Latest Buzz Surrounding 2016 NFL Draft's Top Prospects
Welcome to the 2016 NFL draft, a three-night event that is filled with drama, excitement and disappointment for teams, players and fans alike. What happens from April 28-30 can be the starting stages of a future Super Bowl champion or the key to putting the final upgrades on a contending roster. Top prospects down to the undrafted free agents can be influential to the future of your favorite team.
You can find the latest buzz for 10 of the best prospects here, as I’ve compiled the latest rumors from credible national reporters. These are the names we’ve been talking about for months. With the speculation likely to end soon, let’s make sure you’re up-to-date on the newest information.
Who would you like for your favorite team to scoop up in the first round of the draft? Make sure you leave your predictions and thoughts in the comments section below.
Jared Goff, QB, Cal
1 of 10
There were reports that when the Los Angeles Rams mortgaged their future to move up from the 15th overall pick to the No. 1 overall pick, it was a sign they knew who would be their next quarterback. The team has played coy in the media, sidestepping questions about who it will take. This is likely to build intrigue for the draft, which doesn’t need more hype or excitement around it.
According to Steve Wyche of the NFL Network (h/t NFL Total Access), the pick is expected to be California quarterback Jared Goff. The 6’4”, 215-pound pocket passer is the most complete quarterback prospect in this class and rivals the best of previous years. He has tremendous accuracy, pocket poise and a natural feel for the game that is rare in collegiate passers.
If the Rams select North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz instead of Goff, the former Golden Bear won’t have to wait long to hear his name called. The Philadelphia Eagles traded their own fortune to move into the second overall pick and take a quarterback. Either way, Goff is a prized prospect who will shake NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's hand early on draft night.
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
2 of 10
It may not take long to hear the first shocking pick of the draft. While we have a good idea of who is going first and second overall, the San Diego Chargers are a difficult projection. With needs at offensive line, defensive line, linebacker and safety, the Chargers can go any direction.
One factor that could, and probably should, play into their consideration is their recent investment into their offensive line. Left tackle King Dunlap received a four-year extension in 2015, and right tackle Joe Barksdale has a new five-year extension. There’s no room to kick either player inside to guard because of recent spending there as well.
Nevertheless, Bleacher Report NFL Draft Writer Matt Miller tweeted he feels "very good" about the Chargers selecting Notre Dame left tackle Ronnie Stanley. The 6’6”, 312-pound tackle is a smooth pass protector with tremendous footwork for his size. But his being drafted over Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil, who is even more well-regarded than Stanley, would be a stunning moment in NFL draft history.
Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
3 of 10
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey may be the best overall player in the 2016 NFL draft. The versatile safety and cornerback is an impact player wherever he lines up, and it helps he has ideal size and athleticism for either position. The 6’1”, 209-pounder dominated the combine in every phase, which only enhanced his argument for why he’s a rare breed and deserving of a top-five pick.
It’s easy to find suitors for Ramsey since he can play any role in a secondary. He should be in play with the San Diego Chargers with the third overall pick but could fall to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 4. According to Miller, he’s unlikely to make it past Jerry Jones’ team.
Ramsey would be an instant boost to this defensive unit whether he plays cornerback or safety. The Cowboys invested in Byron Jones last year, and a tandem of him and Ramsey would be the most athletic of any secondary duo in the NFL. Teams that are looking to steal Ramsey from the Cowboys would have to move up to the No. 3 pick, which will likely cost significant assets.
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Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
4 of 10
The NFL Scouting Combine medical reports are one of the most important aspects of the event, as teams get to dig deep into past injuries and potential issues. The fallout from the checks is that some players will fall off draft boards completely. Fans tend to smear these reports as smoke screens, but the reality is that some injuries will scare off general managers who cannot afford to take a major risk.
One big name this year who has been the subject of negative medical reports is UCLA linebacker Myles Jack. Jack is a terrific athlete, but his recovery from a meniscus tear has taken longer than expected. According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network, Jack has a chondral defect in his knee that could jeopardize his long-term career.
Some teams will be more comfortable than others with the status of his knee. The Cleveland Browns “loved” Jack prior to the medical reports, per Miller, and could be his landing spot at No. 8 overall. Peter King of Sports Illustrated reported the New York Giants are “fine” with his medical reports and could be considered his floor at No. 10 overall.
On the contrary, Jordan Raanan of NJ.com reported Jack is now off the Giants board due to concerns over his knee. It'll be fascinating to see where he goes, as it seems no one has a clue of his value. Welcome to draft season.
Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
5 of 10
The need for athletic defensive linemen who can get after the quarterback is at an all-time high now as the NFL continues to evolve into a spread passing-based league. There are only so many individuals in the world who are skilled enough to play football at a high level and possess the talent and size to be effective. At 6’1” and 299 pounds, Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins fits that bill.
Rankins moves with ease and explosiveness despite being a stocky player. His natural leverage advantage helps him evade blockers and disrupt plays in the backfield. He confirmed his impressive athleticism at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine with above-average speed times and elite jump distances.
