Tuesday, April 26, 2016

2016 Mock Draft

2016 Mock Draft 

1. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff, QB, California

Everywhere you look, you'll read Jared Goff is #1 the pick. No arguments from me.

2. (trade) Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

This trade makes absolutely no sense to me and it seems as if Chip Kelly was replaced by a FO that is just as incompetent. The beginning of the offseason started off so well for the Eagles! They were able to dump a couple horrible contracts while getting back some guys on relatively good deals. Then this happened....

There is absolutely no way to spin this trade in a positive light. Like most media outlets, I am assuming they traded up for one of the two QBs. There have been reports that they are infatuated with Carson Wentz, so they must know that he will be there as an option. They just extended Sam Bradford who, while he has his issues, is still an average NFL quarterback that could win them some games. I cannot imagine they will be able to pick up much off of a Bradford trade, so giving him that large extension really does not make much sense.

The Eagles somehow managed to get completely fleeced by the Cleveland Browns... That's something I never thought I would write. 

3. San Diego Chargers: Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State
Other options: Laremy Tunsil

I  can easily see Tunsil being the pick here. It makes sense, Rivers is on the home stretch of his career, and protecting him is the Chargers biggest priority. Tunsil is considered the best tackle in the draft. That being said, some teams view Jalen Ramsey as a special talent at safety. It just so happens that the Chargers lost veteran safety Eric Weddle to free agency. Most teams tend to stick to their board and I believe Ramsey is sitting at the top of a lot of them.

4. Dallas Cowboys: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Other options: Jalen Ramsey, Myles Jack

This is one of those beautiful times where value meets needs. The Cowboys are in big need of talent along the line and Joey Bosa is the best talent on the board. The Dallas Morning News reported that the Cowboys weren't interested in Myles Jack, but I still see him as an option here.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA
Other Options: Joey Bosa

Two easy ones in a row!. The Jaguars desire more talent at the linebacker position and Myles Jack is the best talent on the board.

6. Baltimore Ravens: Lamery Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
Other Options: DeForest Buckner

I hate the Ravens. They always seem to land in a perfect spot. They get one of the top 2 players in the draft here and it's an absolute steal. Tunsil will hold down the left side for a long long time.

7. San Fransisco 49ers: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
Other Options: Whomever of Ramsey, Jack, Buckner, Tunsil, or Bosa is not picked is going here

While the 49ers miss out on their chance at a quarterback they still end up with the last remaining blue chip prospect in the draft. They have needs all over the ball so they have to go with the best available talent. Plus, you have the Chip Kelly-Oregon connection

8. (Trade) Cleveland Browns: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
Other Options: Leonard Floyd 

Hue Jackson has said that neither Jared Goff nor Carson Wentz was the top quarterback on their board. Paxton Lynch is the next logical choice for that top spot. Although this may seem a little bit high for Lynch teams tend to overdraft quarterbacks especially if they fall in love with one. If he doesn't go here, they have the extra picks they will probably trade back into the end of the first round and make him their selection there.

9. Tampa Bay Buccanears: Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
Other options: N/A

This pick just makes a ton of sense. The Bucs need to upgrade their secondary in a big way and taking the top corner on the board will do just that. I had the honor of watching Vern play the last couple of years and can tell you now he was taking the second half of the year off. He was rarely targeted in the beginning of the season and that allowed Jalen Tabor(a future top 10 pick himself) to be the breakout star of the Gators defense. Make no mistake, this kid can flat out play football and will be a shutdown corner at the next level. 

10. New York Giants: Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
Other Options: Ronnie Stanley

This is a pretty easy one for me. The Giants built their championship defenses by rushing the passer. Floyd has the look of a solid pass rusher at the next level and it seems as if the Giants are absolutely smitten with him.

11. Chicago Bears: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
Other Options: Jack Conklin, Ronnie Stanley

The Bears recently moved on from long time running back Matt Forte. Getting the best back in the draft will mitigate that loss. I've heard reports that there is no way Elliott gets past this point in the draft.

12. New Orleans Saints: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
Other Options:

The Saints need help all over their defense. Rankins will help solidify the run defense and push the pocket from the middle as a pass rusher.

13. Miami Dolphins: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Other Options: Trade Up, William Jackson III

The Dolphins disaster of an offseason continues as they were just two picks away from nabbing their top target. I would bet they try to move up around 9-10 to grab Ziek before he is gone.

They are able to get secondary help in the form of Eli Apple, who projects to be the next CB off the board and can start on Day 1.

