NFL Media draft expert Mike Mayock released the second iteration of his positional top-five rankings for the 2016 NFL Draft on Tuesday, with some notable shuffling, including a slip for Ole Miss DL Robert Nkemdiche. Here are the most interesting things we learned from Mayock's post-NFL Scouting Combine adjustments.
1. New spot for Ramsey. How many prospects are versatile enough to rank as the No. 1 player in the draft at two different positions? Florida State's Jalen Ramsey is one of the few. The versatile former Seminoles star, who has impressive pro potential in just about any secondary role, was ranked No. 1 among cornerbacks in Mayock's first round of rankings, which were released prior to the combine. Coming out of the combine, he's atop Mayock's list of safeties. One of the most intriguing draft debates among club personnel executives is whether Ramsey's future is at cornerback, safety, nickelback, or perhaps some combination of roles. Ideally, when defensive coordinators deploy substitution packages in various down-and-distance situations, Ramsey would at least stay on the field, if not at the same position. Prior to the NFL Scouting Combine, Mayock suggested that Ramsey could be the next Patrick Peterson at cornerback, the position where his draft value figures to be highest.
2. Doctson moves up. TCU WR Josh Doctson, coming off a well-rounded combine performance in which he impressed scouts in position drills as well as in testing (top-10 finishes in four categories), is on the rise. Mayock moved him to the No. 3 receiver, behind Ole Miss' Laquon Treadwell and Baylor's Corey Coleman. As for production at the college level, Doctson checks that box, as well. Doctson's move came at the expense of Ohio State's Michael Thomas, who dropped from No. 3 to a tie for No. 5 with Oklahoma's Sterling Shepard.
3. Rebel falls. Ole Miss DL Robert Nkemdiche slipped from No. 2 to No. 5 among interior defensive linemen, falling behind others in a deep and talented draft pool at the position. Although his athleticism can't be argued -- he ran a 4.87 40-yard dash at the combine -- he did little to allay character concerns in remarks to reporters at the event. Louisville's Sheldon Rankins took over as Mayock's No. 2 interior defensive lineman.
4. Floyd passes Spence. Georgia's Leonard Floyd moved ahead of Eastern Kentucky's Noah Spence as Mayock's No. 2 edge rusher. The two posted combine performances that were starkly different, with Floyd delivering top-10 finishes at his position in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and broad jump. Spence, meanwhile, ran just 4.80 in the 40, which he improved slightly at his pro day, and also had "very shaky" interviews with NFL clubs at the combine, according to NFL Media's Kimberly Jones.
5. Cornerback shakeup. Miami CB Artie Burns vaulted himself from outside Mayock's initial top five to his No. 3 cornerback. After Burns posted a 4.46 40-yard dash, a shade faster than Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves' 4.50, it's not surprising. He replaced Clemson CB Mackensie Alexander, who fell to No. 5. Alexander did not participate in combine testing due to a hamstring issue, and is thus expected to be the center of attention at the Tigers' pro day workout on Thursday.
6. Ifedi with tackles. Texas A&M offensive lineman Germain Ifedi played tackle for the Aggies but is regarded by some as a guard prospect at the pro level. However, he made his debut in Mayock's rankings with the tackles, the more highly valued position, cracking the list in a fifth-place tie with Indiana's Jason Spriggs.
7. Smith sticks. Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith remained Mayock's No. 1-ranked linebacker despite fears that Smith won't be able to play until 2017. Mayock explained that decision with a tweet.
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