2016 NFL Draft: AFC East Mini Big Boards

Each team in the NFL Draft has their own draft board that they work off on draft weekend. Whether it is a vertical, horizontal board, or even both teams list hundreds of prospects in their desired order. So to keep this sweet and simple this series of articles will be a mini horizontal board for each of the NFL division’s four teams for their top needs. First let's look at the difference between a vertical and horizontal boards.

Vertical Draft Board: A vertical draft board is purely based on the best overall prospects available regardless of team needs. You typically see these boards created by media analysts to showcase who they believe are the best prospects in the class.

Horizontal Draft Board: A horizontal draft board is based more off of team needs. You never want to draft solely on need, but this is a great tool to assess who will fit your needs best.

Both of these boards compliment each other and the best teams use these tools in a harmonious function.

Remember that these boards are based on draft position and need, so Myles Jack is probably high on the Bills vertical board, but on a horizontal board he’ll fit the need description but not the draft position. If the Bills like Jack that much they favor their vertical board and will have to trade up.

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Buffalo Bills

Top Needs: LB, S, OL

Surprise Need: WR

LB: Reggie Ragland, Darron Lee, Kyler Fackrell, Scooby Wright III, Joshua Perry

S: Darian Thompson, Vonn Bell, Karl Joseph, Jayron Kearse, Jeremy Cash

OL: Jack Conklin, Taylor Decker, Jason Spriggs, Vadal Alexander, Joshua Garnett

WR: Laquon Treadwell, Josh Doctson, Corey Coleman, Tyler Boyd, Will Fuller

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Miami Dolphins

Top Needs: CB, RB, OL   

Surprise Need: DL

CB: Vernon Hargreaves III, William Jackson III, Eli Apple, Kendall Fuller, Artie Burns

RB: Ezekiel Elliott, Derrick Henry, Devontae Booker, Paul Perkins, Kenneth Dixon

OL: Jack Conklin, Taylor Decker, Jason Spriggs, Cody Whitehair, La’Raven Clark

DL: Robert Nkemdiche, Shaq Lawson, Emmanuel Ogbah, Kevin Dodd, Shilique Calhoun

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New England Patriots

Top Needs: DE, OL, CB

Surprise Needs: WR

DE: Kevin Dodd, Adolphus Washington, Charles Tapper, Carl Nassib, Shawn Oakman

OL: Jerald Hawkins, Vadal Alexander, La’Raven Clark, Spencer Drango, John Theus

CB: Mackensie Alexander, Kendall Fuller, Zack Sanchez, Xavien Howard, Harlan Miller

WR: Will Fuller, Michael Thomas, Sterling Shepard, Nelson Spruce, Leonte Carroo

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New York Jets

Top Needs: LB, OL, DT

Surprise Needs: WR

LB: Reggie Ragland, Darron Lee, Noah Spence, Kamalei Correa, Kyler Fackrell

OL: Jack Conklin, Taylor Decker, Jason Spriggs, Germain Ifedi, Jerald Hawkins

DT: Andrew Billings, Kenny Clark, Jonathan Bullard, Chris Jones, A’Shawn Robinson

WR: Laquon Treadwell, Josh Doctson, Tyler Boyd, Michael Thomas, Sterling Shepard

NFL Draft Prospect Visits: The Ultimate Mirage

Most people that see an NFL Draft prospect visit and make a logical assumption, “My team is interested in drafting Player X”. For the rest of the workforce world, when you have an in person interview that typically means you’re in consideration to land the job. This isn’t the case when it comes to the NFL, so let’s take a deeper dive into this concept.

*I apologize in advance, but my prospect visit examples will be Miami Dolphins players. If you read the blog or listen to the podcast you will know they are simply the team I am the most comfortable with. Again, I apologize if this bother you in some way.

The Visit with Drafting Interest

This is the situation that most fans think is occurring when they see a prospect visiting their team. Quite honestly most prospect visits prior to the draft do have some sort of interest tied to them. When you only have 30 total prospect visits before the draft you have none to put to waste. If you are considering investing a first round pick into a player you're going to want to get as up close and personal as you can. You don’t always get that opportunity at a Pro Day, the Combine, or an All-Star game.  

Our first case study is DeVante Parker who the Dolphins selected 14th overall in the 2015 class. Last off season Bryan Fischer of NFL.com reported the DeVante Parker visit with Miami. In this case the Dolphins has true interest in drafting Parker, so the brought him in and put him through their process. This example is a cut and dry as it gets, and from general knowledge is how the process of prospect visits usually works.

Now let’s dive into some of the more tactical visit types.

The Visit with No Interest/Informational

Our second prospect visit situation is the classic “smokescreen”.Teams will spend a visit with a hot prospect that they may not actually want to draft in order to get a team ahead of them to pull the trigger early, or to get a team below them to panic and trade above them for the prospect.