14. Oakland Raiders: Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State
Other Options: Shaq Lawson

A complete 180 from the team in front of them, the Raiders have had a wonderful offseason and it continues here. They are able to grab a talented linebacker. Although Lee is not a pass rushing linebacker he is immensely talented and that might be enough for the Raiders to take a chance on him. An AFC executive said "He's a natural three down player who can cover and blitz. He's a much better playmaker than Ragland." Sounds like a valuable weapon for any team looking to boost the second level of their defense.

15. Tennessee Titans: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Other Options: Taylor Decker

Wow, this is a dream situation for the Titans. They were able to get a huge haul for the 1st pick. THEN to top it all off they are able to still fill their positional need with a pretty good prospect. 

16. Detroit Lions: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
Other Options: A'Shawn Robinson, Jarren Reed

With the departure of one of the most dominant receivers in league history, the Lions need to replace the hole in their receiving core. Treadwell is the most pro ready receiver in the draft and can come in and be a solid No. 2 option on day 1.

17. Atlanta Falcons: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
Other Options: Darron Lee

The Falcons would sprint to the podium if they saw Lawson still available at this point. Despite grabbing pass rushing specialist Vic Beasley, they still need some help getting to the quarterback. Lawson would form a nice complement to Beasley as a bookend pass rusher. 

18. Indianapolis Colts: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
Other Options: Andrew Billings, Ryan Kelly

The Colts offensive line was a disaster this past season. Luckily, they get great value in the form of Jack Conklin in this part of the draft. This will go a long way in helping Andrew Luck reach the rank of the elite QBs.

19. Buffalo Bills, Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
Other Options: Reggie Ragland, Darron Lee

With the departure of Mario Williams the Bills will need to revamp their defensive line. They are able to grab the second of the Clemson defensive lineman here. Rex Ryan’s son actually plays for Clemson so he should have a little voice in his ear advocating for Dodd to be the pick.

20. NY Jets, Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
Other Options: Paxton Lynch, Jonathon Bullard(if they trade Wilkerson), Reggie Ragland

It was reported that the Jets were a team that wanted to trade up for the #2 pick. If they think the Browns want Paxton Lynch we could still see them trade up in a deal that I assume would include Muhammed Wilkerson. What we do know is that they will be looking to upgrade their tackle position and replace the ever aging D’Brickashaw Ferguson. They get an upgrade with Decker out of Ohio State. 

Side note: this would mark the 5th Ohio State player drafted in the first round, tying for 2nd most in NFL draft history with the 2001 Miami Hurricanes and the 1969 USC Trojans. It's amazing this Buckeyes team didn't win the National Championship.

21. Washington Redskins: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
Other Options: Jarren Reed, Ryan Kelly

The nose tackle position of the 'skins defense was awful this past season. Reviews on Billings are up and down. I think this is around the right spot for him. As a Steeler fan I would have loved for Billings to drop a few spots, unfortunately, his pro day probably shot him up out of their reach.

22. Houston Texans: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Other Options: Laquon Treadwell, Will Fuller

The Texans are a wide receiver needy team who could use 1 or 2 more targets to help out new signal caller Brock Osweiler. Doctson is an athletic wideout that needs some refining but can contribute pretty much immediately.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
Other Options: Keanu Neal, Karl Joseph, Jarren Reed

Will Fuller has been shooting up draft boards recently and could very well be drafted earlier than Laquon Treadwell and Josh Doctson. The Vikings have very little talent in their receiving group so I expect them to address the position very early in this draft.

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Jarren Reed, DT, Alabama
Other Options: Will Fuller, A’Shawn Robinson

      I mocked a DT to the Bengals last year and they didn’t go for it. Maybe I’ll be right this year. The Bengals signed Michael Johnson this past offseason and it predictably failed. Reed provides crazy good value at this point in the draft as his character issues is the only reason he is going this late. He offers little upside as a pass rusher but he will be able to come in and immediately be a force at stopping the run.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers: William Jackson III, CB, Houston
Other Options: Mackenzie Alexander, Vernon Butler

      I waffled back and forth between Jackson and Alexander on this pick. While Alexander seems to have that swagger that NFL teams love, Jackson just seems like the perfect corner for the Steelers cover 2 scheme. The only place where I can see the team souring on Jackson is if they really do not like his tackling skills.
     
