The 2016 NFL Draft isn’t often discussed as one of the best in recent memory, but it does boast six prospects that are in the elite echelon of players of the last 10 years. A franchise left tackle, two impact defensive ends, the best coverage linebacker and best defensive athlete in recent draft history and a do-it-all running back will likely make up six of the top eight picks in the 2016 draft.

But just how good are these prospects? To help predict how good they’ll be, I’ve found comparisons for each of these top six prospects, with a focus on their ceiling rather than exactly who they’ll be in the NFL.

 

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 16:  Walter Jones #71 of the Seattle Seahawks attempts to block Mike Rucker #93 of the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Bank of America Stadium on December 16, 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Carolina defeated Seattle 13-10.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 16: Walter Jones #71 of the Seattle Seahawks attempts to block Mike Rucker #93 of the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Bank of America Stadium on December 16, 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Carolina defeated Seattle 13-10. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss – Walter Jones

Comparing any prospect to an NFL Hall of Famer is never wise, but Tunsil’s lateral movement, in-space athleticism and natural fluidity as a pass blocker all show signs of elite upside quickly in the NFL. Walter Jones, known for being a highly proficient pass blocker, also played with plus control and finishing ability as a run blocker in one of the NFL’s best rushing offenses of the 2000s (led by Shaun Alexander).

For all of Tunsil’s athleticism and lateral movement, he’ll need time added technique and confidence against bull-rushers before he can hit his peak as one of the NFL’s best left tackles. He’s susceptible to well-placed bull-rushes, and when he’s facing J.J. Watt in Houston or Malik Jackson in Jacksonville (assuming he’s drafted by Tennessee), he’ll have trouble. But his comparable upside to Hall of Fame level talents is a core reason why Tennessee shouldn’t pass on him in favor of a position player.

 

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 14:  Cornerback Aqib Talib #21 of the Denver Broncos breaks up a pass in the endzone intended for wide receiver Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 14, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 24-17.  (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 14: Cornerback Aqib Talib #21 of the Denver Broncos breaks up a pass in the endzone intended for wide receiver Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 14, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 24-17. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State – Eric Berry or Aqib Talib

Pegging Ramsey for just one comparison is difficult, as he hasn’t had the opportunity in college to master one position and doesn’t fit precisely into any one defense. However, it’s that versatility coupled with elite athleticism that makes him a top-five prospect, offering one of the highest upsides of any college defensive back in recent history.

His first comparison should be Eric Berry, as the former Texas product entered the NFL with similar “cornerback vs. safety” discussion. Berry landed at free safety and played a crucial role in what would become the NFL’s best defense primarily due to his awesome range, change of direction and explosiveness in short and center-field coverage.

But Ramsey’s cornerback upside and physicality for a flexible cornerback reminds of Aqib Talib, as his physical upper half dislodges receivers off their route and he finishes with plus strength en route to being a dominating cornerback. The possibility of Ramsey being either of these prospects or, potentially, a hybrid of both is why Ramsey merits a top-four draft pick.

 

INDIANAPOLIS - DECEMBER 04:  Edgerrin James #32 of the Indianapolis Colts runs wth the ball while Rein Long #99 of the Tennessee Titans  grabs him during the NFL game at the the RCA Dome on December 4, 2005 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts won 35-3 for their 12th straight victory to start the season.  (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS – DECEMBER 04: Edgerrin James #32 of the Indianapolis Colts runs wth the ball while Rein Long #99 of the Tennessee Titans grabs him during the NFL game at the the RCA Dome on December 4, 2005 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts won 35-3 for their 12th straight victory to start the season. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State – Edgerrin James

Whether or not Elliott is worth a top-10 pick has been a frequent discussion and one that stems in questions about positional value and Elliott’s potential impact. The positional aspect has been slightly overblown, and Elliott’s three-down value and upfield explosiveness is what puts him in the top-ten category.

James thrived with Peyton Manning at the helm, thanks to the dominance of the stretch run play that they utilized so well. While the play isn’t common in today’s NFL, thanks to the growth of the shotgun, the stretch zone run is still prevalent and something Elliott ran at Ohio State with some frequency and with great success.

Elliott could land in a similar situation, should the Cowboys or Giants pair their top-flight quarterbacks with the draft’s best running back. But regardless, his explosiveness upfield and balance through contact should allow him to have a James-like career, with immediate three-down upside and rushing title potential. 

 

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 22: Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles flies through the air as he makes a reception against Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 22, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 22: Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles flies through the air as he makes a reception against Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 22, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Myles Jack, LB, UCLA – Lavonte David

Off-ball linebackers generally don’t go in the top-five picks, but Myles Jack of UCLA is a worthy exception. Jack, the former safety who emerged as the nation’s clear best linebacker after Jaylon Smith went down with an injury.

Jack isn’t a pass rusher and finished with just one sack in his college career, but his coverage skills should allow him to cover slot receivers and tight ends as a rookie, and with range in space will quickly emerge as one of the NFL’s elite. Lavonte David has emerged as one of the NFL’s best linebackers despite being undersized, and Jack has the potential to do everything David does, but at an even higher level, along with fitting in any defense. Despite the positional value, Jack cannot only lead a defense, but be the catalyst for a unit’s success.

 

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 09:  Running back Tre Mason #27 of the St. Louis Rams is brought down by middle linebacker Larry Foote #50 of the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 9, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona.  (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 09: Running back Tre Mason #27 of the St. Louis Rams is brought down by middle linebacker Larry Foote #50 of the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 9, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon – Calais Campbell

Under appreciated during his college career as an impact defensive lineman, DeForest Buckner has plenty of supporters at the top of the draft. The tall, long defensive end is a powerful five-technique who can penetrate inside and out, as well as immediate run-defending upside.

But most importantly for Buckner, and why teams feel he’s a top-five prospect, is due to his character, work ethic and leadership ability he was valued for in college. Buckner may never be a dominant one-on-one player in the NFL, but his forced double teams and powerful penetration upside should set the tone for a defensive front-seven similar to what Campbell has done for the Cardinals.

 

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 21: Defensive end Cameron Jordan #94 of the New Orleans Saints sacks quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons during a game at the Georgia Dome on November 21, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 21: Defensive end Cameron Jordan #94 of the New Orleans Saints sacks quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons during a game at the Georgia Dome on November 21, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State – Cameron Jordan

While Bosa has been compared to Jared Allen, Justin Smith and other similar defensive lineman, his best comparison is Cameron Jordan of the Saints. Jordan, who’s often overlooked when discussing the best defensive ends in the NFL, works inside and out as an edge rusher and consistently takes advantage of pure one-on-one opportunities.

Those values are especially true for Bosa, who did those exact things during his Ohio State career. Bosa dominates as an edge-setting run defender, rarely misses an opportunity as an isolated pass-rusher and is never out of position in his assignment. Bosa has similar upside to Jordan, especially if he lands in a defense that has a preference on getting pressure with four defensive linemen as much as possible, such as Dallas or Tampa Bay.