2015 NFL Draft Big Board: Matt Miller's Early Projections

When summer turns to fall, you can bet that NFL scouts are filling out the seats in college press boxes and film rooms as preparation for the upcoming NFL draft begins. The process is the same here at Bleacher Report, as all eyes on Saturdays are looking for the next great NFL draft prospect.

Which players are standouts at their respective position already? Many know the obvious names like Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston, but what about the lesser-known players worthy of a draft pick at each position? In this very early watch list, we'll take a look at the top 10 players at each position and include their overall ranking if inside the Top 100.

Please note, underclassmen are included only if they are a top-75 player in the 2015 draft class. Per NFL rules, a college player must be three years removed from their high school graduation to be draft eligible. That means redshirt sophomore, juniors and seniors are included here.

Top 25 Overall

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Many felt the 2014 NFL draft was the deepest ever. In 2015 we'll see a top-heavy group that may lack the overall depth of last year's draft, but NFL teams have to be excited about the top-end talent here.

The top 25 players for the 2015 NFL draft at this time is dominated by the Pac-12 and Florida State, with 10 players on this list coming from those areas. It's no surprise that the defending BCS champion Seminoles are well represented here, but it's telling that so many players come from the defensive side of the ball.

2015 NFL Draft Top 25 Players 

Rank	Player	School
1	QB Marcus Mariota	Oregon
2	DE Leonard Williams	USC
3	OT Cedric Ogbuehi	Texas A&M
4	DE Randy Gregory	Nebraska
5	QB Jameis Winston	Florida State
6	QB Brett Hundley	UCLA
7	OT Brandon Scherff	Iowa
8	OLB Vic Beasley	Clemson
9	DT Michael Bennett	Ohio State
10	CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu	Oregon
11	OLB Shaq Thompson	Washington
12	DE Dante Fowler, Jr.	Florida
13	DE Shilique Calhoun	Michigan State
14	WR Amari Cooper	Alabama
15	CB Marcus Peters	Washington
16	RB Todd Gurley	Georgia
17	SS Landon Collins	Alabama
18	CB Ronald Darby	Florida State
19	OT La'el Collins	LSU
20	WR Sammie Coates	Auburn
21	RB Melvin Gordon	Wisconsin
22	WR DeVante Parker	Louisville
23	DE Mario Edwards, Jr.	Florida State
24	CB P.J. Williams	Florida State
25	OLB Leonard Floyd	Georgia

Top 10 Quarterbacks

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The 2015 quarterback class is anchored by underclassmen, but they're good ones. Oregon's Marcus Mariota would have been my No. 1 ranked quarterback in last year's top-heavy quarterback class and has already shown improvement in two games this year.

Redshirt sophomore Jameis Winston has all the tools to be a franchise quarterback and No. 1 pick candidate, but off-field concerns will be a major question mark on his scouting report. Brett Hundley has tools, but a lack of talent around him at UCLA could be a blackmark for his report.

Keep an eye on juniors Connor Cook and Everett Golson as names coming out of the two traditional running schools worth watching. Cook won't put up eye-opening numbers in the Michigan State offense, but has all the traits pro scouts love at the position.

And if you want a sleeper here, it's Southeastern Louisiana's Bryan Bennett. The former Oregon Duck has impressive skills.

2015 Quarterback Rankings

Rank	Player	School	Top 100 Rank
1	Marcus Mariota	Oregon	1
2	Jameis Winston	Florida State	5
3	Brett Hundley	UCLA	6
4	Connor Cook	Michigan State	31
5	Everett Golson	Notre Dame	50
6	Sean Mannion	Oregon State	79
7	Bryce Petty	Baylor	89
8	Chuckie Keeton	Utah State	97
9	Braxton Miller	Ohio State	N/R
10	Andrew Manley	Eastern Illinois	N/R

Top 10 Running Backs

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The streak of no running back being drafted in the first round is about to end. You can thank Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon and the rest of this talented class for that.

The trio of Gurley, Gordon and South Carolina's Mike Davis all rank as potential first-round targets, and Alabama's T.J. Yeldon isn't too far behind.

