1st round
No. 20 pick overall
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Cornerbacks often need a certain kind of swagger to succeed against top receivers. Alexander has that swagger and then some. Alexander was a key member of the Tigers' run to the national title game and is very confident in his abilities, declaring at the Combine that he was the best cornerback in the draft. He excels in man-to-man coverage, and despite his smallish frame he knows how to neutralize his receiver’s best trait.
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With more and more big, physical receivers in today’s NFL, teams are looking for equally big, physical corners to match up against them. Apple fits that mold well. Apple has the size and physicality to match up against outside receivers. He can jam receivers in press and match them step-for-step in man coverage, but he’ll need to make sure his physical nature doesn’t draw flags at the NFL level.
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Billings is a strong, versatile prospect who can be a Week 1 starter in any defensive front. He’s a former high school weightlifting champion whose 2,010-pound effort broke WWE wrestler Mark Henry’s state record. That strength translates to the field, where he uses his stout frame to hold up at the point of attack as well as power through blockers. He can line up over the center as a 3-4 nose tackle or as a 4-3 one-technique.
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Butler flew a little under the radar in 2015, but he has risen up draft boards since the Senior Bowl. The Louisiana Tech senior had a strong week in Mobile, showing off impressive quickness for a 323-pound lineman. That quickness matched his tape, and while he didn’t necessarily fill up the stat sheet for the Bulldogs, he showed a diverse skillset in both run and pass defense and can play in pretty much any defensive front.
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Baylor has had a WR taken in each of the past three drafts. Coleman will make it four come April. He won't be confused with A.J. Green or Brandon Marshall in terms of size, but he has the ability to go up and get the ball over defenders, burn them before the catch and elude them after it. He could infuse some explosiveness into any WR corps, and his skillset could make him a solid option anywhere on the field.
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Conklin was a model of consistency in his three years at Michigan State. The junior started 35 games at left tackle for the Spartans and allowed only four sacks in his entire career. His frame makes him a good fit on the left side in the NFL too, though he’s not quite as athletic as some of the other tackles in this class. Still, he brings a scrappy, tough mentality that will fit well in any locker room.
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Cook ended his Michigan State career with a 34-5 record, a spot in the 2015 CFP semifinals and two all-time school records. The senior has a strong arm and played in a pro-style offense, but he sometimes struggles with short and intermediate passes and never had a season completion percentage higher than 59%. In addition, rumors had swirled about Cook’s leadership, though many of his teammates came to bat for him.
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Decker was the leader of an Ohio State offensive line that rushed for an average of 245.2 yards per game in 2015. The senior has a big frame at 6-7 and 310 pounds and is versatile enough to play multiple spots on the line. He does tend to stand up a little high in pass protection and may need a little work on his pass-blocking technique, but he has all of the tools to be a solid run-blocker at right tackle.
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Doctson cemented his place among the draft’s top receivers with a stellar workout at the NFL Combine, but that’s not to say his tape was lacking. Doctson uses his size and excellent leaping ability to make contested catches against tight coverage. He's more lanky than big, so press coverage might be an initial concern, but his ability to come down with tough, acrobatic grabs will immediately make him a QB’s best friend.
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Dodd was overshadowed at times by teammate Shaq Lawson on Clemson’s talented defense, but he burst onto the scene in the national title game and has made a name for himself as one of this class's top pass rushers. The junior has great size and athleticism and would provide an immediate boost to any team’s pass rush. He only has one year of starting experience, but he does have the talent to come in and contribute right away.
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In an age where more teams are using backfields-by-committee, Elliott is an example of a true three-down RB. He runs with incredible patience, balance and vision, has the power to grind out yardage and the top-end speed to break long runs, is an underrated receiver and can stay in for pass protection. He had a big workload at Ohio State with 562 carries in his final two seasons, but he has the talent to be a rare feature back.
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Floyd was used almost exclusively as a pass rusher at Georgia until last year, when they asked the junior to play off-ball linebacker a little more. He has great speed when bending the edge and is improving in coverage. There were concerns about his lean frame, but he helped erase those at the Combine when he showed up at 244 pounds and still maintained the same level of athleticism.
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Garnett was a big reason behind Christian McCaffrey’s Heisman candidacy, helping open up holes in the running game as the sophomore tailback racked up an NCAA-record 3,496 all-purpose yards. Garnett is a road-grader who uses his combination of girth and power to simply powers through defensive linemen at will. He can come in right away and start for a team in need of run-blocking help.
