2016 NFL Mock Draft, Two Round Edition

By Vincent Frank on Wednesday, March 30th 2016
2016 NFL Mock Draft, Two Round Edition

1. Tennessee Titans: Laramy Tunsil, Offensive Tackle, Mississippi

There's been some recent talk of Tennessee going with Jalen Ramsey or trading down here. Short of the team receiving a hefty bounty and still being able to guarantee itself Ronnie Stanley or Jack Conklin lower in the first round, that's a hilarious assumption. Simply put, it's time to get Marcus Mariota his blindside protector. 

 

2. Cleveland Browns: Myles Jack, Linebacker, UCLA

Is it possible that the Browns get gun-shy after all the issues previous front offices have had selecting quarterbacks in the first round? That would be a foolish mistake for this new group, but it does make you think twice. The signing of Robert Griffin III also brings to light the possibility of this happening. So changing up the pick in our previous mock, we go with a linebacker in Jack who many consider to be the top overall player in the draft. This would be Cleveland hedging its bets that a Paxton Lynch or Connor Cook falls to the top of the second round. 

 

3. San Diego Chargers: Carson Wentz, Quarterback, North Dakota State

We all know there is going to be a curve ball thrown our way in the top five. It just remains to be seen who is going to throw it. San Diego may have signed Philip Rivers to a four-year extension last summer. But he's 34 years old and has shown a willingness to potentially call it quits. In short, Rivers isn't one of those players who is going to hang on for a last-second chance at glory.

In addition to this, the Chargers are unlikely going to find themselves in position to select a top-end quarterback at any time in the near future. The team is just too talented for this. And in reality, last year's disastrous season had more to do with the plethora of injuries the team dealt with. Wentz can come in and learn from a pro in Rivers for the next two to three years, much like Aaron Rodgers did under Brett Favre in Green Bay years back. It would be a perfect fit for the small-school product. 

 

4. Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Ramsey, Cornerback, Florida State

There's absolutely no reason to believe Dallas would look much further than Ramsey if he were to "fall" to the team at No. 4 overall. That's why we will project this pick as long as he's available. Brandon Carr may still be on the roster due to a lack of depth. And Orlando Scandrick is a good player when healthy. Heck, last year's first-round pick Byron Jones will be a solid cover guy.

Three issues here. Carr's game has regressed a great deal recently. Scandrick is injury prone. And Jones is either a slot guy or a free safety. In short, corner is a huge need here. Ramsey is the best player at this position and fills a huge void. 

 

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Joey Bosa, Defensive End, Ohio State

I just want to see Joey Bosa and Dante Fowler team up together to cause major issues for opposing AFC South teams. This logic can't be too far off from what the Jaguars are thinking heading into the draft. Add in the acquisition of former Denver Broncos defensive lineman Malik Jackson, and this would give the Jaguars a dominating front seven. It's too perfect. 

 

6. Baltimore Ravens: Ronnie Stanley, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame

Ricky Wagner is not a starting tackle in the NFL. In fact, he's been among the worst players at this position over the past two seasons. Short of the Ravens being okay with Joe Flacco coming into 2016 following an ACL injury with Wagner protecting the right side of the line, the team needs to do something here. Stanley can come in and start at right tackle, eventually replacing Eugene Monroe along the left side. 

 

7. San Francisco 49ers: Jared Goff, Quarterback, California

Recent reports linking Goff to the 49ers shouldn't be too surprising. He's a native of the Bay Area, grew up a 49ers fan, plays a position of utmost need and is my top quarterback in the class. He also fits Chip Kelly's defense a great deal. With Colin Kaepernick requesting a trade, this selection becomes all-too obvious. It just remains to be seen whether Goff will be available at seven. 

 

8. Philadelphia Eagles: Vernon Hargreaves, Cornerback, Florida

Losing Byron Maxwell in a trade hurts from a depth perspective. That's about it. As of right now Eric Rowe and Nolan Carroll are slated to start. That's a less than ideal scenario. And in reality, Philadelphia would be best suited with Carroll playing inside. As a top-10 talent in this draft and someone with a ton of high-level college experience, Hargreaves could come in and start on the outside immediately. 

