Positional Breakdown: Quarterbacks

The quarterback position in the 2016 NFL Draft leaves a ton of questions on the table. Of the twenty-five prospects playing the position, only three warrant a first-round selection. There are a select few beyond those three that could be the next diamond in the rough, and there will surely be someone elected early, that could wind up being the next draft bust. Here are my best player, overrated player, and a player to keep your eye on, as well as a list of rankings.


Best in the class: Jared Goff, California

Many people are writing Goff off as the best quarterback in the 2016 crop, but I am NOT one of them. I'll address Carson Wentz momentarily, but the census is he is the best of the bunch. I think Goff has the proven track record during his time in college, and has taken his share of beatings, losses, and tough games. Goff fought through adversity at Cal, and even after a shoulder injury, he was able to lead his team for a full season. He broke records, most of which were held by Aaron Rodgers. Goff is as pro-ready as anyone in the entire 2016 class. He can make essentially any throw on the field, showing precision when getting the ball anywhere on the field. He arguably has the bet deep ball out of all the quarterbacks. Has good pocket presence, and can make throws when forced out and on the run. The deciding factor between Goff and Wentz, for me, is simply that Goff has played against a higher quality of talent during his college career.



Overrated: Carson Wentz, South Dakota State

Here's the thing: I could look like a genius by saying this, or I could look like the biggest idiot in the world when all is said and done. Wentz is a bigger player than most of the other quarterbacks, and had arguably the best combine of the group. That is just on paper, though. If I were a NFL GM, i would be scared for my job to even consider taking a 1A college quarterback with a first round pick. Wentz shows very well in film, throwing very accurate passes, and most times is able to throw receivers open. He can pick apart zone coverage as well as, if not better than any other prospect. I don't like how he sails balls when throwing on the move, and he often times locks onto a target without making his reads. The real issue i have with him, is the lack of talent he played against in college. Playing at SDSU, he may not have ever played against a single NFL caliber talent. The bottom line here is simple, the kid can throw a ball, but any team that selects him with a first-round pick should be weary that he may wind up as fools gold.


Keep your eye on: Jeff Driskel, Louisiana Tech

After Tim Tebow left Florida, the reigns were left to Driskel. That inevitably led to a sub-par season, and he then was granted a medical red-shirt. He left Florida and picked back up at LA Tech, where he threw for 4,033 yards, with 28 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. Driskel has the prototypical size to play in the NFL, and tied Carson Wentz for the best 40-yard time among quarterbacks. Driskel does a lot of things I like when evaluating quarterbacks, including the ability to quickly set his feet before throwing the ball. He keeps active in the pocket, but not in a twitchy, goofy way. He can make most NFL throws, but lacks certain athleticism some other prospects have. He has a little accuracy issue, but with work could become a suitable starter. Be on the lookout for a team to grab him, and have him learn from the sideline until his name is called.


Top Ten Quarterbacks:

1. Jared Goff, California
2. Carson Wentz, South Dakota State
3. Paxton Lynch, Memphis
4. Connor Cook, Michigan State
5. Christian Hackenberg, Penn State
6. Jeff Driskel, Louisiana Tech
7. Jacoby Brissett, N.C State
8. Dak Prescott, Mississippi State
9. Cody Kessler, USC
10. Cardale Jones, Ohio State

Mock Draft 2.0

Here is the second version of my mock draft. A few changes here due to combine and pro-day performances, as well as interviews. The biggest mover was Robert Nkemdiche, who almost dropped entirely out of the first-round, while Jaylon Smith dropped out of the first-round due to injury concerns.


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

No big change at number one. I still think the Titans understand they need to protect the investment they made at quarterback last year. I have heard VERY quiet rumblings about potential trades, but I wouldn't read far into that.



2. Cleveland Browns- Carson Wentz, QB (North Dakota State)

While I do believe the Browns need a franchise quarterback, I'm still not sold that Wentz could be that type of player. He has the size and tools to be a solid player, but the lack of experience against pro-level talent could lead to a steep learning curve in Cleveland.



3. San Diego Chargers- Joey Bosa, DL (Ohio State)

The Chargers haven't had a legit pass-rushing force since Shawn Merriman, and to make things worse, they lost Kendall Reyes in free-agency. Joey Bosa seems to be a logical pick here and is versatile enough to play multiple positions on the defensive line. Factor in a Pro Day in Ohio where he showed substantial progression from the NFL Combine and you have a perfect match.



4. Dallas Cowboys- Jalen Ramsey, DB (Florida State)

The Cowboys seem to love versatile players in their secondary. Byron Jones and Orlando Scandrick are examples of guys who can play both safety and cornerback, and Ramsey fits the same mold as well. Having an influx of these type of players would allow Dallas to figure out the combination of players that work best together.



