2016 NFL Mock Draft
Alright football fans, the 2016 NFL draft is right around the corner and things are starting to take form. Teams' draft boards are complete, free agency has come to a complete halt, and we have already seen a couple pre draft trades go down. The Los Angeles Rams shook things up big time when they traded a king's ransom to the Tennessee Titans in order to select first overall. Clearly the Rams want to draft their franchise QB that they have been lacking since Marc Bulger. Come draft day we could see a few more trades go down. Teams who still need a QB such as, the Broncos, 49ers, Browns, and possibly even the Eagles, could make a draft day trade to ensure they get a franchise caliber QB. For the sake of time and unpredictability of trades, this mock will be as is. Here's what you can expect to see come draft day:
1. Los Angeles Rams: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
Wentz is the best QB in this draft class and will soon be the franchise QB for LA.
Since injuries derailed Bradford's career in St. Louis, the Rams have been in dire need of a franchise QB since 2010. Now that Bradford is long gone and the Nick Foles experiment didn't work out (surprise to no one), the Rams knew they needed to find their franchise QB. In order to draft their guy, the Rams had to pay a steep price to ensure that they would land Went. LA traded not only their first round selection (No. 15) with the Tennessee Titans, in order to move up to the No. 1 spot, but also sent them two second round picks (Nos. 43 and 45), and a third round selection (No. 76). To top it all off, the Titans will also be getting the Rams first and third round picks of next years draft. Sheesh, talk about a king's ransom. History has shown us that trading draft picks isn't always the smartest thing to do, but nothing is more valuable than a franchise QB. Wentz reminds me of an Alex Smith type of QB but with more talent as a passer. Wentz is highly athletic, can make all the throws necessary to win games, and can play in any climate. My favorite aspect of Went's game is his heart. He is a winner and will leave it all on the field. Not only will Wentz be the Rams franchise QB, but he will provide a staple of young talent to go along with superstar RB Todd Gurley. Wentz will succeed in LA because, unlike Bradford's stay with the Rams, he can rely on Gurley to carry much of the offense while Wentz gets acclimated to the NFL.
2. Cleveland Browns: DB Jalen Ramsey, Florida St.
Ramsey is the best prospect in the draft.
Oh, Cleveland. Here we are once again, no QB, no sense of direction, and another wasted season. Cleveland quickly cleaned house this offseason and made a much needed change at head coach. In comes offensive guru, Gus Johnson over from Cincinnati to help turn thins around. Johnson had one head coaching stint in Oakland and helped lead a pedestrian Raiders team to a respectable 8-8 season. After leaving Oakland and going to Cincinnati, Gus Johnson became the Bengals offensive coordinator and help QB Andy Dalton have all-pro caliber seasons. This is very good news for Browns fans, however, what isn't good news for Browns fans is their entire team needs upgrades. The Browns will need to select the best player available each round rather than taking need. Fortunately, Ramsey is the best player in the draft and will fill a huge hole at safety for the Browns. Top 5 CB Joe Haden has been battling injuries the past two seasons of and gone are safeties Donte Whitener and Tashaun Gipson. Ramsey will not only improve a depleted secondary by playing safety, but he can also play corner if Haden is unable to return (ankle injury) at the start of the season.
3. San Diego Chargers: DE DeForest Buckner
At Oregon, Buckner was a man playing amongst boys
San Diego is in unfamiliar territory this offseason as they are beginning their rebuilding process. The Chargers could go offensive line here and select OT Laremy Tunsil, however, the re-signing of OT Joe Barksdale earlier this offseason makes selecting a pass rusher a greater need. DeForest Buckner has been sky rocketing up draft boards what seems like each week. Buckner's brute strength and knack for hitting the QB will help provide San Diego with a top notch pass rusher and spark a pass rushing attack that ranked near the bottom of the league last season. The Chargers would be smart to try and trade down this year as they have many needs, but if they are to stay put at No. 3, Buckner is their guy. Not only is Buckner a phenomenal pass rusher, he is also great at stopping the run. With Buckner's pass rushing skills combined with his run stopping ability, he should be a prospect the Chargers can build their defense around going forward.
4. Dallas Cowboys: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio St.
Joey Bosa has all the potential to become a dominant pass rusher
The man who once was considered to be the sure fire No. 1 overall pick in this years draft, Joey Bosa falls right into the Cowboys clutches as No. 4. Cowboys GM Jerry Jones will be tempted to go with Bosa's former teammate, RB Ezekiel Elliott here, or maybe even Tunsil, but with the departure of DE Greg Hardy the Cowboys need to ensure that they'll have a dominant pass rusher. Boss reminds me much to the likes of a "poor man's" Jared Allen, or a more fair comparison being Cleveland's DE Paul Kruger. Kruger and Allen both shared something that Bosa has as well: an endless motor. Joey helped lead Ohio State's dominating defense to a national championship just two years ago so he will help bring a winning mentality to the team. Bosa will also give the Cowboys a sense of attitude and discipline on defense that it is lacking. Bosa may not be a double digit sack artist his rookie season but he will help anchor the defensive line and set the edge against opposing offenses. Bosa will get swallowed up when faced with double teams so that is an area he will need to improve on if he wants to be in the same class Jared Allen was in. The Cowboys will be very pleased with this selection and even more pleased if he produces in the sack column.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: MLB Myles Jack, UCLA
Medical concerns may cause Jack to fall, but his talent is undeniable
The Jaguars are quietly having a great offseason. The team filled a lot of holes on its roster through free agency which allows them to add depth through the draft. With their first selection though, the Jags will fill one last hole on defense and that is at middle linebacker. Myles Jack was a dominating linebacker for UCLA as he stonewalls opposing rushers and is stingy versus the pass. Jack will provide leadership for a very young team with a ton of talent. The Jaguars could be a surprise team next season as they are in prime position to make a playoff push. Jack had a season ending knee injury last season with the Bruins and it may be a concern to some teams. Knee injury aside, Jack is a dominating linebacker and could give the Jaguars a Ray Lewis type of athlete as long as he can stay on the field. Jack's size isn't ideal but his athleticism and good mechanics will make quickly cause the Jags to quickly forget bout the injury and size. If either Buckner or Bosa is available I think the Jags must select one of the two, but without an elite pass rusher on the board, Jack is the perfect fit for Gus Bradley and his defense.