 

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DeForest Buckner, Defensive End, Clemson

Adding an underrated Robert Ayers to the mix will help Tampa Bay, but he's not a franchise pass rusher at the NFL level. Outside of that, there isn't much to see here. Both William Gholston and George Johnson also leave a lot to be desired from a pass-rush standpoint. With a dominating interior presence in Gerald McCoy, the Buccaneers defense would be so much better if it had that elite-level EDGE presence. Buckner is a physically dominating kid that can turn into an All-Pro level performer at the next level. 

 

10. New York Giants: Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back, Ohio State

Another pick we changed from the first version, which had Elliott being off the board with the Giants picking at 10. While linebacker remains an obvious need here, the Giants simply couldn't afford to pass up on a generational talent at running back to help Eli Manning through the latter stages of his career. This addition would make the Giants offensive nearly unstoppable. 

 

11. Chicago Bears: Andrew Billings, Defensive Tackle, Baylor

Outside linebacker is an obvious need here, as is cornerback and safety. Instead, we go with an interior lineman that fits Vic Fangio's defensive scheme to a T. The idea of teaming Billings up with Eddie Goldman and Will Sutton would be an amazing sight for Chicago. 

 

12. New Orleans Saints: A'Shawn Robinson, Defensive Tackle, Alabama

The Saints simply need an interior lineman to help stuff the run. Playing in a pro-style defense with Bama, Robinson fits that to a T. He's an immediate impact producer, one that has a ton of raw physical upside that can be coached up. While there are obvious needs at other positions on defense, value and need takes precedent here. 

 

13. Miami Dolphins: Mackensie Alexander, Cornerback, Clemson

More pro-ready than either Eli Apple or William Jackson, Alexander should find himself selected in the top half of the first round next month. In Miami, he would be asked to make an immediate impact after the team released Brent Grimes. Outside of Elliott being available here, this just makes too much sense for new head coach Adam Gase and Co. 

 

14. Oakland Raiders: Darron Lee, Linebacker, Ohio State

Bruce Irvin fills is a tremendous hole along the strong side. Though, Oakland still has two major holes at middle linebacker and on the weakside. In Lee, the Raiders would be getting someone that can play both positions. It really is the best of both worlds. Pick this outstanding linebacker up, and let both Ken Norton Jr. and Jack Del Rio figure out where he fits best. 

 

15. Los Angeles Rams: Laquon Treadwell, Wide Receiver, Mississippi

We mocked the Rams to take a quarterback here last time around. The more we think about it, the more likely it seems the team is going to go in another direction. However ridiculous it may seem, the Rams appear to be sold on Case Keenum for next season. In addition to this, the team is paying Nick Foles north of $11 million next year. If not quarterback, then wide receiver becomes the obvious pick here. And with the top player at this position lasting to 15, it makes perfect sense for Los Angeles to go in this direction. 

 

16. Detroit Lions: Jack Conklin, Offensive Tackle, Michigan State

Is Riley Reiff a franchise left tackle? If not, do the Lions have to address this position? Even if Detroit does believe this is an area that doesn't need to be addressed, right tackle becomes a major need. Michael Ola is currently slated to start on the right side. Fresh off a strong postseason performance, Conklin has jumped up the draft boards big time. Some even have him graded ahead of Ronnie Stanley. Nabbing solid value at a need position would be a no-brainer in this situation. 

 

17. Atlanta Falcons: Shaq Lawson, Defensive End, Clemson

We've arleady hit on Atlanta's need for pass-rush help in its team needs article. Simply put, this is an area Dan Quinn and Co. must address. Not a single member of the defense recorded five sacks a season ago with the entire unit putting up less than 20. Lawson might have to add a bit of weight to play with his hands down, but he'd be a tremendous option opposite former Clemson teammate Vic Beasley in this defense. 

 

18. Indianapolis Colts: Noah Spence, EDGE, Eastern Kentucky

Outside linebacker is an obvious need for Indianapolis. No player at this position recorded more than seven sacks last season with an aging Robert Mathis tallying that many by himself. Running a base 3-4 defense, this is an area that needs to be upgraded in order for the Colts to have success. Despite his off-field issues, Spence is the most-talented outside linebacker prospect in the draft. He can come in immediately and contribute in a pass-rush only role before taking over a three-down role later in his career. 

