With the NFL Draft coming up quickly in under a month, I thought I would make a list of my top five players heading into the annual draft where college players get to realize their dreams of getting to the NFL. Here they are, complete with reasons why I think they are the best. This isn’t about who I think will be drafted in a specific order, these are who I think are simply the five best players.
1. Jalen Ramsey
(source: insidethepylon.com)
Jalen Ramsey comes in at the top of my list, and by a rather large margin at that. He is a very interesting player in that scouts believe he can play at an extremely high level at two different positions, either at CB or at S. This is obviously a very attractive feature for teams as he can be a plug and play player at any position in the secondary. He is a physical freak and athletic with amazing versatility. He was also the first freshman to start at Florida State since Deion Sanders about 30 years ago.
2. Laremy Tunsil
(source: nfl.com)
This is the guy that a lot of people are mocking to go first overall to the Titans and it is hard to argue with them. He is not only a large and powerful force at left tackle, but has the footwork, agility and speed that have coaches drooling. His control of his body is also unmatched by any tackle in the draft and he will be able to maintain his balance when being rushed by the best in the world.
3. Myles Jack
(source: metrojacksonville.com)
Over the past three years, Jack has been one of the most versatile linebackers in college football. Not only can he tackle and defend the pass, but he also got in some time on the offensive side of the ball. In fact, he actually won the Pac-12 2013 Rookie of the Year award on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. I wouldn’t expect to see him on the offensive side of the ball, but his skills on defense are more than enough to warrant a top 5 pick. His speed, tenacity and high energy make him capable of making plays anywhere on the field at any time.
4. Deforest Buckner
(source: oregonlive.com)
Now this man is an absolute freak. Buckner is a 6’7 near 300 pound giant of a defensive end. He has been garnering many comparisons to superstar Calais Campbell and I think those comparisons are right on the money. His physique and power are already NFL-ready and we could see him get even stronger as he gets older. His long arms and speed also make him a huge problem on the edge for offensive linemen everywhere.
5. Vernon Hargreaves
(source: nfl.com)
This may be surprising to some as Hargreaves is mocked as a fringe top-10, but I believe his skills put him right in the mix of the top 5. Hargreaves is a explosive athlete who also has an extremely keen football mind. His feet might just be the best in the draft and as a cornerback, that is hugely important. He also doesn’t shy away from physical contact which NFL teams like as he won’t be afraid to offer his support in the form of stopping the run if need be.
