A year after 18 underclassmen were selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, it appears as though this year’s number could be even higher with the 2016 NFL Draft class potentially able to top the record set in 2012 when 18 underclassmen were selected in the opening round. The deadline for underclassmen to declare is January 18 but already there have been enough declarations to project a loaded crop of underclassmen being selected in the first round. Here is a look at the top four underclassmen prospects most likely to go in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Joey Bosa, Ohio State Buckeyes
Defensive End
Only three defensive players have been selected with the top pick in the NFL draft since 2000 but the majority of the projections have Bosa among the favorites to be selected with the first overall pick in 2016 and for good reason. The star defensive end from Ohio State owns a unique combination of strength and athleticism that has drawn comparisons to Jared Allen and he has the potential to become even better as he continues to work on his technique at the next level. Bosa is the complete package at defensive end with the ability to both rush the passer and disrupt the run and it won’t be a shock if he is the first player off the board in the 2016 NFL Draft regardless of his underclassmen status. When you take a look at the top of the upcoming Draft, teams like Tennessee, Cleveland and San Diego could all use an impact defensive player and Bosa will be targeted.
Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss Rebels
Offensive Tackle
While Bosa is expected to dominate along the line of scrimmage on the defensive side of the football, Tunsil has the potential to thrive in the trenches on the offensive side of the football with all of the attributes to become a franchise left tackle at the NFL level. Tunsil’s size, elite footwork and athleticism make him a prototypical left tackle that has the potential to thrive at the NFL level while protecting the quarterback’s blind side. Regarded as one of the most complete offensive lineman prospects in years, Tunsil could very well be the second underclassmen to be selected in the top-five of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Myles Jack, UCLA Bruins
Linebacker
Jack still has some work to do in order to become a star at the NFL level but his unique combination of size and elite athleticism combined with a productive college career could be enough to convince a team to make him a top-10 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Jack still needs to put on some size and he needs medical clearance following a knee injury that kept him out for most of 2015 but he has the rare athletic ability to make plays from sideline-to-sideline and his elite potential will make him an interesting prospect with the potential to be selected in the top-10.
Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Offensive Tackle
Stanley might not be as polished as Tunsil at this point but he is still one of the most complete offensive lineman prospects that have declared for this year’s NFL Drat and his status as an underclassmen makes him that much more intriguing as a young player with massive potential and room to grow. Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwill, Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson and Florida State cornerback Jalen Ramsey all deserve mention here but the majority of early mock drafts have Stanley as the next best tackle option behind Tunsil and it won’t be a shock to anybody that has followed them if both underclassmen are selected in the top-10 in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Updated 2016 NFL Draft Order
1. Tennessee Titans
2. Cleveland Browns
3. San Diego Chargers
4. Dallas Cowboys
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
6. Baltimore Ravens
7. San Francisco 49ers
8. Miami Dolphins
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. New York Giants
11. Chicago Bears
12. New Orleans Saints
13. Philadelphia Eagles
14. Oakland Raiders
15. St. Louis Rams
16. Detroit Lions
17. Atlanta Falcons
18, Indianapolis Colts
19. Buffalo Bills
20. New York Jets
21.Washington Redskins
22. Houston Texans
23. Minnesota Vikings
24. Cincinnati Bengals