6. Baltimore Ravens: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
Tunsil is te best offensive lineman in the draft
Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome does it again. Newsome has made a living off of being patient in the draft and taking full advantage of what is dealt to him. Tunsil will help solidify the Ravens offensive line that will need to protect it's QB a little bit more this upcoming season. QB Joe Flacco tore his ACL last season and will need plenty of time to feel comfortable on his surgically repaired knee and confident enough to stand in the pocket. Tunsil paired with Eugene Monroe will give the Ravens bookend tackles which will help form a pretty pocket for Flacco. Not only will the pass blocking improve but Tunsil will also help RB Justin Forsett get back to his 2014 form by helping him get to the outside and run past the defense. Tunsil has long been projected to go number 1 overall but after the Titans traded away the top selection it allows Tunsil to fall right into the lap of Ozzie Newsome.
7. San Francisco 49ers: QB Jared Goff, Cal
The California QB finds his second home in Frisco
Lets get this straight right now, California's QB Jared Goff could easily go first overall to the LA Rams. I truly think Wentz is the better prospect, at least when it comes to potential, and I don't think the Rams will pass on Wentz. This isn't to say Goff wont be as good as Wentz, because Goff is the most pro ready QB in the draft. But with Wentz going first overall to the Rams Goff is the best quarterback on the board and it's not even close. I like to compare Jared Goff to one of my favorite pros, Matt Ryan. Decent enough arm to make all the throws on the field, ideal size, and pin-point accuracy. Accuracy is something the 49ers have lacked at the QB position for the past few years now. With Colin Kaepernick wearing out his welcome in San Francisco, Goff will immediately supplant him and make Kaepernick expendable. With Goff at the helm, a Kaepernick trade will allow the 9ers to draft much needed talent via through acquired draft picks or players from the trade partner (Denver we are looking at you). As stated before, Goff is the most pro ready QB in this draft class as he shows great poise in the pocket and deliver the ball to the open receiver. San Francisco will need to provide Goff with a weapon or two through the draft to help develop Goff into the All-Pro he could become.
8. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Josh Doctson, TC
It is a complete toss-up, between Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell and TCU's Josh Doctson, on who is the top receiver in this years draft class. I personally think the Eagles could go with either receiver here and be very pleased with the outcome. The Eagles boast quite possibly the worst receiving group in the entire NFL and must address the position in round one or two, maybe even both. The Eagles re-signed QB Sam Bradford so I doubt taking a QB in round one is in the plans for the Eagles regime. If the Eagles are able to move RB Ryan Matthews before, or the night of, the draft Ezekiel Elliott will be selected here. Philadelphia has missed LeSean McCoy ever since former HC Chip Kelly traded the star RB away to Buffalo for a LB that is no longer on the team. Talk about shady. Two more players the Eagles greatly miss however are wideouts Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson, just two more of Chip Kelly's ill advised moves with the franchise. For this reason, receiver is the biggest need for the Eagles, and why the athletic freak, Josh Doctson, is the perfect fit for the city of brotherly love.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida
2nd only to Jalen Ramsey, Hargreaves has the makings of being a shutdown cornerback
Tampa Bay has gone heavy on offense the past couple of years in the draft when it comes to selections in the first round and second rounds. This year, however, the Buccs need to upgrade their defense. With Winston, Mike Evens, and Doug Martin all settled in on offense, the defense becomes the main focus this entire draft for Tampa. The Buccaneers need to improve a depleted secondary that has lacked a shut down corner since Ronde Barber retired back in 2013. Hargreaves would easily be the best corner in this draft class if it wasn't for Jalen Ramsey (you know that guy who is the best prospect, ya that guy). Nevertheless, Hargreaves is an improvement over starting CB Alterraun Verner and will provide Tampa Bay with a solid duo at corner. Despite his lack in size, Hargreaves is an athletic corner who's aggressiveness is enough to allow him to take on any receiver. Hargreaves compares well to former Florida CB and now Browns CB Joe Haden. Which if you are Hargreaves and the Buccaneers, you can't be too upset about that comparison.
10. New York Giants: RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
Elliott may be the best running back to come out of college since Adrian Peterson
A RB in the top 10 two years in a row? Well, when you are as talented as Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott it is easy to see why. RB's have become a dime a dozen in the NFL but finding a true workhorse at the position is much easier said than done. Elliott is everything you want in a running back. He has very few weaknesses and is explosive with the football.. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and can also block against the opposing pass rush when needed. Being able to block as a rookie RB is going to help the Giants immensely and gives Elliott an upper hand on most rookie RB's. Elliott will quickly upgrade a pedestrian backfield for the Giants and give them another offensive all star. Elliott's running style combined with Eli Manning and OBJ's passing attack, the Giants could field a top 10 offense next season.
