2016 NFL Draft Big Board: Matt Miller's Quarter-Season Rankings
All summer I told you loyal draft fans that the 2016 class looked like the year of the pass-rusher, and it does. But the NFL is about to get an infusion of talent at running back, defensive tackle and linebacker that will rival most draft classes I've seen in my five years at Bleacher Report.
When you think of the 2016 draft class, you'll probably think of Jared Goff (QB, California) or Joey Bosa (EDGE, Ohio State), and you should, because they are two very capable headliners. But don't forget Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith—a Patrick Willis-like linebacker with three-down skills and the tools to play any of the three linebacker spots in a 4-3 scheme.
You also can't forget about UCLA nose tackle Kenny Clark, and how his ability to stop the run—the best in college football right now—is blended with rare quickness and athleticism for a 0-technique. And how about Ezekiel Elliott? The Ohio State running back is dominant as a runner and receiver, and he might just take the Heisman Trophy with him to the NFL.
The list goes on and on. And while draft analysts have a tendency to oversell the value of a class in the summer months, after four weeks of play, there is no doubt that the 2016 draft class has blue chips at the top.
Top 100 Overall
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The first official rankings of the 2015 season mean major changes to the big board. That's what a month of game film and injuries will do to NFL draft rankings.
And that's important to note. Draft rankings are supposed to change. You make a list over the summer based on the 2014 season, factoring in potential and expectations, and then it all gets blown away when the actual games start again. Draft evaluations are fluid, and they should change to reflect on-field performance and off-field issues. And that's what you're seeing here.
| Rank | Player | School | Pos |
| 1 | Jared Goff | California | QB |
| 2 | Jaylon Smith | Notre Dame | LB |
| 3 | Joey Bosa | Ohio State | EDGE |
| 4 | Ronnie Stanley | Notre Dame | T |
| 5 | Vernon Hargreaves | Florida | CB |
| 6 | Robert Nkemdiche | Ole Miss | DL |
| 7 | Laremy Tunsil | Ole Miss | T |
| 8 | Jalen Ramsey | Florida State | CB |
| 9 | Mike Williams | Clemson | WR |
| 10 | Laquon Treadwell | Ole Miss | WR |
| 11 | Jack Conklin | Michigan State | T |
| 12 | Christian Hackenberg | Penn State | QB |
| 13 | Ezekiel Elliott | Ohio State | RB |
| 14 | Jordan Jenkins | Georgia | EDGE |
| 15 | Myles Jack | UCLA | LB |
| 16 | Kenny Clark | UCLA | DL |
| 17 | A'Shawn Robinson | Alabama | DL |
| 18 | DeForest Buckner | Oregon | DL |
| 19 | Taylor Decker | Ohio State | T |
| 20 | Su'a Cravens | USC | LB/S |
| 21 | Austin Johnson | Penn State | DL |
| 22 | Shaq Lawson | Clemson | EDGE |
| 23 | Tyler Boyd | Pitt | WR |
| 24 | Jayron Kearse | Clemson | FS |
| 25 | Michael Thomas | Ohio State | WR |
| 26 | Vonn Bell | Ohio State | SS |
| 27 | Darron Lee | Ohio State | EDGE |
| 28 | Jeremy Cash | Duke | SS |
| 29 | Kenny Lawler | California | WR |
| 30 | Josh Doctson | TCU | WR |
| 31 | Vince Biegel | Wisconsin | EDGE |
| 32 | Andrew Billings | Baylor | DL |
| 33 | Shilique Calhoun | Michigan State | EDGE |
| 34 | Joshua Perry | Ohio State | LB |
| 35 | Reggie Ragland | Alabama | LB |
| 36 | Scooby Wright | Arizona | LB |
| 37 | Leonard Floyd | Georgia | EDGE |
| 38 | Adolphus Washington | Ohio State | DL |
| 39 | Cameron Sutton | Tennessee | CB |
| 40 | Jason Spriggs | Indiana | T |
| 41 | Darian Thompson | Boise State | FS |
| 42 | Will Fuller | Notre Dame | WR |
| 43 | Jarran Reed | Alabama | DL |
| 44 | Paul Perkins | UCLA | RB |
| 45 | Jonathan Bullard | Florida | EDGE |
| 46 | Kentrell Brothers | Missouri | LB |
| 47 | Chris Jones | Mississippi State | DL |
| 48 | Cardale Jones | Ohio State | QB |
| 49 | Tre'Davious White | LSU | CB |
