Do not confuse this for a mock draft. This list comes from my top 200 pre-draft rankings. A new set will be posted prior to day three as well.
1. Off LOS LB Telvin Smith, FSU
NFL Comparison: Danny Trevathan
Where He Wins: Closing speed is outstanding. Much more physical than many prospects his size, strong finisher. Has enough trail speed to stick with crossing routes and has a knack for undercutting the receiver. Has enough length to fight off blocks. Attacks the downhill gaps to make tackles for loss.
Where He Fits: I read a lot of evaluators wanting to move Smith to safety, further away from the football. Why? I disagree with this idea. I think Smith can thrive as a nickel backer early in his career. 2) We get too focused on fitting prospects into position labels rather than focusing on responsibilities.
2. CB Bashaud Breeland, Clemson
NFL Comparison: Sam Shields
Where He Wins: Very adept at finding the football and attacking the catch point. Worked in off and press coverage. Good at mirroring receivers movements, handles stems and seems to understand alignment tells. A very aggressive corner who competes with the ball in the air and is usually in position to do so.
Where He Fits: Does not seem to be scheme specific. Has also spent time as boundary and field corner.
3. Off LOS LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, Boston College
NFL Comparison: Danny Trevathan
Where He Wins: Closing speed is outstanding. Can locate and chase down with ease. Fairly sound in coverage at the position as well. Plays bigger than size. Does not mind knifing through gaps for tackles for loss.
Where He Fits: Likely as a weakside linebacker and nickel backer.
4. RB Devonta Freeman, FSU
NFL Comparison: Ahmad Bradshaw
Where He Wins: The most decisive runner in this class. Puts his foot in the ground and gets up field immediately. Vision is there. Flashes of breaking first contact. Plenty of experience in pass protection and is an adequate receiver.
Where He Fits: Best in a heavy zone scheme, but should not be limited to that. Pass protection ability should allow him to play early.
5. WR Bruce Ellington, South Carolina
NFL Comparison: Poor man’s Kendall Wright
Where He Wins: Explosive, quick. Creates separation on the ground and can sustain it thanks to speed. Flashes winning between defenders when getting vertical. Hs more long speed than former teammate Ace Sanders.
Where He Fits: Slot receiver who can win underneath with separation and can get vertical. Tracks the ball well.
6. DT Caraun Reid, Princeton
NFL Comparison: Clinton McDonald
Where He Wins: Frequently double teamed this season, but did well to hold up at the point of attack with a lower base and hand use. Does very well to lift his opponent’s extended hands and make the most of that created separation. His forward momentum is tough to anchor against.
Where He Fits: Has lined up in a variety of alignments in multiple fronts, including the 1, 3, and 5 tech.
7. CB Terrance Mitchell, Oregon
NFL Comparison: Corey Graham
Where He Wins: Best at attacking the shorter routes. Outside of allowing a few receivers to run by him, he is very consistent beyond 10 yards. Good at mirroring routes before flipping his hips and turning with receivers.
Where He Fits: Fairly even mix of press and off coverage. In fact, he played strictly press man more often than many other corners in this class.
8. Edge player Aaron Lynch, USF
NFL Comparison: Poor man's Michael Johnson
Where He Wins: Two different players in college. Has a beefed up end in an odd front, he used strength to keep opposition off balance and create upfield penetration. As a smaller player on the edge of an even front, he displayed burst and quick hands. Loved to take the inside move.
Where He Fits: Career can be taken two ways: back to bigger down lineman, as a freshman, or stick with an edge rushing role, possible as a stand up rusher. Needs to learn to use his hands better on the outside.
9. TE Colt Lyerla, Oregon
10. RB Isaiah Crowell, Alabama State
11. WR Martavis Bryant, Clemson
12. QB David Fales, San Jose State
13. QB Zach Mettenberger, LSU
14. CB Pierre Desir, Lindenwood
15. DT Justin Ellis, Louisiana Tech
16. G Dakota Dozier, Furman
17. T Charles Leno Jr., Boise State
18. DT Daquan Jones, Penn State
19. DT Zach Kerr, Delaware
20. G Jon Halapio, Florida
21. Edge player Carl Bradford, Arizona State
22. CB EJ Gaines, Missouri
23. CB Keith McGill, Utah
24. WR Jeremy Gallon, Michigan
25. WR Kevin Norwood, Alabama
26. QB Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech
27. QB Brett Smith, Wyoming
28. QB Aaron Murray, Georgia
29. TE Arthur Lynch, Georgia
30. TE Joe Don Duncan, Dixie State
31. DL Taylor Hart, Oregon
32. G David Yankey, Stanford