By: Super Scout Max Emfinger

There was a Time in my Life that I would spend 16 to 18 Hours a Day, Seven Days a Week, Watching Film and Evaluating College Football Players and then Rate andRank them for the NFL Draft. Also, in 1983, I was the First High School Football Recruiting Service Scout to Rate and Rank the College Football Teams afterNational Signing Day.

When I was a Talent Scout with the Dallas Cowboys, The Ideal Situation for us, was to always have all of the Players Rated on our Big Draft Board in Order byPosition; but also to have all of the Players rated in Order, Irregardless of Position. That way, we would always know who to Draft: Either The Highest Rated Player at his Position or the Highest Rated Player on the Board.

I love Evaluating Players and I Spent Six Weeks watching the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine Measurable Videos and Highlight Film and I really have gotten to know about Three or Four Hundred College Football Players in this Draft and then based on their MEARS RATING SYSTEM, that I Founded in 1979 after I left theCowboys, I Selected my Top 275 Players for this NFL Draft. Then after this Draft, I Spent another Two Weeks in Color-Coding, by Draft Round, my Top 275 Players. 

The MEARS RATING SYSTEM, or a similar type Rating System, is very important for the NFL Scouts, and the NFL Scouting Combine is the first time that Really “Accurate Measurables” are recorded on College Players at the Scouting Combine, just before the NFL Draft. It’s easy to say someone can run a 4.4 or 4.3 Forty, but before an Accurate Hand-Held Timing by a Professional Talent Scoutor either by a slower, but Accurate Laser Timing is done, most Forty Times are less than Accurate. Technique is also very important, and that is why College Football Players, before their Annual NFL Scouting Combine and before entering the NFL Draft, will hire a Sports Trainer to train them and teach them how to do a properVertical Jump, Pro-Agility Shuttle, and a Standing Broad Jump.

SCOUTING NOTE I : If the Player did run two Forties at the NFL Scouting Combine, I averaged both of those Two Forties with their best Forty on Record. If they did not run the Forty at the Combine, I averaged both of his best two Forties onRecord. On all of their Speed Measurables, if they did not run at the Scouting Combine, that Measurable was Updated on April 1.

SCOUTING NOTE II: All Measurables that were Improved on Pro Day (PD) are Listed in Blue and with their NEW MEARS RATING, the Player was moved up with  his NEW MEARS RATING. 

SCOUTING NOTE III: The 2016 NFL Draft Class might be one of the Most Incredible and Most Talented Classes in Recent Years. Out of the Top 35 Players, there are at least Five Players, and maybe Six Players including FS Jalen Ramsey, OLB Myles Jack, OT Laremy Tunsil, DE Joey Bosa, DE DeForest Buckner, and possibly RB Ezekiel Elliott who could be the First Selection in the Draft.

SCOUTING NOTE IV: Don’t get Confused with the Colors. If your Favorite NFL Team Drafted a Great Player with Great Measurables, you will be able to see whatRound they got him in, but there were a lot of Draft Picks that were Very Difficult toUnderstand in the Draft Round that they Drafted him.

SCOUTING NOTE V: The Reason that all of the Players are Rated and Ranked, Before the Draft, is because each NFL Team should want to be able to Select andDraft the Very Best Player on their NFL Draft Board. This obviously sounds like a “Real No-Brainer” for all of the NFL Teams, but to my Shocking Discovery, many of the NFL Teams do not Draft the Very Best Player, Irregardless of Position, on their Big Draft Board. Some NFL Teams say that they Draft the Very Best Player, but they don’t, and their Draft Grades give us Proof that they  do not Draft the Best Player on their Draft Board in each Round of the Draft.

When an NFL Team Drafts an Offensive Skill Player, like a Wide Receiver orRunning Back who can not even run a 4.6 Forty or a Defensive Player like aLinebacker who can not even run a 4.7 Forty or a Defensive Back who can not even run a 4.6 Forty, you have to wonder what kind of Standards those NFL Teams haveSet to Evaluate their NFL Prospects. There was a Stretch on the Third Day of theDraft, in the #4 Round Picks, that there were three Straight Selections of Playersthat I had virtually Never Heard Of or that Player did Extremely Poorly in theirMeasurables at the  Scouting Combine and was Rated Extremely Poor.

