NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock released his first positional rankings for the 2016 NFL Draft, and I thought that we'd take a look at them position-by-position. You can view the whole set of rankings here, but I thought we would start at quarterback, and then work our way through offense and then defense. We'll do one or two of these per day during this down time before the 2016 NFL Combine.
Here's how Mayock ranked out the top five quarterbacks in the 2016 NFL Draft:
1. Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
2. Jared Goff, California
3. Paxton Lynch, Memphis
4. Connor Cook, Michigan State
5. Dak Prescott, Mississippi State
Wentz has been climbing the board for just about everybody. A guy who some thought might crack the first round a couple months ago is now being projected by some to the Cleveland Browns at No. 2. It's a high rise for a guy who played in FCS (1-AA) for his career. Plenty of great talent has come from the second level of college football, but it is still a big jump for some of these guys.
A year ago, Mayock wrapped up his rankings on April 28. His first set of rankings had Jameis Winston No. 1 and Marcus Mariota No. 2. His last set had swapped them.
Mayock discussed his rankings, and provided some thoughts on his rankings, specifically about Wentz, with some thoughts on Goff as well. The San Francisco 49ers have a need for a long-term quarterback, but it remains to be seen when that investment will come. Wentz, Goff, and Lynch are likely all going in the first round, and then it becomes a little more wide open after that. The 49ers have the ammunition to make a splash at quarterback, but it seems more likely that they wait on the position. Of course, the addition of Chip Kelly does at least make this a little more interesting.
On Carson Wentz
"The first tape I saw I went, ‘Wow, I hope the next one is as good.’ And the next one was as good." -- @MikeMayock on Carson Wentz
— NFL Media (@NFLMedia) February 11, 2016
"He can make every throw and he’s highly athletic." -- @MikeMayock on Carson Wentz
— NFL Media (@NFLMedia) February 11, 2016
"From a size perspective, from a longevity perspective, I think his upside is just a little bit higher than Goff’s." @MikeMayock on Wentz
— NFL Media (@NFLMedia) February 11, 2016
On Jared Goff
"He’s accurate, he’s probably a top 10 quarterback; he moves in the pocket, I really like this kid." -- @MikeMayock on Jared Goff
— NFL Media (@NFLMedia) February 11, 2016