2016 mocks & rankings & general draft commentaries, thread 2

Mike Freeman’s 10-Point Stance: The Worst Offensive Draft Class in Years

Mike Freeman

Mike Freeman's 10-Point Stance: The Worst Offensive Draft Class in Years

1. Scout: “This is not a good class”

A scout and I went to lunch in Indianapolis, and before the waiter could say hello, the scout was ranting about the state of quarterbacking in college and the NFL.

On college quarterbacks: “Not a single one who makes you go, ‘Wow.’ The best teams can hope for is that one of these guys becomes Trent Dilfer.”

Wait…what? Did you say Trent Dilfer?

“This is not a good class. No matter how much you guys in the media try to spin it.”

So, there’s that.

He calmed down after the food arrived. He had been hungry and grumpy. Now, he was just grumpy.

The scout is one of the more respected in football, and based on interviews with a half-dozen personnel evaluators, he’s not the only one who feels this way. (Well, the Dilfer comparison is a little extreme.) His overall point wasn’t just about quarterbacks, and it wasn’t crazy, either. This is what he was saying:

Not only is the quarterback talent in this draft barely above average. The overall offensive talent is as well.

“This is one of the worst drafts for offensive talent in the past four or five years,” the scout said.

One thing that factors into this belief: Wide receivers ran the slowest 40-yard dash times since 2011. Speed certainly isn’t everything, but it has become a large part of football.

Another factor: I’ve heard repeatedly from team officials that they think the best player in the draft is Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott—not any quarterback, not Ole Miss offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil, not any receiver. Running backs are not supposed to be the most captivating prospects for a passing league, but here we are.

The scout’s main problem with the draft is the top quarterbacks: Carson Wentz, Jared Goff, Paxton Lynch and Connor Cook. They are more workout wonders than players with skill, the scout said, and he believes it will be three to four years before a team sees a return from any of them.

“There is talent there, but it’s marginal,” he said. “They’ve all been inflated by the fact they know how to work out at the combine, but the tape isn’t really all that impressive to me.”

It’s possible the scout is wrong, but this scout is rarely in error. I get the feeling we will look back at this draft—at the quarterbacks in particular—and wince.

Now, watch them all make the Hall of Fame.

2. Relatedly…

Since the draft isn’t one of the better offensive ones, several front-office sources said more and more teams are looking to trade down. A team can trade back a handful of slots, gather picks and get decent (not great) offensive players late instead of getting decent (not great) players early.

3. The defense, on the other hand…

The scout: “This is one of the deepest defensive drafts, I’d say, in about three years. Maybe longer. The thing that’s impressed me is the quickness of the interior linemen. They also use some of the best technique that I’ve seen in some years.”

4. Drug tests at 4:30 in the morning

One thing few people understand about the combine is that it’s a long, draining process. Ohio State’s Joey Bosa’s schedule isn’t atypical. He had 13 interviews, he said at a press conference, and had to wake up at 3 in the morning for a 4:30 drug test.

5. Few in the league believe the 49ers on Colin Kaepernick

So we know the Browns don’t want Colin Kaepernick.

And neither do the Texans.

But despite what 49ers owner Jed York recently told the San Jose Mercury News’ Mark Purdy, the sense around the league is that San Francisco doesn’t want him, either.

Several team sources (not with the 49ers) told me they feel strongly San Francisco wants Kaepernick gone and will move him as quickly as possible.

One of the interesting things York told Purdy is about the tampering that takes place in the league. He’s one of the first owners or team executives I can remember who acknowledged—on the record—just how much teams tamper. It’s been rampant for decades, and the NFL hasn’t been able to stop or even slow it.

6. RG3 trade remains unlikely

Like Kaepernick, no one wants to trade for Robert Griffin III, team officials say. They know Washington will eventually release him.

But unlike it is in Kaepernick, the interest in Griffin is massive. Teams think they can remake him. League sources said at least a dozen teams are interested. It’s probably even more than that.

7. Josh Freeman’s next chance

Matt Hasselbeck is out as the backup to Andrew Luck, and Josh Freeman is in.

This is nothing against Hasselbeck, who was crucial for the team last season with Luck out. But good for Freeman. He deserves some appreciation for coming back from the brink.

After a promising start in Tampa Bay, Freeman struggled with the Vikings, Giants, Dolphins and even the FXFL’s Brooklyn Bolts. But he never gave up, and here he is. This sounds corny as hell, but his story is a good example of perseverance. I know, corny, but it’s true.

8. Jim Harbaugh, Urban Meyer still hotly pursued

Just passing this along: As coaches were fired this past season, teams made runs at Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh and Ohio State’s Urban Meyer. This is not a shock. What is a shock is the ferocity with which both said no.

According to an NFL team official, organizations that contacted Harbaugh and Meyer (or their representatives) were given such resounding no’s that those teams walked away thinking it will be years before Harbaugh returns, if ever, and that Meyer will never coach in the NFL.

Harbaugh supposedly told one NFL team official, “I’m having fun coaching football again.”

9. The incredible Torrey Smith

Many blogs by athletes aren’t worth the cyberspace they’re written in. A handful are good. Even fewer are so good they need to be shared with everyone. This one by 49ers receiver Torrey Smith is one of those rare blogs.

It shows how, in some ways, despite their wealth and vast resources, athletes can face the same worries and fears the rest of us do.

10. Take your coach’s advice, Tim

Tim Tebow, despite being a quarterback who’s unable to throw a football accurately, remains in the news. Meyer, his old coach, recently said what I’ve been saying for years: He just needs to go play in Canada.

“I think that’s a great point, and I was actually in a conversation with him about going to Canada,” Meyer said on the NFL Network. “The situation—his family and I were involved in it—we just didn’t think it was the right one. I think if there’s a right one, I think he’d probably do it.”

Tebow still wants to play, but the NFL doesn’t want him. Don’t be surprised if a Canadian team makes an offer Tebow now can’t refuse.

mmqb.si.com

Five Things I Think

Robert Mays

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/03/04/nfl-draft-joey-bosa-kevin-dodd-jalen-ramsey

1. Drafting for need continues to be a moving target. General managers can usually be found shouting “Best player available!” at clouds, but in the case of the Panthers, the importance of looking past need is readily on display right now. Carolina’s release of Charles Johnson means that its two starting defensive ends from the Super Bowl—Johnson and Jared Allen—are gone. That comes a year after the Panthers let Greg Hardy walk. When the Panthers drafted Kony Ealy in the second round with both Johnson and Hardy already in the fold, it left some people scratching their heads. Less than two years later, Ealy, coming off a breakout game in the Super Bowl, stands atop the depth chart.

2. The Cowboys and the siren song of a quarterback. Earlier this week, personnel legend Gil Brandt wrote about the Cowboys’ need for a long-term answer at quarterback and the pull of possibly finding that player with the fourth overall pick. Brandt wrote that Jerry Jones told him he will “unequivocally not” take a quarterback at No. 4, which leads to yet another conversation about the prudency of reaching for a quarterback. Johnny Manziel’s career to date makes it easy to champion the Cowboys’ decision to pass on him in favor of Zack Martin two years ago, but even less disastrous quarterback outcomes still speak to the consequences of pulling the trigger on a signal caller. Jacksonville went after Blake Bortles two seasons ago, and although Bortles started to come on in his second season, Oakland’s one-two punch of Khalil Mack and Derek Carr—a combination Jacksonville also could have had—looks a lot better to this point. The pressure for a solution at quarterback is real, but succumbing to it sometimes means leaving valuable talent on the table.

3. Jalen Ramsey gets more enticing by the day. It’s been a foregone conclusion that Laremy Tunsil is the odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 pick, but with his monster showing at the combine, it feels like Jalen Ramsey is starting to make a very serious bid as the best player in the draft. If Tennessee thinks Ramsey has the chance to be the cornerback/safety/condor that many analysts do, the appeal of keeping Marcus Mariota clean shouldn’t be enough to scare them off from the Florida State star. Tennessee finished 24th in pass defense DVOA a season ago, has a need at both cornerback and safety, and could be well served by a player like Ramsey.

