Top Pac-12 NFL prospects for 2016 NFL Draft

1. Myles Jack Jr. LB UCLA

Range - Mid-first

Jack brings the athleticism and playmaking ability of a star running back to the linebacker position and it makes him an exciting NFL prospect. He gets a lot of attention for his past offensive exploits, but his true calling is at linebacker where he has the athleticism to be a factor in pass defense but also the size, strength and physicality to stand up in run defense and make bit hits all over the field. I would be a little bit worried of him becoming next year's Shaq Thompson (great playmaker, but a tad undersized for an NFL linebacker and a bit of a tweener) who drops as the draft approaches, but I like Jack as a pure linebacker much more than I do Thompson so I am not too worried.

2. Scooby Wright III Jr. LB Arizona

Range - Mid-first

You could make an argument that Wright was the nation's best defensive player LAST YEAR. His measurable are never going to wow anyone and that will probably keep him out of the very top of the draft, but I think his flat out football player abilities make him a first round draft pick.

3. Su'a Cravens Jr. S USC

Range - Mid-first

Cravens has been projected as a first round NFL draft pick since before he even signed with USC. He brings linebacker size to the safety position and is the ultra rare player that can pressure the quarterback but also cover number one receivers and pick off passes - he is that special. I would be shocked if he doesn't end up being the top safety in the draft in 2016.

4. Jared Goff Jr. QB Cal

Range - Mid-to-late-first or second for now

It seems crazy, but I wouldn't be shocked if Goff ends up being the first player in the 2016 or 2017 draft. In an age where college football continues to spit out quarterbacks who are great in college, but whose game might not translate to the NFL, Goff is a rare ready to go QB. He has already proven to be one of the best pocket passers in the nation and if he has a big enough 2015 and leads Cal to a bowl game, he could easily become one of the top names in the draft.

5. DeForest Buckner Sr. DE Oregon

Range - Mid-to-late-first or early-second

Former Duck defensive lineman Arik Armstead just went very high in the draft and I would argue that Buckner was actually a better player in 2014. At 6'7 290, he has more than ideal size for an NFL defensive end, but still has the athleticism needed to play on the edge at the next level and pressure the quarterback. Buckner may have been a first round pick in 2015 had he left after his junior year so he has a great chance to be one in 2016 with another season under his belt as the best defensive lineman in the Pac-12.

6. Isaac Seumalo Jr. C Oregon State

Range - late-first to second

Seumalo redshirted in 2014 due to injury, but should come back as maybe the nation's best center. He is a dream center prospect that I think will prove himself with a healthy 2015 enough to possibly slip into the first round if a team really wants a center.

7. Max Tuerk Sr. OL USC

Range - late-first to second

I listed Tuerk as an offensive lineman because he is a standout center for the Trojans but has started previously at guard and tackle and might project there in the NFL. Regardless of where he projects, the 6'6 285 Tuerk is a four-year starter for the Trojans (look up four-year Trojan OL starters, that's a great pedigree) with unlimited length and versatility that will make him one of the best pure offensive line prospects in the 2016 draft.

8. Eddie Vanderdoes Jr. DL UCLA

Range - second-third

Vanderdoes has been a big of an enigma since he came to UCLA as a five-star recruit as he has all the talent in the world, but maybe hasn't quite lived up to expectations. Even if he has another inconsistent season in 2015, his pure potential should make him a second or third round pick should he decide to declare.

9. Kyle Murphy Sr. T Stanford

Range - second-third

Your typical Stanford mauler on the offensive line with outstanding size (6'7 300) and polish, Murphy should get a lot of NFL buzz after anchoring the Cardinal offensive line in 2015 with Andrus Peat off to the NFL. He might not have the athleticism to get himself into the first round, but if he can test well enough at the combine, he very well could.

10. Royce Freeman So. RB Oregon

Range - Second round (if he could declare)

Freeman can't even declare, but already looks like an NFL running back as a 230-pound back with a lot of burst. He would be the top Pac-12 NFL back for 2016 if he could declare after his true sophomore season.

11. Thomas Tyner Jr. RB Oregon

Range - Second-fourth

A 215-pound back with near-Olympic speed, Tyner loses a lot of carries to Freeman, but his pure measurable make him a very interesting NFL prospect. He could become a second round pick if he shows up at a combine and runs a 4.4 with his size.

12. Cody Kessler Sr. QB USC

Range - Third-fifth

Kessler is a Heisman candidate going into 2015 with national championship expectations abound at USC, but he isn't a big slam dunk NFL prospect because he is listed at only 6'1. Like Matt Barkley before him, Kessler has a bit of an uphill battle due to his height, especially because he might measure in at 6'0. However, he could play himself into the second round if he blows up in 2015 and keeps USC in the title chase.