There are a few options for the Titans with the first pick, but
Laremy Tunsil is the man that stands out. He’s the top tackle
option in the class, as he possesses a great combination of finesse
and power. The Titans drafted the face of their franchise in Marcus
Mariota last season, and they need to find a way to keep him upright,
as they gave up more sacks than anyone in the NFL in 2015. Drafting
Tunsil would allow Tennessee to move Taylor Lewan to right tackle,
to form a potentially elite tackle pair for the next 5-7 years.
2. Cleveland Browns – Carson Wentz,
QB, North Dakota State
Wentz didn’t face elite defenses in college, as North Dakota
State is part of the FCS, which is essentially the league below
the FBS and Power Five conferences. With that being said, Wentz
displays all of the traits an NFL quarterback needs to be successful.
He’s big, with exceptional athleticism, and displays a tremendous
combination of accuracy and strength when throwing the ball. The
Browns have a clear need at the position, as the Johnny Manziel
experiment failed to work out. They have their pick of the quarterback
group, and Wentz has the upside to be a multi-time Pro Bowler.
3. San Diego Chargers – Jalen Ramsey,
CB, Florida State
Jalen Ramsey is quickly working his way up the draft boards,
and it wouldn’t be surprising if he was the first overall
pick in the draft. He’s a big cornerback with good speed
and incredible athleticism, which could allow him to become a
playmaker in the NFL for years to come. The Chargers don’t
have a huge need at cornerback, but they do have a major need
at safety, which is a position Ramsey can also play. He is the
type of player that has the potential to shut down elite wide
receivers or he can provide run support. He also dominated at
the Combine, which has solidified his spot among the top-five
picks in the draft.
4. Dallas Cowboys – Joey Bosa, DE,
Ohio State
There has been plenty of talk about Ezekiel Elloitt jumping into
the top-5, and the Cowboys would be the likeliest destination.
With that being said, it’s tough to imagine they would pass
on someone as talented as Joey Bosa. Reports are saying Bosa is
currently sliding down draft boards, but he’s an NFL ready
player, and with clock ticking on Tony Romo, the Cowboys are looking
to make a Super Bowl run now. Dallas is likely going to part ways
with Greg Hardy, while Randy Gregory has also been a troubled
player. Bosa would fill a need and upgrade the Cowboys defense
immediately in their hopes to win a Super Bowl in the Romo era.
Gus Bradley loves upgrading the defense, and that’s going
to be the focus of the Jaguars this offseason. Buckner is a versatile
player, as he has the speed to play defensive end and the power
to play defensive tackle. Bradley tends to use players that have
the ability to contribute at multiple positions, and Buckner will
immediately upgrade the Jags defensive line. He also plays with
tons of passion, and Buckner hasn’t even scratched the surface
of his potential. The Jags are an up and coming team, and Buckner
can immediately contribute, while also becoming another great,
young piece for the future.
6. Baltimore Ravens – Myles Jack,
OLB, UCLA
The Ravens have a serious need at outside linebacker, as Courtney
Upshaw is a free agent, while Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil
are aging and significantly less effective pass rushers than they
were in their prime. Jack is one of the most athletic players
in the NFL draft, as he played both outside linebacker and running
back at an elite level for UCLA. He has the speed to run down
running backs from anywhere on the field, and he could immediately
help the Ravens defense. He can play multiple positions, and the
Ravens are one of a few teams that could utilize Jack in multiple
different packages, which would help him hit his full potential.
7. San Francisco 49ers – Jared Goff,
QB, California
It’s impossible to predict what Chip Kelly will convince
the 49ers to do, but a quarterback here makes a lot of sense.
Colin Kaepernick recently requested to seek a trade and Blaine
Gabbert isn’t the answer at the postion. Goff is seen as
the most NFL ready quarterback in the draft, and he’s the
easy option with Wentz off the board. He has a tremendous arm,
and can throw every type of route in the NFL. The 49ers roster
is in shambles after multiple retirements, but they could draft
their quarterback of the future with this pick.
