The Best Player at Each Position in Next Year's NFL Draft Class
It’s never too early for football fanatics to start looking toward the 2016 NFL draft. College football is a few months away from kicking off, so you’ll want to know who the must-watch players are for the upcoming season. We’re helping you by noting the best player at every position who is eligible for the 2016 draft.
With a full season until the 2016 draft takes place, this list could very well change dramatically by then. Newcomers will rise to the challenge, while preseason favorites could struggle.
For now, these are my top positional players entering 2016 based on film work done for the 2015 class. As the games begin in the fall, these rankings will be fluid and subject to change.
Who are your top players in 2016? Let me know in the comments section below.
Quarterback: Jared Goff, Cal
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This might be a surprising choice over more hyped quarterbacks, but make no mistake, Cal’s Jared Goff is the real deal. At 6’4”, 210 pounds, Goff orchestrated the NCAA's sixth-most productive passing offense. He also had 35 touchdowns and just seven interceptions as a true sophomore.
Most impressively about Goff is his ability to stay calm in the pocket despite having a terrible offensive line. A lot of his film shows pressure coming from all over within a mere second of the snap. He still makes great decisions in the pocket and has the arm needed to make necessary throws.
There are some other very intriguing quarterback prospects beside Goff. Ohio State’s Cardale Jones, Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg, Cincinnati’s Gunner Kiel and Michigan State’s Connor Cook are some of the bigger names to watch.
Running Back: Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
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The 2015 class of running backs was just the start of a surge of running back talent in the NFL draft. Ohio State junior running back Ezekiel Elliott has the top spot entering 2015 after an incredible finish to last year.
Elliott, 6’0” and 225 pounds, is a complete back who stars as a runner and receiver. His 1,878 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns in 2015 could be a sign of an even better season in 2016. He had three consecutive 200-yard rushing games against top competition at the end of 2015, and two 100-yard games before that.
Behind Elliott is a deep crop of competitors. Alabama’s Derrick Henry, Pittsburgh’s James Conner, Louisiana Lafayette’s Elijah McGuire and Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Dixon are a few of his closer peers.
Wide Receiver: Tyler Boyd, Pittsburgh
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If you want jaw-dropping catches, elite speed and a great return man, then Pittsburgh’s Tyler Boyd is your guy. The 6’2”, 190-pound receiver is just scratching the surface, too, as his frame continues to mature and he gets more experience. The star sophomore has 2,435 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in two seasons.
Boyd has home run potential on every single play. He forces the defense to roll extra help his way, and then can still take a reception to the house. He’s as electric as anyone in college football.
The 2016 receiver class is truly incredible. Ole Miss receiver Laquon Treadwell is an Andre Johnson clone. There are also players like Notre Dame’s Corey Robinson, Colorado State’s Rashard Higgins, Ohio State’s Michael Thomas and many other talented receivers.
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Tight End: Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech
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All of the top prospects at tight end are very young, so some projection is necessary. Virginia Tech’s Bucky Hodges has incredible upside if his freshman season is any indicator of what he can become.
At 6’6” and 249 pounds, the former quarterback moved to tight end and flashed elite speed and power in 2015. He accounted for 45 receptions and 526 yards in an offense that struggled to produce consistently.
Hodges would have easily been my top tight end in 2015 and, if he can keep getting better, he could be a first-round talent next year. Behind Hodges are players such as Alabama’s O.J. Howard, Oregon’s Johnny Mundt and Penn State’s Kyle Carter.
Offensive Tackle: Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
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Notre Dame tackle Ronnie Stanley considered entering the 2015 NFL draft and, had he done so, would have been the top tackle this year. Nothing changes entering the season, as Stanley has the size (6’6”, 318 pounds), athleticism and technique of an NFL-quality left tackle today.
Stanley will have a lot of competition. Michigan State’s Jack Conklin, Ohio State’s Taylor Decker and Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil are tremendous players as well.
The 2016 class will be a fun one for those who love trench play.
Offensive Guard: Vadal Alexander, LSU
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Another lineman who could have been the top player at his position in the 2015 draft, LSU guard Vadal Alexander is the player to watch for 2016. The punishing 6’6”, 320-pound guard is an ideal power blocker.
His length, lower body strength and hand placement as a pass protector are all advanced for a collegiate player. He clearly works hard in the weight room and it has helped his NFL outlook. He could be the first guard off the board in the 2016 draft with another strong season.