The other side of this is a visit that a team hosts in order to gain information on a prospect so if a team in their division drafts them, or they become a free agent, the team hosting the visit has scouted the player already.

A great example of inviting a prospect that you don’t want is when the Jaguars really sold Johnny Manziel’s visit. Everyone was saying how fantastic the visit was, but the Jaguars were just adding hype to the Manziel train so they could ensure they could get Blake Bortles at the 3rd pick overall.

“Last year the Jaguars appeared poised to draft any player not named Blake Bortles with the third overall pick. It was leaked, in every manner imaginable, that their interest was not in taking a quarterback, and if they were to grab one, it would be Johnny Manziel out of Texas A&M and not the UCF standout.

Jaguars management stressed to the Bortles camp that he wouldn’t be the guy. The team hosted both Bortles and Manziel for visits, and in the interest of spreading that belief, during an early offseason practice before the draft, an offensive coach finished his meeting with the words: “Don't worry about this stuff. We'll put it in when Johnny gets here.” The ruse was bolstered many times over.” (Robert Kelmko, MMQB.si.com)

As for an example when it comes to an informational visit, this offseason the Dolphins will be bringing in Connor Cook from Michigan State. After resigning Matt Moore and working so hard to keep Logan Thomas the Dolphins are probably not going to spend a pick on a quarterback in the first two days of the draft. They could, but the logical signs would say differently (my luck they’ll draft him early and you’ll laugh at me). On the other hand the New York Jets are looking for another quarterback and Cook might end up there. This visit has more external long-term implication than just the 2016 draft.

NO Visit with Major Intent to Draft

One of the best ways to ensure you get the prospect you really want is to not invite him to your facility and have absolutely no meetings with him. It’s similar to the thought process of a twelve year old girl whose technique to telling someone she has feelings for them is to ignore them. Lesson learned: NFL executives and twelve year old girls are the same thing.

The Dolphins did this when they selected Dion Jordan in 2013. The Dolphins had zero contact with Jordan, but then they traded up to the 3rd pick overall to take him. Joke’s on them though because they didn’t do enough background checking on Jordan before taking him.

So What’s the Lesson?

Don’t worry about what prospects are visiting your team. Enjoy the NFL Draft process, but don’t get hung up on any moves that are made.

2016 NFL Draft: Top 200 Big Board

Here it is ladies and gentlemen, Zach's Top 200 Big Board. This will change between now and the Draft at the end of April, but it is the official board that we use for our mocks. This board is based on pure talent overall, so injuries and off the field issues aren't factored (I.E. Nkemdiche and Jaylon Smith being in the Top 10). Feel free to use this board for whatever you may see fit.

1. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
2. Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State
3. Joey Bosa, DE/Rush, Ohio State
4. Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
5. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

6. Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
7. Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
8. Jared Goff, QB, Cal
9. Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (Injury)
10. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

11. Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Ohio State
12. Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
13. Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
14. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
15. Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State

16. Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
17. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
18. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
19. Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State
20. Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

21. Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky
22. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
23. Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
24. Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
25. Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama

26. Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
27. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
28. Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
29. William Jackson III, CB, Houston
30. Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State

31. Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
32. Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
33. Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
34. Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
35. Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State

36. Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State
37. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
38. Tyler Boyd, WR, Pitt
39. Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame
40. Darian Thompson, S, Boise State

41. Su’a Cravens, OLB, USC
42. Jonathan Bullard, DE/DT, Florida
43. Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
44. Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State
45. Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M

46. Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
47. Vadal Alexander, G, LSU
48. Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State
49. Joshua Perry, OLB, Ohio State
50. Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State

51. Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn
52. Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
53. Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia
54. Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina
55. Jerald Hawkins, OT, LSU

56. La’Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech
57. Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State
58. Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
59. Jayron Kearse, S, Clemson
60. Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford

61. A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
62. Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame
63. Tyler Johnstone, OT, Oregon
64. Charles Tapper, DE, Oklahoma
65. Jalen Mills, S, LSU

66. Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona
67. Devontae Booker, RB, Utah
68. Zack Sanchez, CB, Oklahoma
69. Jeremy Cash, S, Duke
70. Spencer Drango, G, Baylor

71. Tyler Matakevich, LB, Temple
72. Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State
73. John Theus, OT, Georgia
74. Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA
75. Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas

76. Tyvis Powell, S, Ohio State
77. Landon Turner, G, North Carolina
78. Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State
79. Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
80. Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford

81. Deion Jones, OLB, LSU
82. Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State
83. Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
84. Jatavius Brown, LB, Akron
85. Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma

86. Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia
87. Vernon Butler, DT, LA Tech
88. Max Tuerk, C, USC
89. Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State
90. Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State

