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NFL Mock Draft: Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos take Ohio State Buckeyes in Round 1. Team needs will change, the NFL draft order won't end up this way and the prospects below will help and hurt themselves throughout the 2015 season. But if the 2016 NFL draft was held tomorrow, here's how it might play out.
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NFL Mock Draft 2016:
1. Detroit Lions - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi: The Lions have struggled to protect the pocket and create run lanes at the line of scrimmage so not only does Tunsil fit a glaring need, but he's also worthy of the top pick. The Ole Miss star has NFL-ready tools to play left tackle, forcing Riley Rieff over to right tackle.
2. Cleveland Browns - Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis: The Browns are desperate to find the right answer at quarterback and will be doing their homework on all the passers in the 2016 class. Lynch has the size, athleticism and arm talent that translates well to the pro game and he continues to get better with added experience.
3. Tennessee Titans - Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State: On the surface, pass rusher isn't high on the list of needs for the Titans, but Bosa's talent might be too much for Tennessee to pass. The Buckeyes' pass rusher can play with his hand on the ground or standing up and is the type of player you draft and alter your scheme to best fit what he can do.
4. Baltimore Ravens - Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State: Baltimore cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb are locked into long-term contracts, but both have struggled to stay healthy and the Ravens can't pass up a talent like Ramsey if he's still available here.
5. San Diego Chargers - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame: The Chargers offensive line has been an exercise of musical chairs this season, but drafting a talent like Stanley could help fix that. The Notre Dame left tackle needs mechanical refinement, but his athleticism and upside are worthy of top-10 consideration.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars - Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss: The Jaguars' coaching staff and front office value versatility on the defensive line and Nkemdiche offers just that with his athletic ability to line up inside as a three technique or outside at end. He isn't yet a polished product, but his potential is enticing.
7. Chicago Bears - Myles Jack, LB, UCLA: The Bears are far removed from the days of Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs dominating the NFC and are missing impact players like that on the 2015 defense. Jack has the athleticism to blitz, chase and shut down receivers in coverage.
8. Dallas Cowboys - Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss: While Dez Bryant is the No. 1 target, the Cowboys don't have a true No. 2 threat on the outside to help take attention off Bryant or fill his shoes if he's out. Treadwell, who is a less dynamic version of Bryant, would give Dallas a formidable receiver duo.
9. San Francisco 49ers - Jared Goff, QB, California: Would the 49ers move on from Colin Kaepernick? The way he has played (six touchdowns and five interceptions over eight games), San Francisco might not have a choice. Goff, who grew up right outside San Francisco, is still growing as a passer, but his ceiling has scouts intrigued.
10. Houston Texans - Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State: If Bill O'Brien is still the head coach in Houston next off-season, pencil in a quarterback for the Texans in the first round. Cook is a NFL-ready passer who fits what O'Brien wants to do on offense.
11. Kansas City Chiefs - Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State: With Eric Fisher struggling and Donald Stephenson eligible for free agency after the season, offensive tackle could be the top priority this off-season for the Chiefs. Conklin doesn't have the athletic tools of Tunsil or Stanley, but he's effective in other ways that help him handle both speed and power off the edge.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida: Tampa will address the cornerback position next off-season, either in free agency or the draft, possibly both. Hargreaves doesn't have ideal size, which will scare some NFL teams away, but his athleticism, instincts and swagger at the position will help him be successful.
13. Washington Redskins - Andrew Billings, NT, Baylor: Although he said he will return to Baylor for his senior season, Billings is playing himself into a high draft pick and plans might change. The Redskins have used veterans to fill the nose tackle spot, but Billings would give them a long-term option.
14. Miami Dolphins - Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson: At 33 years old, Cameron Wake is out with an Achilles injury, which adds a lot of uncertainty to his future. Lawson is a NFL ready pass rusher who has the upper body strength to hold the point and the lower body athleticism to keep blockers on their toes.
15. Buffalo Bills - Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame: The Bills have quality starters on defense, but several have struggled to adjust to Rex Ryan's scheme and it wouldn't be a surprise if Ryan goes and gets "his" guys. Smith has the athleticism and ball awareness to be equally effective vs. the run and in coverage.
