Now that the 2016 NFL Draft is finally here, it is time to release my final mock draft. Like always, I will not attempt to predict trades.
Al Preziosi’s Final 2016 NFL Mock Draft
1. Los Angeles Rams: QB Jared Goff (California)
The Rams gave up a significant number of valuable draft picks to obtain the first pick in the draft, so Los Angeles will definitely be selecting a quarterback here. The selection could be either Jared Goff or Carson Wentz, but CBS Sports reported that many teams believe Goff to the Rams is a “done deal,” so I’m going to trust that. Los Angeles has expressed significant interest in Goff with a private visit and a private workout. The Rams are close to contending for a championship, and a competent quarterback will send them in the right direction.
2. Philadelphia Eagles: QB Carson Wentz (North Dakota State)
The Eagles made a blockbuster trade of their own, sending a few selections to the Browns for the second overall pick. Like the Rams, it is almost certain that a quarterback will be selected here. Carson Wentz is the best quarterback available and some scouts say that he is the best in the class. The Eagles have a lot invested in the quarterback position with the contracts of Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel, but the last quarterback to start for the Eagles for more than three seasons was Donovan McNabb, so it seems that the team is all in for some consistency at the position. The Eagles have expressed significant interest in Wentz by attending North Dakota State’s Pro Day, hosting a private visit, and hosting a private workout.
3. San Diego Chargers: FS/CB Jalen Ramsey (Florida State)
No team is happier about the blockbuster trades than the Chargers. San Diego now has the luxury of being able to select the top non-quarterback prospect, and since Philip Rivers is still on the team, they were not taking a quarterback anyway. This pick likely comes down to Jalen Ramsey or Laremy Tunsil, but I’m going with Ramsey because the Chargers already have a lot invested into the tackle position. King Dunlap and Joe Barksdale are currently penciled in as the starters and they aren’t going anywhere. According to Spotrac.com, Dunlap is in the second year of a four-year, $28 million deal with $13 million guaranteed and cutting him would create more than $9 million in dead money. Barksdale just signed a four-year, $23.5 million deal this off-season with $10.5 million guaranteed and cutting him would create $10.5 million in dead money. The Chargers have expressed interest in Ramsey with a Combine meeting and he would be an excellent replacement for Eric Weddle.
4. Dallas Cowboys: DE Joey Bosa (Ohio State)
Since Jalen Ramsey is off the board, this pick likely comes down to Joey Bosa or Myles Jack. I can’t see them taking Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall selection when they have Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris already. Randy Gregory and Demarcus Lawrence are currently suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season and the Cowboys cut Greg Hardy. The Cowboys were toward the bottom of the league with only 31 sacks last season, and the chaos at the defensive end position doesn’t help. Since the Cowboys already have three solid linebackers and Jack has lingering concerns about his knee, Bosa makes the most sense. The Cowboys have expressed significant interest in Bosa with a Combine meeting, a private visit, and a private workout.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: LB Myles Jack (UCLA)
Since Ramsey and Bosa are off the board, this pick is relatively easy, assuming that Jacksonville is comfortable with Jack’s knee. The Jaguars need help at linebacker because Dan Skuta is mediocre and Paul Posluszny turns 32 in October. Laremy Tunsil is another option here because he’s the best available player, but the Jaguars already have solid tackles with Luke Joeckel and Kelvin Beachum. With Dante Fowler Jr. returning from injury and the additions of Malik Jackson, Tashaun Gipson, and Prince Amukamara in free agency, the Jacksonville defense is on the rise and Jack would be a huge addition. The Jaguars have expressed significant interest in Jack with a private visit and a private workout.
6. Baltimore Ravens: OT Laremy Tunsil (Ole Miss)
The Ravens should sprint to the podium if Laremy Tunsil is still available by the time they are on the clock. He is probably the best prospect in the draft, but after the blockbuster trades, it is very possible that he slips to the sixth selection. Eugene Monroe has struggled through injuries and Baltimore lost Kelechi Osemele in free agency. Tunsil could start at right tackle or left guard immediately and move to left tackle if Monroe gets injured again. Tunsil would be a tremendous addition at any spot along the offensive line. The Ravens have expressed interest in Tunsil with a Combine meeting.
