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The Top Ten 2016 NFL Draft Classes

By Brady Lunt

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) rushes against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) rushes against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft Picks

  • 9 – Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
  • 56 – Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas St.
  • 72 – Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida
  • 113 – Nick Kwiatkoski, LB, West Virginia
  • 124 – Deon Bush, S, Miami (Fl.)
  • 127 – Deiondre’ Hall, DB, Northern Iowa
  • 150 – Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana
  • 185 – DeAndre Houston-Carson, S, William & Mary
  • 230 – Daniel Braverman, WR, Western Michigan

It was an impressive haul for Ryan Pace, entering his second season as the Chicago Bears general manager. Foundational pieces were selected on both sides of the ball while others made a strong impact on special teams. This was one of the better drafts in this teams history and could be a major component of their future success.

Leonard Floyd was the first prize, an athletic pass rusher out  of Georgia. Praised for his tremendous athleticism, Floyd become an electrifying pass rusher on this Chicago defensive front and finished the year with seven sacks. He seemed to get better as the season wore on and seems primed for an even greater performance in 2017.

Cody Whitehair was originally drafted as a guard, but injuries propelled him into the starting role at center. Despite the position change, Whitehair handled it incredibly well and figures to be a starter in that role moving forward. The real gem of this draft, however, is Indiana running back Jordan Howard. He started of slow, but by Week 3 took over as the starter and took the league by storm. He finished the season with 1,313 rushing yards, good for second in the league, and six touchdowns. His presence elevated the Chicago offense and helped mask some of the deficiencies at quarterback. Howard has quickly become one of the more dominant running backs in the league and behind this Bears’ o-line, figures to be for quite some time.

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