We’re just over two weeks away from the NFL Draft. With that, here comes the seventh version of our 2016 NFL Mock Draft, with a surprise in store at number nine.
Unfortunately, not every pick is a hit and not everyone who wants to be great can be. Every team has its preference and every staff has its key attributes they look for when picking a player. At the end of the day the NFL Draft is the land of educated guesses, and here’s my latest go at it. Presenting our seventh version of the 2016 NFL Mock Draft.
Next: 1. Tennessee Titans
The most consistent number one pick in mock drafts is Laremy Tunsil from Ole Miss.
He plays with a pro level of talent already and will be the man on Marcus Mariota’s blindside from day one. When the team comes into camp, the question will be whether Taylor Lewan can successfully transition to the right side and odds are he can.
With two talented bookends in Tennessee, the Titans offense will have the foundation needed to become one of the best in the NFL. Adding some weapons later in the draft and the continued development of wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham will help this franchise get out of the top-5 of the NFL Draft in 2017.
While offensive tackles don’t necessarily bring highlight reel plays, they give the skill players the time and lanes needed in order for them to. Every skilled position player in Tennessee will be happy to see this pick go down, and the highlight reels will benefit greatly.
Previously: Laremy Tunsil – OT – Ole Miss
Next: 2. Cleveland Browns
I’ve made it clear I don’t believe the Browns should or will take a quarterback with the 2nd overall pick in this year’s draft.
So, moving forward, Cleveland needs to put the players in place who can help return this franchise to the status their fans deserve.
Jalen Ramsey is my number one player in this year’s class and is the most talented secondary prospect to coming into the league this season. The Browns have needs all over their roster and taking the top player is the best idea.
While he lists as a cornerback, I believe the Florida State product translates best as a safety who can capitalize on his football acumen in pass coverage and drop down with his aggressiveness and tackling skills to support the run defense.
The release of Donte Whitner opens the door for Ramsey to come in uncontested from the start and make plays from week 1 and throughout the 2016 NFL season.
Previously: Jalen Ramsey – CB – Florida State
Next: 3. San Diego Chargers
If the Browns go the way of the QB then this pick will be Jalen Ramsey, but since he’s off the board, the Chargers go with DeForest Buckner from Oregon.
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The draft’s top 3-4 lineman with the ability to shift inside or play on the edge, Buckner will give San Diego the pass rush they desperately needed in 2015.
The AFC West is wide open despite the existence of the defending Super Bowl champions playing in the division. Increasing their defensive abilities will only help Philip Rivers bring the franchise to the top of the group.
Drafting in the top-3 means you need to hit on the pick and get a guy who can play from day one. Buckner is a player who can do just that, and his impact on the Chargers will be felt throughout his rookie campaign.
Previously: DeForest Buckner – DE – Oregon
Next: 4. Dallas Cowboys
Greg Hardy played less than stellar in 2015 and is currently unemployed. Randy Gregory is suspended for the first four games of 2016 after his second failed drug test as a pro and his fourth counting one in college and one at the combine.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, this means they still have to find an answer at defensive end, and they must address it here.
Joey Bosa from Ohio State is the draft’s best 4-3 edge rusher, and he’s just the player Dallas needs who will allow them to look elsewhere when the 2017 draft comes around.
Jerry Jones has a reputation for gambling on talent, but it has bitten him more than helped him as of late. If he wants to get Tony Romo a Super Bowl ring he’s going to have to play it a bit safer over the next few years.
Bosa is a bona fide star on the defensive line, and should provide significant pressure on opposing quarterbacks helping the team to regain control of the NFC East.
Previously: Myles Jack – LB – UCLA
Next: 5. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have gone through great strides to improve their defensive unit, and the return of 2015 first round selection Donte Fowler Jr. will be a welcomed addition to the new group.
Where the team hasn’t made strides is at the linebacker position, and that’s just where they’ll turn when they see Myles Jack from UCLA sitting on the board when they make their first selection in the draft.
Versatile is a word overused in draft speak, but it fits Jack perfectly. He can crash the edge on a blitz, hit the gaps in run defense, and has the tools needed to frustrate even the best tight ends in the league.
Opposing quarterbacks and offensive lines will have to pay special attention to where he aligns on each play, and the Jaguars will have a field day using him in a variety of ways.
As a bonus, we have two games a year where each team has a defender capable of scoring on offense when Jacksonville and Houston face off.