| 50 | Rashard Higgins | Colorado State | WR |
| 51 | Hunter Henry | Arkansas | TE |
| 52 | Sheldon Day | Notre Dame | DL |
| 53 | Vadal Alexander | LSU | G |
| 54 | Connor Cook | Michigan State | QB |
| 55 | Braxton Miller | Ohio State | WR |
| 56 | Germain Ifedi | Texas A&M | T |
| 57 | O.J. Howard | Alabama | TE |
| 58 | Emmanuel Ogbah | Oklahoma State | EDGE |
| 59 | Max Tuerk | USC | C |
| 60 | Jake Butt | Michigan | TE |
| 61 | Corey Coleman | Baylor | WR |
| 62 | Sheldon Rankins | Louisville | DL |
| 63 | C.J. Prosise | Notre Dame | RB |
| 64 | Devontae Booker | Utah | RB |
| 65 | Tajae Sharpe | UMass | WR |
| 66 | Derrick Henry | Alabama | RB |
| 67 | Carson Wentz | North Dakota State | QB |
| 68 | Evan Engram | Ole Miss | TE |
| 69 | Karl Joseph | West Virginia | SS |
| 70 | Spencer Drango | Baylor | T |
| 71 | Roberto Aguayo | Florida State | K |
| 72 | Connor McGovern | Missouri | G |
| 73 | Jacoby Brissett | NC State | QB |
| 74 | Christian Westerman | Arizona State | G |
| 75 | Daeshon Hall | Texas A&M | EDGE |
| 76 | Noah Spence | Eastern Kentucky | EDGE |
| 77 | Maliek Collins | Nebraska | DL |
| 78 | Cody Whitehair | Kansas State | G |
| 79 | Fabian Moreau | UCLA | CB |
| 80 | William Jackson | Houston | CB |
| 81 | Pat Elflein | Ohio State | G |
| 82 | Cody Kessler | USC | QB |
| 83 | Nick Martin | Notre Dame | C |
| 84 | Devonte Fields | TCU | EDGE |
| 85 | Alex Collins | Arkansas | RB |
| 86 | Evan Boehm | Missouri | C |
| 87 | Kodi Whitfield | Stanford | FS |
| 88 | Byron Marshall | Oregon | RB/WR |
| 89 | K.J. Dillon | West Virginia | FS |
| 90 | Christian French | Oregon | EDGE |
| 91 | Chris Wormley | Michigan | DL |
| 92 | Joe Schobert | Wisconsin | LB |
| 93 | Sterling Shepard | Oklahoma | WR |
| 94 | Carl Nassib | Penn State | EDGE |
| 95 | Eric Striker | Oklahoma | EDGE |
| 96 | Curt Maggitt | Tennessee | EDGE |
| 97 | Mike Matthews | Texas A&M | C |
| 98 | Michael Jordan | Missouri Western | CB |
| 99 | Kendall Fuller | Virginia Tech | CB |
| 100 | Kendell Beckwith | LSU | LB |
Quarterbacks
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Most NFL-Ready: Jared Goff, California
Best Arm: Cardale Jones, Ohio State
Best Runner: Trevone Boykin, TCU
Best Potential: Cardale Jones, Ohio State
Biggest Question Mark: Gunner Kiel, Cincinnati
Biggest Sleeper: Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Jared Goff | California |
| 2 | Christian Hackenberg | Penn State |
| 3 | Cardale Jones | Ohio State |
| 4 | Connor Cook | Michigan State |
| 5 | Carson Wentz | North Dakota St. |
| 6 | Jacoby Brissett | NC State |
| 7 | Cody Kessler | USC |
| 8 | Blake Frohnapfel | UMass |
| 9 | Trevone Boykin | TCU |
| 10 | Dak Prescott | Miss. State |
Running Backs
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Most NFL-Ready: Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
Best Third-Down Back: C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame
Best Speed: Byron Marshall, Oregon
Best Power: Derrick Henry, Alabama
Best Potential: Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
Biggest Question Mark: Derrick Henry, Alabama
Biggest Sleeper: Alex Collins, Arkansas
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Ezekiel Elliott | Ohio State |
| 2 | Paul Perkins | UCLA |
| 3 | C.J. Prosise | Notre Dame |
| 4 | Devontae Booker | Utah |
| 5 | Derrick Henry | Alabama |
| 6 | Alex Collins | Arkansas |
| 7 | Byron Marshall | Oregon |
| 8 | Aaron Green | TCU |
| 9 | Tre Madden | USC |
| 10 | Kenyan Drake | Alabama |
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Wide Receivers
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Most NFL-Ready: Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss
Best Boundary Receiver: Mike Williams, Clemson
Best Slot Receiver: Tyler Boyd, Pitt
Best Hands: Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss
Best Route-Runner: Tyler Boyd, Pitt
