2016 NFL Draft Big Board: Matt Miller's Midseason Rankings
Hot names. Big risers. Stock up and stock down.
The buzzwords that make up the NFL draft industry seem tailor-made for hot takes. That's what we want to avoid here. After all, we're talking about the careers and dreams of 20-somethings, not the newest tech stock. But talking about stocks isn't a bad idea. NFL teams will make investments in these players based on what they see on the field, what they find off the field and what the numbers say on testing day at the NFL Scouting Combine or a pro day.
Like some stocks, some of these players will be great out of the gate. Others will crash and burn. Some will be solid but never great. And some will be hidden gems—that sweet stock only a few know about before it becomes a big thing. And that's scouting—finding that next big thing that no one knows about.
A scout told me this week that scouting isn't about finding the Andrew Lucks—anyone can find those. It's finding the players who will build a team that can win. And that's my goal at Bleacher Report: to do the job of a general manager, but by filing reports with you guys and not my war room. Which players are worthwhile investments, which have big potential but may crash and burn, and which sleepers should we all be looking at?
Overall Top 100
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The top 100 is a snapshot of who the best players in the draft class are today. This isn't a prediction of who will be the best 100 players at the 2016 NFL draft. Scouting is fluid, and these rankings will change a lot between now and then, for me and for NFL teams.
The top 100 is made up of a lot of juniors—the top senior doesn't come into play until No. 14 overall—which makes this all unstable. Sure, the top juniors generally declare for the draft, but I've learned there are no sure things. With that in mind, this is my best guess as to which juniors and redshirt sophomores will enter the draft.
Why not include them all, you ask? Because I'm one man who is trying to keep tabs on at least 700 players. Leaving out iffy underclassmen until their status solidifies allows me to focus on the seniors we know will be in the draft.
So we know there are a lot of underclassmen; where is the strength of the class? Linebacker, defensive tackle and safety. The weaknesses? Right now it looks like quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback.
A lot will change between now and then, but as of today, here are the top 100 players overall for the 2016 NFL draft.
| Rank | Player | School | Pos |
| 1 | Jared Goff | California | QB |
| 2 | Jaylon Smith | Notre Dame | LB |
| 3 | Joey Bosa | Ohio State | EDGE |
| 4 | Robert Nkemdiche | Ole Miss | DL |
| 5 | Vernon Hargreaves | Florida | CB |
| 6 | Ronnie Stanley | Notre Dame | T |
| 7 | Jalen Ramsey | FSU | CB |
| 8 | Laremy Tunsil | Ole Miss | T |
| 9 | Ezekiel Elliott | Ohio State | RB |
| 10 | Myles Jack | UCLA | LB |
| 11 | Laquon Treadwell | Ole Miss | WR |
| 12 | Paxton Lynch | Memphis | QB |
| 13 | Kenny Clark | UCLA | DL |
| 14 | DeForest Buckner | Oregon | DL |
| 15 | Christian Hackenberg | Penn State | QB |
| 16 | Josh Doctson | TCU | WR |
| 17 | Will Fuller | Notre Dame | WR |
| 18 | Su'a Cravens | USC | LB |
| 19 | Mackensie Alexander | Clemson | CB |
| 20 | Maliek Collins | Nebraska | DL |
| 21 | Andrew Billings | Baylor | DL |
| 22 | Taylor Decker | Ohio State | T |
| 23 | Jordan Jenkins | Georgia | EDGE |
| 24 | Shaq Lawson | Clemson | EDGE |
| 25 | Corey Coleman | Baylor | WR |
| 26 | Michael Thomas | Ohio State | WR |
| 27 | Jayron Kearse | Clemson | FS |
| 28 | Vince Biegel | Wisconsin | EDGE |
| 29 | Reggie Ragland | Alabama | LB |
| 30 | Tre'Davious White | LSU | CB |
| 31 | Jarran Reed | Alabama | DL |
| 32 | Noah Spence | Eastern Kentucky | EDGE |
| 33 | Carson Wentz | North Dakota St. | QB |
