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This isn't a huge surprise considering how much love he's gotten from Detroit Lions fans already this offseason, but Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins is the top player on POD's 2014 NFL Draft big board. Nearly 700 ballots were submitted, and Watkins ran away with the top spot on our big board. He beat out South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack and others. Here's a look at the top five:
Player | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Total |
1. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson | 317 | 198 | 53 | 21 | 20 | 2598 |
2. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina | 235 | 115 | 55 | 13 | 17 | 1843 |
3. Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo | 43 | 132 | 201 | 80 | 45 | 1551 |
4. Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M | 12 | 70 | 55 | 95 | 85 | 780 |
5. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama | 21 | 25 | 56 | 52 | 81 | 558 |
Watkins got the top spot because he is one of the most talented players in the draft and plays a position of need for the Lions. That's sort of the case with Clowney, although to a lesser degree. Defensive end isn't viewed by the Lions as one of their top needs, but Clowney is one of the most talented players in the draft.
As for the other three players in the top five, all play positions that are in need of upgrades. Mack would likely immediately step in as a starter at outside linebacker, for example, and Texas A&M's Mike Evans would certainly help upgrade the Lions' depth at wide receiver. And at safety, Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix could potentially be a day-one starter for Detroit.
Next up for our big board is voting on spots 6-10. A couple players just barely missed the top five, so it will be interesting to see how things play out when we vote on the next five spots later this week.