With the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine in the rearview mirror, it’s time for another mock draft. We know a lot more about the draft prospects now, which allows us to make even better predictions this time around. Obviously though, NFL free agency is around the corner and will alter these predictions over the next few weeks. This gives a good picture right now however.
We will alternate picks throughout the mock draft, with Andrew taking the odds and Greg taking the evens. Additionally, we will include a brief look at the second round as well (last mock only had Round 1). So let’s begin!
The Sports Guys 2016 NFL Mock Draft
1. Tennessee Titans select: Laremy Tunsil (OT, Ole Miss)
1st Mock: Laremy Tunsil (OT, Ole Miss)
Tunsil remains the obvious choice for the #1 overall pick. He measured well at the combine and looked the part in how he moved. He fills a need for the Titans better than anyone else in this draft. With that said, I think the Titans will continue to probe and look into trading the pick. Not sure who would trade up at this point, but they will ask around.
2. Cleveland Browns select: Joey Bosa (DE, Ohio State)
1st Mock: Joey Bosa (DE, Ohio State)
Bosa doesn’t really fill a need for Cleveland, but he is from Ohio State (which will help ticket purchases and jersey sales), and may be the next best player on their board. He’s not an ideal fit for their scheme either, but I think he is versatile enough that he can play either a DE in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. While QB is still their biggest need, I’m not sure they will grab a QB this high.
3. San Diego Chargers select: Jalen Ramsey (DB, Florida State)
1st Mock: DeForest Buckner (DE, Oregon)
I am not sure exactly what position Ramsey will play full-time in the NFL, but he will excel all over the secondary. His tape was already good, but his combine performance secured his elite status. His versatility is something to be desired, not scoffed at. Plus, with the Chargers likely losing Eric Weddle this offseason, Ramsey fills a big need at the back end of the defense.
4. Dallas Cowboys select: DeForest Buckner (DE, Oregon)
1st Mock: Laquon Treadwell (WR, Ole Miss)
Dallas has a large amount of needs... on defense. Offensively they are pretty well set in my opinion. Buckner has a lot of the same measurables and size that Calais Campbell does, and that type of player is exactly who the Cowboys need. They could go offense, but I think if they can keep Tony Romo healthy, they will be a championship contender as is. Buckner is an instant starter, who can come in and add the type of impact that a young Julius Peppers or Calais Campbell would have. That’s a slam dunk at #4 in my book.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars select: Mackensie Alexander (CB, Clemson)
1st Mock: Jalen Ramsey (DB, Florida State)
While improving their offensive line is a major need in my opinion, the value early in this draft is on the defensive side of the ball. And assuming they add to their pass rush in free agency (they have an insane amount of cap space), they must improve their secondary in the draft acquiring young talent. While Alexander didn’t work out at the combine (waiting till pro day due to his hammy), he interviewed well and seems to have the “edge” needed to be an elite shutdown corner. I like the potential he possesses.
6. Baltimore Ravens select: Ezekiel Elliott (RB, Ohio State)
1st Mock: Ronnie Stanley (OT, Notre Dame)
This is fairly high for a RB, but Elliott will be a good fit for John Harbaugh’s team. He blocks, he catches passes, and he’s an effective runner. Another option for them is Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley, but I think Elliott fits their team a little bit better and their team environment and culture will keep his attitude in check. His combine clearly helped.
7. San Francisco 49ers select: Carson Wentz (QB, North Dakota State)
1st Mock: Jared Goff (QB, California)
If the Browns pass on a QB, the 49ers won’t complain. With Kaep seemingly on his way out (thanks to his trade demand), the 49ers will gladly draft the best quarterback in this draft class. Wentz is majorly on the rise, and has been since the Senior Bowl. His combine wasn’t spectacular but it was very solid. Chip Kelly may finally have his guy.
8. Miami Dolphins select: Ronnie Stanley (OT, Notre Dame)
1st Mock: Myles Jack (LB, UCLA)
Stanley has nearly identical (and in some cases better) measurables to top pick Laremy Tunsil. Stanley has played in a big time program over the last few years and has held his own against some elite talent over that time. He can come in and improve the Dolphins offensive line immediately and start at LT from day one. Ryan Tannehill will toast to this pick.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Shaq Lawson (DE, Clemson)
1st Mock: Jack Conklin (OT, Michigan State)
Lawson’s production in college was unbelievable this past season, but his combine strengthened his case as a top prospect. He showed off his size/speed/strength combination in a big way, and was clearly a winner of the DL/LB day. I also think he’s a great fit for Tampa Bay and the defense they run. Doubt he’ll get past this pick unannounced.
