The Tennessee Titans own the top pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, but the strong collection of talent in this year's class could entice a team to swing a deal to grab a franchise player at the top of the draft. Given some time to assess the prospects in the class, here are five players worthy of consideration for the No. 1 overall pick.
Ohio State DE Joey Bosa
After watching Von Miller claim the Super Bowl 50 MVP trophy following his spectacular demolition of the Carolina Panthers' offensive line, coaches and scouts will certainly covet disruptive edge players at a premium. Thus, a versatile edge defender with length, athleticism and a non-stop motor could vault up the charts when scouts convene to discuss the top prospects in pre-draft meetings. Bosa notched 26 sacks and 51 tackles for loss during his three-year career with the Buckeyes, exhibiting a polished game that already appears ready for primetime. Given the potential impact and destruction Bosa can create off the edges, the Ohio State star could sit atop the draft boards around the league.
Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil
The NFL remains a quarterback-driven league in the minds of most executives. Thus, the need to acquire an elite left tackle capable of fending off explosive pass rushers from the blind side is a top priority for teams with a franchise quarterback in place. Tunsil certainly possesses the length, athleticism and technical skills to get it done, as evidenced by his nearly flawless record (only two sacks allowed in 28 career games at Ole Miss). With more teams appreciating the value of a franchise left tackle in today's pass-happy NFL, Tunsil's abilities as an eraser will make him a hot commodity on draft day.
Cal QB Jared Goff
The lack of quality quarterbacks in the NFL raises the value of any quarterback prospect that possesses the size, arm talent and football IQ to grow into a franchise player at the next level. Teams are willing to overdraft quarterbacks solely on their potential to develop into a solid starter as a pro. Goff not only displayed the physical ability and mental acumen to play the position, but he is a three-year starter who played a major role in his program's turnaround. Considering the number of teams that lack a franchise quarterback to build around, Goff's value is sky high heading into the draft.
North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz
Whenever scouts spot a winning quarterback prospect with prototypical dimensions, A-plus arm talent and a winning pedigree, the buzz runs rampant throughout the league. After watching Wentz put on a spectacular display at the Reese's Senior Bowl following a standout career at North Dakota State that included a pair of FCS national titles under his direction, the momentum is certainly building for the big-bodied playmaker to surge up the charts. Wentz is squarely in the conversation as a first-round pick and his stock could skyrocket after scouts get another chance to take a look at his skills later this month at the NFL Scouting Combine (Feb. 23-29) in Indianapolis.
Florida State DB Jalen Ramsey
It's uncommon for a defensive back to rank as the best football player in the draft, but Ramsey is a legitimate difference maker with the skills to fill a variety of roles in the secondary. The 6-foot-1, 194-pounder is a rare talent as a cover corner with a high football IQ and nasty demeanor that makes him ideally suited to play inside as a box defender or slot playmaker at the next level. While most teams value quarterbacks and pass rushers as the premium players on their rosters, the potential to nab a Charles Woodson-like defender could prompt scouts and coaches to make a play for Ramsey with the top pick.
Follow Bucky Brooks on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.
