Jordan Katz- 2016 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
It’s that time of year! With the NFL regular season completed, it is officially mock draft season. We still have a long way to go until the NFL Draft, and most of my analysis of players will change with further scouting. This first mock draft is based on the tape that I’ve seen of guys thus far.
*Seeds 21-32 are based on the team’s records heading into the postseason, while taking seeding into account. For instance, because the Washington Redskins own the 21, the 10-6 Seattle Seahawks got the 23, not the 10-6 Green Bay Packers. In terms of the matchups where the teams have the same record, the higher seed gets the later pick.
ROUND ONE
1) Tennessee Titans- Ronnie Stanley, OT Notre Dame- The Titans need defensive help, and they could go there with this pick. However, I don’t think Joey Bosa is a good scheme fit here, and taking a safety like Jalen Ramsey is a bit of a reach.
Stanley gives the Titans two bookend tackles to protect their franchise quarterback, Marcus Mariota.
2) Cleveland Browns- Jared Goff, QB California- Goff is the only quarterback in this draft class that I gave a first round grade. While I do think this is a major reach, the Browns are so desperate for a franchise quarterback.
3) San Diego Chargers- Laremy Tunsil, OT Ole Miss- The Chargers couldn’t block for Phillip Rivers at all this season, so offensive line is definitely a need. Tunsil is one of the top players in this draft because of his size and athleticism at tackle.
4) Dallas Cowboys- Joey Bosa, DE Ohio State- I highly doubt the Cowboys bring back Greg Hardy next year. Therefore, even though they have Randy Gregory waiting, they need a pass rusher.
Bosa is the best player in the draft, in my opinion. His ability to stop the run, and rush off the edge makes him an outstanding collegiate prospect.
5) Jacksonville Jaguars- Jalen Ramsey, CB/S Florida State- This seems like a match made in heaven. The Jaguars need a game changing secondary player, and Ramsey can fix a need at corner or free safety, depending on how Gus Bradley wants to use him.
6) Baltimore Ravens- Desmond King, CB Iowa- Most have the top corner in this draft as Vernon Hargreaves, but I think King has the ability to be a shut down corner. His ability to mirror receivers and play man-to-man defense is incredibly impressive. I think he would be a terrific addition to the Ravens secondary.
7) San Francisco 49ers- Vernon Hargreaves, CB Florida- Yes, the Niners need a quarterback. However, if they draft one here it would be completely unnecessary and a massive reach.
Hargreaves is the best player available at a position of need. He plays solid in both zone and man, and possesses great instincts. The Niners take him, and address quarterback with their next pick.
8) Miami Dolphins- Myles Jack, OLB UCLA- A few days ago this pick would’ve been Jaylon Smith. However, with his knee injury pending diagnosis, the Dolphins take Jack instead.
Jack is an interesting scout because I’ve never seen a player quite like him. His athleticism is unexplainable, but he doesn’t jump off the page in terms of the amount of plays he makes. Having said that, he’s terrific in coverage and disciplined versus the run, so I expect him to have a long, productive career.
9) Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Laquon Treadwell, WR Ole Miss- I have Treadwell and Josh Doctson neck and neck right now for my top wide receiver in this draft. In terms of this pick, Treadwell is a little more polished, which is why I have him here instead of Doctson.
10) St. Louis Rams via New York Giants- Josh Doctson, WR TCU- I think the Giants are a team that could move up or down in this draft, depending on how the board falls. In this case, they have plenty of options, so they can afford to slide down.
The Rams desperately need a true number one wide receiver and I think Doctson has that ability. He’s incredible when the ball is in the air, and his route running is significantly better than people think.
11) Chicago Bears- DeForest Buckner, DE Oregon- This pick is easy. The Bears need defensive line help desperately. Buckner is not only a game changing defensive player, but he’s the only 3-4 defensive end worthy of a first round selection.
12) New Orleans Saints- Kenny Clark, NT UCLA- The Saints should take the best player available that plays defense and fits their scheme. For me, that’s Kenny Clark. He’s a space eating nose tackle and he will help New Orleans stop the run.
13) Seattle Seahawks via Philadelphia Eagles- Robert Nkemdiche, DT Ole Miss- This could be a home run deal for Seattle, but let’s start with the Eagles decision to move down. I think Philadelphia should look to trade out on draft day. The personnel they possess are unlikely to match with the incoming head coach. If they find the right deal, they should take it.
Seattle is going to need a replacement for Brandon Mebane, who should leave via free agency. Nkemdiche has the talent of a top five player in this draft. If his off the field issues can be silenced, this could be a massive addition to the Seahawks defense.
14) Oakland Raiders- Mackensie Alexander, CB Clemson- Alexander can be an immediate boost to the Raiders secondary. He can play in the slot, as well as on the outside, and his technique is what allows him to be strong at both.
15) New York Giants via St. Louis Rams- Shaq Lawson, DE Clemson- The Giants could not have played this draft better. They trade down, pick up an extra draft pick, and still select the game changing pass rusher they would have taken at the 10.
16) Detroit Lions- A’Shawn Robinson, DT Alabama- The Lions need to get better on defense, and A’Shawn Robinson can produce from day one. He’s an athletic defensive tackle who stops the run very well. He does have some developing to do, but he’s going to contribute right away.