4. What, exactly, is wrong with Josh Doctson? Less than a month out from the Super Bowl, I’m still in the early stages of really getting to know all this year’s top prospects. But from what I’ve seen with Josh Doctson, I’m running out of reasons this guy shouldn’t go in the top half of the first round. The former TCU receiver had 79 catches for 1,327 yards and 14(!) touchdowns in 11 games this season, he was the most physically gifted receiver at this year’s combine, and his tape is full of catches that just shouldn’t happen. He comes down with everything, contested or not, and many of those plays required last-second reactions and adjustments that few receivers can even imagine making. Flexibility is a trait I’ve increasingly come to value in receivers. On top of otherworldly tools, it’s what makes Martavis Bryant terrifying. And along with possibly being Spider Man, it’s what has sent DeAndre Hopkins into the upper echelon of NFL stars. Doctson has it in bulk, and I have a feeling a team near the back end of the first round is going to reap the benefits.

5. What if the Chargers—not Dallas—are the team that picks a quarterback of the future? Philip Rivers is still an excellent quarterback, and was just handed a new deal that runs through 2019, has $13.5 million in dead money after this season and includes a no-trade clause throughout. But there’s still a way to piece together an argument for why San Diego should consider its future at No. 3:
a) Rivers is 34 years old and has expressed his trepidation about a move to Los Angeles, which still may be in the Chargers’ future.
b) Much like the Cowboys and Romo, a healthy Rivers is usually enough to keep San Diego from the top of the draft. A rash of injuries and a set of terrible breaks (see Bell, Le’Veon) gave San Diego the third pick in the draft. As long as Rivers is playing, they may not be there again.
c) On the chance the Chargers do move to Los Angeles, a shiny new quarterback would be a selling point in a new market where they’d be fighting for attention with a team that employs Todd Gurley.
d) If I remember correctly, the Chargers already had a quarterback when they drafted Rivers and sat him on the bench for his first two seasons in San Diego. The situations were very different—Drew Brees was set to be a free agent in two years and was yet to become a star in the way that Rivers has been and still is—but the history does exist.
Not giving Rivers more protection or giving their defense more bite would be a hard sell in the short term. But many of the same arguments are being made for the Cowboys securing their post-Romo future could apply to San Diego. Shocking as it would be, the logic isn’t impossible to follow.

LA Times’ NFL mock draft: Offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil goes first

Sam Farmer

http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-2016-nfl-mock-draft-20160306-column.html

The Denver Broncos made a strong case for that in the Super Bowl, at least, when their smothering defense dropped a sledgehammer on Cam Newton and the high-scoring Carolina Panthers.

And this class of draft prospects is loaded with defensive talent.

See the most-read stories in Sports this hour>>

“It’s a defensive draft,” NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said. “Best interior defensive line I’ve seen maybe since I started doing this.

See the most-read stories in Sports this hour >>
“We’re seeing with the Super Bowl-winning Denver Broncos what started about five years ago, which is all the NFL teams are talking about: We’ve got to find people on defense that can affect the pass offense, because it’s a pass-first league.”

In this, the Times’ first mock draft of the off-season, eight defensive linemen are selected — and that’s with talented Eastern Kentucky defensive end Noah Spence dropping out of the first round because of character concerns, and New England not getting a pick because of Deflategate.

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This mock also features three quarterbacks, two running backs, and one ultra-versatile player — UCLA linebacker Myles Jack, who could line up at virtually any position on the field.

1. TENNESSEE — Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi: The Titans will try to trade down, but they need help protecting Marcus Mariota, who was sacked 38 times in 12 games.

2. CLEVELAND — Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State: The Browns have gone through 24 starting quarterbacks since 1999. Wentz has a tremendous arm and good mobility.

3. SAN DIEGO — DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon: The Chargers, who allowed the third-most plays of 20 or more yards, need to get more pressure on the passer.

4. DALLAS — Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State: The Cowboys need to move past the Greg Hardy fiasco, and Randy Gregory’s career is already off on the wrong foot.

5. JACKSONVILLE — Jalen Ramsey, FS, Florida State: The Jaguars will be all about drafting defenders, and need help both up front and on the back end.

Jalen Ramsey
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey runs with the ball during a drill at the NFL scouting combine on Feb. 29. (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)
6. BALTIMORE — Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida: The Ravens allowed 30 touchdown passes last season, the most in team history.

7. SAN FRANCISCO — Jared Goff, QB, California: The 49ers need to close the book on the Colin Kaepernick era, and they do that with a player from across the bay.

8. MIAMI — Myles Jack, LB, UCLA: Jack could go sooner — maybe to Dallas — but he’s a good fit for a Dolphins team sorely in need of defenders.

9. TAMPA BAY — Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame: The Buccaneers have more pressing needs on defense, but they also need a right tackle to protect the Jameis Winston investment.

10. N.Y. GIANTS — A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama: The Giants were 32nd in total defense last season, and are desperate to find a way to opposing quarterbacks.

11. CHICAGO — Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson: The Bears finished the 2015 season with one active defensive lineman who was with them in training camp.

12. NEW ORLEANS — Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville: Defense continues to be a problem for the Saints, who surrendered an NFL-record 45 touchdown passes last season.

13. PHILADELPHIA — Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State: Now that the Eagles have extended quarterback Sam Bradford, they need to do a better job of protecting him.

14. OAKLAND — Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State: Charles Woodson has retired, and D.J. Hayden hasn’t panned out. Cornerback is atop the Raiders’ wish list.

15. RAMS — Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis: The Rams, who had the league’s worst passing offense last season, need help at both quarterback and receiver.

Paxton Lynch
Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch looks to throw a pass during a drill at the NFL scouting combine on Feb. 27. (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)
16. DETROIT — Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State: Matthew Stafford was sacked a combined 89 times the last two seasons, the worst two-season stretch of his career.

17. ATLANTA — Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State: Lee might help the Falcons bump up their pass rush after they finished with a league-low 19 sacks last season.

18. INDIANAPOLIS — Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana: According to NFL.com, Colts quarterbacks have been hit a league-high 450 times since the team picked Andrew Luck first in 2012.

19. BUFFALO — Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss: The Bills have a more pressing need for offensive linemen, but if the troubled Nkemdiche falls this far, Coach Rex Ryan will have a hard time resisting.

20. N.Y. JETS — Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State: The Jets need an upgrade at running back, and Elliott — or maybe Heisman winner Derrick Henry — would work here.

21. WASHINGTON — Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA: The Redskins need help at all three levels of their defense, but mostly up front. The athletic Clark would be a good fit.

Kenny Clark
UCLA defensive lineman Kenny Clark performs a drill at the NFL scouting combine on Feb. 28. (Gregory Payan / Associated Press)
22. HOUSTON — Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama: The Texans need a replacement for longtime standout Arian Foster, who was recently let go and hadn’t played a complete season since 2012. They can wait to take a quarterback.

23. MINNESOTA — Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss: The Vikings hit it big with fifth-rounder Stefon Diggs last year. Treadwell is the top receiver in this class.

24. CINCINNATI — Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech: The Bengals need a receiver, but they’re also graying at cornerback. Fuller would be a solid and safe pick.

25. PITTSBURGH — Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State: The Steelers need help throughout the secondary, but the top corners are off the board. Tight end is also a consideration.

26. SEATTLE — Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State: Russell Wilson was sacked 31 times in the first eight games before the line was reshuffled. Don’t rule out cornerback here, either.

27. GREEN BAY — Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas: Henry, who didn’t have a drop in 2015, would be another reliable target for Aaron Rodgers.

28. KANSAS CITY — Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor: The Chiefs have more pressing needs along the offensive and defensive lines, but they also could use another receiver to complement Jeremy Maclin.

29. NEW ENGLAND — Pick forfeited.

30. ARIZONA — Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama: The Cardinals need an eventual replacement for Lyle Sendlein. This could be a spot for University of Houston cornerback William Jackson.

31. CAROLINA — Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida: Good as the team was, the Panthers didn’t get consistent productivity from their defensive ends last season.

32. DENVER — Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn: The Broncos were down to their fourth and fifth offensive tackles in 2015 … but somehow they made it work.

