Wednesday, April 27, 2016

2016 NFL Mock Draft #4 (Final Mock)

No need for a big lead in… The NFL Draft is about to take place (tomorrow) and this is our final mock. And this is actually our first mock after the big trades have taken place (Rams/Eagles). We’ll see if we can nail things. Remember, this is not what we’d do, but what we think teams will do. Andrew will take the first pick, with Greg taking next two, then Andrew two, etc. However, they’ll work together a lot on this mock to try and predict it as accurately as possible. We’ll also be there on Thursday to watch things unfold. Can’t wait!


The Sports Guys 2016 NFL Mock Draft


1. Los Angeles Rams (from Tennessee) select: Jared Goff (QB, California)
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Mock: Laremy Tunsil (OT, Ole Miss)


The Rams made one of the splashiest moves of all-time by moving from #15 to #1 a couple weeks ago. They did this to secure their quarterback of the future, which will be Jared Goff. Not only is he the prospect better suited to succeed right away, but he’s been the rumored choice for a while now made known by many inside sources.


2. Philadelphia Eagles (from Cleveland) select: Carson Wentz (QB, North Dakota State)
3rd Mock: Carson Wentz (QB, North Dakota State)
1st and 2nd Mock: Joey Bosa (DE, Ohio State)


Following in the LA’s footsteps, the Eagles also traded up to select a franchise QB. On a personal note, this move made no sense to me from their perspective, but this is the choice they made. Wentz will be the pick with Goff going #1, but Philly will be okay with either. Wentz may be the quarterback with the most long-term upside.


3. Jacksonville Jaguars (via trade with San Diego) select: Jalen Ramsey (DB, Florida State)
2nd and 3rd Mock: Jalen Ramsey (DB, Florida State)
1st Mock: DeForest Buckner (DL, Oregon)


The Jaguars love Ramsey, and we’re predicting they trade up for him. Ramsey can play the same sort of position that Kam Chancellor plays in Seattle, along with CB; he and Jacksonville will thrive because of it. This, along with the additions of Tashaun Gipson and Prince Amukamara, really help the Jacksonville secondary look formidable. In the deal they will send #5 and Luke Joeckel to the Chargers. With the signing of Kelvin Beachum, they can afford to lose Joeckel.


4. Dallas Cowboys select: Joey Bosa (DE, Ohio State)
2nd and 3rd Mock: DeForest Buckner (DL, Oregon)
1st Mock: Laquon Treadwell (WR, Ole Miss)


The Cowboys miss out on Ramsey but instead improve their pass rush and replace Greg Hardy with Joey Bosa. Not a bad pick considering that a few months ago people thought Bosa would go #1 overall. There is a slight chance that Ezekiel Elliott goes here, as Jerry Jones apparently loves him, but I think due to suspensions of their current pass rushers, this pick is a necessity.


5. San Diego Chargers (via trade with Jacksonville) select: DeForest Buckner (DL, Oregon)
3rd Mock: Joey Bosa (DE, Ohio State)
2nd Mock: Mackensie Alexander (CB, Clemson)
1st Mock: Jalen Ramsey (DB, Florida State)


The Chargers moved from #3 to this spot and still get the young man they’ve loved all along in Buckner. He’s a perfect fit for their defensive front, and will help them improve their pass rush which is where they were weakest last season. In the predicted trade with Jacksonville, they also receive Luke Joeckel, who would fill their need at tackle. Talks have “cooled” for the third overall pick, but I still think they could work this deal if they wanted.


6. Baltimore Ravens select: Laremy Tunsil (OT, Ole Miss)
2nd Mock: Ezekiel Elliott (RB, Ohio State)
1st and 3rd Mock: Ronnie Stanley (OT, Notre Dame)


The Ravens happily take the top offensive lineman in the draft as he falls right into their laps. With the loss of Kelechi Osemele to the Raiders this offseason, the offensive line is a major need for the Ravens and they get great value. If the board falls this way, the commissioner may as well stay at the podium because the pick will be in that quick. As the Ravens often do, sitting tight and taking the best available player makes the most sense when drafting.


