Mike Mayock’s NFL draft rankings put Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey on top after combine

The second version of Mike Mayock’s positional draft rankings was released Tuesday, and it’s clear that prospects’ combine performances changed his perspective a bit. While DeShone Kizer remains on top of the quarterback rankings, Leonard Fournette has taken over the running back position.

Fournette didn’t have the strongest combine performance. His vertical leap measured just 28.5 inches, and he weighed in heavier than expected at 240 pounds. He said the additional weight was water weight. Still, Fournette ran a blazing fast 4.51 40-yard dash, which is remarkable for his size.

Christian McCaffrey is also on the rise in Mayock’s latest rankings. Mayock had McCaffrey ranked third previously, behind Florida State’s Dalvin Cook and Fournette, but a strong combine helped push McCaffrey up to the No. 2 spot. Cook fell from No. 1 to No. 3.

Joe Mixon, a controversial prospect because he punched a woman in the face, was ranked fifth on Mayock’s initial running backs list. In the latest version, Mayock has removed Mixon completely from the running back rankings, shifting him instead to a “Special Exceptions” section.

Rounding out the running backs rankings are Tennessee’s Alvin Kamara at No. 4 and Oklahoma’s Samaje Perine at No. 5.

The combine and pro days didn’t change Mayock’s outlook at all on the rankings for quarterbacks or offensive tackles. There were shake-ups in every other position:

“I’m not bullish on the quarterbacks this year because I don’t think any of them are ready day one,” Mayock said before the combine. “I think they all have different issues.”

And his rankings remain the same as they were before the combine. Deshaun Watson may have helped his stock with solid performances at both the combine and Clemson’s pro day, and teams came away from interviews impressed with DeShone Kizer, especially the San Francisco 49ers.

Gone is Joe Mixon, and Leonard Fournette takes the top spot after an uneven combine performance but a quick 40-yard dash for his size.

John Ross beat Chris Johnson’s long-standing 40-yard dash record with a 4.22, but he stays right where he was before in Mayock’s rankings at No. 3. Zay Jones, who says he has the draft’s best hands, and Cooper Kupp switched spots, and Mayock added Smith-Schuster to the list, tied with Kupp at No. 5.

The big change to this position group is the absence of Michigan’s Jake Butt, who suffered a torn ACL at the end of the 2016 season and was unable to participate in workouts at the combine. Mayock moved Butt to the “Special Exceptions” group. Everett moves up a spot to No. 4, and George Kittle comes in at No. 5. Howard is a quality receiver and remains the clear-cut No. 1 at the position, but Engram ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the combine, which makes him stand out in this group, too.

No changes to Mayock’s rankings at this position, but it’s worth noting that after reviewing his tape, our Stephen White believes Ramczyk may be a bit overrated as a left tackle prospect. White thinks Ramczyk might be better served by a switch to right tackle in the NFL.

Only slight changes to the interior linemen rankings, with Lamp, Robinson and Feeney retaining the top three spots. Dawkins was previously ranked fifth, but bumped up to No. 4 in Mayock’s new rankings. He measured in with 35” arms at the combine and benched 26 reps. Ethan Pocic fell to fifth, where he is now tied with Ohio State’s Eiflein, who was not previously ranked.

Some medical concerns emerged about Allen at the Combine, as doctors determined he has arthritis in his shoulder. Allen said that he has “no concerns at all” about his condition, and apparently Mayock doesn’t either. Allen remains on top, and the remainder of the rankings for interior defensive linemen remain the same. Stephen White agrees, saying Allen may be the best pass rusher in this year’s draft.

Myles Garrett is about as close to a consensus No. 1 pick as you’ll find in any given draft year. The biggest change in Mayock’s edge rusher rankings is Solomon Thomas, who was at No. 4 in the pre-combine version. Regardless of the order in which Mayock has them ranked, these are all elite prospects and should be off the board on Day 1 of the draft.

Reuben Foster’s run-in with medical staff during the combine got him sent home, but it didn’t change Mayock’s perspective on him as the top linebacker in this year’s draft. There were only minimal changes to these rankings, with Davis and Cunningham switching spots.

There were significant changes to Mayock’s cornerback rankings, in part because Teez Tabor had a surprisingly average showing at the combine with a 40 time of 4.62 seconds. Kevin King, Gareon Conley and Fabian Moreau vaulted into the top 5 following impressive combine performances. Washington’s Sidney Jones moves to the “Special Exceptions” category after tearing his Achilles at his pro day.

This category didn’t exist for Mayock’s previous rankings. Baker ran a 4.45 40 at the combine. He measured in at 5’10 and 195 pounds, but his speed and performance in drills stood out. Baker was ranked as Mayock’s No. 4 safety in his last rankings, but he’s better suited for the nickel at the NFL level.

Peppers worked out with the linebackers and the defensive backs at the combine. NFL rules dictated that he had to participate with the linebackers, but his agents worked it out so he could compete with the defensive backs as well. Peppers sees himself playing safety at the next level, and Mayock believes he’s at the top of this draft class after the combine. Peppers was previously ranked No. 3 in Mayock’s safety group.

Mayock created another new category to house players who are talented enough to be ranked in the top five at their respective positions, but carry some sort of extenuating circumstance into the draft.

For Adoree’ Jackson, it’s the ankle injury he suffered during the Rose Bowl. Curtis Samuel is blazing fast and elusive, but not a prototypical NFL running back. Jones just tore his Achilles, and Butt is recovering from a torn ACL. Mixon, of course, was not invited to the combine due to the off-the-field incident. All are talented, but each carries some element of risk.