Monday, February 22, 2016

Mock Draft 1.0

This years draft class has my head spinning. There are positions that are loaded with talented, and other that seem useless. With that said, I present to you the first 2016 NFL Mock Draft of the offseason!

1. Tennessee Titans- Laramy Tunsil, OL (Mississippi)

Tennessee is in position once again to dictate the flow of the draft. They could use a dominant pass rusher, but I believe the future of the franchise lies in keeping second-year quarterback Marcus Mariota protected. Laramy Tunsil is the best offensive lineman in the draft, and is well deserving of the first overall pick.

2. Cleveland Browns- Jared Goff, QB (California)

It has been documented all season, and now into the offseason that Johnny Manziel hasn't been a model pro, and we learned he will be released in March. Josh McCown is still on the roster, but could be packing suitcases with Johnny Football, although it now seems less likely. Regardless is he's in uniform or not, he is not the long term answer for the Browns at quarterback. The Browns, in Goff, get a player that new Head Coach Hue Jackson will be able to work with from day one, and Goff seems to be the most pro-ready quarterback in the class.

3. San Diego(?) Chargers- Ronnie Stanley, OT (Notre Dame)

The Chargers may not be playing in San Diego after next season, but wherever they wind up, they'll need to add a staple to their offensive line to keep aging star Phillip Rivers protected. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Chargers move out of this spot, trying to negotiate a trade with a team that wants to move up and select Joey Bosa.

4. Dallas Cowboys- Joey Bosa, DL (Ohio State)

I have stated in years past that I don't mock trades in any articles I write, so as it stands now, Bosa will be available when Dallas selects fourth overall. Dallas needs to find a dominant defensive player, something they've lacked in recent years. Bosa is probably the best player in this years draft class, and could have JJ Watt-like presence on the field.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars- Jalen Ramsey, DB (Florida State)

Jacksonville essentially has two first-rounders entering the 2016 season, since 2015 pick Dante Fowler Jr. was lost for the season during his first team activity. Jacksonville needs to improve their defense significantly, and Ramsey would be a major upgrade in the secondary. He is versatile, playing both cornerback and safety in college. He is regarded as one of the most athletic prospects in the 2016 class.

6. Baltimore Ravens- Vernon Hargreaves, CB (Florida)

In a similar scenario to Jacksonville, the Ravens had Breshad Perriman miss essentially the whole season with an injury. with two fresh faces coming in, the Ravens could make a splash. The AFC North is loaded with talented receivers, so the Ravens need to draft a player that could have an immediate effect. Hargreaves is excellent in man coverage, and could excel in the Ravens' scheme.

7. San Fransisco 49ers- Laquan Treadwell, WR (Mississippi)

I'm putting this pick in assuming that new Head Coach Chip Kelly wants to keep Colin Kaepernick around. Kaep fits his style of offense, and has a strong arm, which is something no quarterback in Philly had. Surrounding Kaepernick with weapons should be a high priority, as it seems like Torrey Smith will be the only receiver worth while returning in San Fran. Adding a dynamic player like Treadwell could be a big step in ramping up what should be a high powered offense. 

8. Miami Dolphins- Mackensie Alexander, CB (Clemson)

Miami needs to get younger on the defensive side of the ball, and should look to add to a struggling secondary that features an older Brent Grimes. They could address the offensive line as well, but with a top-ten pick, I believe the value of players available isn't strong enough to make that an option.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Myles Jack, LB (UCLA)

The versatile linebacker comes off the board with the ninth pick and adds raw athleticism and a unique style of play to an abysmal defense. Jack could play inside or outside, and would be a nice compliment to Lavonte David.

10. New York Giants- Deforest Buckner, DE (Oregon)

It would be in the best interest of the team if the Giants parted ways with Jason Pierre-Paul. If they do retain him, it will likely only be a one-year deal anyway. With that said, The front office will need to find someone who can get to the quarterback, and Buckner fits the mold as the replacement for JPP. He is considered one of the best pass-rushers in the 2016 draft.

11. Chicago Bears- Jaylon Smith, LB (Notre Dame)

Chicago has been in need of a difference maker at linebacker for some time. The defense was most productive when they had Brain Urlacher paired with Lance Briggs. Jaylon Smith is an athletic, and instinctive linebacker who flies around the field. If the Bears want to be competitors again, Smith could be the first piece to a team that has a ton of holes in it.

12. New Orleans Saints- A'Shawn Robinson, DT (Alabama)

The Saints desperately need help on defense, and there are a ton of holes for them to fill. Most notably, they need to add a run-stopper on the interior line. Robinson was a force in the SEC while attending Alabama, and the transition could have a quick turnaround time. The Saints have the weapons offensively, but need to start building a young, talented core on the other side of the ball.

13. Philadelphia Eagles- Jack Conklin, OL (Michigan State)

 After former Head Coach Chip Kelly shipped out a heap of his best players, the Eagles oddly find themselves in rebuild limbo. Two of the best lineman the Eagles had in 2014 were released, and the offense has suffered because of it. Conklin might be a little of a reach, but the need is too outstanding to not be addressed. Conklin had a successful college career and could be an above average starter in the NFL.

14. Oakland Raiders- Shaq Lawson, DE (Clemson)

Oakland is on the upswing, and with a very talented, young offense, the Raiders should look to add to a defense that features arguably the best defensive player in the league in Khalil Mack. Lawson would give the Raiders another pass-rusher, who paired with Mack, could become the most lethal duo in the NFL.