 

19. Buffalo Bills: Reggie Ragland, Linebacker, Alabama

Preston Brown has proven himself to be more than a capable inside linebacker. It's the other areas along this tier that has to be troubling for Buffalo. Manny Lawson is a capable veteran on the strong side, but he's over the hill and could fall off the cliff here soon. Moreover, Tony Steward is nowhere near a starter-caliber weak-side linebacker. If the Bills could move Brown to the weak-side while implanting the best pure inside linebacker in the draft next to him, it would cure the ills facing Buffalo's linebacker group. 

 

20. New York Jets: Leonard Floyd, EDGE, Georgia

As we mentioned with the Colts above, pass-rush in a 3-4 defense is what makes this unit click. Simply put, the Jets don't have that personnel to dominate here. Lorenzo Mauldin might be a solid young pass rusher, but there's nothing behind him to speak of. This is an area the team would be smart to address. In Floyd, it would be getting someone with the ability to rush the passer early in his career due to plus-level athleticism, a tool that will be utilized a great deal due to New York's dominating defensive line. 

 

21. Washington Redskins: Eli Apple, Cornerback, Ohio State

Chris Culliver was a bust in the short time he played last season. And outside of Bashaud Breeland, there isn't much here as it relates to cover guys for the Redskins. While free safety might make the most sense, there's not much there in terms of value in the first round. Washington would be best served going corner here and waiting to find a cover safety later. Apple may be a bit raw, but he has everything you look for in terms of talent from an outside cover guy. 

 

22. Houston Texans: Corey Coleman, Wide Receiver, Baylor

If the Texans are serious about the Brock Osweiler not just becoming another expensive quarterback that failed to succeed after signing a huge free-agent deal, they are going to have to get someone that can put up a consistent performance opposite DeAndre Hopkins at wide receiver. Coleman represents the perfect fit opposite Hopkins, potentially even in the slot. He can take out the top of the defense, yet another reason Houston will look to add him in the first round. 

 

23. Minnesota Vikings: Michael Thomas, Wide Receiver, Ohio State

It's time for the Vikings to add that one receiver that can provide Teddy Bridgewater with a consistent receiving option on the outside. Stefon Diggs performed at a high level as a rookie, but he's not that go up and get it receiver with a large catch radius. In Thomas, the team would be adding a pass catcher that can put up immediate success on short slants and screens — two things that were missing a season ago. 

 

24. Cincinnati Bengals: William Jackson, Cornerback, Houston

Dre Kirkpatrick has never lived up to expectations. The recently re-signed Adam Jones isn't getting any younger. Meanwhile, Leon Hall is a free agent. To say that there are issues at corner for the Bengals would be a huge understatement. Jackson is a late riser who stands out on tape as someone who doesn't struggle with technique on the outside. That's what the Bengals need, especially when it comes to a young body to play immediately. 

 

25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Taylor Decker, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

Adding veteran Ryan Harris to replace a departed Kelvin Beachum was a solid under-the-radar move for Pittsburgh. Though, there's no expectation within the organization that he's going to be a long-term fix at left tackle. With Ben Roethlisberger aging and becoming increasingly injury prone, this becomes a huge need for Pittsburgh. Depending on who you ask, Decker is either the third or fourth-best offensive tackle in a class full of potential left tackles. 

 

26. Seattle Seahawks: Germain Ifedi, Offensive Tackle, Texas A&M

After losing Russell Okung to the Denver Broncos in free agency, there's no way Seattle can let Day 1 of the draft pass without adding a left tackle of the future. Okung may have been injury prone during his latter years in Seattle, but he was the best offensive linemen on what was an otherwise disastrous group last season. Ifedi can start at right tackle immediately before being moved to the left side to protect Russell Wilson's blindside. 

 

27. Green Bay Packers: Josh Doctson, Wide Receiver, Texas Christian

Will Fuller was our pick here in the first mock, but that's primarily because Doctson was not available. What Green Bay needs is another option on the outside next to Jordy Nelson after other receivers struggled big time with the veteran lost for the entire 2015 season. Doctson's ability to make the contested catch and provide a solid target would be huge for Aaron Rodgers in the Packers passing game. 