Best Potential: Mike Williams, Clemson
Biggest Question Mark: Mike Williams, Clemson
Biggest Sleeper: Corey Coleman, Baylor
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Mike Williams | Clemson |
| 2 | Laquon Treadwell | Ole Miss |
| 3 | Tyler Boyd | Pitt |
| 4 | Michael Thomas | Ohio State |
| 5 | Kenny Lawler | California |
| 6 | Josh Doctson | TCU |
| 7 | Will Fuller | Notre Dame |
| 8 | Rashard Higgins | Colorado St. |
| 9 | Braxton Miller | Ohio State |
| 10 | Corey Coleman | Baylor |
Tight Ends
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Most NFL-Ready: O.J. Howard, Alabama
Best Slot Tight End: Kyle Carter, Penn State
Best Hands: Jake Butt, Michigan
Best Route-Runner: Hunter Henry, Arkansas
Best Blocker: Kyle Carter, Penn State
Biggest Question Mark: O.J. Howard, Alabama
Biggest Sleeper: Nick Vannett, Ohio State
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Hunter Henry | Arkansas |
| 2 | O.J. Howard | Alabama |
| 3 | Jake Butt | Michigan |
| 4 | Evan Engram | Ole Miss |
| 5 | Nick Vannett | Ohio State |
| 6 | Kyle Carter | Penn State |
| 7 | Jake Duzey | Iowa |
| 8 | Ryan Malleck | Virginia Tech |
| 9 | Steven Scheu | Vanderbilt |
| 10 | Jerell Adams | South Carolina |
Tackles
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Most NFL-Ready: Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
Best Run-Blocker: Jack Conklin, Michigan State
Best Pass-Blocker: Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
Best Potential: Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M
Biggest Question Mark: Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
Biggest Sleeper: Tyler Johnstone, Oregon
Lowest Risk: Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Ronnie Stanley | Notre Dame |
| 2 | Laremy Tunsil | Ole Miss |
| 3 | Jack Conklin | Michigan State |
| 4 | Taylor Decker | Ohio State |
| 5 | Jason Spriggs | Indiana |
| 6 | Germain Ifedi | Texas A&M |
| 7 | Spencer Drango | Baylor |
| 8 | Clint Van Horn | Marshall |
| 9 | Tyler Johnstone | Oregon |
| 10 | John Theus | Georgia |
Guards
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Most NFL-Ready: Vadal Alexander, LSU
Best Run-Blocker: Connor McGovern, Missouri
Best Pass-Blocker: Vadal Alexander, LSU
Biggest Upside: Landon Turner, North Carolina
Biggest Question Mark: Aaron Morris, Ole Miss
Biggest Sleeper: Parker Ehinger, Cincinnati
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Vadal Alexander | LSU |
| 2 | Connor McGovern | Missouri |
| 3 | Christian Westerman | Arizona State |
| 4 | Cody Whitehair | Kansas State |
| 5 | Pat Elflein | Ohio State |
| 6 | Greg Pyke | Georgia |
| 7 | Vi Teofilo | Arizona State |
| 8 | Landon Turner | North Carolina |
| 9 | Parker Ehinger | Cincinnati |
| 10 | Aaron Morris | Ole Miss |
Centers
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Most NFL-Ready: Max Tuerk, USC
Best Run-Blocker: Mike Matthews, Texas A&M
Best Pass-Blocker: Max Tuerk, USC
Best Upside: Evan Boehm, Missouri
Biggest Question Mark: Dan Voltz, Wisconsin
Biggest Sleeper: Ryan Kelly, Alabama
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Max Tuerk | USC |
| 2 | Nick Martin | Notre Dame |
| 3 | Evan Boehm | Missouri |
| 4 | Mike Matthews | Texas A&M |
| 5 | Dan Voltz | Wisconsin |
| 6 | Ryan Kelly | Alabama |
| 7 | Jack Allen | Michigan State |
| 8 | Austin Blythe | Iowa |
| 9 | Jake Brendel | UCLA |
| 10 | Kyle Friend | Temple |
Edge-Defenders
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Most NFL-Ready: Joey Bosa, Ohio State
Best Run-Stopper: Jonathan Bullard, Florida
Best 4-3 Defensive End: Joey Bosa, Ohio State
Best 3-4 Outside Linebacker: Jordan Jenkins, Georgia
Best Pass-Rusher: Joey Bosa, Ohio State
Best Potential: Vince Biegel, Wisconsin
Biggest Question Mark: Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
Biggest Sleeper: Daeshon Hall, Texas A&M
