The Day is finally here, the 2016 NFL Draft goes down in Chicago. As one final preview before the big event, I bring you my Draft Day Mock Draft.
2016 NFL Draft: Draft Day Mock Draft (First Round)
In the beginning of March, shortly after the NFL Combine had finished, Tennessee was sitting atop the draft, and speculation began to arise suggesting that Goff might not even be the first quarterback taken off the board. Fast forward to draft day, and Goff seems like the safest bet to be taken by the Los Angeles Rams after they mortgaged their future to acquire the top pick from the Titans. With the Rams completing a relocation to the Hollywood market, it only makes sense to take a Berkley kid with a solid arm, high football acumen, and pinpoint accuracy.
From the beginning of the entire draft timeline, Wentz came out of nowhere and wowed everyone at each stop of the way with his talent and composure. His FCS North Dakota State Bison did run a “pro-style” offense, and Wentz is familiar with a variety of different packages all used in the NFL today. However, it is difficult to compare Wentz’s numbers with the other quarterbacks in this class because of the difference in competition between the FBS and FCS. But, he does remain an intriguing prospect, with elite potential, and if Philadelphia takes him here, there’s a good chance Sam Bradford’s days in the city of brotherly love are numbered.
Buckner is a tackling machine for a defensive lineman, and his 6’7″ – 295-pound physique says he’s ready to handle the NFL. His draft stock has really sky rocketed within the past month or so and several experts believe that San Diego has fallen in love with the standout defensive prospect. Buckner would be a solid piece to build around on the defensive line for the Chargers at pick number three.
Elliot is a dynamic player and can be electric with room to run in the open field. Many scouts believe he is a complete running back with very few holes in his game. His pass protection when he stays in to block is already great by NFL standards, and he catches the ball out of the backfield with such fluidity that his running motion almost looks “too” natural. The Dolphins obviously give up a lot to move up and select their franchise tailback.
Ramsey is a fantastic play maker to be coveted by any defensive coordinator in any system. His natural instincts when playing the ball in front of him are truly elite. His only true flaw is not being 100% comfortable when playing outside and turning his back to the ball and running downfield with the outside receiver. Since Ramsey didn’t fully switch to corner back until his last year at Florida State, scouts believe it will only take time and experience in the position for Ramsey to become comfortable and maximize his impact as a corner. Nonetheless, the Jaguars are happy to keep him in-state after college.
Stanley could have declared last year, and multiple coaches have said they would have taken him had he been in the draft pool. His football I.Q. and his durability are his two best traits and scouts love that about him. Stanley’s versatility, though, may be his ticket to success in Baltimore where he would be able to fill in at either tackle spot right away.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Just a few years removed from rostering one of the best defensive units in the league, the “Niners” find themselves rebuilding with a new head coach. When someone new has to come and pick up the pieces, they have to start somewhere. Bosa doesn’t standout on film, repeatedly, but he’s always around the ball and draws comparisons to J.J. Watt. Which means he’s a great fit for the 49ers, who could use a “plug and play” defensive end like Bosa right away.
Tunsil is a legit “Dancing Bear” with natural feet and phenomenal technique. He only allowed 2 sacks in his 28 career games at Ole Miss. On the field, he’s the most NFL ready player in the draft. Before Tennessee traded out of the number one pick it is believed that they had Tunsil on top of their big board at the time. Once Los Angeles and Philadelphia sold their futures to move up to one and two, respectively, it was clear that they would take quarterbacks and it completely changed the dynamic of the draft. Thus, the Tunsil freefall began, and I’m sure Cleveland couldn’t be happier to select him at pick number eight.
Treadwell often draws comparisons to Dez Bryant, and his tenacity on the field instantly confirms those comparisons. He can rise above any defender and times his jumps perfectly. Once he gets the ball in his hands, it becomes difficult to bring him down with one defender. He’s also a game breaking play maker, which is what inclines Tampa Bay to select him here.
Hargreaves is the only corner back in this year’s draft drawing legitimate Joe Haden comparisons as lock down defender on the outside. With that said, the Giants are excited to select Hargreaves and sure up their leaky secondary.
Robinson, a five-star recruit out of high school, was the Alabama team sack leader as a true freshman. Nick Saban has endorsed him as a great locker room leader. His heavy tackling ways could vault him into a leading role on a Bear’s defense looking to solve their atrocious run stopping ways.
Conklin isn’t a supreme athlete by any means, but he stands tall at 6’6” and 308 pounds. His closest NFL player comparison is Jon Runyan. Conklin is considered to be extremely tough, though, and his power and consistency can’t be understated. He should go on to be a solid contributor for several seasons as a pro.
After trading down with the Dolphins to get here at pick 13, the Cowboys will address their depth behind Tony Romo and select a unique quarterback prospect in Paxton Lynch. On film, Lynch is deceptively fast, but he missed half of his senior season due to a knee injury and was only clocked at a 4.86 40-yard dash time during the draft process. Nonetheless, once he is fully healthy, Lynch figures to be a dynamic scrambler in and around the pocket. He has elite footwork for a taller quarterback and makes great decisions with the football. Dallas is thrilled to pick a guy here that was previously projected to go much higher.
After a standout freshman year at Clemson, where he earned Freshman All-American honors, Alexander’s sophomore season ended with him being named as a 3rd Team All-American. After the acknowledgements and accolades, no one would throw his way for the next two seasons. His junior and senior years combined: 0 Interceptions, 11 Passes Defensed. The Raiders choose to immediately address their issues in the secondary.
