Thoughts on Mike Mayock’s latest NFL draft positional rankings

NFL Network’s Mike Mayock has unveiled the second edition of his top-five positional rankings for the 2017 NFL draft. (Click here to see the full version.)

Mayock enjoyed a brief stint playing safety for the Giants in the early 1980s. He has grown into one of, if not the very best draft analyst in business. The only critique is that he occasionally overvalues collegiate production, and therefore his mocks can underestimate the eventual draft slot of players who are drafted based on upside.

Some thoughts on his latest rankings:

Quarterback - It is a bit surprising to see Davis Webb listed as Mayock’s fifth ranked passer. Webb was inconsistent in college and some scouts prefer Brad Kaaya or Nathan Peterman over the California product.

Running Back - Mayock elevated Oklahoma power back Samaje Perine to the fifth spot, which pushed his former teammate Joe Mixon to his “special exemptions” category with Curtis Samuel.

Wide Receiver - A solid consensus is forming on the top four receivers. Nice to see JuJu Smith-Schuster earning praise as the fifth best in class.

Tight End - George Kittle in the top five? Every analyst seems to have a different favorite sleeper in this deep class. Kittle joins Gerald Everett and Adam Shaheen as relatively unknown but respected tight ends.

Offensive Line - Dan Feeney is a solid zone blocking guard, but not a truly special prospect. It is somewhat questionable for Mayock to have him ranked above Dion Dawkins, who can probably play right tackle, and both top centers, Ethan Pocic and Pat Elflein, on his interior line rankings.

Defensive Line - This draft class does not have a clear cut pecking order at pure defensive tackle. Mayock has Caleb Brantley and Malik McDowell in the top three, without any mention of highly regarded tackles Carlos Watkins and Montravious Adams.

Linebacker - Raekwon McMillian was highly decorated and productive at Ohio State, and tested well at the combine. Yet Mayock omitted him from his top-five inside linebacker list.

Cornerback - Marshon Lattimore and Marlon Humphrey have emerged as the top two corners after Sidney Jones’ injury, followed closely by Gareon Conley. But it was unexpected to see Kevin King and Fabian Moreau ahead of Tre’Davious White on Mayock’s board.

Safety - Ranking Jabrill Peppers as the top safety in the class is a real shocker. Hard to envision a player who will be learning the position at the next level slotted above both Jamal Adams and Malik Hooker, who have each received consistent top ten overall projections.

What are your impressions of Mike Mayock’s new positional rankings?