With teams like Seattle, San Francisco and Green Bay making the power run game sexy again, look for these running backs to be hot targets in the 2015 draft.

Outside the top four runners, keep an eye on Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah. He's the best senior running back in the country and has starting NFL talent.

2015 Running Back Rankings

Rank	Player	School	Top 100 Rank
1	Todd Gurley	Georgia	16
2	Melvin Gordon	Wisconsin	21
3	Mike Davis	South Carolina	26
4	T.J. Yeldon	Alabama	35
5	Duke Johnson	Miami	49
6	Ameer Abdullah	Nebraska	52
7	Karlos Williams	Florida State	84
8	Jeremy Langford	Michigan State	93
9	Malcolm Brown	Texas	96
10	Corey Grant	Auburn	N/R

Top 10 Wide Receivers

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There is currently no Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans here, but Alabama's Amari Cooper leads a strong overall group of wide receivers. It's early, but this class has four players with a first-round grade and nine in the top two rounds.

Cooper is the most polished of the group, even if he's not the most explosive. Top senior wide out DeVante Parker is nursing a broken bone in his foot and is out currently, but as long as he's healthy for the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine, his stock should be just fine.

Ty Montgomery and Stefon Diggs are fantastic athletes with special teams contribution skills, so their value could go up in certain schemes and for teams with a need there. Another versatile player, Michigan's Devin Funchess, may be seen as a tight end by some.

2015 Wide Receiver Rankings

Rank	Player	School	Top 100 Rank
1	Amari Cooper	Alabama	14
2	Sammie Coates	Auburn	20
3	DeVante Parker	Louisville	22
4	Nelson Agholor	USC	27
5	Jaelen Strong	Arizona State	36
6	Ty Montgomery	Stanford	37
7	Devin Funchess	Michigan	39
8	Rashad Greene	Florida State	51
9	Kasen Williams	Washington	58
10	Stefon Diggs	Maryland	64

Top 10 Tight Ends

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Entering the season, there is no dominant tight end prospect in the country. With Devin Funchess moving to wide receiver this season at Michigan, scouts are left looking for a trut tight end with the value to pick in the first two rounds. 

Florida State's Nick O'Leary has the hands to be a nice target, and Ohio State's Jeff Heuerman is versatile, high character and one of the strongest players on the entire team, but neither player has a top two round grade at this point.

The depth in the class is lacking, too, which opens the door for a surprise player to rise up boards late.

2015 Tight End Rankings

Rank	Player	School	Top 100 Rank
1	Nick O'Leary	Florida State	69
2	Jeff Heuerman	Ohio State	75
3	Ben Koyack	Notre Dame	N/R
4	Rory Anderson	South Carolina	N/R
5	E.J. Bibbs	Iowa State	N/R
6	MyCole Pruitt	Southern Illinois	N/R
7	Randall Telfer	USC	N/R
8	C.J. Uzomah	Auburn	N/R
9	Braxton Deaver	Duke	N/R
10	Wes Saxton	South Alabama	N/R

Top 10 Offensive Tackles

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Following a draft in which three offensive tackles were drafted inside the top 10 picks, you might expect a let down in 2015. That's unlikely thanks to the new offensive tackle factory at Texas A&M and yet another bluechip prospect from Kirk Ferentz's program at Iowa.

La'el Collins at LSU is another first-round caliber blocker worth watching. Andrus Peat gets a lot of attention at Stanford, but in marquee matchups I haven't been as impressed with his finishing ability. If there's a sleeper here, it's Oklahoma's duo of Tyrus Thompson and Daryl Williams. Both players are athletic and bring big upside to the position.

