The NFL combine is over, and we're 43 days from the 2017 draft, which means it's time for an update to my Big Board.
The changes in this edition include a shake-up among the top wide receivers, the re-entry of a quarterback who had been included during the season, and the rise -- more than 10 spots -- of an SEC pass-catcher.
Come back next week for Mock Draft 3.0, and check out Todd McShay's third mock here. Here we go:
One asterisk denotes a junior, and two asterisks denote a redshirt sophomore for the 2016 season.
1. *Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Previous rank: 1
Garrett ran a ridiculous 4.64 40-yard dash and had a 41-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-8 broad jump, all at 6-foot-4, 272 pounds, at the combine. He cemented his stock as my No. 1 prospect, he'll stay at No. 1 to the Browns in Mock Draft 3.0. Garrett had a frustrating 2016 season, hampered by a high ankle sprain he suffered in late September, and his 8.5 sacks were down from his freshman total of 11.5 and sophomore total of 12.5. When he's on, he's a brilliant, natural pass-rusher.
2. Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
Previous rank: 2
Allen was one of the top two or three defenders in the country the past two seasons. After having 12 sacks in 2015, he had 10.5 more in 2016, including one in Alabama's national title game loss. I wrote in October about Allen's performance against Texas A&M, in which he had a signature sack and returned a fumble for a touchdown. Defensive end, defensive tackle -- at 6-3, 286 pounds, Allen can play anywhere on the line, and in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. Plus, coach Nick Saban loves him.
3. **Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
Previous rank: 5
A third-year sophomore, Thomas has steadily risen over the past year and now he's in the mix to be a top-five pick. He put up solid numbers at the combine and showed off the explosion that I saw on tape. Thomas plays like a veteran, causing disruptions in both the running and passing games. He had eight sacks in 2016 while playing end, but at 6-3, 273 pounds, he could move inside and play tackle. The versatility is what stands out. And he has some speed -- he ran a 4.69 40, and check out this fumble return.
4. **Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
Previous rank: 7
At the combine, Lattimore ran a 4.36 40 and had a 38.5-inch vertical and 11-foot broad jump, all three ranking in the top 10 among defensive backs. He's an athletic phenom who doesn't have a ton of experience. Lattimore (6-0, 193) was a first-year starter in 2016 who struggled with a hamstring injury during his first two years in Columbus (and it did tighten up on him at the combine). He was fantastic, standing out in a group of talented defenders and posting four interceptions, including a pick-six. He tackles well and locked down receivers he matched up against. The 2017 cornerback class could be special, and Lattimore is at the top.
5. Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama
Previous rank: 3
I'm not dropping Foster too much after his bizarre ejection from the combine, and I don't see him dropping past the top 10 in the draft. He is a big-time inside linebacker who might have been Alabama's best linebacker in 2015. Yes, better than Reggie Ragland, who went in the second round to the Bills in the 2016 draft. Foster (6-0, 229) has more range, runs sideline to sideline and is a more complete player. He's a terrific blitzer too, and recorded five sacks in 2016. I expect him to follow in the footsteps of inside linebackers from Alabama who have gone in the first round, such as Rolando McClain, Dont'a Hightower and C.J. Mosley.
6. *Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Previous rank: 4
Adams put up solid safety numbers at the combine, running a 4.56 40 with a vertical jump of 31.5 inches at 6-0, 214. He was a huge part of LSU's defensive success the past few seasons, even if it doesn't show on the stat sheet; he had one interception, one sack and one forced fumble this past season. He has great bloodlines -- his dad, George Adams, was the No. 19 overall pick in the 1985 NFL draft. He is built for today's NFL as a versatile safety who can play in the box effectively, make tackles against the run and move to the edges and track slot receivers.
7. *Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Previous rank: 6
A 4.51 40 is a great time for a 240-pound back, but Fournette's 28.5-inch vertical turned some heads, and not in a good way. I still see plenty of explosion when I watch his games. He struggled with a gimpy ankle in 2016 and played in only seven games. Fournette has an incredible combination of speed and power that can make him look like a varsity player hanging with the JV. Mileage was a concern heading into last season, but that's not an issue now. He had a whopping 300 carries in 2015 -- for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns -- and only 129 in 2016.
8. *Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
Previous rank: 11
Charlton's measurements -- 6-6, 277 with 34¼ arms -- really stood out at the combine, and he tested well. He plays with good leverage for his height, has active hands and takes ideal angles when rushing the passer. Charlton can play on his feet, which means he could fit in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. He was the best defensive player on the field in Michigan's loss to Ohio State in late November, with 2.5 sacks and nine total tackles, showing off a full arsenal of pass-rushing moves. He finished the season with 9.5 sacks despite missing two games with an ankle injury.