Prisco’s NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Broncos pull the trigger on Connor Cook

PETE PRISCO

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/pete-prisco/25517722/priscos-nfl-mock-draft-40-broncos-pull-the-trigger-on-connor-cook.

When the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles made a deal that included exchanging first-round picks, it meant it was time for a new mock draft.

Why?

The bosses demanded it and you crave it.

OK, so maybe just the first part.

This is my Mock 4.0 and it takes into account the trade between Miami and Philadelphia and also the free-agent happenings. You will notice I now have four quarterbacks in the first round, with the top three being Jared Goff, Carson Wentz and Paxton Lynch.

The newcomer is Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook. I have him going to the Denver Broncos after they lost Brock Osweiler to the Texans in free agency. They have to get somebody.

There are several other changes from my last mock based on free agency. There’s a little over a month to go until the draft, so the changes will keep on coming.

1. Tennessee Titans
Laremy Tunsil, T, Mississippi: They didn’t get a tackle in free agency, but did land a center in Ben Jones. If they take Tunsil, they can really improve their line next year.

2. Cleveland Browns
Jared Goff, QB, California: Even if they make a deal to get Colin Kaepernick, I can’t imagine that would take them out of the quarterback sweepstakes. Goff seems like the guy to me for now.

3. San Diego Chargers
DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon: They suffered some hits in free agency on their line, and Brandon Mebane is only a little bit of a help, so they have to get help up front. Buckner is a power player who would fit what they want from their down players.

4. Dallas Cowboys
Jalen Ramsey, S, Florida State: They need a playmaker in the secondary. Ramsey can play both corner and safety, which offers versatility that the Cowboys need.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Myles Jack, MLB, UCLA: They addressed the front and secondary in free agency, but they need speed at linebacker. Jack would bring that and more. He is a three-down player.

6. Baltimore Ravens
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State: He would be playing more stand-up in their scheme, but Terrell Suggs made the transition when he came out. Bosa would be a nice addition with Suggs coming off injury.

7. San Francisco 49ers
Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State: They don’t have an answer at quarterback, so they have to get one. This kid is raw, but talented. He is athletic, so he would fit in Chip Kelly’s scheme.

8. Philadelphia Eagles
Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis: Sam Bradford isn’t the long-term answer. Chase Daniel isn’t either. The word is they are eying a quarterback, which this move up helps. They can take a player who can learn for a year or so.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
William Jackson III, CB, Houston: They added a smaller corner in Brent Grimes in free agency, so they can get a taller corner here in Jackson. I think he could also play inside, and the Bucs need help there too.

10. New York Giants
Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State: They really helped their front with Damon Harrison and Olivier Vernon. And they got a good corner in Janoris Jenkins. But the linebacker spot is still a mess. Lee can fly and they need speed.

11. Chicago Bears
A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama: They have issues up front and this is a power player who would really help in the run game. He won’t be much of a pass rusher, but he is powerful.

12. New Orleans Saints
Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville: They have to get push inside from their pass rush and Rankins is that type of player. He was impressive at the Senior Bowl.

13. Miami Dolphins
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State: They signed C .J. Anderson to an offer sheet, but the Broncos might match. So I will put a back here until we know for sure. They clearly want help there.

14. Oakland Raiders
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame: If they were able to land him here, they could keep Kelechi Osemele at guard, which is his better spot. They could really be good on the offensive line if that were to happen.

15. Los Angeles Rams
Josh Doctson, WR, TCU: They have to get a threat down the field in the passing game, no matter who starts at quarterback. This is the best receiver in the draft.

16. Detroit Lions
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi: They added Marvin Jones to Golden Tate in free agency, but they need more. Neither one of those guys is a No. 1 receiver. Treadwell looks like Dez Bryant.

17. Atlanta Falcons
Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson: They took Vic Beasley last year, so now they add his former college teammate. They have to get more from their pass rush, and even with the signing of Derrick Shelby they have to get another body.

18. Indianapolis Colts
Taylor Decker, T, Ohio State: They have issues on their offensive line and this kid could play both tackle and guard. He is a tough, physical player.

19. Buffalo Bills
Robert Nkemdiche, DE, Mississippi: He has some off-field issues, but that’s why he’s down here. He has a ton of talent and would be worth the risk in this spot.

20. New York Jets
Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky: He has a lot of pass-rush ability and would help the outside pass rush in a big way. He would have to adjust to standing up more, but he is capable.

21. Washington Redskins
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida: They have to get better outside in coverage and this is a player who excels in man coverage. He would step in and start right away.

22. Houston Texans
Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama: I know they signed Tony Bergstrom from the Raiders, but Kelly is the best center by far in this draft. Bergstrom might be little more than a backup.

23. Minnesota Vikings
Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame: They got line help in free agency in Alex Boone, so they can get some speed outside for their passing game. Fuller is one of the fastest in this draft class.

24. Cincinnati Bengals
Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor: They lost both Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu to free agency. They have to get a threat to go opposite A.J. Green.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mackenzie Alexander, CB, Clemson: He is projected to go higher than this, but his size might force him to slip some. The Steelers have to get help at corner.

26. Seattle Seahawks
Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State: He is a self-made player who would really help a line that needs it. Conklin could play guard or tackle.

27. Green Bay Packers
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama: They are moving Clay Matthews back to the outside, so getting a run-thumper inside would make a lot of sense

28. Kansas City Chiefs
Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State: They lost Sean Smith to the Raiders, and even with Philip Gaines coming off injury I think they could use another. Apple is a talented player who could be the nickel as a rookie.

29. Arizona Cardinals
Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson: They have said that fixing the pass rush was a top priority. This is a player who impressed rushing from the left side for the Tigers.

30. Carolina Panthers
Le’Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech: They have to get better at the tackle spots, and this kid has a ton of skill. He looks more like a right tackle to me, and the Panthers need help there.

31. Denver Broncos
Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State: They are forced to take him here now. Why? Who do they have? What’s the plan? Cook might be NFL ready right away. The issue is what’s his ceiling

PFF DRAFT BOARD 2.0: TOP 100 NFL PROSPECTS

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/03/16/draft-pff-draft-board-2-0-top-100-prospects/

The second iteration of the PFF Draft Board expands the list to 100 players, as our player evaluations continue to evolve leading up to the draft. We have two full years of grading on every player in the FBS, and that will always be the guiding light in our process, but the re-evaluation of each player’s strengths and weaknesses and how those fit into the NFL are vital when piecing together each player’s value.

With positional value taken into consideration, here is the second version of the PFF Draft Board.

Joey Bosa, Edge, Ohio State
The best player in the draft has been the nation’s top edge against the run while ranking first and second as a pass rusher each of the last two seasons.

DeForest Buckner, Defensive Interior, Oregon
Similar to Bosa, Buckner was the most productive interior defensive lineman by a wide margin. He’s a playmaker against the run and able to get into the backfield as a pass rusher.

Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State
The biggest question about Ramsey is where he plays in the NFL, but his versatility should make him a solid option at either cornerback or safety, He put together two strong years of grades despite playing at free safety, in the slot, and outside cornerback.

Jared Goff, QB, Cal
The top-graded QB in the nation this season after ranking eighth a year ago, Goff’s combination of pocket presence, toughness under pressure, and downfield accuracy make him the top option.

Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
With six strong games under his belt in 2015, we’d like to see a larger sample size of dominant play, but Tunsil is an explosive run blocker and he handled an impressive slate of edge rushers to allow only five pressures on the year.

Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
Our top coverage linebacker in 2015, Jack played only 207 snaps in 2015 due to injury. He’s versatile enough to move around the formation while holding his own in coverage and he’s powerful when attacking blocks in the run game.

Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
There’s some projection to Wentz’s game, but the raw tools are impressive. While his timing isn’t always on point in the passing game, he has the big arm and athleticism to mask that inexperience as he grows.

Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
The best all-around running back in the draft and perhaps the nation, Elliott boasted the top run grade in the class in 2014 and then led the nation as a blocker in 2015. His ability to run, catch, and block will put him on the field early and often.

Sheldon Rankins, Defensive Interior, Louisville
With two straight years of dominant play, Rankins can play a number of positions along the defensive front, attacking blockers in the run game while providing a strong pass rush. He has only two negatively-graded games in our two seasons of data.

Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
Whether creating separation before the catch or yards after it, Coleman’s athleticism stands out on the field. He has the ability to make plays at all levels of the field.

Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Our top-graded WR before going down to injury last season, Doctson routinely makes incredible catches, turning off-target throws into big plays. That downfield ability makes him one of the most exciting playmakers in the draft.

Shaq Lawson, Edge, Clemson
The second-best all around edge behind Bosa, Lawson is strong on the edge in the run game while posting the number eight pass rushing grade in the class.

Chris Jones, Defensive Interior, Mississippi State
The power is the first thing that stands out, and it was put to good use as Jones ranked fourth in the nation among interior defensive linemen at +54.2. He can move blockers at the point of attack and push the pocket, and he still has room to grow as a player.

Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
A power scheme is ideal for Conklin who moves defenders at the point of attack while holding up well in pass protection. His two-year body of work is right up there with any offensive tackle in the nation on a snap-for-snap basis.

Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
One of the most consistent pass protecting tackles in the nation, Stanley should carry that to the next level while his run-blocking is sufficient in the right scheme.

William Jackson III, CB, Houston
The second-best coverage grade in the draft class, Jackson is an aggressive, good-sized corner who will contest a lot of catches and make plays on the defensive side. He has the size and deep speed to develop into a number one corner.

Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State
After ranking fourth in the nation among offensive tackles in 2014 and first in 2015, Whitehair is projected to move to guard at the next level, something we saw during Senior Bowl week. He acquitted himself well, and he has the potential to be the next successful tackle to guard convert in the NFL.

Mackenzie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Trapped in a Clemson defensive scheme that hung him out to dry with a lot of soft, off-coverage, Alexander may be a far better pro player than he was in college. Has all the traits of a top, shutdown corner.

Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
In 2014 Hargreaves posted the best coverage grade we have seen from this draft class across two seasons of college tape. Didn’t repeat it in 2015 but still shows a lot of impressive tape and ball skills. Only negative is size.

Leonard Floyd, Edge, Georgia
Floyd could dabble as an outside linebacker in the NFL just as he did last year in college, but his size and athleticism are best used rushing off the edge where his +28.9 pass rushing grade ranked fifth among the edge rushers in the class.

Jarran Reed, Defensive Interior, Alabama
With our second-best grade against the run in 2015, Reed is rarely moved at the point of attack and he knows how to shed in make plays, as indicated by his nation-leading run stop percentage of 13.4 percent. He can play nose tackle, but also looks the part of a 3-4 defensive end if needed.

Andrew Billings, Defensive Interior, Baylor
One of the strongest players in the draft, Billings is stout at the point of attack and perhaps the best nose tackle option in the draft. He was also got after the quarterback among the best in the country the past two seasons.

Shilique Calhoun, Edge, Michigan State
No edge rusher had a better pass rushing grade than Calhoun in 2015, and he was strong in that department in 2014 as well. He’s not nearly as stout against the run, but did show that he can be productive in the run game in 2014.

Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma
Our top-graded wide receiver in 2015, Shepard combines nifty route running with underrated downfield ball skills. Even though most of his work is done from the slot, he has the quickness to produce and validate his standing at the top of the draft.

Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
While he doesn’t create the same kind of separation you’d like to see from a top wide receiver prospect, Treadwell is strong, though inconsistent, at the catch point and good with the ball in his hands after the catch.

Robert Nkemdiche, Defensive Interior, Ole Miss
Perhaps the most disruptive interior pass rusher in the draft, Nkemdiche has some questions about his ideal fit, but he’s gotten after the quarterback the last two seasons and he improved greatly against the run in 2015.

Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
Injury aside, Smith’s athleticism stands out and it often shows when in coverage and as a pass rusher. He’s not bad in the run game, though he’s not as strong at the point of attack as other linebackers in the class. If healthy, Smith has a chance to be a three-down playmaker at the next level.

Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
While some of the other linebackers are stronger in certain areas, Ragland is solid across the board. He can work downhill in the running game, and his ability to hold up in coverage and create pressure should make him a third-down chess piece at the next level.

Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers
A good combination of speed and separation skills, Carroo was incredibly productive on only 363 snaps last season averaging 4.11 yards per route to lead all FBS receivers.

Sheldon Day, Defensive Interior, Notre Dame
Disruption is the name of the game for Day who excels at shooting gaps, though he could stand to finish better. His overall grade ranked second behind only Buckner among interior defensive linemen in 2015.

Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
Production took a hit due to inconsistent quarterback play, but Thomas knows how to get open and he was a big-play threat when targeted.

Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas
Few tight ends can work the middle of the field like Henry who has averaged 14.3 yards/reception over the last two years. He’s only dropped two of his 90 catchable targets during that time.

Jonathan Bullard, DI, Florida
Our top-graded run defender on the interior in 2015, Bullard is excellent at recognizing blocks, disrupting schemes and making plays. He doesn’t have a clean positional home, but has the versatility to play all along the defensive line.

Noah Spence, Edge, Eastern Kentucky
We have little information about Spence, but the upside was evident at the Senior Bowl when he dominated practice and carried it into the game. Even though he may not do much as a run defender, Spence’s burst off the edge and pass rush potential is the best in the class.

Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
A press man corner who made need a compass to find the football, Apple can stick with receivers as well as anyone in the class, though zone-heavy teams may not be interested.

Emmanuel Ogbah, Edge, Oklahoma State
A one-dimensional player in 2015, Ogbah boasted the No. 3 pass rush grade among all edge rushers, though he settled in around average against the run. The potential is there to improve in that department but it may limit his usage early on.

Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State
Higgins posted a huge grade (+32.0) in 2014, and while that dropped to +22.7 this year, there’s still a lot to like about the Colorado State playmaker. He dropped just three of the 78 catchable passes thrown his way in 2015 and he may be the best route runner in the draft class.

Austin Johnson, Defensive Interior, Penn State
Boasting the No. 3 run-stopping grade in the nation in 2015, Johnson beats blockers with quick hands to disrupt the backfield and that bodes well for his upside as a pass rusher. His skills were on display with a strong week at the Senior Bowl.

Vernon Butler, Defensive Interior, Louisiana Tech
Butler has put together two straight years of strong work against the run while improving his pass rush grade to 15th in the class on the strength of a bull rush that made up 40 percent of his pressures.

Su’a Cravens, S/LB, USC
A safety/linebacker hybrid, Cravens attacks blocks in the running game and makes plays in the passing game. The NFL will find a spot for him as the difference between linebackers and strong safeties shrinks every year.

Scooby Wright III, LB, Arizona
Few linebackers possess Wright’s instincts and block-shedding ability, and he looks like a plus run defender in the NFL if he’s healthy. The question for Wright is his athleticism in space, but we’ve seen other linebackers stay productive with similar concerns.

Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
Kelly posted good, not great, grades over the last two years, but he projects as a starting NFL center on the strength of a powerful run-blocking base that should work in any scheme. The NFL offensive line coaches we’ve spoken too all love his game.

Adolphus Washington, Defensive Interior, Ohio State
Another strong all-around player, Washington is stout at the point of attack, but strong and quick enough to blow up plays as well. His +32.0 pass rush grade ranked third in the nation and he was strong in the run game.

Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia
Before going down to injury after only 240 snaps in 2015, Joseph had the fifth-highest grade in the country as he showed off his playmaking skills while playing multiple coverages in West Virginia’s defense. He’s a versatile safety that is just as comfortable playing in the box as he is in deep center field.

A’Shawn Robinson, Defensive Interior, Alabama
Rarely moved in the run game, Robinson played well within Alabama’s scheme and he projects as a similar, run-stopping 3-4 defensive end at the next level. The question is whether or not he can provide enough pass rush to warrant a high pick after two pedestrian seasons in that department.

Michael Thomas, WR, Southern Miss
Playing bigger than his 6-foot-1 frame, Thomas caught a higher percentage of contested catches than the other top receivers in the class while ranking ninth in the nation with 2.98 yards/route.

Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina
Adams is a strong run blocker on the edge, while showing some wiggle at the top of routes, both on tape and during Senior Bowl practice. He’s the best all-around tight end in the draft.

Devin Lucien, WR, Arizona State
A player that doesn’t seem to be getting the credit he deserves at this stage, he had the fifth highest receiving grade in games against Power-5 opponents in this draft class. He wasn’t quite dominant in college, but did everything well and showcased a safe pair of hands, dropping just three of the 69 catchable passes thrown his way.

Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State
There’s little flash to Perry’s game, but he does everything well whether fitting against the run, dropping into coverage or tackling. He’s missed only nine tackles on over 200 attempts the last two years.

Kenny Clark, Defensive Interior, UCLA
Another strong interior defensive lineman, Clark is excellent at feeling and defeating all types of blocks — a big reason he was the No. 2 interior defensive lineman against the run in 2014. He took a slight step back in that area in 2015, but added more pass rush to his game.

Jeremy Cash, S/LB, Duke
Similar to Cravens, Cash attacks blockers with a vengeance, whether playing the run where he led all safeties with a +20.4 grade or as a pass rusher where he also led at +13.9. He’s yet another safety/linebacker hybrid who will start as a box player while learning a true safety role on the side.

Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama
Like several of the corners in this list, doesn’t have the ideal size profile many NFL teams are looking for, but he’s feisty and extremely strong against the run and short passing game. Tough to shake in man and has a good feel for zone coverage, but has occasional lapses which have resulted in giving up 10 TDs over two seasons

Hassan Ridgeway, Defensive Interior, Texas
Often lost in the deep class of interior defensive linemen, Ridgeway has put together two strong years of grading with a +48.6 overall mark on only 1044 snaps. He’s scheme-versatile and he can get after the quarterback better than most interior rushers in the class.

Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
He might be a one-trick pony, but it’s a fairly important trick in today’s NFL. He ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, and was third in the nation with 708 yards on passes traveling 20 yards or more in the air. He did drop 10 of the 72 catchable passes thrown his way though — something he’ll have to improve upon.

Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
Perhaps more of an athlete than a great football player at this point, Spriggs graded well in 2015 (+16.7), but his strong NFL combine has teams looking at him as a first-round project. He needs to tie up a few technique issues and show more of that athleticism on the field to warrant more than a Day 2 pick.

Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech
One of the most exciting running backs in the draft, Dixon is a clever runner, capable of cutting on a dime and making overaggressive defenses pay with big plays. He’s also very good in the passing game, particularly when split out wide.

Joe Schobert, OLB, Wisconsin
One of the nation’s most productive players the last two seasons, Schobert may be viewed as a traditional linebacker at the next level, but he should be given a chance to rush the passer where he led the nation in pass-rush productivity each of the last two seasons.

Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Georgia
A solid receiver across the board, Mitchell will get overshadowed by flashier receivers, but he creates separation on the post and dig routes as well as a receiver in the class and he’s dropped only four passes on 93 catchable targets the last two years.

Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA
The only running back in the draft class to force more missed tackles was Alabama’s Derrick Henry (76 to 73), but it took Henry and extra 160 carries to do so. Perkins posted the top run grade and elusive rating (114.7) in the class.

Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina
A threat to score with the ball in his hands, Cooper can be used in a variety ways that get the ball to him in space and he can use his excellent acceleration as a vertical slot receiver in the Doug Baldwin mold.

Carl Nassib, Edge, Penn State
It’s not always pretty, but Nassib was rarely blocked in 2015 and that trend continued at a dominant Senior Bowl week. He sets a hard edge in the run game and keeps blockers off balance with power and good hands.

Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford
Our top run-blocking guard in 2015, Garnett is a scheme-specific power guard that is best fit for a man-blocking scheme similar to Stanford’s. He struggled at times in pass pro and posted his worst games against his best competition (Buckner and Day).

Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame
Similar to Kelly, Martin has a strong all-around game and projects to be a future starter with scheme diversity. His +22.7 overall grade ranked fifth in the nation.

Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
At +18.2, just three players in this draft class had a higher receiving grade than Boyd. His grades over the past two years were almost identical, with the Pittsburgh playmaker coming in at +22.2 last year and +22.9 this year. He dropped five passes in each of the past two seasons, but did see 16 more catchable passes thrown his way this year, so his drop rate improved from 6.02 to 5.05.

Joe Thuney, T/G, NC State
One of the nation’s top guards in 2014, Thuney made a smooth transition to left tackle in 2015 finishing fourth in the draft class at +35.6 overall. He surrendered only seven pressures on 507 attempts in pass protection and at the very least he’ll bring versatility to an offensive line as a capable guard or tackle.

Tyler Higbee, TE, Western Kentucky
Just two tight ends in this draft class had a higher receiving grade than WKU’s Higbee, with the Hilltopper making the most of the 48 passes thrown his way, dropping just two passes on his way to a 38-catch, 562-yard and eight-touchdown season. His run blocking grade was tied for 22nd in the class, but was still positive at +4.9.

Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State
With a good showing at the combine and pro day, Bell’s athleticism shows whether he’s on or off the field. He’s able to step up and make plays in the run game while playing in split-safety looks in coverage.

Kalan Reed, CB, Southern Miss
Incredibly smooth mover at cornerback, fits the size profile most teams are looking for. Can play in any scheme and make plays on the ball. Had excellent tape this year and our third-highest coverage grade in the draft class.

Maliek Collins, Defensive Interior, Nebraska
Yet another productive interior defensive lineman, Collins is a disruptor who can shoot gaps and blow up plays. He ranked 10th in the draft class against the run at +28.4 and 11th as a pass rusher at +21.1.

Kyler Fackrell, Edge, Utah State
Fackrell emerged as one of the nation’s top players in 2015, finishing ninth overall among edge defenders at +39.0. He dabbled in more of a traditional linebacker role at the Senior Bowl, but his best bet is as a 3-4 outside linebacker where he can rush the passer, play the edge in the run game and drop occasionally into coverage.

Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas
Running in Arkansas’ pro-style offense, Collins posted the eighth-highest grade in the class as he showed the quickness and vision to maximize his offensive line’s blocking, but lacked the open-field ability to create a high percentage of big plays.

Keyarris Garrett, WR, Tulsa
He racked up 725 yards on passes travelling 20 yards or more downfield, including seven touchdowns, and dropped just three of the 99 catchable passes thrown his way in 2015. A big target at 6-feet-4, Garrett can make plays downfield.

Christian Westerman, G, Arizona State
One of the best pass-protecting guards in the class, Westerman combines good movement skills with surprising power, and while some of his peers are locked into a power blocking scheme, he is more diverse if not a zone blocking

Darius Latham, Defensive Interior, Indiana
Size and productivity make Latham an interesting prospect as he got after the quarterback better than most (+23.8) while playing well against the run (+15.8).

Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana
Two years of strong play at UAB and Indiana, Howard has shown scheme diversity while posting the fifth-best run grade in the draft class last season.

Kevin Dodd, Edge, Clemson
A solid run defender on the edge, Dodd went on a tear late in the season as a pass rusher. Although he finished 25th in the class in that department, so he looks like more of a solid, every-down defensive end than an explosive game changer off the edge.

Bronson Kaufusi, Defensive Interior, BYU
Kaufusi’s best fit may be as a 3-4 defensive end where his size and length will give him a chance to develop into a strong run defender with above average pass rushing potential.

Isaac Seumalo, G, Oregon State
Quietely one of the nation’s best guards, Seumalo rarely loses in the run game and mitigates the damage when he does. He surrendered only four pressures on 407 attempts in pass protection last year.

Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
The size and arm strength are impressive, as is Lynch’s three-year development at Memphis, but he’s just a notch below the other quarterbacks in this class. His accuracy at the intermediate level is concerning, particularly outside the numbers where his accuracy percentage is among the worst in the nation.

Kamalei Correa, Edge, Boise State
As far as transitions to 3-4 outside linebacker go, Correa should make a smooth one after notching eight sacks, 12 QB hits, and 16 hurries on only 250 pass rushes last season.

Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
We don’t see the same dominant offensive tackle potential in Decker as he’s a powerful fun blocker, but there was too much inconsistency in pass protection over the last two seasons.