SCOUTING NOTE VI:  In Rating and Ranking the 2016 NFL Draft Classes, I took the Top Five or Top Six Draftees in each NFL Draft Class.

SPECIAL NOTE I: Out of the 32 NFL Teams, there were only Five Teams, including the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Redskins that Drafted Three Six-Rated Players and of those Five Teams, the Ravens were also the only Team to have Five, Five-Rated Players.

BALTIMORE RAVENS: A+

6 OT Ronnie Stanley    6-6 312 5.13 30 4.69 106 24 ND PD 2,454 Ravens #1, #6
6 LB Kamalei Correa 6-3 248 4.62 34 4.15 117 21 Boise PD 2,423 Ravens #2, #42
6 RB Kenneth Dixon      5-10 215 4.43 37.5 4.28 121 18 LAT 2,422 Ravens #4,#134
5 DE Matt Judon  6-3 275 4.64 35 4.52 109 30 Grand Val St 2,355 Ravens #5#146
5 DE Bronson Kaufusi       6-6 285 4.76 30 4.25 111 25 BYU 2,355 Ravens #3,#70
5 CB Tavon Young   5-10 187 4.33 34.5 3.93 121 13 Temple 2,339 Ravens #4,#104
5 DT Willie Henry        6-3 303 4.95 30.5 4.53 110 28 Mich 2,336 Ravens #4,#132
5 CB Maurice Canady   6-1 193 4.44 38 4.09 124 16 UVA 2,322 Ravens #6,#209
4 WR Chris Moore    6-1 206 4.43 37 4.2 130 10 Cincinnati 2,282 Ravens #4,#107

Ronnie Stanley (#78 in Photo) was on Three State Championships in Football and one State Championship in Basketball in Nevada before going to Notre Dame. SoStanley was a Huge Winner Coming out of High School.

Stanley played sparingly as a True Freshman before taking a Medical Red-Shirt Year with an Elbow Injury in 2012. Then Stanley Started all 13 Games during his2013 Red-Shirt Freshman Season, and he was part of an Offensive Line that allowed only Eight Sacks. In 2014, Stanley replaced the Outstanding Left Offensive Tackle Zack Martin, who later became a #1 Draft Choice. Stanley ended that 2014 Season, starting all 13 Games and recorded 16 Knockdown Blocks, and ending with a similar type season that Martin had before being a #1 Draft Choice of the Dallas Cowboys. Stanley also only gave-up one Sack in 2014 and then was Selected as the Notre Dame Offensive Lineman of the Year award.

In 2015, his Red-Shirt Junior Season, Stanley was not as Outstanding as in 2014as he allowed Three Sacks. Nevertheless, Stanley elevated his game by Improving his Overall Technique, by keeping his hands inside his frame, as well as, showing improvement in change of direction movement. Stanley also Showed a Great improvement in each and every single game throughout the year.

Stanley showed his Great Foot Quickness and Great Athleticism at the Scouting Combine, and in Drills at Notre Dame Pro Day, but his Measurables were not as good as anticipated by the NFL Scouts. The NFL Scouts, however, were impressed with his  36-Inch Arms, a nearly 11-Inch Hands, and a Massive Frame. Stanley also impressed NFL Scouts with his Intelligence.

TENNESSEE TITANS: A

6 RB Derrick Henry     6-3 247 4.53 37 4.38 130 22 Alabama 2,504 Titans #2,#45
6 OT Jack Conklin          6-6 308 4.95 30 4.57 103 25 Mich St 2,461 Titans #1, #8
6 DT Kevin Dodd  6-5 277 4.8 30.5 4.44 110 22 Clemson PD 2,404 Titans #2, 33
5 SS Kevin Byard  5-11 212 4.43 38 4.15 108 22 Mid Tn PD 2,394 Titans #3,#64
5 DT Austin Johnson 6-4 314 5.18 26 4.75 104 25 Penn St 2,380 Titans #2,#43
5 LB Aaron Wallace    6-2 242 4.44 36 4.09 130 25 UCLA 2,354 Titans #7,#222
4 CB Leshawn Sims 6-0 203 4.44 37 4.19 123 11 So Utah PD 2,271 Titans #5,#157
4 CB Kalan Reed     5-11 192 4.45 41.5 4.17 122 S Miss PD 2,264 Titans #7,#253

Derrick Henry (#2 in Photo) was the Heisman Trophy Award Winner and he wasSensational at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine as he “Put-Up” some Incredible Measurables for a Running Back, including a 37-Inch Vertical Jump and a 130-Inch Standing Broad Jump. And this was while Weighing-In at 247-Pounds.

