ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. recently updated his Big Board rankings of the top college prospects in the NFL draft this year. Somewhat surprising was the fact that the neither of the draft's two most hyped quarterbacks - Florida State's Jameis Winston and Oregon's Marcus Mariota - occupied the top overall spot.
Instead, USC defensive end Leonard Williams was deemed the No. 1 overall prospect by Kiper. Here's what he had to say.
"Long, powerful and versatile, Williams has been in this range going back to last year. He jolts blockers, has exceptional awareness and always finds the ball, and he disrupts regardless of where he's lined up. Odd fronts, even fronts - it really doesn't matter. Quick for his size, he can move all over and won't get pushed around when he's inside. At his size (6-foot-5, ~300 pounds), he's a special athlete who could line up as a defensive end and drive a tackle back or on the outside shoulder of a guard and create problems with power and quickness."
Williams was followed by Winston, Mariota, Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper and Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory.
Even though Kiper lists Williams as the top overall player in this draft class, he still projects the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to select Winston with the No. 1 pick in his Mock Draft 2.0. However, Kiper does project the Tennessee Titans to pass on Mariota at No. 2 in favor of Williams. Shane Ray, Cooper and Gregory round out the top five of his mock draft.
The NFL draft will kick off April 30th.