Spencer Drango, G, Baylor
One of our top-graded tackles the last two years, Drango looks like a smooth guard conversion as many of the blocks he was asked to make at Baylor will translate nicely. He can collapse the backside of zone plays and he has experience pulling in the run game.

Nick VanHoose, CB, Northwestern
Has a strange, wooden way of moving that looks very awkward at times, but it doesn’t prevent him from making plays, and a lot of them. Allowed fewer than 44 percent of passes thrown his way to be caught this past season and had the highest coverage grade in the nation.

Darian Thompson, S, Boise State
Thompson works downhill in both the pass and run game very well, but his geometric skills are lacking at times as his open field angles need some work. He also disappointed with a slow 40 time at the combine as many teams were hoping to see a rangy free safety prospect.

Nick Kwiatkowski, LB, West Virginia
Kwiatkowski ranked fourth in the draft class as a run defender at +21.7 and fifth in coverage a +9.0 as his all-around strong play should make him a dependable starter at the next level.

Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
His coverage numbers are excellent, but the tape shows they’re misleading. Beaten plenty this season without giving up completions. Has the measurables, and his good is excellent, but he is a work in progress.

Anthony Zettel, Defensive Interior, Penn State
There was a drop-off in Zettel’s game in 2015 after he was one of the nation’s best interior defensive linemen in 2014 with a strong performance against the run and rushing the passer.

Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State
Lee’s speed is evident on tape, but to this point, it’s been used effectively as a pass rusher while lacking consistency against the run and in coverage. He played over the slot quite a bit at Ohio State but coverage was a mix of big plays and mishaps over the last two years.

Daniel Braverman, WR, Western Michigan
He might be a slot only receiver at the next level, but he’s very good in that role regardless. No player in this draft class averaged more yards per route run from the slot than Braverman’s 3.27.

Joe Dahl, OT, Washington State
The NFL is going to be split on what exactly Joe Dahl is. His Senior Bowl performance suggested pretty conclusively that he is not a guard, but many will be reluctant to play him at tackle given his body type and measurables profile. A move to center has also been mooted. At tackle, however, he is a natural pass protector who struggles to anchor against the bull rush.

Jordan Payton, WR, UCLA
Payton had the seventh highest receiving grade in this draft class at +22.2, seeing a big jump from +8.6 in 2014. He showcased a safe pair of hands at UCLA, dropping just six of the 154 catchable passes thrown his way between 2014 and 2015.

Le’Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech
The size and length are there for Clark, but as we saw at Senior Bowl week, he has a lot of work to do to learn how to effectively use his tools. His pass rush grade of +6.7 ranked ninth in the draft class.

Matt Skura, C, Duke
Skura always seems to be in good position to make the necessary block, a big part of his earning PFF All-American status. He can develop into a future starter at the next level.

Matt Ioannidis, Defensive Interior, Temple
Consistently disruptive on the inside of a good Temple defense, Ioannidis played in multiple technique spots on the defensive front and was pretty effective at every one. Perhaps best suited to 3-tech at the next level, he’s an intriguing player with proven production.

Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State
There’s a lot of projection with Miller, who has seen just 30 catchable passes thrown his way in his short time at wide receiver. He excels in space though, forcing eight missed tackles on 28 receptions in 2015.

Ronald Blair, Defensive Interior, Appalachian State
Blair has been extremely productive against inferior competition the last two years, playing stout against the run and posting the number six pass rush grade in the draft class in 2015 at +24.9.

Tavon Young, CB, Temple
Size is a concern for Young as is the fact that he really did not grade well this season. A year ago his coverage grade was far better, but this season he struggled and may ultimately be best suited to covering the slot, rather than trying to match up with far bigger players on the outside.

Dean Lowry, Defensive Interior, Northwestern
While Lowry moved around in Northwestern’s scheme, he’s likely best fit to play on the interior due to his size and athleticism. His +37.0 overall grade ranked 10th in the nation when compared to other edge defenders (his primary position in 2015).

Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
Everybody knows about the family bloodlines, but right now Kendall Fuller looks like a zone cornerback who may struggle in different schemes. Breaks on the ball well but has been beaten for an average of almost 15 yards over the past two seasons of coverage.

Will Anthony, Edge, Navy
A clear standout on a pretty good Navy defense, Anthony took a huge step forward this season and was one of the most actively disruptive defensive linemen in the country. Playing primarily on the interior for Navy, he would be an edge defender at the next level, and actually had superior production when he played there for the Midshipmen.

Agamemnon wrote:

That is 5 WRs in the top 30.
10 DTs in the top 50.

I say…draft em all.

Bonsignore: NFL Mock Draft with one month to go has Tunsil No. 1, Rams trading up

Vincent Bonsignore, Los Angeles Daily News

http://www.dailynews.com/events/20160327/bonsignore-nfl-mock-draft-with-one-month-to-go-has-tunsil-no-1-rams-trading-up

With the scouting combine complete, the first phase of free agency in the books and various Pro Days come and gone, it’s time to predict how the first round of the NFL Draft unfolds.

1. TITANS

LAREMY TUNSIL, OT, Ole Miss

The Titans have spread the word they are open to trading the top pick in the draft, but are equally clear they have zeroed in on an elite group of players and it will take a significant offer for them to trade down and risk missing out on their top targets. The Titans will continue to listen to offers, but with no trade partner willing to meet their demands, the overall No. 1 pick will come down to Florida State CB Jalen Ramsey or Tunsil. The deciding factor is protecting franchise QB Marcus Mariota.

2. BROWNS

CARSON WENTZ, QB, North Dakota State

It’s tempting to think Browns head coach and noted quarterback whisperer Hue Jackson is convinced he’ll turn around Robert Griffin III, whom the Browns recently signed to a two-year deal. The Browns will turn attention to the boatload of holes with the second overall pick as a result. But that would mean Jackson walking a high wire. The danger being, if RG3 bombs and the Browns miss out on a franchise QB, the fall for Jackson will be sudden and far. Best-case scenario is RG3 re-establishing himself under Jackson, Wentz developing behind him for a year, and the Browns flipping RG3 after the 2016 season to anoint Wentz as the starter in 2017.

3. CHARGERS

JALEN RAMSEY, CB/S, Florida State

The QB-starved Browns create the perfect situation for the Chargers, who benefit by landing arguably the best overall player in the draft.

4. COWBOYS

MYLES JACK, LB, UCLA

The Cowboys are tempted to find the heir apparent to Tony Romo in Cal’s Jared Goff, but ultimately pull the trigger on the best linebacker in the draft in the versatile former Bruin.

5. JAGUARS

JOEY BOSA, DE, Ohio State

The Jaguars are poised to be aggressive in this draft, so don’t rule out a trade up to get a crack at Jack. But with the Chargers and Cowboys staying put, Jacksonville will gladly pull the trigger on the most complete defensive lineman in the draft.

6. RAMS (VIA RAVENS)

JARED GOFF, QB, Cal

The Rams believe Wentz and Goff can be immediate starters in the NFL, but while the asking price to get in position to draft Wentz is too steep, they have the nerve and ammunition to give up the 15th pick in the first round, the 43rd pick in the second and next year’s No. 1 to grab their quarterback of the future.

7. 49ERS

DEFOREST BUCKNER, DE, Oregon

The 49ers had their eye on Goff, but the Rams beat them to the punch. New San Francisco coach Chip Kelly gets the chance to fix Colin Kaepernick and add an elite defensive end in Buckner.

8. EAGLES

EZEKIEL ELLIOTT, RB, Ohio State

The Eagles take a long look at Notre Dame offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley here, but ultimately decide on Elliott, who can run, block and be a weapon in the pass game.

9. BUCCANEERS

SHAQ LAWSON, DE, Clemson

The Bucs need plenty of help defensively, and Lawson gives them an immediate shot in the arm as a playmaking defensive end.

10. GIANTS

SHELDON RANKINS, DT, Louisville

The G-Men’s defensive transformation continues with the draft’s best interior defensive lineman. And just like that, an area of weakness turns into one of strength.