Henry also joined WR Corey Coleman of Baylor, WR Josh Doctson of TCU, QBJared Goff of California, and RB Ezekiel Elliott of Ohio State in making my 2015 Weekly All-Backfield of the Week with Three Selections Apiece.

Henry is a Freak at Running Back and he has Good Hands. Henry was a “Steal” for the Titans in the Second Round. It is still hard to believe that he would not be Draftedby some NFL Team in the First Round and with his Incredible Measurables for aPlayer at his Position. Henry would be the “Perfect Running Back” for a Power-Run Oriented Offense, but not every NFL Team needed a Running Back and was  looking for a Running Back.

CINCINNATI BENGALS: A-

6 NG Andrew Billings 6-1 311 4.92 27.5 4.78 113 31 BU PD 2,477 Bengals #4, #122
6 CB William Jackson               6-0 189 4.3 38 4.2 116 10 UH 2,413 Bengals #1 #24
6 SS Clay Fejedelem   6-0 204 4.5 40.5 4.3 121 20 Ill PD 2,423 Bengals #7, #245
5 OG Christian Westerman 6-3 298 5.07 25 4.7 98 34 ASU 2,375 Bengals #5,#161
5 WR Tyler Boyd          6-1 197 4.48 34 4.35 119 11 Pittsburgh 2,304 Bengals #2,#56
4 DE Nick Virgil      6-2 239 4.57 31.5 4.0 115 Utah State PD 2,263 Bengals #3,#87
4 WR Cody Core 6-3 205 4.37 37.5 4.24 119 14 Ole Miss PD 2,255 Bengals #6,#199

Andrew Billings is an Incredible Physical Specimen from Waco, Texas. He  became a full-time starting Nose Tackle in 2014 as a Super Sophomore and he finished third on the team with 11.5 Tackles for a Loss. He then finished his Junior Season in 2015 with a team-high 15 Tackles for a Loss and 5.5 Quarterback Sacksto go with 40 tackles.   

With only Three Years at Baylor, Billings still recorded some Incredible Stats, considering the fact that the Bears were so Dominant in the First Half, Billings rarely played in the Second Half. With this in mind, Billings still Ranked Ninth in Career Tackles for a Loss with 30 Tackles for a Minus 112-Yards and Totaled 106 Tackles, including 75 Solo Tackles.

Billings (#75 in Photo) is Incredibly Strong! In High School, he is a Former Record-Breaking Weightlifter who broke a 22-year-old Texas High School State Meet Record with a 2,010-Pound State Meet Record, including an 805-Pound Squat, a500-Pound Bench Press, and a 705-Pound Dead Lift in 2012. Also in High School, he did a 32-Inch Vertical Jump and a 4.94 Forty. Billings has been soImpressive to the NFL Scouts, his NFL Draft Stock has Skyrocketed.

In 2015, Billings was Selected as the Co-Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year and he was also Selected First Team All-American by the Associated Press. He had all of the NFL Scouts Buzzing at the Scouting Combine when he ran Two Forties at5.05, but when he did 31 Reps on the Bench Press, his NFL Draft Stock went Off the Charts. His 31 Reps was Four Better than the Next Best Defensive Tackle at the Combine. After the Combine, NFL.com Named Billings as College Football Strongest Player. He then ran an Incredible 4.92 Forty at Baylor Pro Day.