5. Jacksonville Jaguars- Vernon Hargreaves, CB (Florida)

The additions made in the secondary for the Jags shouldn't influence this pick at all. While they've added some very talented players, newly acquired Prince Amukamara is only on a one-year deal. Hargreaves is an absolute difference maker at cornerback, and I cannot see Jacksonville passing on such a talented player.



6. Baltimore Ravens- Ronnie Stanley, OL (Notre Dame)

Baltimore lost Keliche Osemele to the Raiders during free-agency, and while Stanley may be best suited at tackle, he could gain valuable playing time filling the void until Eugene Monroe hangs up the cleats. Baltimore could address gaps elsewhere, but most would be a reach this early in the draft.



7. San Fransisco 49ers- Myles Jack, LB (UCLA)

With new Head Coach Chip Kelly taking the reigns, the 49ers could take a quarterback in this spot. For now, Colin Kaepernick is still under contract and they should look to get the best player available, Myles Jack. He is a free-running monster defensively, and is one of the most athletic players in the class. Does this sound familiar? Pairing Jack with Bowman could be reminiscent of Bowman's pairing with Patrick Willis for the Niners.



8. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami)- Ezekiel Elliot, RB (Ohio State)

After getting rid of Kiko Alonso and Byron Maxwell to swap up to eighth overall, the Eagles could land the potential replacement for DeMarco Murray. Elliot is a talented back, who runs hard and catches very well out of the backfield. As we've all seen with Doug Pederson's offense, he could be used similarly to how Jamaal Charles was used in Kansas City.



9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Deforest Buckner, DL (Oregon)

The Bucs went out and signed Robert Ayers away from the Giants, but even with that addition they should look to surround Gerald McCoy with productive pass-rushers. Buckner might be the best player in the draft at getting to the quarterback, and would be a huge upgrade from William Gholson, who would be the starter otherwise.



10. New York Giants- Laquon Treadwell, WR (Mississippi)

A huge splash was made by the Giants so far this offseason, and they've filled many gaps in their depth chart already. The one thing they're still lacking is a playmaker opposite Odell Beckham Jr. Treadwell does a lot of things similarly to OBJ, and is a dynamic player that could fit in great with the offense.



11. Chicago Bears- Shaq Lawson, DL (Clemson)

The Bears have made major upgrades to their subpar defense during free agency, adding Danny Trevathon and Jurrell Freeman to sure up the inside of the linebacking corps. They could still use some fine tuning in the secondary and along the defensive line. Lawson isn't the best pass-rusher in the draft, but he could fit in the Bears' scheme as an edge setter in the run game.


12. New Orleans Saints- Sheldon Rankins, DL (Louisville)

Kevin Williams became a free-agent this offseason and likely isn't coming back because of his age. John Jenkins is a nice, young nose tackle, but adding another tackle along side him should be high priority for the Saints. Rankins is very athletic for his size and shows promise in both the run game and pass-rush. New Orleans definitely needs to add talented players to the defensive line to pair with their star, Cameron Jordan.


13. Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia)- Reggie Ragland, LB (Alabama)

Miami has shaken up their roster a bit since the start of the offseason. Olivier Vernon is gone, and they swapped picks with Philadelphia to acquire Kiko Alonso and Byron Maxwell. Miami could go with the best available player, in this case I believe it is Ragland. Making this pick would also allow the Dolphins to potentially move Alonso to outside linebacker, a position that would allow him to roam freely and be more of a natural athlete.


14. Oakland Raiders- Jack Conklin, OL (Michigan State)

Oakland cannot open the season with Donald Penn and Austin Howard as its starting tackles on offense. Conklin could serve as an upgrade for the Raiders, wether it be immediately or somewhere down the line.


15. Los Angeles Rams- Jared Goff, QB (California)

I'm still a firm believer that the Rams shouldn't select a quarterback in the first round of this years draft. Even though the team might not have a long-term, or even short-term solution at quarterback on their roster, my belief is that drafting a quarterback in the first round would be a wasted pick for LA. The Rams are a young team loaded with talent, but really need to use their fifteenth pick to tighten up in other spots. The problem here? "Owner" Stan Kroenke will likely be looking to take a quarterback and make him the "Face of the Franchise," when in all likelihood, it could derail the teams progress even more.


16. Detroit Lions- Kevin Dodd, DE (Clemson)

The Lions are in a very unique space when it comes to this offseason. While they underachieved vastly, the roster has very little holes that require immediate addressing. At first glance, many would say that finding a replacement for Calvin Johnson should be first priority, but with a first round selection, I'm not entirely sold on any receivers having a huge impact right away. I could see Detroit looking to add a quality pass-rusher to pair opposite Ziggy Ansah, and rotate with Devin Taylor, who has shown huge improvements in his young career.


