Free agency begins on Wednesday and each team will begin to have a better idea of their needs going into the 2016 NFL Draft. That being said, it’s never too early for speculation and who doesn’t love a mock draft? Here is my first attempt of the year, and like the previous two seasons, two editions will follow.
Pre-Free Agency NFL Mock Draft
1. Tennessee Titans: OT Laremy Tunsil (Ole Miss)
If the Titans do not trade down, this pick will come down to Laremy Tunsil, Joey Bosa, or Jalen Ramsey. However, protecting Marcus Mariota has to be the top priority and Tennessee’s offensive line needs to be upgraded significantly. Laremy Tunsil could thrive at right tackle immediately or push Taylor Lewan to right tackle and take over the blind side.
2. Cleveland Browns: QB Carson Wentz (North Dakota State)
This pick will probably come down to Carson Wentz or Jared Goff, but for now I’m going to pick Wentz. It’s safe to say that Johnny Manziel is not a good fit in Cleveland, so it’s time for the Browns to move on and hope that a franchise quarterback can be obtained. Wentz did play at a small school, but his physical attributes are tantalizing.
3. San Diego Chargers: FS/CB Jalen Ramsey (Florida State)
Eric Weddle will not be returning to San Diego, so Jalen Ramsey could be an excellent replacement for the Pro Bowler. While some scouts think he should play cornerback, most believe that Ramsey is a better fit at free safety. Joey Bosa is a tough prospect to pass up, but Ramsey fits better into the Chargers defensive scheme.
4. Dallas Cowboys: DE Joey Bosa (Ohio State)
With Ramsey off the board, this pick comes down to either Joey Bosa or Myles Jack. While both players are tremendous prospects, Bosa is usually preferred and defensive line is a bigger need for the Cowboys. As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, Greg Hardy will not be returning to Dallas and Randy Gregory is already suspended for the first four games of 2016, so Bosa would make an immediate impact at defensive end.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: OLB/MLB Myles Jack (UCLA)
Myles Jack is versatile enough to excel at both linebacker positions, and he is the clear top prospect available now that Bosa and Ramsey are off the board. Dan Skuta is not a long-term solution at outside linebacker and Paul Posluszny turns 32 in October, so help at linebacker is needed. With Dante Fowler Jr. returning, the Jacksonville defense should be markedly improved with two first-round athletes.
6. Baltimore Ravens: CB Vernon Hargreaves III (Florida)
Vernon Hargreaves III is probably the best cover cornerback in the draft, despite being a bit undersized. The Ravens desperately need help in the secondary, and this move would allow Lardarius Webb to transition to safety. Ronnie Stanley is another option that makes sense here, as the Ravens do need offensive line help as well.
7. San Francisco 49ers: QB Jared Goff (California)
Colin Kaepernick’s future in San Francisco is in question, and the 49ers should look for an upgrade anyway. Jared Goff thrived in a spread offense in college, so the transition to a pro-style offense could be challenging, but he has the talent to do it. Chip Kelly loved Pac-12 prospects in Philadelphia, so we will see if that trend continues in San Francisco.
8. Miami Dolphins: CB Mackenzie Alexander (Clemson)
Brent Grimes turns 33 in July and the Dolphins could use an upgrade on the other side anyway. Like Hargreaves, Mackenzie Alexander is a very talented cover cornerback but a bit undersized. Miami could opt to replace Lamar Miller with Ezekiel Elliott or solidify the offensive line with Ronnie Stanley here, but cornerback is probably the top priority.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DL DeForest Buckner (Oregon)
Tampa Bay needs help along the defensive line and DeForest Buckner’s versatility could come in handy. He could line up next to Gerald McCoy at defensive tackle or play at his more natural defensive end position. The Buccaneers also need help in the secondary, but the top three defensive backs are off the board.
10. New York Giants: DE Shaq Lawson (Clemson)
The Giants had a miserable pass rush last season and both starting defensive ends are free agents. As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, Shaq Lawson can rush the passer and defend against the run effectively, and when he played in the National Championship Game despite having a banged up knee, he showed that he is a team-first player with heart. While defensive line is probably the best option here for New York, a different lineman like A’Shawn Robinson or Emmanuel Ogbah could be the selection.
