There are over 360 days until the 2016 NFL Draft, but it’s never too premature for an early forecast of next year’s projected top prospects, including five Buckeyes who could land in the first round.
For arguments sake, the same top-32 order of the 2015 NFL Draft was used for this exercise.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State (6-5, 285, 4.82)
Sacks and shrugs, that’s what Bosa does. The Buckeyes pass rusher has quickness, power and football instincts to disrupt the backfield and be the No. 1 pick, especially if he takes his game to another level in 2015.
2. Tennessee Titans – Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame (6-6, 318, 5.16)
Zack Martin’s replacement last year at left tackle, Stanley might have been the top offensive lineman drafted this year if he declared early, but he decided to return to South Bend where he’ll anchor the Notre Dame offense in 2015.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida (5-11, 194, 4.49)
If eligible, there is no doubt in my mind that Hargreaves would have been the first defensive back drafted in the 2015 NFL Draft. At only 5-11 and 195 pounds, he lacks ideal size, but his fluidity and cover instincts are NFL ready.
4. Oakland Raiders – A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama (6-3, 320, 5.18)
The Raiders decided to pass on Leonard Williams in the 2015 class, but Reggie McKenzie goes with Robinson here, a player who is primed for a breakout season this year in the SEC.
5. Washington Redskins – Jared Goff, QB, California (6-4, 198, 4.76)
The first quarterback off the board in this scenario, Goff is an athletic, strong armed passer who will likely receive Aaron Rodgers comparisons, especially with the Cal connection.
6. New York Jets – Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State (6-4, 234, 4.78)
Although his development dipped in 2014, Hackenberg has all the traits physical traits of a top-10 pick and if he improves his consistency, he’ll be drafted this high as well.
7. Chicago Bears – Su’a Cravens, SS, USC (6-1, 225, 4.62)
Cravens was the MVP of the USC defense in 2014, displaying terrific versatility with 68 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss and 12 passes defended last season.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi (6-2, 229, 4.52)
Roddy White turns 34 years old this season and Treadwell, who has a Dez Bryant like skill-set when healthy, would be scary on the same field with Julio Jones.
9. New York Giants – Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi (6-4, 280, 4.86)
A player just scratching the surface of his potential, Nkemdiche has terrific body control and movement skills for an interior rusher.
10. St. Louis Rams – Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh (6-2, 185, 4.47)
Boyd, who has already broken several of Larry Fitzgerald’s school records, is a savvy pass-catcher with speed and terrific hand/eye coordination.
Continue Reading: 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Ohio State dominates first round