Previously: Ronnie Stanley – OT – Notre Dame
Next: 6. Baltimore Ravens
There are multiple offensive tackles in the draft available later in the first and early in the second who can be an upgrade over what the Ravens currently have on roster. So, while that may be their biggest position of need, they have another need which can be better filled with a top-10 pick.
Vernon Hargreaves III gives Baltimore the corner they need to cover some of the games shiftier receivers while the return of Jimmy Smith gives them a cornerback duo who could challenge as the best in the league.
Hargreaves III has an aggressive style which suits the Ravens nicely, but he also plays with technique which can surprise many. His smaller stature has some people questioning his ability to play against NFL talent, but with his exceptional leaping ability and overall determination, his play should quickly erase those doubts.
With the Ravens drafting their cornerback of the future here, the door is open for an offensive tackle to protect their franchise quarterback later on in the draft.
Previously: Vernon Hargreaves III – CB – Florida
Next: 7. San Francisco 49ers
Just when we thought the saga in San Francisco was nearing an end it seems there was never a real shot at Colin Kaepernick moving to Denver in the first place.
As long as Kap remains a 49er then the team needs to build a roster around him. The franchise has repeatedly said they want him as their quarterback, and new head coach Chip Kelly has echoed the sentiment.
Much like in Cleveland, drafting a quarterback here doesn’t make things better, it makes them worse.
With Baltimore passing on an offensive tackle to take the best true corner in the draft, the 49ers should jump at Ronnie Stanley out of Notre Dame.
The offensive line in San Fran was a joke and losing Alex Boone only makes it worse. Zane Beadles is a good flier to take, but adding Stanley gives Kaepernick a chance to make some plays.
Previously: Jared Goff – QB – Cal
Next: 8. Philadelphia Eagles
There have been some who speculate Ezekiel Elliott might fall to the Dolphins at 13th, but I just can’t see the Eagles going a different direction here.
Running backs have fallen off from their famed days of Emmitt Smith, Thurman Thomas, and others, but they still hold value to teams without elite passing attacks.
With an injury prone quarterback in Sam Bradford and no true number one receiver in the franchise, the need for a stout running attack is critical for the Eagles. They thought they got one with the duo of DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews, but that strategy busted and now the team has shipped Murray away and appears ready to do the same with Mathews.
Elliott is a hard-nosed runner who can block and catch passes out of the backfield. He carried the Buckeyes to the Fiesta Bowl in 2015, and should carry the Eagles to relevance in the NFC East.
Previously: Ezekiel Elliott – RB – Ohio State
Next: 9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is going to shock some people, but the Buccaneers biggest need may not be at the defensive end position. The signing of Robert Ayers allows them to go with a two-man rotation at the other end position, and instead of adding to the rotation, the Bucs could add to their starting four by drafting a defensive tackle here.
All-Pro Gerald McCoy received a lot of negative comments from Bucs’ fans throughout the 2015 season for what appeared to be a lack of competitive fire, and game play which seemed inconsistent at best.
The truth of the matter is McCoy was swallowed up by being the focus of the offensive line and it’s a miracle he got the sacks he did. The addition of Robert Ayers will help with that, but adding an interior mate to run with him and take some blocking assignments away from McCoy will go a long way.
Jarran Reed has experience inside and out playing for Alabama’s 3-4 defense, and his talents will place him nicely inside of the defensive line in Tampa next to McCoy playing the “three technique”.
Reed’s presence and skill will require teams to pull focus away from McCoy. On top of the signing of Ayers and the combination of Jacquies Smith and William Gholston on the outside, the addition of Reed will be surprising, but so will the increase in production for this unit from 2015 to 2016.
Previous Pick: Joey Bosa – DE – Ohio State
Next: 10. New York Giants
As much as the Giants and their fans want Victor Cruz to be healthy and never struggle with injury again, it just isn’t happening.
Odell Beckham Jr. needs a running mate and the running game in New York would benefit greatly by forcing the defense to cover the entire field instead of just the half ODB is running on.
Laquon Treadwell is a big powerful receiver with big-time jumping ability and the body control to fight for the ball in the air. He’s lacking the elite speed, but the Giants don’t need it.
Much has been done to improve the Giants’ defense, and the draft is full of defensive playmakers to allow them to improve even further. What’s missing is a deep pool of offensive weapons who can truly transform a team.
Treadwell and ODB will potentially give Eli Manning the best receiving duo he’s ever had, and in time they’ll compete to be the best receiver pairing any Manning has ever had.