Center: Max Tuerk, USC
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While watching USC’s prospects for 2015, I couldn’t help but become enamored with Max Tuerk’s talent. He’s undersized at just 285 pounds, and it shows, but he has played tackle, guard and center at various points in his career. His athleticism and technique are very impressive for an underclassman.
Tuerk’s biggest challenge is his playing weight. Realistically, he needs to get to at least 295 pounds for the NFL. He could kick back out to tackle at some point, as his 6’6” frame can easily handle speed rushers with that length.
Defensive End: Joey Bosa, Ohio State
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This is the star of the 2016 class. There are some great prospects on this list, but Bosa is the cream of the crop. The 6’5”, 278-pound star is one of the most dominant players in recent years, posting 21 sacks in two seasons.
Bosa brings it all to the table. He has excellent speed, power and a repertoire of pass rush moves. His run defense is also stout at the point of attack. He’s an NFL-ready end.
Behind Bosa is a great group of talented pass rushers. Oregon’s DeForest Buckner, Baylor’s Shawn Oakman, Oklahoma’s Charles Tapper, Oklahoma State’s Emmanuel Ogbah and Auburn’s Carl Lawson are must-watch players.
Defensive Tackle: Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
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Defensive tackle is a broad term that includes pass rushers, run stuffers and nose tackles. The most valuable of the bunch are pass rushers, so Ole Miss tackle Robert Nkemdiche gets the nod as the top man at his position for 2016.
Nkemdiche is light at 6’4”, 280 pounds, but he’s incredibly quick off the snap. His explosion with his lower body really puts interior linemen into a bad situation. He must provide more production next year, as he accumulated just four sacks in his first two years.
Aside from Nkemdiche, Alabama’s A’Shawn Robinson, Baylor’s Andrew Billings, Ohio State’s Adolphus Washington and Texas’ Hassan Ridgeway are other big-time talents at defensive tackle.
Outside Linebacker: Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
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Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith is the most complete collegiate linebacker since Luke Kuechly in 2011. At 6’3”, 230 pounds, Smith can do it all. He’s an absolute star in coverage situations, but also delivers punishing hits in the run game.
Smith was a top prep star, and he’s delivered thus far. He has 179 career tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. His versatility allowed the Irish to move him inside, although he projects as a weak side linebacker in the NFL.
There is a deep talent pool behind Smith. UCLA’s Myles Jack, Ohio State’s Darron Lee and Maryland’s Yannick Ngakoue are some of the playmakers to watch at linebacker.
Inside Linebacker: Scooby Wright III, Arizona
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The distinction between inside and outside linebackers has become blurred as defenses are playing more nickel defense. One star at inside linebacker is Arizona’s Scooby Wright III. There is no question that the junior is prepared to become a true inside linebacker in the NFL.
Wright is 6’0” and 230 pounds, so he’s not the most physically imposing player. But he is incredible to watch. Wright flies around the field and is a true tackling machine. He has 246 tackles, 38 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks in two years.
He’s not the most experienced or best player in coverage, but he has sideline-to-sideline range. His ability to attack downhill and finish plays is second to none.
Cornerback: Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida
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In another position filled with talented underclassmen, Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III is the best of the group. He has good size at 5’11”, 195 pounds and, more importantly, the ball skills to force turnovers.
There are many times where Hargreaves runs routes like he’s a receiver. His fluidity, intelligence and consistency really stand out. He has all of the makings of an elite NFL cornerback.
Behind Hargreaves are numerous worthy cornerbacks. Clemson’s Mackensie Alexander, Virginia Tech’s Kendall Fuller, Colorado’s Ken Crawley and UCLA’s Fabian Moreau are more talents to watch.
Free Safety: Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
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One of the best defensive playmakers in the country is Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey. The 6’1”, 205-pound safety lines up all over the field for the Seminoles’ defense, forcing offenses to identify his position every snap. He is the type of playmaker that you need in the NFL.
Ramsey was the star of a defense that produced four 2015 draft picks in the first two days. The NFL is desperate for more great safeties, so it is likely that Ramsey will be highly coveted in 2016.
Strong Safety: Su’a Cravens, USC
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Similar to Ramsey, USC strong safety Su’a Cravens is a star who forces offenses to change how they attack his area of the field. The 6’1”, 225-pound safety is more than capable of covering ground when in deep coverage, and also blowing up plays near the line of scrimmage.
Cravens is the best overall safety in the class with his blend of instincts, size and versatility. He is reminiscent of Kansas City safety Eric Berry with his ability to be in on every play.
All stats used are from sports-reference.com.
Ian Wharton is an NFL Draft Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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