7. San Francisco 49ers: OT Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame)
This pick would be a tough choice between Ronnie Stanley and DeForest Buckner. Both players make sense and would be good selections, but I’m giving Stanley a slight edge because left tackle is a more valuable position than a 3-4 defensive end. Joe Staley turns 32 in August, so Stanley could provide the 49ers with an upgrade at right tackle immediately and replace Staley at left tackle in the future. The 49ers have expressed significant interest in Stanley with a Combine meeting and a private visit.
8. Cleveland Browns: DE DeForest Buckner (Oregon)
If the 49ers pass up on Buckner, the Browns would happily take him. The Browns drafted Danny Shelton in the first round last year, but they desperately need an impact player at defensive end. However, since the Browns have many needs, this pick could go in many different directions. Ezekiel Elliott and Vernon Hargreaves are two other available players who would make sense, but Buckner is the best available player. Don’t be surprised if the Browns trade down with somebody who wants Ezekiel Elliott.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Vernon Hargreaves (Florida)
The Buccaneers signed Brent Grimes in the off-season, but he is only a short-term fix and Tampa Bay needs more help at cornerback anyway. If Jalen Ramsey is considered a free safety, Vernon Hargreaves is the best cornerback in the draft and he has drawn comparisons to Joe Haden. Ronnie Stanley is another intriguing option, but he is not available here. An edge rusher like Shaq Lawson is another possibility, but Hargreaves is the better prospect. Tampa Bay has expressed interest in Hargreaves with a private visit.
10. New York Giants: WR Laquon Treadwell (Ole Miss)
The Giants would probably prefer Ronnie Stanley or Vernon Hargreaves, but since they are off the board, Laquon Treadwell is probably the best available option. He is the best wide receiver in the class and he would thrive with Odell Beckham Jr. occupying most of the attention. Even if Victor Cruz plays well, the team still needs a taller receiver who can snatch 50/50 balls, and Treadwell fits the bill. Other available options include Leonard Floyd, Jack Conklin, and Shaq Lawson, but Floyd and Lawson probably fit better into a 3-4 scheme and the Giants have already invested two of their last three first-round picks on the offensive line. The Giants have expressed interest in Treadwell with a private visit.
11. Chicago Bears: DE/OLB Shaq Lawson (Clemson)
In Chicago’s 3-4 scheme, Shaq Lawson would almost definitely line up at outside linebacker because of his size. The Bears have decent players at the position with Pernell McPhee, Lamarr Houston, and Willie Young, but a young talented edge rusher is needed. Chicago is not in the position to win immediately anyway, so this would be a great pick for the future. Leonard Floyd is the other edge rusher available here, but I think Lawson is the better prospect. The Bears have expressed interest in Lawson with a private visit.
12. New Orleans Saints: DT Sheldon Rankins (Louisville)
The Saints need pass rush help and Sheldon Rankins is the best interior pass rusher available. He has drawn comparisons to Aaron Donald, so expectations are high. Nick Fairley was only signed to a one-year deal, so that should not remove Rankins from consideration. Shaq Lawson is another intriguing option, but he is not available here. The Saints might also consider A’Shawn Robinson or Leonard Floyd, but Rankins is the better value.
13. Miami Dolphins: RB Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State)
I have Elliott falling a bit further than most analysts, but the Dolphins would not be upset. Miami lost Lamar Miller in free agency, so Elliott could be a fantastic replacement. Jack Conklin is another possibility, but Elliott would probably be too good to pass up. The Dolphins have expressed interest in Elliott with a private visit. Don’t be surprised if Miami trades up to acquire the best running back in the draft.
14. Oakland Raiders: CB Eli Apple (Ohio State)
The Raiders acquired Sean Smith this off-season and David Amerson had a breakout year, but in today’s NFL, having three good cornerbacks is a huge advantage (look at the Broncos with Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib, and Bradley Roby). Plus, if Amerson was a one-hit wonder, the Raiders would still have a dangerous cornerback duo with the addition of Eli Apple. William Jackson III is another possibility, but I think Apple is the better prospect.
