Sean Merriman, BTN.com web editor, April 27, 2016

The NFL draft kicks off Thursday night at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago.

There is a long list of former Big Ten football stars who expect to hear their name called in the upcoming draft.

We know about the big names like Joey Bosa and Connor Cook, but what about those who could be selected in the later rounds?

In order to get you ready for Thursday, I went through and broke down and best of the best in this year's Big Ten draft class.

Here is a list of 10 superlatives to get you prepared for the NFL Draft.

1. Best passer: Connor Cook, Michigan State

2015 passing stats: 229-of-408 (56 percent), 3,131 yards, 24 TD, 7 INT
Projected draft round: Late first to early second

2. Best hands: Leonte Carroo, Rutgers

2015 receiving stats: 39 rec, 809 yards, 10 TD
Projected draft round: 2-3 round

3. Best speed: Anthony Brown, Purdue

40-yard dash time: 4.33 seconds
Projected draft round: Late to undrafted

4. Best pass rusher: Joey Bosa, Ohio State

2015 stats: 51 tackles, 5 sacks
Projected draft round: 1

5. Best cover man: Eli Apple, Ohio State

2015 stats: 33 tackles, 1 INT
Projected draft round: 1

6. Best hitter: Sean Davis, Maryland and Darien Harris, Michigan State

2015 stats: Davis: 88 tackles, 3 INT, 5 FF. Harris: 90 tackles, 9 TFL
Projected draft round: Davis: 3. Harris: Late to undrafted

7. Best leader: Joshua Perry, Ohio State

2015 stats: 105 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks
Projected draft round: 2-3

8. Best blocker: Jack Conklin, Michigan State

NFL Combine results: 5.0 sec 40-yard dash time, 25 bench press reps, 103 inch broad jump, 7.63 sec 3-cone drill, 4.57 sec 20-yard shuttle
Projected draft round: 1

9. Best deep threat: Michael Thomas, Ohio State

2015 stats: 56 catches, 781 yards, 9 TD
Projected draft round: 1-2

10. Best athlete: Braxton Miller, Ohio State

NFL Combine results: 4.50 40-yard dash, 35 inch vertical jump, 123 inch broad jump, 6.65 sec 3-cone drill, 4.07 20-yard shuttle, 10.84 60-yard shuttle
Projected draft round: 2-3