2016 NFL Mock Draft- Matt

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Matt’s 2016 Mock Draft:

ROUND 1

ROUND 2

ROUND 3

 

FINAL mock draft – ROUND 1 – UPDATED 4/28/16:

 

  1. Los Angeles Rams (via Tennessee): QB Jared Goff, California

After trading away a lot of selections to move up to No. 1, the Rams finally land their franchise quarterback. It is reported that they haven’t decided between Goff and Carson Wentz yet.

 

  1. Philadelphia Eagles (via Cleveland): QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota

After trading up all the way to No. 2, the Eagles are going to be taking a quarterback. With Goff expected to go at the Rams, that leaves Wentz to the Eagles.

 

  1. San Diego Chargers: DB Jalen Ramsey, Florida State

Arguably the most talented player in the draft, Ramsey is an impact defender. San Diego lost safety Eric Weddle in free agency and Ramsey would be the perfect replacement. The Chargers have a tough choice here with quarterbacks going at one and two.

 

  1. Dallas Cowboys: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State

Last season Dallas had plenty of talent at defensive end. However, Greg Hardy is a free agent and won’t return while Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence are both suspended for the first four games of the season. Bosa would give the Cowboys much needed help on defense.

 

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars: LB Myles Jack, UCLA

Based on the Jaguars’ signings in free agency, it appears that Jack is the player they want. Gus Bradley would have a lot in store for the versatile linebacker. A knee injury is the only concern here.

 

  1. Baltimore Ravens: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss

With quarterbacks going early, the Ravens can sit back and wait to see who falls. It very well could be Tunsil, a player many regard as the best in the draft. Protecting Joe Flacco always should be a priority in Baltimore.

 

  1. San Francisco 49ers: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon

The quarterback situation in San Francisco is up in the air, but could Chip Kelly and Trent Baalke pass on a talented defensive lineman like Buckner?

 

  1. Cleveland Browns (via Philadelphia): OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame

The Browns are expected to try and trade down again, but if they stay, Stanley could be the pick. Cleveland has a hole at right tackle and they may still trade Joe Thomas. Selecting Stanley would give them flexibility.

 

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida

If Hargreaves is still available at this pick, then I think he should to be the pick. The Buccaneers need help at cornerback and defensive line. Quality defensive linemen can be found later this year.

 

  1. New York Giants: LB Leonard Floyd, Georgia

It seems like the Giants haven’t addressed their linebacker corps for years. After spending millions of dollars on the defensive line in free agency, maybe this is the year.

 

  1. Chicago Bears: OLB Shaq Lawson, Clemson

Chicago did a good job off addressing needs in free agency. However, there is still a hole at edge rusher. Lawson, who led the NCAA in tackles for loss, would help.

 

  1. New Orleans Saints: DT Sheldon Rankins, Louisville

Productive interior pass rushers can be hard to find, which is why Rankins will go so high in the draft. The signing of Nick Fairley shouldn’t stop the Saints from taking Rankings. New Orleans needs help all over their defense.

 

  1. Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia): RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State

Miami shopped around all offseason for another running back, but they struck out. With this in mind, expect Elliott to be their selection if he is still on the board.

 

  1. Oakland Raiders: DT Chris Jones, Mississippi State

One of the harder teams to figure out in the first round is Oakland. They probably go defensive line or cornerback here, but which one? When Jones was on his game at Mississippi State, he was clearly one of the best defenders in the SEC.

 

  1. Tennessee Titans (via Los Angeles): OT Jack Conklin, Michigan State

Collecting a massive haul by trading down, the Titans now own six selections in the first 76 picks of the draft. Tennessee misses out on Tunsil, but they still can land Conklin.

 

  1. Detroit Lions: OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State

The Lions have been in the market for offensive tackles in free agency, but they failed to add any. At least one of the better offensive tackles in the draft should still be available at their selection.

 

  1. Atlanta Falcons: LB Darron Lee, Ohio State

A rangy, athletic linebacker for the Falcons. Realistically, they need help at all levels of their defense. Adding Lee would be a good start to the draft.

 

  1. Indianapolis Colts: C Ryan Kelly, Alabama

I believe this select is going to come down to Conklin, Decker and Kelly. Kelly is the only one of the three still on the board. Drafting a center is never the sexy selection, but it is a move that can solidify an offensive line.

 

  1. Buffalo Bills: DE Kevin Dodd, Clemson

As expected, Mario Williams was released. This opens up a hole on the edge. Dodd didn’t receive the attention during the season that teammate Shaq Lawson did, but Dodd is almost just as good.

 

  1. New York Jets: QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis

Even if Ryan Fitzpatrick is re-signed––which really just seems like a matter of time––quarterback will still be a long-term need. The Jets could draft Lynch and let him sit and learn for a year or two before playing.

 

  1. Washington Redskins: DT Andrew Billings, Baylor

Washington is trying to build in the trenches and Billings is just the kind of pick that fills that requirement. He is the rare 300-pound defensive lineman that moves extremely well. Players like that usually don’t last long in the draft.

 

  1. Houston Texans: WR Will Fuller, Notre Dame

Houston added a quarterback and running back in free agency, but not a wide receiver. They should have their choice of receivers available at No. 22. Fuller is one of the fastest players in the entire draft.

 

  1. Minnesota Vikings: WR Josh Doctson, TCU

The biggest need in Minnesota is a playmaking receiver on the outside. The offensive line was upgraded in free agency with Alex Boone, but wide receiver wasn’t. Doctson would give the Vikings this much needed playmaker.

 

  1. Cincinnati Bengals: WR Corey Coleman, Baylor

A run on wide receivers here, with Thomas making it three in a row. Cincinnati lost their second and third best receivers in free agency, leaving A.J. Green by himself. Coleman would be a nice fit across from Green.

 

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers: S Karl Joseph, West Virginia

Even though Joseph is coming off a torn ACL, he still should go in the first round. Pittsburgh seems like a great fit for the hard-hitting safety.

 

  1. Seattle Seahawks: OT Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M

The Seahawks’ offensive line is one of the worst in the NFL. In order to fix it, they are going to need to invest significant draft capital this year. The loss of left tackle Russell Okung just adds to the need. Ifedi is the type of offensive lineman that the Seahawks usually like.

 

  1. Green Bay Packers: LB Reggie Ragland, Alabama

Inside linebacker has been a big need in Green Bay for a while now. With Ragland on the inside, the Packers could move Clay Matthews back to the outside where he plays better.

 

  1. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss

A slow forty-yard dash time drops Treadwell, but the Chiefs won’t complain. Pair him with Jeremy Maclin and the Kansas City offense that went all of 2014 with throwing a touchdown to a wide receiver suddenly has a quality tandem.

 

  1. Arizona Cardinals: CB Eli Apple, Ohio State

The Cardinals need one more cornerback to complete their secondary. Apple would join a secondary that features two of the best defenders in the NFL (Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu).

 

  1. Carolina Panthers: CB William Jackson III, Houston

Jackson’s fast 40-yard dash time at the combine put him on the radar of more people, but he’s always had the talent to go in the late first round. He very well could go much earlier, but cornerbacks fall here in this mock draft. Carolina really needs a cornerback after letting Josh Norman leave.

 

  1. Denver Broncos: DT Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss

Nkemdiche has plenty of talent, but off-the-field issues will cause him to drop. How far, nobody really knows. The defending Super Bowl champions could use some defensive line help.

 

*New England doesn’t pick in the first round, as the pick was lost as punishment for Deflategate.

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