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Henry is what you’d probably get if you were to strap nitrous oxide onto a bulldozer. The Heisman winner has a huge frame, but he also ran a 4.54 40-yard dash at the Combine. Repeat: A 4.54 40 at 247 pounds. Henry is relatively unproven as a pass-catcher, and he had 567 carries in his final two seasons -- including a whopping 395 in 2015 – but he’s a violent runner who has the speed, power and stamina to be a bell-cow RB.
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Henry may be the first TE off the board in a class that isn’t that strong at the position. The junior has the mix of size and speed to line up in-line, out wide or in the slot. Henry has the hands to make every catch and the strength to finish them, especially over the middle. He still needs to improve his pass blocking, but he could step in and be a Week 1 starter in a league where more teams are looking for mismatches at TE.
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Hooper is trying to become the fifth Stanford tight end to be drafted in the last six years, following Jim Dray in 2010, Coby Fleener in 2012 and Zach Ertz and Levine Toilolo in 2013. The junior can line up anywhere on the field and has a good mix of size, speed, hands and blocking ability. He has very good upside and would be a good fit for a team that employs a move tight end or an H-back.
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Jackson III doesn't get the same attention that this class’s top corners get, but he has a great deal of talent nonetheless. He has ideal height, speed (4.37 40 at the Combine) and ball skills (five interceptions in 2015, with two returned for TDs). He still needs some work in press coverage, which may impact his ability to handle bigger WRs, but his ability to track and intercept is a valuable skill that teams will covet.
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It all started up front for Clemson in their run to the CFP national title game last season, and Lawson was the unquestioned star of the Tigers’ potent defensive line. The high-motor junior has great quickness to rush the passer and has the strength and hand use to play the run well. He's not an other-worldly athlete, but he can hold his own in every phase, and his pass-rush skills project best into a 4-3 scheme.
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Lee had an excellent showing at the Combine, testing at or near the top in the 40 (4.47 seconds), vertical (35 1/2 inches), broad jump (11-1), three-cone (7.12 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.20 seconds). The athletic, rangy Lee is versatile enough to drop back into coverage, attack ball carriers or blitz the QB. He may be considered a bit undersized, but he has the instincts and the tools to be a solid pro.
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Lynch’s scouting report is similar to that of Blake Bortles when the Jaguars QB was drafted – tall passer, rocket arm, excellent mobility. And like Bortles, Lynch’s footwork needs a lot of work in order for him to become a quality NFL QB. But unlike Bortles, Lynch played in a spread system at Memphis, so there’ll be even more of a development phase. The traits are there – it all depends on whether a team will let Lynch grow.
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Nkemdiche has a great deal of talent but also some red flags. He has a nice mix of strength and speed and can play any spot on the line. However, he tends to be a boom-or-bust player -- his top plays stand out, but he'll also disappear at times. He also was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession in January as a result of an incident in which police said he went through a broken hotel window and fell off a 15-foot ledge.
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Ogbah had a solid career at Oklahoma State, but he really burst onto the scene at the Combine, where he ran a 4.63 40-yard dash and jumped very well. Ogbah has the size to play 4-3 end and the speed to be a 3-4 linebacker. On tape, he plays very balanced and doesn’t get caught badly out of position. He still needs to work on his run defense, but he can jump right in and provide a spark to a team in need of a pass rush.
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If you’re looking for a smart, downhill thumper in the heart of your front seven, Ragland may be your guy. Ragland has excellent instincts, decent coverage skills and the leadership qualities that teams look for in their defensive signal-caller. There are some concerns about his speed and general agility, and he did play behind two probable first-rounders in A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed, but his tape is solid nonetheless.
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Undersized players have increasingly been able to find homes on the defensive line, a la Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Rankins could be the latest player to follow that trend. He impressed at the Senior Bowl with his quickness and explosiveness off the snap and has risen up draft boards thanks to his ability to disrupt. Rankins projects as more of a 4-3 DT like Donald, but he does have the power to line up as a 3-4 end.
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Reed was one of the key members of Alabama's incredible run defense in 2015. Reed is a strong interior presence who can control gaps and move opposing offensive linemen at will, though he does need to develop more pass-rush moves. He can play any interior line position in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme as well as five-technique end.
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Robinson may be the best run-stopping defensive tackle in the class and plays a physical brand of football. The junior anchored the middle of the Crimson Tide's championship defense and used his power to shed blockers and get to opposing running backs. He still needs to develop a pass rush, but he can slide right into a defensive front, either as a one-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 or as a five-technique end in a 3-4.
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Shepard may be the crispest route-runner in this class. The Oklahoma senior excels at all three depths of the field – short, intermediate and deep. Shepard’s smallish frame may scare some teams, but his quickness to shake defenders and his great straight-line speed should help him find a niche right away. He can also return punts, which may help him solidify a role as a rookie on a team with a crowded depth chart at receiver.
