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NFL Mock Draft: Will Texans, Rams, 49ers select QB's in Round 1?

By Dane Brugler, The Sports Xchange
California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff. File photo Brian Kersey/UPI
1 of 2 | California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff. File photo Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

NFL MOCK DRAFT 2016: FIRST ROUND

1. Cleveland Browns - Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State: Yes, the Browns have been searching for a playoff-caliber quarterback since 1999, but they've also lacked a legitimate pass rush. And if the Browns aren't sold on a quarterback in this draft class (it's too early to say whether or not they are), Bosa has the physical gifts and instincts to make an instant impact.

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2. Tennessee Titans - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi: The Titans addressed the offensive line two years ago with Taylor Lewan, but still have a need on the other side. Tunsil has the talent to play either left or right tackle and is ready to step in from day one.

3. 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.

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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. Dallas Cowboys - Myles Jack, LB, UCLA: The Cowboys defense needs help at each level, including at linebacker, especially with the futures of Rolando McClain (free agent) and Sean Lee (injuries) in doubt. Although currently sidelined with a knee injury, Jack has top 10 talent if his rehab is on track.

6. Detroit Lions - Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida: With a new front office, the Lions will be a wild card in the first round, especially if Detroit makes a splash with one of the high-priced contracts (Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, etc.) on the current roster. Hargreaves fits a need for the Lions and has the talent to warrant this selection.

7. 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.

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8. 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.

9. Houston Texans - Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis: If Bill O'Brien is still the coach in Houston next offseason, pencil in a quarterback for the Texans in the first round. Lynch is a very toolsy prospect who will check a lot of boxes for evaluators.

10. New Orleans Saints - Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi: Regardless of who is at quarterback, the Saints need to find the "new" Marques Colston - a large target with athleticism. That description fits Treadwell, who is a less dynamic version of Dez Bryant.

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson: Tampa will address the cornerback position next offseason, either in free agency or the draft, possibly both. Alexander doesn't have ideal size, but he has the speed and aggressive nature to blanket receivers.

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12. Chicago Bears - Jaylon Smith, CB, Notre Dame: 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. Smith is a twitchy athlete to contribute vs. the run, as a blitzer and in coverage.

13. 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.

14. Philadelphia Eagles - A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama : The Eagles have impact players on the defensive line with Bennie Logan and Fletcher Cox, but Cedric Thornton and Brandon Bair have battled injuries and defensive line depth isn't a team strength. Robinson fits coach Chip Kelly's mold for "bigger, faster, stronger" players on defense.

15. St. Louis Rams - Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State: The Rams have a roster that's ready to contend, but the quarterback position is holding the team back. Cook would push Nick Foles for the starting job and give St. Louis options for the future of the position.

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16. Oakland Raiders - Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State: 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. With Donald Penn in a contract year, offensive tackle could be a need for Oakland in the offseason.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. Seattle Seahawks - Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama: The Seahawks drafted Frank Clark last year and have Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril already in the starting lineup, but this would be a very Seattle-like pick. Allen can line up inside or outside and provide a pass rush from multiple angles.

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20. 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.

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. Buffalo Bills - Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana: With Cordy Glenn set for free agency and Cyrus Kouandjio not a reliable option, the Bills might look to the draft to fill a need at offensive tackle. A former tight end, Spriggs has improved every year since making the switch and has yet to hit his ceiling.

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24. Atlanta Falcons - Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA: The Falcons have done a nice job vs. the run in 2015, but rank second to last in rushing touchdowns allowed and could use young depth in the trenches. Clark is a stout run defender who is tough to move from his spot.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

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28. 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.

29. 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 ballskills.

30. 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.

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.

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32. New England Patriots - Forfeited selection as part of "Deflategate" penalties.

--Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange in partnership with CBSSports.com.

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