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Mel Kiper releases updated 2016 NFL Draft Big Board

By Michael Straw

Sep 12, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) during the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) during the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mel Kiper has released his latest big board for the 2016 NFL Draft. 

ESPN’s resident draft guru Mel Kiper released his latest 2016 NFL Draft big board, and, to the surprise some, Ole Miss defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche sits atop the list as the best player available in the draft.

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Close behind Nkemdiche is Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Joey Bosa. Both are juniors, meaning that it’s not a certainty that either enter the draft next season. However, it wouldn’t be shocking if both ultimately left school after this season. That being said, there’s no denying how close the top two players are. The rankings among league scouts could be the difference between going first and going third/fourth.

At the third spot is Kiper’s highest-rated quarterback Jared Goff of California. In four games so far, Goff has thrown for 1,240 yards with a 69 percent completion rate. On top of that, the soon-to-be 21-year-old has 11 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

Offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil takes the fourth spot on the board, and is the second Ole Miss Rebel to be found in the top five. Jalen Ramsey, the defensive back from Florida State, rounds out the top five.

A pair of Fighting Irish sit at the sixth and seventh spots as linebacker Jaylon Smithy and OT Ronnie Stanley are the highest-rated members of the Notre Dame roster. Vernon Hargreaves III sits at number eight; defensive end DeForest Buckner is ninth; Alabama DT A’Shawn Robinson finishes Kiper’s latest Top 10 prospects.

The rankings are sure to change a number of times between now and the draft next spring. But, with the way it stands, it looks like the stellar recruiting class from Ole Miss three years ago is ready to shine in the big time.

(h/t Nicole Ellis)

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