7. San Francisco 49ers select: Myles Jack (LB, UCLA)
2nd Mock: Carson Wentz (QB, North Dakota State)
1st and 3rd Mock: Jared Goff (QB, California)


San Francisco will have options come draft day. Do they pull the trigger on the Kaepernick trade and use this pick to select Paxton Lynch? Will they accept a trade from the Titans or Bucs or Dolphins or Jets or Saints who all may desire moving up for a marquee player? Do they take an offensive lineman such as Conklin or Stanley? Or do they improve their defense with potential stars Jack or Hargreaves? We say they take Jack, who played locally at UCLA and could help transform their linebacking corps. Although recent news will make teams question his health, Dr. James Andrews says his knee is fine, and I trust his voice in sports above all others.


8. Tennessee Titans (via trade with Cleveland from Philadelphia via Miami) select: Ronnie Stanley (OT, Notre Dame)
2nd Mock: Ronnie Stanley (OT, Notre Dame)
1st and 3rd Mock: Myles Jack (LB, UCLA)


The Titans are rumored to want to move back up in the draft and they find a willing partner here in the Browns, who are rumored to want to keep moving down. Stanley isn’t going to be above average in run blocking, but he will excel at pass blocking, which is only going to help Marcus Mariota get better. This move will allow Taylor Lewan to move to the right side and make the entire offensive line a bit better.


9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Jack Conklin (OT, Michigan State)
2nd Mock: Shaq Lawson (DE, Clemson)
1st and 3rd Mock: Jack Conklin (OT, Michigan State)


With this move, the Bucs can pair Conklin with 2nd year tackle Donovan Smith to help keep Jameis Winston upright. While many of his naysayers didn’t appreciate his body of work, Winston did fairly well when he was given the time to find open receivers. Conklin will help solidify the offensive line and make lobster runs for Winston in his spare time.


10. New York Giants select: Vernon Hargreaves III (CB, Florida)
3rd Mock: Ezekiel Elliot (RB, Ohio State)
2nd Mock: Vernon Hargreaves III (CB, Florida)
1st Mock: A’Shawn Robinson (DT, Alabama)


The Giants haven’t met with many first round prospects, which makes this a tough pick to predict. The focus of many of their private workouts have been on second and third day prospects. We went back and forth on a number of different guys, but settled on Hargreaves simply due to his value in this draft. Most think he’ll be a top ten pick, so we take him here to ensure that. He and Jenkins (free agency) would give them a much improved CB combo compared to last year.


11. Miami Dolphins (via trade with Chicago) select: Ezekiel Elliott (RB, Ohio State)
3rd Mock: Vernon Hargreaves III (CB, Florida)
2nd Mock: Myles Jack (LB, UCLA)
1st Mock: Mackensie Alexander (CB, Clemson)


The Dolphins stop the Ezekiel Elliott slide right here. Elliott could be taken by pretty much every team in the draft prior to this spot, but the Dolphins have a clear need at the RB position, and Elliott is a complete player. Adam Gase should have a potent offense with the emergence of Elliott this season and his typical magic with quarterbacks. I think this should only cost Miami a third round pick or so, which is worth it seeing as Chicago may have taken him without this move.


12. New Orleans Saints select: Paxton Lynch (QB, Memphis)
3rd Mock: A’Shawn Robinson (DT, Alabama)
2nd Mock: Jared Goff (QB, California)
1st Mock: Jaylon Smith (LB, Notre Dame)


Recent reports suggest that the Saints were involved with the Titans in trade talks for the top pick. They are clearly wanting to work on their long-term plan for when Brees is done. They have worked Lynch out extensively, so this pick would make sense given he’s now extremely coveted as the top QB not spoken for already (top two).


13. Chicago Bears (via trade with Miami from Philadelphia) select: Jarran Reed (DT, Alabama)
3rd Mock: Laquon Treadwell (WR, Ole Miss)
2nd Mock: Noah Spence (OLB, Eastern Kentucky)
1st Mock: Shaq Lawson (DE, Clemson)


The Bears could go many directions in the first round, but defensive end remains the highest priority. They have showed a lot of interest in Reed as of late, and he would fit in well as a 3-4 defensive end. Many analysts think Floyd is an option for Chicago, but we think Reed helps for immediately. Ragland is a darkhorse option here.