11. Chicago Bears: OT Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame)
Ronnie Stanley would be too good to pass up at this point in the draft, as he is probably the best player available here. The Bears also have a need at tackle, as the team could move Chris Long back inside to guard where he belongs. Reggie Ragland would be another intriguing option here, as he would start immediately at inside linebacker, but Stanley’s value is greater.
12. New Orleans Saints: WR Laquon Treadwell (Ole Miss)
Sean Payton is an offensive coach and he always will be. Laquon Treadwell is the best receiver in the draft, and at 6’3”, he is the perfect complement to Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead. He is the best player available at this point, so he also provides a tremendous value for New Orleans. A’Shawn Robinson is another intriguing option because the Saints need defensive line help, but Treadwell might be too dynamic to pass up.
13. Philadelphia Eagles: OT Jack Conklin (Michigan State)
The Eagles offensive line struggled mightily last season and changes must be made. As I mentioned last week, Philadelphia might cut Jason Peters to save money for other positions and move Lane Johnson to left tackle. Jack Conklin would fit in well at right tackle and give the Eagles a young, talented offensive tackle duo. Paxton Lynch is another option here, but after re-signing Sam Bradford, the Eagles will probably hold off.
14. Oakland Raiders: MLB Reggie Ragland (Alabama)
The Raiders could use a long-term solution at middle linebacker, and Reggie Ragland is the best in the draft. Curtis Lofton needs to be replaced, as he turns 30 in June and he is a fraction of what he used to be. Cornerback is also a need, but the top three defensive backs are off the board already.
15. St. Louis Rams: DE Emmanuel Ogbah (Oklahoma State)
Jeff Fisher loves pass rushers, and Emmanuel Ogbah is a strong, physical defender who would love to play in Gregg Williams’ defensive scheme. The Rams cut Chris Long and William Hayes is a free agent, so if Hayes does not re-sign, defensive end becomes a need. Laquon Treadwell and Reggie Ragland are also intriguing options for the Rams, but they are already off the board here.
16. Detroit Lions: DT A’Shawn Robinson (Alabama)
The Lions have yet to fill the immense void Ndamukong Suh left behind. Haloti Ngata, Tyrunn Walker, and Jermelle Cudjo are all free agents, and the Lions could use an upgrade at defensive tackle anyway. Furthermore, A’Shawn Robinson is the best player available, so this is a nice match. I would be extremely surprised if Detroit passed on Robinson if he is available unless Laquon Treadwell is also available.
17. Atlanta Falcons: OLB Darron Lee (Ohio State)
The Falcons defense needs a lot of help, and a playmaking outside linebacker would be a good start. Darron Lee has tremendous speed and solid coverage skills, so he would be an immediate upgrade at outside linebacker. Atlanta definitely needs pass rushers, but defensive ends Emmanuel Ogbah and Shaq Lawson are already off the board.
18. Indianapolis Colts: OLB Noah Spence (Eastern Kentucky)
The Colts pass rush struggled mightily last season, and Robert Mathis is close to retirement. Noah Spence is one of the most talented pass rushers in the draft, so if the Colts can trust that his drug issues are behind him, this pick makes sense. If Indianapolis decides to avoid Spence, the team could look for offensive line help in the form of Taylor Decker.
19. Buffalo Bills: DT Sheldon Rankins (Louisville)
Sheldon Rankins is a productive, well-rounded defensive tackle that would fit well into any defensive scheme. The Bills defensive line struggled more than expected last season, and Mario Williams will not be returning. Kyle Williams turns 33 in June and his salary is a bit high, so he could be replaced for much cheaper.
20. New York Jets: RB Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State)
Chris Ivory is a 27-year-old free agent who struggled down the stretch last season. The Jets could opt to get younger through the draft and select the best running back in the class. This would be a great value for Elliott, so he would be tough to pass up. Leonard Floyd is another option, as he could replace the aging Calvin Pace.
21. Washington Redskins: DT Andrew Billings (Baylor)
Terrance Knighton is a free agent and he turns 30 in July, so the Redskins could choose to get younger and fill the nose tackle need in the draft. Andrew Billings occupies blockers and uses his tremendous power to shut down running plays, which is exactly what a nose tackle needs to do. In this scenario, the Redskins could choose from Billings, Robert Nkemdiche, or Jarran Reed to solidify the defensive line.