9. *Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Previous rank: 8
Cook (5-10, 210) is a home run hitter who can turn small creases into massive gains. He finished the 2016 season with 100-yard rushing performances in nine of his last 10 games, including 145 rushing yards and 62 receiving yards in the Orange Bowl win over Michigan. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry -- after averaging 7.4 in 2015 -- and had 33 receptions for 488 yards. With good hands and the ability to find and pick up blitzes, he's versatile. He had a whopping 40 total touchdowns in the past two seasons.
10. O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Previous rank: 21
Howard moves up a few more spots here after standing out at Senior Bowl practices and having a great combine (he ran a 4.51 40 at 6-6, 251, among many other impressive measurements). He wasn't a prolific pass-catcher at Alabama, including only 37 catches last season, but he has all the tools scouts look for in an NFL tight end. He can stretch the deep middle of the field and become a more dynamic weapon. He could be a playmaker in the NFL. Three of his seven career touchdowns came in national title games.
11. Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
Previous rank: 12
Pac-12 offensive tackles had nightmares last season about McKinley, who is a dominant speed rusher. At 6-2, 250, he's not huge, but his explosion off the line is suited for today's NFL. He ran the third-fastest 40 among defensive linemen (4.59). A former junior college player, McKinley really came on as a senior, recording 10 sacks and three forced fumbles. McKinley impressed me with his motor too, even while dealing with multiple injuries.
12. **Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Previous rank: 14
Hooker didn't take part in drills at the combine after having surgery in January to repair a torn labrum in his left hip and repair sports hernias, but measuring in at 6-1, 206 will help him. Like his teammate Lattimore, Hooker was another third-year sophomore and first-year starter in 2016. He has incredible range and was the best center-field-type safety I saw last season. He had seven interceptions and returned three of them for touchdowns. He was all over the field for the Buckeyes.
13. Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple
Previous rank: NR
Reddick just keeps rising -- his stock has moved up as much as anybody in this class. I pegged him at No. 30 to the Steelers in Mock Draft 2.0, but that was before he was one of the combine MVPs, with a 4.52 40, 36.5-inch vertical and 11-foot-1 broad jump, all of which ranked in the top three among defensive linemen. Some teams might see Reddick (6-1, 237) as an inside linebacker, but I think he also could play outside in a 3-4. He'll get in the backfield -- he had 21.5 tackles for loss last season. Reddick is also fundamentally sound, which is a big plus.
14. *John Ross, WR, Washington
Previous rank: NR
Ross is my new No. 1 receiver, but it's not just because of his combine-record 4.22 40. It's partially due to the fact that the other top receivers, Clemson's Mike Williams and Western Michigan's Corey Davis, didn't run at the combine and we don't yet have true 40 numbers for them (Davis isn't having a pro day, either). And so I feel comfortable putting Ross, who was on my Big Board during the season, in the top spot. After major knee injuries cost him most of the 2014 season and all of 2015, Ross had a sensational 2016 season with 81 catches for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns. Ross isn't very big -- 5-11, 188 -- but he's not a guy who has to play in the slot. He can play outside at the next level.
15. *Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
Previous rank: 16
McCaffrey's 4.48 40 and 37.5-inch vertical should eliminate any doubts about his athleticism. He's going to be a really good pro. The Stanford offense was built around him for the past two years. He runs, catches passes, blocks and returns kicks and punts. With 590 carries for 3,622 yards and 82 catches for 955 yards the past two seasons, he has shown that he can carry the load. McCaffrey (5-11, 202) has incredible balance and could be an every-down back in the NFL. And it helps that he played in a pro-style offense at Stanford. His father, Ed, had a long NFL career as a wide receiver, and his brother, Max, was a good receiver at Duke.
16. *Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Previous rank: 9
Williams is expected to run at Clemson's pro day later this week, and he could jump back above Ross among receivers. A 40 in the low 4.5s is probably good enough for teams. On the field, Williams is a special receiver who measured 6-4, 218 at the combine. He made some fantastic catches in the national title game, finishing with eight receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. Williams put behind the scary neck injury that prematurely ended his 2015 season, and he was Deshaun Watson's go-to target in 2016. He finished with 98 catches for 1,361 yards and 11 touchdowns.
