Here it is! The third round edition of the 2016 NFL Draft! I can’t believe we’re three weeks down and only have four weeks to go! I hope you’ve all enjoyed this Mock Draft process as much as I’ve enjoyed bringing it to you! Any questions, comments or concerns, feel free to send me something on Twitter! @DowntownTMSNX
64. Tennessee Titans — SS from Ohio State — Vonn Bell — This will be the round we start seeing some safeties get taken and I would think Vonn Bell is the first guy we hear in the 3rd round. He would be an ideal fit and would be an upgrade over Marqueston Huff who only had 15 tackles in the 2015 season.
65. Cleveland Browns — OLB from Boise State — Kamalei Correa — Former first round pick, Barkevious Mingo, has not panned out. While he hasn’t panned out, Paul Kruger hasn’t been the signing the Browns had hoped for. Overall, they need to get an upgrade at their OLB position and Correa is climbing up draft boards for what he’s done at the combine. He’s an edge rusher and has experience in coverage but still needs to fine tune his coverage skills. He has a 4-3 defensive end fit to him but I think he can thrive as a 3-4 edge rusher.
66. San Diego Chargers — OT from LSU — Jerald Hawkins — Hawkins is probably better suited as a guard but he’s got a lot of upside. From running a pro offense at LSU to having natural feet in both pass and run blocking. He’s got good strength but can definitely be stronger. Overall, I like what I’ve seen from him and I think he would be a good fit for the Chargers on their offensive line.
67. Dallas Cowboys — SS from Duke — Jeremy Cash — I’ve completely undervalued safety in this draft and that’s because of how many free agents there are at the position. Overall, I expect a majority of good safeties to get drafted at the end of the 2nd round and beginning part of the 3rd round. For the Cowboys, they take Cash who has great size for the possession and really instinctive in coverage. He can line up anywhere in the secondary and could become a sleeper. He has to clear a lot of medical tests first, though.
68. San Francisco 49ers — DE from Oklahoma — Charles Tapper — The 49ers have all kinds of needs and still haven’t addressed their QB situation, thus far. Maybe, that’s because I think Kapernick is poised to be the starter in Chip Kelly’s offense. However, the 49ers could use another edge rusher as Arik Armstead is slated to become the nose tackle for this defense, once Ian Williams hits the market. Tapper ran well at the combine and seems to be a perfect fit for a five-tech defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. Overall, he has a nice combination of power and athleticism coming off the edge. He’d be a perfect fit for the 49ers.
69. Jacksonville Jaguars — TE from Stanford — Austin Hooper — Having Julius Thomas is really comforting for any quarterback but he’s got some injury concerns. He struggled staying on the field in year one with the Jaguars and Marcedes Lewis will be 32 years-old when the season starts and seems to be on his way out in Jacksonville after only posting 43 receptions over the last two seasons. Grabbing Hooper gives you a safety valve if Thomas was to go down and it allows for future success with Blake Bortles. Hooper has an athletic build to him with soft hands and rare combination of strength and athleticism. He should have tremendous upside for a tight end class that’s particularly weak.
70. Baltimore Ravens — RB from Utah — Devontae Booker — You have Justin Forsett for one more year and then you can feel free to let him go. The Ravens have a decent backup in Buck Allen but Booker is a unique talent at the RB position. He can do it all and is truly a three-down back. He’s got a lot of tread on his tires but giving him a year to get his feet underneath him, he could develop into a nice pro for the Ravens.
71. New York Giants — DE from BYU — Bronson Kaufusi — If the Giants were to re-sign JPP to a one-year-deal or even sign Mario Williams for one season, this pick makes more sense. Kaufusi has the ability to become a steal in this draft as he’s got an initial burst off the line and a nice combination of power and speed. He still plays too high and is still raw at the position but he’s a 4-3 defensive end at the next level.
72. Chicago Bears — WR from Rutgers — Leonte Carroo — Not the biggest need for the Bears but grabbing a slot receiver is still a need nonetheless. Eddie Royal seems to be overpaid and way past his prime. Also, Alshon Jeffery is only on the franchise tag so he could leave after this season and that’s important since we haven’t seen anything from Kevin White. Carroo has tremendous upside as he’s a route runner who will go up and get the ball. His routes need some fine tuning but he’s got soft hands and is a red zone threat.
