideline-to-sideline range make him a rare player, someone who can patrol the middle of the field or match up one-on-one, physically, with the likes of Dez Bryant or Julio Jones. There are valid concerns about his natural playmaking ability, with just three career INTs, but 22 career pass breakups, sudden closing speed and overall versatility are greater indicators of future playmaking performance.
2, Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss, 6-5, 310
Orlando Pace 2.0. Tunsil is an outrageous athlete for the position, with the best movement skills of any offensive tackle I’ve ever evaluated. He kicks and slides effortlessly against speed moves, drops anchor against power and can re-set/re-anchor against counter moves. He flashes the nasty streak
that offensive line coaches demand, and consistently handed some of the best pass-rushers in the country their lunch, week after week. His agility and short area quickness, at that size, make him a natural fit in a heavy zone-blocking schemes, but he is at his best in pass protection and will comfortably sit on an island from day one.
3, Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State, 5-11, 225
Ezekiel Elliott is one of the most complete running back prospects to come along in years. While he doesn’t grade out as a pure-runner as well as Todd Gurley, his ability to impact the game on all three downs and in all three phases makes him a special prospect. Elliott sports excellent vision and patience, an outstanding ability to locate defenders at the second level and make them miss in space. He does a nice job of pressing the hole and consistently making the right read and not panicking when there is initial penetration. His lateral quickness and agility is very, very good and he has the prototypical blend of size, speed and power.
Elliott’s running style is slippery — he is wiling to do the dirty work between the tackles and generate ugly yards after contact, but in the open field he is naturally tough to bring down. His best fit as a runner is a zone-cut scheme, where he naturally finds creases, can cut, then explode with very little room.
What separates Elliott from previous running back prospects is his third down ability and potential. He’s the best running back I have evaluated in the passing game as a blocker and receiver. He is a natural receiver and route runner, with outstanding body control to adjust to poorly thrown balls and effortlessly transitioning from a receiver to a runner. He is a very willing blocker and unafraid to stick his helmet into the chest of much bigger edge-rushers. Plays with a very sturdy base, can deliver blows in pass protection and does a quality job of identifying blitzing linebackers and anchoring.
4, Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State, 6-5, 269
Bosa dominated as an edge and interior rusher at the collegiate level. He sets it all up by being an extremely talented run defender, willing to maintain gap integrity, hold the edge and hunt for the ball. He is rarely, if ever, out of position and plays with quality leverage, controlling blockers and dispensing with them when he sees fit.
As a pass rusher, he isn’t an agile or explosive edge-bender. He wins with size, power and destructive hands. He generates a ton of his pressures when kicked inside and is a prototypical LDE who moves inside in obvious passing situations. While at Ohio State, he was double- and triple-teamed on every single play — literally. And while it’s unlikely that he’ll ever be a 15+ sack-per-year player, he will be an immediate force who consistently generates pressure.
5, DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon, 6-7, 291
While Joey Bosa is the best defensive end in a four-man front, Buckner takes the 2016 mantle for best natural 5-technique or 3-4 defensive end. He is a freakish athlete with remarkable length, short area explosion and size. He is a space-eater who makes all kind of plays in the run game and dominates at the point of attack.
Buckner is a tough player who fights for everything and lands a heavy punch with 11” hands. Playing against the pass is his area of weakness. While he has flashes the ability to split double-teams and generate pressure, he isn’t consistent. It’s certainly not an effort issue, as he brings it on each and
every snap, but despite his quality short-area explosion he doesn’t have the natural bend/dip to beat tackles to the edge. Like Leonard Williams from a year ago, Buckner’s value comes in getting your team to third downs and generating pressures, but not sacks, once third down comes.
6, Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA
Like Jalen Ramsey, Myles Jack is a new-age player. His rare athletic ability means he can do damn- near everything on a football field; line up inside as a sideline-to-sideline linebacker, rush off the edge, cover tight-ends/wide receivers outside, lineup in the slot, play as an in-the-box safety or even play running back. Jack’s athletic prowess is undeniable — he is an elite combination of speed, short area quickness and coverage ability. He cannot only play all three downs, but play different positions on all three and excel on all three. He is a rare player, who, in the era of sub-packages, never has to leave the field. The biggest concern right now is a knee injury. Jack suffered a torn anterior meniscus in the third game of the 2015 season and is continuing to recover and looks on pace to be able to open training camp with the team that drafts him.
7, Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame, 6-5, 312
In any other year, Ronnie Stanley would be generating all kinds of hype and hyperbole. Unfortunately for him, Laremy Tunsil has absorbed all that attention. However, that doesn’t make Stanley any inferior a prospect. He is a hyper-explosive tackle, with the prototypical size and frame for a tackle, who effortlessly shows speed-rusher round the corner and is willing to mix it up against pure power moves. He is more refined in pass protection than in the run game, though at times can get lost on stunts and twists. Against the run, he can deliver a blow, but you’d like to see more fire and a nastier streak. His best fit is in a zone-based system, where he can play either left or right tackle.
8, Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama, 6-1, 247
Ragland is one of the most interesting players in this entire class. He does everything at an elite level, from reading keys, diagnosing and attacking, his ability at the point of attack, range and tackling. Everything grades out about as well as an inside linebacker can have. The big issue is whether or not he can play on third downs. Throughout the draft process Ragland tried to show himself as a 3-4 outside linebacker, with good coverage skills and explosion. The truth is, he’s a natural inside linebacker in a 3-4 or a weakside ‘backer in a 4-3. He’s kind of a throwback, with limited coverage ability and an inability to rush of the edge. How the league views him will be fascinating. If a team thinks he can stay on the field on third downs, he should be a top-15 pick. If they don’t, he may fall out of the first round.
9, Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State, 6-5, 237
Carson Wentz is a big-bodied quarterback with great potential, but he currently sits a long way away from completion. He has a tantalizing combination of size, athletic ability, smarts and the ability to throw from any throwing platform to any spot on the field.
There are valid concerns about his competition level, which meant he never really had to throw with anticipation. While he excels on the whiteboard, at the FCS level it was mostly “see it, throw it.” Everything Wentz does gets you intrigued, and he certainly has whatever the “it” factor is. The big
issue is game speed. Everything from a mental processing stand point, to his release, lower body mechanics and decision-making must be sped up. Many view that as correctable with good coaching, what he has in abundance are terrific “uncoachables.”
