| Advertisement |
NFL MOCK DRAFT 2016: ROUND 1 1. TENNESSEE TITANS (3-13): Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss -- Priority No. 1 for the Titans should be to protect Marcus Mariota, something they have struggled to do consistently in 2015. Tunsil is arguably the most talented player in this year's draft class and able to contribute from day one, pushing Taylor Lewan over to right tackle. He will also help newly acquired DeMarco Murray in the run game.
Advertisement
2. CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-13): Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State -- Hue Jackson has made it clear that the most important task for the Browns this offseason is to find a quarterback. And although Wentz lacks ideal experience coming from the FCS level, he is the total package in terms of athletic and personal traits. With Josh McCown under contract for the 2016 season, Wentz won't be pressed onto the field from Day One.
3. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (4-12): Jalen Ramsey, FS, Florida State -- With Eric Weddle likely moving on in free agency, the Chargers have holes to fill in the secondary at cornerback and safety. Regardless of the position he plays in the NFL, Ramsey has impact potential due to his special athleticism and ball-hawking skills.
4. DALLAS COWBOYS (4-12): Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State -- The Cowboys need to address the defensive line this offseason and if Bosa is still available at pick No. 4, I don't think he'll still be around at pick No. 5. Bosa would be an ideal fit at left end in coordinator Rod Marinelli's scheme and gives the Cowboys much-needed depth, especially considering Randy Gregory's troubles.
5. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (5-11): DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon -- The Jaguars have been revamping the defensive line the past few seasons and will continue to do so in this draft. Buckner has the versatile skill-set that fits coach Gus Bradley's hybrid front, allowing him to make an impact at several positions.
6. BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-11): Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame -- Baltimore inked Eugene Monroe to a lucrative extension, but he hasn't been able to stay healthy, making it tough for the Ravens to rely on him to start 16 games in 2016. Stanley not only adds instant depth, but gives Baltimore a long-term plan at a position of need.
7. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-11): Jared Goff, QB, California -- Many assume Chip Kelly desires a mobile quarterback, but the most important trait to run his offense is a quick mental processor, which fits Goff, who also happens to be a Bay Area native.
8. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (6-10): Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA -- The Eagles have a need at linebacker now that Kiko Alonso has been traded to Miami and Jack has the versatility to fit any of the linebacker spots. As long as the medical staff signs off on his knee, Jack is an impact player from Day One. The Eagles could also go with Ezeki el Elliot here with recent trade of DeMarco Murray to the Titans.
9. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (6-10): Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida -- Tampa will address the cornerback position this off-season, either in free agency or the draft, possibly both. Hargreaves is a tough-minded, instinctive cover man who is ready to start from day one in the NFL.
10. NY GIANTS (6-10): Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson -- The Giants built their Super Bowl-winning teams with strong defensive lines, especially on the edges. Lawson will give New York a building block as the Giants rebuild the defense.
11. CHICAGO BEARS (6-10): Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State -- Lee is a versatile run-and-hit linebacker who fits today's NFL and transcends scheme, suiting the Bears' 3-4 base defense.
12. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-9): A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama -- The Saints have several holes that need plugging on the defensive side of the ball, including up front on the defensive line. Robinson lacks dynamic production, but his traits fit the mold of a high-end NFL starter.
13. MIAMI DOLPHINS (7-9): Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State -- The Dolphins need to upgrade the offensive line and Conklin fits in the first round. He is a tackle by trade, but can begin his NFL career inside at guard, giving Miami a long-term option on the edges. They also could take Ezekiel Elliot here with the recent move of Lamar Miller to the Texans.
14. OAKLAND RAIDERS (7-9): Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State -- Running back isn't the No. 1 need for the Raiders this off-season, but at some point Elliott will be too good to pass up for a team in the top 15 picks. The trio of Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Elliott would give Oakland a strong argument for the best young quarterback, receiver and running back combination in the league.