2015 Offensive Tackle Rankings

Rank	Player	School	Top 100 Rank
1	Cedric Ogbuehi	Texas A&M	3
2	Brandon Scherff	Iowa	7
3	La'el Collins	LSU	19
4	Andrus Peat	Stanford	30
5	Cameron Erving	Florida State	43
6	Tyrus Thompson	Oklahoma	47
7	Ereck Flowers	Miami (Fla.)	72
8	Ty Sambrailo	Colorado State	82
9	Sean Hickey	Syracuse	86
10	Daryl Williams	Oklahoma	N/R

Top 10 Offensive Guards

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The offensive guard position has received a resurrection in year's past, thanks to the importance of offensive line play and schemes in places like New Orleans and Seattle. That said, there is currently not a first-round talent among the offensive guards.

It's easy to look at Florida State and see big talent at the position, and both Tre' Jackson and Josue Matias have room to move up the board as they emerge as better individual blockers. For now though, South Carolina's A.J. Cann is the best of the class. 

2015 Guard Rankings

Rank	Player	School	Top 100 Rank
1	A.J. Cann	South Carolina	59
2	Arie Kouandjio	Alabama	70
3	Tre' Jackson	Florida State	80
4	Josue Matias	Florida State	81
5	Laken Tomlinson	Duke	N/R
6	Aundray Walker	USC	N/R
7	Jarvis Harrison	Texas A&M	N/R
8	John Miller	Louisville	N/R
9	Miles Dieffenbach	Penn State	N/R
10	Jamil Douglas	Arizona State	N/R

Top 10 Centers

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The first center drafted in 2014 was Weston Richburg from Colorado State at pick No. 43. It's very unlikely that a center will come off the board earlier than that in the upcoming draft, even when you factor in underclassmen.

Auburn's Reese Dismukes is pro-ready as a run blocker, but does need seasoning as a pass protector in a non-NFL style offense. Oregon's Hroniss Grasu looks the part, but also plays most of his snaps in space and needs work in the run game as a power blocker.

2015 Center Rankings

Rank	Player	School	Top 100 Rank
1	Reese Dismukes	Auburn	85
2	Hroniss Grasu	Oregon	91
3	B.J. Finney	Kansas State	N/R
4	David Andrews	Georgia	N/R
5	Brandon Vitabile	Northwestern	N/R
6	Andy Gallik	Boston College	N/R
7	Greg Mancz	Toledo	N/R
8	Jake Smith	Louisville	N/R
9	Shane McDermott	Miami (Fla.)	N/R
10	Austin Barron	Florida State	N/R

Top 10 4-3 Defensive Ends

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If your favorite team runs a base 4-3 defense, these are the players who best fit that scheme as a defensive end. Of course, new wrinkles and variations in each scheme makes covering draft boards for all 32 teams tough in one static ranking, but these players best represent what most scouts look for in a 4-3 defensive end.

When a player has other scheme versatility, it's noted below.

USC's Leonard Williams is a unique, transcendent defender, capable of playing multiple positions along the defensive line at a high level. From his spot at left defensive end in the Trojans' three-man front, Williams has shown rare skills to dominate the game.

The potential of Randy Gregory is high, but he's nursing a knee injury that could easily slow him down and cause a drop down the board if it proves to be a lasting issue.

2015 4-3 Defensive Ends Rankings

Rank	Player	School	Top 100 Rank	Other Position
1	Leonard Williams	USC	2	3-4 DE, DT
2	Randy Gregory	Nebraska	4	3-4 OLB
3	Dante Fowler, Jr.	Florida	12	3-4 OLB
4	Shilique Calhoun	Michigan State	13	3-4 OLB
5	Mario Edwards, Jr.	Florida State	23	3-4 DE, DT
6	Hauoli Kikaha	Washington	28	3-4 OLB
7	Shawn Oakman	Baylor	29	3-4 DE
8	Cedric Reed	Texas	32
9	Trey Flowers	Arkansas	41	3-4 OLB
10	Markus Golden	Missouri	42	3-4 OLB

Top 10 4-3 Defensive Tackles

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If your favorite team runs a base 4-3 defense, these are the players who best fit that scheme as a defensive tackle in either a 1 or 3 technique position (noted below). Of course, new wrinkles and variations in each scheme makes covering draft boards for all 32 teams tough in one static ranking, but these players best represent what most scouts look for in a 4-3 defensive tackle.

