There will be a lot that changes between now and the 2016 NFL Draft. That’s always clear when doing a mock draft during the first week of the year, however, it’s still fun and there’s always a reason to make a case for each pick. Especially for the teams that didn’t make the playoffs.
So here it is, the first ‘set in stone order’ mock for the non-playoff teams.
1. Tennessee Titans — OT from Ole Miss — Laremy Tunsil
A few weeks back I had Ronnie Stanley as the best offensive tackle in the draft and he’s not far off, but we’ve got a change in the rankings. After a strong finish to the season, Tunsil is an anchor on the left side. He’s got a massive frame, incredibly strong and has quick feet. The Titans would clearly take him to anchor the left side of their line as Taylor Lewan will make out to be a better right tackle anyways. Before we make this a lock to be the Titans’ pick, let it be known that Tunsil did have an NCAA violation against him, a knee injury and was involved with a brutal fight with his step-father over the summer. There are some questions but if everything comes back negative, there’s no reason as to why he isn’t the first overall pick.
2. Cleveland Browns — QB from California — Jared Goff
I’ve been sold on Goff to be the best quarterback in the draft for weeks and there’s no reason for me to change that thinking now. Connor Cook is dropping down my boards and I’m not sold on Paxton Lynch. This makes obvious sense for the Cleveland Browns, especially if they want to get away from Johnny Manziel and turn this thing around.
3. San Diego Chargers — WR from Ole Miss — Laquon Treadwell
This team is desperate for a wide receiver. Stevie Johnson isn’t getting any younger, Kennan Allen is plagued by injuries and Malcolm Floyd is set for retirement. If you don’t get a playmaker for Phillip Rivers, he’ll want out and he’ll try to win a championship elsewhere. Go out and get the best receiver on the board.
4. Dallas Cowboys — DE from Ohio State — Joey Bosa
I’m not sold on Bosa like some experts are but he will get taken in the top 5 of the draft. Something tells me that the Cowboys won’t be dumb enough to keep Greg Hardy around and it’ll be hard for them to pass on a guy like Bosa. I’ll get into my questions about Bosa another time but for now, he’s going to the Cowboys.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars — CB from Florida State — Jalen Ramsey
The Jaguars have a terrible secondary and if it wasn’t for linebacker Telvin Smith or safety Jonathan Cyperian, they’d be even worse. No way could I see them passing on a player like Jalen Ramsey who has incredible press coverage skills.
6. Baltimore Ravens — OT from Notre Dame — Ronnie Stanley
The Ravens are in need of some secondary help here but they have a much bigger hole at left tackle. Ronnie Stanley falls to them and it’s an obvious pick, if they don’t get their hands on someone like Russell Okung in free agency. Stanley though too is a candidate to go first overall IF Tunsil’s off the field stuff comes back to haunt him.
7. San Francisco 49ers — QB from Memphis — Paxton Lynch
I’m not sold on Lynch, never have been, never will be. I’ll take an injured Connor Cook over Paxton Lynch (insert homer button) but in reality, some teams won’t. The 49ers will be that team. This guy is a Ryan Mallet with or without the alarm clock. Either way, his game won’t translate to the NFL. So let’s have the 49ers bring on Chip Kelly and Paxton Lynch so another natural disaster can happen to an NFL team because of the former Oregon and now former Eagles head coach.
8. Miami Dolphins — DE from Oklahoma State — Emmanuel Ogbah
They’re going to lose Oliver Vernon to free agency and might have to release or trade Cameron Wake. Either way, they overpaid for Ndamukong Suh who will only be good for about five sacks a year. Since all that’s kind of the case go get an edge rusher who has incredible upside in Emmanuel Ogbah.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — OLB from Notre Dame — Jaylon Smith
I really felt like this kid could be the best player in the draft, that is until he got hurt. Right now Smith is still a first rounder, as long as he has a successful surgery to his knee (no way that thing doesn’t go under the knife) and he can do something at his pro day. Tampa makes sense as they need some kind of presence next to Lavonte David on defense.
10. New York Giants — CB from Florida — Vernon Hargreaves III
Despite many people having him drop into the later part of the first round, I still believe in this kid and his athletic ability. I think he can be a difference maker for a team that needs secondary help and the Giants fit that bill. They have the worst secondary in the NFL, how could they not take him?
11. Chicago Bears — ILB from Alabama — Reggie Ragland
This team has yet to replace Brian Urlacher and that needs to change so why not go with top Alabama prospect Reggie Ragland? He might not be as big as the Crimson Tide defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson but he moves nicely at the linebacker position and can be an instant leader.
12. New Orleans Saints — DT from UCLA — Kenny Clark
To me, he’s the best defensive tackle in the draft in which case the Saints are getting a steal if they’re able to nab him with the 12th overall pick. I think this kid will emerge like Aaron Donald did a few years ago for the St. Louis Rams.
13. Philadelphia Eagles — QB from Michigan State — Connor Cook
I’m so lost in the whole Connor Cook thing. Bad performances, inconsistent throws and a bad shoulder makes me feel like he could fall into the mid 2nd round. Right now, I think Adam Gase is set to become the next head coach of the Eagles and he’s going to want his own quarterback, not Sam Bradford or some other junkie off the street. If Connor Cook is there, he could be the most obvious pick for them.
14. Oakland Raiders — OLB from UCLA — Myles Jack
What’s all the hype about with this kid? Not amazing or flashy. He has some consistent performances but other than that, I think he could be a flash in the pan type of player. Insert Rolando McClain comparisons but maybe pairing him up with Khalil Mack will do him some good.
15. St. Louis Rams — OT from Michigan State — Jack Conklin
The Rams could very well be in line to take a splash player like Baylor wide receiver, Corey Coleman. However, I think building an offensive line for the next quarterback or running back, Todd Gurley, is the smart thing to do. Conklin could be a right tackle or a left tackle, it doesn’t matter. He’ll pair up nicely with Greg Robinson and will draw comparisons to Jeff Backus.
16. Detroit Lions — OT from Ohio State — Taylor Decker
Matthew Stafford has been sacked 89 times over the last two years and his offensive line only improved their sack total by one (45 down to 44). With Conklin off the board, I could see the Lions have a fear of losing out on some really good offensive tackles. Taking a player like Decker is tricky as I think he’s best at the right tackle position but at least you’re prepared for what’s to come if Riley Reiff doesn’t re-sign.
17. Atlanta Falcons — DE from Clemson — Shaq Lawson
It’s hard to believe that this team will draft another defensive end in the first round but with someone like Shaq Lawson on the board the Falcons will have to like his pairing with Vic Beasley. After all, they were former teammates at Clemson.
18. Indianapolis Colts — DT from Ole Miss — Robert Nkemdiche
A top 10 talent type of kid who has some off the field issues. If you fall from a one-story window because you were high, then you deserve to fall in the draft. Nkemdiche could be a really good player but for now, he’ll go to a team that needs to take the best player available.
19. Buffalo Bills — DE from Florida — Jonathan Bullard
If the rumors are true of the Bills parting ways with Mario Williams, then they need to add another defensive end. I’m not sold on Jerry Hughes or Alex Carrington. Bullard would be a great fit for Rex Ryan and that Buffalo Bills defense.
20. New York Jets — RB from Ohio State — Ezekiel Elliot
Chris Ivory almost became an afterthought in the Jets’ offense over the last few weeks so it’s hard to believe they’re going to re-sign him. If the Jets let him walk, they’ll look to move into position to draft the best running back of this year’s class, Ezekiel Elliot.