10. New York Giants select: Vernon Hargreaves III (CB, Florida)
1st Mock: A’Shawn Robinson (DT, Alabama)
Prince Amukamara is a free agent and really wasn’t ever the player the Giants wanted him to be. Hargreaves can come in and be his replacement without losing much at that position with better monetary value. Hargreaves is believed by some to be the best corner in the draft, and is a pick that addresses a need as well as has good value.
11. Chicago Bears select: Myles Jack (LB, UCLA)
1st Mock: Mackensie Alexander (CB, Clemson)
Noah Spence is extremely tempting at this spot in the draft, but Myles Jack is clearly the top player on the board. His versatility at linebacker is desired at the next level, and he’s shed the concerns about his injury for most teams. Chicago needs young talent on defense, particularly in the linebacking corps, so Jack would be a home run.
12. New Orleans Saints select: Jared Goff (QB, California)
1st Mock: Jaylon Smith (LB, Notre Dame)
This is the last year of Drew Brees’ contract and he is 37 years old. Goff is a good candidate to bring in and have him learn from one of the best in the game over the last decade without having the pressure to come in and start right away. Goff has good size, good arm strength, and his biggest weakness is his ability to process the game. Brees is an ideal mentor in this aspect and can bring Goff along slowly while allowing the Saints to continue to compete in the meantime.
13. Philadelphia Eagles select: Noah Spence (OLB, Eastern Kentucky)
1st Mock: Shaq Lawson (DE, Clemson)
While the Eagles have other positions of need, getting an edge rusher has to be a priority. Spence is potentially the best edge rusher in this class, particularly in a 3-4 defense like the Eagles run. This would be tremendous value in my opinion, and this also fills a need. I think coaches and fans alike would be thrilled with this selection.
14. Oakland Raiders select: Jack Conklin (OT, Michigan State)
1st Mock: Vernon Hargreaves III (CB, Florida)
Todd Mcshay recently compared Conklin’s combine measurables to another perennial all-pro offensive tackle, so much so that he said he is going to have to go back and re-evaluate his tape. That all pro’s name? Joe Thomas. If the Raiders can pair Joe Thomas with Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, and Khalil Mack for the next ten years, they may not be the same old Raiders everyone has come to expect an easy game from.
15. Los Angeles Rams select: Laquon Treadwell (WR, Ole Miss)
1st Mock: Carson Wentz (QB, North Dakota State)
With Goff gone a few picks earlier, the Rams will likely take a pass catcher instead. Treadwell is still the best wide receiver in this class in my opinion, and the Rams should be thrilled with getting him at #15. His size and jump ball ability would mesh very well with Tavon Austin’s speed taking the top off defenses.
16. Detroit Lions select: A’Shawn Robinson (DT, Alabama)
1st Mock: Robert Nkemdiche (DT, Ole Miss)
The Lions have a lot of good options here, but with Haloti Ngata a free agent and with them possessing a hole in the middle of their defense, Robinson is a good fit. Robinson was the more “pass rushing” DT in the middle of the Alabama defense, but is also good at stopping the run. There is a reason that Alabama’s linebackers are consistently good, and the best way for Detroit to improve their linebacker play is to draft a few DTs that will eat up the offensive line. Robinson can do that and provide a pass rush presence as well.
17. Atlanta Falcons select: Darron Lee (LB, Ohio State)
1st Mock: Reggie Ragland (ILB, Alabama)
One of the big combine winners was Lee, who made some money with his 40 time. His speed sets him apart from other linebackers in this class, and that helps quell some fears about his size. His production at Ohio State was very solid, and I think he can be a fit in any scheme. The Falcons can use help at linebacker, so Reggie Ragland is another solid choice. I have Lee a tad higher on my board after the combine however.