73. Miami Dolphins — OG from Stanford — Joshua Garnett — You can never have enough depth on your offensive line and Garnett is exactly that. He’s a developing player, despite being the best interior offensive lineman, last year. Garnett doesn’t dominate in pass blocking or run blocking situations but he’s controls his blocks and has proper hand usage. With the Dolphins having cap issues all over the board, re-signing someone like Dallas Thomas next year, could be tough to do.
74. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C from Notre Dame — Nick Martin — After the Buccaneers signed Joe Hawley last year, it seemed as if the Bucs had a very good center. However, Hawley struggled at times and looks like he could be a better fit at guard. That would make sense, especially with Logan Mankins retiring. Martin is getting a lot of praise because of who his brother is but I don’t think he’s anything like his brother. Martin has a lot of upside but he plays a position that doesn’t need to be talked about until at least the third round.
75. Oakland Raiders — CB from Virginia — Maurice Canady — Seems surprising for the Raiders to grab another cornerback but it’s a serious need for their team. The Raiders have a lot of money to spend in the off-season so they’re still in a prime position to address other areas with some cash. However grabbing a player like Canady has a lot of value to it. He’s not a physical player but he’s a good zone corner who times the ball well. He has average arm length and isn’t an ideal press corner but he’s got tremendous value at the position.
76. Los Angeles Rams — TE from Ohio State — Nick Vannett — Not an exceptional athlete but he’s a good run blocker and can be an asset in the passing game. He creates separation and has shown soft-strong hands. After the Rams cut Jared Cook, there’s an obvious need at the tight end position.
77. Baltimore Ravens (Mock Trade with Philadelphia) — DE from Baylor — Shawn Oakman — A freakish athlete who has unreal size. I’m never a fan of edge rushers who stand over 6-foot-6 and Oakman is one of those guys. He won’t become an OLB in a 3-4 and will simply play as a three or five-tech at the next level. He’ll find a role for the Ravens and if there’s any coaching staff that can develop a player with question marks, the Ravens have that staff.
78. Chicago Bears (Mock Trade with New Orleans) — C from Alabama — Ryan Kelly — The Bears are going to be looking for depth on their interior offensive line in this draft. Kelly is one of the bet prospects for being a center or a guard at the next level. He might be able to come in and play right away but even if he doesn’t, he can sit behind Hroniss Grasu or Matt Slauson for a year or two.
79. Philadelphia Eagles — OG from Arizona State — Christian Westerman — Most of you won’t even know who I’m talking about but Allen Barbre, the starting LG for the Eagles, is 31 years-old. He signed a three-year extension with the team in 2014 and has struggled to stay healthy. Drafting a player like Westerman is a smart move because you prepare for the future.
80. Buffalo Bills — WR from TCU — Kolby Listenbee — With much doubt on Percy Harvin, the Bills need another receiver. They have a nice duo with Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods but are missing someone in the slot receiver position. Listenbee could be on the rise after a very strong showing at the combine.
81. Atlanta Falcons — OT from Georgia — John Theus — There’s been some issues on the Falcons offensive line and this pick won’t fix that, immediately. Theus has played a lot of football over the last four seasons for the Bulldogs and there’s some concern that he doesn’t have any football left in the tank. I think if you transition him into a right tackle, then you can get some really good years out of him. Theus has a large frame and is a versatile player with a lot of experience at both tackle positions. He doesn’t have ideal quickness off the line and can get beat off the snap but he has the right build you’re looking for in a starting tackle at the next level.
82. Indianapolis Colts — CB from Mississippi State — Will Redmond — Some medical issues has Redmond down on my board but overall, he’s a talented player. He’s got the proper swivel in his hips when turning up field and never seems panicked on the field. He has good hands and times the ball well. He’s not the greatest tackler and only has seven career starts so he’s extremely raw. There’s a lot to like though and the Colts need depth in their secondary.
83. New York Jets — C from Michigan State — Jack Allen — First the Jets grabbed Jason Spriggs in week one and now they grab Jack Allen. Revamping their offensive line could be the ticket to a future filled with success. Allen is a tremendous talent and could thrive at the next level, if he spends a year under Nick Mangold.
84. Washington Redskins — WR from California — Kenny Lawler — He didn’t run as well as I thought he would at the combine (4.64 in the 40 yard dash) but he’s a gifted pass catcher. When the ball is in his hands, good things happen. He reminds me of a Golden Tate type of player and has plenty of highlights to get drafted. Overall, he doesn’t have top end speed and has struggled with drops but he’s got tremendous upside.