8. Miami Dolphins – Vernon Hargreaves,
CB, Florida
The Dolphins are in need of help in their secondary, and Hargreaves
is far and away the best cornerback on the board. He only ran
a 4.50 40-yard dash, but he posted a ridiculous 39.0 inch vertical
jump. He’s a cornerback that can play press, off, or zone
coverage at an elite level. He has the ability to contend jump
balls with bigger receivers because of his vertical jump, which
makes up for his 5’10” frame. He also isn’t
afraid to help in the run game, and he’s a player that could
immediately help the Miami defense.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kevin Dodd,
DE, Clemson
Tampa Bay has a major hole at defensive end, and Kevin Dodd has
the ability and frame to be a day one contributor. Dodd only has
one year of elite production at Clemson, but he is an extremely
detailed player, as he focuses on his responsibilities each game.
He also rarely takes plays off, which is a great quality in a
defensive lineman in the NFL. Tampa Bay’s defensive line
struggled last season, and Dodd would be a tremendous young player
to pair with Gerald McCoy in the front four for the next few years.
10. New York Giants – Shaq Lawson,
DE, Clemson
The Giants have multiple defensive linemen leaving in free agency
this offseason, including Jason Pierre-Paul. While JPP wasn’t
at 100 percent last season, he was the Giants most effective pass
rusher, and they struggled when he wasn’t on the field.
Lawson isn’t an elite pass rusher, but he’s a great
run stopper and has the ability to develop a consistent pass rush.
Lawson is the best available end here, and he makes a great option
for a needy New York defense.
11. Chicago Bears – Ronnie Stanley,
OT, Notre Dame
The Bears have a few major needs on their team, and Ronnie Stanley
would certainly fill a void. Stanley is seen as the second best
offensive tackle in the class behind only Tunsil. He’s an
extremely quick tackle, who is athletic enough to excel at both
pass and run blocking. The Bears will continue to move forward
with Jay Cutler at the helm, and they would be wise to solidify
the line and keep him upright. Stanley has the ability to be an
elite tackle if he adds more power to his game, and he could immediately
help the Bears offense.
12. New Orleans Saints – A’Shawn
Robinson, DT, Alabama
New Orleans needs help along the defensive line, and this pick
came down to Robinson and Sheldon Rankins. Ultimately, Robinson
is the pick because he’s a more NFL ready prospect, and
the Saints only have a couple of years left with Drew Brees. Robinson
is a powerful defensive linemen, who can impact the inside run
game at an elite level from day one. He also has the ability attack
the quarterback on passing downs, which is a rare trait for interior
defensive linemen. Robinson also comes from Alabama, which is
seen as an NFL ready school, and Robinson will immediately help
the Saints run defense.
13. Philadelphia Eagles – Jack Conklin,
OT, Michigan State
The Eagles had a huge hole at quarterback, but they recently
signed Sam Bradford to a two-year contract. That means they will
move onto their next biggest need, which is an offensive linemen.
They had one of the worst lines in the NFL last season, and Conklin
will likely slide into a starting spot. He isn’t quite as
athletic as some of the other linemen in the draft, but he plays
from whistle to whistle and plays with good technique. The Eagles
have a few different positions they could go with this pick, but
they need to reinvent their line and Conklin will be a great,
young piece.
The Raiders cornerback situation is ugly at the moment, as D.J.
Hayden and David Amerson are currently penciled in as the starters.
Alexander is currently on the rise in the draft community, and
it wouldn’t be surprising to see him taken before Eli Apple.
He is coming off a great season at Clemson, and he was able to
shut down some of the best wide receivers in the NCAA. He’s
a bit short to cover red zone targets like Martavis Bryant, but
he competes on every throw, and he could be the franchise cornerback
the Raiders have been searching for.
15. Los Angeles Rams – Paxton Lynch,
QB, Memphis
Lynch’s draft stock is currently falling, but the Rams
are in dire of a quarterback. They are currently set to enter
the season with Nick Foles, Sean Mannion, and Case Keenum, which
is a recipe for disaster. Lynch is a potential franchise quarterback,
as he possesses good athleticism to go along with an extremely
talented arm. Lynch’s arm is powerful, but he struggled
at time with ball placement. The Rams have a few needs that have
to be addressed before they can compete in the NFC West, and finding
a franchise quarterback is at the top of the list.
16. Detroit Lions – Laquon Treadwell,
WR, Mississippi
Calvin Johnson is currently considering retirement and it looks
like he’s leaning towards hanging his cleats up for good.