DALLAS COWBOYS: A-

6 RB Ezekiel Elliott 6-0 225 4.42 32.5 4.3 118 25 Ohio State 2,510 Cowboys #1,#4
6 OLB Jaylon Smith                    6-2 223 4.56  Notre Dame  2,400 Cowboys #2,#34
6 RB Darius Jackson 6-1 220 4.36 41 4.27 133 E Mi PD 2,465 Cowboys #6 #216
5 NG Maliek Collins         6-2 311 4.95 29.5 4.52 109 25 Neb 2,367 Cowboys #3,#67
5 DE Charles Tapper      6-3 271 4.55 34 4.3 119 23 OU PD 2,317 Cowboys #4,#101
4 CB Anthony Brown   5-11 192 4.33 35 4.19 115 19 Purdue 2,279 Cowboys #6,#189
4 QB Dak Prescott          6-2 226 4,69 32.5 4.32 116 Miss St 2,262 Cowboys #4,#135

Ezekiel Elliott (#15 in Photo) is a Super Freak at Running Back. In 2014, Elliott Rushed for 1,878-Yards and 18 Touchdowns and also caught 28 Passes. In the2015 Sugar Bowl, against Alabama, he Rushed for 230-Yards on 20 Carries and then in the 2014 National Championship Game Against Oregon, he Rushed for246-Yards and Scored Four Touchdowns.

Then in 2015, Elliott Rushed for 1,821-Yards and Scored 23 Touchdowns. Elliottis one of the most Impressive Running Backs that I saw play in 2015, along withDerrick Henry of Alabama. Elliott joined WR Corey Coleman of Baylor, WR Josh Doctson of TCU, QB Jared Goff of California, and RB Derrick Henry of Alabamain making my 2015 Weekly All-Backfield of the Week with Three Selections.

Elliott is a Tremendously Gifted Running Back with Unbelievable Speed,Agility, Balance, and Physical Toughness. He is also a Great Receiver, coming out of the backfield, and a Tremendous Blocker, although he will not be Blocking too much in the NFL. Elliott was the #1 Running Back to be Drafted in the 2016 NFL Draft and he will become an Instant Starter for the Cowboys. Not every day, does anNFL Team get the Opportunity to Draft a Running Back like Ezekiel Elliott.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS: A-

6 WR Josh Doctson        6-2 202 4.43 41 4.08 131 14 TCU 2,445 Redskins #1, #22
6 RB Keith Marshall  5-11 219 4.31 30.5 4.25 120 25 UGA 2,408 Redskins #7,#242
6 CB Kendall Fuller                       5-11 187 4.43  Va Tech   2,400 Redskins #3,#84
5 DT Matt Ioannidis  6-3 299 5.0 28 4.66 113 32 Temp PD 2,333 Redskins #5,#152
5 ATH Sua Cravens 6-1 226 4.58 30.5 4.24 114 16 USC PD 2,323 Redskins #2,#53
4 QB Nate Sudfield     6-6 234 4.88 29.5 4.48 111 Ind PD 2,253 Redskins #6,#187

Josh Doctson (#9 in Photo) was another Wide Receiver Freak who started hisCollegiate Football Career at Wyoming before Transferring-Back to TCU in his home state of Texas. Upon returning, Doctson immediately became the #1 Go-To Wide Receiver for Heisman Trophy Candidate Trevone Boykin.

As a Junior in 2014, Doctson Caught 65 Balls for 1,018-Yards and 11 Touchdowns. Then as a Senior in 2015, he had an Incredible Season with 79 Catches for 1,337-Yards and 14 Touchdowns and was Selected Consensus All-American. Doctson Matched WR Corey Coleman of Baylor, RB Ezekiel Elliott ofOhio State, RB Derrick Henry of Alabama, and QB Jared Goff of California withThree Games on one of my 2015 Weekly All-Backfield of the Week Award.

Doctson was the 2015 Fred Biletnikoff Award Finalist and finished Second inTCU History in Career Receptions and Career Yards, and he also set the record forTouchdown Receptions, despite starting his career at Wyoming.

At the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, although he was still nursing a Wrist Injury,Doctson really Put-On a Show for the NFL Scouts with some Incredible Speed Measurables. His Best Three Forties Averaged-Out to a 4.43 and he Recorded other Spectacular Speed Measureables with a 41-Inch-Inch Vertical Jump, a4.08 Pro-Shuttle, and a 131-Inch Standing Broad Jump. Doctson was alsoSpectacular in the Combine Position Drills. With his Incredible Hands,Tremensous Explosion, and Great Play-Making Ability, I can see Doctson being an almost Instant Starter for the Redskins.