Mcshay's 1St Top 32 Draft Board For 2016

[NewColtsFan]

Here is Todd McShay's first look at the 2016 candidates.   Yes, he did one back right after the 2015 draft, but only because his editors ask him to.    Now, he and his staff have spent the summer looking at about 140 players and checking game film.    This is the first set of evaluations.   If you're favorite player is not on this list -- relax.   It's early September.   And if you see someone too high or too low -- relax.     It's early September.     These lists can and will change over the next 8 months.

 

Enjoy!!     

 

 

1. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State Buckeyes*

Bosa is entering his third season as a starter after notching 34.5 tackles for loss and 21 sacks during his first two years in Columbus. He shows a consistent ability to convert speed to power and uses a wide array of pass-rush moves -- swim, rip, club, spin. With experience playing DE on both sides and moving inside to DT on obvious pass downs, Bosa brings a lot of scheme versatility to the table. 

 

2. Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida Gators*

Hargreaves lacks ideal size (5-foot-11, 199 pounds), but he has the instincts, aggressiveness and elite cover skills to develop into a good outside starting cornerback in the NFL. More physical than his frame might indicate, Hargreaves does a good job in press-man coverage, consistently redirecting wide receivers.

 

3. Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss Rebels*

A highly talented and versatile prospect, Nkemdiche is capable of playing three-technique or left defensive end in a 4-3 or five-technique in a 3-4. He's far more disruptive than his 2014 production would indicate (35 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks) and has outstanding quickness for his size (6-foot-4, 296).

 

4. Jalen Ramsey, S, Florida State Seminoles*

Ramsey plays a hybrid safety/corner role in Florida State's scheme, frequently lining up over the slot. In the NFL, he projects best as a safety because he's fast enough to play in center field or the slot and savvy enough to be a force against the run. Ramsey shows the instincts to be a big-time playmaker at the next level.

 

5. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss Rebels*

Tunsil fractured his fibula in last year's bowl game vs. TCU, but he's expected to be back as the team's starting left tackle in the 2015 season opener. When healthy, he has great range as a run-blocker. The junior projects best in a zone-blocking-heavy scheme because of his mobility.

 

6. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon Ducks

Buckner doesn't have the same athleticism and ceiling as former teammate and 2014 first-round pick Arik Armstead. But he has similar measurables and was a more consistent player in our 2014 tape study. He uses his explosive upper-body power to jar blockers and push the pocket, and he uses his height (6-foot-7) and length to bat down passes.

 

 

7. Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska Cornhuskers*

Collins finished last season on a tear, with all 4.5 of his sacks coming in his final five games. An effective hand fighter, he preys on off-balance offensive linemen. Collins is not an overwhelming bull rusher, but he generates enough push to make it tough for quarterbacks to step up.

 

8. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame Fighting Irish*

Stanley has the prototypical frame, length and athleticism for a left tackle prospect. And while he needs to be crisper in terms of technique, he's an effective run-blocker and he doesn't lose many one-on-one matchups in pass protection.

 

9. Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State Buckeyes*

Thomas, who led the Buckeyes with 54 receptions last season, has shown he's strong and tough enough to make difficult catches over the middle. He's a long-strider with somewhat deceptive top-end speed to kill pursuit angles. 

 

10. Jared Goff, QB, California Golden Bears*

Goff has had a productive first two seasons (61.2 percent completion rate, 7,481 passing yards and 53 TDs), but he needs to get more consistent with his lower-body mechanics and decision-making while also continuing to add bulk to his frame in 2015. He has shown the ability to make NFL-caliber throws into tight windows, which helps him stand out from the crowd in this QB class.

 

 

11. A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama Crimson Tide*

Robinson is a great case study in why stats sometimes lie. After posting 5.5 sacks in 2013, he had none last season, but he consistently stood up his opponent, pushed the pocket and forced the opposing quarterback from his spot.

 

12. Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish*

Smith has the ability to impact the game on every snap. He is a far more disruptive pass-rusher than the numbers suggest (just 3.5 sacks in two seasons), has excellent cover skills and plays sideline-to-sideline as a run defender.

 

13. Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU Tigers*

White has started 24 of 26 games during his two seasons at LSU. He's at his best in press-man coverage and is not afraid to get physical with bigger wide receivers. He did a great job sticking with Amari Cooper during the 2014 LSU-Alabama game.

 

 

14. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State Buckeyes

Decker, who has experience at both tackle positions, must continue to improve his leverage and feet in order to maximize his draft stock. A highly efficient run-blocker, Decker takes good angles and consistently gets out in front of defenders on zone-stretch plays.

 

15. Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State Spartans*

A former walk-on, Conklin has started all but one game over the past two seasons. He's a powerful drive-blocker with a nasty disposition. NFL edge-rushers are more apt to expose his tendency to give up too much ground in pass protection, so he may have to move from left tackle, where he has started 23 games.

 

16. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State Buckeyes*

Elliott burst onto the national scene in 2014, averaging 6.9 yards per carry and compiling 18 rushing TDs. He's a powerful runner who almost always churns out yards after initial contact and falls forward at end of runs.