Previous Pick: Laquon Treadwell – WR – Ole Miss
Next: 11. Chicago Bears
The Bears have added Akiem Hicks to their defensive front line and appear ready to move forward with Eddie Goldman holding up the middle of it. Securing the other outside edge in front of a much-improved linebacker group will help Chicago re-establish their menacing defensive identity.
Kevin Dodd from Clemson is the best down lineman coming out in this draft as teammate Shaq Lawson looks more like an outside linebacker at the NFL level.
Dodd over Lawson may be surprising to some, but it’s a matter of need, and the Bears simply don’t need an outside linebacker in the first round.
Previous Pick: Jarran Reed – DT – Alabama
Next: 12. New Orleans Saints
A mini-run on Clemson Tigers could happen here as the Saints look to add some outside pressure to team up with their newly signed interior presence – Nick Fairley.
Shaq Lawson is the second member of a terrorizing duo which led the ACC Champion Tigers to the National Championship game. With the talent to drop down into a 4-3 defensive end position when needed, Lawson will be better suited in the Saints’ 3-4 look as an outside linebacker.
Following a dramatic slide (29th to Arizona) in my previous mock draft, this pick shows the lengths a player can fall when a few dominoes tip differently.
Previous Pick: Kevin Dodd – DE – Clemson
Next: 13. Miami Dolphins
Eli Apple might be the hardest prospect to nail down as mock drafts have him going late in the first, near the top of the draft, and sometimes not at all in the first round.
The bottom line on Apple is he has talent, teams just need to figure out how to use it.
After losing Brent Grimes to the Buccaneers, the Dolphins may look to add the Ohio State cornerback as a replacement to play opposite of Byron Maxwell.
True, the team needs help at linebacker, and could also use some players on the offensive side of the ball, but replacing Grimes has to be a priority as they currently have nobody on the roster capable of doing so.
Previously: A’Shawn Robinson – DT – Alabama
Next: 14. Oakland Raiders
Kelechi Osemele is a great signing for the Raiders, but moving him outside doesn’t make much sense, so Oakland needs to add talent opposite of Donald Penn.
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Taylor Decker from Ohio State is in close competition for third-best offensive tackle in the draft with Jack Conklin from Michigan State. Here, Decker possesses the attitude and athleticism the Raiders covet, and because of that he wins by a hair.
Behind a much improved offensive line the offense in Oakland will be explosive and Latavius Murray will become a fantasy sleeper the second this card is turned in.
Previously: Darron Lee – LB – Ohio State
Next: 15. Los Angeles Rams
With Kaepernick still on the 49ers roster the top quarterback in the draft this year falls to 15th overall with the Los Angeles Rams.
It’ll be a move which will make the fans happy, and will give Goff the best chance of early success. Playing with the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year in running back Todd Gurley will give him some protection from jailbreak blitzing and an outlet in the passing game.
Having a weapon like Tavon Austin will help Goff get some dink and dunk explosion plays which will inflate his numbers, but also keep him clean.
Really, this team is his best chance to look the part of a franchise quarterback, and he should be thrilled to be there.
Previously: Carson Wentz – QB – North Dakota State
Next: 16. Detroit Lions
Following the selection of Taylor Decker by the Oakland Raiders, Jack Conklin lands softly into the laps of his home state Detroit Lions.
The effect of losing Calvin Johnson to early retirement can’t be understated, but the need to protect Matthew Stafford and block for Ameer Abdullah is critical.
If the Lions’ offense is going to have any chance at being effective without Johnson then drafting the Michigan State offensive tackle is the necessary first step to establishing the protection needed.
There will be receiving options available in day two or three, but here the Lions have to strengthen the front line.
Previously: Jack Conklin – OT – Michigan State
Next: 17. Atlanta Falcons
For the past two weeks I’ve used this pick to add more explosiveness to the Falcons’ offense with Corey Coleman from Baylor. However, after re-looking at the roster in Atlanta, this team is in big-time need of a linebacker. So much so that passing on an electrifying offensive duo is going to have to happen for the time being.
Darron Lee from Ohio State is the best linebacker available with this pick, and his talents must not be understated.
His willingness to stick his nose in against the running game is valuable, but so is his ability to cover and collapse on the ball carrier in open space.
Lee has been climbing draft boards all off-season, and while he actually falls this week here, it’s not due to a lack of ability.