| 34 | Jerald Hawkins | LSU | T |
| 35 | Austin Johnson | Penn State | DL |
| 36 | Joshua Perry | Ohio State | LB |
| 37 | Jeremy Cash | Duke | SS |
| 38 | Tyler Boyd | Pittsburgh | WR |
| 39 | Shilique Calhoun | Michigan State | EDGE |
| 40 | Jack Conklin | Michigan State | T |
| 41 | Jonathan Bullard | Florida | EDGE |
| 42 | Kamalei Correa | Boise State | EDGE |
| 43 | A'Shawn Robinson | Alabama | DL |
| 44 | Emmanuel Ogbah | Oklahoma State | EDGE |
| 45 | Leonard Floyd | Georgia | LB |
| 46 | Adolphus Washington | Ohio State | DL |
| 47 | Cameron Sutton | Tennessee | CB |
| 48 | Kemoko Turay | Rutgers | EDGE |
| 49 | Darian Thompson | Boise State | FS |
| 50 | Vonn Bell | Ohio State | SS |
| 51 | Paul Perkins | UCLA | RB |
| 52 | Denver Kirkland | Arkansas | G |
| 53 | Tyvis Powell | Ohio State | FS |
| 54 | Kentrell Brothers | Missouri | LB |
| 55 | Chris Jones | Miss. State | DL |
| 56 | Leonte Carroo | Rutgers | WR |
| 57 | Sheldon Day | Notre Dame | DL |
| 58 | Hunter Henry | Arkansas | TE |
| 59 | Braxton Miller | Ohio State | WR |
| 60 | Devontae Booker | Utah | RB |
| 61 | Kenny Lawler | California | WR |
| 62 | Shon Coleman | Auburn | T |
| 63 | William Jackson | Houston | CB |
| 64 | C.J. Prosise | Notre Dame | RB |
| 65 | Germain Ifedi | Texas A&M | T |
| 66 | Jake Butt | Michigan | TE |
| 67 | O.J. Howard | Alabama | TE |
| 68 | Cayleb Jones | Arizona | WR |
| 69 | Vadal Alexander | LSU | G |
| 70 | Sheldon Rankins | Louisville | DL |
| 71 | Evan Engram | Ole Miss | TE |
| 72 | Spencer Drango | Baylor | T |
| 73 | Jalen Mills | LSU | FS |
| 74 | Charles Tapper | Oklahoma | DL |
| 75 | Joe Schobert | Wisconsin | LB |
| 76 | Kendell Beckwith | LSU | LB |
| 77 | Rashard Higgins | Colorado State | WR |
| 78 | Jason Spriggs | Indiana | T |
| 79 | Tajae Sharpe | UMass | WR |
| 80 | Roberto Aguayo | FSU | K |
| 81 | Christian Westerman | Arizona State | G |
| 82 | Alex Collins | Arkansas | RB |
| 83 | KJ Dillon | West Virginia | FS |
| 84 | Christian French | Oregon | EDGE |
| 85 | Kendall Fuller | Virginia Tech | CB |
| 86 | Cody Whitehair | Kansas State | G |
| 87 | Sterling Shepard | Oklahoma | WR |
| 88 | Byron Marshall | Oregon | RB |
| 89 | Karl Joseph | West Virginia | SS |
| 90 | Carl Nassib | Penn State | DL |
| 91 | Max Tuerk | USC | C |
| 92 | Will Redmond | Miss. State | CB |
| 93 | Fabian Moreau | UCLA | CB |
| 94 | Pat Elflein | Ohio State | G |
| 95 | Nick Martin | Notre Dame | C |
| 96 | Steven Daniels | Boston College | LB |
| 97 | Kyler Fackrell | Utah State | EDGE |
| 98 | Terence Waugh | Kent State | EDGE |
| 99 | Derrick Henry | Alabama | RB |
| 100 | Evan Boehm | Missouri | C |
Quarterbacks
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Most NFL-Ready: Jared Goff, California
Best Arm: Christian Hackenberg, Penn State
Best Runner: Trevone Boykin, TCU
Best Potential: Jared Goff, California
Biggest Question Mark: Cardale Jones, Ohio State
Biggest Sleeper: Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
Biggest Riser: Paxton Lynch, Memphis
Biggest Faller: Cardale Jones, Ohio State
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Jared Goff | California |
| 2 | Paxton Lynch | Memphis |
| 3 | Christian Hackenberg | Penn State |
| 4 | Carson Wentz | North Dakota St. |
| 5 | Connor Cook | Michigan State |
| 6 | Nate Sudfeld | Indiana |
| 7 | Cardale Jones | Ohio State |
| 8 | Brandon Doughty | Western Kentucky |
| 9 | Cody Kessler | USC |
| 10 | Kevin Hogan | Stanford |
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
Biggest Riser: Alex Collins, Arkansas
Biggest Faller: Derrick Henry, Alabama
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Ezekiel Elliott | Ohio State |
| 2 | Paul Perkins | UCLA |
| 3 | Devontae Booker | Utah |
| 4 | C.J. Prosise | Notre Dame |
| 5 | Alex Collins | Arkansas |
| 6 | Byron Marshall | Oregon |
| 7 | Derrick Henry | Alabama |