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Spence has great talent and wowed at the Senior Bowl, but his stock cooled at the Combine, and he has a few off-field issues that must be investigated. The junior uses his mix of speed, agility and power to get into the backfield. However, the Big Ten ruled him ineligible in 2014 following two positive Ecstasy tests. He also ran a 4.80 40 at the Combine, though he still showed his athleticism and fluidity in other drills.
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Spriggs jumped into the upper tier of tackle prospects after showing off his great athleticism at the Combine. The Indiana senior has excellent size and allowed only two sacks on 526 called pass attempts in 2015. He starred in a spread attack in college, so there may be some transition if he gets drafted by a team that features a physical ground game, but he has the traits and upside to become a good pass blocker.
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While most of the top receivers have a specific trump card, Thomas is one of the more well-rounded prospects in this class. The junior led Ohio State with 56 catches for 781 yards and nine TDs after Devin Smith was drafted by the Jets in 2015. He’s a very balanced receiver who has ideal size and speed. He could stand to refine his routes a little bit more, but he could be a very solid No. 2 right out of college.
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If a team is in need of a big-bodied, physical receiver, they won’t get much better than Treadwell. The junior has the size, catch radius and body control to make tough catches and has the strength to power through defenders. The big concern is his speed – he didn’t run at the Combine and clocked a 4.65 40 at his pro day. Still, he’s able to beat defenders downfield in other ways and could be a nice option for a WR-needy team.
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Need someone to play pretty much any position on the offensive line? Whitehair might be your guy. The Kansas State senior has experience at every offensive line position except center -- and given his combination of size, power and athleticism, he could even play there if needed. Whitehair’s best fit at the NFL level may be at guard, where he can use his strength to hold up at the point of attack against big interior linemen.
READ LESS2nd round
No. 51 pick overall
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LSU has churned out several quality offensive linemen recently – La’El Collins in 2015, Trai Turner in 2014 and Joe Barksdale in 2011. Alexander hopes to add his name to that list. He played right tackle last season, but he excelled at left guard the previous two seasons and likely projects best there. The senior has a massive frame and long arms, which help him overpower defenders, though he doesn’t have ideal athleticism.
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Booker was having a strong senior season for Utah before tearing his left meniscus late in the season. He’s a versatile back who has good vision, makes quick cuts and has soft hands as a receiver. He’ll be a 24-year-old rookie, making him a bit older than most other backs in this class, and the recovery from his knee injury may cost him a few games early on in his rookie career, but he still could be a solid contributor.
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Bullard is trying to become the fourth straight Florida defensive lineman to be drafted in the first round. The senior has the quickness to be a disruptive pass-rushing threat in sub packages, but also is a stout run defender in base formations. His best fit is likely in a 4-3, whether as an undersized three-technique DT – which would allow him to use his quickness to get upfield against guards – or a run-stopping end.
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Calhoun saw first-round buzz as a junior in 2014 after being named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, but he opted to stay for his final season. While he doesn’t have as much buzz this year, he didn’t really do anything to hurt his case. He’s a long pass rusher who is quick off the edge and has good burst, though he sometimes plays with a high pad level. He could be a 4-3 defensive end or a stand-up 3-4 edge rusher.
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On the field, Carroo is a nice talent. He has solid hands, and while he’s not the fastest athlete, he does have the agility to make defenders miss. However, Carroo was arrested in September on simple assault charges in a domestic violence incident. The charges were dropped after the woman declined to pursue the case, but given the climate of the NFL, teams will have to vet the incident thoroughly when considering Carroo.
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It often shows when a football player excelled in another sport. That’s the case with Clark, who was a state wrestling champion in high school. Clark is able to get leverage on his blocker without necessarily overpowering him. He’s versatile enough to line up in many spots, particularly nose tackle, one-technique tackle and five-technique end. He could contribute right away as a run-stopping DT while he grows into his frame.
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Cook ended his Michigan State career with a 34-5 record, a spot in the 2015 CFP semifinals and two all-time school records. The senior has a strong arm and played in a pro-style offense, but he sometimes struggles with short and intermediate passes and never had a season completion percentage higher than 59%. In addition, rumors had swirled about Cook’s leadership, though many of his teammates came to bat for him.
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Correa played defensive end at Boise State, but he projects more as an edge-rushing linebacker in the NFL. The junior is an explosive rusher with great athleticism. He can set the edge in run defense or simply get after the quarterback, though he gets by more on athleticism than technique in the latter. His athleticism doesn’t quite match his tape, but the raw talent is there for one enterprising defensive coordinator to mold.