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Joey Bosa | Ohio State |
| 2 | Jordan Jenkins | Georgia |
| 3 | Shaq Lawson | Clemson |
| 4 | Darron Lee | Ohio State |
| 5 | Vince Biegel | Wisconsin |
| 6 | Shilique Calhoun | Michigan State |
| 7 | Leonard Floyd | Georgia |
| 8 | Jonathan Bullard | Florida |
| 9 | Emmanuel Ogbah | Oklahoma State |
| 10 | Noah Spence | Eastern Kentucky |
Defensive Linemen
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Most NFL-Ready: Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
Best Run-Stopper: Kenny Clark, UCLA
Best Nose Tackle: Kenny Clark, UCLA
Best 3-4 Defensive End: DeForest Buckner, Oregon
Best 3-Technique: Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
Best Pass-Rusher: Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
Best Potential: Shawn Oakman, Baylor
Biggest Question Mark: Shawn Oakman, Baylor
Biggest Sleeper: Austin Johnson, Penn State
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Robert Nkemdiche | Ole Miss |
| 2 | Kenny Clark | UCLA |
| 3 | A'Shawn Robinson | Alabama |
| 4 | DeForest Buckner | Oregon |
| 5 | Austin Johnson | Penn State |
| 6 | Andrew Billings | Baylor |
| 7 | Adolphus Washington | Ohio State |
| 8 | Jarran Reed | Alabama |
| 9 | Chris Jones | Mississippi State |
| 10 | Sheldon Day | Notre Dame |
Linebackers
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Most NFL-Ready: Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
Best Weak-Side Linebacker: Myles Jack, UCLA
Best Strong-Side Linebacker: Kentrell Brothers, Missouri
Best Inside Linebacker: Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
Best Run-Stopper: Kentrell Brothers, Missouri
Best Pass-Rusher: Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
Best Pass Coverage: Myles Jack, UCLA
Best Potential: Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
Biggest Question Mark: Eric Striker, Oklahoma
Biggest Sleeper: Kentrell Brothers, Missouri
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Jaylon Smith | Notre Dame |
| 2 | Myles Jack | UCLA |
| 3 | Su'a Cravens | USC |
| 4 | Joshua Perry | Ohio State |
| 5 | Reggie Ragland | Alabama |
| 6 | Scooby Wright | Arizona |
| 7 | Kentrell Brothers | Missouri |
| 8 | Kendell Beckwith | LSU |
| 9 | Eric Striker | Oklahoma |
| 10 | Kris Frost | Auburn |
Cornerbacks
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Most NFL-Ready: Vernon Hargreaves, Florida
Best Man Coverage: Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
Best Zone Coverage: Vernon Hargreaves, Florida
Best Potential: Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
Biggest Question Mark: KeiVarae Russell, Notre Dame
Biggest Sleeper: Michael Jordan, Missouri Western
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Vernon Hargreaves | Florida |
| 2 | Jalen Ramsey | Florida State |
| 3 | Cameron Sutton | Tennessee |
| 4 | Tre'Davious White | LSU |
| 5 | Fabian Moreau | UCLA |
| 6 | William Jackson | Houston |
| 7 | Michael Jordan | Missouri Western |
| 8 | Kendall Fuller | Virginia Tech |
| 9 | Zack Sanchez | Oklahoma |
| 10 | Will Redmond | Mississippi State |
Safeties
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Most NFL-Ready: Jayron Kearse, Clemson
Best Coverage: Jayron Kearse, Clemson
Best Strong Safety: Vonn Bell, Ohio State
Best Free Safety: Jayron Kearse, Clemson
Best Run-Stopper: Jeremy Cash, Duke
Best Potential: Jayron Kearse, Clemson
Biggest Question Mark: Jalen Mills, LSU
Biggest Sleeper: Darian Thompson, Boise State
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Jayron Kearse | Clemson |
| 2 | Vonn Bell | Ohio State |
| 3 | Jeremy Cash | Duke |
| 4 | Darian Thompson | Boise State |
| 5 | Karl Joseph | West Virginia |
| 6 | Kodi Whitfield | Stanford |
| 7 | Jalen Mills | LSU |
| 8 | Deon Bush | Miami (Fla.) |
| 9 | Elijah Shumate | Notre Dame |
| 10 | Tony Conner | Ole Miss |
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