10, Jared Goff, QB, Cal, 6-4, 215
I truly marvel at what Jared Goff has done while at Cal. His game is fascinating, as it’s built largely on survival instincts. He has the quickest release of any quarterback in the draft and one of the most effortless and repeatable deliveries in recent years. It’s all born from playing behind an awful offensive line. Goff was hit, and beat up a lot. To counter that, he developed a naturally quick release to get the ball out as quick as possible, outstanding footwork within the pocket to manipulate and evade pressure, and the ability to throw with anticipation. Everything he developed came instinctively and in order to be hit less. He is far and away the best anticipatory thrower in the class, and will likely be the #1 overall selection. He graded out dead-even with Carson Wentz, but the flaws to his game are non-coachable; size, arm talent, etc., so I put Wentz ahead on the board.
11, Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida, 5-10, 204
Hargreaves has the best movement skills of any corner in the class. Whether his playing in press-man, off-man or in zone, he is extremely fluid and is effortless in and out of his break. Size is a concern, though what he lacks in height he makes up for with a good vertical leap, and he made a bunch of “business decisions” in run support in 2015. However, he has tremendous mirroring skills, very good closing speed and is the one cornerback in this class that you would feel comfortable putting one-on- one from day one.
12, William Jackson III, CB, Houston, 6-0, 189
While Vernon Hargreaves is a natural ‘mirror’ corner, William Jackson is a ‘get in your face and knock you out’ corner. He works exclusively as a press-man corner who struggles when playing off-man due to his lack of fluidity. He is at his best when he using his physicality to jam receivers and remaining physical down the field, with very good closing speed. In 2016, with the league now perimeter-based and featuring non-stop outside zone runs, constraint plays and bubble screens, a cornerback being willing and able to tackle is more important than ever. Jackson brings that physical edge. He sets the edge hard in run support, remains disciplined and likes getting after the ball carrier.
13, Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville, 6-2, 229
In a class littered with interior defensive line depth, Sheldon Rankins ranks as the top interior tackle. Though he is slightly undersized, he is an explosive player who can one-gap and go or hold the point of attack and two-gap. He is compact and powerful, showing the ability to bench press offensive lineman, though gets in trouble when he is double-teamed. In a draft class that has many great defensive lineman against the run, Rankins stands out as one who can regularly generate pressure from inside and collapse the pocket.
14, Josh Doctson, WR, TCU, 6-2, 202
Doctson grades out as the best wide receiver in a deep class. He isn’t an explosive player, but is a true down the field threat who consistently wins at the point of the catch. He is a fluid player who wins in all three phases; at the top of his stem, beating the jam and finding holes in zone coverage. He put up outrageous production at TCU and did so by dominating once the ball was in the air. His ability to go up and make plays is rare, and he is far more consistent down-to-down than given credit for.
15, Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State, 6-5, 308
If you’re looking for an offensive lineman to go out and routinely punch the opposition in the mouth, look no further than Jack Conklin. He leads the nation in “tough SOB” plays and is dominant as a run blocker. As a pass protector he can get in trouble as he lacks the natural foot speed of the likes of Ronnie Stanley and Laremy Tunsil, but he may be the most physical lineman in the draft. I dislike the concept of saying, “He’s a better fit at right tackle,” because many of the league’s best edge-rushers now rush from that spot; Von Miller, J.J. Watt, Khalil Mack, Justin Houston et al., but from a prototypical standpoint, with less length and athletic ability, he is a natural angle-blocking tackle.
16, Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama, 6-2, 307
Jarran Reed is a massive, two-gapping, monster who does the dirty and unspectacular work that makes everyone else’s life easy. He dominates the point of attack, controlling blockers and flashing the ability to put lineman on skates. As a pass-rusher, he is limited. He doesn’t have a great first step or short area explosion and is absolutely not a one-gap penetrator. However, he does flash the ability to drive lineman back into the quarterback’s path and collapse the pocket, but he won’t generate individual sacks.
17, A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama, 6-3, 307
Like his Alabama teammate, A’Shawn Robinson is a man-child who eats up a ton of space and can dominate against the run. While many suggest that Alabama’s loaded defensive front allows the likes of Robinson and Reed to stay fresh and dominate their competition, making them difficult to evaluate, I disagree. At the college level, players are forced to play many more snaps than in the NFL. Alabama’s rotation allowed us to see Robinson and company on an NFL pitch count, bringing each and every down.
He’s a force in the run game, a two-gapper who could kick out to a 5-technique in three-man fronts and has the versatility to fit in any front or gap scheme. He is extremely limited against the pass and would likely be a two-down player at the next level, which may see him land outside of the first round.
18, Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech, 6-3, 323
Butler is another huge interior defensive lineman with the ability to lineup as a nose tackle, defensive tackle or play as a 5-technique in three-man fronts. He has huge upper body power and routinely stands up offensive lineman, can stack and shed and make plays all day against the run. There are glimpses of a pass rusher, where he wins with a powerful bull-rush and violent hands, but it is inconsistent.
19, Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky, 6-2, 251
One of the biggest boom-or-bust prospects in the draft. Noah Spence is the best dip-and-rip speed rusher in the class. In a league that is desperate for twitchy, off-the-line, pass-rushers, Spence fits the bill. On-the-field, Spence cares about one thing; hitting quarterbacks. He can play with his hand on the ground in a four-man front or stood up in three-man fronts. He wins with an elite step, sudden quickness and flashes the ability to convert speed to power. Off-the-field, Spence has been a mess. He was kicked out of Ohio State by the BIG Ten after repeatedly failing drug tests and moved to Eastern Kentucky where he destroyed inferior opposition. If he gets he life in order he may be the steal of the draft. Ultimately, despite having a first round grade, his off-the-field issues could force him into day two.
20, Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame, 6-2, 223
If Jaylon Smith was healthy, he would be the #1 overall player on my board. His devastating knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl has put his footballing career in jeopardy and removed him from some team’s draft boards entirely. Rumors remain about chronic knee issues or nerve damage, that has seen his draft stock crater, despite Smith’s assurances that he will return fully healthy in 2017.
Side-note: there is nothing worse than pre-draft medical leaks that individuals put out there to the harm prospect. Seriously, what is the benefit in leaking to a media outlet that your doctors found a chronic knee issue with Jaylon Smith?
On-the-field, Smith is an incredible athlete who can shoot gaps, cover sideline-to-sideline and rush off the edge. As a pass rusher he wins with speed, speed-to-power and is wickedly smart as setting up moves/counter-moves. If his knee injury has impacted his athleticism, he will become a modern ILB with terrific instincts but may suffer on third downs if he has lost a step.
21, Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor, 5-10, 194
Corey Coleman is the drafts most dynamic receiving threat, with one scout I spoke to referring to him as “Odell Beckham-lite.” For a smaller receiver, he has outstanding down the field tracking skills, routinely making plays over the shoulder and has terrific hands. Where he’s at his best is beating the jam. He routinely bamboozles defenders with his quick feet and sudden change of direction ability. The knock on Coleman is that Baylor runs little to no pro-style elements, route tree, and play without a playbook. Indeed, Baylor’s receivers do not run any routes on the backside of plays. The learning curve will be steeper for Coleman than others, who will have to learn to fit into the rhythm of a system, but he is a flat-out baller who is a devastating threat once the ball is in his hands.
22, Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss, 6-2, 221
Laquon Treadwell has been a first rounder in waiting since he was a superstar high school recruit coming out of Chicago. At Ole Miss he put up huge production, but also suffered a gruesome injury that put his development back somewhat. With Josh Doctson as the best receiver in the class when the ball is in their air, and Corey Coleman the best after the catch, Treadwell is somewhere in between. He is the everything man, who does everything at a high level. He has terrific body control,
can contort to poorly throw balls, rarely, if ever, drops anything and possesses the veteran savvy in understanding how to get open. His top-end speed is poor, and is a legitimate concern, but he plays quicker than he is timed.
23, Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State, 6-0, 232
Lee is one of the best athletes in the entire class. Slightly undersized for a traditional weakside linebacker, but incredibly instinctive, physically gifted and aggressive in taking on blocks. Lee has elite diagnose and attack skills, breaks on the ball suddenly and does a nice job of sifting through garbage to make plays. Though he is willing in run support, he consistently gets stuck on blocks due to his lack of length. What Lee lacks in the run game he makes up for as a freak in coverage. His speed and short area quickness compare favorably to that of Eric Kendricks, an inside linebacker who covers all over the field in sub-packages.
24, Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama, 6-4, 311
One of the most complete and pro-ready center prospects in years. Kelly marshalled an Alabama offense that puts a great deal of responsibility in the hands of the center to make pre-snap adjustments rather than their quarterback. In Kelly, the Tide had a three-year starter who was equally adept in pass protection as in the run game. Kelly isn’t an exceptional athlete, and he has some limitations getting to the second level, but plays with enough foot speed to stop initial penetration and a solid base against power moves.
25, Jonathan Bullard, DT, Florida, 6-3, 285
Jonathan Bullard is one my favorite players in this year’s class and could continue the tradition of Gators lineman selected in the first round. He is a versatile prospect who can lineup inside or outside in four-man or three-man fronts. What he does is simple: penetration, penetration, penetration. Bullard is a deadly weapon off the snap with a lethal get-off that terrorized collegiate lineman. Whether he can bring the same kind of production at the next level is a big projection. He isn’t a sudden athlete who can bend the edge, and lacks the ideal size to play inside.
26, Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss, 6-3, 294
A top-ten talent with the highest degree of variance of any player this year, Nkemdiche’s 2015 tape vs Alabama is the single best tape from any player in this year’s class. When he wants it, he can be a one- gap and go penetrator, with an elite first step, rare quickness for his size, heavy hands and a non-stop motor in the run game. When he doesn’t want it (see Florida ’15 or Mississippi State ’15), he checks out. Last year he played as a 3-technique for Ole Miss, but his best fit at the next level might be as a LDE. On-the-field he is a gamble absolutely worth taking, but off-the-field is another matter. Nkemdiche has been involved in a number of incidents, including a bizarre hotel room incident in which he fell from a fourth floor window. Picking Nkemdiche will be a gamble for any organization.
27, Karl Joseph, C, West Virginia, 5-9, 205
One of the most fun tapes you can watch. Karl Joseph is a bruising safety who crushes people in the run game and is a good centerfielder. Joseph suffered an ACL tear in October, but prior to the injury he was a very natural and fluid mover with great range. He flashes as an instinctive maker, making up for a lack of straight line speed with very good instincts and anticipation. Despite being an enforcer in the middle of the field, Joseph is not a reckless player. He rarely over pursues, takes quality angles to the ball and will wrap up rather than always looking to deliver a game-changing strike.
28, Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State, 6-5, 310
Chris Jones remains a work in progress, despite starting for three years at Mississippi State. His natural talent is undeniable. He is explosive, has a powerful upper body and is versatile enough to play as a DT or as a 5-technique. Jones has a seven-foot wingspan, but is rough as a run defender. He plays with too high a pad level, routinely gets stood up, stuck on blocks and lacks effort. As a pass- rusher, he springs to life (when interested), blending his mix of size, speed and explosion into a deadly tour-de-force of disruption. Though he is still a project and a projection, he is the kind of player defensive line coaches will stand on the table for.
29, Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor, 6-0, 311
Like Chris Jones, Andrew Billings’ motor runs hot and cold. When he is feeling it (see West Virginia ’15 tape), he is unblockable. Big guys at his size should not have his short area quickness. When you combined the foot speed with his upper body power it is a serious combination. But harnessing it is another thing. There is no limit to how good Billings can be; he has the size, explosiveness and versatility, but the effort is a major concern.
30, Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State, 6-7, 310
Decker is a smooth athlete for someone of his size and a natural fit in a zone-blocking scheme. At Ohio State he was asked to move a lot, pulling and trapping, which he does extremely well. He has the ideal frame for a tackle prospect, with very good length and a nasty streak that sees him regularly play beyond the whistle. He carves open holes in the running game, and though he played on an offensive line littered with draft picks, he stood out. Decker thrives in combo blocks and effortlessly moves to the second level. In pass protection, he can be somewhat flat-footed. He is not a natural knee bender and can be beaten to edge by speed rushers.
31, Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State, 6-2, 243
Kamalei Correa is, in my opinion, one of the most overlooked prospects in this class. At Boise State he played as a DE with his hand in the dirt. At the next level, he projects to be a 3-4 OLB, given his lack of bulk. Correa works hard in the run game, regularly stands up blockers. He does a nice job of playing half a man, keeping himself free to disengage and make plays on the ball. As an edge-rusher he flashes sudden explosion and put up good production in college. He isn’t a natural edge-bender, but he converts speed to power and has a very good first step.
32, Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson, 5-10, 190
Alexander comes with one of the best draft nuggets of 2016. He has a chance to be the first cornerback drafted in the modern era draft without a career interception. And while that statistic is largely meaningless, it’s fascinating to see how the league views interceptions; are they a product of luck or skill?
Alexander is a former wrestler with a powerful upper body and elite mirroring skills. He isn’t a fluid mover and often relies on his closing speed to make plays on the ball after being beaten at the stem of the route. He likes to physical at the line of scrimmage and projects as a press-and-bail corner at the next level.
