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2016 NFL Draft: The top 30 prospects still available entering Day 3

By The Sports Xchange
Day 3 of the 2016 NFL Draft starts on Saturday and Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook is among the top prospects still available. File photo Lori Shepler/UPI
Day 3 of the 2016 NFL Draft starts on Saturday and Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook is among the top prospects still available. File photo Lori Shepler/UPI | License Photo

IRVING, Texas -- The first three rounds are complete and 98 players have been selected in the 2016 NFL Draft. However, plenty of talented prospects remain on the board.

Here is a look at the top 30 players still available entering Day 3.

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1. Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor (6-1, 310, 5.04, Jr.)

Billings, who was a record-setting weight-lifter in high school, flashes dominant qualities when he keeps his pad level low, rolls his hips and pushes his momentum into the pocket. As the technique and discipline catch up, Billings should continue to improve. There is something going on, possibly an unknown injury, for him to fall this far in the draft.

2. Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas (6-3, 303, 5.02, RJr.)

Ridgeway displays an impressive skill-set with his power, athleticism and instincts, detaching himself from blocks and quickly finding the ball. He needs technique and conditioning work, but if he stays healthy, Ridgeway is a starting two-down one-technique in a 4-3 base.

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3. Ronald Blair, DE, Appalachian State (6-2, 284, 5.15, RSr.)

Although his Combine numbers don't accurately reflect his impressive tape, Blair belongs in the second round discussion. He plays with violent hands and aggressive pass rush moves to rip through blockers, showing the effort to finish in the pocket.

4. Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina (5-11, 208, 4.52, Jr.)

A playmaker with the ball in his hands, Cooper displays the play speed, elusive cuts and start/stop movements to create on his own, before and after the catch. Similar to Randall Cobb when he came out of Kentucky, Cooper is a jack-of-all-trades weapon on offense.

5. Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State (6-1, 196, 4.64, Jr.)

Higgins put his name on the NFL radar with his sophomore season (96/1,750/17) and despite losing Garrett Grayson at quarterback in 2015, he put together a strong junior year as well (66/933/8). Higgins might be the best receiver in this class at exploiting defensive holes and getting uncovered.

6. Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State (6-4, 254, 4.68, Sr.)

A prospect with experience at every linebacker spot, Perry has the size of a defensive end, but moves more like a safety with his straight-line speed to stick with backs out of the backfield. He is wired right for the NFL with the well-rounded and scheme-diverse skill-set that will be attractive to every team.

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7. Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame (6-1, 293, 5.07, Sr.)

While not on the same level as Aaron Donald, Day is built in a similar mold due to his lack of size, but the athleticism and bod control jump off the film. Although he won't be a fit for every scheme, Day is ideal as an under tackle in a 4-3 scheme that focuses on one-gap principles.

8. Jeremy Cash, S, Duke (6-0, 212, RSr.)

Lining up as the "Strike" safety in Duke's 4-2-5 base defense, Cash is a hybrid linebacker/safety who does his best work near the line of scrimmage vs. the run. He won't be a fit for every NFL scheme and coaches need to have a plan for him, but he would thrive in a Deone Bucannon role.

9. Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State (6-4, 217, 4.79, RSr.)

A passer with an outstanding winning percentage as a starter at Michigan State, Cook has a lot of the baseline traits that NFL teams covet in a NFL starter. However, his personality and the way he carries himself are strong concerns and have scared off several NFL teams.

10. Devontae Booker, RB, Utah (5-11, 219, RSr.)

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Booker is a quick, jitterbug ballcarrier with an excellent sense of how to make defenders miss, create on his own and make more with less - fine line between decisive and patient, but he makes it look easy. The knee injury is causing him to fall, which will make him a steal at some point on day three.

11. Kentrell Brothers, LB, Missouri

12. Christian Westerman, OG, Arizona State

13. Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech

14. Jalen Mills, CB/S, LSU

15. Joe Dahl, OG, Washington State

16. Joe Schobert, LB, Wisconsin

17. Ryan Smith, CB, North Carolina Central

18. Kenny Lawler, WR, California

19. DeAndre Houston-Carson, FS, William & Mary

20. Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas

21. Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona

22. Kolby Listenbee, WR, TCU

23. D.J. Reader, DT, Clemson

24. Charles Tapper, DE, Oklahoma

25. Darrell Greene, OG, San Diego State

26. Matt Ioannidis, DT, Temple

27. Tyler Higbee, TE, Western Kentucky

28. Harlan Miller, CB, Southeastern Louisiana

29. Jerald Hawkins, OT, LSU

30. Jonathan Jones, CB, Auburn

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