 

28. Kansas City Chiefs: Cody Whitehair, Guard, Kansas State

The one area Kansas City has yet to address thus far this offseason is guard. After losing Jeff Allen to the Houston Texans, this becomes an area of utmost need. Whitehair the unquestioned top interior linemen in the draft and will start from Day 1. 

 

29. Arizona Cardinals: Paxton Lynch, Quarterback, Memphis 

This isn't as much about Carson Palmer's struggles in the NFC Championship game as it is about Arizona's need to get a quarterback of the future — a need it can address now that it acquired Chandler Jones from the New England Patriots in a trade. Lynch's upside is nearly unmatched in the draft. The primary issue here is that he's incredibly raw entering the NFL. Sitting for two years or so behind Palmer would be ideal for the Memphis product. 

 

30. Carolina Panthers: Emmanuel Ogbah, Defensive End, Oklahoma State

Kony Ealy might have played extremely well in the Super Bowl. Carolina also re-signed Charles Johnson in free agency. However, there's still a need here for the Panthers. We have no idea whether Ealy's performance was a mirage or a sign of things to come. As it relates to Johnson, he's coming off an injury-plagued 2015 campaign and isn't getting any younger. Ogbah was an extremely productive pass-rush option for Oklahoma State and translates well into Carolina's 4-3 scheme. 

 

31. Denver Broncos: Jaylon Smith, Linebacker, Notre Dame

This will be all about medicals. If Smith is somehow able to prove to teams that he's not an unnecessary risk, he will go much higher than most anticipate. Prior to him shredding up his knee in the Fiesta Bowl, this former Irish star was my top overall player in the draft. He also fits a huge area of need for Denver.

 

Second Round
Pick Team Player Position College
32 Cleveland Browns Connor Cook Quarterback Michigan State
33 Tennessee Titans Robert Nkemdiche Defensive Tackle Mississippi
34 Dallas Cowboys Kevin Dodd Defensive End Clemson
35 San Diego Chargers Jason Spriggs Offensive Tackle Indiana
36 Baltimore Ravens Artie Burns Cornerback Miami (F)
37 San Francisco 49ers Will Fuller Wide Receiver Notre Dame
38 Jacksonville Jaguars Kendell Fuller Corneback Virginia Tech
39 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Shon Coleman Offensive Tackle Auburn
40 New York Giants Kentrell Brothers Linebacker Missouri
41 Chicago Bears Shilique Calhoun EDGE Michigan State
42 Miami Dolphins Derrick Henry Running Back Alabama
43 Los Angeles Rams Joshua Garnett Guard Stanford
44 Oakland Raiders Vonn Bell Safety Ohio State
45 Los Angeles Rams Hunter Henry Tight End Arkansas
46 Detroit Lions Sheldon Rankins Defensive Tackle Louisville
47 New Orleans Saints Tyler Boyd Wide Receiver Pittsburgh
48 Indianapolis Colts Jalen Mills Safety LSU
49 Buffalo Bills Braxton Miller Wide Receiver Ohio State
50 Atlanta Falcons Darian Thompson Safety Boise State
51 New York Jets Cardale Jones Quarterback Ohio State
52 Houston Texans Austin Hooper Tight End Stanford
53 Washington Redskins Jeremy Cash Safety Duke
54 Minnesota Vikings Karl Joseph Safety West Virginia
55 Cincinnati Bengals Keanu Neal Safety Florida
56 Seattle Seahawks Nick Martin Offensive Line Notre Dame
57 Green Bay Packers Jarran Reed Defensive Tackle Alabama
58 Pittsburgh Steelers Su'a Cravens EDGE USC
59 Kansas City Chiefs Dominique Alexander Linebacker Oklahoma
60 New England Patriots Sterling Shepard Wide Receiver Oklahoma
61 New England Patriots Xavien Howard Cornerback Baylor
62 Carolina Panthers Joshua Perry Linebacker Ohio State
63 Denver Broncos Vadal Alexander Guard LSU

 

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