The latest buzz on Rankins is that he could be a top-10 pick. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported Rankins is expected to be a top-10 pick, with the Dallas Cowboys at No. 4 as a viable option.
According to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1, another potential landing spot is No. 9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While Rankins and Gerald McCoy are similar in skill set, adding another interior pass-rusher is feasible for Tampa and could be effective.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
6 of 10
The best offensive playmaker in the 2016 NFL draft is Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott. The 6’0”, 225-pound back is efficient yet explosive in his movements, totaling 4,410 total yards in his career and finishing with 44 touchdowns. He is a rare player who can immediately step in as a three-down back and be a Pro Bowl-type contributor in every phase of the game.
Elliott is playing at a devalued position, though, so he is unlikely to go in the top seven picks. Teams feel confident they can find competent backs throughout the draft, despite history showing that the best backs usually are taken in the first round. Over the course of the next five years, Elliott could be the most impactful player from this class.
There will be significant interest in Elliott toward the bottom of the top 10 picks. An interested team may have to jump the New York Giants and Chicago Bears, as both have glaring needs for his services. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Cleveland Browns are open for business for another trade down, making them the team that could change the entire draft picture with one move.
Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
7 of 10
After the first two picks are announced Thursday night, the big question will revolve around who will be the next quarterback taken and where he'll land. As many as five quarterbacks could land somewhere in the first round, but the order they’ll go in is a mystery. Some teams will favor the experience of Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook, while others will like the high upside of Memphis’ Paxton Lynch.
Cook hasn’t been a hot name this offseason after he struggled to deal with an injured shoulder for the second half of 2015. His performance dipped, and he’s become a forgotten player, but he has a real chance to go in Round 1. There are too many teams with short- and long-term needs at the position to overlook Cook.
According to Alex Marvez of Fox Sports, the Cleveland Browns may be the team to watch for Cook. Trading down from No. 8 overall to the teens or maybe the 20s would allow them to collect more assets and land him plus potentially a Day 2 pick this year or another first-round pick next season. This would ensure they have a quarterback to groom and also as many as three first-round picks in the 2017 draft if they trade down far enough.
Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
8 of 10
Despite being quite poor over the last two seasons, the latest buzz on Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg suggests that teams care more about size and arm strength than actual on-field performance. His storied freshman season was his best but still not overly impressive despite having Bill O’Brien as head coach and Allen Robinson at wide receiver to help prop him up. His massive decline in a new scheme should be a major warning that he’s a long-term project.
It’s not as if all of Hackenberg’s issues were scheme- or situation-related, though. His accuracy issues have existed throughout his career, as he completed just 56.3 percent of his attempts. His career high was a paltry 58.9 percent in 2013. None of those figures is good enough to be considered a quality prospect.
Nevertheless, Sports Illustrated’s Peter King reported the Buffalo Bills like him enough to take him in Round 1. They may pass, but it’s stunning the franchise would view Hackenberg as a potential upgrade on the incumbent, Tyrod Taylor. Whether it’s the Bills or someone else, it seems as though the former Nittany Lion will come off the board in the first two rounds.
Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
9 of 10
No one has endured more of a roller coaster with his draft stock since January 1 than Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith. Considered to be a top-10 talent in the class, Smith suffered a severe knee injury that included nerve damage and a torn ACL and LCL in his final collegiate game. With little time for his recovery between the injury and the draft, it’s hard to guess where he could be selected, if at all.
Smith’s timeline to return to the field is likely a year away as he works to regain his full form. Tom Pelissero of USA Today chronicled his timeline and current state with great detail. Some of the report was positive, such as his surgeon believes his nerve will fully heal, but other parts weren’t as promising, such as the uncertainty that comes with any injury.
At some point NFL teams will view Smith as a worthwhile risk, even if he doesn’t play until 2017 and isn’t back to 100 percent until 2018. According to ESPN Insider Adam Schefter, Smith should hear his name called no later than the end of the third round. This makes sense, as a bevy of compensatory picks exist at the conclusion of Day 2 and cannot be traded. Taking a flier on a high-risk but high-reward talent like Smith is a good move.
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
10 of 10
Possibly the most controversial player in the 2016 draft class pool is Ole Miss defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche. His relationship with his brother and unique personality are red flags for NFL teams that prefer predictable individuals, but he is a spectacular on-field talent who could develop into an elite player. But where he is picked is a mystery.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Nkemdiche is taken in Round 1 or at the end of Day 2. He’s a polarizing player.
Miller noted Nkemdiche is highly regarded by the New Orleans Saints and Oakland Raiders. He’d fit perfectly into each of those situations, especially with veteran coaching staffs and veterans players to support his growth. In Miller’s mock, he has Nkemdiche going 14th overall to the Raiders.
The buzz isn’t all positive around Nkemdiche, though, which has become normal for him. Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel polled 17 scouts to see who is most likely to bust in the NFL, and Nkemdiche was nominated the most. It’s clear he’s going to be a lightning rod during draft night and into his career.
All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com.
Ian Wharton is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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