Here is a look at the 2016 NFL Draft college players leaving for NFL. The college football bowl season is underway but for many the focus has shifted from the college game to their future in the NFL. A number of top prospects are preparing to make the move by entering the NFL Draft. There are a number of players that still have to determine whether they will stay or go, but four key players have already announced their decision –including a star linebacker that projects as a first-round pick despite missing a significant amount of time (due to injury this season).
Linebacker
Jack suffered a season-ending knee injury early this season. At that point, he made the decision that he wanted to be compensated for his work on the football field. Therefore, he’s entering the NFL Draft as one of the top linebacker prospects in the nation. Jack is a freak athlete that has even played some time at running back. His unique combination of size, speed, strength and intelligence have him projected as a first-round pick despite that the knee injury that sidelined him for the majority of this season. Jack could slide a bit after missing most of this year, but that will all depend on what he can accomplish at the combine and individual workouts. Before the injury, he had the look of a player that could step right into a starting lineup and make an immediate impact at the NFL level. The Bruins will certainly miss him, but they played without him all season, so they certainly have a head start addressing the position.
Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss Rebels
Wide Receiver
The junior receiver had 76 catches for 1,082 yards and eight touchdowns at Ole Miss this season. While he hasn’t committed to the NFL just yet, he did say that he has nothing left to prove at the college level. Treadwell suffered a broken ankle in the game against Auburn that may impact his decision if he feels that staying with the Rebels could leave him vulnerable. He’s already been through so much injury-wise that he might not want to risk a big payday as a projected first-round pick. Treadwell is a big, explosive athlete with all of the tools to be one of the top wide receivers off the board. He should be a lock for the top 20 should he commit.
Corey Coleman, Baylor Bears
Wide Receiver
Unlike Treadwell, Coleman has already committed to the NFL. Also unlike Coleman, he isn’t a lock to be a first-round pick despite his considerable skill set that includes elite speed and an impressive resume at Baylor. Coleman’s biggest issue is his lack of size since he is only 5’11’’ and 190 pounds. Even so, there is still a good chance a team will take a chance on him as early as late first round or early second round. Coleman had 74 catches for 1,363 yards and 20 touchdowns this season and those numbers could have been better had his top quarterback, Seth Russell, stayed healthy. Anybody that watched him with the Bears knows how impressive his skill set is. He has fantastic after-the-catch ability and many NFL teams will view him as an explosive asset.
Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State Buckeyes
Running Back
Elliott was Ohio State’s most reliable offensive star all season after he ran for 1,672 yards and 19 touchdowns in his junior season. Elliott was disappointed by his lack of touches in the Buckeyes’ loss to Michigan State and said immediately after the game that he was headed to the NFLThere is no reason to expect anything else from him at this point. It’s hard to project for sure where Elliott will go based on his position as running backs have been a dropping commodity in the NFL Draft. However, he has the potential to be an absolute star at the NFL level and it wouldn’t be a surprise if a team took a chance on him in the first round. Ohio State has produce plenty of talent over the years but Elliott’s production will be difficult to replace.