18. Indianapolis Colts select: Robert Nkemdiche (DL, Ole Miss)
1st Mock: Taylor Decker (OT, Ohio State)
The Colts has a lot of needs and DL is lower on the list than others, but none of the remaining players at positions of need are higher overall than Nkemdiche. He can come in and make the franchise better immediately because he is an exceptional football player. This means that the Colts will have to address some of their other needs in free agency.
19. Buffalo Bills select: Sheldon Rankins (DT, Louisville)
1st Mock: Noah Spence (OLB, Eastern Kentucky)
Rankins has been climbing up draft boards ever since the Senior Bowl and he kept the momentum going at the combine. Many say he’s similar to Aaron Donald (a poor man’s version at this point), so that’s some high praise. The Bills have plenty of small needs, so this pick represents the best available player that helps the team. I think it’s a good one.
20. New York Jets select: Eli Apple (CB, Ohio State)
1st Mock: Darron Lee (LB, Ohio State)
Apple has good size, good speed, and fits a position of need at a good value. Makes sense in New York also. The Jets let Antonio Cromartie walk in free agency and Apple can replace him effectively. He’s got a few years to learn from Darrelle Revis before he gets too old too. The big stage in New York will not be too big for him.
21. Washington Redskins select: Jarran Reed (DT, Alabama)
1st Mock: Jarran Reed (DT, Alabama)
Washington made great strides last year as a team, and much of that improvement is because of Kirk Cousins. But their defense also made strides, and they did so with a makeshift front seven. Reed could become a mainstay for them and a force long term. Plus, it’s normally a good idea to draft an Alabama defensive stud.
22. Houston Texans select: Will Fuller (WR, Notre Dame)
1st Mock: Ezekiel Elliott (RB, Ohio State)
Will Fuller is going to be a very similar receiver to Desean Jackson in the NFL. His blazing 40 time showed everyone that. DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller will be a good WR tandem for whoever the Texans end up going with at the QB position (could be someone they draft in the second or third round).
23. Minnesota Vikings select: Taylor Decker (OT, Ohio State)
1st Mock: Josh Doctson (WR, TCU)
Minnesota has to improve their offense, whether it’s on the line or at wideout. I like Decker because they need to improve at guard and tackle. This fills one of those positions; seems obvious to me.
24. Cincinnati Bengals select: Reggie Ragland (ILB, Alabama)
1st Mock: Emmanuel Ogbah (DE, Oklahoma State)
Ragland is a very good player in his own right, but with all of the discipline issues with Vontaze Burfict, he is also an insurance policy against losing him to more than the three game suspension. Ragland will be a very productive NFL player for a long time. He can also play in any scheme.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers select: Leonard Floyd (OLB, Georgia)
1st Mock: Eli Apple (CB, Ohio State)
I think the Steelers want a corner first and foremost, but all of the worthy prospects are gone at this point. So unless they trade down, perhaps they try and improve at outside linebacker instead. Floyd would fill that void, but I do think he will be a work in progress. He won’t make an immediate impact but will grow as the year goes on. That worked last year with Bud Dupree, so maybe lightning will strike twice.
26. Seattle Seahawks select: Michael Thomas (WR, Ohio State)
1st Mock: Sheldon Rankins (DT, Louisville)
Russell Wilson would be thrilled with this pick, and he’ll finally have another elite option opposite Doug Baldwin. Jermaine Kearse is also a free agent, so this may actually be an even bigger area of need than it normally is. Thomas has a great frame, good speed, and will be able to walk into a culture in Seattle that is very similar to the culture that he had at Ohio State. With a healthy Jimmy Graham coming back into the picture, this offense will really start to become a strength.
27. Green Bay Packers select: Andrew Billings (DT, Baylor)
1st Mock: Andrew Billings (DT, Baylor)
This pick didn’t change from our first mock, as Billings makes a lot of sense for Green Bay. He fits their scheme, fills a need, and gives them a beast at the center of their defensive line. He’s proven himself to be a legit force for multiple seasons and is worthy of a first round pick. The question is whether or not he’ll actually be available this late on draft night.
28. Kansas City Chiefs select: Josh Doctson (WR, TCU)
1st Mock: Michael Thomas (WR, Ohio State)
Albert Wilson came on late in the season but he is not a long term option at the #2 WR position. Doctson can come in and provide a similar skillset to Jeremy Maclin on the other side that will further open up the field for TE Travis Kelce. Doctson will also help to force QB Alex Smith to push the ball down the field a little bit more.
