2016 NFL Mock Draft

The 2016 NFL Player Selection Meeting – aka the NFL Draft – will potentially be one of the more interesting drafts in recent history. With two significant trades already happening at the top of the draft, presumably so the Rams and Eagles could move up to get franchise quarterbacks, the action has already started. But while rumors circulate of the NFL asking the Rams to keep a lid on their pick to enhance the intrigue, the bigger question on many people’s minds is whether or not either of those franchise quarterback options—Jared Goff from California and Carson Wentz from North Dakota State—really will be franchise options.

The Eagles in particular seem to have riled their fan base by giving away a load of picks in this draft and next, to potentially draft a quarterback that they won’t even start this year, given that they re-signed Sam Bradford (who is now threatening to take his ball and go home over the trade) and brought in Chiefs backup Chase Daniels.

Outside of the drama at the top, the draft isn’t considered to be very deep with elite talent, especially at the “skill” positions. But what the draft lacks in elite talent, it appears to excel in depth into the second and even third rounds with solid trench guys and development prospects, meaning this year’s round of mock drafts is probably even more of a crapshoot than ever.

Speaking of crapshoot 2016 mock drafts, here’s ours:

Pick made by Tony: The Los Angeles Rams aren’t stupid. Well, not completely stupid. They know they need to make a splash in their first season back in Los Angeles, or they risk losing their fan base quicker than they can load the moving vans to try and beat the Raiders to Vegas. While Carson Wentz might have a higher ceiling long term, Goff can provide that splash this season. Or at least somewhat of a splash, when the team finally realizes that Case Keenum isn’t the answer. The biggest questions the Rams might have after this draft will be who is coaching the team in 2017, and just how high the Titans will be picking next year with their draft…

Pick made by Andy: I’m not at all convinced this is what the Eagles are going to do. Laremy Tunsil keeps popping into my head. So do a couple defensive players. But this HAS to be the pick, doesn’t it? You just don’t give up what the Eagles did to take something besides a potential franchise QB … right?

Pick made by Tony: According to Andrew Siciliano on Twitter, the three previous times that both the #1 and #2 pick were traded (1997, 1975 and 1967), number three was traded as well. So historically speaking, the odds of the Chargers picking here seem slim. If they do stay put (or whoever moves here), Tunsil seems like the logical call—even with the Chargers desperately needing defensive help too. The top Charger OL in 2015 was Joe Barksdale, who they signed to a one year deal for the minimum (with incentives), mainly because he played all 16 games. He was the 21^st ranked tackle by ProFootballFocus.com, with a 79.3 grade. The Chargers’ next highest OL grade belonged to King Dunlap, who got a 49.2. Neither Danny Woodhead nor Melvin Gordon will do much if the Chargers don’t improve their OL play.

Pick made by Andy: So, there have been a lot of rumors about Dallas being interested in a QB. With Goff and Wentz off the board, it would seem unlikely that happens here. Instead, benefitting from the Eagles’ and Rams’ moves, the Cowboys have a chance to nab possibly the best defensive player in the draft. Jerry Jones likes sexy, and I suppose Ezekiel Elliott provides more of that – but son Stephen seems to be winning the war room more and more lately. I think defense is the answer.

Pick made by Tony: The Jags would have loved to had a crack at Tunsil or Ramsey, but will end up choosing between Staley, DeForest Buckner and Myles Jack—and given their needs and the depth of this draft at DL, they grab the second rated OL on the board, who will work well with TJ Yeldon and Chris Ivory as a punishing run blocker.

Pick made by Andy: The Ravens need help all over the defense. They get a good pass rusher in Buckner who also happens to play the run well.

Pick made by Tony: Chip Kelly does not want to start the season with Blaine Gabbert at quarterback. He doesn’t really want to start the season with Colin Kaepernick there either. Maybe he can convince the Eagles to give up Sam Bradford? This is a bit of a reach for Lynch, but with the Browns hovering right behind them, they know they can’t slide down. They have other holes to fill too, but Kelly wants the centerpiece to his offense—even if he isn’t necessarily the perfect fit.

Pick made by Andy: The Browns, with their new analytics-based front office, will be among the more interesting teams to watch this season. My brother and I share the opinion that Bosa’s ceiling isn’t that high, but he won’t be a complete bust – meaning he’ll be better than most of Cleveland’s first round picks in recent years. He has the benefit of being a hometown boy, having been a Buckeye the last few seasons. If only the league would institute a territorial draft, the Browns would be in better shape.

