2016 NFL Draft Big Board: Matt Miller's Midseason Rankings

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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?

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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.

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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

Mel Evans/Associated Press

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

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

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)

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

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

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

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

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

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

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

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

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

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

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

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

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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)

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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 

RICHARD SHIRO/Associated Press

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)