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NFL Draft Big Board: All eyes on top junior prospects in big bowl battles
by Rob Rang | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
Dec. 30, 2015 2:41 PM ET
Scouts are eagerly awaiting the most talent-rich bowl games as New Year's Day approaches, but strong impressions are already being made early in the postseason. California quarterback Jared Goff and Baylor defensive tackle Andrew Billings, juniors with big decisions to make, certainly helped their cause, guiding their respective teams to impressive wins in what may be their final collegiate games. Here is a list of the top 32 players scouts (and therefore anyone interested in the 2016 NFL draft) should be watching throughout the bowl season.
1. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State, 6-5, 275, 4.82, Junior: With just five sacks among his 47 tackles, Bosa's production in the regular season is perhaps bit disappointing. His ability to disrupt, however, is obvious on tape. Powerful, athletic, technically sound and ultra-competitive, Bosa is a threat to make a big play on every snap, whether it be rushing the passer or defending the run. He projects best in the left defensive end role in which he's starred for much of his career with the Buckeyes but has experience rushing out of the two-point stance, as well. He is agile and instinctive enough to handle the transition to a 3-4 alignment should the team lucky enough to get him favor that approach.
2. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi, 6-5, 305, 5.23, Junior: Tunsil was suspended for the first seven games of the season by the NCAA for multiple rules violations that include accepting improper benefits. Since he has returned, he has shut down first-round caliber pass rushers in Texas A&M's Myles Garrett and Auburn's Carl Lawson. Tunsil possesses a remarkable combination of size, agility and strength that has scouts comparing him to Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro Jason Peters. Tunsil's matchup against Oklahoma State's Emmanuel Ogbah (No. 13 overall on this list) in the New Year's Day Sugar Bowl is a must-see for scouts.
3. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State, 6-1, 202, 4.49, Junior: A freakish athlete with legitimate Olympics hopes and the physicality required for the NFL, Ramsey has the look of a top 10 pick, regardless of where he ultimately lines up in the secondary. He has starred at safety, cornerback and even linebacker over his three seasons with the Seminoles. He doesn't have the ball skills you'd expect of a blue-chip prospect, failing to turn a single one of the 10 pass breakups during the regular season into an interception.
4. Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame, 6-3, 235, 4.67, Junior: The Irish annually produce NFL talent, but Smith is a different caliber of athlete than recent prospects out of South Bend. Some scouts consider him the best player in the country. A truly explosive player who wins with speed and power, Smith is position- and scheme-versatile and a future three-down standout in the NFL. He's a shoo-in to enter the draft early and will be the highest drafted defender from Notre Dame since Bryant Young was taken seventh overall by San Francisco in 1994.
5. Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA, 6-1, 222, 4.56, Junior: The NFL will have to carefully evaluate Jack's health after UCLA announced Oct. 6 that the true junior was leaving for the pros despite suffering a season-ending knee injury. The decision was bold but not reckless. Put simply, Jack is a "natural" whose fluidity, instincts and knack for game-breaking plays made him the only player in Pac-12 history to be named both the Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2013. Given Jack's talent and the gains made in player recovery from surgeries, Jack remains very much in the early first round conversation despite his injury.
6. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson, 6-3, 275, 4.64, Redshirt Junior: Lawson entered the 2015 season with more buzz and production (79 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks) than career starts (one), but he's steadily risen up the board with a breakout campaign that nearly matched his previous numbers (55 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks) with the Orange Bowl (and potentially the National Championship) still to go. Quick off the ball, powerful and tenacious, he's a threat on every snap. Better yet, he may only be scratching the surface of his potential. Lawson announced Dec. 8 that he's heading to the NFL.
7. Jared Goff, QB, California, 6-4, 210, 4.82, Junior: Anything less than a sparkling performance against Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl would have sent up red flags. Goff sealed the deal in completing 25 of 37 passes for 467 yards and six touchdowns without an interception to give Cal its first bowl win since 2008. Sure, coach Sonny Dykes' up-tempo spread offense has inflated Goff's production but of the quarterbacks potentially available in the 2016 draft, the lanky junior offers the best combination of awareness, functional mobility, accuracy and toughness - the traits I believe are the best indicators of future success at this position for the NFL.
8. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame, 6-6, 315, 5.17, Redshirt Junior: Stanley has the length, agility and balance to remain at left tackle in the NFL, where he's starred the past three seasons for the Irish. Stanley isn't as powerful or tenacious a run blocker as my top-rated tackle (Tunsil) but he's athletic, technically sound and battle-tested. Scouts hope to see the dream matchup of Stanley against Bosa when the Irish and Buckeyes face off in the Citrus Bowl on New Year's Day.
9. Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi, 6-4, 296, 4.86, Junior: Nkemdiche -- and his draft stock -- took a dip December 12 when police found him hurt after falling through a hotel room window. On its own, the fall might be just a bizarre accident. Frankly though, there were scouts worried about Nkemdiche's commitment prior to the incident, which earned him a citation from Atlanta police for marijuana possession and led to Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze suspending Nkemdiche for the Sugar Bowl. Even with growing concerns about his decision-making, Nkemdiche remains in my top-10 prospects. He might just be the most gifted prospect in the country, boasting a combination of power and athleticism sure to intrigue every team in the league. Nkemdiche announced his intention Dec. 20 to enter the 2016 draft.
10. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon, 6-7, 290, 4.87, Senior: All of the attention goes to Vernon Adams III and Oregon's offense but the imposing Buckner was one of the few consistent bright spots for the Ducks this season, earning the most votes from Pac-12 blockers to win the Morris Trophy as the conference's top defensive linemen. Buckner isn't an explosive edge rusher but his length, strength and balance will intrigue coaches at the next level, especially as a five-tech defensive end. He's my top-rated senior, regardless of position.
11. Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida, 5-11, 198, 4.44, Junior: A rare three-time First Team All-SEC pick, Hargreaves combines instincts, agility and controlled aggression to shut down one side of the field in coverage. He lived off of his reputation a bit this season and Alabama beat him for two long gains in the SEC Championship. Hargreaves doesn't possess ideal size, but he's highly aggressive, which includes fighting off blocks and looking to tackle backs in run support. Further, he possesses excellent ball skills, as his 10 career interceptions can attest.
12. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi, 6-2, 212, 4.52, Junior: Just over a year removed from a horrific leg injury that some thought might threaten his career, Treadwell was one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's elite receiver (ultimately losing out to Baylor Corey Coleman, listed 19th). There remain concerns about his top-end speed, but Treadwell's NFL-ready frame, body control and raw power make him a frightening draw as both a receiver and downfield blocker.
13. Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State, 6-4, 275, 4.76, Redshirt Junior: Ogbah was recognized by Big 12 coaches as the conference's top defensive lineman a year ago and was even better this season, leading the Cowboys in tackles for loss (17.5), sacks (13) and forced fumbles (three) to earn co-honors with Baylor DT Andrew Billings (14th on these rankings). Ogbah isn't just productive, he's gifted and versatile, boasting an exciting length, power and agility. Selfishly, scouts are hoping to see him match up against Mississippi's Tunsil (No. 2 on this list) in the Sugar Bowl, though the Cowboys frequently move Ogbah to create favorable matchups.
14. Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor, 6-1, 300, 5.04, Junior: Given the success of Aaron Donald, Jurrell Casey and similarly "undersized" defensive tackles in the NFL, it is easy to get excited about Billings, whose bowling ball style can be tough for offensive linemen to handle. Billings' statistics are deceptive -- he just might be the most disruptive defensive lineman in college football.
15. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State, 6-0, 225, 4.42, Junior: Elliott reacted poorly following Ohio State's loss to Michigan State, publicly calling out his coaches and announcing his intentions to leave the Buckeyes after this season for the NFL. He since apologized and anyone who watches Elliott knows that he's a passionate, selfless and certainly very talented player. Elliott isn't the second-coming of Todd Gurley, but he's clearly the top draft-eligible back this year.
16. Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA, 6-3, 308, 5.22, Junior: Clark doesn't get as much national attention as Nkemdiche or Billings, who are superior athletes. He has proven a standout since Day One for the Bruins and is viewed by some scouts as the safest of the trio. He is an assignment-sound tough guy with the broad frame and power to plug holes in the running game, projecting nicely to any defensive front.
17. Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama, 6-3, 283, 4.73, Junior: Despite limited opportunities due to Alabama rotating its defensive linemen, Allen has surged up draft boards this season, leading a defense filled with future draft picks in both sacks (nine) and tackles for loss (11.5). Significantly lighter and quicker than his battery mates, Allen is nonetheless stout, showing the ability to anchor as well as chop through would-be blockers with heavy hands.
18. Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State, 6-4, 220, 4.89, Redshirt Senior: Cook comes out of a pro-style attack which features plenty of challenging downfield throws, making him theoretically more NFL-ready than the other top-rated quarterbacks in this draft. He is a polarizing prospect, whose chance at the first round could be heavily influenced by how he performs against Alabama in the New Year's Eve Cotton Bowl. Never voted a captain by teammates, Cook also had an awkward encounter with Ohio State legend Archie Griffin on live television. Cook doesn't possess elite traits but he has shown the poise, arm strength and accuracy to start early in his pro career.
19. Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor, 5-10, 190, 4.45, Redshirt Junior: After racing to an eye-popping 20 touchdowns over the first eight games of the 2015 season, Coleman was kept out of the end zone over the final games of the regular season, three of which (not surprisingly) the Bears lost. While Coleman's blinding speed makes him a perfect fit in coach Art Briles' vertical attack, he's more than just a big-play threat, showing the combination of strength, agility and vision to make plays underneath, as well.
20. Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis, 6-6, 230, 4.95, Redshirt Junior: Boasting more exciting traits and better production than either Goff or Cook, Lynch is viewed by some as a possible top 10 pick. He has a hose for an arm, terrific size and is surprisingly mobile but for all of his talents, Lynch has been aided by a spread offense and relatively weak competition. His stock began to soar when he led the Tigers to an upset over Mississippi Oct. 17 and he'll get another chance at beating an SEC opponent with Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl Dec. 30.
21. Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson, 5-10, 195, 4.43, Redshirt Sophomore: I rarely include redshirt sophomores on this list, but the NFL's constant need for cornerbacks and Alexander's talent warrant it. Sporting an athletic, compact frame more like a running back than most corners, Alexander already passes the eye test. He doesn't have the preferred height but offers excellent man-to-man cover skills, which will surely be put to the test by Oklahoma's Sterling Shepard in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 31.
22. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State, 6-7, 317, 5.21, Senior: They don't come much safer than Decker, the Big Ten's Offensive Lineman of the Year. Massive and athletic, he has enough agility to potentially remain at left tackle in the NFL, plus the power, grit and tenacity to project nicely to the right side.
23. Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State, 6-6, 318, 5.43, Redshirt Junior: A former walk-on, Conklin is a favorite among scouts due to his blue collar work ethic and powerful, no-nonsense style. He isn't as agile as some of the other top tackles on this board and may be pushed inside at the next level. He's long, powerful and tenacious, however -- traits that make him one of the nation's best run blockers. For fans of old-school trench football, it doesn't get much better than Conklin and the Spartans' offensive line against Alabama's beefy front seven in the Dec. 31 Cotton Bowl.
24. Jarran Reed, DL, Alabama, 6-3, 313, 5.14, Senior: Country-strong with tree trunks for thighs and long arms, Reed is a classic two-gap run-stuffer stout enough to play inside at defensive tackle or outside at end. He's not a quick-twitch pass rusher who'll ever lead the team in sacks but he changes directions surprisingly well for a big man, accelerates smoothly and hustles to the ball.
25. Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia, 6-3, 232, 4.73, Redshirt Junior: Floyd emerged as one of the SEC's most feared edge rushers over the past two seasons, beating opponents with first-step explosiveness, length and surprising functional strength for his relatively slim frame. He was asked to play off the line of scrimmage more often in 2015 and while the positional versatility could theoretically help his stock, Floyd has looked hesitant in his new role.
26. A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama, 6-3, 312, 5.18, Junior: The stoutest of the three-headed monster of future first round picks Alabama is hoping to ride into a national championship, Robinson could earn top 20 consideration, should he elect to leave school early. Robinson is surprisingly agile for his size but his game is all about power, making him a better fit in a two-gap alignment.
27. Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU, 5-11, 191, 4.48, Junior: White possesses the light feet and fluid hips to continue LSU's rich tradition of churning out top-notch NFL defensive backs. White is agile but his lack of ideal strength was exposed by Treadwell in the Nov. 21 showdown of future first-round picks and he failed to get a proper jam on Texas Tech's Jakeem Grant during the Advocare V100 Texas Bowl, surrendering a 46-yard touchdown to the speedster.
28. Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State, 6-5, 252, 4.78, Redshirt Senior: Calhoun was reportedly given a "first day" projection by the NFL Advisory Committee a year ago when he considered jumping into the NFL early. By returning, he's shown greater strength at the point of attack, along with intriguing burst and agility for a player with his height and length. Scouts appreciate prospects who respond to the pressure of big games and Calhoun stood out against rival Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game.
29. Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida, 6-3, 283, 4.86, Senior: Bullard is aptly named as he possesses brute strength to control opponents at the point of attack, gumming up rushing lanes. He's quick enough to challenge the corner and split gaps but isn't a traditional speed rusher. Bullard inspired this season by playing through shoulder and knee injuries to emerge as Florida's most consistent defender.
30. Germain Ifedi, OL, Texas A&M, 6-5, 325, 5.34, Redshirt Junior: The latest in the A&M train of offensive linemen going full steam ahead to the NFL, Ifedi has experience at left guard, right tackle and left tackle and possesses the mass, light feet and active hands to maintain this versatility at the next level.
31. Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech, 6-0, 197, 4.50, Junior: Like Jack (No. 5 overall on this board), Fuller elected to forego his final year of amateur eligibility despite missing virtually the entire season due to a knee injury and subsequent surgery. The younger brother of former Virginia Tech standouts and current NFL players Vincent, Corey and Kyle Fuller, Kendall is a fluid and savvy defender whose instincts and poise when the ball is in the air helped him record eight interceptions and an NCAA-best 34 pass breakups in his first two seasons at Virginia Tech.
32. Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana, 6-6, 305, 5.07, Senior: Like Ifedi (No. 31), Spriggs is a projection to the NFL because he's starred in spread attack in college. However, his blend of length and agility have scouts excited about his upside. Spriggs may struggle initially with the added physicality of the NFL but he possesses the size and athleticism to remain at left tackle - where he's starred the past four years for the Hoosiers.
by Rob Rang | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
Dec. 30, 2015 2:41 PM ET
Scouts are eagerly awaiting the most talent-rich bowl games as New Year's Day approaches, but strong impressions are already being made early in the postseason. California quarterback Jared Goff and Baylor defensive tackle Andrew Billings, juniors with big decisions to make, certainly helped their cause, guiding their respective teams to impressive wins in what may be their final collegiate games. Here is a list of the top 32 players scouts (and therefore anyone interested in the 2016 NFL draft) should be watching throughout the bowl season.
1. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State, 6-5, 275, 4.82, Junior: With just five sacks among his 47 tackles, Bosa's production in the regular season is perhaps bit disappointing. His ability to disrupt, however, is obvious on tape. Powerful, athletic, technically sound and ultra-competitive, Bosa is a threat to make a big play on every snap, whether it be rushing the passer or defending the run. He projects best in the left defensive end role in which he's starred for much of his career with the Buckeyes but has experience rushing out of the two-point stance, as well. He is agile and instinctive enough to handle the transition to a 3-4 alignment should the team lucky enough to get him favor that approach.
2. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi, 6-5, 305, 5.23, Junior: Tunsil was suspended for the first seven games of the season by the NCAA for multiple rules violations that include accepting improper benefits. Since he has returned, he has shut down first-round caliber pass rushers in Texas A&M's Myles Garrett and Auburn's Carl Lawson. Tunsil possesses a remarkable combination of size, agility and strength that has scouts comparing him to Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro Jason Peters. Tunsil's matchup against Oklahoma State's Emmanuel Ogbah (No. 13 overall on this list) in the New Year's Day Sugar Bowl is a must-see for scouts.
3. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State, 6-1, 202, 4.49, Junior: A freakish athlete with legitimate Olympics hopes and the physicality required for the NFL, Ramsey has the look of a top 10 pick, regardless of where he ultimately lines up in the secondary. He has starred at safety, cornerback and even linebacker over his three seasons with the Seminoles. He doesn't have the ball skills you'd expect of a blue-chip prospect, failing to turn a single one of the 10 pass breakups during the regular season into an interception.
4. Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame, 6-3, 235, 4.67, Junior: The Irish annually produce NFL talent, but Smith is a different caliber of athlete than recent prospects out of South Bend. Some scouts consider him the best player in the country. A truly explosive player who wins with speed and power, Smith is position- and scheme-versatile and a future three-down standout in the NFL. He's a shoo-in to enter the draft early and will be the highest drafted defender from Notre Dame since Bryant Young was taken seventh overall by San Francisco in 1994.
5. Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA, 6-1, 222, 4.56, Junior: The NFL will have to carefully evaluate Jack's health after UCLA announced Oct. 6 that the true junior was leaving for the pros despite suffering a season-ending knee injury. The decision was bold but not reckless. Put simply, Jack is a "natural" whose fluidity, instincts and knack for game-breaking plays made him the only player in Pac-12 history to be named both the Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2013. Given Jack's talent and the gains made in player recovery from surgeries, Jack remains very much in the early first round conversation despite his injury.
6. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson, 6-3, 275, 4.64, Redshirt Junior: Lawson entered the 2015 season with more buzz and production (79 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks) than career starts (one), but he's steadily risen up the board with a breakout campaign that nearly matched his previous numbers (55 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks) with the Orange Bowl (and potentially the National Championship) still to go. Quick off the ball, powerful and tenacious, he's a threat on every snap. Better yet, he may only be scratching the surface of his potential. Lawson announced Dec. 8 that he's heading to the NFL.
7. Jared Goff, QB, California, 6-4, 210, 4.82, Junior: Anything less than a sparkling performance against Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl would have sent up red flags. Goff sealed the deal in completing 25 of 37 passes for 467 yards and six touchdowns without an interception to give Cal its first bowl win since 2008. Sure, coach Sonny Dykes' up-tempo spread offense has inflated Goff's production but of the quarterbacks potentially available in the 2016 draft, the lanky junior offers the best combination of awareness, functional mobility, accuracy and toughness - the traits I believe are the best indicators of future success at this position for the NFL.
8. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame, 6-6, 315, 5.17, Redshirt Junior: Stanley has the length, agility and balance to remain at left tackle in the NFL, where he's starred the past three seasons for the Irish. Stanley isn't as powerful or tenacious a run blocker as my top-rated tackle (Tunsil) but he's athletic, technically sound and battle-tested. Scouts hope to see the dream matchup of Stanley against Bosa when the Irish and Buckeyes face off in the Citrus Bowl on New Year's Day.
9. Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi, 6-4, 296, 4.86, Junior: Nkemdiche -- and his draft stock -- took a dip December 12 when police found him hurt after falling through a hotel room window. On its own, the fall might be just a bizarre accident. Frankly though, there were scouts worried about Nkemdiche's commitment prior to the incident, which earned him a citation from Atlanta police for marijuana possession and led to Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze suspending Nkemdiche for the Sugar Bowl. Even with growing concerns about his decision-making, Nkemdiche remains in my top-10 prospects. He might just be the most gifted prospect in the country, boasting a combination of power and athleticism sure to intrigue every team in the league. Nkemdiche announced his intention Dec. 20 to enter the 2016 draft.
10. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon, 6-7, 290, 4.87, Senior: All of the attention goes to Vernon Adams III and Oregon's offense but the imposing Buckner was one of the few consistent bright spots for the Ducks this season, earning the most votes from Pac-12 blockers to win the Morris Trophy as the conference's top defensive linemen. Buckner isn't an explosive edge rusher but his length, strength and balance will intrigue coaches at the next level, especially as a five-tech defensive end. He's my top-rated senior, regardless of position.
11. Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida, 5-11, 198, 4.44, Junior: A rare three-time First Team All-SEC pick, Hargreaves combines instincts, agility and controlled aggression to shut down one side of the field in coverage. He lived off of his reputation a bit this season and Alabama beat him for two long gains in the SEC Championship. Hargreaves doesn't possess ideal size, but he's highly aggressive, which includes fighting off blocks and looking to tackle backs in run support. Further, he possesses excellent ball skills, as his 10 career interceptions can attest.
12. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi, 6-2, 212, 4.52, Junior: Just over a year removed from a horrific leg injury that some thought might threaten his career, Treadwell was one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's elite receiver (ultimately losing out to Baylor Corey Coleman, listed 19th). There remain concerns about his top-end speed, but Treadwell's NFL-ready frame, body control and raw power make him a frightening draw as both a receiver and downfield blocker.
13. Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State, 6-4, 275, 4.76, Redshirt Junior: Ogbah was recognized by Big 12 coaches as the conference's top defensive lineman a year ago and was even better this season, leading the Cowboys in tackles for loss (17.5), sacks (13) and forced fumbles (three) to earn co-honors with Baylor DT Andrew Billings (14th on these rankings). Ogbah isn't just productive, he's gifted and versatile, boasting an exciting length, power and agility. Selfishly, scouts are hoping to see him match up against Mississippi's Tunsil (No. 2 on this list) in the Sugar Bowl, though the Cowboys frequently move Ogbah to create favorable matchups.
14. Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor, 6-1, 300, 5.04, Junior: Given the success of Aaron Donald, Jurrell Casey and similarly "undersized" defensive tackles in the NFL, it is easy to get excited about Billings, whose bowling ball style can be tough for offensive linemen to handle. Billings' statistics are deceptive -- he just might be the most disruptive defensive lineman in college football.
15. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State, 6-0, 225, 4.42, Junior: Elliott reacted poorly following Ohio State's loss to Michigan State, publicly calling out his coaches and announcing his intentions to leave the Buckeyes after this season for the NFL. He since apologized and anyone who watches Elliott knows that he's a passionate, selfless and certainly very talented player. Elliott isn't the second-coming of Todd Gurley, but he's clearly the top draft-eligible back this year.
16. Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA, 6-3, 308, 5.22, Junior: Clark doesn't get as much national attention as Nkemdiche or Billings, who are superior athletes. He has proven a standout since Day One for the Bruins and is viewed by some scouts as the safest of the trio. He is an assignment-sound tough guy with the broad frame and power to plug holes in the running game, projecting nicely to any defensive front.
17. Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama, 6-3, 283, 4.73, Junior: Despite limited opportunities due to Alabama rotating its defensive linemen, Allen has surged up draft boards this season, leading a defense filled with future draft picks in both sacks (nine) and tackles for loss (11.5). Significantly lighter and quicker than his battery mates, Allen is nonetheless stout, showing the ability to anchor as well as chop through would-be blockers with heavy hands.
18. Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State, 6-4, 220, 4.89, Redshirt Senior: Cook comes out of a pro-style attack which features plenty of challenging downfield throws, making him theoretically more NFL-ready than the other top-rated quarterbacks in this draft. He is a polarizing prospect, whose chance at the first round could be heavily influenced by how he performs against Alabama in the New Year's Eve Cotton Bowl. Never voted a captain by teammates, Cook also had an awkward encounter with Ohio State legend Archie Griffin on live television. Cook doesn't possess elite traits but he has shown the poise, arm strength and accuracy to start early in his pro career.
19. Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor, 5-10, 190, 4.45, Redshirt Junior: After racing to an eye-popping 20 touchdowns over the first eight games of the 2015 season, Coleman was kept out of the end zone over the final games of the regular season, three of which (not surprisingly) the Bears lost. While Coleman's blinding speed makes him a perfect fit in coach Art Briles' vertical attack, he's more than just a big-play threat, showing the combination of strength, agility and vision to make plays underneath, as well.
20. Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis, 6-6, 230, 4.95, Redshirt Junior: Boasting more exciting traits and better production than either Goff or Cook, Lynch is viewed by some as a possible top 10 pick. He has a hose for an arm, terrific size and is surprisingly mobile but for all of his talents, Lynch has been aided by a spread offense and relatively weak competition. His stock began to soar when he led the Tigers to an upset over Mississippi Oct. 17 and he'll get another chance at beating an SEC opponent with Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl Dec. 30.
21. Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson, 5-10, 195, 4.43, Redshirt Sophomore: I rarely include redshirt sophomores on this list, but the NFL's constant need for cornerbacks and Alexander's talent warrant it. Sporting an athletic, compact frame more like a running back than most corners, Alexander already passes the eye test. He doesn't have the preferred height but offers excellent man-to-man cover skills, which will surely be put to the test by Oklahoma's Sterling Shepard in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 31.
22. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State, 6-7, 317, 5.21, Senior: They don't come much safer than Decker, the Big Ten's Offensive Lineman of the Year. Massive and athletic, he has enough agility to potentially remain at left tackle in the NFL, plus the power, grit and tenacity to project nicely to the right side.
23. Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State, 6-6, 318, 5.43, Redshirt Junior: A former walk-on, Conklin is a favorite among scouts due to his blue collar work ethic and powerful, no-nonsense style. He isn't as agile as some of the other top tackles on this board and may be pushed inside at the next level. He's long, powerful and tenacious, however -- traits that make him one of the nation's best run blockers. For fans of old-school trench football, it doesn't get much better than Conklin and the Spartans' offensive line against Alabama's beefy front seven in the Dec. 31 Cotton Bowl.
24. Jarran Reed, DL, Alabama, 6-3, 313, 5.14, Senior: Country-strong with tree trunks for thighs and long arms, Reed is a classic two-gap run-stuffer stout enough to play inside at defensive tackle or outside at end. He's not a quick-twitch pass rusher who'll ever lead the team in sacks but he changes directions surprisingly well for a big man, accelerates smoothly and hustles to the ball.
25. Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia, 6-3, 232, 4.73, Redshirt Junior: Floyd emerged as one of the SEC's most feared edge rushers over the past two seasons, beating opponents with first-step explosiveness, length and surprising functional strength for his relatively slim frame. He was asked to play off the line of scrimmage more often in 2015 and while the positional versatility could theoretically help his stock, Floyd has looked hesitant in his new role.
26. A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama, 6-3, 312, 5.18, Junior: The stoutest of the three-headed monster of future first round picks Alabama is hoping to ride into a national championship, Robinson could earn top 20 consideration, should he elect to leave school early. Robinson is surprisingly agile for his size but his game is all about power, making him a better fit in a two-gap alignment.
27. Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU, 5-11, 191, 4.48, Junior: White possesses the light feet and fluid hips to continue LSU's rich tradition of churning out top-notch NFL defensive backs. White is agile but his lack of ideal strength was exposed by Treadwell in the Nov. 21 showdown of future first-round picks and he failed to get a proper jam on Texas Tech's Jakeem Grant during the Advocare V100 Texas Bowl, surrendering a 46-yard touchdown to the speedster.
28. Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State, 6-5, 252, 4.78, Redshirt Senior: Calhoun was reportedly given a "first day" projection by the NFL Advisory Committee a year ago when he considered jumping into the NFL early. By returning, he's shown greater strength at the point of attack, along with intriguing burst and agility for a player with his height and length. Scouts appreciate prospects who respond to the pressure of big games and Calhoun stood out against rival Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game.
29. Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida, 6-3, 283, 4.86, Senior: Bullard is aptly named as he possesses brute strength to control opponents at the point of attack, gumming up rushing lanes. He's quick enough to challenge the corner and split gaps but isn't a traditional speed rusher. Bullard inspired this season by playing through shoulder and knee injuries to emerge as Florida's most consistent defender.
30. Germain Ifedi, OL, Texas A&M, 6-5, 325, 5.34, Redshirt Junior: The latest in the A&M train of offensive linemen going full steam ahead to the NFL, Ifedi has experience at left guard, right tackle and left tackle and possesses the mass, light feet and active hands to maintain this versatility at the next level.
31. Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech, 6-0, 197, 4.50, Junior: Like Jack (No. 5 overall on this board), Fuller elected to forego his final year of amateur eligibility despite missing virtually the entire season due to a knee injury and subsequent surgery. The younger brother of former Virginia Tech standouts and current NFL players Vincent, Corey and Kyle Fuller, Kendall is a fluid and savvy defender whose instincts and poise when the ball is in the air helped him record eight interceptions and an NCAA-best 34 pass breakups in his first two seasons at Virginia Tech.
32. Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana, 6-6, 305, 5.07, Senior: Like Ifedi (No. 31), Spriggs is a projection to the NFL because he's starred in spread attack in college. However, his blend of length and agility have scouts excited about his upside. Spriggs may struggle initially with the added physicality of the NFL but he possesses the size and athleticism to remain at left tackle - where he's starred the past four years for the Hoosiers.