17. *Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Previous rank: 18
One of the most productive receivers in the country over his career, Davis is a big-time playmaker with skills that will translate to the next level. He had 331 catches for 5,278 yards and 52 touchdowns in his career, and he led the country in receiving touchdowns with 19 in 2016. Davis has ideal size (6-3, 209) and length to be a great NFL wideout. I think he could be a lead option for an offense. He was considered one of the hardest workers on his team, too, and he really studies the game. Like I mentioned earlier, however, we still don't know his true speed -- an ankle injury kept him out of drills at the combine.
18. *Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
Previous rank: 10
I don't see a potential top-five talent at quarterback in this draft, but that doesn't mean a QB-needy team won't be desperate and pick one in the top five. I projected Trubisky, my top-ranked QB, to go No. 2 to San Francisco in Mock Draft 1.0 and 2.0. In his first year as the full-time starter, Trubisky (6-2, 222) completed 68.2 percent of his passes and had 30 touchdown passes and only six interceptions. He throws a nice ball, has some touch and velocity and is mobile too. Experience is a question mark: He just doesn't have a lot of tape.
19. *Budda Baker, S, Washington
Previous rank: NR
The Huskies have been producing some stellar talent lately, and Baker could end up being the best of the bunch. If he were bigger, I think he'd be a top-15 pick, but the 5-10 frame will scare off a few teams. Baker is a great, versatile football player, though, who could play in the slot, play deep safety or help in run support in the box. He had two interceptions and three sacks last season, and he ran a 4.45 40 at the combine. Wherever he lands in the draft, I expect to see him on my Rookie Big Board throughout the 2017 season.
20. **David Njoku, TE, Miami (Fla.)
Previous rank: 22
No longer a sleeper at this point, Njoku put on a show at the combine. He ran a 4.64 40, had a 37.5-inch vertical and 11-foot-1 broad jump at 6-4, 246. The third-year sophomore was fantastic down the stretch of the Hurricanes' 2016 season, with seven touchdowns over the last six games; he had just two career touchdowns before that. Njoku is among the most athletic tight ends in recent years. He could be a weapon in the NFL.
21. *Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Previous rank: NR
Barnett was stellar after a slow start to the 2016 season, with 13 sacks. That put him at 33 in his three years at Tennessee. Barnett (6-3, 259) is an all-around defender who beats double-teams, makes plays in the running game and gets after quarterbacks. I see him as a 4-3 defensive end in the NFL, not a 3-4 outside linebacker, but that shouldn't hurt his value.
22. Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
Previous rank: 20
White was impressive in his limited time at the Senior Bowl -- no receiver could get separation against him. He hurt his ankle in the middle of the week and didn't practice after that or play in the game, but I feel comfortable bumping him up a round after his solid senior season and how he looked against the wideouts at the Senior Bowl. White (5-11,192) could have been a Day 3 pick a year ago but made the right decision to return to school. His six career interceptions, including two in 2016, are fewer than you'd like to see from a first-round cornerback, but his ball skills are OK. He needs to catch some of the throws he breaks up.
23. *Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
Previous rank: 23
Bolles started only one season for the Utes after coming over from a junior college, but he was tremendous in 2016. Playing left tackle for the Utes, he showed that he's a great run-blocker who can drive defenders off the ball at the snap. Bolles (6-5, 297) is a mauler, but he has nice feet too. His 4.95 40 at the combine was second among offensive lineman. Bolles needs to work on his technique and improve his pass blocking, but he could be the first tackle taken in April.
24. *Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Previous rank: NR
I've had Watson at No. 10 to the Bills in both Mock Draft 1.0 and 2.0, but this is his first appearance in the Big Board since the regular season. He really had an up-and-down 2016 season, and I thought he took a step back in decision-making from his stellar sophomore season. His 17 interceptions -- and 30 over the past two seasons -- are worrisome. But then you watch him play like he did in the national title game win over Alabama -- 36-of-56 passing for 420 yards, 43 rushing yards, four total TDs -- and you see a potential top-five pick. At 6-2, 221, Watson doesn't have ideal size, but he has the arm strength, toughness and athleticism to play for a long time. He just needs to put it all together consistently.
25. Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
Previous rank: 15
Injuries to both ankles caused Davis (6-1, 238) to miss a few games late in the season, and he didn't work out at the combine. But he is a steady, reliable linebacker with a nose for the football. He could play inside or outside linebacker in the NFL, but he's not a pass-rusher, though he did have 5.5 sacks the past two seasons. Davis is an every-down linebacker at the next level -- he can cover tight ends and backs in the passing game -- and fits what teams are looking for these days. He could play all three positions in a 4-3 defense or the inside in a 3-4. I love his intangibles too; he has tremendous character.