The NFL Draft is a time of optimism for all teams. It doesn't matter if you're a perennial cellar-dweller or the reigning Super Bowl champions. The draft offers every team an equal opportunity to improve and add valuable young talent. Franchise building blocks and cornerstones are unearthed every year in the draft. But the top spot, numero uno, is most often where a team finds their franchise player.
Although we still have an entire season of football to play, ESPN NFL Insider Todd McShay lists Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa as the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft.
"Bosa is entering his third season as a starter after notching 34.5 tackles for a loss and 21 sacks during his first two years in Columbus," McShay wrote. "He shows a consistent ability to convert speed to power and uses a wide array of pass-rush moves - swim, rip- club, spin. With experience playing DE on both sides and moving inside to DT on obvious passing downs, Bosa brings a lot of scheme versatility to the table."
Bosa, at 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, has elite speed and quickness to go along with an impressive physical frame. These attributes, along with his elite technique, have made him equally effective against the run and the pass. Overall, he has recorded 66 total tackles with four forced fumbles to go along with his 34.5 tackles for a loss and 21 sacks in 26 career games at OSU.
Unfortunately, Bosa was among four OSU players suspended for the season opener for violating the team's academic policy. However, if he bounces-back off the field and continues his on-field dominance, he has a strong chance to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