17. Atlanta Falcons- Darron Lee, LB (Ohio State)

This pick could be the closest thing to a perfect fit as you can get in the NFL Draft. Lee is a highly athletic linebacker with great vision and ball-hawking ability. In Dan Quinn's scheme he would probably play weak side linebacker, which would allow him to roam freely around the field and cause chaos. He is a little undersized, so adding muscle could be a key component to his success in the NFL. If he struggles as a linebacker, there could be a possible position change to safety.


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

Am I the only person that has noticed that the Colts have done very little to protect their franchise quarterback? I've said for some time they need to address the lack of talent along their offensive line, and yet every year they pass on potential high-caliber lineman in the early parts of the draft. This year more then ever it should be high priority to bring in fresh, talented young guys to help protect Andrew Luck, especially after an injury riddled 2015.


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

The Bills should be looking for a someone to replace Mario Williams. Ogbah posses size and strength that could have him playing defensive end or outside linebacker. He is more of a run-stopper than someone who can get to the quarterback, but he has promise to succeed at both in the NFL.


20. New York Jets- Leonard Floyd, LB (Georgia)

The Jets haven't had an aggressive, play-making linebacker in a few years, and should be looking to add that type of player to pair with Muhammad Wilkerson. Floyd has the ability to get to the quarterback, something the Jets will love about him, but he also has above average coverage skills for an edge-rusher. Todd Bowels needs a player with the unique traits that Floyd will bring to the NFL.


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

Kedrick Gholston is listed as the starting nose tackle for the Redskins, but is more of a defensive end. Adding Reed would give them a true defensive tackle and add toughness to a defensive line that hasn't played very well in recent years.


22. Houston Texans- Will Fuller, WR (Notre Dame)

The Texans have added a ton of talent offensively, bringing in Brock Osweiler and Lamar Miller. They should look to add a weapon that could compliment Deandre Hopkins and the rest of the passing game. Fuller is scary fast, and has above average hands, which should help him slide into the first-round.


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

Minnesota has two very young, talented receivers in Charles Johnson and Stephon Diggs, but after releasing Mike Wallace and the lack of production from Cordaralle Patterson, they should look to add another. Doctson could play as an outside receiver, and would add depth to an arsenal of weapons for Teddy Bridgewater.


24. Cincinnati Bengals- Noah Spence, EDGE (Eastern Kentucky)

The Bengals have a talented roster already, and could probably use some help in the secondary, but passing up on Spence could be a huge mistake. Spence is a force, who gets to the quarterback relentlessly. He would play defensive end in the Bengals' 4-3, providing youth and depth to the aging position.


25. Pittsburgh Steelers- Mackensie Alexander, CB (Clemson)

The Steelers are basically playing defense without any corners at this point. They want to start a youth movement in the secondary, so adding Alexander makes the most sense. You'll likely see some combination of Senquez Golson, Doran Grant and Alexander if he is the pick here.


26. Seattle Seahawks- Germain Ifedi, OL (Texas A&M)

Seattle lost Russel Okung to free-agency, so it could be possible they look for the replacement here, or at least to add to a mix-and-match offensive line for 2016.


27. Green Bay Packers- Andrew Billings, NT (Baylor)

I thought this pick made sense earlier this offseason, and then BJ Raji retired, which all but locked the pick in for me.


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

Bullard is a versatile lineman who could play inside as well as defensive end. He would likely slide right into the defensive line rotation as a starter, and share reps with some of the veterans while learning the pro game.


29. Arizona Cardinals- Robert Nkemdiche, DL (Mississippi)

The Cardinals could take a chance on a player like Nkemdiche at this spot. He has the talent to be a top-10 player, but has a ton of character questions. If he pans out, he'll likely be the steal of the entire draft.


30. Carolina Panthers- Keanu Neal, S (Florida)

The Panthers are paper thin at safety. Kurt Coleman will likely be their free roamer, and the addition of Neal should give them an athletic player, who can cover in any scheme, as well as step inside the box and provide above average run support.



31. Denver Broncos- Paxton Lynch, QB (Memphis)

Although the Broncos acquired Mark Sanchez, he is nowhere close to the answer for the team. Paxton Lynch would provide them a young talented player that could learn the system until his name is called. Having a legend like John Elway in the front-office would also be amazing for a player who probably needs some tailoring done to his game. Lynch is a mobile quarterback with a big frame, but lacks the experience of a pro-style offense.