Our final 2016 big board, just like that of every NFL team, is set and ready for draft weekend. Final grades are in. Teams are focusing on their draft strategy and thinking about which prospects may fall to them.
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For each of our top 32 prospects, we include a comparison, a scouting report and three teams most likely to draft the player. While volatility during draft weekend should be expected, here are the prospects you should know and where they might land.
(Note: Quarterbacks are not included in our top 32.)
1. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
Comparison: Walter Jones
Potential teams: Chargers, Ravens, 49ers
Scouting report: Tunsil
The best offensive tackle in the draft, Tunsil offers Hall of Fame upside thanks to his elite kick slide ability and powerful finishing ability as a run- and pass-blocker. He has minor character concerns but almost zero issues on the field.
2. Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
Comparison: Tyrann Mathieu, Aqib Talib
Potential teams: Chargers, Cowboys, Jaguars
Scouting report: Ramsey
NFL teams have some pause on Ramsey because he doesn’t have a defined position or elite ball skills (at least that he has shown), but he’ll remain in the top 5 on almost all boards. Physical, explosive and extremely athletic, Ramsey is a fit for all defenses.
3. DeForest Buckner, DL, Oregon
Comparison: Calais Campbell
Potential teams: Chargers, Ravens, 49ers
Scouting report: Buckner
With awesome length and interior power rush upside, Buckner can be a perfect five-technique or versatile 4-3 defensive lineman. Add that he has ideal character and leadership, and Buckner could be a defensive anchor for almost any rebuilding team.
4. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Comparison: Cameron Jordan
Potential teams: Cowboys, Jaguars, Browns
Scouting report: Bosa
Bosa has some minor off-field concerns stemming from his days at Ohio State and has been bashed for not being a top-flight athlete. But he can finish in one-on-one situations with awesome effectiveness and can set the edge in the run game as well as any NFL defensive end.
MORE: OSU's draft class the best ever?
5. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
Comparison: Edgerrin James
Potential teams: Cowboys, Bears, Dolphins
Scouting report: Elliott
A notch below Todd Gurley as a prospect, Elliott offers versatility as a pass-catcher and run-blocker along with being a balanced and explosive perimeter running back. He has some minor off-field question marks, but his elite talent and NFL-readiness should make him a top 11 pick.
6. Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
Comparison: Lavonte David
Potential teams: Jaguars, 49ers, Dolphins
Scouting report: Jack
Without injury concerns, Jack is the best coverage linebacker of the last decade and has the upside to become the prototype for NFL linebackers of the future. But his draft position starts at fifth overall to the Jaguars and likely stops at the first team that didn’t fail him medically.
7. Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky
Comparison: Terrell Suggs
Potential teams: Ravens, Cardinals, Bills
Scouting report: Spence
After being kicked out of Ohio State (and the Big Ten) for hard drug use, Spence has recovered well and rehabbed his stock at the FCS level. Dominating as a speed rusher on the edge, he put himself back in the first-round discussion. If he’s mentally ready for the NFL, he’s among the special athletes of this class.
MORE: Spence is no trouble-child, but presents trouble
8. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
Comparison: Plaxico Burress
Potential teams: Lions, Redskins, Vikings
Scouting report: Treadwell
Treadwell’s draft stock fell after a 4.65 40 time at his Pro Day (after passing on the drill at the Combine), but that doesn’t negate his awesome ball skills and physicality. He should be a top 10 pick like Burress was, and a team is going to get a steal in the late teens or early 20s.
9. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
Comparison: Ezekiel Ansah
Potential teams: Bucs, Bears, Dolphins
Scouting report: Lawson
With athletic testing numbers comparable to Ansah and domination as a strong-side pass rusher with a devastating spin move, Lawson could be a good fallback option for a team coveting Bosa, or one that has concerns about character concerns.
10. Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State
Comparison: Ryan Shazier
Potential teams: Dolphins, Falcons, Bills
Scouting report: Lee
Slightly undersized and still developing to get off interior blocks, Lee offers awesome range and finishing ability in space along with quality pass coverage. Undersized linebackers with elite athleticism are no longer being devalued as they were three or four years ago.