That would leave a huge void at wide receiver for the Lions this
upcoming season. Insert Laquon Treadwell, who is a big, physical
wide receiver. He has the ability to become the number one option
in the Lions passing game, and he’s the top receiver in
the draft. He would be a lock for the top-10 if he was just a
bit faster, but he has been outstanding on tape, and this pick
is a steal for the Lions, especially if Johnson decides to retire.
17. Atlanta Falcons – Reggie Ragland,
ILB, Alabama
The Falcons clearly need to focus on defense in this draft, and
inside linebacker is one of the biggest needs. Ragland solidified
his spot in the first round, as he led an elite Alabama defense
and won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year this last season.
He is a tremendous run stopper, and the Falcons allowed the most
rushing touchdowns in the NFL last season. Ragland would immediately
be an upgrade to their linebackers, and he could eventually become
the leader of the Atlanta defense.
18. Indianapolis Colts – Taylor Decker,
OT, Ohio State
This might be a bit high for Decker, but the Colts need to address
their offensive line and he’s the best available lineman
on the board. Indianapolis has their franchise quarterback in
Andrew Luck, but it’s impossible for him to win the game
if he’s consistently being hit, which causes injuries. Decker
is talented enough to start at right tackle from day one, and
he has shown a great ability to pass block in college. He was
a leader for one of the best teams in the nation last season,
and he plays with a team mentality, as he returned for his senior
year even though he would have been a first round pick in last
years draft.
Rankins is a bit of an undersized defensive tackle, which is
why he’s a perfect fit for the Bills. He can be a part time
player in his rookie season while hitting the gym and adding more
muscle to his frame. He’s an explosive athlete, who has
elite quickness for an interior defensive lineman. He tested well
at the Combine, and he’s coming off a great career for Louisville.
Rankins has the ability to be great in the right opportunity,
and the Bills are a perfect fit that will allow Rankins to develop
early in his career.
20. New York Jets – Ezekiel Elliott,
RB, Ohio State
The Jets have an elite defense year in and year out, but they
trend toward mediocre on offense. They are looking to re-sign
Ryan Fitzpatrick, who played slightly better than a game manager
last season. The Jets have been a run first team for as long as
anyone can remember and they have multiple different running backs
departing because of free agency. Enter Elliott who is an elite
running back prospect. There is talk that he could be selected
in the top-five, but if he isn’t, he could end up being
a draft day slide. Elliott is the type of back that the Jets could
ride to the playoffs with an elite defense again this season.
21. Washington Redskins – Eli Apple,
CB, Ohio State
The Redskins have a few major needs before they have a shot to
make a deep playoff run, and their secondary is one of them. Washington
had one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL last season, and
it’s a huge reason as to why they were knocked out of the
playoffs. Apple is a big corner, who has plenty of speed, as he
ran a 4.40 40-yard dash at the Combine. He progressed each year
at Ohio State, and he will likely continue to progress in the
NFL. He would be a great young piece to a suspect secondary.
22. Houston Texans – Will Fuller,
WR, Notre Dame
The Texans are in desperate need of a quarterback and running
back, but neither of the first round options at those positions
fell here. Instead, Houston will need to look at finding a speedy
wide receiver to stretch the field opposite DeAndre Hopkins. Will
Fuller is the exact type of wide receiver to do that, as he may
have worked his way into the first round with a ridiculous 4.32
40-yard dash at the Combine. He has the ability to take the top
off of defenses, but he also can turn screens and short passes
into huge gains. Fuller would be a lock for the top-20 if he didn’t
struggle with drops, which is what caused him to fall to the Texans.
23. Minnesota Vikings – Josh Doctson,
WR, TCU
Minnesota is another team that is in need of a second receiver
to pair opposite of Stefon Diggs. Doctson is big (6-2, 202 lbs)
with unbelievably strong hands. He can high point the ball as
well as anyone in this draft, and he’s the type of receiver
that could easily develop into the number one option on a team
for the next ten years. He’s coming off a tremendous performance
at the Combine, in which he was the top performer in the vertical
jump, broad jump, 20-yard shuttle, and 60-yard shuttle. He also
ran a respectable 4.50 40-yard dash. He fell a little because
of the system he played for in college, but he has more than enough
talent to be a dominant force in the NFL.