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More teams are adopting hybrid safeties/linebackers in their front seven a la Deonne Bucannon of the Cardinals and Mark Barron of the Rams. Cravens is the latest player in that mold. The USC junior is versatile enough to play safety, SAM linebacker or even slot corner and is very instinctive. He’s always around the ball and is a tough, disruptive linebacker despite his lack of ideal size for the position.
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Dixon doesn’t have the name recognition of Ezekiel Elliott or Derrick Henry, but his name could be called not long after theirs. The Louisiana Tech product has three-down capabilities, running with patience and vision while using his quickness to elude defenders as both a runner and receiver. He only has average size for the position, but get the ball in his hands and watch him turn a short gain into something longer.
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Bobby Wagner was the last Utah State linebacker to be drafted by an NFL team. Fackrell is trying to make it two in the last four years. The senior has excellent size and length and is equally strong as both a pass rusher and in coverage. However, teams will have to check Fackrell’s medicals, as he missed the entire 2014 season with a torn ACL. He’ll also be a 25-year-old rookie, which is on the older side for a draft prospect.
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Fuller has three brothers who are or have played in the NFL, and he is just as talented – if not even more talented – than his older brothers. Fuller is a smart, instinctive cornerback with good ball skills and knows how to play balls in front of him. However, there are some durability concerns – Fuller tore meniscus in September 2015 and broke his wrist in 2014. He could be a good fit for a team running a Cover 2 scheme.
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Fuller may be the best deep threat in this class. The junior clocked a 4.32 40 at the NFL Combine, tops among WRs. That translates to the field, where Fuller ranked in the top three in the FBS in TDs, receiving yards and catches on targets 20 or more yards downfield, per Pro Football Focus. However, he also led all WRs with 21 drops over the last two seasons. He’s a big play waiting to happen – if he can hold onto the ball.
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Garnett was a big reason behind Christian McCaffrey’s Heisman candidacy, helping open up holes in the running game as the sophomore tailback racked up an NCAA-record 3,496 all-purpose yards. Garnett is a road-grader who uses his combination of girth and power to simply powers through defensive linemen at will. He can come in right away and start for a team in need of run-blocking help.
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Hackenberg may be the biggest question mark of this class. After a promising freshman season, he regressed the next two years. He has the size and arm, but there are questions about his internal clock, and he’ll often follow up a great play with a bad one. And that’s what makes Hackenberg a Rorschach test – where one team may see a declining prospect, another may see a reclamation project with the traits to eventually start.
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Henry may be the first TE off the board in a class that isn’t that strong at the position. The junior has the mix of size and speed to line up in-line, out wide or in the slot. Henry has the hands to make every catch and the strength to finish them, especially over the middle. He still needs to improve his pass blocking, but he could step in and be a Week 1 starter in a league where more teams are looking for mismatches at TE.
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Higbee may be one of the more underrated TE prospects in this class. The Western Kentucky senior missed five games (as well as the Senior Bowl) with a knee sprain in 2015, but when healthy the converted receiver is a solid pass-catcher with excellent hands and great athleticism for his big frame. He’s not quite an established blocker just yet, but his receiving skills and combination of speed and power make him tough to cover.
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Hooper is trying to become the fifth Stanford tight end to be drafted in the last six years, following Jim Dray in 2010, Coby Fleener in 2012 and Zach Ertz and Levine Toilolo in 2013. The junior can line up anywhere on the field and has a good mix of size, speed, hands and blocking ability. He has very good upside and would be a good fit for a team that employs a move tight end or an H-back.
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Luke Joeckel, Jake Matthews, Cedric Ogbuehi and Jarvis Harrison all were drafted out of Texas A&M in the last three years. Ifedi, like them, can be a valuable piece for any offensive line. He has ideal size and length, yet moves very well for a big guy. He has the flexibility to play guard or tackle, but he needs to clean up some other aspects of his game, particularly his tendency to bend at the waist instead of at the knees.
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A year ago, Jones was the talk of college football after leading Ohio State to the inaugural CFP national title. But after being named the starter for 2015, inconsistency sent him to the bench. Jones has a ton of NFL tools: a big frame, speed and a cannon for an arm. But he struggled with progressions and misfired often on short routes. He’s extremely raw, but with the right team, he could eventually reach his immense ceiling.
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Jones burst onto the scene as a freshman en route to an All-SEC Honorable Mention, and while he had a sophomore slump, he rebounded nicely in 2015. He’s a versatile interior lineman with a good mix of strength at the point of attack and quickness in the pass game, but sometimes he fires up too high off the snap and loses leverage. If he can prove that his subpar 2014 was a one-year fluke, he could be a nice pickup.
