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Top 10 NFL Draft Prospects After First Half of College Football Season

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By @Spencer_NFL

Midseason Top 10 NFL Draft Prospects

Marcus Mariota Oregon
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With college football about to enter the second half of the season, it's time to take a look at the top NFL Draft prospects. This is not a mock draft or list of the players I think will be the first 10 picks. Team needs and value of a position will move these players up and down each team's rankings. These are simply the top 10 players on my draft board.

10. Devin Funchess (TE-Michigan)

Devin Funchess Michigan
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

10. Devin Funchess (TE-Michigan)

Devin Funchess Michigan
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

In what has been an extremely disappointing year for the Wolverines, Devin Funchess has been the lone bright spot. Despite less than stellar QB play, Funchess has at least four receptions in all six games he has played this season. On the year, he has 36 receptions for 461 yards and four of the team's six receiving touchdowns. Funchess can line up at WR or TE and causes similar matchup problems as Jimmy Graham.

9. Shaq Thompson (OLB-Washington)

Shaq Thompson Washington
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9. Shaq Thompson (OLB-Washington)

Shaq Thompson Washington
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Shaq Thompson is one of the best all-around athletes in this draft class. On a defense with four potential first-round picks, Thompson has stood out. Thompson always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He has three fumble recoveries and one interception this season, and he has returned all four for a touchdown. Thompson also ranks second on the team with 46 tackles. Depending on which team drafts Thompson, he may move to safety.

8. Vic Beasley (OLB-Clemson)

Vic Beasley Clemson
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8. Vic Beasley (OLB-Clemson)

Vic Beasley Clemson
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After a slow start to the season, Vic Beasley is back in the top 10 discussion. Beasley is currently tied for third in the nation with eight sacks on the season. He has struggled this season in the run game, as Georgia RB Todd Gurley constantly attacked Beasley's side of the field in the season opener. Beasley will likely move to OLB in the NFL and will need to learn to play in coverage. His ceiling is very high and should warrant a top 10 pick.

7. Amari Cooper (WR-Alabama)

Amari Cooper Alabama
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7. Amari Cooper (WR-Alabama)

Amari Cooper Alabama
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Amari Cooper burst onto the scene with a 1,000-yard freshman season. Two years later, Cooper remains the best WR in the SEC. His two-catch performance against Arkansas was the first game this season in which Cooper had less than eight receptions. His most impressive performance came against Florida when Cooper caught 10 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Seven of those grabs came against CB Vernon Hargreaves, a projected top pick in 2016.

6. Marcus Mariota (QB-Oregon)

Marcus Mariota Oregon
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6. Marcus Mariota (QB-Oregon)

Marcus Mariota Oregon
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Marcus Mariota has separated himself from fellow quarterbacks Brett Hundley and Jameis Winston this year. Although he's a potential No. 1 overall pick, Mariota isn't without flaws. In 32 career games, Mariota has fumbled 24 times. Among NFL quarterbacks, only Robert Griffin III has a worse ratio. He has average arm strength and has accuracy issues when throwing to his left. Mariota is the best QB in this class -- he's just not a finished product.

5. Landon Collins (S-Alabama)

Landon Collins Alabama
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5. Landon Collins (S-Alabama)

Landon Collins Alabama
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Landon Collins entered this season as the best safety in this draft class by a mile. Michigan State's Kurtis Drummond is the only other safety in the first-round discussion. Collins has been raising his stock all season and is worth a top 10 pick. He leads Alabama in interceptions and passes defended. Collins has been an asset in the run game as well. The safety also leads the Crimson Tide in tackles with 46. He's my highest rated defensive back.

4. Todd Gurley (RB-Georgia)

Todd Gurley Georgia
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4. Todd Gurley (RB-Georgia)

Todd Gurley Georgia
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Todd Gurley is on a level of his own when it comes to running backs in this draft. Gurley will not only be the first RB in three years to be picked in the first round, but he should be selected early in Round 1. He's a threat to score every time he touches the ball and has consistently been successful against SEC defenses. The NFL is concerned about domestic violence and drugs. Getting paid for an autograph won't even throw up a red flag.

3. Randy Gregory (DE-Nebraska)

Randy Gregory Nebraska
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3. Randy Gregory (DE-Nebraska)

Randy Gregory Nebraska
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Randy Gregory is the best player available for a 4-3 defense. If the Oakland Raiders end up with the top pick, Gregory is the name to watch. Current starters LaMarr Woodley and Justin Tuck will both enter 2015 in the final year of their contracts. Gregory has a non-stop motor and is able to beat running backs to the edge. Toughness isn't a question either. Despite undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery during the season, he only missed one game.

2. Brandon Scherff (OT-Iowa)

Brandon Scherff Iowa
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2. Brandon Scherff (OT-Iowa)

Brandon Scherff Iowa
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The best draft-eligible offensive tackle was thought to be a close race between Brandon Scherff, Cedric Ogbuehi and Andrus Peat entering the season. Through seven weeks, Ogbuehi and Peat have struggled while Scherff continues to play well. If you want to see the impact Scherff can have on a game, watch Iowa's game-winning drive against Pittsburgh this season. The left tackle smothered defenders on both a fourth-and-one and touchdown run.

1. Leonard Williams (DE-USC)

Leonard Williams USC
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

1. Leonard Williams (DE-USC)

Leonard Williams USC
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The best prospect for the 2015 NFL Draft is Leonard Williams. He's ideal as a 3-4 DE, but can play anywhere on the defensive line and make an impact. He was the second leading tackler for USC last season and is third this season. He also leads the team with four sacks. His most impressive performance this season came against Stanford, a game he was expected to miss due to injury. We'll find out in six months if Williams is the choice at No. 1.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related: Todd Gurley Suspension Will Not Hurt NFL Draft Stock

Preseason 2015 NFL Mock Draft

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