Previously: Corey Coleman – WR – Baylor
Next: 18. Indianapolis Colts
If the Colts are going to grab a top offensive tackle in the draft they are going to have to trade up to get him.
Jason Spriggs and Germain Ifedi are good prospects, but not at 18th overall. So if Indianapolis can’t bolster their offensive line, then they need to strengthen their defense.
The best defensive player available also happens to fill a need for the Colts. Inside linebacker Reggie Ragland manned the middle of the defense in Alabama and was absolutely critical in their National Championship campaign.
He won’t keep Andrew Luck clean in the pocket, but he’ll help reduce the amount of points he needs to put up to produce a win.
Previously: Reggie Ragland – LB – Alabama
Next: 19. Buffalo Bills
Noah Spence is a top-10 talent trapped in a second round pick’s backstory. The result is splitting the difference at 19th overall to the Buffalo Bills and head coach Rex Ryan.
We all know Ryan is no stranger to controversy and doesn’t shy away from players with a checkered past, especially if he feels like it’ll benefit him and his team.
Spence is determined to show everyone his past transgressions were youthful mistakes, not lifestyle flaws. Ryan will give him that opportunity, and quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Ryan Tannehill, and presumably Ryan Fitzpatrick better be on the lookout.
Previously: Noah Spence – DE – Eastern Kentucky
Next: 20. New York Jets
Many people, including the New York Jets, would be very surprised to see Carson Wentz still available when they go on the clock, but that’s exactly what happens here.
With the quarterback situation still in flux, Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t the long-term solution no matter where he plays in 2016. While the Jets would love to have him back for the right price, their future is securely attached to the next great young prospect they bring in.
Drafting Wentz attaches their future to his, and it should give him one of the most cerebral mentors a young quarterback could ask for.
Previously: Mackensie Alexander – CB – Clemson
Next: 21. Washington Redskins
What if the Redskins believe there’s a talented center who will be available in the second round? What if they look elsewhere in the first round?
If it happens, and I’m not sold it will, then Washington has to go with William Jackson III from Houston.
Boosting the teams secondary would help them combat the receiving threats in their division, and allow their offense the opportunity to run the ball more as the defense gives up fewer points.
The potential of landing a top center on day two is enticing, and could result in the Redskins landing one of the more prolific climbers in this year’s draft class.
Previously: Ryan Kelly – C – Alabama
Next: 22. Houston Texans
If this pick comes to fruition then I’m going to be watching more Texans games than ever before.
The offensive combination of Brock Osweiler, Lamar Miller, DeAndre Hopkins, and Josh Doctson from TCU would be must see TV.
Their AFC South counterparts would have to immediately start evaluating how their secondary matches up against an offense which suddenly looks like it could be one of the best in the division.
With the Jaguars and Texans making strides on bolstering their rosters, this move could point to the permanent downgrading of the Colts as the best team in the division.
Previously: Josh Doctson – WR – TCU
Next: 23. Minnesota Vikings
With the bigger targets needed to complement Stefon Diggs in the Vikings passing game gone, Minnesota will need to turn to another area of need for their top pick.
Germain Ifedi from Texas A&M would be a good addition to their offensive line and ensure Adrian Peterson can continue his great running career. He’ll also provide Teddy Bridgewater time to find Diggs and whatever targets they find later in the draft.
His ability to play inside at guard or kick outside to tackle will benefit the Vikings greatly as injuries are almost assured to come up throughout the season. Eventually Ifedi will grab permanent hold of a starting position, until then he’ll be an impact rotational player.
Previously: Leonard Floyd – LB – Georgia
Next: 24. Cincinnati Bengals
I can see Andy Dalton doing a happy dance now. Adding Corey Coleman from Baylor to the offense which already features A.J. Green, Giovani Bernard, Jeremy Hill, and tight end extraordinaire Tyler Eifert gives Cincinnati the most dangerous offense in the contentious AFC North.
Dalton was on the verge of leading his Bengals to a place he’d never taken them when injury cut his season short. His backup played well at times and almost led them to a playoff win, but with the addition of Coleman this team is reloaded and ready for another run.
Previously: Andrew Billings – DT – Baylor
Next: 25. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers’ defense hasn’t been able to produce the same effect on opposing offenses as they’d become known for in their franchise history.
Solving the problem is more than one player away, but one position they need help at is the cornerback position.
While 25th isn’t the most advantageous position to get a top corner at, Mackensie Alexander from Clemson thinks he’s the best corner in the draft, and he’s at least the best one available here.