      A lot of people will have the Steelers taking a defensive tackle, but I think it is too deep of a class so they have the ability to wait on a tackle in the next couple rounds. Another serious possibility is Karl Joseph. He has the talent to be a top 10 pick but an injury moved him back. Many scouts believe he will not be ready for the first couple weeks of the season. However, safeties have one of the smallest salaries on their fifth year option so this could represent an upgrade in a huge way and solidify the back end of the defense with a cheap option until 2021.

      26. Seattle Seahawks: German Ifedi, OG, Texas A&M
Other Options: Vernon Butler
     
      The struggles along the offensive line of the Seahawks are well documented. Russel Wilson spent most of his time last season literally running for his life. Upgrading the interior of the offensive line will certainly help, but I expect more help will be needed.

      27. Green Bay Packers: Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
      Other Options: Trade Down

      The Packers seem like an ideal place for a team looking to trade back into the first round. However, I think if Reggie Ragland is still on the board they will be extremely tempted to select him. This pick would allow them to slide Clay Matthews back to his more comfortable outside linebacker position without leaving a giant hole in the middle of their 3-4. Also, the value is phenomenal as Ragland is one of the more talented players in the draft, but position scarcity has caused him to drop.  

      28. Kansas City Chiefs: Mackenzie Alexander, CB, Clemson
      Other Options: Michael Thomas, Corey Coleman
     
      This pick basically came down to whichever cornerback the Steelers did not take. With Sean Smith leaving in free agency the Chiefs had a big hole to fill across from Marcus Peters. Alexander figures to be a similar type prospect with a few character concerns of his own. That being said, the kid is a fierce competitor and is sure to give it everything he has every time he steps on the field.

      29. Arizona Cardinals: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
      Other Options: Noah Spence, A'Shawn Robinson

      This is the one team that is in the best position to truly draft the best player available. They do not really have any glaring needs on either side of the ball. I have them going with the center Ryan Kelly out of Alabama because he represents good value at a place where he can truly be an upgrade along the offensive line. I will say that A'Shawn Robinson is the best player available at this point, and you can never have too many good players in the trenches.

      30. Carolina Panthers: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
Other Options: Kendall Fuller, Michael Thomas, Noah Spence

The Panthers now have a big need at CB after the departure of phenom Josh Norman. I could not really find a corner with enough value to justify a pick here. I can see Kendal Fuller making some noise due to his natural ability but who knows with that injury. This is why I will go with the safe pick and project a tackle here. Von Miller and Demarcus Ware wreaked havoc all day in the backfield. If the Panthers want to get back to where they were Spriggs 
must develop into a better option than what they have there now.

31. Denver Broncos: Robert Nkemdiche, DE, Ole Miss
Other Options A’Shawn Robinson

The Broncos have a couple holes to fill along the defensive line but none bigger than the one left by Malik Jackson. Robert Nkemdiche has as much talent and potential as anyone in the entire draft, unfortunately he also has as many questions. The Broncos defense will need a jolt of life and Nkemdiche is just too talented to pass up at this juncture.

32. Cleveland Browns: Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
Other Options: Corey Coleman, Noah Spence

None of the running backs on Cleveland's roster are really workhorse backs. Derrick Henry is a bruising back that should see success at the next level. I could also see them going with Coleman simply to pair Paxton Lynch with a shiny new target as teams often do when they draft a QB.

33. Tennessee Titans: Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky
Other Options: A’Shawn Robinson, Artie Burns

The Titans need help with the pass rush to form a rotation with Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo, and Spence is arguably the best player on the board. 

34. Dallas Cowboys: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
Other Options: Jonathon Bullard, Connor Cook

The Cowboys receiving group was completely devoid of talent after Dez went down with an injury.

      35. San Diego Chargers: A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Other Options: Vernon Butler

Robinson will provide a push up front and represents great value at the top of the second round.

      36. Baltimore Ravens: Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
Other Options: Cody Whitehair, Jonathon Bullard

A top 10 talent that dropped because of an injury. Once again, hate the Ravens.

      37. San Francisco 49ers: Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
Other Options: Michael Thomas

Either the 49ers draft a quarterback or they will be forced to start Blaine Gabbert, yikes.

      38. Jacksonville Jaguars: Artie Burns, CB, Miami(FL)
Other Options: Keanu Neal, Jonathon Bullard

The Jags need to upgrade their entire secondary after neglecting it in the first round.

      39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keanu Neal, S, Florida
Other Options: Vonn Bell

The best safety on their roster is Chris Conte, that says it all.