22. Houston Texans: QB Paxton Lynch (Memphis)
This would be a dream scenario for the Texans, as Paxton Lynch would have to be passed over by a few quarterback-needy teams to make it to Houston. If he is available, look for Houston to quickly forget about the miserable playoff game with Brian Hoyer running the offense. The Texans are a competent quarterback away from being Super Bowl contenders, so this move could be huge for the franchise.
23. Minnesota Vikings: WR Michael Thomas (Ohio State)
The Vikings are starting to form a Super Bowl caliber roster, but another playmaker for Teddy Bridgewater is necessary. Michael Thomas is a tall possession receiver who could complement slot receiver Stefon Diggs on the outside. The Vikings have a few playmakers to choose from here, but Thomas makes the most sense.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Taylor Decker (Ohio State)
Andre Smith probably won’t be back in Cincinnati and Andrew Whitworth turns 35 in December, so the Bengals need some help at offensive tackle. With this pick, Taylor Decker provides some value and he could immediately start at right tackle. A receiver to complement A.J. Green like Corey Coleman could be the selection if the Bengals lose Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu in free agency.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Eli Apple (Ohio State)
The Steelers secondary needs some help badly, as William Gay is a 31-year-old free agent and Cortez Allen is not a competent starter. Eli Apple has the size and athleticism to become a very good cornerback in the NFL, and the Steelers could use a long-term solution at the position. Leonard Floyd is another option here, but the Steelers will probably avoid selecting a linebacker in the first round for the fourth consecutive year.
26. Seattle Seahawks: OLB Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame)
I’m not exactly sure where to put Jaylon Smith right now until more information is disclosed about his injury. However, he is one of the most talented players in the draft and as long as his knee can avoid long-term damage, this pick is a steal. Bruce Irvin is probably going to leave in free agency, so there is a need at outside linebacker (although Smith probably won’t be able to play in 2016). Corey Coleman or Will Fuller are other options, as Jermaine Kearse is probably leaving in free agency.
27. Green Bay Packers: OLB Leonard Floyd (Georgia)
Clay Matthews belongs at outside linebacker, but the Packers need more help than that. Julius Peppers is 36, so he won’t be in Green Bay for much longer. Leonard Floyd could provide the Packers with a long-term solution at the edge rushing position and form a dynamic duo with Clay Matthews. While the Packers desperately need inside linebackers, Reggie Ragland is off the board and no other inside linebacker is worthy of this selection.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Corey Coleman (Baylor)
Jeremy Maclin played very well in his first year in Kansas City, but the Chiefs need another weapon to complement him. Corey Coleman could give Alex Smith another target and immediately form a scary receiving combination with Maclin. A defensive lineman like Jarran Reed, Robert Nkemdiche, or Kenny Clark is another possibility here.
29. Arizona Cardinals: DT Jarran Reed (Alabama)
Calais Campbell turns 30 in September and Frostee Rucker turns 33 in September, so the Cardinals need to find a long-term solution for the defensive line. Jarran Reed is a run stuffing defensive lineman who could be a solid depth player initially and develop into a starter once the veterans move on. The Cardinals could choose other defensive linemen like Jonathan Bullard, Robert Nkemdiche, or Kevin Dodd, depending on who they prefer.
30. Carolina Panthers: DE Kevin Dodd (Clemson)
The Panthers need more pass rush help, and Kevin Dodd is the best 4-3 pass rusher available here. Kony Ealy has turned into a nice asset for the Carolina defense, and Dodd could be developed in a similar way. Another receiving option like Will Fuller or Josh Doctson is a possibility as well.
31. Denver Broncos: DE Jonathan Bullard (Florida)
Malik Jackson is a free agent and Denver might not have enough money to re-sign him, so Jonathan Bullard could make an immediate impact on the defensive line. Bullard does not have the pass rushing abilities that Jackson has, but he is a talented run stuffer that is versatile enough to play in any defensive scheme. Shon Coleman and Cody Whitehair are other options, as the Broncos need help along the offensive line.
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