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Jones hopes to follow in Kwon Alexander’s footsteps as the latest LSU linebacker to be drafted. Jones, who took Alexander’s spot inside, led the Tigers in tackles (100) and tackles for loss (13.5) in 2015. The senior has excellent athleticism, speed and range despite his smallish frame. He only has the one year of starting experience, though, so teams will need to figure out if he can consistently play at that level.
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Joseph entered 2015 as college football’s top senior safety prospect, and he looked every bit the part up until he tore his ACL in a non-contact drill. When healthy, the West Virginia product is an aggressive safety who attacks in both run and pass defense. That aggressiveness, combined with his smallish frame, could lead to some durability questions, but assuming his knee checks out, Joseph could be an immediate contributor.
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Derrick Henry ran for 2,219 yards last season, and while he’s certainly a special talent, he didn’t do it alone. He had some help from an Alabama offensive line led by Kelly. A three-year starter, Kelly did not give up a sack and allowed only four hurries last season. He makes up for his average athleticism with smarts and toughness, qualities which will help him earn a starting job right away in any style of offense.
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By now, Miller’s path from two-time Big Ten MVP QB to NFL WR prospect has been well-documented: A torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, combined with Ohio State’s QB depth, led him to switch to H-back in 2015 to better utilize his speed and open-field elusiveness. It worked, as Miller had 622 yards from scrimmage and four TDs. He’s about as raw as you can get as a WR, but his outstanding athleticism will be enough for a team.
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Nkemdiche has a great deal of talent but also some red flags. He has a nice mix of strength and speed and can play any spot on the line. However, he tends to be a boom-or-bust player -- his top plays stand out, but he'll also disappear at times. He also was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession in January as a result of an incident in which police said he went through a broken hotel window and fell off a 15-foot ledge.
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If there’s one word to describe Perkins, it’s “shifty.” The junior is tough to bring down in the open field and can make defenders miss with his vision and ability to cut. He’s not the biggest back in this class, which could limit him to more of a complementary role early on in his career, but with more and more teams going to two- and three-back rotations, Perkins could find a home as a Shane Vereen-esque receiving back.
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Perry often was overshadowed by Darron Lee at Ohio State but is a big-time playmaker in his own right. The senior is a tackling machine (298 tackles in four seasons) with great size and power. He sometimes gets taken out of the play while trying to shed blockers, and he may be more of a run-stopping “thumper” than a three-down linebacker, but he’s a physical, old-school player who could find a home early on.
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Prescott burst onto the scene in 2014 while leading the Bulldogs to a No. 1 ranking. The tough senior has great size and a strong arm, but his trump card is his mobility. Prescott is built like a fullback and uses his size and speed well in short-yard situations. He still needs some polish as a passer, and he was arrested on a DUI charge in March. If he can put those issues to rest, he could grow into a starting role.
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Prosise has had quite the journey to the draft. He was recruited to Notre Dame as a safety, was moved to receiver before his sophomore season, then jumped in at RB after Tarean Folston tore an ACL in the 2015 opener. Prosise has an every-down frame and a good mix of speed and strength. He still needs to improve in pass protection in order to become a three-down back, but his running style should appeal to a several teams.
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Shepard may be the crispest route-runner in this class. The Oklahoma senior excels at all three depths of the field – short, intermediate and deep. Shepard’s smallish frame may scare some teams, but his quickness to shake defenders and his great straight-line speed should help him find a niche right away. He can also return punts, which may help him solidify a role as a rookie on a team with a crowded depth chart at receiver.
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Entering bowl season, Smith was a consensus top-10 pick because of his explosiveness, versatility and all-around talent. However, he tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee during the Fiesta Bowl, and there are concerns about possible nerve damage after a video surfaced showing him wearing a special brace. That’ll likely push Smith down boards, but if he returns to his pre-injury level of performance, he’ll be a mid-round steal.
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While most of the top receivers have a specific trump card, Thomas is one of the more well-rounded prospects in this class. The junior led Ohio State with 56 catches for 781 yards and nine TDs after Devin Smith was drafted by the Jets in 2015. He’s a very balanced receiver who has ideal size and speed. He could stand to refine his routes a little bit more, but he could be a very solid No. 2 right out of college.
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Thompson ended 2015 as one of the nation’s top defensive backs, hauling in five interceptions en route to third-team All-American honors. The senior has great size and is very instinctive and aggressive against both the run and the pass. However, he does tend to be inconsistent when playing the ball – the same aggressiveness that helps him come up with a big interception can also put him out of position on a later play.