14. Oakland Raiders select: William Jackson III (CB, Houston)
3rd Mock: Reggie Ragland (ILB, Alabama)
2nd Mock: Jack Conklin (OT, Michigan State)
1st Mock: Vernon Hargreaves III (CB, Florida)


I personally love Reggie Ragland here, but the Raiders have shown continued interest in Jackson. He’d be a perfect corner opposite Sean Smith, and would give the Raiders much better depth in the secondary. Oakland has been in constant contact with him, so this seems right.


15. Cleveland Browns (via trade with Tennessee from Los Angeles) select: Laquon Treadwell (WR, Ole Miss)
3rd Mock: Mackensie Alexander (CB, Clemson)
2nd Mock: Laquon Treadwell (WR, Ole Miss)
1st Mock: Carson Wentz (QB, North Dakota State)


Cleveland stated after their first trade that they’d be willing to move down again potentially. By switching spots with Tennessee, they’d pick up a second round pick which is huge in a deep draft like this. Taking Treadwell here gives them a needed receiving option since Gordon won’t be back and Benjamin is now with the Chargers. This worked out well for them.


16. Detroit Lions select: Vernon Butler (DT, Louisiana Tech)
3rd Mock: Darron Lee (LB, Ohio State)
2nd Mock: A’Shawn Robinson (DT, Alabama)
1st Mock: Robert Nkemdiche (DT, Ole Miss)


Every year we see a team “reach” for a prospect we thought would be taken lower. In fact, Detroit was viewed as a team that “reached” a year ago with Laken Tomlinson in the first round, but that actually worked out very well for them. The Lions have been looking at a lot of top defensive tackle prospects, but they seem giddy about Butler. They’ve met with him a whopping four times in some capacity! So despite Rankins and others being available in this spot, it seems they’ve pegged Butler as their guy.


17. Atlanta Falcons select: Shaq Lawson (DE, Clemson)
3rd Mock: Sheldon Rankins (DT, Louisville)
2nd Mock: Darron Lee (LB, Ohio State)
1st Mock: Reggie Ragland (ILB, Alabama)


There are some big names still on the board, and Lawson is one of them. To me, he’s a perfect fit for Quinn’s defense and fills a need immediately for them. It helps that he’s a local kid that played at Clemson, and they’ve met with him a number of times.


18. Indianapolis Colts select: Noah Spence (OLB, Eastern Kentucky)
2nd mock: Robert Nkemdiche (DL, Ole Miss)
1st and 3rd Mock: Taylor Decker (OT, Ohio State)


The Colts have a lot of holes. One of them is pass rusher, which is where they’ve spent a lot of time evaluating prospects. Spence and Floyd are two of them, and we’re predicting they go with Spence. Seems like a classic risky Grigson pick. Knowing him, this probably won’t work out...


19. Buffalo Bills select: Leonard Floyd (OLB, Georgia)
2nd Mock: Sheldon Rankins (DT, Louisville)
1st and 3rd Mock: Noah Spence (OLB, Eastern Kentucky)


This came down to Darron Lee or Floyd, but Floyd fills the void left by Mario Williams. I think Rex Ryan can get the most from him, and he was productive enough in college to think he can contribute right away. Many think he’ll be selected earlier, but this seems like the perfect fit.


20. New York Jets select: Reggie Ragland (ILB, Alabama)
3rd Mock: Shaq Lawson (DE, Clemson)
2nd Mock: Eli Apple (CB, Ohio State)
1st Mock: Darron Lee (LB, Ohio State)


Many of their top selections are gone, but I think Ragland would really help this squad. Their linebacking corps is the weakest part of their defense, especially after losing Davis at ILB. And despite signing Bruce Carter, Ragland would be an excellent option to replace him. Darron Lee is another solid option here, but they’ve expressed interest in Ragland more than Lee.


