Evaluating NFL talent isn’t a task for the faint of heart. And looking into the minds of 32 general managers is even tougher.
Because of that, SFBay has created our very own Big Board — the top 12 players at every position.
For those relying on ESPN and the NFL Network for draft analysis, this may throw you through a loop. Many of our picks are not consistent with some of the bigger names in media scouting.
But the SFBay staff prides itself on being a little different — after all, this is one of only a few news organizations that was started with no funding from big business or deep pockets.
So here’s the preface for our rankings:
First off, size does matter. A lot, for the NFL. Cornerbacks are getting bigger, so larger receivers are necessary. Wide receivers get bigger, so defensive backs must as well.
Defensive ends are getting faster, so lineman better be speedy with their feet. Got it?
Quarterbacks
- Blake Bortles, Central Florida
- Derek Carr, Fresno State
- Zach Mettenberger, LSU
- Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech
- David Fales, San Jose State
- Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois
- Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
- Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville
- AJ McCarron, Alabama
- Tom Savage, Pittsburgh
- Aaron Murray, Georgia
- Jeff Mathews, Cornell
Running Backs
- Tre Mason, Auburn
- Ka’Deem Carey, Arizona
- Carlos Hyde, Ohio State
- Jeremy Hill, LSU
- Bishop Sankey, Washington
- Lache Seastrunk, Baylor
- Tyler Gaffney, Stanford
- Storm Johnson, Central Florida
- Henry Josey, Missouri
- Jerick McKinnon, Georgia Southern
- Devonta Freeman, FSU
- Charles Sims, West Virginia
Wide Receivers
- Kelvin Benjamin, FSU
- Sammy Watkins, Clemson
- Mike Evans, Texas A&M
- Marqise Lee, USC
- Allen Robinson, Penn State
- Martavis Bryant, Clemson
- Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
- Odell Beckham Jr., LSU
- Davante Adams, Fresno State
- Jordan Mathews, Vanderbilt
- Brandon Coleman, Rutgers
- Donte Montcrief, Ole Miss
Offensive Tackle
- Greg Robinson, Auburn
- Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
- Taylor Lewan, Michigan
- Zack Martin, Notre Dame
- Morgan Moses, Virginia
- Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
- Brandon Thomas, Clemson
- Jack Mewhort, Ohio State
- Cameron Fleming, Stanford
- Joe Bittino, Nevada
- JuWaun James, Tennessee
- Antonio Richardson, Tennessee
Offensive Guard
- David Yankey, Stanford
- Cyril Richardson, Baylor
- Xavier Su’a-Filo, UCLA
- Brandon Thomas, Clemson
- Trai Turner, LSU
- Anthony Steen, Alabama
- Andrew Norwell, Ohio State
- Chris Watt, Notre Dame
- Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State
- Dakota Dozier, Furman
- Jon Halapio, Florida
- Spencer Long, Nebraska
Center
- Marcus Martin, USC
- Travis Swanson, Arkansas
- Weston Richburg, CSU Ft. Collins
- Tyler Larsen, Utah State
- Bryan Stork, FSU
- Russell Bodine, North Carolina
- Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma
- James Stone, Tennessee
- Andrew Miller, Virginia Tech
- Jonotthan Harrison, Florida
- Demetrius Rhaney, Tennessee State
- Corey Linsley, Ohio State
Tight End
- Eric Ebron, North Carolina
- Jace Amaro, Texas Tech
- Troy Niklas, Notre Dame
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington
- Xavier Grimble, USC
- C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa
- Arthur Lynch, Georgia
- Marcel Jensen, Fresno State
- Richard Rogers, Berkeley
- A.C. Leonard, Tennessee State
- Colt Lyerla, Oregon
- Jordan Najvar, Baylor
Defensive Tackle
- Timmy Jernigan, FSU
- Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
- Ra’Shede Hageman, Minnesota
- Louis Nix III, Notre Dame
- Ego Ferguson, LSU
- Will Sutton, Arizona State
- Anthony Johnson, LSU
- DaQuan Jones, Penn State
- Kelcy Quarles, South Carolina
- DeAndre Coleman, Berkeley
- Justin Ellis, Louisiana Tech
- Daniel McCullers, Tennessee
Defensive End
- Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
- Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame
- Dominique Easley, Florida
- Kony Ealy, Missouri
- Trent Murphy, Stanford
- Scott Crichton, Oregon State
- Will Clarke, West Virginia
- Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas
- Taylor Hart, Oregon
- Kareem Martin, North Carolina
- Marcus Smith, Louisville
- Michael Sam, Missouri
4-3 Outside Linebacker
- Khalil Mack, Buffalo
- Anthony Barr, UCLA
- Ryan Shazier, Ohio State
- CJ Mosely, Alabama
- Dee Ford, Auburn
- Trent Murphy, Stanford
- Marcus Smith, Louisville
- Christian Jones, FSU
- Telvin Smith, FSU
- Lamin Barrow, LSU
- Jordan Tripp, Montana
- Michael Sam, Missouri
3-4 Outside Linebacker
- Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
- Khalil Mack, Buffalo
- Anthony Barr, UCLA
- Dee Ford, Auburn
- Trent Murphy, Stanford
- Marcus Smith, Louisville
- Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas
- Michael Sam, Missouri
- Ron Powell, Florida
- Adrian Hubbard, Alabama
- Kareem Martin, North Carolina
- Kyle Van Noy, BYU
Inside Linebacker 3-4 or 4-3
- CJ Mosely, Alabama
- Shayne Skov, Stanford
- Christian Jones, FSU
- Lamin Barrow, LSU
- Jordan Zumwalt, UCLA
- Khairi Fortt, Berkeley
- Max Bullough, Michigan State
- James Morris, Iowa
- Caleb Lavey, Oklahoma State
- Andrew Wilson, Missouri
- Yawin Smallwood, Connecticut
- Chris Borland, Wisconsin
Cornerback
- Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State
- Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech
- Bradley Roby, Ohio State
- Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State
- Keith McGill, Utah
- Jason Verrett, TCU
- Marcus Roberson, Florida
- Stanley Jean Babtiste, Nebraska
- Dontae Jones, Stanford
- Phillip Gaines, Rice
- Bashaud Breeland, Clemson
- LaMarcus Joyner, FSU
Safety
- HaHa Clinton-Dix, Alabama
- Dion Bailey, USC
- Calvin Pryor, Louisville
- Deone Bucannon, Washington State
- Terrence Brooks, FSU
- LaMarcus Joyner, FSU
- Ed Reynolds, Stanford
- Antone Exum, Virginia Tech
- Isaiah Lewis, Michigan State
- Craig Loston, LSU
- Ahmad Dixon, Baylor
- Dezmen Southward, Wisconsin
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