Zero career interceptions is an issue, but his talent and physicality fits the Steelers well. Turnovers should come for Alexander at the pro level, and Pittsburgh will need them.
Previously: Eli Apple – CB – Ohio State
Next: 26. Seattle Seahawks
The loss of Russell Okung during the off-season is a huge blow for a team looking to stay near the top of the NFC.
Jason Spriggs isn’t the best offensive tackle in the draft this year, but he’s the best one they can get at 26th and is head and shoulders better than any they may hope to obtain at the end of the 2nd round.
He’s a bit of a reach in the back-end of the first, but reach the Seahawks must if they’re going to give Russell Wilson a shot at staying upright throughout the season.
Previously: Taylor Decker – OT – Ohio State
Next: 27. Green Bay Packers
With B.J. Raji sitting out 2016 and maybe even longer, the Packers need to fill the void left in the middle and do it quickly.
Andrew Billings is the closest thing to a Raji 2.0 they’re going to find in this draft, and he’ll at least be able to step in and keep the defense relevant.
Green Bay was decimated by injury in 2015 and losing Raji is a punch to the gut they just couln’t afford at this point. However, it’s the situation they’re in, and fortunately for them there’s a player available to help cushion the blow.
Previously: Will Fuller – WR – Notre Dame
Next: 28. Kansas City Chiefs
Re-signing Tamba Hali will keep the Chiefs’ defense among the league’s best, but he won’t be around forever. Leonard Floyd is a player who can make an impact immediately as a situational player and on special teams.
The long-term upside with Floyd is perfect for Kansas City as he can develop into the heir apparent to Hali’s position when he decides to call it a career.
The Chiefs are going to be in a process of transition shortly with many aging core players on their roster. Landing Floyd here gives them a head start.
Previously: William Jackson III – CB – Houston
Next: 29. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals had zero organic pass rush, yet were able to make it to the NFC Championship game. Now they have Chandler Jones on the roster and the opportunity to add a talent like Vernon Butler from Louisiana Tech.
Butler’s speed and athleticism make him a true pass rushing interior lineman who can play effectively and help Arizona get away from the over-blitzing system they relied on last season.
With the ability to get pressure on the quarterback without depleting their coverage, the Cardinals will create more turnovers and help the team get back to a top level of play.
Previously: Shaq Lawson – DE – Clemson
Next: 30. Carolina Panthers
Karl Joseph from West Virginia would probably be the choice here if it weren’t for an injury suffered last season.
However, as it sits the Panthers can use this opportunity to secure their defense for years to come by picking Emmanuel Ogbah from Oklahoma State.
Charles Johnson is returning, but it’s most likely for his last season in the league, and then Ogbah would be waiting in the shadows to step forward for the Carolina defense.
Drafting a safety or offensive lineman later will be necessary, but securing the talents of Ogbah here would be a win in the first round.
Previously: Jason Spriggs – OT – Indiana
Next: 31. Denver Broncos
After failing to secure the services of Brock Osweiler following Peyton Manning’s retirement the Broncos have been rumored to be connected to several quarterbacks. Colin Kaepernick is the latest but the Broncos unwillingness to pay his guaranteed salary and Kap’s unwillingness to get paid less has stalled the trade sending him to Denver.
Mark Sanchez is the presumed starter at this point, and nobody can be happy about that. Connor Cook is Michigan State’s most winningest quarterback in school history, and has faced talent like Eli Apple and survived rushers like Joey Bosa.
He’s the only quarterback besides Jared Goff who has stood up to elite talent as a starter, and gives Denver their best shot for long-term success.
Previously: Vernon Butler – DT – Louisiana Tech
Next: Bonus: 32. Cleveland Browns
If Josh Gordon gets reinstated this year and the Browns retain his services, then drafting Will Fuller from Notre Dame gives RGIII and head coach Hue Jackson a good chance of making some waves in 2016.
Fuller is a speedy star who can be used in mismatches to take advantage of slower defenders on the field.
With first round pick Jalen Ramsey patrolling the deep routes on defense and Fuller taking the top off of defenses on offense, the Browns can turn to their interior needs and start filling in the pieces to creating a winning franchise.
Previously: Michael Thomas – WR – Ohio State
Next: Picks 33-63
Here’s how the rest of the second round went:
Next: Bucs' Potential Fourth Round Draft Picks
Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to comment below with your thoughts, comments, and predictions on how the NFL Draft will shape up!