Charles Davis' top 50 prospects for 2016 NFL Draft

• Top 50 rankings: Jeremiah
• Brooks
• Davis
• Zierlein

Here is my initial list of the top-50 prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft. The all-star games have concluded, but the NFL Scouting Combine and pro days approach, along with plenty of tape watching. It will be interesting to see how this list evolves before the draft begins in Chicago in late April.

A tremendous athlete and talent who's skills were shown off with a TD catch in the Sugar Bowl. Has it all -- frame, hands, footwork.

Played like a college senior as a true freshman for the Buckeyes, and kept improving throughout his career. Natural strength, good quickness, and relentless.

An argument can be made that he should rank as the top player, and expectations are that he will blow away the NFL Scouting Combine. What's his best NFL position, CB or S?

Has been a star since he set foot on campus. He is a lockdown corner who has the skills to play inside in nickel or sub packages.

This might seem high, as he's coming off of a serious knee injury suffered in the Fiesta Bowl, but his tape, big plays, and motor jump off the screen.

Always wants the ball, and when he gets it, he produces. Can run with power, burst, and can catch the ball. Leading the "RB Renaissance."

Another gifted, big-play LB with a knee injury (see Jaylon Smith). Jack's recovery is said to be going well, and he is an explosive, passionate player who thumps.

Terrific feet and agility. He will solve some team's LT questions when his name is called.

Long-levered, similar to his Oregon teammate, Arik Armstead (a first-round pick of the 49es in 2015). He plays with excellent leverage and strength.

Many will focus on his slight build. I focus on his ability to process quickly and deliver the ball accurately.

The premium run-stuffing DT in the draft. He has the ability to develop into a good inside pass rusher

Can do just about anything asked -- hit, drop into coverage, rush the passer. Big, physical presence.

Versatile, and an excellent speed/edge rusher.

He had a very impressive Senior Bowl week. His game tape is impressive, as well. Looks the part, and carries himself that way, too. Athletic.

When he plays hard, he's an absolute terror inside.

Consistent, and plays hard on every down. Showed real toughness making it back for the national title game after suffering a knee injury in the semifinals. Strong on the edge.

Good cover skills, willing to tackle, and competes.

Really made people take notice with his pass-rush skills at the Senior Bowl. Best fit is likely as a 3-4 OLB who takes off after the QB.

Made a big-time return from a very tough injury in 2016. His 40-yard dash time will be heavily scrutinized at his pro day.

I like his toughness, grit, and positioning. Can play either OT position, and recent Buckeye linemen have acquitted themselves well in the NFL.

Has what you are seeking in a corner in agility, toughness, and passion for the game. Zero career interceptions is a stat that will be scrutinized.

A favorite of mine since I saw him play live in the Big Ten Title game vs. Wisconsin in 2014. Can run, tackle, and cover.

Another evaluation tempered by injury, but before he was hurt, he showed ability similar to his brother Kyle's. Kyle is a starting CB with the Chicago Bears.

The numbers won't tell the full story, but he has the athletic ability to take over games. Must answer some questions about some off-field issues that got him suspended from the Sugar Bowl.

In a packed group of DTs at the Senior Bowl, clearly carved a niche for himself. His game tape didn't always show what was seen in Mobile, but he caught a lot of eyes.

The latest Aggie OL prospect to emerge, he's a guy that might have some versatility and ability to play OT or OG.

There were times at the Senior Bowl where he confirmed his game tape with his ability to explode off the snap and get into the backfield in a hurry.

The former walk-on will battle, fight and scrap until the echo of the whistle, and he has better movement skills than you might think.

Big, imposing force inside. His ability forced teams to use extra blockers on him, and that allowed his teammates to roam and hit.

You'll hear "One-year wonder," when you hear his name, but what a year it was. Not much experience in high school. His best football should be ahead of him.

A monster in size and production. Runs with better burst and speed than anticipated. Does not make many people miss, although on the college level, he was doling out the punishment.

He was a big play waiting to happen for Baylor. Can run, and his athleticism, strength and ball skills were featured.

Made big plays in key situations all year, and is fast, fast, fast.

One of the strongest players in this year's draft, he uses good leverage to wreak havoc in the middle of the line. Not as heralded as his Baylor teammate, Shawn Oakman, but had superior production.

Good range, coverage ability, and tackles. Sees the field well, and plays with good intelligence.

When I first saw him play two seasons ago, I thought he was a "jump-ball" type of WR, but I've seen him develop into a good all-around player with excellent ball skills.

Another player that emerged on the national scene at the Senior Bowl in Mobile. The stage was not too big for him, and he was slippery to block inside.

Got a tip on him, and after watching him on tape, I owe my tipster. High motor, high production, excellent in run-and-chase situations.

I might have him rated higher than others, but his play over the last 6 games in 2014 just won't leave my mind. Best at DT, but has ability to play DE in a 3-4.

Quick, with a burst. Guards struggle to block him in passing situations. Heart and soul of a strong Gators' D in 2015.

A tall, lengthy, good-looking athlete who kept getting better, and helped win some big games. He is really intriguing to watch, and I like his arm strength and ability to hoof it.

Showed me some toughness when he tried to play through a shoulder injury (passing arm), and returned to QB his team to a Big Ten title, and CFB Playoff berth.

Physical receiver who can catch it, and break tackles to gain additional yardage. Plays like a basketball player at times, boxing out defenders to catch the ball.

Aggressive, physical, ballhawk that at times gambles a bit, but it often pays off for him (19 career picks).

I was told not to "buy the hype" on him, but I really liked what I saw from him at the Senior Bowl. He took every challenge and competed well all week.

Got better as the season rolled on, and was overshadowed by more highly touted teammates, but was the Terps' best defensive player. Broke school's single-season sack record.

Physical. Will play and hold up in the running game. Has good quickness and ball skills. I like his upside.

A very productive performer at K-State at LT. I think he will kick inside to guard, and could be a plug-and-play performer.

Coming off of a knee injury suffered in the 2015 season. He's a quick, aggressive, confident hitter who was asked to cover in man at WVU.

Very competitive and productive. Broke records that Larry Fitzgerald set for the Pittsburgh. A football player.