NFL Draft 2016: Underclassmen Most Likely to Land in 1st Round
The 2016 NFL draft is going to be loaded with underclassmen, perhaps more than usual.
In 2015, 18 underclassmen were selected in the first round, one shy of the record set in 2012. Those numbers will likely be approached, and potentially passed, by this year's class.
The deadline for underclassmen to declare is January 18, but the early declarations have already been rolling in.
CBS Sports' Dane Brugler has been tracking the unofficial early entries.
The following slideshow features seven underclassmen who have already declared who should be considered first-round locks. Obviously this is well short of a complete list of those who will end up in the first round, but these are the elite prospects with the highest probability to hear their names called on the first day of the draft.
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
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Joey Bosa is a rare defensive prospect with a legitimate chance to go No. 1 overall.
Since 2000, only three defenders (Courtney Brown, Mario Williams and Jadeveon Clowney) have been the top pick in the draft.
What makes Bosa special, even compared to other elite college pass-rushers, is his combination of strength and athleticism.
As CBS Sports' Dane Brugler noted in his scouting report, Bosa has "grown-man strength and toughness as well as the athletic pass-rush moves that are reminiscent of [Jared] Allen."
So many dominant college pass-rushers excel due to their superior athletic ability. They're able to simply run past college lineman, which doesn't allow them to develop their technique and creates more of a learning curve at the NFL level when their pure speed rush isn't as effective.
Bosa, however, has consistently shown the ability to win the physical battle in the trenches.
Draft Projection: Top Five
Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
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Since the Tennessee Titans won't be taking another quarterback No. 1 overall—they landed Marcus Mariota in the first round in 2015—Laremy Tunsil is the other name presumed to be a target.
What makes Tunsil special are his skills in pass protection, which will be particularly important to the Titans as they look to improve the protection around Mariota.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein praised Tunsil for his athleticism:
"Tunsil has an advanced approach that is made possible by his outstanding foot quickness. He almost always works to get his feet in proper position before ever making contact with his upper body."
With elite footwork and impressive size (Ole Miss lists him at 6'5", 305 pounds), Tunsil has the quickness to stay with quicker edge-rushers but also the strength to hold his ground against stronger bull-rushers.
As one of the most complete linemen to enter the draft in recent years, Tunsil should be starting at left tackle for someone in 2016.
Draft Projection: Top Five
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
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Ronnie Stanley is a notch below Tunsil on most early draft boards—ESPN.com's Mel Kiper has Tunsil at No. 5 and Stanley at No. 7—but the consensus is both prospects will land in the top 10.
NFL Network's Mike Mayock recently concurred with that assessment, giving a top-10 endorsement to Stanley.
Stanley was perceived as a potential early selection entering his junior year, but he solidified his stock with strong performances against top competition.
Most notably, Stanley held his own against Clemson's Shaq Lawson (who also appears on this list) when the two faced off in early October.
If Stanley lands in the top 10, he will be Notre Dame's highest-drafted prospect since the San Francisco 49ers selected Bryant Young seventh overall in 1994.
Draft Projection: Top 10
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Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
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Myles Jack is a difficult prospect to place in mock drafts because he still needs to answer a lot of questions at the combine. However, some NFL team is certain to snag him in the early portion of the first round due to his rare athleticism.
One of the questions that needs to be answered is about Jack's weight. In 2015, UCLA listed him at 245 pounds—a measurement which all teams would consider acceptable for a linebacker. Earlier in his career, however, he had been listed at 225 pounds by various sources, including NFL.com's Gil Brandt.
If Jack weighs in on the lower end of that spectrum, it could narrow the list of teams interested in his services.
Teams will also be interested in Jack's medical check at the combine. Jack missed the majority of the 2015 season with a knee injury.
Assuming Jack's knee checks out, his athleticism will make him an early selection. Few linebackers possess the athleticism to cover as much ground against the run and in coverage as Jack.
Draft Projection: Picks 5-15
Shaq Lawson, DL, Clemson
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There is a clear drop off in talent at the defensive line position once Bosa comes off the board, but the next man to hear his name called may be Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson.
While not quite at Bosa's level, Lawson has a similar well-rounded skill set.
Kiper recently stated that Lawson has a "full arsenal" of pass-rush moves, with "quickness, spin moves, rips, power."
According to CFB Film Room, Lawson has generated 42 quarterback pressures this season, an impressive total for a lineman who entered the year as a relative unknown.
Lawson will have one more chance to boost his draft stock in the National Championship Game, where he will primarily be lined up across from Alabama left tackle Cam Robinson.
Draft Projection: Picks 10-20
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
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Laquon Treadwell could potentially be the second Ole Miss prospect to land in the top 10.
As the top wide receiver in the 2016 class, Treadwell will be coveted by a number of teams in the first round looking for a big, possession receiver.
In his most recent mock draft, ESPN's Todd McShay placed Treadwell at No. 10, saying he is "a big, physical receiver with outstanding hands and has a really good feel for the position."
McShay also compared Treadwell to Dallas Cowboys star receiver Dez Bryant.
Like Bryant, Treadwell lacks the speed to take the top off the defense, but he has the size and hands to be a dominant possession receiver on short and intermediate routes.
Draft Projection: Picks 10-20
Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
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It's uncommon for defensive backs to land in the top 10, but it would come as a surprise if Jalen Ramsey were not among the first 10 players off the board.
The only question is: Will Ramsey play safety or a cornerback?
Ramsey has experience at both positions, which has given him an opportunity to show his skills in coverage in the slot and on the outside.
Each team will have a different view on how Ramsey fits into their scheme, but his versatility should make him an attractive option to just about every franchise.
It's rare to see such a versatile defensive back enter the draft with as much hype as Ramsey. Perhaps the best recent example of a prospect viewed as a potential star at both positions is current Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas, who was the 14th overall selection in 2010.
Draft Projection: Top 10
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