      40. New York Giants: Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State
Other Options: Michael Thomas

A great fit to slide in next to 2015 second rounder Landon Collins.

      41. Chicago Bears: Su’a Cravens, LB, USC
Other Options: Michael Thomas, Hunter Henry

Cravens is believed to be a bit undersized for a linebacker but it shouldn't matter as he would represent an upgrade at the WILL spot where size is not a huge factor. 

      42. Miami Dolphins: Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State
Other Options: Vernon Butler

The Dolphins line is still screwed up from the bullying scandal. 

      43. (From LA)Tennessee Titans: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
Other Options: Xavien Howard

Butler will be a great fit in the center of a 3-4 as a nose tackle. 

      44. Oakland Raiders: Darian Thompson, S, Boise State
Other Options: Xavien Howard

The Raiders need to fill the hole vacated by Charles Woodson, good luck kid.

      45. (From LA)Tennessee Titans: Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
Other Options: Karl Joseph

The Titans go defense again and upgrade their secondary in the process.

      46. Detroit Lions: Le’Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech
Other Options: Joshua Perry

Protecting Matthew Stafford is the Lions #1 priority. 

      47. New Orleans Saints: Jonathon Bullard, DE, Florida
Other Options: TJ Green

An athletic defensive lineman, Bullard can slide all over the line as the Saints upgrade the trenches with their first two picks.

      48. Indianapolis Colts: Shilique Calhoun, OLB, Michigan State
Other Options: Chris Jones, Nick Martin

The Colts need another guy that can rush the passer since the Bjoern Werner experiment is finally over.

      49. Buffalo Bills: Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
Other Options: Michael Thomas

Kyle Williams is 32 and not really all that effective.

      50. Atlanta Falcons: Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas
Other Options: Michael Thomas

When Tony Gonzales left, Matt Ryan lost his safety net. Hunter is an exciting prospect. 

      51. New York Jets: Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State
Other Options: Christain Hackenberg

The Jets need more of an edge presence to solidify their already stellar defense.

      52. Houston Texans: Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford
Other Options: Christian Westerman

The Texans should be trying to get new quarterback Brock Osweiler as many targets as possible.

      53. Washington Redskins: Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame
Other Options: Karl Joseph

Giving Kirk Cousins more protection can only help the Redskins case when trying to sign him to a long term contract. 

      54. Minnesota Vikings: Christian Westerman, G, Arizona State
Other Options: Karl Joseph, Adolphous Washington

You can never spend too many picks on protecting your franchise quarterback.

      55. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
Other Options: Emmanuel Ogbah

The Bengals were able to sign Brandon Lafell to a cheap contract but they will be better off trying to get a real #2 receiver across from AJ Green,

      56. Seattle Seahawks: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
Other Options: Emmanuel Ogbah

A once dominant defensive line needs reloading after being decimated by players departing in free agency. If this offense is going to become Super Bowl caliber then it needs a legit #2 WR across from Jeremy Maclin.


      57. Green Bay Packers: Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State
Other Options: Jihad Ward

Even with Clay Matthews on the outside the Packers need help getting to the quarterback.

      58. Pittsburgh Steelers: Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia
Other Options: Kamalei Correa, Alex McCalister

A top end talent that fell due to injury. Everyone knows about the Steelers issues in the secondary, so they fix that with their top 2 picks.

      59. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
Other Options: TJ Green

Alex Smith could use a talented player across from Jeremy Maclin.

      60. New England Patriots: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
Other Options: Alex McCalister, Austin Johnson

After trading away Chandler Jones the Patriots need to replenish their pass rush.

      61. (From Arizona)New England Patriots: Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State
Other Options: Alex McCalister

They signed Terrance Knighton, but he is too old to be counted on. 

      62. Carolina Panthers: Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma
Other Options: Rashad Robinson, TJ Green

Cam Newton needs more help and Ted Ginn Jr. is not really the guy you want providing it. 

      63. Denver Broncos: Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State
Other Options: Joshua Garnett

The Broncos need to replace Danny Trevathan at inside linebacker.

Best Prospects Left:
1. TJ Green, S, Clemson
2. Jihad Ward, DT, Illinois
3. Alex McCalister, OLB, Florida
4. Adolphous Washinton, DT, Ohio State
5. Devontae Booker, RB, Utah
6. Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame
7. Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford
8. Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame
Someone will take a chance, likely someone who sees themselves as having very few roster holes to fill.
9. Jeremy Cash, S, Duke
10. Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State