It has been more than a month since the release of 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 more than 100 of the top NFL prospects for 2016. It goes without saying that these rankings are preliminary, as I have countless hours of evaluation still 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 so choose).
• I won't go too heavy into actual scouting reports, as those are still works in progress.
With those parameters in mind, here's an early look at the top wide receiver prospects in the 2016 draft class.
Top five senior wide receivers
1. D'haquille Williams, Auburn Tigers Not nearly as raw a route runner as you might expect in his first SEC season coming out of junior college, Williams was moved around and was able to win with strong hands and a big frame he uses to keep defenders away from the ball. If he cleans up the drops, there's first-round potential.
2. Josh Doctson, TCU Horned Frogs: Doctson is one of the best-kept secrets in college football. He had more than 1,000 yards last year and knows how to use his length on high, contested balls, where he relies on his basketball skills to consistently win the rebound, so to speak. He's not an elite runner, but perhaps strength will help. He needs to add some bulk anyway.
3. Nelson Spruce, Colorado Buffaloes: Highly productive with more than 100 catches last season, Spruce is a good route runner the Buffs move around and are able to consistently target. His speed is about at 4.5, but he's able to gain separation and catch the ball consistently.
4. Byron Marshall, Oregon Ducks: After a sophomore season during which he rushed for more than 1,000 yards, all Marshall did was flip to WR last year and exceed 1,000 yards receiving in 2014. At 5-foot-10, Marshall isn't tall, but he's an exceptional open-field runner and wins after the catch.
5. Leonte Carroo, Rutgers Scarlet Knights: A physical receiver both at the catch point and when dealing with contact or press coverages, Carroo has great physical strength and strong hands. He's quietly a vertical threat and was a big-play target last season.
Top five underclassmen wide receivers
1. Laquon Treadwell, Mississippi Rebels: The physical gifts are obvious: Treadwell is 6-2, 229 pounds with strong hands, good strength and the quickness of a much smaller player. Now it's about recovering from the gruesome leg/ankle injury he suffered midway through last season. Based on the reports I have, there's no reason to bet against a big junior season.
2. Will Fuller, Notre Dame Fighting Irish: He lacks elite size and isn't even the best-known pass-catcher on his own team, but Fuller -- a reliable pass-catcher with separation skills and an ability to beat any kind of coverage -- doesn't have any clear weaknesses. He should become more of a household name in 2015.
3. Tyler Boyd, Pittsburgh Panthers: He has been completely unstoppable through his first two seasons, with a ridiculous 163 catches and 2,435 receiving yards. A great size-speed-hands combo, he simply needs to continue what he has started and stay focused after a recent DUI arrest.
4. Michael Thomas, Ohio State Buckeyes: The nephew of Keyshawn Johnson, Thomas has good length and ball skills. He made some exceptional contested catches for the Buckeyes during their title run. There's an argument to be made that Thomas is the better prospect than Devin Smith, who went early in the second round of the draft this year.
5. Rashard Higgins, Colorado State Rams: More than a great haircut, Higgins has shown he was underrecruited coming out of Texas as he exploded for 96 catches and 1,750 yards last year. Already under the microscope as an emerging prospect, he'll have to continue his upward trajectory without Garrett Grayson at QB.