15. Los Angeles Rams- Paxton Lynch, QB (Memphis)

The Rams are probably entering the season with just two quarterbacks on their roster (Sean Mannion,    Case Keenum), and although there may be more logical players to select, owner Stan Kroenke will likely want to grab a quarterback to be the face of his franchise, and have a fresh face to put on display in LA. Adding Lynch gives the Rams a quarterback with mobility, something that the NFC West is very familiar with.

16. Detroit Lions- Sheldon Rankins, DT (Louisville)

The Lions are set to lose key players along their defensive line during the offseason. Addressing these gaps on the defense seems to be high priority. Rankins is a hot name that is shooting up big boards and could be a huge difference maker for a Detroit defense that is already fairly strong.

17. Atlanta Falcons- Reggie Ragland, LB (Alabama)

Atlanta has a need for defensive game changers, and Ragland fits the mold. With the possibility that inside linebacker Paul Worrilow could walk, Ragland could become an immediate starter. There are some other positions the Falcons could address (safety, pass rusher), but the issue is the value of players that would be available when they select at fifteen. Ragland was one of the most dominant enforcers in all of college football, and could become the same type of force in the NFL.

18. Indianapolis Colts- Taylor Decker, OL (Ohio State)

The Colts main concern this offseason should be keeping Andrew Luck protected. There are defensive needs, but the health and career longevity of their franchise quarterback should be top priority. Decker would fill a need and add more youth to a line that is in desperate need of revamping.

19. Buffalo Bills- Emmanuel Ogbah, DL (Oklahoma State)

If Mario Williams is lost during free agency, they'll have to find a pass-rusher to help replace him. Adding Ogbah to a defensive line that already features Marcel Dareus, Jerry Hughes and the possible return of Kyle Williams, would allow Rex Ryan to continue his aggressive style defensive schemes.

20. New York Jets- Darron Lee, LB (Ohio State)

The Jets could really use a pass-rushing linebacker to set the edge in their 3-4 defense. With the possibility that Muhammad Wilkerson could be gone, they could select a defensive lineman, but Lee seems to be a good fit for a team that hasn't much success with their linebackers in some time.

21. Washington Redskins- Jarran Reed, DT (Alabama)

The 'Skins could use some help on the defensive line, especially since Terrance Knighton could walk in free-agency. Reed has the run-stuffing capabilities that the 'Skins need if they're going to replace Pot Roast, and getting younger along the line at the same time makes this pick a great match.

22. Houston Texans- Ezekiel Elliot, RB (Ohio State)

Houston is starting to realize they need to have a running back in place as a safety net. Arian Foster is getting older, and has proven he can't stay healthy. Adding Elliot would allow the Texans to stay with their running oriented offense, while having a reliable and talented running back in the scenario that Foster gets hurt again.

23. Minnesota Vikings- Josh Doctson, WR (TCU)

Mike Wallace looks like he could be the odd man out, and Cordarelle Patterson isn't the answer they need at receiver. Charles Johnson and Stefan Diggs are great key pieces to the offense, and adding a player with Doctson's caliber could really help shape the receiving corps into an above average group.

24. Cincinnati Bengals- Corey Coleman, WR (Baylor)

At this point, Mohammad Sanu, and Marvin Jones are free agents. Teams will likely pay more than what the Bengals want to give them, so there will be a gaping hole to fill. Coleman could be one of the more underrated players in this class, and pairing him with AJ Green might be an upgrade from a player like Sanu.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers- Eli Apple, WR (Ohio State)

With arguably the weakest secondary in the NFL, the Steelers inevitably draft a cornerback in the first round. I think that regardless of who is available, they must address the need. Apple seems to be the best player available when they make their selection at twenty five.


26. Seattle Seahawks- Andrew Billings, DT (Baylor)

The Seahawks will look to replace veteran defensive tackle Brandon Mebane during the offseason. Even if they can keep him on the roster, he is an aging player, and drafting the successor to the spot seems all but likely. With such a talented roster already, there aren't many gaps to fill otherwise.

27. Green Bay Packers- Kevin Dodd, DE (Clemson)

Green Bay is in desperate need of a defensive end, and the pass-rush struggled last season. Datone Jones and Josh Boyd are the only ends on the roster, so adding a player at the position in the first round would help upgrade the position.

28. Kansas City Chiefs- Johnathan Bullard, DT (Florida)

The Chiefs starting nose tackle Jaye Howard is a free agent, and while Dontari Poe is a big bodied prospect, they could look to add depth to the position. Bullard has the tools to be a rotational player right away, while developing his skills at the NFL level.

29. Arizona Cardinals- Leonard Floyd, EDGE (Georgia)

Arizona has one of the more complete teams in the NFL, so this pick is more of a luxury. They could add depth to a lot of places, but in the NFL, you can never have too many pass rushers. Floyd lacks a pro-sized body, but that is something that can always be tailored, and what he lacks in that department, he makes up for with a high motor and relentless pass-rush.

30. Carolina Panthers- Darian Stewart, S (Boise State)

The Panthers need to start addressing the defensive side of the ball, especially since some of their key players are getting old. Roman Harper is in his 30's, even though he looks like he is 45. Finding someone to replace him should be a priority in Carolina. Even if Harper has a season or two left in the tank, it wouldn't hurt to add some youth to the defense. Cornerback could be another area to address. Peanut Tillman tore his ACL in the playoffs, and there is a small outside chance that Josh Norman might be leaving as well.

31. Denver Broncos- Carson Wentz, QB (North Dakota State)

While I think it is unlikely that the Broncos would start a rookie, it makes sense in this scenario that they take a quarterback. Wentz is another playing who's stock is skyrocketing, and while his potential is unlimited, there may not be a huge demand for quarterbacks this early in the draft.