91. Kyle Murphy, OT, Stanford
92. Charone Peake, WR, Clemson
93. Kenneth Dixon, RB, LA Tech
94. Artie Burns, CB, Miami
95. Nelson Spruce, WR, Colorado

96. Anthony Zettel, DE/DT, Penn State
97. Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
98. Denver Kirkland, OT, Arkansas
99. Joe Schobert, LB, Wisconsin
100. Harlan Miller, CB, Southeast Louisiana

101. Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas
102. Dan Voltz, C, Wisconsin
103. Kevin Hogan, QB, Stanford
104. Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida
105. Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska

106. Yannick Ngakoue, OLB, Maryland
107. Tyler Marz, OT, Wisconsin
108. Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers
109. Kevon Seymour, CB, USC
110. Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU

111. Keanu Neal, S, Florida
112. Blake Martinez, LB, Stanford
113. Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State
114. Matt Ioannidis, DT, Temple

115. Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina
116. Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State
117. Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas
118. Jack Allen, C, Michigan State
119. Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State

120. Luther Maddy, DT, Virginia Tech
121. Kenny Lawler, WR, Cal
122. Eric Striker, OLB, Oklahoma
123. Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
124. Tajae Sharpe, WR, UMass

125. Aziz Shittu, DE, Stanford
126. Matt Judon, DE/OLB, Grand Valley State
127. Kevin Byard, S, Mid Tennessee
128. Kentrell Brothers, LB, Missouri
129. Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama

130. Cody Kessler, QB, USC
131. Jalin Marshall, WR, Ohio State
132. Sebastian Tretola, G, Arkansas
133. Willie Beavers, OT, Western Michigan
134. Deiondre’ Hall, CB, Northern Iowa

135. Joe Haeg, OT, NDSU
136. Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah
137. Christian Westerman, G, Arizona State
138. Kalan Reed, CB, Southern Miss
139. Trevone Boykin, QB TCU

140. Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State
141. KeiVarae Russell, CB, Notre Dame
142. Dadi Lhomme Nicholas, OLB, Virginia Tech
143. Sean Davis, S, Maryland
144. Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

145. Antonio Morrison, LB, Florida
146. Ronald Blair, DE, Appalachian State
147. Justin Simmons, S, Boston College
148. Jihad Ward, DT, Illinois
149. Aaron Burbridge, WR, Michigan State

150. Rees Odhiambo, G, Boise State
151. Roger Lewis, WR, Bowling Green
152. C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame
153. De’Runnya Wilson, WR, Mississippi State
154. Ben Braunecker, TE, Harvard

155. Halapoulivaati Vaitai, OT, TCU
156. Travis Feeney, OLB, Washington
157. Adam Gotsis, DT, Georgia Tech
158. Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State
159. Maurice Canady, CB, Virginia

160. Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana
161. Brandon Doughty, QB, WKU
162. Deandre Houston-Carson, S, William & Mary
163. J.T. Boyd, C, East Carolina
164. James Bradberry, CB, Samford

165. Daniel Lasco, RB, Cal
166. Kenyan Drake, RB, Alabama
167. Dominique Alexander, LB, Oklahoma
168. Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas
169. Lloyd Carrington, CB, Arizona State

170. Glenn Gronkowski, FB, Kansas State
171. Victor Ochi, OLB/DE, Stony Brook
172. Keith Marshall, RB, Georgia
173. Tyler Higbee, TE, Western Kentucky
174. D.J. Foster, RB/WR, Arizona State

175. Bralon Addison, WR, Oregon
176. Paul McRoberts, WR, Southeast Missouri State
177. Evan Boehm, C, Missouri
178. James Cowser, DE, Southern Utah
179. Trent Matthews, S, Colorado State

180. Cassanova McKinzy, LB, Auburn
181. Dan Vitale, FB, Northwestern
182. Aaron Green, RB, TCU
183. KJ Dillon, S, West Virginia
184. Kevin Peterson, CB, Oklahoma State

185. Willie Henry, DT, Michigan
186. T.J. Green, S, Clemson
187. Joe Dahl, OT, Washington State
188. Keenan Reynolds, QB/RB, Navy
189. Mike Matthews, C, Texas A&M

190. Nile Lawrence-Stample, DT, Florida State
191. Jared Norris, LB, Utah
192. Tom Hackett, P, Utah
193. Josh Forrest, LB, Kentucky
194. Jacoby Brissett, QB, North Carolina State

195. Byron Marshall, WR, Oregon
196. Cole Toner, OT, Harvard
197. D’haquille Williams, WR, Auburn
198. Demarcus Ayers, WR, Houston
199. Bryce Williams, TE, East Carolina

200. Tavon Young, CB, Temple