11. A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Comparison: Michael Brockers
Potential teams: Lions, Bengals, Packers
Scouting report: Robinson
Still raw as a pass rusher, Robinson was asked to be a do-it-all defensive lineman for Nick Saban. That versatility helps more than his lack of pass-rush refinement hurts him, and his untapped potential could make him a top 15 pick despite not being as good a penetrator as other defensive tackles.
12. Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Comparison: Eric Decker
Potential teams: Lions, Vikings, Bengals
Scouting report: Doctson
With the combination of vertical speed and finishing ability, Doctson offers the upside to develop into a true No. 1 receiver in time. He still is not a totally refined route runner, but he at least can be an ideal complement and a bail-out receiver downfield for a quarterback.
13. Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Comparison: Josh Norman
Potential teams: Bucs, Giants, Dolphins
Scouting report: Hargreaves
Despite being a bit undersized, Hargreaves is a top-flight cornerback prospect after handling both bigger and quicker receivers effectively in the SEC. Ideally suited for a more zone-based team, he’d be a great fit for the Bucs at ninth overall.
14. Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State
Comparison: Randall Cobb
Potential teams: Bengals, Patriots, Bucs
Scouting report: Miller
Miller won’t be a first-round pick (barring a major surprise), but he’s the receiver we're most confident will have a long NFL career based on his mental makeup and quick development. If the last 10 months are any indication, Miller will continue to exceed expectations.
15. Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
Comparison: Lane Johnson
Potential teams: Seahawks, Packers, Jets
Scouting report: Spriggs
After testing tremendously well among the top offensive tackles in the class, Spriggs earned himself a place in the top tier. While he still is a work in progress, he has four years of Big Ten starting experience and the athletic upside to only get better.
16. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
Comparison: Luke Joeckel
Potential teams: Colts, Seahawks, Chiefs
Scouting report: Decker
As a three-year starter for a Buckeyes offense that allowed him to face some of the country’s best pass-rushers, Decker looks the part of a capable NFL starter. He can slide into guard if need be, but we believe he’s a capable left and/or right tackle.
MORE: "Safe" picks your team can trust | Riskiest prospects
17. Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
Comparison: Muhammad Wilkerson
Potential teams: Saints, Redskins, Packers
Scouting report: Butler
Butler is an active, long and athletic lineman that, in time, can grow into one of the better five-techniques in the NFL. He’ll be slowly brought along, but the Wilkerson comparison will keep him in top 20 contention
18. Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Comparison: Jonathan Joseph
Potential teams: Dolphins, Raiders, Lions
Scouting report: Apple
Not often counted on to be a feature player on a loaded Ohio State defense, Apple’s length, hip fluidity and ball skills all point to a ceiling to be one of the NFL’s most talented cornerbacks.
19. Shilique Calhoun, DE/OLB, Michigan State
Comparison: Aaron Lynch
Potential teams: Cardinals, Jets, Panthers
Scouting report: Calhoun
A long-time starter and key defender for the Spartans, Calhoun’s lack of top-end athleticism or defined NFL defensive role may push him to Round 2 or later. But he is a stout, reliable run defender that can offer awesome strong-side support.
20. Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
Comparison: Fletcher Cox
Potential teams: Bills, Jets, Packers
Scouting report: Jones
Similar to Butler, Jones offers near-elite upside that, once he’s able to get into a system and tap into his awesome length and flexibility, could help him grow into one of the NFL’s better 3-4 defensive lineman.
21. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Comparison: Jason Peters
Potential teams: Chargers, Ravens, Bears
Scouting report: Stanley
Possessing elite kick slide quickness and efficiency, Stanley is one of the more capable pass blockers in recent draft history. However, concerns about his work ethic and passion for the game are enough to question his upside. That said, if those concerns aren’t an issue in the future, Stanley deserves to be a top 10 pick.