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Vannett is trying to follow Jeff Heuerman as the second straight Ohio State TE to be drafted. Like Heuerman, Vannett has ideal size, hands and blocking ability and could become a solid middle-of-field security blanket for a young QB. Ohio State tight ends are often underutilized in Urban Meyer’s spread scheme, though – Vannett had just 55 catches for 585 yards and six touchdowns in his four-year career.
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Westerman was a bit of a late bloomer for Arizona State after transferring from Auburn. The senior didn’t get a starting role until 2014, but when he did, he made the most of it, becoming a second-team All-Pac 12 guard in 2015. Westerman is very strong, but also very athletic and can block well when on the move. He doesn’t have a typical guard’s frame, but he’s a tough blocker who could find a home in a zone blocking scheme.
READ LESS3rd round
No. 83 pick overall
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LSU has churned out several quality offensive linemen recently – La’El Collins in 2015, Trai Turner in 2014 and Joe Barksdale in 2011. Alexander hopes to add his name to that list. He played right tackle last season, but he excelled at left guard the previous two seasons and likely projects best there. The senior has a massive frame and long arms, which help him overpower defenders, though he doesn’t have ideal athleticism.
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Teams often didn’t try for deep plays against the Ohio State defense, but when they did, Bell was a solid last line in the secondary. The junior is a solid coverage safety who reacts very well to what's going on in front of him and can play both man and zone coverage. He’s not a very powerful or physical tackler, partly because of his smallish frame, but if you need a rangy centerfielder, Bell could be your guy.
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Booker was having a strong senior season for Utah before tearing his left meniscus late in the season. He’s a versatile back who has good vision, makes quick cuts and has soft hands as a receiver. He’ll be a 24-year-old rookie, making him a bit older than most other backs in this class, and the recovery from his knee injury may cost him a few games early on in his rookie career, but he still could be a solid contributor.
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Not only is Boyd the junior the school’s all-time leader for receptions and receiving yards, but his 5,223 all-purpose yards trail only Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett. Boyd is a versatile, sure-handed receiver who stepped in occasionally at running back after James Conner was lost for the season. He doesn’t have great speed, but his hands should help him find a role as a possession receiver at the NFL level.
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Missouri has produced a ton of pass-rushers recently, but relatively few pure linebackers. Brothers hopes to buck that trend. The senior led the nation in 2015 with 152 total tackles, averaging 12.7 tackles per game. Brothers is a very instinctive linebacker and diagnoses plays very quickly. He doesn’t have ideal size or speed, but he knows how to get in position and make stops. He’ll likely be an inside linebacker in the NFL.
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Burns’ draft story is one of the more heart-wrenching ones. His mother died of a heart attack in October, and with his father incarcerated, he has taken custody of his two brothers while also raising his own son. He’s a two-sport athlete who hurdled for the track team in the offseason. That speed is evident on tape, and he also has very good ball skills. He’s still raw technique-wise, but his athleticism will intrigue a team.
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Cajuste, an LI native by way of Syosset and Seaford, has great size and uses his big frame to out-muscle defenders at the catch point. He ran a 4.62 in the 40-yard dash, so he doesn’t quite have the top-end speed of some other receivers in this class, but he does have the size and hands to make an impact in the red zone and other contested-catch situations, either as an outside receiver or as a flex tight end.
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On the field, Carroo is a nice talent. He has solid hands, and while he’s not the fastest athlete, he does have the agility to make defenders miss. However, Carroo was arrested in September on simple assault charges in a domestic violence incident. The charges were dropped after the woman declined to pursue the case, but given the climate of the NFL, teams will have to vet the incident thoroughly when considering Carroo.
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Collins was a top recruit out of high school in 2013 and backed it up in three seasons at Arkansas, rushing for 1,000 yards in every season despite not getting the starting job until 2015. The junior has a good mix of size, speed and power and can fit in pretty much any offensive scheme. He does need to cut down on his fumbles (16 in three season), but his consistency translates very well to the NFL.
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Cooper’s calling card is his versatility – he had 2,163 rushing yards, 513 receving yards, 118 passing yards, 359 kickoff return yards and 172 punt return yards in three seasons and can line up outside, in the slot, in the backfield or even as a wildcat QB (five of his nine completions went for TDs). Cooper has the shiftiness and speed to make defenders miss, but will he be able to hold up in the NFL at his current size?
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Day is the latest Notre Dame defensive lineman to enter the NFL, following Louis Nix and Stephon Tuitt in 2014 and Kapron Lewis-Moore in 2013. The senior is a high-motor interior lineman who uses his athleticism to disrupt plays upfield, though his lack of ideal size and power likely will limit him to a pass-rushing 4-3 three-technique defensive tackle role in the NFL.
