Rank'Em
Rank’Em: Dak & Zeke Best Picks From 2016 Class?
Sunday night's game will feature some of the best players form the 2016 Draft. But where do Zeke, Dak & Wentz rank among the entire class.
Here are five honorable mention, including the Cowboys' Maliek Collins. Tennessee's Derrick Henry, the Eagles' Jordan Howard, who was drafted by the Bears originally, Atlanta's Austin Hooper and Chicago's Leonard Floyd round out the first five.
20 – Jaylon Smith – The Cowboys knew they were taking a risk in drafting Smith with the 34th pick and knowing he would miss his entire rookie season. Since then, he's come back strong to become one of the NFL's most dynamic linebackers, even signing a long-term extension that will likely keep him with the Cowboys for the majority, if not his entire career.
19 – Cody Whitehair – One of the Bears' staples on the offensive line, Whitehair has been a valuable addition, getting drafted in the second round with the 56th overall pick and already earning a Pro Bowl selection.
18 – Laremy Tunsil – While he was traded from Miami to the Texans, the Dolphins picked up some first-round picks in exchange, proving the value of Tunsil, who has been a quality left tackle since Day 1.
17 – Chris Jones – He blew up last year for the Chiefs, recording 15.5 sacks and becoming one of the best interior pass-rushers in the league. The second-round pick (37th overall) has been everything the Chiefs could've asked for and more in his fourth season.
16 – Blake Martinez – He's one of two fourth-round picks on this list along with Dak Prescott. Martinez has been one of the NFL's leaders in tackles since he got to the league and anchors the middle of the Packers' defense.
15 – Xavien Howard – A Pro Bowler in 2018, Howard is one of the only elite players on the Dolphins' roster right now. The second-round pick (38th overall) is a ball-hawking, yet physical corner who is considered one of the NFL's best all-around defenders.
14 – Deion Jones – Another second-round pick that has been a Day 1 contributor. Jones made the Pro Bowl in 2017 and already has eight career interceptions, tied for the most by any linebacker since 2016.
13 – Jack Conklin – An immediate impact player for the Titans, Conklin (No. 8 pick) earned All-Pro status as as a rookie. Injuries have limited his progress lately, but when healthy, he's one of the most complete tackles in football.
12 – Ronnie Stanley – Right there with Conklin, Stanley (sixth overall pick) has been exactly what the Ravens were hoping for, other than a few injuries earlier in his career. But when he's on the field, he's both a dominating run and pass blocker
11 – Kevin Byard – Quietly, he's one of the NFL's best safeties already. Since entering the league, Byard (third-round pick, 67th overall) has picked off 15 passes, including three this year and a league-leading eight in his All-Pro season in 2017.
10 – DeForest Buckner – One of the reasons the 49ers are undefeated is because of their stingy defense, loaded with high draft picks. One of them is Buckner (seventh overall) a Pro Bowler last year thanks to his career-high 12 sacks.
9 – Yannick Ngakoue – The anchor of the Jags' draft class was supposed to be Jalen Ramsey, who certainly lived up to the hype. But Ngakoue (third-round pick, 69th overall) has produced three seasons already with at least eight sacks, and has two this year.
8 – Jared Goff – The No. 1 overall pick always has lofty expectations to live up to, but he's doing that. Goff is one of the youngest players in NFL history to start a Super Bowl last season.
7 – Joey Bosa – Had it not been for injuries, Bosa might be much higher on this list. When he's out there, he attacks the quarterback with regularity, recording 31.5 sacks, including two double-digit seasons to begin his career.
6 – Tyreek Hill – The lowest drafted player on this list (fifth round, 165th overall), Hill is easily one of the NFL's most exciting players, evident by his ability to score from any place on the field and in many ways. The receiver/runner/return specialist, Hill has 37 touchdowns already in his career, including 17 of 50 yards or more.
5 – Carson Wentz – He was on his way to possibly an MVP season in 2017 but an injury prevented him from leading the Eagles in the playoffs. He still earned a Super Bowl ring, but his durability and the Eagles' up-and-down success is a reason he isn't ranked higher. When healthy, he's still one of the NFL's brightest stars that figures to be the face of the league for years to come.
4 – Dak Prescott – A fourth-round pick (135th overall), Prescott has racked up 35 wins and has led the Cowboys to three straight winning seasons and has been to two Pro Bowls. He's already tied for the Cowboys' franchise lead with 20 rushing TDs from the QB position.
3 – Ezekiel Elliott – He's only led the NFL in rushing two of his first three years, and likely would've competed for that 2017 rushing title if not for a six-game suspension from the NFL. The No. 4 overall pick has been a workhorse back that has carried the Cowboys to three straight winning seasons and two NFC East titles.
2 – Jalen Ramsey – The No. 5 overall pick by the Jags, was traded just this week to the Rams. He clearly wanted out of Jacksonville and got his wish, landing in Los Angeles, playing behind the league's best overall defender in Aaron Donald. But now the Rams have two of the best in the NFL because Ramsay has been as advertised, picking off nine passes, along with being a physical, shutdown corner.
1 – Michael Thomas – Sure, he's benefitted from playing with future Hall of Famer Drew Brees. But it's also true that Brees has benefitted from having Thomas, a second-round pick (47th overall) who has been a reception-machine, recording three straight seasons of at least 90 catches, including a league-leading 125 last year. He already has over 50 this year, despite Brees' injury.
