With the 2015 NFL season winding down, there is only one more week left to determine the draft order for the 20 teams that won’t compete in this year’s playoffs. It is never too early to start looking ahead to next year’s NFL Draft and while the order of selection is yet to be determined, a lot can change in terms of the evaluation of prospects between now. What we do know is that we have a big enough sample size for the top prospects to project the top players on the board, so here is a look at the projected top five picks for the 2016 NFL Draft.
Joey Bosa, Ohio State Buckeyes
Linebacker
The Tennessee Titans found their franchise quarterback when they selected Marcus Mariota in last year’s NFL Draft. While they would certainly benefit from adding some weapons to help their young passer, it will be hard for them to pass on the top available talent on the board. Bosa has the ideal combination of elite talent, versatility and production at the college level. What’s attractive about Bosa is that he produced for one of the top defenses in the nation in one of the most rugged conferences. He has the look and feel of a player who can step into an NFL lineup and contribute right away. The Titans will feel comfortable plugging him in as a playmaker that can do it all off the edge and immediately upgrade their defense.
Paxton Lynch, Memphis Tigers
Quarterback
Lynch has all of the tools to become an elite NFL quarterback in the right situation and while he hasn’t yet officially declared, he is expected to do so in the near future and become the top passer on the board. Lynch has excellent size, arm strength, accuracy, mental toughness and the leadership to become a franchise quarterback at the next level. The only question is where he played as Memphis isn’t exactly known as a quarterback factory. It will be hard for a team like the Cleveland Browns to pass on him with the perfect opportunity to put the Johnny Manziel era in the past.
Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss Rebels
Defensive Tackle
Anybody that has watched Nkemdiche play at Ole Miss this season understands how dominant and disruptive he can be at the line of scrimmage. He’s an absolute beast with the potential to get after the passer and disrupt opposing rushing attacks. Nkemdiche doesn’t exactly have a perfect reputation off of the field and he has struggled to stay healthy throughout this season, but there is no denying his elite talent. We’ve already seen that talent trumps almost anything in the NFL Draft as players like Manziel, Dorial Green-Beckham and Randy Gregory were all high picks over the last couple of years. It won’t be a surprise for anybody when he ends up being selected in the top-five.
Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss Rebels
Offensive Tackle
Tunsil broke his fibula last season and has to work his way back into shape to get medically cleared. However, he will have plenty of time before the NFL combine and should be ready in time to be a top-five pick. Tunsil is 6’5’’, 305 pounds and his ability to both protect the passer and be a mauler in the run game will make him the top offensive lineman off the board.
Jalen Ramsey, Florida State Seminoles
Cornerback
With the NFL becoming a pass-oriented league, the cornerback position is more important than ever. The combination of need and the fact that Ramsey is such an elite talent will be enough to make him a top-five pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Ramsey is an absolutely outstanding athlete that thrived both on the football field and as a member of the Seminoles’ track and field team so look for him to be the top cornerback off the board and make an immediate impact as a starting cornerback in the NFL next season.