85. Houston Texans — DT from South Carolina State — Javon Hargrave — If you’re looking for a powerful big man who can move, you’re looking at him. Hargrave did everything right at the combine and would be a great fit for the Texans 3-4 defense. He’s a nose tackle and should benefit by playing next to guys like Clowney and Watt.
86. Minnesota Vikings — CB from Oklahoma — Zack Sanchez — Without question, Sanchez is a developmental player. He’s got average size and does a great job at reading the quarterback but his mechanics are off. He needs some improvement and he’s going to the right place for it.
87. Cincinnati Bengals — CB from Auburn — Jonathan Jones — Not the biggest guy on the field but he plays aggressive and reminds me of Quandre Diggs. He’s got a lot of upside with his instincts and coverage speed. He needs to get better at tackling but he’s a slot cornerback in year one, that’s a certainty.
88. Green Bay Packers — OT from Stanford — Kyle Murphy — He’s going to be a solid pick for the Packers in another year or two. He’s not an elite athlete but he’s a workhorse who will get in your face and take you to the ground. I like his physicality in the run game and is an ideal fit at right tackle at the next level.
89. Pittsburgh Steelers — TE from South Carolina — Jerell Adams — After Heath Miller announced his retirement, the Steelers have a huge need at the position. Adams is a reach at this position but he’s tremendous athlete and could become an asset for the Steelers in year one. He needs to improve his run blocking but he’s got good size, speed and the ability to get the football.
90. Seattle Seahawks — WR from UCLA — Jordan Payton — If Jermaine Kearse goes elsewhere in free agency, the Seahawks will have a need at receiver. Payton ran well at the combine, has an NFL build and could be NFL ready, right now. He’s struggled to be consistent over the Senior Bowl but overall, he was highly consistent with the Bruins over the last two years.
Kansas City Chiefs lose their 91st overall selection because of tampering with Jeremy Maclin signing.
91. New England Patriots — CB from Georgia Tech — D.J. White — I feel like I’ve been writing this exact name down a lot over the last couple of seasons. The Patriots have a need in their secondary and White could be an under the radar type of player. He can be a nickel-corner or he could become a name that plays opposite of Malcolm Butler. Overall, I like his awareness and hand-eye coordination the most out of his various skill sets.
92. Arizona Cardinals — ILB from Oklahoma — Dominique Alexander — It’s almost a certainty that Alexander could become an OLB in a 4-3 defense but there’s a chance he stays inside in a 3-4 defense. He’s got really good cover skills and seems to be fast enough in blitzing packages. He could become a nice piece to the Cardinals’ heavy blitz defense.
93. Carolina Panthers — WR from Tulsa — Keyarris Garrett — Coming under the radar on my board is Keyarris Garrett. He’s got strong hands, great height and seems to create enough separation from press cover corners. He’s drawn some comparisons to Randy Moss but that’s stretch, especially with his injuries last season. He’s an effective route-runner and could become a really nice weapon for Cam Newton.
94. Denver Broncos — RB from Louisiana Tech — Kenneth Dixon — Dixon could become the diamond in the rough for the running back class. Dixon can contribute in various ways for an offense. I like him as a third down back and could compliment either Ronnie Hillman or C.J Anderson.
Compensatory Selections
95. Detroit Lions — FS from Boise State — Darian Thompson — I’d be shocked that Thompson is still around at this point but he fills a need for the Lions. They need some safety help, despite the signings they’ve made at the position.
96. New England Patriots — ILB from Utah State — Nick Vigil — With Jerod Mayo retiring, the Patriots have a need at the ILB position. Vigil doesn’t have to play right away or has to be the mike backer in the Patriots 3-4 scheme. He’s a fit for their system and checks off a need for them.
97. Seattle Seahawks — OLB from Georgia — Jordan Jenkins — A hybrid edge rusher who will need a year to get his feet under him at the next level. He’s played a lot of football and is instinctive. Without question he was the leader of the Georgia defense and could become a real playmaker in a defense that’s already loaded with talent.
98. Denver Broncos — QB from Mississippi State — Dak Prescott — Despite trading for Mark Sanchez, the Broncos still need depth at the QB position. Their best bet is start Sanchez and have someone like, Prescott, develop under him. He also fits something the Broncos potentially are looking into and that’s a mobile quarterback.