21. Washington Redskins select: Andrew Billings (DT, Baylor)
3rd Mock: Andrew Billings (DT, Baylor)
1st and 2nd Mock: Jarran Reed (DT, Alabama)


With Josh Norman recently signed, the Redskins will likely address the defensive line here. Terrance Knighton moved on in free agency, so enter Andrew Billings. He’d be a great anchor in the center of the line, and would give them some major beef up front.


22. Houston Texans select: Germain Ifedi (OT, Texas A&M)
2nd and 3rd Mock: Will Fuller (WR, Notre Dame)
1st Mock: Ezekiel Elliott (RB, Ohio State)


In each mock we’ve done, we went with an offensive player for Houston with this pick. For the first time however, we’re addressing the offensive line here. They’ve expressed a lot more interest in tackles than they have wide receivers, which is what many mocks have them taking. Ifedi gets the nod over other quality tackles (Decker namely) because of Houston’s relationship with him. He seems to be the guy they prefer.


23. Minnesota Vikings select: Josh Doctson (WR, TCU)
2nd Mock: Taylor Decker (OT, Ohio State)
1st and 3rd Mock: Josh Doctson (WR, TCU)


Minnesota clearly needs another pass catcher on offense. Diggs was terrific last year, but Doctson seems like a receiver with a much higher ceiling. He’d be a great fit on this team, and I know Teddy Bridgewater would be happy with another weapon.


24. Cincinnati Bengals select: Corey Coleman (WR, Baylor)
3rd Mock: Vonn Bell (S, Ohio State)
2nd Mock: Reggie Ragland (ILB, Alabama)
1st Mock: Emmanuel Ogbah (DE, Oklahoma State)


Another receiver goes here as the Bengals will be looking to replace Jones/Sanu, since they lost both in free agency. Coleman can be better than both of them, in his first year. He’s raw, but he’ll get open with ease playing next to Green and Eifert. This pick would be a home run.


25. Pittsburgh Steelers select: Taylor Decker (OT, Ohio State)
3rd Mock: Jarran Reed (DL, Alabama)
2nd Mock: Leonard Floyd (OLB, Georgia)
1st Mock: Eli Apple (CB, Ohio State)


Despite some needs on defense, Decker is great value at #25. Both he and Spriggs have been linked to Pittsburgh, but Decker is the better overall prospect. Big Ben could always use an upgrade in protection, and Decker will help create even bigger holes for Bell.


26. Seattle Seahawks select: Sheldon Rankins (DT, Louisville)
3rd Mock: Robert Nkemdiche (DL, Ole Miss)
2nd Mock: Michael Thomas (WR, Ohio State)
1st Mock: Sheldon Rankins (DT, Louisville)


Seattle actually has some needs in the trenches. Rankins has fallen down the board in this draft, and Seattle should end the slide right here. He’d be a disruptive force in the middle of their defensive line, and the coaching staff could surely get the best out of him.


27. Green Bay Packers select: Darron Lee (LB, Ohio State)
3rd Mock: Leonard Floyd (OLB, Georgia)
1st and 2nd Mock: Andrew Billings (DT, Baylor)


Just like Rankins the pick before, Lee fell on our unofficial draft day. The Packers have been quiet when it comes to the players they like, but Lee would make a lot of sense. I think he could play multiple positions in their linebacking corps, which is a position where they like versatility.


28. Kansas City Chiefs select: Eli Apple (CB, Ohio State)
3rd Mock: Eli Apple (CB, Ohio State)
2nd Mock: Josh Doctson (WR, TCU)
1st Mock: Michael Thomas (WR, Ohio State)


With Sean Smith playing for a different team within their division, KC may decide to replace him with this pick. Eli Apple is actually a similar player to Smith, and it’s lucky for them that he ended up being available here. Many will say they need more offensive firepower, but they have won a lot of games recently relying on their defense, and they need to keep it strong.


