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Defense rising on Mel Kiper's latest 2016 Big Board

Clemson's Shaq Lawson has 22.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks this season. Tyler Smith/Getty Images

The biggest mover this week is Shaq Lawson, a star on the edge for Clemson. In a year in which the top 15 picks could be defense-heavy, Lawson is now squarely in that mix. Jaylon Smith of Notre Dame has been a top-10 guy for a while, but he's also moving up.

A reminder: General scouting reports on these players won't change much week to week, unless my overall evaluation changes. I'll simply be updating performance notes and providing updates on key matchups to come.

An asterisk denotes a junior for the 2015 season.

1. *Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State Buckeyes

It says plenty when people ask whether he's really been that productive and he has 16 tackles for loss. He's gotten a ton of blocking attention. He's an explosive pass-rusher who has power and awareness and is consistently disruptive against the run. Bosa has size and versatility that will fit any scheme, as well as the ability to go around blockers or right through them. He's been double- and triple-teamed. When he's one-on-one he wins, period.

2. *Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Every week he jumps off the screen. It's really hard to pick out serious flaws, aside from a missed tackle here and there and occasional overpursuit. Smith is making a case to be a versatile linebacker you can select safe in knowing he can be plugged in right away. He can be moved around, has good length and can flat-out fly for a linebacker, with sub-4.5 speed.

3. *Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State Seminoles

Status quo all season after the move back to cornerback. A does-it-all talent who had already started 28 college games heading into this season, I would have rated him the top safety taken in the 2015 draft. But this season he's at cornerback. He has the length, range and exceptional instincts to make plays all over the field; indeed, he has enjoyed an expected smooth transition to corner. He is a truly gifted athlete.

4. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon Ducks

Love his motor and his production while dealing with a lot of blocking attention. Similar to Bosa in that regard. At 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds, he has an impressive frame and with another year of polish could be a fit in almost any kind of system.