Pick made by Tony: The biggest areas of need for the Bucs are defensive end and corner. And maybe linebacker. Could use some help at Safety too. Other than that, though, they are set. Except on offense. The Bucs would really like to finally have a pass rushing end that can put up double digit sacks, which they haven’t had in more than a decade. Lawson may be a bit undersized (at just 6-3), but he can help solidify the pass rush while not completely sucking against the run.

Pick made by Andy: Cornerback and safety are probably bigger needs, but Jack falling to 10 is a huge steal. Many believe he’ll be the best player to emerge from the draft, as long as his knee holds up.

Pick made by Tony: While the Bears played better than … anyone should have expected in 2015, there is only so much John Fox can do as he continues to push the Bears toward eventually firing him shortly before they ascend to Super Bowl contender. They could use help all over the defense (and offensive line), but since they addressed ILB in free agency, they upgrade at corner with Hargreaves, who seems to have taken the top projected DB spot in the draft.

Pick made by Andy: Character concerns give way to talent. The Saints need help on defense in a major way and some call Spence the best edge rusher in this class.

Pick made by Tony: The Dolphins lost Lamar Miller AND missed out on all of their free agent options at RB. While they like Jay Ajayi, they’re not going to pass up the chance to take potentially the best RB prospect to come into the league since Adrian Peterson—especially not at #13.

Pick made by Andy: It’s accurate to say the Raiders need help on defense. But this team has the makings of some decent talent on offense, as well, in Derek Carr, Latavius Murray and Amari Cooper. The interior of the line looks halfway decent, but the bookends at tackle are, for the most part, aging and/or coming back from injury. Getting Conklin can solidify one of those spots while also keeping the young skill players healthy – which may, in turn, help the defense by improving the team’s ability to move the chains.

Pick made by Tony: After fleecing the Rams for the first pick, the Titans have the ammo to move up, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see them flex it—especially if Ronnie Stanley really sneaks up the board. Lots of projections have Decker ahead of Conklin—if just for pedigree—so if they do stay put, sliding Decker in at RT gives Marcus Mariota a little more confidence in his OL, and can open holes for DeMarco Murray.

Pick made by Andy: Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh left last season and their replacements were not up to par. Rankins steps right in as a starter who can create havoc with a push up the middle.

Pick made by Tony: Wouldn’t be shocked to see the Falcons moving around quite a bit, even on day one—they need a lot of help on defense—LB and DB seem like the biggest holes, but they also need to generate a pass rush. Vic Beasley did ok in his rookie season, but Floyd can help them multiple ways as well. There’s question about his strength, but he can generate some QB pressure to take some heat off the rest of the defense.

Pick made by Andy: This team aged and got bad in a hurry. There are any number of ways the Colts could go to improve. A number of the best offensive linemen and pass rushers are off the board. Getting a 260 pound inside linebacker whose by consensus seen as the best such player in this draft is a solid consolation prize and a good move in building the defense back to respectability.

Pick made by Tony: Outside of Jaylon Smith, Nkemdiche may be the most crapshoot of players potentially taken in the first round, given his legal issues. He may be the most talented pass rushing DT in the draft, but the dude fell out of a window at his hotel during bowl week. Then again, the dude fell out of a window, and probably could have still played in the game…if not for the whole suspension for possession of marijuana thing.

Pick made by Andy: The linebacker unit in New York is solid but aging. Lee is fast and athletic and he’ll plug in nicely as a playmaker on a defense that is built to win now.

Pick made by Tony: Most experts feel that Laquon Treadwell or Josh Doctson are the best WR talent in this draft—and they might be right. But Washington seems to have a thing for small, fast WR—and Coleman fits that mold. You might argue that they should try a different mold of WR—and I wouldn’t disagree. But since when has Washington been known for the most logical of moves?

Pick made by Andy: There are probably a few areas the Texans would rather address, but the best of the OL have already been taken. With Brock Osweiler signing, Houston does need another weapon to pair with DeAndre Hopkins and Treadwell is a solid one. He’s not necessarily the deep threat the team was hoping to add, but he’s big and strong and will give the Texans a solid combo.

Pick made by Tony: Most “draft experts” have the Vikings grabbing a WR, but Rick Spielman rarely reaches for talent, and knows that he can find WR help deeper in this draft, since the WR options in this draft generally aren’t seen as WR1 types, and all have limitations. Mike Zimmer is trying to build an elite defense, and he loves his defensive backs, and would like some more top end talent to work with there. Could see another DL prospect here as well.