22. Yannick Ngakoue, OLB, Maryland
Comparison: Jeremiah Attaochu
Potential teams: Bills, Jets, Ravens
Scouting report: Ngakoue
Ngakoue isn’t often discussed as a top-tier prospect, but after producing at a remarkably high level as an edge rusher, he deserves to be considered as a top pick. He likely is only a fit for 3-4 teams, but his speed rushing upside and bend on the perimeter should make him a Day 2 sleeper value.
23. Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
Comparison: Nigel Bradham
Potential teams: Bills, Packers, Cowboys
Scouting report: Ragland
Physical and mental limitations may give teams concern, but after leading the Alabama defense throughout his career and offering value in run defending, engaging blockers on the inside and proving effective in coverage, Ragland looks the part of an every-down linebacker in 4-3 or 3-4 defenses.
MORE: Each team's most horrific pick since '00 | Stock watch 2016
24. Jack Conklin, OT/G, Michigan State
Comparison: Mitchell Schwartz
Potential teams: Browns, Bears, Titans
Scouting report: Conklin
A key part of Michigan State’s success the last two seasons, Conklin has proven to be a more than capable pass blocker, possessing great lower body strength and the finishing ability as an upfield blocker. What he lacks in athletic upside, Conklin makes up for in reliability as a blocker and safeness as a prospect.
25. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
Comparison: Sylvester Williams
Potential teams: Saints, Raiders, Packers
Scouting report: Rankins
Perceived by teams as one of the safest prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft, Rankins offers versatility to play in 3-4 or 4-3 defenses at either interior defensive spot.
26. Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
Comparison: Martavis Bryant
Potential teams: Falcons, Texans, Bengals
Scouting report: Coleman
After posting a historically impressive season as a vertical receiver and a redzone option, Coleman deserves to be a first-round pick. Some off-field question marks coupled with a work-in-progress route tree will push him to the 20s on draft day though, if not later.
27. Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State
Comparison: Zach Martin
Potential teams: Chiefs, Broncos, 49ers
Scouting report: Whitehair
After proving to be one of the Big-12’s better left tackles, the shorter offensive lineman will likely kick inside to guard in the NFL. Reliable and powerful, Whitehair should be in the mix for every team between Nos. 26 and 40.
28. Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
Comparison: Carlos Hyde
Potential teams: Cowboys, Lions, Vikings
Scouting report: Henry
A physically imposing running back with elite size and power, Henry won’t be a fit or a first-round value for every team thanks to a perceived lack of ideal bend or athleticism. Despite the running back position’s devaluing, Henry deserves to be a first-round prospect and, if the right team trades up, he could still land in that first-round range.
MORE: How Heisman winners fared in NFL | All-time RB busts
29. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
Comparison: Brandon Williams
Potential teams: Titans, Redskins, Packers
Scouting report: Reed
A powerful nose tackle with unique lateral movement quickness, Reed is a fit for every defense, especially considering his nose tackle capabilities. For a 310-pound defensive lineman, he’s a plus athlete that should come off the board at some point in Round 1.
30. Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
Comparison: Anquan Boldin
Potential teams: Vikings, Bengals, Browns
Scouting report: Thomas
Possessing unique acceleration as a route runner and efficient run-after-catch ability, Thomas has one of the highest ceilings of any receiver in this class. Concerns over his mental makeup and ability to digest an NFL playbook may push Thomas below some of the other top receivers.
31. Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
Comparison: Alec Ogletree
Potential teams: Giants, Bears, Falcons
Scouting report: Floyd
Thanks to ideal length, flexibility and range as a linebacker, Floyd is destined for the top 11. That said, he’s a bit unrefined as a prospect and, despite possessing awesome athletic upside, may be a reach if drafted as a top-tier prospect.
32. Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
Comparison: Ndamukong Suh
Potential teams: Giants, Raiders, Cardinals
Scouting report: Nkemdiche
A true wildcard in this draft, Nkemdiche is a top 10 talent on film who reeks of inconsistency, and he may worry teams off the field. Unless a team is totally comfortable with him character-wise, it’d be tough to take him in Round 1. But, as they say, it only takes one team to make a prospect a first-rounder.