29. Arizona Cardinals select: Emmanuel Ogbah (DE, Oklahoma State)
3rd Mock: Kamalei Correa (OLB, Boise State)
2nd Mock: Jaylon Smith (LB, Notre Dame)
1st Mock: Leonard Floyd (OLB, Georgia)


Arizona is a major threat to move down. However, it’s unclear which team would make a play up in the draft at this point. That may become more clear on draft night though. Anyways, the Cardinals really like Ogbah, which makes sense for a team searching for a better pass rush.


30. Carolina Panthers select: Harlan Miller (CB, SE Louisiana)
3rd Mock: William Jackson III (CB, Houston)
2nd Mock: Su’a Cravens (LB/S, USC)
1st Mock: Kevin Dodd (DE, Clemson)


With Josh Norman suddenly playing elsewhere, CB becomes a massive need. I personally like Alexander here, but the Panthers have met with Miller three times, including a private workout with the team in recent weeks. It seems like a reach based on a need, but teams often panic and do that on draft night.


31. Denver Broncos select: Connor Cook (QB, Michigan State)
3rd Mock: Paxton Lynch (QB, Memphis)
2nd Mock: Cody Whitehair (G, Kansas State)
1st Mock: Hunter Henry (TE, Arkansas)


Unless a trade or late signing happens, Denver will enter the draft with Mark Sanchez as their starting QB. Yikes! Cook was once considered the top quarterback in this class, then fell significantly, but now is rising up boards again. The trades at the top of the draft have forced QB’s up the board. That’s why this is a likely pick.


NOTE: Due to “Deflategate”, the Patriots forfeited their first round pick this year leaving only 31 spots in the First Round.


Second Round


NOTE: Our First Mock didn’t include the Second Round


32. Cleveland Browns select: Ryan Kelly (C, Alabama)
3rd Mock: Vernon Butler (DT, Louisiana Tech)
2nd Mock: Paxton Lynch (QB, Memphis)


33. Tennessee Titans select: Karl Joseph (S, West Virginia)
3rd Mock: Hunter Henry (TE, Arkansas)
2nd Mock: Kendall Fuller (CB, Virginia Tech)


34. Dallas Cowboys select: Derrick Henry (RB, Alabama)
3rd Mock: Michael Thomas (WR, Ohio State)
2nd Mock: Tyler Boyd (WR, Pittsburgh)


35. San Diego Chargers select: A’Shawn Robinson (DT, Alabama)
3rd Mock: Jason Spriggs (OT, Indiana)
2nd Mock: Corey Coleman (WR, Baylor)


36. Baltimore Ravens select: Mackensie Alexander (CB, Clemson)
3rd Mock: Kendall Fuller  (CB, Virginia Tech)
2nd Mock: Derrick Henry (RB, Alabama)


37. San Francisco 49ers select: Robert Nkemdiche (DL, Ole Miss)
3rd Mock: Germain Ifedi (OT, Texas A&M)
2nd Mock: Hunter Henry (TE, Arkansas)


38. Jacksonville Jaguars select: Kevin Dodd (DE, Clemson)
3rd Mock: Cody Whitehair (G, Kansas State)
2nd Mock: Kevin Dodd (DE, Clemson)


39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Jihad Ward (DL, Illinois)
3rd Mock: Corey Coleman (WR, Baylor)
2nd Mock: William Jackson III (CB, Houston)


40. New York Giants select: Jason Spriggs (OT, Indiana)
3rd Mock: Kevin Dodd (DE, Clemson)
2nd Mock: Emmanuel Ogbah (DE, Oklahoma State)


41. Chicago Bears select: Vonn Bell (S, Ohio State)
3rd Mock: Ryan Kelly (C, Alabama)
2nd Mock: Shilique Calhoun (DE/OLB, Michigan State)


42. Miami Dolphins select: Cody Whitehair (G, Kansas State)
3rd Mock: Emmanuel Ogbah (DE, Oklahoma State)
2nd Mock: Scooby Wright (LB, Arizona)


43. Tennessee Titans (from LA via Philadelphia) select: Chris Jones (DT, Mississippi State)
3rd Mock: Connor Cook (QB, Michigan State)
2nd Mock: Ryan Kelly (C, Alabama)