The Bengals don’t have a major hole on their team, but
they do have multiple wide receivers testing free agency. It has
been rumored they won’t re-sign Mohamed Sanu and Marvin
Jones will likely receive a paycheck bigger than the Bengals want
to hand out. That means they will be in need of a wide receiver
to take the pressure off of A.J. Green. Corey Coleman was a dominant
force at Baylor, and he rarely saw single coverage on any given
play. He has more than enough speed to take the top off of a defense,
but he’s also quick enough to dominate on short and intermediate
routes. He’s an electric player that would add another dimension
to the Bengals offense.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers – Noah Spence,
DE, Eastern Kentucky
The Steelers had one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL last
season, but unfortunately, no elite cornerbacks fell to this spot.
The second best option is take a player that can pin his ears
back and go get the quarterback on passing downs. Spence has the
ability to be a day one contributor for the Steelers, as he has
potential top-10 talent, but he has dealt with a few off the field
issues throughout his career. He seems to have an understanding
that some of his decisions were less than ideal, and that could
be the first step to recovery. If Spence can get himself cleaned
up off the field, the Steelers would have a steal with this pick.
26. Seattle Seahawks – Jarran Reed,
DT, Alabama
Ahtyba Rubin and Brandon Mebane are set to become free agents
for the Seahawks, and they’ll be looking to reload their
defensive tackle position in the draft this year. Reed is another
great prospect in a loaded defensive line draft class. He is a
much more of a run specialist than a pass rusher, which can be
expected at his position. He was part of the best defense in the
NCAA last season, and SEC players tend to be more NFL ready than
other conferences. Reed could immediately help the Seahawks if
they choose not to re-sign their defensive tackles.
27. Green Bay Packers – Darron Lee,
OLB, Ohio State
Green Bay will be salivating if Darron Lee is still on the board
at their pick. He has the athleticism and potential to be a top-five
player from this draft in a few years. He showed off his potential
at the Combine, as he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash while also displaying
a 35.5 inch vertical jump. Green Bay has a need at both middle
and outside linebacker, and Lee would be able to fill one of their
biggest holes on defense.
28. Kansas City Chiefs – Robert Nkemdiche,
DT, Ole Miss
There could be an argument made for Nkemdiche being the best
player in this draft. He’s likely going to fall on draft
day because of off the field issues. If you don’t know the
story, Google search Nkemdiche and synthetic marijuana. The Chiefs
are a team that don’t seem to care as much about off the
field issues as some other teams in the NFL. He would fill a need
while giving them essentially a top-five talent late in the draft.
If he cleans up his act off the field, Nkemdiche will be one of
the best defensive linemen in the NFL in a few years.
29. Arizona Cardinals – Leonard Floyd,
OLB, Georgia
The Cardinals don’t have many needs on their team, but
they could use an edge rusher. Floyd is currently a little thin
in his build, but he will have time to put on weight, as they
don’t need him to come in and contribute immediately. He’s
an athletic freak, as he was a top Combine performer in each of
the three drills he participated in, and he has the type of upside
the Cardinals would be drafting with this pick.
30. Carolina Panthers – Cody Whitehair,
OG, Kansas State
Whitehair will likely move to guard in the NFL, but he played
his last two season at Kansas State at left tackle. He’s
a versatile player, which will give the Panthers a little flexibility
with their o-line. He was a hard worker in college, and he’ll
likely bring that mentality to the NFL. The Panthers don’t
need to play him right away, so they can groom him into his position,
or they could multi-train him at different positions as a sixth
lineman until he’s ready to be a full time starter.
31. Denver Broncos – Derrick Henry,
RB, Alabama
There may be better options for the Broncos here, but Henry is
too good of a player to leave out of the first round, and the
Broncos need help on offense. Peyton Manning recently announced
his retirement, and the Broncos will likely be a run heavy offense
with an elite defense next season. Henry proved at Alabama that
he can handle a huge workload, and he led Alabama to a National
Title last season. Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson both struggled
last season and Henry is the type of player that can immediately
help an offense.
Note: The Patriots do not have a first-round pick in the
2016 draft (or a third-round pick in the 2017 draft) thanks to
Deflategate.