| 8 | James Conner | Pittsburgh |
| 9 | Jonathan Williams | Arkansas |
| 10 | Kenyan Drake | Alabama |
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Wide Receivers
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Most NFL-Ready: Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss
Best Boundary Receiver: Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss
Best Slot Receiver: Tyler Boyd, Pitt
Best Hands: Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss
Best Route-Runner: Josh Doctson, TCU
Best Potential: Josh Doctson, TCU
Biggest Question Mark: Leonte Carroo, Rutgers
Biggest Sleeper: Cayleb Jones, Arizona
Biggest Riser: Corey Coleman, Baylor
Biggest Faller: Mike Williams, Clemson (injury)
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Laquon Treadwell | Ole Miss |
| 2 | Josh Doctson | TCU |
| 3 | Will Fuller | Notre Dame |
| 4 | Corey Coleman | Baylor |
| 5 | Michael Thomas | Ohio State |
| 6 | Tyler Boyd | Pittsburgh |
| 7 | Leonte Carroo | Rutgers |
| 8 | Braxton Miller | Ohio State |
| 9 | Kenny Lawler | California |
| 10 | Cayleb Jones | Arizona |
Tight Ends
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Most NFL-Ready: O.J. Howard, Alabama
Best Slot Tight End: Jerell Adams, South Carolina
Best Hands: Jake Butt, Michigan
Best Route-Runner: Hunter Henry, Arkansas
Best Blocker: O.J. Howard, Alabama
Biggest Question Mark: O.J. Howard, Alabama
Biggest Sleeper: Nick Vannett, Ohio State
Biggest Riser: Jerell Adams, South Carolina
Biggest Faller: Kyle Carter, Penn State
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Hunter Henry | Arkansas |
| 2 | Jake Butt | Michigan |
| 3 | O.J. Howard | Alabama |
| 4 | Evan Engram | Ole Miss |
| 5 | Jerell Adams | South Carolina |
| 6 | Nick Vannett | Ohio State |
| 7 | Austin Hooper | Stanford |
| 8 | Bucky Hodges | Virginia Tech |
| 9 | Darion Griswold | Arkansas State |
| 10 | Jay Rome | Georgia |
Offensive Tackles
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Most NFL-Ready: Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
Best Run-Blocker: Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
Best Pass-Blocker: Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
Best Potential: Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
Biggest Question Mark: Jack Conklin, Michigan State
Biggest Sleeper: Tyler Johnstone, Oregon
Lowest Risk: Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
Biggest Riser: Shon Coleman, Auburn
Biggest Faller: Jason Spriggs, Indiana
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Ronnie Stanley | Notre Dame |
| 2 | Laremy Tunsil | Ole Miss |
| 3 | Taylor Decker | Ohio State |
| 4 | Jerald Hawkins | LSU |
| 5 | Jack Conklin | Michigan State |
| 6 | Shon Coleman | Auburn |
| 7 | Germain Ifedi | Texas A&M |
| 8 | Spencer Drango | Baylor |
| 9 | Jason Spriggs | Indiana |
| 10 | Tyler Johnstone | Oregon |
Offensive Guards
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Most NFL-Ready: Denver Kirkland, Arkansas
Best Run-Blocker: Josh Garnett, Stanford
Best Pass-Blocker: Vadal Alexander, LSU
Biggest Upside: Denver Kirkland, Arkansas
Biggest Question Mark: Isaac Seumalo, Oregon State
Biggest Sleeper: Joe Thuney, N.C. State
Biggest Riser: Denver Kirkland, Arkansas
Biggest Faller: Connor McGovern, Missouri
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Denver Kirkland | Arkansas |
| 2 | Vadal Alexander | LSU |
| 3 | Christian Westerman | Arizona State |
| 4 | Cody Whitehair | Kansas State |
| 5 | Pat Elflein | Ohio State |
| 6 | Greg Pyke | Georgia |
| 7 | Josh Garnett | Stanford |
| 8 | Isaac Seumalo | Oregon State |
| 9 | Sebastian Tretola | Arkansas |
| 10 | Joe Thuney | N.C. State |
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: Max Tuerk, USC (injury)
Biggest Sleeper: Ryan Kelly, Alabama
Biggest Riser: Matt Skura, Duke
Biggest Faller: None