11. BEARS

REGGIE RAGLAND, LB, Alabama

The Bears’ long history of elite middle linebackers continues with Ragland, a fierce, versatile playmaker who adds speed, toughness and instincts to the Bears defense.

12. SAINTS

VERNON HARGREAVES, CB, Florida

The Saints will give the three first-round caliber wide receivers consideration here, and Drew Brees will be in their ear asking for one of them. But the bigger need is on defense, and adding a cornerback the likes of this Florida standout is too prudent to pass up.

13. DOLPHINS

MACKENSIE ALEXANDER, CB, Clemson

The Dolphins can go a number of directions here, they failed to fill their glaring hole at cornerback through free agency and happily scoop up one of the best in the draft in Alexander.

14. RAIDERS

RONNIE STANLEY, OT, Notre Dame

The Raiders can’t believe their good fortune when Stanley, a top-five caliber player, falls to them thanks to the Ravens trading down with the Rams.

15. RAVENS

JACK CONKLIN, OT, Michigan State

The Ravens were close to their dream scenario: trading down with the Rams, picking up a second-rounder this year and a first-rounder next and having the guy they wanted all along in Stanley still on the board at 15. Alas, the Raiders throw a monkey wrench in things. But that’s OK, the Raven still end up with a coveted offensive tackle who will start on day one.

16. LIONS

NOAH SPENCE, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky

The Lions are rolling the dice a bit here on Spence, who has had some well-publicized off-field issues. But the man can flat-out rush the passer, and that is just too much to pass up.

17. FALCONS

DARRON LEE, LB, Ohio State

The Falcons give in-state linebacker Leonard Floyd a good look here, but Lee’s best football is ahead of him and his intelligence, instincts and playmaking making him an ideal pick for the present and the future.

18. COLTS

TAYLOR DECKER​, OT, Ohio State

Decker doesn’t get the hype of Stanley and Conklin, but he’ll start from the get-go, protect Andrew Luck and provide the type of run blocking that profiles perfectly at the next level.

19. BILLS

A’SHAWN ROBINSON, DT, Alabama

Rex Ryan understands the foundation of any great defense is a great defensive line. Robinson is a beast, and Ryan is the perfect coach for him.

20. JETS

VERNON BUTLER​, DT, Louisiana Tech

The Jets could go offense here — and who knows, Paxton Lynch and Connor Cook might be in play considering the lack of urgency getting Ryan Fitzpatrick re-signed. Butler has too much upside as a havoc-creating interior lineman to pass on him here.

21. REDSKINS

LAQUON TREADWELL, WR, Ole Miss

Washington has its quarterback in Kirk Cousins, now it’s time to go get him some help. Treadwell isn’t a speed burner, but he runs great routes, catches everything and is the best overall receiver in the draft.

22. TEXANS

JOSH DOCTSON, WR, TCU

The Texans were hoping Treadwell would fall to them, but Doctson isn’t a bad fall-back option by any means.

23. VIKINGS

COREY COLEMAN​, WR, Baylor

The run on receivers continues with the Vikings providing Teddy Bridgewater with an elite weapon on the outside.

24. BENGALS

ANDREW BILLINGS​, DT, Baylor

A converted offensive lineman, Billings has shown steady improvement on the defensive side of the ball. That growth and development will only continue in the NFL.

25. STEELERS

ELI APPLE, CB, Ohio State

The Steelers do what they do best — sit back and pluck the best player left on the board. Apple fits a big area of need on the back end of the Pittsburgh defense.

26. SEAHAWKS

EMMANUEL OGBAH, DE, Oklahoma St.

The Seahawks soften the blow of losing playmaking edge rusher Bruce Irvin by nabbing Ogbah, a defensive end with huge upside. In other words, right up Pete Carroll’s alley.

27. PACKERS

ROBERT NKEMDICHE, DT, Mississippi

With B.J. Raji retiring, the Packers have a huge need along the defensive line. Nkemdiche has some issues, but the rewards far outweigh the risk for such a promising player.

28. CHIEFS

WILL FULLER, WR, Notre Dame

Fuller is the fastest of the top-rated receivers and gives the Chiefs a perimeter weapon who can elevate their ability to put the ball in the end zone.

29. CARDINALS

WILLIAM JACKSON, CB, Houston

Jackson is moving up draft boards, and it wouldn’t be a shock if he supplanted some of the higher ranked cornerbacks come draft day, For now, the Cardinals happily bring him into the fold.

30. PANTHERS

LEONARD FLOYD, OLB, Georgia

The Panthers don’t have an obvious need at linebacker, but they remain true to their board and pick the best player available.

31. BRONCOS

PAXTON LYNCH, QB, Memphis

Connor Cook is probably the safer pick in terms of getting on the field quicker, but the marriage of Lynch and Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak is just too intriguing to let slip away. If anyone is capable of getting Lynch on the field sooner, it’s Kubiak.

from off the net

—

Deadpool

2016 top 100 Big Board

We are exactly 4 weeks from the draft and so I thought with most of the pro days done and only private workouts left to post my 2nd annual big board.
Some disclaimers first:

1. Top 10 was pretty easy in my mind. Then 11 thru 45 seems like 1 big jumbled mess. And what I think is really going to happen is teams are going to be drafting these guys to fit the holes on their team that fit schemes, so the talking heads are going to lose their minds on some of these picks. And its not going to be fair. Example: a team needs a speedy WR to stretch the field, they draft Coleman over Doctson or Treadwell and get roasted by The Tan and The Haircut. Or a team needs a penetrating DT instead of a plugger, it will be all over the board.

2. QBs are their own animal really. I find it tough to place them.

3. This is not a mock draft. And some information (medical or off the field) stuff we will not know about will slide a guy or 3 down the board and we won’t know until it happens. Not my fault.

4. Feel free to challenge me, ask questions or anything else. I take no offense and generally enjoy the debates.

5. Apologies for any player I missed. I went thru this list multiple times and I get a feeling I’m missing at least 1 player.

2016 Big Board:

1. Laremy Tunsil – OT – Ole Miss. – Ole Miss – Plug and Play LT for a decade. Safest pick in the draft IMO. Athletic, smooth and handles the run as well as the pass. Red Flag is a no concern issue for me.

2. Jalen Ramsey – FS/CB – Florida State – A generational talent at S that can also play CB at a high level. 6′-1″ and over 200 lbs makes him an ideal FS IMO. Smooth. Just smooth. Moving, changing direction, in his backpedal… He is also a very effective blitzer.

3. Joey Bosa – DE – Ohio State – 3 down end that is strong and explosive. He also sets a very good edge in the run game. Maybe a red flag for partying?

4. Myles Jack – LB – UCLA – a stud athlete that can pass cover, rush the QB and plays sideline to sideline. Top 5 prospect, even after injury. I wish he was a little more physical.

5. Ezekiel Elliott – RB – Ohio State – Great size, great speed, good feet. Elite RB talent.

6. Vernon Hargreaves – CB – Florida – 5′-11″ shutdown corner. Really smooth with loose hips. I like him more then Ramsey as far as the CB position.

7. Carson Wentz – QB – NDSU – 6′-5″ 237 lb. QB, comes from a pro style offense. Big arm. May need some time to acclimate since he has thrown only 600 passes.

8. Ronnie Stanley – OT – Notre Dame – Solid, workhorse type LT. Nothing flashy, just gets the job done.

9. DeForest Buckner – DE – Oregon – Growing on me, looks like 3-4 DE, sky is the limit for this guy. Calais Campbell seems like a fair comparison.

