Here it is, the beginning of the 2016 big board. I stopped myself at 50 players for the first installment since the draft process is still ongoing, but now that the dust has settled after the combine, here's a snapshot of where guys grade out in my opinion. Some of my favorite players in this draft (guys like Victor Ochi) didn't make the cut on the top 50, but this is an extremely deep draft, especially on defense. I'm higher on Scooby Wright than anyone as far as rankings (my heart puts him top 15, but he's a bit lower in the final list), and I'm pretty low on Corey Coleman. Why? You'll have to check out my list and see! --Mike B.
1. Larry Tunsil, OT, Mississippi. Tunsil is one of the best offensive line prospects to enter the NFL draft in years. It's a struggle at the top, but Tunsil comes in as my top prospect.
2. Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State. How often is a defensive back ready to come into the NFL and become a difference maker from day one? Ramsey is a hybrid player that can do just that, and has Pro Bowl potential in the right NFL schemes.
3. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State. Sure, Bosa is under a microscope now that the draft process is underway, and scouts and analysts are trying their hardest to find flaws in his play. There aren't many.
4. Myles Jack, LB UCLA. Great linebacker prospect with the ability to make an impact all over the field.
5. Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Ohio State. Cocky and a bit of a "me" guy after calling out his coaches, but Zeke has the talent to be an every down stud in the NFL.
6. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon State. An exceedingly good defensive prospect in a draft filled with defensive talent.
7. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame. Stanley is another outstanding offensive tackle prospect. Not as great as Tunsil, but elite nonetheless.
8. Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida. Hargreaves makes some scouts nervous, but he has Pro Bowl upside at corner.
9. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama. Great defensive lineman with a phenomenal motor. I'm intrigued.
10. Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama. This kid is growing on me as we head through the process. Solid player.
11. Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame. Would have been a top 3 talent had he not gotten injured.
12. Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State. Great athleticism on this kid, he could be a stud.
13. Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia. A bit underrated as a prospect but I like Floyd, a lot.
14. Jared Goff, QB, Cal. He's this high because he plays quarterback, and quarterbacks are in vogue. Getting ripped by scouts after the combine, but I think he's the best bet at QB in this draft.
15. A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama. Alabama's entire defensive line is solid. Robinson is no different. Potentially solid value here.
16. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. Best receiver in this draft class. Continued to improve through his career.
17. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson. I really like this kid, and in a draft dominated by defensive talent, add yet another defensive lineman to the top 20!
18. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State. I don't want to call a guy out because of his level of competition, but too many question marks here. I think him and Goff are fairly equal as prospects but Goff might be the surer bet.
19. Mackenzie Alexander, CB, Clemson. Another strong cornerback prospect and another strong Clemson defender.
20. Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss. Top ten based on talent alone, drops based on character concerns and inconsistency.
21. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville. Another defensive lineman, and another piece of one of the best defensive line drafts in years.
22. Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State. Hard working former walk-on with something to prove. I like this kid.
23. Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State. This kid gained some hype after a strong combine, but looked good on tape before that.
24. Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor. If you know my love for Geno Atkins and Aaron Donald, you know I love smaller defensive tackles. Billings could be another special player.
25. Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. Loved watching this kid at TCU. I think he's got great upide.
26. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State. Another solid tackle prospect. Has definite starter potential.
27. Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana. Decker is the better pure blocker, but Spriggs is the better athlete. Another potential starter at tackle.
28. Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA. Another great defensive line prospect. Wickedly underhyped, could still be an NFL starter.
29. Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky. Mountains of potential, but also many character-based red flags. Has the potential to record double digit sacks on a yearly basis if he keeps his head on straight.
30. Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis. This kid could wind up being the best quarterback out of this draft class, but is also the rawest out of the top three. Huge upside, but needs to develop.
31. Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida. Had a strong season while playing through injuries. Tough kid that could make an impact at the next level.
32. Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech. Good player from a lesser-known program with a beautiful swim move. Nice upside here.
33. Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson. Explosive but inexperienced. Has the potential to be a special pass rusher at the NFL level.
34. Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama. Great college center with the talent to be a day-one starter in the NFL.
35. Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State. Arguably the best guard prospect in the entire draft. Lots of upside. Needs to build up some strength but should be an NFL starter at guard.
36. Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama. Great college running back, a bit of a gamble in the NFL but in the right system has Eddie George upside. At the same time, in the wrong system, could flame out.
37.. Scooby Wright III, LB, Arizona. Wright is getting no love from scouts, but I enjoy watching him on film. He's a divisive player and I may be a bit high on him, but the guy has elite instincts and Zach Thomas type upside. He's best suited to a spot in the middle, but could be a solid, solid pick. This value is low on him still I think.
38. William Jackson III, CB, Houston. Looked great on film but arguably rushed into the draft. Then stunned at the combine, confirming the athleticism he showed on film. Could be a great NFL corner.
39.. Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia. Undersized safety with lots of play-making upside
40.. Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor. He's this high due to his play making upside. Takes lots of plays off however, and never blocks. Stands around on a lot of his tape. If he's not the #1 or #2 read on a passing play, he seems to walk around and quit on the play. Don't even think about asking the guy to block. The upside is there for him to be a special player, but I have questions about his effort and work ethic.
41. Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech. An underrated cornerback prospect who missed some time due to injuries. Have you seen this kid's footwork?
42. Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State. Great coverage safety with questions about his physicality.
43. Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas. Great pass catching tight end in college, but will he be a TE or an H-Back in the NFL? Either way has the potential to be a key playmaker in the right scheme.
44. Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M. Talented player who is capable of playing both guard and tackle. Teams will like both his ability and his versatility.
45.. Kamalei Correa, LB, Boise State. Love the kid's upside but still needs some work. Has the potential to be a top pass rusher if he continues to improve.
46. Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford. Offensive guard prospect with some nice upside.
47. Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State. Higher on my board than Will Fuller because Fuller has struggled with drops through his career.
48. Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame. Flashes playmaking potential when he catches the ball, but has struggled with drops through his career.
49. Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State. One of the tougher defensive tackles in this class to gauge, but lots of upside. Jones is quick off the snap and has some good fundamentals. Could be a climber heading into the draft.
50. Su'a Cravens, LB, USC. Was a top prospect at safety in high school and then switched to linebacker at USC. Athletic with good coverage technique.
1. Larry Tunsil, OT, Mississippi. Tunsil is one of the best offensive line prospects to enter the NFL draft in years. It's a struggle at the top, but Tunsil comes in as my top prospect.
2. Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State. How often is a defensive back ready to come into the NFL and become a difference maker from day one? Ramsey is a hybrid player that can do just that, and has Pro Bowl potential in the right NFL schemes.
3. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State. Sure, Bosa is under a microscope now that the draft process is underway, and scouts and analysts are trying their hardest to find flaws in his play. There aren't many.
4. Myles Jack, LB UCLA. Great linebacker prospect with the ability to make an impact all over the field.
5. Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Ohio State. Cocky and a bit of a "me" guy after calling out his coaches, but Zeke has the talent to be an every down stud in the NFL.
6. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon State. An exceedingly good defensive prospect in a draft filled with defensive talent.
7. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame. Stanley is another outstanding offensive tackle prospect. Not as great as Tunsil, but elite nonetheless.
8. Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida. Hargreaves makes some scouts nervous, but he has Pro Bowl upside at corner.
9. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama. Great defensive lineman with a phenomenal motor. I'm intrigued.
10. Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama. This kid is growing on me as we head through the process. Solid player.
11. Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame. Would have been a top 3 talent had he not gotten injured.
12. Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State. Great athleticism on this kid, he could be a stud.
13. Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia. A bit underrated as a prospect but I like Floyd, a lot.
14. Jared Goff, QB, Cal. He's this high because he plays quarterback, and quarterbacks are in vogue. Getting ripped by scouts after the combine, but I think he's the best bet at QB in this draft.
15. A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama. Alabama's entire defensive line is solid. Robinson is no different. Potentially solid value here.
16. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi. Best receiver in this draft class. Continued to improve through his career.
17. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson. I really like this kid, and in a draft dominated by defensive talent, add yet another defensive lineman to the top 20!
18. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State. I don't want to call a guy out because of his level of competition, but too many question marks here. I think him and Goff are fairly equal as prospects but Goff might be the surer bet.
19. Mackenzie Alexander, CB, Clemson. Another strong cornerback prospect and another strong Clemson defender.
20. Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss. Top ten based on talent alone, drops based on character concerns and inconsistency.
21. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville. Another defensive lineman, and another piece of one of the best defensive line drafts in years.
22. Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State. Hard working former walk-on with something to prove. I like this kid.
23. Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State. This kid gained some hype after a strong combine, but looked good on tape before that.
24. Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor. If you know my love for Geno Atkins and Aaron Donald, you know I love smaller defensive tackles. Billings could be another special player.
25. Josh Doctson, WR, TCU. Loved watching this kid at TCU. I think he's got great upide.
26. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State. Another solid tackle prospect. Has definite starter potential.
27. Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana. Decker is the better pure blocker, but Spriggs is the better athlete. Another potential starter at tackle.
28. Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA. Another great defensive line prospect. Wickedly underhyped, could still be an NFL starter.
29. Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky. Mountains of potential, but also many character-based red flags. Has the potential to record double digit sacks on a yearly basis if he keeps his head on straight.
30. Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis. This kid could wind up being the best quarterback out of this draft class, but is also the rawest out of the top three. Huge upside, but needs to develop.
31. Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida. Had a strong season while playing through injuries. Tough kid that could make an impact at the next level.
32. Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech. Good player from a lesser-known program with a beautiful swim move. Nice upside here.
33. Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson. Explosive but inexperienced. Has the potential to be a special pass rusher at the NFL level.
34. Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama. Great college center with the talent to be a day-one starter in the NFL.
35. Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State. Arguably the best guard prospect in the entire draft. Lots of upside. Needs to build up some strength but should be an NFL starter at guard.
36. Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama. Great college running back, a bit of a gamble in the NFL but in the right system has Eddie George upside. At the same time, in the wrong system, could flame out.
37.. Scooby Wright III, LB, Arizona. Wright is getting no love from scouts, but I enjoy watching him on film. He's a divisive player and I may be a bit high on him, but the guy has elite instincts and Zach Thomas type upside. He's best suited to a spot in the middle, but could be a solid, solid pick. This value is low on him still I think.
38. William Jackson III, CB, Houston. Looked great on film but arguably rushed into the draft. Then stunned at the combine, confirming the athleticism he showed on film. Could be a great NFL corner.
39.. Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia. Undersized safety with lots of play-making upside
40.. Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor. He's this high due to his play making upside. Takes lots of plays off however, and never blocks. Stands around on a lot of his tape. If he's not the #1 or #2 read on a passing play, he seems to walk around and quit on the play. Don't even think about asking the guy to block. The upside is there for him to be a special player, but I have questions about his effort and work ethic.
41. Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech. An underrated cornerback prospect who missed some time due to injuries. Have you seen this kid's footwork?
42. Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State. Great coverage safety with questions about his physicality.
43. Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas. Great pass catching tight end in college, but will he be a TE or an H-Back in the NFL? Either way has the potential to be a key playmaker in the right scheme.
44. Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M. Talented player who is capable of playing both guard and tackle. Teams will like both his ability and his versatility.
45.. Kamalei Correa, LB, Boise State. Love the kid's upside but still needs some work. Has the potential to be a top pass rusher if he continues to improve.
46. Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford. Offensive guard prospect with some nice upside.
47. Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State. Higher on my board than Will Fuller because Fuller has struggled with drops through his career.
48. Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame. Flashes playmaking potential when he catches the ball, but has struggled with drops through his career.
49. Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State. One of the tougher defensive tackles in this class to gauge, but lots of upside. Jones is quick off the snap and has some good fundamentals. Could be a climber heading into the draft.
50. Su'a Cravens, LB, USC. Was a top prospect at safety in high school and then switched to linebacker at USC. Athletic with good coverage technique.
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