33, Nick Martin, G, Notre Dame, 6-4, 299
Every year we get those ‘plug-and-play’, nothing spectacular but ‘he’ll be around for a decade plus’ type players. This year’s offering is Nick Martin, brother of Cowboys’ All Pro lineman Zack Martin. Martin is a swing guard/center who thrives playing in a phone booth. He has short arms and packs a punch in the run game, but lacks the lateral agility to contend with quick first steps. In pass protection, Martin is a hand-fighter who works hard to keep lineman off his pads and maintain leverage.
34, Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia, 6-5, 244
One of the great enigmas of the 2016 class. Leonard Floyd is an outrageous athlete with a 39.5 inch vertical at 244 pounds, and great change of direction skills. If an elite edge-rusher was built in a laboratory, they would look like Floyd. Despite all of that, though, he shows little feel as a pass rusher.
He isn’t a natural dip-and-rip edge-bender and relies on winning with his first step and straight line speed to the quarterback, very similar to former top pick Dion Jordan.
At Georgia, he was strangely moved to inside linebacker for a majority of snaps, rather than rushing off the edge. Teams must find out whether that was a coaching staff-related problem or a Floyd- related problem. If he was misused, or can develop, he has the body-type to be an elite edge-rusher. Whoever takes him will be making a gamble, but it’s one that’s worth taking.
35, Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State, 6-4, 273
If you’re looking for the player who tested best this draft cycle, then Emmanuel Ogbah is your man. He ran a remarkable 4.62 40-yard time at 270 pounds, with a 1.60 ten-yard split and his 10’1” broad jump is more often seen coming from defensive backs. Despite the astonishing measurables, that kind of extreme athleticism rarely showed up on tape at game speed. Though he does win with first step quickness, and a powerful bullrush, he doesn’t leap of the snap and dominate inferior talent. Ogbah’s the kind of guy coaches want in their building due to his raw athletic awesomeness, but will need heavy coaching, to develop a counter-move and bring his athletic ability to the field on each and every down.
36, Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
Shaq Lawson is a ready-to-go 4-3 defensive end who had huge production in his last year at Clemson, leading the nation in tackles for losses. Unlike other potential first rounders, he naturally bends the edge, but lacks exceptional closing speed. Lawson isn’t a twitchy athlete, but he makes up for it with effort and great technique (constantly the lowest man in the run game). In the run game, he fights hard on every snap, and flashes the ability to split double-teams. A low floor-high ceiling player.
37, Keanu Neal, S, Florida, 6-0, 211
Keanu Neal is an explosive and versatile playmaker who compares favorably to Cardinals safety Deone Bucannon. He is a moveable chess piece who likes to play in-the-box akin to a weakside linebacker. He has some limitations in coverage, and will struggle to cover players man-to-man in the slot, but can be a roaming centerfielder with good top-end speed and change of direction skills. Given the changing roles of safeties (Deon Bucannon, Mark Barron), it wouldn’t be a shock to see Neal sneak into the bottom of the first round.
38, Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State, 5-10, 199
The best pure free safety in the 2016 class. Bell is a natural centerfielder, with great instincts and playmaking ability. He has excellent sideline-to-sideline range, elite closing speed and attacks the high point of the ball. Bell is somewhat of a liability in the run game, though. He made a number of ‘business decisions’ throughout his collegiate career and has a poor tackling technique (dipping his head prior to contact).
39, Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA, 6-2, 314
Clark is a very good run defender who will be a terrific complimentary piece on a defensive line that has a quality penetrator. He fires off the ball with outstanding power and a great pad level. He is a quality two-gap run defender, with good anchoring skills at the point of attack. Clark will never be a producer in the passing game. He had six sacks in his final year at UCLA, though a number of those came on high effort snaps. His motor runs constantly and he can generates a lot of his production through pure effort — it’s one of his strongest suits.
40, Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford, 6-4, 212
Josh Garnett is a hammer in the run game. He delivers powerful initial blows and can maintain blocks through the whistle. He has quality movement skills, and does a nice job of locating targets and creating quality angles when pulling/trapping. In pass protection, he gets in trouble. He has a tendency to lunge, get unbalanced and grabby. For a downhill, ‘Power-O’ team, he makes a bunch of sense, but he is limited in who he can play for.
41, Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis, 6-6, 244
Paxton Lynch is a big-bodied athlete in the mold of Blake Bortles. He played in a true spread-option offense built around bubble-screens, constraint plays and predetermined reads. Like Jared Goff, he was the driving force in transforming his college program; elevating the level of those around him, putting the team on his back and outgunning opposing offenses in high-scoring games. While the top- two graded quarterbacks could use a year sitting and learning, Lynch is at least two years away from being a quality starter.
He played in a lateral college offense that has little transferable skills to a pro offense. He’s a ‘see it, throw it’ passer and doesn’t show much anticipation on tape and is consistently late on basic throws. Lynch has very good short accuracy, throws a high volume of bubble screens and has near-perfect placement to gain a bunch of yards after the catch. Despite this, he’s very sloppy at the intermediate level, struggles to consistently transfer his weight, set his feet and will rely too heavily on arm strength.
Due to his offense, and what he was able to put on tape, projecting Lynch is difficult. There is a significant gulf between Carson Wentz, Jared Goff and Lynch, though I see the upside. His best fit is with Gary Kubiak and the Broncos, but due to the value of the position he is worthy of a top-15 pick. He is a project player who needs a great quarterbacks coach (Kubiak, Andy Reid, Bruce Arians et al.) and will require a mechanical strip down before being built back up, similar to that of Aaron Rodgers or Bortles. Though he has the body type to withstand the punishment and can move around to make plays immediately, throwing Lynch in from the get-go would end rough.
42, Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State, 6-3, 301
Whitehair is a technician in pass protection, with huge hands and big enough wingspan to help him keep lineman off his pads. His lateral agility is well above average and he’s comfortable playing in space (played three seasons at left tackle). Whitehair projects to move inside when he enters the league, as either a guard or center, where he will be suited to do what he does best; moving and attacking in the run game, and sinking in pass protection. He fits best in an angle blocking scheme, as
a one-on-one zone-blocker he will struggle to move the pile (superior in pass protection than as a run blocker) but will move bodies as a pulling lineman.
43, Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma, 5-10, 194
Shepard is a prototypical slot corner with a similar skillset to that of Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett, minus the top-end speed. His short area quickness and agility allows him to get in and out of his break and naturally creates separation. He can be re-routed in press-coverage due to his lack of size, but he always finds a way to get open and has a deep arsenal of weapons; rip, head bob, dips and stutter- steps, everything you would look for from a veteran receiver. Shepard has the second best drop percentage of any receiver in the 2016 class (2.1%) and will be an immediate contributor in the league.
44, Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana, 6-5, 301
As is a regular occurrence with modern offensive lineman, Jason Spriggs is a physical specimen, with erratic play, who wins solely by being a better athlete and will need a ton of coaching. There’s no denying how good the physical tools are, he can kick-step as well as any of the top tackles and is a comparable athlete to anyone at the position. Finding 301lb guys with his length and athletic ability is tough, but his inconsistency is a major red flag.
45, Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame, 6-0, 186
Devin Smith 2.0. Will Fuller is the burner in this wide receiver class with good down the field tracking ability and major big play potential. His lack of size is a concern for a prototypical outside receiver, and I have big questions about whether he can consistently separate from press-coverage. That said, if he separates, he can fly and will be a huge weapon. I anticipate he will go earlier than many projections and is in play from the 15th pick on down.
46, Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson, 6-5, 277
Kevin Dodd had one year as a starter at Clemson after sitting in a pass-rushing queue behind Vic Beasley, Shaq Lawson and Corey Crawford. In his one year, he had major production as a pass-rusher opposite Lawson. He is a quality edge-rusher, who converts speed-to-power and can bend the edge. Against the run he is a disappointment. For someone of 270+ pounds, he is consistently driven back and gives up his ground too easy. That said, there is a bunch to work with and, given his athletic profile, there will be plenty for a team to work with.
47, Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State, 6-1, 309
An FCS star who dominated inferior talent with crazy-high production including 29 sacks and 45 tackles for losses. He has elite speed for the position, great lateral agility and good overall mass. He’s undersized for a traditional defensive tackle, but his initial explosiveness could make him a deadly 3- technique in a four-man front or potentially a 5-technique in three-man fronts.
48, Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama, 6-2, 247
Derrick Henry is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and an outrageous athlete with a height and weight athletic profile that we have rarely, if ever, seen at the running back position (6-3, 242). While Henry profiles as a physical freak and had huge production at Alabama, questions about his fit and transition to the next level remain. He is an aggressive downfield runner with reckless abandon for his body. He developed into a more patient back in 2015, waiting on blocks to develop. He shows good vision on cutbacks, choosing the correct lane and hitting holes extremely hard. Henry has limited agility and is a poor stop-and-go athlete. Initial penetration neutralizes him as a runner and he struggles moving laterally.
Henry, as much as any player in this class, is extremely reliant on which team and offense he lands in. The upside is immense in a traditional man-blocking, power attack, featuring a number of pulling lineman, he can be just as deadly as a two-down threat as he was at the college level. That said, his lack of lateral agility is a major concern — any form of penetration takes him out of plays.
49, Antonio Morrison, OLB, Florida, 6-0, 333
Another potential star who is suffering from injuries. Morrison suffered a devastating knee injury in 2014 and did an unbelievable job to get back on the field by the start of the 2015 season, showcasing an incredible work ethic. Morrison is a poor height-weight-speed player, but has much better play speed, with good short area quickness, terrific diagnose-and-attack skills and the profile to move inside as a 3-4 inside linebacker. How Morrison’s medical checks out will be huge, but he’s the kind of player I’d stand on the table for.
50, Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State, 6-2, 212
Michael Thomas is a great “triangle” player (height-weight-speed), with very good production at Ohio State. Thomas does everything at a B+ level. As a route runner he is crisp, effortlessly gets in and out of his break, can beat DBs at the stem of his route and does a nice job beating press-coverage. At Ohio State he was featured a bunch on lateral plays; swings, screens and quick outs. At the next level, he will have to develop a full route tree, but he has all the tools to do so. He is a very good 0-60 athlete, but maxes out with average top-end speed and shows some after the catch ability.
51, Ronald Blair, DT, Appalachian State, 6-2, 284
Blair is player who jumped onto my radar after an astonishing game against a national championship- competing Clemson. Blair put clown suits on all of Clemson’s first and second units, lining up inside and winning with power and lining up outside and winning with speed and an impressive number of counter moves. His level of competition and raw athletic numbers are mild concerns, but his instinctiveness and football intelligence will make him one of the steals of the draft.
52, Eric Murray, CB, Minnesota, 5-10, 199
As I’ve mentioned before, I love cornerbacks who work hard in the run/perimeter game. No one works as hard as Murray. He’s unafraid to put his body on the line and works hard to maintain the edge and stay disciplined. He is constantly looking to make plays on the ball, leading to occasionally being beaten by pump fakes or double-moves, but he fights for everything, attacks at the line of scrimmage and doesn’t give up anything easily. He is a prototypical press-and-bail corner and is a perfect fit in Seattle or Jacksonville. He will be off the board in the top-100 picks.
53, Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas, 6-4, 250
Hunter Henry is the top tight end prospect in a class that is weak at the top and lacks depth. Opinions on Henry vary, but there’s a real chance he ends up in the first round. He is an excellent receiving tight end, with fabulous ball skills, a naturally large catching radius and good enough top-end speed to challenge defenses vertically down the seams. As a blocker he leaves a lot to be desired. He gets himself into quality positions but is all too often overpowered at the point of attack mano a mano.
54, Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech, 5-10, 215
Kenneth Dixon had big-time production while playing against lesser competition at Louisiana Tech. Dixon opted to spend four years at LA Tech, where he received the bulk of the workload, and had the offense shaped around him, rather than accept offers from Arkansas and LSU to compete for time and carries. Dixon leaps of the tape at times, but struggled in spots in 2015 due to a number of injuries, most notably an ankle injury that forced him to miss two games.
Dixon has a chance to develop into a three-down back. His ability in pass-protection and as a receiver will give him ample opportunity to get on the field. As a runner, he was held back by the talent around him and has a lot of hits on his body. Despite that, his elite stop-and-go speed and ability to beat initial penetrators make him a very dangerous back on each and every down. Dixon has the rare ability to naturally accelerate while he is cutting. He isn’t a homerun threat, but works hard down to
down and can rip off some big runs by exploding through the hole and making a man miss. At the next-level he is a natural fit in a zone based attack like Baltimore, Denver or Dallas.
55, Maliek Collins, DT, Arkansas, 6-1, 311
Collins is an undersized 3-technique with quick feet and a really good first step. He’s a one-gap and go player whose sole focus is to attack the pocket and hit the quarterback. Collins lacks the power to split double-teams but he routinely wins off the snap one-on-one and generates enough upper body to power to put lineman on skates.
56, Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M, 6-5, 324
Ifedi is another developmental prospect at the tackle position, who is a great athlete for the positon and has an ideal frame. As a football player he has a long way to go (think D.J Humphries from a year ago) he struggles one-on-one in space and I’ve seen him get beat outside, inside and run over. In the run game he gets to unload all of his physical traits and there are some spectacular plays that get you awfully excited for his future. Right now, he is raw, but he’s another developmental guy who could sneak into the bottom of the first round.
57, Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State, 6-7, 277
The brother of Giants backup QB Ryan, Carl Nassib walked on at Penn State and went on to lead the nation in sacks and tackles for loss in 2015. At 6’7’’ Nassib has the ideal size for a RDE or a 5- technique 3-4 defensive end. His motor runs non-stop, and he generates a lot of his production through effort, hand fighting and power.
58, Jihad Ward, DE, Illinois, 6-5, 297
Ward is a versatile lineman who has featured in every kind of front and technique that you can imagine, including standing up in radar/crossfire fronts, but projects to be a 5-technique in the NFL. Ward is a really good read and react run defender, with good lateral quickness but a lack of initial explosion. He has flash at times against the pass but becomes completely ineffective when doubled.
59, Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State, 6-0, 199
If the combine decided draft grades, Apple would be a top-five pick. Apple is a beautiful athlete with an ideal frame and excellent top-end speed. In the run game and against bubble screens Apple gives good effort and remains disciplined. Once the ball is in the air he can struggle. Too often he gets caught peaking into the backfield and too often he loses the ball in flight. Some of Apple’s issues are correctable. He must do a better job of reading receivers and anticipating rather than reacting. The upside is extremely high, but he is far from a finished product.
60, Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA, 5-10, 208
Paul Perkins is a smaller back, who lacks the ideal frame and size to be a featured back down to down. He has the physical build of a traditional scat-back, but plays bigger than that frame and brings an angry streak to the position. He had a big workload and a lot of production in his last two years in
UCLA’s zone-cut attack. Perkins has a naturally low running style and runs as though he is gliding. He has extremely good short area and lateral quickness, though at times he can stutter-step and not be decisive enough. Perkins has the top-end speed to pull away from safeties and trailing defenders, as well as enough wiggle to make players miss at the second-level.
Perkins is a natural fit in a zone-cut system and his devastating jump cut will get coaching staffs and general managers exciting. He isn’t an elite athlete, but he has gotten better each year (despite injury) and plays extremely tough between the tackles and works hard in pass protection. He projects to be a third down back in year one and will develop into a rotational back in zone-based systems.
61, Deion Jones, OLB, LSU, 6-0, 222
Jones is an undersized weakside linebacker, who screams of a new-age sub-package inside linebacker in nickel and dime packages. He is a twitchy athlete, who can shoot gaps and make plays all over the field. Jones is comfortable in space, but struggles when taking on blocks. He isn’t a natural stack-and- shed player and can get overwhelmed at the point of attack.
62, Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State, 6-3, 303
Adolphus Washington shows off the depth of the defensive tackle position. Rarely do you find a defensive line prospect with three down potential, who can pressure the pocket and wins with a very quick first step in the mid-60’s. Washington was somewhat of a late bloomer at Ohio State after suffering a number of injuries early on. When he’s healthy, he is a handful defending the run and getting to the quarterback. For a big player he is agile and has terrific closing speed. He projects as a 4-3, 3-technique.
63, Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame, 6-0, 293
Another versatile defensive lineman with the potential to play inside as a one-gapping 3-technique or as a DE in a three-man front. Day was a prized recruit coming out of college but his growth was stifled due to a number of nagging injuries and a defensive scheme change. As a run defender, he plays with a good low pad level, really active hands and a violent mentality. He does a nice job of keeping lineman of his pads, and likes to sink and dip through gaps. At times he can get stood up as he’s not an overly powerful player and while he liked to go to bullrush in college, he doesn’t have the upper body power to consistently win with it in the pros.
64, Justin Simmons, S, Boston College, 6-2, 202
I don’t think there’s a wider gulf of opinions on any player other than Simmons. While he hasn’t been a household name through the draft process, he is a source of contention in the scouting community. At least two league scouts I have spoken to view Simmons as the second safety in the daft, while others have him outside their top-100 all together. He is a moveable piece with experience as a safety and corner. He struggles when playing off-man and looks lost when asked to drop in zone. But when he starts from centerfield, or plays press-coverage, he becomes a different player. He has sudden quickness good overall top-end speed. Coaches at Boston College rave about his work ethic, competitiveness and willing to do whatever role he fits into; slot corner, outside corner, safety, special teams and returning kicks.
65, Willie Henry, DT, Michigan, 6-2, 303
Henry is an intriguing prospect who will enter the league as a 21-year-old with years of growth and development ahead of him. He is a big space-eater, who can look like a plodder, but can pack a punch at the point of attack. He projects to a one-technique, and his size and maturation for his age will get coaches excited.
66, Nick Kwiatkowski, ILB, West Virginia, 6-2, 243
A good but not great height-weight-speed athletes but he makes up for it with outstanding football intelligence. Kwiatkowski has some of the best diagnose and attack instincts of any linebacker in the class; he can read, plant and reset as well as any player and always finds himself around the ball. He also a terrific gap-shooter and a good athlete to stay on the field for all three downs.
67, C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame, 6-0, 220
If you’re looking for a value pick at running back, then Prosise is the player. He is undeniably a project with just one year at the position in his entire career. That said, he shows more patience on tape than any other back, not forcing any moves and allowing his blocks to develop before cutting back and exploding. In the open field he is a lethal weapon and is always willing to initiate contact. His natural fit is as an outside-zone runner and he compares favorably to Arian Foster.
68, Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State, 6-4, 314
Unlike some of the other space-eaters in this class, Johnson has the potential to be the anchor of a three-man front. He has agile feet and slips off blocks while not being a true technician. While he put up big production at Penn State, it’s often a case of all or nothing. One thing you have to love about Johnson is his mean streak and effort. Even if he stays blocked his hands fighting and working to get open.
69, Joshua Perry, ILB, Ohio State, 6-3, 254
Perry isn’t a great athlete and will have limitations on third downs in the NFL, but he has great instincts, gets off blocks effortlessly and put up huge numbers on a star-studded Buckeyes defense, while also calling defensive adjustments.
70, Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State
Aguayo kicked at an historic rate in his first two years at Florida State before seeing some decline in 2015, though he has still never missed a kick from 36 yards and in. A kicker hasn’t gone in the first two rounds since 2005, and, while it would be inefficient to select Aguayo that early, I wouldn’t rule it out.
71, Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas, 6-3, 303
By draft day, Ridgeway will have talked his way into conversations at the top of the second round. He is an explosive interior force, with big size and big potential. He can dominate at the point of attack in a two-gap scheme. He stacks and sheds, can move laterally and chase down from the backside. He
isn’t a one-gap penetrator and offers little in the way of a pass-rush at this time, but can be a quality two-down player.
72, Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana
Howard is a north-south runner who runs behind his pads, likes to initiate contact and hand out punishment. Not a good stop-and-go athlete but can explode through creases and hits holes at top speed. He is a true workhorse who gets better as the game goes along.
73, Artie Burns, CB, Miami
Burns is now firmly in the first round conversation. While he has the size, length and frame that clubs now covert, he is also extremely handsy and got a way with a number of holding calls on tapes studied. Burns has average mirroring skills and is better suited to a predominantly zone-based defense despite his size.
74, Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
If on the middle of day two your team is looking for an edge-bending DE for a four-man front, you should be screaming for Calhoun. One time considered a top prospect, Calhoun’s stock has fallen as he has average measurables and doesn’t always leap off the screen. But, in an era where you can never have too many pass-rushers, Calhoun has become undervalued. He doesn’t have a lethal first step, but he naturally bends the edge, can go inside or outside and has a great closing burst.
75, Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State
A cornerback on the short side but who plays much bigger than he is listed. He is a tough SOB in the run game and likes to play beyond the whistle while letting you know about it. Redmond suffered an ACL tear during the 2015 season, but prior to the injury he had very good short area quickness and projected to be a very talented slot corner and to make an immediate impact on special teams.
76, Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor, 6-0, 201
Howard has an enticing blend of size and fluidity. It’s not often that a 6-foot corner has the natural movement skills of Howard. He’s a natural press-corner who can struggle when in off-man with limited short area quickness and top-end speed.
77, Tyler Boyd, WR, Pitt, 6-1, 197
Tyled Boyd gets open and catches everything at the college level. Whether he can separate against press-coverage and superior athletes at the next level is the huge question. He has poor measurables by NFL standards, but has rare ball skills. He is outstanding at tracking the ball over his shoulder and down field, can contort his body to poorly thrown balls and make plays well outside his strike zone.
78, Max Tuerek, C, USC, 6-5, 298
Tuerek ran all the offensive adjustments as a three-year starter and has played every position across the offensive line. He wins slightly more battles than he loses both as a run blocker and in pass
protection, but really excels when dealing with blitzing linebackers, stunts, twists, overload fronts and any exotic blitz packages that opponents dial up.
79, Yannick Ngakoue, DE, Maryland, 6-2, 252
A legitimate boom-or-bust prospect with high upside but some basic technique issues to iron out. Ngakoue has the versatility to play with his hand on the ground as a defensive end or stood up as an off-ball linebacker. He is a ridiculous stop and go athlete with freakish potential as an edge-rusher. His issues in the run game and lack of strength are concerns, but players of his size and athletic ability are tough to come by. If the right coaching staff works with him he could be the steal of the draft.
80, Jerrell Adams, TE, South Carolina, 6-5, 247
Adams reminds me of a poor man’s Jordan Reed. He is exclusively a receiver masquerading as a tight end. He has excellent top-end speed for the position and can really stretch a defense vertically from the slot or down the seams. He has the size and route running capability to regularly split out wide. He is a classic “F” tight end who will be moved all over the offensive formation.
81, Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State, 6-2, 226
Dak Prescott was a three year starter while at Mississippi State, finishing 3rd all time on the SEC’s total yards list. His development from his junior to senior year was outstanding, moving from being a dual threat quarterback to a more prototypical drop back passer. He played in a spread system with limited full-field reads, but mastered the offense and adapted his game in preparation for the next level. He does an excellent job of commanding the game from the line of scrimmage; calling plays, organizing protections and diagnosing defenses. He operated out of a spread-option attack that included quarterback draws, powers, counters and zone-reads as well as limited full-field reads. He
makes good decisions pre and post snap, with a good TD to INT ratio (2.9). Prescott has developed in the pocket tremendously. He now does a good job using his eyes to manipulate coverages and using all five eligibles, consistently finding his check down. Takes what defenses give him and doesn’t force anything.
He has a good arm — good enough to make all the throws — but has an inefficient release with an elongated motion that impacts his load to delivery time. Pulls the trigger quickly but has a lot of wasted motion that needs further improvement (did improve from junior to senior year).
Prescott leads the way in my third group of quarterbacks and sits just behind Carson Wentz, Jared Goff and Paxton Lynch. His ability to make plays with his arm or legs on third downs and in the redzone is a huge difference maker and his development from year to year in the pocket has been great. As a developmental guy he is perfect, if a team like the Chiefs or Cowboys do not look for their next quarterback early in the draft, Prescott is the perfect fit in the third or fourth round.
82, Harlan Miller, CB, Southeastern Louisiana, 5-11, 182
In a league that now sees a number of teams run a cover-3 press-and-bail system Harlan Miller is going to be a great pickup for someone. He is a prototypical press-corner, with outstanding instincts and willingness in the run game.
83, Adam Gotsis, DT, Georgia Tech, 6-4, 287
Gotsis is listed as a tackle but is best suited as a 5-technique in three-man fronts. He has played all over the defensive alignment for a very creative Georgia Tech coaching staff and has seen time at nose tackle, LDE, RDE and as a 3-technique. Gotsis was a revelation in his senior year after growing up playing Aussie Rules football. He has great length and it shows up against the run. He is tough, physical and plays with very good pad level. Against the pass, he remains a work in progress. He doesn’t have the natural explosion to get to the inside of tackles of but has a powerful bullrush that can push tackles back and disrupt the integrity of the pocket.
84, Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas, 5-10, 215
Collins is a one-cut-and-go back with really good sudden quickness and elusiveness. He has elite stop- and-go agility but doesn’t have elite top-end speed. He does a nice job of reading his keys, remaining patient and making the right decision/cut back. Collins is a two-down prospect with limited reps as a receiver, either flexed out or from the backfield.
85, Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State, 6-4, 217
Connor Cook is an intriguing prospect and one of the only 2016 quarterbacks to have operated a true pro-style offense featuring pre-snap reads, control at the line of scrimmage and full-field reads. Cook went 34-5 while a starter as Michigan State and has come under consistent criticism for not being elected a team captain and for skipping the Senior Bowl while being healthy. Cook is a gunslinger and a chance-taker, which is scouting parlance for being a poor decision-maker. He is one of the only QB’s this year to operate an offense featuring any kind of rhythm. He has a decent arm, and can make any throws asked of him, but consistently puts the ball in harms way with sloppy decision-making. Experience in the Michigan State offense will make his learning curve to the next level easier, and it
would not shock me for someone to look at the success of Kirk Cousins in Washington or Andy Dalton in Cincinnati and look at Cook in the middle of the first round.
86, Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State, 6-1, 201
Braxton Miller’s full-time transition from a stud college quarterback, to wide receiver and now an NFL draft prospect is one of the best stories of this draft. He has some gadget elements to his game, he can line-up as a running back and throw passes as a quarterback, but he is also a quality pure receiving prospect. He continues to develop after just one year in the role, but he has consistently shown big-play ability. Whether or not he can separate against NFL caliber defensive backs is the biggest issue, along with how he adjusts to a full route-tree/more rhythmic offense.
87, Connor Wujciak, DT, Boston College, 6-2, 291
Wujciak is an underrated defensive lineman lost in the shuffle among this impressive class. He is one of the best overall athletes at the positon and can both one and two gap.
88, La’Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech, 6-5, 316
Clark is a developmental prospect with the frame to play at left tackle, but will likely start as a guard/right tackle swing man. He can struggle at times in the run game and played in a heavy pass orientated offense at Texas Tech. He has rare foot speed for the position and is dominant at closing the edge against speed rushers.
89, Vadal Alexander, OG, LSU, 6-5, 326
Vadal Alexander projects long-term as a guard at the next level after playing tackle at LSU. He has great physical traits, but has never been able to put it all together on the field. There are drives where he looks like a true road-grader, dominating in the run game, and there are others where he’s being embarrassed and looks lost on simple stunts and twists.
90, Christian Westerman, G, Arizona State, 6-3, 298
Westerman comes from a pass-heavy offense and it shows on film. He is quick to set and has good mirroring skills against speed moves. He is on the lighter side for a guard and isn’t a people mover in the run game. He is ready made for pass orientated offenses, but will need to add bulk (while maintaining his agility) to start from day one.
91, Vernon Adams, QB, Oregon, 5-10, 200
Vernon Adams is an enthralling playmaker, and the type of quarterback consistently overlooked by the NFL due to his lack of size. After dominating at the FCS level, he transferred to Oregon, where he fit perfectly in their spread, no-huddle attack, and put up huge numbers despite suffering a hand injury. His lack of size, small frame and small hands have led to the typical cries for him to change positions at the next level. He played in the vaunted Oregon spread-option offense, which featured a number of packaged and RPO plays. He was asked to make no pre-snap decisions but made a number of post-snap ones. The system is traditionally predicated on getting the ball out quickly and is a half- field one-read scheme. Adams consistently passes up his first read (sometimes the best read) and looks to extend plays. He has a serviceable arm and can make every throw, to anywhere on the field, but will have to be better throwing with anticipation to make up for a lack of natural arm strength.
Has rare accuracy and arm talent on the move. His ball location is poor while in the pocket, but makes rare throws while moving to either his left or right.
Adams is a dynamic threat who has the chance to be the steal of the 2016 class. He has rare and elite traits; is an extraordinary playmaker, naturally finds space, extends plays and can throw from any kind of throwing platform. For Adams, like Drew Brees and Russell Wilson, he will face the height stigma and it will lead some teams to take him off their boards. Unlike Russell Wilson, Adams is not as naturally gifted within the pocket, doesn’t have the same feel or arm talent. As a developmental prospect, or longterm backup, his playmaking ability far exceeds any of the prototypical dropback rhythm passers in this class. Simply put, on third down, with the game on the line, he easily ranks in the top-five as someone who can get the job done.
92, T.J. Green, S, Clemson, 6-2, 209
Green is a former wide receiver with really nice ball location skills and a terrific vertical leap. He knows when to time his jumps and fights for the ball at the point of the catch. He isn’t an elite athlete, but he is quick enough, agile enough and physical enough to cover wide receivers and tight ends in the slot.
93, Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State, 6-6, 257
Someone at Ohio State had to lose targets due to the high number of weapons on their offense. That guy was Vannett, who exploded late in the season but wasn’t involved as much as he should have been. He has terrific size, and may be the most complete blocking tight end in the draft. He has experience as an “F” move tight end and as an in-line blocker. His versatility will appeal to a lot of teams.
94, Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama, 5-9, 197
Jones has split time at safety, slot corner and outside. At 5-9, Jones is small but stout and is a physical player in the run game with very good instincts.
95, Leontee Carroo, WR, Rutgers, 5-11, 211
Carroo has all the talent in the world but also a lot of baggage. He missed two games in 2015 due to a charge of assault on a woman and was suspended by Rutgers for two games. On the field, he is a slot corner without blazing speed, but owns sensational hands and a knack for creating space when it seems like he is covered.
96, Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford, 6-3, 254
Hooper is an in-line tight-end who is a more talented receiver than blocker, but willing to get dirty in the run game. He takes good angles as a blocker and gives good effort, but can be overwhelmed by bigger lineman. As a pass-catcher he has been a very good weapon. He doesn’t have the ideal catching radius for a tight-end and has some athletic limits (won’t be splitting outside any time soon) but he does a great job of finding soft spots in zones and being a reliable chain-mover.
97, Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia, 6-2, 259
Jenkins is a weakside 4-3 linebacker with freakishly long arms. He isn’t an impact player as an edge- rusher but he is a very good player vs the run. He has good discipline holding the edge, can stack-and- shed, plays with natural leverage, good instincts and finds himself constantly around the ball.
98, KeiVarae Russell, CB, Notre Dame, 5-11, 192
If I had to put money on it, I’d say that we’ll be talking about Russell as one of 2016’s biggest draft steals and immediate playmakers.
Russell is a natural slot corner with very good top-end speed. He missed the 2014 season for academic reasons and suffered a bad injury at the back-end of the 2015 season. But he will be back for training camp.
99, Su’a Cravens, OLB, USC
Cravens is one of the most versatile players in this year’s class. He can lineup in the slot, as a weakside linebacker and play some snaps at strong safety. He isn’t a sudden athlete but has great instincts and is sensational at getting off blocks and making plays in the run game. He also offers size and length in man- to-man matchups vs tight-ends. It will be fascinating to see how teams feature him on Sunday’s how they’ll view his skill-set in the draft.
100, D.J.Reader, DT, Clemson
Reader is a frustrating talent who has the talent to be a fine two-down player in the league, but is completely unreliable off-the-field. He was kicked off the Clemson team in 2015 and had constant struggles with his fluctuating weight. When he is right, he is explosive, eats up double-teams, makes everyone’s job easier and can drive lineman back into the backfield. He reminds me of Jordan Phillips (Oklahoma/Dolphins) from the 2015 draft class; a ton of potential but it’s all about whether he’s interested or not. Is pro football the goal, or the start?
Facebook
Twitter
RSS