10. Sheldon Rankins – DT – Louisville – my top interior pass rusher @ 6′-1″ 300 lbs.

11. Shaq Lawson – DE – Clemson – a tad short, great hands and motor. Converts speed into power.

12. Emmanuel Ogbah – DE – Okla. St. – Size/speed prototype needs to be more consistent.

13. Darron Lee – OLB – Ohio St. – New breed of NFL ‘backer, sideline to sideline finisher.

14. A’Shawn Robinson – DT – Alabama – Smooth & strong, I think he is a 3 down DT.

15. Jared Goff – QB – Cal – Best QB tape from this season. Decent arm, size, hand size…?

16. Andrew Billings – DT – Baylor – Powerhouse, can get out of control. Think bull + china shop.

17. Laquon Treadwell – WR – Ol Miss – My top WR, not a speedster, but does everything else well. Excellent run blocker.

18. Reggie Ragland – ILB – Alabama – old school, big physical LBer, strong and aggressive.

19. Jack Conklin – OT – Mich. St. – Mauler with an excellent base.

20. Eli Apple – CB – Ohio St. – 6′-0″ 4.40, fits new type of CB, tad raw.

21. Leonard Floyd – Edge – Georgia – 3-4 edge rusher, pass rush terror, narrow lower half.

22. Jarran Reed – DT – Alabama – fits any scheme, strong anchor. More consistent then Robinson.

23. Mackensie Alexander – CB – Clemson – physical, man cover DB with swagger and no college INTs.

24. Noah Spence – Edge – East. Kent. – Dominated this past year, perma banned from big ten for ecstasy drug test failures.

25. Vernon Butler – DT – Louis. Tech – Explosive, strong, with coaching is gonna be a stud.

26. Corey Coleman – WR – Baylor – 5′-10″, takes the top off a defense, limited route tree

27. Robert Nkemdiche – DT – Ol Miss – Stud athlete, never matched his hype, drug red flags?

28. Paxton Lynch – QB – Memphis – Big, Rocket arm, athletic, raw.

29. Derrick Henry – RB – Alabama – North/South Bulldozer, has some speed to his game. Definition of a workhorse.

30. Jonathan Bullard – DE – Florida – 1st and 2nd down – DE, 3rd down DT.

31. Josh Doctson – WR – TCU – catches everything, may have issues with CBs jamming him.

32. Adolphus Washington – DT – Ohio St. – Quick first step, disruptor type. Hooker red flag.

33. Kevin Dodd – DE – Clemson – Prototypical 4-3 Base end, high motor.

34. Taylor Decker – OT – Ohio St. – Mauler, could play on right to start career.

35. Cody Whitehair – OG – Kansas St. – Tough SoB, moving inside from OT. Could use some strength.

36. Michael Thomas – WR – Ohio St. – 6′-3″ 215 4.5, great size, good hands, good route runner.

37. Keanu Neal – S – Florida – I’m a sucker for big hitting safeties, and he can run as well.

38. Hunter Henry – TE – Arkan. – “seam” stretcher, match up TE, more then willing blocker.

39. Will Fuller – WR – Notre Dame – THE vertical threat. Issues with drops.

40. Kenny Clark – DT – UCLA – anchor with good burst & leverage.

41. Jason Spriggs – OT – Indiana – Better pass pro then run, Agile and athletic.

42. Connor Cook – QB – Mich. St. – Pro style QB, with accuracy and leadership issues.

43. Vonn Bell – S – Ohio St. – Ball hawking type, not very physical. Flag football physical.

44. Tyler Boyd – WR – Pitt. – Smooth Wr, good size. Separation issues?

45. William Jackson – CB – Houston – 6′ and sub 4.4 speed. Aggressive

46. Carl Nassib – DE – Penn St. – Blue collar pass rusher with typical 4-3 size.

47. Vadal Alexander – OG – LSU – Mauling mountain of a man moving inside.

48. Kendall Fuller – CB – Virg. Tech – Good size/speed corner with injury flags.

49. Karl Joseph – S – WVU – physical defender that can cover. Injury flags.

50. Ryan Kelly – C – Alabama – Tough, strong typical Ala. off. lineman.

51. Darian Thompson – S – Boise St. – Ballhawk that didn’t test well. I still like him.

52. Xavien Howard – CB – Baylor – 6′ overly aggressive CB, smooth but a tad slow.

53. Shalique Calhoun – DE – Mich. St. – productive DE at 250 lbs., maybe a 3-4 edge guy.

54. Sua Cravens – LB/S – USC – a tweener with a nose for the ball. Mark Barron type.

55. Germain ifedi – OT – Texas A&M – Tons of ability, bad habit of lunging. Lazy?

56. Chris Jones – DT – Miss. St. – Big and quick, can get to upright and loose his leverage.

57. Austin Hooper – TE – Stanford – “seam” te and reliable pass catcher.

58. Artie Burns – CB – Maimi- Size/speed/build, needs to be developed.

59. Sterling Shepard – WR – Okla. – All he does is get open and catch everything. Destined to be a slot guy due to size?

60. Kenneth Dixon – RB – Louis. Tech – Real good pass catcher and a tough runner.

61. Dak Prescott – QB – Miss. St. – Leader, athletic, needs coaching up on being a passer.

62. Kyler Fackrell – Edge – Utah St. – 25 yrs. old, high motor, could use some strength.

63. Sebastian Tretola – OG – Arkan. – run blocking mauler.

64. Shon Coleman – OT – Auburn – Well built, good balance, needs strength, cancer survivor.

65. Devontae Booker – RB – Utah – Tons of Yards After Contact.

66. Joshua Garnett – OG – Stanford – Balanced OG with ability to pull.

67. Rashard Higgins – WR – Colo. St. – Smooth WR. good hands, under rated. Timed poorly.

68. Christian Westerman – OG – Ariz. St. – Strong, nasty and under rated.

69. Beniquez Brown – ILB – Miss. St. – Highly procuctive inside thumper.

70. Sheldon Day – DT – Notre Dame – Poor, poor mans Aaron Donald.

71. Braxton Miller – WR – Ohio St. – Explosive athlete, needs time at the position. Slot guy.

72. Jalen Mills – S – LSU – a CB/S tweener with good speed but a tad lean looking.

73. Zack Sanchez – CB – Okla. – tad undersized, a tad undisiplined, but a playmaker.

74. Antonio Morrison – ILB – Florida – Plays fast, a solid tackler.Can get caught in traffic.

75. CJ Prosise – RB – Notre Dame – Size with nice burst. former WR, and the best pass catching RB this year.

76. Kamelei Correa – Edge – Boise St. – Explosive, a little stiff, under the radar.

77. Austin Johnson – DT – Penn st. – Big run plugger.

78. TJ Green – S – Clemson – 6′-3″ FS that is raw but has tons of upside.

79. Jaylon Smith – LB – Notre Dame – top 5 talent. massive issues with that knee injury.

80. Christian Hackenberg – QB – Penn St. – Proto size and arm. Needs to be reprogrammed.

81. Cyrus Jones – CB – Alabama – undersized, came on at the end of the year.

82. Le’Raven Clark – Big and athletic, but inconsistent and needs coaching.

83. Alex Collins – RB – Arkan. – north/south 3 down back.

84. Jeremy Cash – S – Duke – tough safety with good size. Needs work in coverage.

85. Leonte Carroo – WR – Rutgers – Gets open, average size, has a domestic red flag.

86. Cardale Jones – QB – Ohio St. – Athletic, rocket launcher arm. Needs time as a backup.

87. Deion Jones – 220 lb. tweener backer the NFL is starting to like. Very smooth, very active.

88. Marice Canady – CB – Virginia – 6’-1″ 4.49, could using some coaching up.

89. Charles Tapper – DE – Okla. – looks the part, flashes that talent, then can disappear.

90. Nick Vannett – TE – Ohio St. – Combo TE. Not a seam stretcher.

91. Kentrell Brothers – ILB – Mizzou – 2 down LBer with good instincts.

92. Jack Allen – C – Mich. St. – Technician, tad undersized. team leader with HS wrestling background.

93. Nick Vigil – ILB – Utah – Solid 2 down run defender.

94. Joe Haeg – OL – NDSU – could play 4 spots in the pros. Needs to add some strength.

95. Tyler Matakevich – ILB – Temple – Textbook MLB minus the size.

96. Pharoh Cooper – WR – South Carolina – Swiss army knife playmaker.

97. Scooby Wright – LB – Arizona – Ultra instinctual with huge college production. tested poorly.

98. Yannick Ngakoue – Edge – Maryland – productive pass rusher only.

99. KJ Dillon – S – WVU – physical, plays the pass and run. Good size and returns kicks.

100. Roberto Aguayo – K – Florida St. – He kicks…footballs.