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Bobby Wagner was the last Utah State linebacker to be drafted by an NFL team. Fackrell is trying to make it two in the last four years. The senior has excellent size and length and is equally strong as both a pass rusher and in coverage. However, teams will have to check Fackrell’s medicals, as he missed the entire 2014 season with a torn ACL. He’ll also be a 25-year-old rookie, which is on the older side for a draft prospect.
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Hackenberg may be the biggest question mark of this class. After a promising freshman season, he regressed the next two years. He has the size and arm, but there are questions about his internal clock, and he’ll often follow up a great play with a bad one. And that’s what makes Hackenberg a Rorschach test – where one team may see a declining prospect, another may see a reclamation project with the traits to eventually start.
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South Carolina State has had three players drafted into the NFL since 2010, and Hargrave is trying to become the fourth. The senior defensive tackle dominated at the FCS level, racking up 35 sacks in his final three seasons. Hargrave is an athletic one-gapping lineman who moves very well and excels as a penetrator. As with any FCS player, there’ll be questions about the jump in quality of opponents.
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Higbee may be one of the more underrated TE prospects in this class. The Western Kentucky senior missed five games (as well as the Senior Bowl) with a knee sprain in 2015, but when healthy the converted receiver is a solid pass-catcher with excellent hands and great athleticism for his big frame. He’s not quite an established blocker just yet, but his receiving skills and combination of speed and power make him tough to cover.
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“Hollywood” Higgins led the nation in receiving yards (1,750) and receiving touchdowns (17) in 2014 and finishing as the school’s all-time leader in catches, receiving yards and TDs. Higgins is a well-rounded receiver who runs excellent routes and can shake defenders with his instincts and footwork. He has a bit of a thin frame, and he doesn’t have great top-end speed, but his technical prowess is among the best in the class.
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Hooper is trying to become the fifth Stanford tight end to be drafted in the last six years, following Jim Dray in 2010, Coby Fleener in 2012 and Zach Ertz and Levine Toilolo in 2013. The junior can line up anywhere on the field and has a good mix of size, speed, hands and blocking ability. He has very good upside and would be a good fit for a team that employs a move tight end or an H-back.
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Stepping in for a 2,000-yard rusher is never easy, but Howard was able to help Indiana’s rushing game not miss a beat after Tevin Coleman left for the NFL. Howard, who joined the Hoosiers after UAB shuttered its football program, is a powerful back with surprising shiftiness for his size. He doesn’t have great speed, though, and his tough running style has led to several injuries and may raise questions about his durability.
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Howard checks off pretty much every box that scouts look for in today’s cornerback. The Baylor junior is a rangy, athletic press corner with good ball skills and the physicality to handle bigger receivers on the boundary. He sometimes gets too physical with his receiver, which will draw flags at the NFL level, but if he can cut down on that he has all of the tools to be a successful corner.
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Luke Joeckel, Jake Matthews, Cedric Ogbuehi and Jarvis Harrison all were drafted out of Texas A&M in the last three years. Ifedi, like them, can be a valuable piece for any offensive line. He has ideal size and length, yet moves very well for a big guy. He has the flexibility to play guard or tackle, but he needs to clean up some other aspects of his game, particularly his tendency to bend at the waist instead of at the knees.
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Jenkins paired with Leonard Floyd to make one of the better outside linebacker duos in the nation. While Floyd is known for his pass-rushing ability, Jenkins is better at setting the edge on running plays. He’s a smart, powerful player who can play either outside linebacker spot or with his hand in the dirt. He doesn’t quite have the speed to close as a rusher, but he could help a team that needs to bolster its run defense.
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Jones is the latest Alabama defensive back to enter the NFL, following Landon Collins, Ha-Ha Clinton Dix and Dee Milliner in recent drafts. The senior plays stronger than his size would have you believe. He’s a solid press corner and is aggressive in run support, though bigger receivers will have an advantage over him with the ball in the air. He’s also an excellent return man and can contribute there immediately for any team.
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Few players in this class are as imposing physically as Kaufusi. The senior was a two-sport star for the Cougars in his freshman season before focusing on football. Kaufusi uses his big frame to hold up well at the point of attack while using a varied pass-rush moveset to get into the backfield. He still needs some work on his technique, but he has the measurables to be an NFL edge rusher.
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Derrick Henry ran for 2,219 yards last season, and while he’s certainly a special talent, he didn’t do it alone. He had some help from an Alabama offensive line led by Kelly. A three-year starter, Kelly did not give up a sack and allowed only four hurries last season. He makes up for his average athleticism with smarts and toughness, qualities which will help him earn a starting job right away in any style of offense.