When a player has other scheme versatility, it's noted below.

Michael Bennett anchors a talented Ohio State defensive line that has yet to reach their potential as a group, but as a stand-alone player, Bennett is a star. He has the quickness and vision to be an Aaron Donald-type player in the 2015 draft.

2015 4-3 Defensive Tackle Rankings

Rank	Player	School	Top 100 Rank	Other Position
1	Michael Bennett	Ohio State	9	3-technique
2	Carl Davis	Iowa	38	1, 3-technique
3	Ellis McCarthy	UCLA	48	0, 1-technique
4	Christian Covington	Rice	53	3-4 DE
5	Danny Shelton	Washington	62	0-technique
6	Gabe Wright	Auburn	76	3-4 DE
7	Tyeler Davison	Fresno State	77	3-technique
8	Leon Orr	Florida	88	3-technique
9	Brandon Ivory	Alabama	N/R	0-technique
10	Grady Jarrett	Clemson	N/R	3-technique

Top 10 4-3 Outside Linebackers

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The definition of what an outside linebacker is in a 4-3 defense has changed over the last five seasons thanks to players like Von Miller, Khalil Mack and other versatile athletes lining up on the edge. A 4-3 outside linebacker must be able to play in coverage, against the run and rush the quarterback, but it's common for a player to really only excel in one or two areas and not be used in others. For example, you won't see Von Miller in coverage very often, and it's rare to see Lance Briggs rush the passer.

These players may not all share similar traits, but each would be a fit in a 4-3 defense at outside linebacker.

2015 4-3 Outside Linebackers Rankings

Rank	Player	School	Top 100 Rank	Other Position
1	Vic Beasley	Clemson	8	3-4 OLB
2	Shaq Thompson	Washington	11	3-4 OLB, SS
3	Leonard Floyd	Georgia	25	3-4 OLB
4	Noah Spence	Ohio State	33	3-4 OLB
5	Benardrick McKinney	Miss. State	34	ILB
6	Zach Hodges	Harvard	44	3-4 OLB
7	Eric Striker	Oklahoma	55	ILB
8	Jordan Jenkins	Georgia	65	3-4 OLB
9	Jake Ryan	Michigan	90
10	Geneo Grissom	Oklahoma	95	3-4 OLB

Top 10 3-4 Defensive Ends

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If your favorite team runs a base 3-4 defense, these are the players who best fit that scheme as a defensive end. When scouting for a 3-4 end in today's game, you want someone with the strength to stop the run and the speed and leverage to rush the passer. Think J.J. Watt, Justin Smith and Muhammad Wilkerson.

Players like Lawrence Williams and Arik Armstead come to the NFL with experience playing in a 3-4 defense, but others are more of an athletic or skill set projection. When you look at a Mario Edwards or Carl Davis, it's easy to project them to multiple alignments and schemes across the league. 

2015 3-4 Defensive Ends Rankings

Rank	Player	School	Top 100 Rank
1	Leonard Williams	USC	2
2	Mario Edwards, Jr.	Florida State	23
3	Shawn Oakman	Baylor	29
4	Carl Davis	Iowa	38
5	Arik Armstead	Oregon	57
6	Gabe Wright	Auburn	76
7	Travis Raciti	San Jose State	N/R
8	Desmond Hollin	Florida State	N/R
9	Olsen Pierre	Miami (Fla.)	N/R
10	Henry Anderson	Stanford	N/R

Top 10 3-4 Outside Linebackers

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The 3-4 outside linebacker has become one of the most watched positions in the NFL thanks to the spread of the four linebacker look. In college we are seeing more and more 3-4 schemes, but the NFL ranks are still largely filled out by players who spent their college days at defensive end.

Projecting a player to the 3-4 outside linebacker role means looking for a pass rusher with speed, agility and high-levels of athleticism in order to rush off the edge, stuff the run in space and operate in coverage if needed.

With that in mind, these are the special athletes worthy of playing in a 3-4 defense.