16. Philadelphia Eagles - Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia: Since he arrived in Philadelphia, Chip Kelly has been searching for an impact pass rusher via the draft and Floyd might be that guy. Although he's switched between outside and inside linebacker this season for the Bulldogs, his future in the NFL is rushing off the edge.
17. Seattle Seahawks - A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama: The Seahawks defensive line has been a substantial reason for their success in recent years and will need to replenish the well to keep Seattle stout in the trenches. Robinson has the body type and athleticism to play inside or outside and is just scratching the surface of his ability.
18. St. Louis Rams - Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson: With starting cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson in the final year of rookie contracts, the Rams might be looking for a corner or two in the 2016 draft. Alexander is only a redshirt sophomore, but is one of college football's best in coverage.
19. New Orleans Saints - Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA: The Saints rank near the bottom of the NFL stopping the run and have been vulnerable up front in the trenches. Clark is a heavy-handed, balanced athlete who keeps blockers busy for all four quarters.
20. Oakland Raiders - Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech: The Raiders have hit several home runs and a few doubles in the draft recently, putting together an impressive draft batting average which has led to wins this season. Oakland's 2013 first round pick DJ Hayden has been one of the whiffs, but Fuller could help correct that mistake.
21. Indianapolis Colts - DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon: The Colts need to invest early draft picks on the offensive and defensive lines and Buckner would be a great start. A long, powerful run stopper, Buckner will never be a high volume pass rusher, but he cleans up vs. the run and keeps blockers busy.
22. New York Giants - Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama: The Giants have struggled to slow down the opponents' run game and Ragland would give New York an every-down enforcer who doesn't make many mistakes.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jayron Kearse, DB, Clemson: A tall, thin defensive back, Kearse has terrific range and football instincts, allowing him to track and cover the entire field, something the Steelers would welcome to the secondary.
24. New York Jets - Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State: With Zac Stacy the only running back currently under contract for the 2016 season, the Jets' backfield could look very different next year. Elliott has terrific balance, vision and lower body athleticism to move the chains every time he touches the ball.
25. Atlanta Falcons - Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State: Third-year pro Ryan Schraeder has been better than expected at right tackle and might be too pricey to keep around after the season. If he does depart, Decker would be a logical option if available for the Falcons.
26. Minnesota Vikings - Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State: A lot of fingers can be pointed as to why the Vikings rank near the bottom of the league in passing yards, but the lack of perimeter weapons is a substantial reason. Thomas doesn't have elite speed, but he separates with crisp routes and displays NFL ball skills.
27. Denver Broncos - Adolphus Washington, DL, Ohio State: With Malik Jackson and Derek Wolfe set to hit free agency after this season, the Broncos might be looking for new beef at the grocery store. Washington has improved each season in Columbus and has the skill-set to line up in odd or even fronts in the NFL.
28. Arizona Cardinals - Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky: A true wild-card prospect, Spence has first round talent, there is no question about that. But the former Ohio State Buckeye has a history of drug abuse, although he has cleaned up his habits since being banned from the Big Ten. Arizona has the front office, coaches and locker room to take a chance on a boom or bust player like this. :
29. Cincinnati Bengals - Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor: With Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones both in contract years, the Bengals could be looking for wide receiver help in the draft next April. Coleman hasn't faced NFL caliber competition at cornerback yet, but his performance so far in 2015 has everyone taking notice. :
30. Green Bay Packers - Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama: With Mike Daniels and the Packers failing to reach an extension before the season, there's a realistic chance he hits free agency after this season. Even if Daniels returns, Reed is worthy of this pick with his versatility that fits Green Bay's odd front. :
31. Carolina Panthers - Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State: The Panthers have invested several high draft picks in recent years to upgrade the front-seven and that might continue in the 2016 class. Ogbah is a high character person and emerging talent who seems to get better with every snap as both a pass rusher and run stopper. :
32. New England Patriots - forfeited selection:
Dane Brugler is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, a property of The Sports Xchange distributed in partnership with CBSSports.com.