44. Oakland Raiders select: Kenny Clark (DT, UCLA)
3rd Mock: Sterling Shepard (WR, Oklahoma)
2nd Mock: Miles Killebrew (S, Southern Utah)


45. Cleveland Browns (via trade with Tennessee from Los Angeles) select: Kamalei Correa (OLB, Boise State)
3rd Mock: Adolphus Washington (DT, Ohio State)
2nd Mock: Connor Cook (QB, Michigan State)


46. Detroit Lions select: Su’a Cravens (S/OLB, USC)
2nd and 3rd Mock: Le’Raven Clark (OT, Texas Tech)


47. New Orleans Saints select: Jordan Jenkins (OLB, Georgia)
3rd Mock: Shilique Calhoun (DE/OLB, Michigan State)
2nd Mock: Vernon Butler (DT, Louisiana Tech)


48. Indianapolis Colts select: Joshua Garnett (G, Stanford)
3rd Mock: Keanu Neal (S, Florida)
2nd Mock: Germain Ifedi (OT, Texas A&M)


49. Buffalo Bills select: Cardale Jones (QB, Ohio State)
3rd Mock: Jaylon Smith (LB, Notre Dame)
2nd Mock: Chris Jones (DT, Mississippi State)


50. Atlanta Falcons select: Le’Raven Clark (OT, Texas Tech)
3rd Mock: Darian Thompson (S, Boise State)
2nd Mock: Carl Nassib (DE, Penn State)


51. New York Jets select: Christian Hackenberg (QB, Penn State)
3rd Mock: Derrick Henry (RB, Alabama)
2nd Mock: Kenyan Drake (RB, Alabama)


52. Houston Texans select: Will Fuller (WR, Notre Dame)
2nd and 3rd Mock: Christian Hackenberg (QB, Penn State)


53. Washington Redskins select: Michael Thomas (WR, Ohio State)
3rd Mock: Braxton Miller (WR, Ohio State)
2nd Mock: Jordan Howard (RB, Washington)


54. Minnesota Vikings select: Keanu Neal (S, Florida)
3rd Mock: Carl Nassib (DE, Penn State)
2nd Mock: Vonn Bell (S, Ohio State)


55. Cincinnati Bengals select: Nick Martin (OL, Notre Dame)
3rd Mock: Tyler Boyd (WR, Pitt)
2nd Mock: Pharoh Cooper (WR, South Carolina)


56. Seattle Seahawks select: Deion Jones (OLB, LSU)
3rd Mock: Joshua Garnett (OG, Stanford)
2nd Mock: Austin Johnson (DT, Penn State)


57. Green Bay Packers select: Shilique Calhoun (DE/OLB, Michigan State)
3rd Mock: Kenny Clark (DT, UCLA)
2nd Mock: Jason Spriggs (OT, Indiana)


58. Pittsburgh Steelers select: Artie Burns (CB, Miami)
3rd Mock: Artie Burns (CB, Miami)
2nd Mock: Keanu Neal (S, Florida)


59. Kansas City Chiefs select: Braxton Miller (WR, Ohio State)
3rd Mock: Kyler Fackrell (OLB, Utah State)
2nd Mock: Kamalei Correa (OLB, Boise State)


60. New England Patriots select: Kendall Fuller (CB, Virginia Tech)
3rd Mock: Jordan Howard (RB, Indiana)
2nd Mock: Harlan Miller (DB, SE Louisiana)


61. New England Patriots (from Arizona) select: Jaylon Smith (LB, Notre Dame)
3rd Mock: Austin Johnson (DT, Penn State)
2nd Mock: Kyler Fackrell (OLB, Utah State)


62. Carolina Panthers select: Kenyan Drake (RB, Alabama)
2nd and 3rd Mock: Shawn Oakman (DE, Baylor)


63. Denver Broncos select: Hunter Henry (TE, Arkansas)
3rd Mock: Cardale Jones (QB, Ohio State)
2nd Mock: Jordan Jenkins (OLB, Georgia)


Now that we’re done with that, let’s see the real thing!

By: The Sports Guys