15. LOS ANGELES RAMS (7-9): Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis -- As the Rams move out west, they need a fresh face at quarterback who can be groomed as the starter. Lynch is very young in quarterback years, but all the skills are there for him to develop into a winner in the NFL.
16. DETROIT LIONS (7-9): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss -- With Calvin Johnson retiring, even with the signing of Marvin Jones, wide receiver is near the top of the needs list for the Lions. Treadwell is one of the best skill players in this draft due to his ball skills and play strength at only 20 years old.
17. ATLANTA FALCONS (8-8): Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama -- The Falcons need to make upgrades at linebacker and Ragland is the top run defending linebacker in this draft class. The former Crimson Tide linebacker can step in and impact the defense from Day One.
18. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-8): Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State -- Indianapolis needs to make changes in the trenches and keep Andrew Luck healthy, so adding a talent like Decker, who can start at tackle or guard, would make sense.
19. BUFFALO BILLS (8-8): Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville -- The vaunted Buffalo defense looked mediocre at times this season with many claiming that Rex Ryan's "scheme" was the issue. Rankins has ability that transcends schemes with his ability to stop the run and rush the passer.
20. NY JETS (10-6): Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky -- One of the wild cards of this year's draft, Spence has top 10 talent as the best pure pass rusher in this class. However, his heavy baggage will drop him down draft boards where a team like the Jets could find a steal.
21. WASHINGTON REDSKINS (9-7): Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson -- The Redskins have had good luck drafting cornerbacks out of Clemson (Bashaud Breeland) and if Alexander falls to No. 21, I don't think he'll be around at pick No. 22.
22. HOUSTON TEXANS (9-7): Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame -- Fuller would provide an instant upgrade to the offense, giving Brock Osweiler a legitimate deep threat, helping take attention off DeAndre Hopkins.
23. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (11-5): Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State -- With glaring needs on the offensive line, is it too early to draft a guard? Not if the pick is Whitehair, who is this year's version of Zack Martin and ready to start in the NFL today.
24. CINCINNATI BENGALS (12-4): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU -- With Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu set to hit free agency, the Bengals could have a need at receiver. Doctson has the size, speed and ball-skills that will complement A.J. Green and give Andy Dalton another downfield threat.
25. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-6): Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State -- All 32 teams need cornerback help, but maybe none more than the Steelers. Apple tends to play too hands-on downfield, but for a 20-year-old prospect, he has the size and speed to develop into an impact starter. WR could also be in play here with the likely suspension of Martavis Bryant.
26. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (10-6): Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana -- Seattle has several question marks on the offensive line, and left tackle Russell Okung is a free agent. Spriggs has core strength issues, but his frame and athleticism will be extremely appealing for teams with needs on the offensive line.
27. GREEN BAY PACKERS (10-6): Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama -- Even with Mike Daniels locked up long-term, Reed is worthy of this pick with his versatility that fits Green Bay's odd front.
28. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (11-5): Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech -- With Sean Smith expected to hit the free-agent market, the Chiefs will be open to drafting a cornerback in the early rounds. With his size, speed and press-man skills, Jackson fits the mold for what Kansas City seeks at the position.
29. ARIZONA CARDINALS (13-3): Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia -- Arizona needs to address the front seven, especially their needs at pass rusher. Floyd doesn't offer much power, but has the flexible bend and burst to threaten the corner.
30. CAROLINA PANTHERS (15-1): Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson -- The Panthers need to upgrade the pass rush and add more talent on the edges this offseason. Dodd is still raw in areas, but routinely threatened the pocket in 2015 using athleticism and hustle.
31. DENVER BRONCOS (12-4): Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss -- With Malik Jackson set to leave to Jacksonville via free agency, the Broncos will be looking for new beef at the grocery store. Nkemdiche has his red flags, but he is one of the best talents in this draft class.
*The New England Patriots forfeited their 2016 first-round pick as part of the "Deflategate" penalties.
Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed in partnership with The Sports Xchange and CBSSports.com.