Reed has elite vision and natural instincts during pursuit of the football and at the point of impact. He is plenty strong, and can move very quickly for a 6’3” 307-pound man. There is some concern for his off the field behavior, as Reed was arrested for DUI in 2014. But he has since gained plenty of praise for changing his ways from Alabama head coach Nick Saban. The Titans, after trading down, play it safe and select Reed here.
After starting his college career at Wyoming, Doctson transferred to TCU. It was there where he played three seasons and finished second on the school’s all-time record board for receptions and yards. He definitely has that “Lead” receiver mentality and will go way up to pluck any ball thrown his way. On film, his smooth vertical route running really does stand out, and the Lions will be swayed that way with the 16th overall pick.
At 6’1” 232-pounds, Lee is a bit undersized to man the helm in the middle of a NFL defense. However, he could be the best pass covering weak side linebacker prospect in the draft. He burst onto the national scene during last year’s championship run for the Buckeyes. He was named Defensive MVP for his performance against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. The Falcons could use a player like Lee to cover Greg Olsen twice a year, at least.
The 6’6” Floyd is painfully lean at 245 pounds and probably couldn’t be relied upon as an every down player until he puts some weight on. But Floyd is a pass-rusher who could thrive in a limited role right away. The Colts’ defense could also use a talented pass rush specialist on their front line.
Fuller wanted to return for his senior season at Notre Dame, but decided to declare for the draft after thinking it through. After leading the team with 62 receptions, 1,258 yards, and 14 touchdowns, Fuller was named team MVP in 2015. He also ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the combine, potentially boosting his stock even more. I’d say he made the right choice, and the Bills will too if they select Fuller here.
After last season, Ragland became a legend in Tuscaloosa, as he joined Derrick Thomas and Cornelius Bennett as the only Alabama players ever to be unanimously selected as First Team All-Americans. Ragland has strong gap integrity and will meet all comers who try and block him. The Jets get a Crimson Tide legend at pick 20.
Rankins stands at 6’1” and weighs 300 pounds. He has a very compact, powerful build about him, and he never seems to be too low to the ground. He moves well in space and flashes often on tape. Rankins’ violent hands and versatility as a 1-or-2 Gap player makes him an intriguing prospect at the next level.
A freak athlete with blazing speed, Coleman represents a big time playmaking threat when he gets the ball in his hands. He finished first in the nation with 20 receiving touchdowns in 2015. Houston scoops up one of Waco’s heroes.
The 2015 Heisman trophy winner gets picked up by a Minnesota team that could use a youthful spark to their running game. Henry is a 6’3” 245 pound beast of a specimen. His 4.54 40-yard dash and 37-inch vertical really impressed at the combine, which was just enough to push him up into the first round. His running style is that of a faster, stronger Brandon Jacobs. Which would be a fantastic model for veteran Adrian Peterson to help mold and shape into a future feature tailback.
Billings has elite power, a former state champion power lifter, he finished 4th at the combine with 31 reps on bench press @225 lb. The Bengals could use another disruptive force on their defensive line to get after division rival quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco.
Jack is a freak athlete at the middle linebacker position. He can track down any run play in a hurry and can cover a pass against the best receivers on the other team. His knee injury has been the big concern pushing him down most draft boards, with some experts even leaving him out of the first round altogether. As long as everything checks out, medically, then he is everything you want in a “Mike” linebacker and could be a big time playmaker in Pittsburgh for years to come.
Apple has great overall size for a corner, at 6’1” 200 pounds, and his long arms allow him to be physical with receivers at the point of attack. He has very clean footwork and is outstanding at press coverage. Seattle gets another playmaking corner.
In 2015, Lawson was a consensus All-American selection and he also helped guide Clemson to an appearance in the NCAA Championship game against Alabama. With a strong pedigree and blue chip status since his high school days, Lawson will definitely make his mark on the Packers’ defensive front.
A standout junior season vaulted Jones up multiple big boards across the league as soon as he declared as an early entrant for the draft. His superb hands in the trenches is partly to thank, along with his 6’6” 310-pound frame, which would also be welcomed by the Chiefs’ front line.
- {New England forfeits pick} Arizona Cardinals – Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky – OLB
After being banned from the Big Ten Conference in 2014, Spence transferred to the FCS where he dominated the opposition. Compiling 22.5 tackles-for-loss and 13.5 sacks. Obviously, the question here isn’t about Spence’s talent, but rather his decision making off the field. Spence has been sending his last 20 consecutive drug-test results to all 32 NFL teams. He does this in order to help clear his name after he had publically admitted that he sought treatment for an ecstasy addiction that got out of hand, which ultimately led to his undoing in the Big Ten Conference. With that being said, surely teams will have to think long and hard about the potential risk/reward factor with Spence.
Jackson ran a 4.37 40-yard dash at the combine and his solid size and length will benefit him at the next level. He also has great ball skills for a defensive back, and fantastic recovery speed to boot. The Panthers will have to scramble to fill the void left by Josh Norman, who signed with Washington just days after his franchise tag was unceremoniously rescinded by the Panthers. In that case, Jackson has some pretty big shoes to fill.
Denver gets an extra year of team flexibility available to them throughout contract negotiations by taking Hackenberg in the first round. A blue chip recruit coming out of high school, Hackenberg set the school record for passing yards at Penn State his freshman season when he threw for 2,955 yards, 20 touchdowns, and a completion percentage north of 50%. Unfortunately, his completion percentage went down every year thereafter, and pretty much all of the positive momentum he had built up from that freshman season had vanished. Hackenberg has made it clear that his numbers were simply a product of the system he was in and the offensive plays he was told to run. Many believe that Hackenberg has the potential to be a big time player in the NFL, and he could be a sleeper for rookie of the year if he beats out journeyman Mark Sanchez in training camp.
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 30: A general view prior to the start of the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 30, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images)
