NFL Draft: Mock Draft Version 1.0
With Super Bowl 50 over and the Denver Broncos being crowned as champions, the National Football League’s offseason has kicked into full gear for every NFL team. And with the beginning of the NFL’s offseason, it is time to look ahead to the upcoming NFL Draft starting with the first round on April 28 in Chicago, Illinois.
Over the course of the next couple of months, we will look ahead at the top prospects available, and go through some mock draft to see where these prospects will fall. With that, here is our first mock draft for the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Keep in mind that the New England Patriots surrendered their first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft due to the investigation of “Deflategate.”
1.) Tennessee Titans – Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss:
The Titans already have their quarterback in Marcus Mariota to build around. Now, it is time to solidify their offensive line to protect their young quarterback.
2.) Cleveland Browns – Jared Goff, QB, California:
Cleveland’s quest to finally land a competent quarterback continues, and Jared Goff is the top quarterback prospect available in this year’s draft.
3.) San Diego Chargers – Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State:
Joey Bosa is the best player available in this year’s draft, and he falls to a Chargers team that needs some significant improvement on defense.
4.) Dallas Cowboys – Robert Nkemdiche, DE, Ole Miss:
The Cowboys have no qualms with picking up players who have had character concerns. Just look at Greg Hardy.
5.) Jacksonville Jaguars – Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State:
The Jaguars played some good offense this season, but still needs more defensive help.
6.) Baltimore Ravens – Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss:
Laquon Treadwell is a bona-fide prospect at wide receiver. Even though they drafted Breshard Perriman last year, Baltimore could still use more help on the outside.
7.) San Francisco 49ers – Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State:
The 49ers get a gift here, as the fast-rising Wentz heads to San Francisco at pick seven. The Niners need a quarterback, and Wentz’s release is incredibly fast.
8.) Miami Dolphins – DeForest Buckner, DT/DE, Oregon:
With the chance that defensive end Cameron Wake will be let go, a pass rusher is a potential need for Miami.
9.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson:
Shaq Lawson is very talented as a pass rusher, and a pass rush is one of the few needs for this young Tampa Bay team.
10.) New York Giants – Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State:
The Giants have a big problem with the running game, so who better to come in a help fix the problem than Elliott. Elliott is an absolute animal with speed, size and vision.
11.) Chicago Bears – Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA:
Even though Jack’s season was cut short due to a knee injury, he is dynamic as a linebacker and should help fix the improved Bears defense.
12.) New Orleans Saints – Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida:
The Saints were awful on defense over the past two years. They will need a corner after they release cornerback Brandon Browner.
13.) Philadelphia Eagles – Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis:
The Eagles need to start over after the experiment with quarterback Sam Bradford, who is a free agent.
14.) Oakland Raiders – Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame:
The Raiders may have found a gem in quarterback Derek Carr in 2014, now they need the bookend tackle to protect Carr.
15.) Los Angeles Rams – Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor:
The Rams need a competent quarterback, but more so they need a wide receiver to finally bring some consistency. Coleman has the speed and hands necessary to get the job done.
16.) Detroit Lions – Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson:
The Lions are on borrowed time with the cornerbacks on their roster, and the talented and physical Alexander will prove to be an improvement for years to come.
17.) Atlanta Falcons – Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama:
The Falcons defense needs to help out their team’s offense. While they need another offensive target, Ragland is too good to pass up here.
18.) Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor:
The Colts need any player that plays on the offensive or defensive line. Seems unlikely that Colts general manager Ryan Grigson will do it, but it is what Indianapolis truly needs.
19.) Buffalo Bills – Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State:
The Bills have health issues from offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, and back-up Cyrus Kouandjio is not stepping up to the plate. Decker falls conveniently to 19, which makes this pick too easy.
20.) New York Jets – Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame:
This is a luxury pick, but Smith is the best player available at this point. Smith can enter the Jets’ 3-4 defensive scheme and be an instant impact.
21.) Washington Redskins – Jarran Reed, DE, Alabama:
Washington’s 3-4 defense relies on pressure from everyone on the front seven. Reed would join defensive end Ryan Kerrigan and nose tackle Terrance Knighton on the, now, very terrifying defensive line.
22.) Houston Texans – Jaylon Kearse, FS, Florida State:
The Texans need a quarterback in the worst way, but the pick for either Connor Cook or Christian Hackenberg is a reach here. Kearse helps the secondary get even better.
23.) Minnesota Vikings – Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State:
Minnesota gets a shiny new toy for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, someone who can get across the middle easily and somewhere Bridgewater throws often.
24.) Cincinnati Bengals – Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky:
Cincinnati gets a new pass rusher for a defense that could use it, and is one of the few holes on this Bengals team.
25.) Pittsburgh Steelers – Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas:
Tight end Heath Miller is not getting any younger, and the Steelers could use this to draft his understudy. The cornerbacks of the class are not deserving of a late first round pick, so Henry’s the pick here.
26.) Seattle Seahawks – Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State:
Seattle needs help with their interior line, in the worst way. Whitehair is the top interior lineman in this draft, and worthy enough of a first round pick, based on his ability.
27.) Green Bay Packers – Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn:
While Seattle needs help with interior line, Green Bay could use a tackle on the outside.
28.) Kansas City Chiefs – Josh Doctson, WR, TCU:
While Kansas City enjoyed a career year from wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, he could use a nuber two target to get some attention from doubling Maclin. Doctson can make all of the tough catches, and has speed.
29.) Arizona Cardinals – Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia:
Arizona is a team with few flaws, so they can often draft the best player available. Floyd is a speedy linebacker, with range to go sideline to sideline.
30.) Carolina Panthers – Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame:
This Super Bowl showed that they need more than just the return of wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, they need a true number two wideout. Fuller’s injury dropped his stock, but it is a perfect opportunity for the Panthers to strike.
31.) Denver Broncos – Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State:
The Broncos have an elite defense, weapons in the run game and the outside. What is missing? A right tackle who can be a road grader in the run game.
Stay tuned to Better Live Than Dead Sports for more from the NFL and the NFL Draft!