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Max Tuerk | USC |
| 2 | Nick Martin | Notre Dame |
| 3 | Evan Boehm | Missouri |
| 4 | Mike Matthews | Texas A&M |
| 5 | Ryan Kelly | Alabama |
| 6 | Jack Allen | Michigan State |
| 7 | Austin Blythe | Iowa |
| 8 | Nick Kelly | Arizona State |
| 9 | Matt Skura | Duke |
| 10 | Kyle Friend | Temple |
EDGE
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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: Kamalei Correa, Boise State
Biggest Riser: Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
Biggest Faller: None
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Joey Bosa | Ohio State |
| 2 | Jordan Jenkins | Georgia |
| 3 | Shaq Lawson | Clemson |
| 4 | Vince Biegel | Wisconsin |
| 5 | Noah Spence | Eastern Kentucky |
| 6 | Shilique Calhoun | Michigan State |
| 7 | Jonathan Bullard | Florida |
| 8 | Kamalei Correa | Boise State |
| 9 | Emmanuel Ogbah | Oklahoma State |
| 10 | Kemoko Turay | Rutgers |
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: Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
Biggest Question Mark: A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
Biggest Sleeper: Chris Jones, Miss. State
Biggest Riser: Jarran Reed, Alabama
Biggest Faller: A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Robert Nkemdiche | Ole Miss |
| 2 | Kenny Clark | UCLA |
| 3 | DeForest Buckner | Oregon |
| 4 | Maliek Collins | Nebraska |
| 5 | Andrew Billings | Baylor |
| 6 | Jarran Reed | Alabama |
| 7 | Austin Johnson | Penn State |
| 8 | A'Shawn Robinson | Alabama |
| 9 | Adolphus Washington | Ohio State |
| 10 | Chris Jones | Miss. State |
Linebackers
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Most NFL-Ready: Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
Best Weak-Side Linebacker: Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
Best Strong-Side Linebacker: Kentrell Brothers, Missouri
Best Inside Linebacker: Reggie Ragland, Alabama
Best Run-Stopper: Kentrell Brothers, Missouri
Best Pass-Rusher: Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
Best Pass Coverage: Su'a Cravens, USC
Best Potential: Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
Biggest Question Mark: Myles Jack, UCLA (injury)
Biggest Sleeper: Kentrell Brothers, Missouri
Biggest Riser: Steven Daniels, Boston College
Biggest Faller: Scooby Wright, Arizona (injury)
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Jaylon Smith | Notre Dame |
| 2 | Myles Jack | UCLA |
| 3 | Su'a Cravens | USC |
| 4 | Reggie Ragland | Alabama |
| 5 | Joshua Perry | Ohio State |
| 6 | Leonard Floyd | Georgia |
| 7 | Kentrell Brothers | Missouri |
| 8 | Joe Schobert | Wisconsin |
| 9 | Kendell Beckwith | LSU |
| 10 | Steven Daniels | Boston College |
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: William Jackson, Houston
Biggest Riser: Mackensie Alexander, Clemson
Biggest Faller: Cameron Sutton, Tennessee
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Vernon Hargreaves | Florida |
| 2 | Jalen Ramsey | FSU |
| 3 | Mackensie Alexander | Clemson |
| 4 | Tre'Davious White | LSU |
| 5 | Cameron Sutton | Tennessee |
| 6 | William Jackson | Houston |
| 7 | Kendall Fuller | Virginia Tech |
| 8 | Will Redmond | Miss. St. |
| 9 | Fabian Moreau | UCLA |
| 10 | Michael Jordan | Missouri Western |
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
Biggest Riser: Tyvis Powell, Ohio State
Biggest Faller: Karl Joseph (injury)
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Jayron Kearse | Clemson |
| 2 | Jeremy Cash | Duke |
| 3 | Darian Thompson | Boise State |
| 4 | Vonn Bell | Ohio State |
| 5 | Tyvis Powell | Ohio State |
| 6 | Jalen Mills | LSU |
| 7 | K.J. Dillon | West Virginia |
| 8 | Karl Joseph | West Virginia |
| 9 | Deon Bush | Miami (FL) |
| 10 | Kevin Byard | Middle Tennessee St. |
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