15. Tennessee Titans: OT Jack Conklin (Michigan State)
The Titans offensive line needs serious help and Jack Conklin would be a good value here. He would form a dominant tackle duo with Taylor Lewan. Taylor Decker is another option, but Conklin is the better prospect. Tennessee passed up the chance to draft Tunsil by trading down, but Conklin is a nice consolation prize and acquiring the bundle of draft picks makes it worth it. The Titans have expressed interest in Conklin with a private visit.
16. Detroit Lions: OT Taylor Decker (Ohio State)
The Lions need an upgrade at right tackle, and Taylor Decker is the best available. The Lions have rebuilt the offensive line significantly in recent years and Decker would be another important piece. Detroit could also look at defensive tackles like Jarran Reed, A’Shawn Robinson, or Andrew Billings, but the Lions could find a suitable long-term replacement for Haloti Ngata in the second round because the defensive tackle position is so deep this year. The Lions have expressed interest in Decker with a private workout.
17. Atlanta Falcons: OLB Leonard Floyd (Georgia)
The Falcons need linebacker help desperately, and Leonard Floyd is a very versatile player who would be a good value here. The pass rush was a big problem for Atlanta, and Floyd would be an instant improvement. The Falcons could opt to select another linebacker like Darron Lee or Reggie Ragland, but I think Floyd is the best prospect of the three. The Falcons have expressed significant interest in Floyd with a Combine meeting, a private visit, and a private workout.
18. Indianapolis Colts: C Ryan Kelly (Alabama)
The Colts need Andrew Luck to be healthy and a strong interior line could start with Ryan Kelly. While centers aren’t usually drafted this highly, Kelly is talented enough to warrant the selection. The Colts might opt to help the defense with this selection, and a player like Jarran Reed, Noah Spence, or A’Shawn Robinson would help, but fixing the offensive line is a bigger priority.
19. Buffalo Bills: OLB Noah Spence (Eastern Kentucky)
Noah Spence’s talent is clearly worthy of this selection, and his drug issues are the only reason he will probably be available. Rex Ryan does not shy away from character issues, so this seems like a good fit. After losing Mario Williams, the Bills need more pass rushing help and that’s what Spence does best. Buffalo also needs linebacker help, so Darron Lee and Reggie Ragland are options here, but Spence’s talent might be too tempting to pass up. The Bills have expressed interest in Spence with a Combine meeting.
20. New York Jets: QB Paxton Lynch (Memphis)
The Jets still have no long-term solution at the quarterback position, even if Ryan Fitzpatrick is re-signed. Paxton Lynch is the best quarterback available and this seems like a good value for him. Since the Jets are a quarterback away from being Super Bowl contenders, Lynch will be the selection if the Jets scouts label him as a legitimate franchise quarterback. If they don’t, they could trade down with somebody who does. New York could also use an edge rusher, but Noah Spence and Leonard Floyd are not available here. The Jets have expressed significant interest in Lynch with a Combine meeting and a private visit.
21. Washington Redskins: ILB Reggie Ragland (Alabama)
Reggie Ragland is probably the best player available and the Redskins have a need at inside linebacker. Ragland’s productivity on the field is hard to argue with and he is the type of hard-working player that general manager Scot McCloughan likes. Another player that I think is a great fit here is Andrew Billings because he would replace Terrance Knighton very nicely, but Ragland is the better prospect.
22. Houston Texans: WR Will Fuller (Notre Dame)
The Texans are probably going with a wide receiver here because new quarterback Brock Osweiler needs another target besides DeAndre Hopkins. However, the debate between Will Fuller, Corey Coleman, and Josh Doctson is still unsettled. Fuller did help his draft stock tremendously with his 40-yard dash at the Combine, so I’m giving him the slight edge. I would be surprised if the Texans do not take a pass catcher here unless a top prospect slips somehow.
