Defensive interior: Jonathan Allen, Alabama; Jake Replogle, Purdue
If there is one player who can feel slighted about not getting an invite to New York for the Heisman Trophy award ceremony, it’s Alabama’s talented defensive lineman Jonathan Allen. Dominant and versatile, he has as good a case as anyone to claim to be the best player in the nation. Allen ranks second on the year among 3-4 defensive ends with a run stop percentage of 12.0 percent, and third with a pass-rushing productivity rating of 12.1, racking up 56 total pressures from 367 pass-rushing snaps. Replogle had the second-highest pass-rushing productivity rating among defensive tackles at 15.2, with two sacks, 10 hits and 26 hurries on 191 pass rushing snaps. A consistent menace to opposing interior offensive linemen, he excelled against the run too.
Cornerback: Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson; Desmond King, Iowa
Tankersley’s coverage numbers this year are pretty eye opening, allowing a catch on 44.6 percent of the passes thrown into his coverage, giving up just 259 yards and one touchdown over the year, while picking off three passes and breaking up seven more. All that adds up to an NFL passer rating of 42.2 on throws into his coverage. King was targeted just 45 times in coverage, giving up just 18 receptions for 224 yards and coming away with two interceptions and eight pass breakups over the course of the year. A complete defender, he also excelled against the run.
Second team: Jaire Alexander, Lousville; Rasul Douglas, West Virginia
(Tank has helped him greatly this year but King is a guy Im fascinated by. I really want to see how he test. He gets a lot shade thrown his way being talked about as "only" a zone corner)
Safety: Jamal Adams, LSU; Nathan Gerry, Nebraska
Adams took his game to a new level in 2016, stepping up as a complete defensive back and one of the best all round players in the nation. Outstanding against the run and coming up to tackle receivers on short passes, Adams has seen 33 of his 55 tackles result in a defensive stop. He has improved in coverage in general too, and played a key part in LSU all but shutting out Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram when the two teams met this year. Like Adams, Gerry keeps his place here from mid-season, excelling in coverage with a PFF grade of 88.7, coming away with four interceptions and six pass breakups and impressing against the run too.
Second team: Marcus Williams, Utah; Budda Baker, Washington
(Just like every other position on D, S is stacked and deep. No doubt Bill is salivating)
Slot cornerback: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
Another of Alabama’s defensive stand outs, Fitzpatrick has been outstanding when lined up in the slot, and impressed when he’s had to cover at safety too. On the 37 passes thrown into his coverage when lined up in the slot, Fitzpatrick has allowed 17 receptions for 212 yards, with no touchdowns and three interceptions. That was good for an NFL passer rating of just 30.5. For context, the NFL passer rating of dropping back to pass and just throwing the ball away is 39.6. That means it’s smarter for opposing quarterbacks to throw the ball away than try to go after Fitzpatrick in coverage.
Second team: Tre’Davious White, LSU
(Minkah has been a beast this year. Kid has literally played every position in the secondary and excelled. Looks like a great prospect next year. White is another guy who made himself some $ this year. Can't wait to see how/who falls this year. 2nd-3rd round will produce some fantastic impact players)
Special teamer: Branden Leston, Western Kentucky
No player in the nation made as many special teams tackles than Leston, who finished the regular season with 14 solo tackles and two assists. Even better, he didn’t miss a tackle on special teams all year.
Second team: Justin Moody, Eastern Michigan
Wide receiver: Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma; Zay Jones, East Carolina
Two incredible receivers this year, Westbrook and Jones put up eye-popping numbers in different ways. Jones was a ridiculous 217 passes thrown his way, and forced 24 missed tackles over the course of the year and while he benefited from a system that fed him the ball, he made the most of that, dropping just six of the 164 catchable passes thrown his way. Westbrook earned his trip to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist by dropping just four of the 78 catchable passes thrown his way, forcing 25 missed tackles and scoring touchdowns. He finished the year averaging 4.22 yards per route run, the third-best mark in the nation.
(2 guys who wouldbe great here. Westbrook reminds me a lot Emmanuel Sanders. Hes tiny but plays huge and is always open. Jones will be talked about a ton too. Has some shake and wiggle)
Tight end: O.J. Howard, Alabama
With 37 receptions for 445 yards, and a yards per route run average of 1.54, along with providing a safe pair of hands for true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts, Howard was a solid receiver at tight end this year. Where he truly separates himself from his peers though is as a run blocker. There wasn’t a better run-blocking tight end in college football this year, and he impressed in arguably the toughest conference defensively.
(One of the more interesting guys in the draft. Huge guy that has improved every year even if stats don't show it in the box score. Reminds me a lil of Gates in the sense that hes a not a crisp route runner or explodes off the los but is open and just separates)
*EDIT* PFF