Pick made by Andy: Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu are gone, so the Bengals need someone to team with AJ Green. In Doctson they get a guy some argue is the best WR in the class. He could emerge as a great complement to Green and, in this spot, not that Cincinnati cares, he could become the best fantasy football rookie in 2016.

Pick made by Tony: Not sure Alexander plays the type of coverage that the Steelers normally like to run, but DB is a huge need for the Steelers (along with ILB and OL depth), but it’s time for the Steelers to start adapting their defense to the talent they can get, rather than trying to find guys to fit their system. Some grade Alexander higher than Hargreaves or Jackson, who are already off the board in this mock.

Pick made by Andy: One of the trademarks of Seattle’s deep playoff runs in recent years has been a deep defensive line that is kept strong all game and season through rotation. The depth has worn down a bit in recent years and adding Robinson provides a restocking. The offensive line does need some help and Cody Whitehair was an option, but that group did improve a bit as the season wore on last year and there are other guys the team can get later. Ultimately Robinson becomes a best player available pick for a team that isn’t that far from making another deep postseason run.

Pick made by Tony: Packers have to be hoping that a guy like Ragland falls to them. As much as I’d love to see them reach for a TE like Hunter Henry here, as we’ve seen in a lot of mocks, I don’t see them going that direction with Jared Cook in the fold. Cody Whitehair could make sense here too, but replacing BJ Raji is an even bigger issue.

Pick made by Andy: Kansas City could go in any number of directions and not make a bad pick. Ultimately need and talent intersect here, as the Chiefs need to find someone to take the place of Sean Smith, who defected to Oakland. Apple has size and physicality and he’ll make a great young tandem with Marcus Peters.

Pick made by Tony: Nope, just kidding. You cheated. Maybe.

Pick made by Tony: Cardinals have a lot of options here, including strengthening their OL with Whitehair or grabbing the consensus top TE in Henry, both big needs. But the intrigue and potential of Jones to further improve their defense wins out, as Bruce Arians will believe he can coach up some lower picks on offense.

Pick made by Andy: The offensive line was better than expected in 2015, as were the wide receivers, even without Kelvin Benjamin. The Panthers rode a strong defense to the Super Bowl last year, but ends Jared Allen (retirement) and Charles Johnson (released) are no longer with the team. Either of Dodd or Emmanuel  Ogbah would be a tremendous replacement.

Pick made by Tony: Not sure if it’s the Broncos making this pick, but getting that fifth year option on a quarterback can be an incredible motivator to move someone up the board, and Cook sneaks into the first round.

Tony’s Best Pick (by Andy): Ezekiel Elliott, #13 – He’s being anointed as the next-best-back-since-Adrian-Peterson – I think Elliott is only the best back to come into the league since Todd Gurley, but I do think he’ll be a good fit in Miami – better than a couple of the free agent wanna-bes the Dolphins attempted to sign earlier. My only question is can they use Elliott better than they used Lamar Miller. MacKensie Alexander to Pittsburgh at #25 also has the potential to be a nice steal.

Andy’s Best Pick (by Tony): DeForest Buckner, #6 – Aided by my decision to go more needs-based than best player on the board at #5 (so yes, I’m taking credit). If Buckner falls this far, there may be teams desperately trying to move up to #6 for him.

Tony’s Worst Pick (by Andy): Corey Coleman, #21 – Maybe I’m the only one, but I don’t see WR as Washington’s biggest need, nor do I see Coleman as the A) the best fit for Washington or 2) the best WR on the board here. I think the Redskins would rather go defense. Also not crazy about William Jackson III, #23 – Not that I think he’s a bad player, but to me the most immediate needs in Minnesota are WR or OL. Wouldn’t be totally offended to see them go Jackson, but there are enough other guys available where I’d be a bit surprised.

Andy’s Worst Pick (by Tony): A’Shawn Robinson, #26 – Not at all a bad value pick if he’s there, but I see the Seahawks going OL, especially with a guy like Whitehair on the board. Surprised I didn’t pull the Whitehair trigger on any of my picks, actually … would suspect someone would move up to grab him, by the time 25 rolls around. Not sure I buy the Saints going LB (I think they need DL or DB help more), and I personally think Bosa is a bust, but I do think he’ll go that high.

Top players left on the board: Cody Whitehair, Jarran Reed, Jaylon Smith, Vonn Bell, Kendell Fuller, Michael Thomas, Ryan Kelly, Sheldon Rankins, Sterling Shepard, Jonathan Bullard, Shilique Calhoun, Karl Joseph, Vernon Butler, Hunter Henry, Rashard Higgins, Jason Spriggs.

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