23. Minnesota Vikings: OLB Darron Lee (Ohio State)
Darron Lee is the best player available and the Vikings could look to capitalize on value here. Minnesota would finally be able to move on from Chad Greenway at the weakside linebacker position. The Vikings will definitely look at the best available receivers like Corey Coleman and Josh Doctson, but I think Lee’s value would be too much to pass up. The Vikings tremendous defense would get even better, as scary as that sounds. Minnesota has expressed interest in Lee with a private visit.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: WR Corey Coleman (Baylor)
The Bengals lost Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu in free agency, so they need somebody to take pressure off A.J. Green. Corey Coleman would be the perfect complement, as he has drawn comparisons to Emmanuel Sanders and would fit in nicely in Cincinnati as Sanders does next to Demaryius Thomas in Denver. Coleman and Josh Doctson are the best available receivers here, but I think that Coleman fits better in Cincinnati. The Bengals have expressed significant interest in Coleman with a Combine meeting, a private workout, and a private visit.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB William Jackson III (Houston)
The Steelers desperately need help at cornerback, and William Jackson III fits into their defensive scheme nicely. Pittsburgh allowed the third-most passing yards in the league last season, so Jackson III would improve a struggling secondary. A different cornerback like Mackenzie Alexander is another possibility, but Jackson III is a better fit in Pittsburgh. The Steelers usually draft the best available player, so if somebody unexpectedly slips on draft day, he could be the selection.
26. Seattle Seahawks: DT A’Shawn Robinson (Alabama)
The Seahawks lost Brandon Mebane this off-season, but A’Shawn Robinson would be a great replacement. He could start immediately next to Ahtyba Rubin and make Seattle’s defensive line scary again. The Seahawks might look for a different defensive tackle like Jarran Reed or Andrew Billings here, but I think Robinson is the best prospect of the three. Seattle also needs offensive line help, but Robinson is a much better value because the top five offensive linemen are off the board.
27. Green Bay Packers: DT Jarran Reed (Alabama)
B.J. Raji retired this off-season, but Jarran Reed could be a suitable replacement. He isn’t much of a pass rusher, but he is one of the best run stuffers in the draft and that is just what the Packers need. The Packers could opt for a different run stuffer like Andrew Billings, but I think that Reed is the better prospect. Reggie Ragland is another prospect that has been linked to the Packers, but he is not available here.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Mackenzie Alexander (Clemson)
The Chiefs could use a replacement for Sean Smith, and Mackenzie Alexander is the best cornerback available. Alexander’s draft stock has slipped a bit recently, but I think he’s going to be a very good cornerback and he is an excellent value here at the end of the first round. The Chiefs could elect to take the best wide receiver available, Josh Doctson, because they need another playmaker at receiver besides Jeremy Maclin, but cornerback is probably the higher priority. Kansas City has expressed interest in Alexander with a Combine meeting.
29. Arizona Cardinals: SS Keanu Neal (Florida)
The Cardinals could use an upgrade in the secondary next to Tyrann Mathieu, and Keanu Neal is the best strong safety in the draft. He needs to improve his coverage abilities, but he is an intimidating hitter similar to Landon Collins. Ryan Kelly is a popular choice for the Cardinals, but he is not available here. An edge rusher is also a possibility, but the best outside linebackers are off the board.
30. Carolina Panthers: DE Emmanuel Ogbah (Oklahoma State)
Charles Johnson turns 30 this summer and he is only on a one-year deal anyway. Plus, Carolina loves having a dangerous pass rush with multiple quality defensive ends and Emmanuel Ogbah would be a great value here at the end of the first round. Kevin Dodd is another defensive end option here, but I think that Ogbah is a better prospect. A wide receiver like Josh Doctson is another possibility, but the Panthers have already invested in Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess during the last two drafts. The Panthers have expressed significant interest in Ogbah with a private workout and a private visit.
31. Denver Broncos: OG Cody Whitehair (Kansas State)
The Broncos lost Evan Mathis and Louis Vasquez this off-season, so help along the interior offensive line is desperately need. Cody Whitehair is the best guard in the draft and this is a reasonable value for him. If the Broncos decide to trade up, they might look at Paxton Lynch, but Whitehair is probably the best option here. Denver might also look to replace Malik Jackson with a player like Robert Nkemdiche, but I think he will slip out of the first round because of his character issues.
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