It's been over a month since my "too-early" Big Board for the 2016 NFL draft, a ranking that includes 2015 underclassmen. For this I'll go a little deeper into each position group, so you'll get an idea of well over 100 of the top NFL prospects for 2016. That said, it goes without saying that these rankings are preliminary, as I have hundreds of hours of evaluation ahead for the 2016 class.
A couple of important notes about the rankings below:
• I've split them into seniors and underclassmen; it's important to have a baseline number of seniors because those players are certain to be a part of the 2016 NFL draft process (if they choose to be).
• I won't go too heavy into actual scouting reports, as those are still a work in progress.
With those parameters in mind, here's an early look at the top defensive end prospects in the 2016 draft class. A reminder: Scheme dictates a lot when it comes to positional labels with these guys, so, for example, someone listed as a defensive end here could end up playing outside linebacker or defensive tackle depending on where he lands.
Top 5 senior defensive ends
1. Shawn Oakman, Baylor Bears: While the raw ability is ahead of the refinement and technique with Oakman's game, don't pretend the production hasn't been there. He had 19.5 TFL and 11.0 sacks last season. At 6-foot-9, 280 pounds, his frame is truly incredible, in that he's both long and powerful, and if he can continue to improve his leverage and counter a little better when he gets blocked initially, he's going to have star potential going into the 2016 draft. (It should be noted that Oakman also came to Baylor via Penn State, as did its most recent top D-line prospect, Phil Taylor.)
2. DeForest Buckner, Oregon Ducks: Arik Armstead got the 2015 draft ink, but Buckner was easily the better player on tape in 2014 and will land in Round 1 if he continues to progress this season. He has great length and thus has to stay mindful of maximizing leverage, but he both holds the point and gets off single blocks well, often disrupting plays in the backfield.
3. Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State Spartans: Another player who would have factored into the first round in 2015, Calhoun is an edge-rusher who can also hold the point and not get pushed backward. He could be stronger, but you don't want to give away the ability to bend and turn the corner upfield, either.
4. Charles Tapper, Oklahoma Sooners: You don't have to worry much about him holding the edge, with his strong frame (6-4, 281 pounds), and while Tapper hasn't loaded up with sacks, he's not really set loose in that role.
5. Sheldon Day, Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Expect to see the 6-2, 285-pound Day on some rankings as a defensive tackle, but I'm keeping him here based on what he's asked to do for the Irish and how I project him. He was limited over the last three games of the 2014 season with a minor knee injury but will be back at 100 percent.
Top 5 underclassman defensive ends
1. Joey Bosa, Ohio State Buckeyes: He enters his true junior season as the No. 1 player on my Big Board -- and for good reason. Bosa is a good athlete who always finds a way to disrupt. He's a versatile pass-rusher, with the ability to go through you or around you. You have to bet on a QB to rise and go No. 1, but a healthy Bosa looks like a top-5 pick right now.
2. Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State Cowboys: Get familiar with Ogbah. He started strong last year with two sacks in a close loss to then-No. 1 Florida State, and finished with 11.0 overall. He has the prototypical 4-3 DE frame at 275 pounds, but he'll show out-of-a-cannon quickness.
3. Jonathan Allen, Alabama Crimson Tide: Allen really emerged last year (11.5 TFL) as a true sophomore after seeing plenty of action as a freshman. A very good athlete at 270-plus pounds, don't be surprised if he's one of the faster defensive ends in the draft class.
4. Devonte Fields, Louisville Cardinals: It's hard to call him a wild card given that he won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year as a true freshman, but that's exactly what Fields is at this point after being kicked out of TCU for off-field issues and spending last season in junior college. He has great natural ability and star potential if he's coached up.
5. Kamalei Correa, Boise State Broncos: This guy really jumped off the screen for me in 2014, emerging as probably the best pass-rusher in the Mountain West last season. He won't be a secret for long. He's going to be pegged as an OLB on some of these lists but we'll see how he fills out.