Sean Merriman, BTN.com web editor, April 30, 2015

With the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft set to kick off tonight, several Big Ten players are expected to hear their names called in the opening round, including the likes of Brandon Scherff, Trae Waynes and Randy Gregory. This year's Big Ten draft class is loaded with talent, but how does it stack up to recent Big Ten classes?

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Here is a position-by-position breakdown of the top Big Ten prospects in this year?s NFL Draft and a look at how they compare to the past four Big Ten NFL draft classes.

Top-ranked Big Ten prospects in this year's draft

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Gary Nova, Rutgers
Projected draft round: Late to undrafted

Running Back: Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
Projected draft round: 1-2

Wide Receiver: Devin Smith, Ohio State
Projected draft round: 1-2

Tight End: Maxx Williams, Minnesota
Projected draft round: 2

Offensive Line: Brandon Scherff, Iowa
Projected draft round: 1

DEFENSE

Defensive Tackle: Carl Davis, Iowa
Projected draft round: 2

Defensive End: Randy Gregory, Nebraska
Projected draft round: 1

Linebacker: Jake Ryan, Michigan
Projected draft round: 4-5

Cornerback: Trae Waynes, Michigan State
Projected draft round: 1

Safety: Adrian Amos, Penn State
Projected draft round: 3-4

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Top draft picks in 2014 NFL Draft

OFFENSE

Quarterback: None
Running Back: Carlos Hyde (Ohio State), second round
Wide Receiver: Cody Latimer (Indiana), second round, 56th overall
Tight End: C.J. Fiedorowicz (Iowa), third round, 65th overall
Offensive Line: Taylor Lewan (Michigan), first round, 11th overall

DEFENSE

Defensive Tackle: Ra'Shede Hageman (Minnesota), Second Round, 37th overall
Defensive End: None
Linebacker: Ryan Shazier (Ohio State), First Round, 15th overall
Cornerback: Darqueze Dennard (Michigan State), First Round, 24th overall
Safety: Dezmen Southward (Wisconsin), Third Round, 68th overall

Summary: There is still plenty of time for this class to develop, but Dennard and Shazier have the look of future NFL stars. Hyde and Lewan had solid rookie seasons and should earn more playing time in their second year. Fiedorowicz and Latimer should both get more chances in the passing game this season.

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Top draft picks in 2013 NFL Draft

OFFENSE

Quarterback: None
Running Back: Le?Veon Bell (Michigan State), second round, 48th overall
Wide Receiver: Denard Robinson (Michigan), Round 5, 135th overall
Tight End: Dion Sims (Michigan State), Round 4, 106th overall
Offensive Line: Travis Fredrick (Wisconsin), Round 1, 31st overall

DEFENSE

Defensive Tackle: Kawann Short (Purdue), Round 2, 44th overall
Defensive End: William Gholston (Michigan State), Round 4, 126th overall
Linebacker: Gerald Hodges (Penn State), Round 4, 120th overall
Cornerback: Terry Hawthorne (Illinois), Round 5, 150th overall
Safety: Damion Stafford (Nebraska), Round 7, 248th overall

Summary: All four of these players on offense are NFL starters, led by Bell, who is an All-Pro running back for the Steelers. On the defensive side of the ball, Short is a rising star for the Carolina Panthers, while Gholston continues to make strides for Tampa Bay.

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Top draft picks in 2012 NFL Draft

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Russell Wilson (Wisconsin), Round 3, 75th overall
Running Back: Bradie Ewing (Wisconsin), Round 5, 157th overall
Wide Receiver: A.J. Jenkins (Illinois), Round 1, 30th overall
Tight End: Drake Dunsmore (Northwestern), Round 7, 233rd overall
Offensive Line: Riley Reiff (Iowa), Round 1, 23rd overall

DEFENSE

Defensive Tackle: Jerel Worthy (Michigan State), Round 2, 51st overall
Defensive End: Jared Crick (Nebraska), Round 4, 126th overall
Linebacker: Whitney Mercilus (Illinois), Round 1, 26th overall
Cornerback: Shaun Prater (Iowa), Round 5, 156th overall
Safety: Travon Wilson (Illinois), Round 2, 48th overall

Summary: Russell Wilson is the obvious star of this group. The former Badger quarterback led the Seahawks to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, winning it all in 2014. Jenkins has struggled in the league, despite being one of two first-round draft picks in this class. The other, Reiley Reiff, has found a home in Detroit and appears to be settled in at the left tackle spot. On the defensive side of the ball, Mercilus and Wilson have been solid contributors in their first three NFL seasons.

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Top draft picks in 2011 NFL Draft

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Ricky Stanzi (Iowa), Round 5, 135th overall
Running Back: Mikel Leshoure (Illinois), Round 2, 57th overall
Wide Receiver: Tandon Doss (Indiana), Round 4, 123rd overall
Tight End: Lance Kendricks (Wisconsin), Round 2, 47th overall
Offensive Line: Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin), Round 1, 29th overall

DEFENSE

Defensive Tackle: Christian Ballard (Iowa), Round 4, 106th overall
Defensive End: J.J. Watt (Wisconsin), Round 1, 11th overall
Linebacker: Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue), Round 1, 16th overall
Cornerback: Prince Amukamara (Nebraska), Round 1, 19th overall
Safety: Amari Spievery (Iowa), Round 3, 66th overall

Summary: The offensive side of this draft was pretty weak, as zero of the players are starting on their respective NFL team. However, the defensive side has been the exact opposite. Watt and Kerrigan have developed into two of the best pass rushers in the NFL, while Amukamara is one of the league?s top young cornerbacks.