2016 NFL draft: Top 20 Best Availables Day 2
By James Cobern
The first-round of the 2016 NFL draft just concluded, and there is still many talented prospects available to fill team needs in Day 2.
The first-round of the draft had some very odd picks in the middle of the draft, which allowed many great players to fall to the second-round. And I wanted to preview Day 2 with the 20 best players I see available going into Day 2.
- Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma
- Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
- Kevin Byard, DS, Middle Tennessee State
- Jatavis Brown, LB, Akron
- Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
- Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
- Joe Haeg, OT, North Dakota State
- Vonn Bell, DS, Ohio State
- Connor McGovern, OG, Missouri
- Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
- Joe Thuney, OT/OG, N.C. State
- Spencer Pulley, OC, Vanderbilt
- Graham Glasgow, OC, Michigan
- Jonathan Bullard, DT, Florida
- Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State
- Kalan Reed, CB, Southern Mississippi
- Joe Schobert, LB, Wisconsin
- Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
- Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
- Leonte Caroo, WR, Rutgers
Now some of you might be wondering why linebackers Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith aren’t in the top 20, and it’s simply because there is legit concerns with both in terms of health. Many draft analysts were shocked at Jack falling all the way to Day 2 this year, but Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reported that Jack admitted to his knee as a degenerative problem.
And the article would go further on Jack making comments in a grim manner about his potential future. When a prospect like Jack is hinting that he may only play three years in the NFL that’s a problem.
Even if it’s just a figure of speech on the longevity of most players in the NFL. There are serious concerns with Jack’s health that I don’t have enough information on and as such I have him lower on the board.
He’s a talented player, but availability is the best ability in the NFL. Follow that up with Jaylon Smith who has a nerve injury that clouds his NFL future as well according to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel.
On tape Jaylon Smith and Myles Jack are two of the most talented linebackers in this class. However, severe injuries that could threaten their careers are why I see them as better value even later than Day 2.
With that out of the way, the best strategy for Day 2 is to focus on snatching up the rest of the great interior offensive linemen. And acquiring the last of the very good skill position players like Derrick Henry and Sterling Shepard.
More nfl spin zone: 2016 NFL Draft: 5 Best First-Round Selections
Follow that up with the rest of the great defensive tackle specimens like Chris Jones of Mississippi State, Jonathan Bullard of Florida and Javon Hargrave of South Carolina State. A run on linebackers and safeties will probably occur tomorrow as well.
Where I see Joe Schobert of Wisconsin, Jatavis Brown of Akron, Kevin Byard of Middle Tennessee State and Vonn Bell of Ohio State as the top players at the linebacker and safety positions.
There will definitely be some people clamoring for one of the remaining quarterbacks like Connor Cook, but I say avoid until Day 3. I want to hear from you though.
Who do you see as the 20 best available players tomorrow and why?