 

17. Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia Bulldogs*

There's no doubt Floyd has the speed and athleticism to beat OTs around the edge and handle coverage assignments as a 3-4 OLB in the NFL. It's just a matter of whether he can improve his strength and consistency against the run.

 

 

18. Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech Hokies*

Fuller isn't as fluid in coverage as you'd hope, but he's such a complete player otherwise that it rarely matters. He can play outside or in the slot, compiling 2 INTs and 15 pass breakups last season. His three older brothers -- Vincent, Corey and Kyle -- all play or played in the NFL.

 

19. Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State Buckeyes*

Jones displayed first-round physical tools and mental toughness during his three career starts at Ohio State. To maximize his draft potential, Jones needs to win the Buckeyes' starting job and make his footwork more consistent. His quick, compact delivery -- and outstanding velocity on intermediate throws -- will help him succeed at the next level.

 

20. Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State Nittany Lions*

Hackenberg is the most polarizing prospect going into the 2015 season. Critics will justifiably point to erratic accuracy and subpar decision-making as proof that he is overrated. But he flashes enough good qualities on tape -- not-quite-elite arm strength and the ability to thread the needle on intermediate throws -- to make him a tantalizing prospect.

 

21. Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama Crimson Tide

Ragland is well-respected by his teammates and coaches for handling his business like a pro. He has good straight-line speed for his size (6-foot-2, 252 pounds), while also possessing the instincts and toughness to thrive at the next level.

 

 

22. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss Rebels*

Treadwell's draft stock will depend on how he recovers from a gruesome season-ending leg injury suffered against Auburn last season. When healthy, he's the premier WR prospect in this class, thanks to his outstanding anticipation, timing, length and strength.

 

23. Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State

Cook is a proven winner (23-3 as a starter), but his 58.2 career completion rate is a bit of a red flag. Far too often he misses the strike zone and forces receivers to adjust to the ball.

 

24. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville Cardinals

Rankins should draw the attention of any organization looking to bolster its run defense. He doesn't give ground one-on-one and flashes the ability to slip blocks and disrupt plays in the backfield.

 

25. Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA Bruins*

Jack shows excellent awareness and instincts in coverage. An explosive athlete who moonlights as a running back on offense, he holds up well in space and displays easy change-of-direction skills.

 

 

26. Su'a Cravens, S, USC Trojans*

At 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, Cravens is a bit of a tweener -- similar to Arizona Cardinals safety Deone Bucannon (2014 first-rounder) and Carolina Panthers OLB Shaq Thompson (2015 first-rounder). While he shows good playmaking instincts (7 career INTs in 26 starts), Cravens will struggle when he gets matched up against quicker slot receivers.

 

27. Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State Buckeyes

Washington (6-foot-4, 290 pounds) has a powerful upper body and won't give up much ground one-on-one. He improved his sack total last season to 4.5, up from two in 2013, but he needs to work on a better counter punch after this year.

 

28. Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor Bears*

Billings, a converted offensive lineman, enters just his third season on the defensive of the ball, but you wouldn't know it by watching his tape. He displays the first-step quickness to win early and the ability to convert speed to power, pushing the pocket from the interior.

 

29. Antonio Morrison, OLB, Florida Gators

Morrison was likely to leave for the 2015 draft -- until a knee injury required surgery immediately following Florida's bowl game. He is stronger and tougher than his measurables indicate (6-foot-1, 218 pounds), and he plays sideline-to-sideline against the run.

 

 

30. Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State Bulldogs

 

One of the best pure cover corners in this class, Redmond is entering his first season as a full-time starter. He shows excellent quickness and agility, which is why he gives up little separation in man-to-man coverage.

 

31. Mike Williams, WR, Clemson Tigers*

Williams is a dangerous vertical threat (18.1 yards per catch in 2014) with the frame and speed to develop into an effective No. 2 receiver in the NFL. He gets out-muscled on some routes and shows questionable ability to regularly get off press coverage at this point, but he tracks the ball well and looks natural making over-the-shoulder catches.

 

32. Anthony Zettel, DE, Penn State Nittany Lions

At 6-foot-4, 284 pounds, he has the size and strength to set the edge against the run, but Zettel lacks the explosive burst to regularly penetrate the backfield. His versatility is impressive, as he has shown the ability to jump inside and be a disruptive interior pass-rusher.

[Nobody]

Hackenberg, really?

Way too many guys who are better college players than NFL prospects.

[NewColtsFan]

Hackenberg, really?

Way too many guys who are better college players than NFL prospects.

 

Well....   the kid looked very good his sophomore year under O'Brien....

 

He looked not so good last year under Franklin.     So, talent evaluators give Hackenberg credit for his sophomore year.

 

If he's as not good as you indicate,  he's got plenty of time to either disappear from the first round,  or prove his case.

[Colts_Fan12]

Prove em wrong Connor!!! Take Sparty to the playoffs!!!

[Defjamz26]

I don't care about completion percentage, Connor Cook is the best QB in this draft hands down. He's the only 1st round QB I see as well

But where is Shawn Oakman and Shalique Calhoun? Or Stryker from Oklahoma?