2015 3-4 Outside Linebackers Rankings

Rank	Player	School	Top 100 Rank	Other Position
1	Randy Gregory	Nebraska	4	4-3 DE
2	Vic Beasley	Clemson	8	4-3 DE
3	Shaq Thompson	Washington	11	4-3 OLB, SS
4	Dante Fowler	Florida	12	4-3 DE
5	Shilique Calhoun	Michigan State	13	4-3 DE
6	Leonard Floyd	Georgia	25	4-3 OLB
7	Hauoli Kikaha	Washington	28	4-3 DE
8	Noah Spence	Ohio State	33	4-3 OLB
9	Trey Flowers	Arkansas	41	4-3 DE
10	Markus Golden	Missouri	42	4-3 DE

Top 10 Inside Linebackers

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College football doesn't have that Luke Kuechly, Derrick Johnson or Patrick Willis type of inside linebacker right now, but the 2015 draft class does have talented middle 'backers worth watching.

Miami's Denzel Perryman is a thumper on the inside and has the skill set to play in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense. With his speed, he's also an asset in coverage or when rushing the quarterback on a delayed blitz. Similarly, UCLA's Eric Kendricks has been all over the field for the Bruins and is already moving up the board with strong early-season showings.

2015 Inside Linebackers Rankings

Rank	Player	School	Top 100 Rank
1	Denzel Perryman	Miami (Fla.)	40
2	Eric Kendricks	UCLA	54
3	A.J. Johnson	Tennessee	94
4	Ramik Wilson	Georgia	98
5	Ben Heeney	Kansas	N/R
6	A.J. Tarpley	Stanford	N/R
7	Hayes Pullard	USC	N/R
8	Taiwan Jones	Michigan State	N/R
9	Stephone Anthony	Clemson	N/R
10	Trey DePriest	Alabama	N/R

Top 10 Cornerbacks

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Cornerback ranks as the second hardest position to transition to in the NFL, at least in my book. And with a high bust rate among recent first round picks plus natural regression, most NFL teams are looking for at least one cornerback in every draft.

The 2015 class looks stacked at the position at this early juncture. Oregon's Ifo Ekpre-Olomu might not be built like Richard Sherman (he's just over 5'9"), but his speed, instincts and ball skills are impressive. If you want size, Marcus Peters and Ronald Darby give you length and speed. 

The sleeper of this class, so far, is Wake Forest's Kevin Johnson. He has the length and size teams are craving at cornerback.

2015 Cornerback Rankings

Rank	Player	School	Top 100 Rank
1	Ifo Ekpre-Olomu	Oregon	2
2	Marcus Peters	Washington	15
3	Ronald Darby	Florida State	18
4	P.J. Williams	Florida State	24
5	Trae Waynes	Michigan State	46
6	Quandre Diggs	Texas	56
7	Kevin Johnson	Wake Forest	66
8	Josh Shaw	USC	71
9	Doran Grant	Ohio State	83
10	Cam Thomas	Western Kentucky	N/R

Top 10 Safeties

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As mobile quarterbacks become more prevalent in the NFL, the role of athletic safeties will continue to increase. And just as safeties are asked to stop the outside run from quarterbacks, they're also being asked to cover freak athletes at tight end and ever-growing monsters at wide receiver.

Broken up between free and strong safeties, here is a look at the 2015 draft class. Only Landon Collins carries a Round 1 grade today, but Kurtis Drummond has the skills to be a late first-rounder if a team has a need at free safety.

2015 Safety Rankings

Rank	Player	School	Top 100 Rank	Strong/Free
1	Landon Collins	Alabama	17	Strong
2	Kurtis Drummond	Michigan State	45	Free
3	Derron Smith	Fresno State	60	Free
4	Cody Prewitt	Ole Miss	63	Free
5	Anthony Harris	Virginia	73	Strong
6	Tyler Hunter	Florida State	100	Strong
7	Jordan Richards	Stanford	N/R	Strong
8	Kyshoen Jarrett	Virginia Tech	N/R	Strong
9	Jermaine Whitehead	Auburn	N/R	Free
10	Justin Cox	Miss. State	N/R	Free