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Two years ago, Zack Martin went 16th overall to the Cowboys and helped make Dallas’ offensive line one of the NFL’s best. Now, Zack’s younger brother Nick has a chance to make his own impact. Nick Martin, like Zack, projects best inside at guard or even center. Although a season-ending knee injury in 2013 sapped him of some of his athleticism, he’s a smart, tough, instinctive blocker who could be an anchor inside for any team.
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Matakevich won’t impress scouts with his size or athleticism, but he’s about as tough as they come in this class. The senior knows how to make tackles, finishing with more than 100 tackles in each of his four seasons with the Owls and winning both the Bednarik Award and the Nagurski Award in 2015. He has excellent awareness, a high motor and is very physical, but can he keep up his production in the NFL at his size?
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Mills earned a starting job as a freshman and never looked back, starting all over the Tigers’ secondary. The senior played outside cornerback, slot corner and safety in four seasons. He has fluid hips and good athleticism, though he does need to take better angles to the ball and be more physical in run support. He also fractured his fibia and damaged ankle ligaments last offseason, so teams will need to look into that.
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Ochi is trying to become the first Stony Brook alum to be drafted by an NFL club. The Valley Stream Central product led the FCS in 2015 with 13 sacks and was tops in the CAA with 16 1/2 tackles for a loss. He’s an explosive rusher with long arms, a relentless motor and an even more tireless work ethic. Some teams may see Ochi as more of a 3-4 linebacker due to his size, but he brings incredible effort and burst on every play.
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If there’s one word to describe Perkins, it’s “shifty.” The junior is tough to bring down in the open field and can make defenders miss with his vision and ability to cut. He’s not the biggest back in this class, which could limit him to more of a complementary role early on in his career, but with more and more teams going to two- and three-back rotations, Perkins could find a home as a Shane Vereen-esque receiving back.
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Prescott burst onto the scene in 2014 while leading the Bulldogs to a No. 1 ranking. The tough senior has great size and a strong arm, but his trump card is his mobility. Prescott is built like a fullback and uses his size and speed well in short-yard situations. He still needs some polish as a passer, and he was arrested on a DUI charge in March. If he can put those issues to rest, he could grow into a starting role.
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Prosise has had quite the journey to the draft. He was recruited to Notre Dame as a safety, was moved to receiver before his sophomore season, then jumped in at RB after Tarean Folston tore an ACL in the 2015 opener. Prosise has an every-down frame and a good mix of speed and strength. He still needs to improve in pass protection in order to become a three-down back, but his running style should appeal to a several teams.
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Entering bowl season, Smith was a consensus top-10 pick because of his explosiveness, versatility and all-around talent. However, he tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee during the Fiesta Bowl, and there are concerns about possible nerve damage after a video surfaced showing him wearing a special brace. That’ll likely push Smith down boards, but if he returns to his pre-injury level of performance, he’ll be a mid-round steal.
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Vannett is trying to follow Jeff Heuerman as the second straight Ohio State TE to be drafted. Like Heuerman, Vannett has ideal size, hands and blocking ability and could become a solid middle-of-field security blanket for a young QB. Ohio State tight ends are often underutilized in Urban Meyer’s spread scheme, though – Vannett had just 55 catches for 585 yards and six touchdowns in his four-year career.
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Need proof of Ward’s athleticism? Just fire up his Instagram, where you’ll find a video of the 297-pounderr reverse dunking. Add in the fact that Ward (whose first name is pronounced juh-HODD) played receiver/safety at junior college, and you have someone with a ton of pure raw talent. He’s more potential than production after only recording 4 1/2 sacks in two seasons (including just 1 1/2 in 2015), but the upside is there.
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With as many future NFL prospects as Ohio State’s defense has, it may be easy for a guy such as Washington to get overlooked. But the senior is an athletic interior lineman who moves well for his size and could become a solid interior pass rusher in time. There are some off-field questions he’ll have to answer, though, after he pleaded guilty to solicitation before the Buckeyes’ Fiesta Bowl appearance.
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Westerman was a bit of a late bloomer for Arizona State after transferring from Auburn. The senior didn’t get a starting role until 2014, but when he did, he made the most of it, becoming a second-team All-Pac 12 guard in 2015. Westerman is very strong, but also very athletic and can block well when on the move. He doesn’t have a typical guard’s frame, but he’s a tough blocker who could find a home in a zone blocking scheme.
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Two years ago, Wright had one of the best individual defensive seasons in NCAA history. So why is he not a sure-fire first-rounder? He doesn’t have great size or athleticism for an inside linebacker, and he played just three games in 2015 due to a torn meniscus and foot sprain. Despite all of that, there’s no doubting the junior’s instincts, production or toughness. In the right scheme, he could be a very productive player.
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