17) Atlanta Falcons- Jaylon Smith, OLB Notre Dame- This may not please Falcons fans who want a defensive player that can play right away, but at some point you just take talent and figure it out later.
Smith has top five talent, so even if his knee injury is bad, he should still be a first round pick. After all, Todd Gurley missed four games to start the year, and he went 10th.
18) Indianapolis Colts- Emmanuel Ogbah, EDGE Oklahoma State- Anything on defense for the Colts will do just fine here on draft day. Ogbah has good speed off the edge and can help bolster Indy’s pass rush.
19) Buffalo Bills- Jonathan Bullard, EDGE Florida- It sounds like Buffalo is going to cut Mario Williams, which makes edge rusher a priority. Bullard has the versatility to line up on the edge and inside the tackles, something Rex Ryan values in a defensive player.
20) New York Jets- Ezekiel Elliott, RB Ohio State- For Jets fans wondering why this pick isn’t a quarterback, don’t overreact to one game. Ryan Fitzpatrick played excellent this season, and deserves to be back under center next year (especially during a year where the quarterback class in the draft is below average).
‘Zeke Elliott would be a terrific replacement for Chris Ivory, a free agent to be. His size and athleticism make him tough to bring down, and he’s more of a “do-it-all,” back than he gets credit for.
21) Washington Redskins- Reggie Ragland, ILB Alabama- The Redskins could use a middle linebacker that can do… well, anything. Ragland covers well, and has great range from sideline to sideline. Plus, and I can’t stress this enough, his presence would mean the benching of Mason Foster. That is what you call a great draft pick.
22) Houston Texans- Carson Wentz, QB North Dakota State- The easy answer here is to give Bill O’Brien his Penn State quarterback, Christian Hackenburg. However, I think Wentz is actually a better fit for what Houston wants to do.
Wentz has great size and arm strength, just like Hackenburg. Where I think Wentz separates himself is his accuracy and mobility. Wentz showed better touch on tape, and he’s also the most mobile quarterback among the top five.
Since the Texans can afford to let both learn while playing (they’re 9-7 with four different quarterbacks), I think Wentz should be the selection on draft day.
23) Philadelphia Eagles via Seattle Seahawks- Corey Coleman, WR Baylor- Even though the Eagles drafted Nelson Agholor last season, they should still look for a playmaker at receiver.
Coleman was a beast this season at Baylor, but it’s his sharp cuts and route running ability that makes me think he can succeed in the NFL.
24) San Francisco 49ers via Pittsburgh Steelers- Paxton Lynch, QB Memphis- The Steelers don’t take first round cornerbacks, which means that there isn’t much for them to do here except trade down.
In terms of the Niners selection, Lynch is an interesting case. On the one hand, he’s massive, with great mobility, and a cannon for an arm.
On the other hand, his accuracy is questionable, and he has a tendency to force throws.
I think he’s got good upside, but he’s a work in progress for sure.
25) Green Bay Packers- Carl Lawson, EDGE Auburn- I really liked the Packers defense when they had Clay Matthews at inside linebacker. Lawson’s pass rushing ability off the edge would allow Matthews to go back to being a menace in the middle of the field.
26) Kansas City Chiefs- Leontae Carroo, WR Rutgers- It might be too much to ask of the Chiefs to add a wide out in consecutive years. However, I am running this draft based on what I would do.
Carroo seems like a very good fit in Andy Reid’s offense. He’s a solid route runner who does great things with the ball in his hands. He also has big play ability, something the Chiefs currently are missing in their offense.
27) Minnesota Vikings- Michael Thomas, WR Ohio State- Thomas has a tendency to commit some bad focus drops, but he’s a strong route runner and makes plays with the ball in his hands, two traits that are vital in Norv Turner’s current offense.
28) Cincinnati Bengals- Austin Johnson, DT/NT Penn State- Austin Johnson could be a terrific fit in Cincy. He’s a nose tackle that has the athleticism to pass rush out of a zero tech in a 4-3. Domata Peko, the Bengals current zero tech, is a like cap casualty that would save the Bengals close to four million dollars.
29) New England Patriots- (Forefeit)
30) Arizona Cardinals- Christian Hackenburg, QB Penn State- Carson Palmer isn’t getting any younger, and his backup will have to be taken eventually. Hackenburg had an awful final two seasons at Penn State, but James Franklin’s system didn’t benefit his skill set. If he gets an opportunity to sit and learn during his first NFL season, he could become the star that scouts thought he was going to be.
31) Denver Broncos- Taylor Decker, OT Ohio State- Decker has limited upside, but he’s a good option at right tackle right away. The Broncos are desperate for offensive line help, so this fit makes sense.
32) Carolina Panthers- Tre’Davius White, CB LSU- Josh Norman has been unbelievable this season, but his counterpart, Bene Benwikere, is probably best served as a nickel corner. White would give them some cornerback depth, and another solid man cover guy.
TRADES
1) St. Louis Rams trade the #15 and the #79 to the New York Giants for the #10.
2) Seattle Seahawks trade the #23, #55 and a 2017 4th rounder to the Philadelphia Eagles for the #13.
3) San Francisco trades the #39 and the #71 to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the #24.
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