29. Arizona Cardinals select: Jaylon Smith (LB, Notre Dame)
1st Mock: Leonard Floyd (OLB, Georgia)
Arizona doesn’t have too many holes, which gives them a great opportunity in this draft. Jaylon Smith likely won’t suit up in 2016, but he could become the best player in this draft in the years to come. And while his injury does scare a lot of teams, he just needs one team to believe in him. Could it be the Cardinals?
30. Carolina Panthers select: Su’a Cravens (LB/S, USC)
1st Mock: Kevin Dodd (DE, Clemson)
Carolina doesn’t have a lot of holes on their team. They could go with an offensive lineman here, but I think the back end of their defense is maybe the biggest area of need they have. Cravens has excellent speed and is a very reliable individual defender. Coming into a team that has as many veterans as the Panthers does is going to help him develop into a really good football player. The Panthers will love his versatility, just as they did in last year’s first round pick (Shaq Thompson). Seems like a good fit.
31. Denver Broncos select: Cody Whitehair (OG, Kansas State)
1st Mock: Hunter Henry (TE, Arkansas)
Free agency may open up a ton of holes in the front seven depending on who they lose, but their offensive line must improve if they want to improve their running offense with Coach Kubiak. Whitehair is likely the top guard in this draft, and would probably start immediately for the Super Bowl Champs. The real question at this point is who will Whitehair be pass blocking for...
NOTE: Due to “Deflategate”, the Patriots forfeited their first round pick this year leaving only 31 spots in the First Round.
Second Round
32. Cleveland Browns select: Paxton Lynch (QB, Memphis)
33. Tennessee Titans select: Kendall Fuller (CB, Virginia Tech)
34. Dallas Cowboys select: Tyler Boyd (WR, Pittsburgh)
35. San Diego Chargers select: Corey Coleman (WR, Baylor)
36. Baltimore Ravens select: Derrick Henry (RB, Alabama)
37. San Francisco 49ers select: Hunter Henry (TE, Arkansas)
38. Jacksonville Jaguars select: Kevin Dodd (DE, Clemson)
39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: William Jackson III (CB, Houston)
40. New York Giants select: Emmanuel Ogbah (DE, Oklahoma State)
41. Chicago Bears select: Shilique Calhoun (DE/OLB, Michigan State)
42. Miami Dolphins select: Scooby Wright (LB, Arizona)
43. Los Angeles Rams (from Philadelphia) select: Ryan Kelly (C, Alabama)
44. Oakland Raiders select: Miles Killebrew (S, Southern Utah)
45. Los Angeles Rams select: Connor Cook (QB, Michigan State)
46. Detroit Lions select: Le’Raven Clark (OT, Texas Tech)
47. New Orleans Saints select: Vernon Butler (DT, Louisiana Tech)
48. Indianapolis Colts select: Germain Ifedi (OG, Texas A&M)
49. Buffalo Bills select: Chris Jones (DT, Mississippi State)
50. Atlanta Falcons select: Carl Nassib (DE, Penn State)
51. New York Jets select: Kenyan Drake (RB, Alabama)
52. Houston Texans select: Christian Hackenberg (QB, Penn State)
53. Washington Redskins select: Jordan Howard (RB, Washington)
54. Minnesota Vikings select: Vonn Bell (S, Ohio State)
55. Cincinnati Bengals select: Pharoh Cooper (WR, South Carolina)
56. Seattle Seahawks select: Austin Johnson (DT, Penn State)
57. Green Bay Packers select: Jason Spriggs (OT, Indiana)
58. Pittsburgh Steelers select: Keanu Neal (S, Florida)
59. Kansas City Chiefs select: Kamalei Correa (OLB, Boise State)
60. New England Patriots select: Harlan Miller (DB, SE Louisiana)
61. Arizona Cardinals select: Kyler Fackrell (OLB, Utah State)
62. Carolina Panthers select: Shawn Oakman (DE, Baylor)
63. Denver Broncos select: Jordan Jenkins (OLB, Georgia)
Hope you enjoyed our second mock draft. Now it’s time to go enjoy free agency… Then watch how that messes up this entire mock. Should be fun!
By: The Sports Guys
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