LOOKING AHEAD: MOCK DRAFT 2.0
With Super Bowl 50 in the books, it’s time to officially turn the page to draft season. Here is a look at how the first round will play out in April, as predicted by Nate Davis of USA TODAY Sports.
1. Tennessee Titans — Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi:
Heading into the combine this month, Ohio State DE Joey Bosa is generally regarded as the draft’s premier player. However, his ability to penetrate would be wasted as a down lineman in coordinator Dick LeBeau’s scheme, and it’s not clear if Bosa could handle a conversion to outside linebacker in the Titans’ 3-4 front. All that aside, Tennessee’s top priority really should be taking better care of QB Marcus Mariota, who, despite his mobility, was sacked 38 times in 12 starts as a rookie. Enter Tunsil, the type of bodyguard you’d want on a team that faces J.J. Watt twice a year.
2. Cleveland Browns — Jared Goff, QB, California:
The Johnny Manziel experiment is coming to an end in Cleveland, so that means the Browns almost surely will pick a passer in the first round for the third time since 2012 (and fifth since the franchise’s reboot in 1999). Goff isn’t the second coming of fellow Cal Bear Aaron Rodgers, but he has good size and accuracy and enough mobility, and he had a TD-to-interception ratio that was better than 3-to-1 as a three-year starter in college. And with willing tutor Josh McCown signed for two more years, coach Hue Jackson wouldn’t have to rush Goff into the starting lineup.
3. San Diego Chargers — Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State:
It’s clear the kind of impact a player such as Tyrann Mathieu can have in the pass-centric NFL. Ramsey will draw those kind of comparisons given his ability to cover receivers outside and in the slot or even play safety. The Chargers, who are moving on from FS Eric Weddle and face a slew of talented pass catchers in the AFC West, look like an ideal home for Ramsey.
4. Dallas Cowboys — Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State:
He’d fit perfectly on Rod Marinelli’s defense and would form a formidable young tandem opposite DeMarcus Lawrence while also allowing the Cowboys to move on from the Greg Hardy circus.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars — Myles Jack, LB, UCLA:
An elite athlete who could find a role in any scheme — Jack played linebacker (inside and outside), slot corner, safety and even moonlighted as a running back and return man for the Bruins — he is exactly the kind of playmaker the Jags need after allowing the most points in the AFC in 2015. Jack’s varied skills could make him a combination of Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright and Bruce Irvin — the outstanding linebacking corps Jags coach Gus Bradley enjoyed in Seattle — and allow him to be a factor as a pass rusher, run stopper or in coverage. And with 2015 first-round DE Dante Fowler also set to debut in 2016 — like Jack, he’s coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament — the Jaguars defense might finally approach what Bradley has envisioned.
6. Baltimore Ravens — DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon:
The Ravens could go in a number of directions, including tackle, wide receiver, cornerback or edge rusher. But you can bet they’ll take the top player on their board, and, in this scenario, that could mean Buckner. His ability to defend the run and pass would make him a welcome addition, especially by veteran pass rushers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil.
7. San Francisco 49ers — Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi:
The NFL’s lowest-scoring offense needs playmakers — perhaps even a quarterback depending on how the Chip KellyColin Kaepernick relationship develops. But let’s give the Niners Treadwell, a fairly polished receiver who could nicely complement deep threat Torrey Smith.
8. Miami Dolphins — Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State:
If a pass rusher worthy of the pick is there, it makes sense given DE Cameron Wake’s age and Achilles rehab and the potential loss of Olivier Vernon to free agency. But the Dolphins brought in a sharp offensive mind with the hiring of head coach Adam Gase, who inherits an inconsistent rushing attack. Elliott looks like the whole package, which Gase should appreciate after spending last season with Matt Forte and the
Chicago Bears.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame:
The Bucs struggled with injuries and inexperience on the offensive line in 2015. Maybe Demar Dotson returns to form and Donovan Smith improves after a rocky rookie year. But a strong case can be made that Stanley is a better option than either. And does it really make sense to take any risks with Jameis Winston’s well-being?
10. New York Giants — Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida:
General manager Jerry Reese knows he better fix a defense that allowed the most yards overall and most through the air in 2015 if he wants to keep his job. Hargreaves is a sensible option in a division where the ball’s in the air so much. And with Prince Amukamara heading for free agency, the Giants need to reload at corner.
11. Chicago Bears — Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State:
Jay Cutler had a highly effective season, but that occurred under Gase. The Bears haven’t seemed wholly committed to Cutler in a while, and this could be the best time to deal him. Regardless, this is probably the year they’ll get a new quarterback, whether he has to sit behind Cutler or not, and Wentz seems to have everything you’d want on his résumé, a big-time college background notwithstanding.
12. New Orleans Saints — A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama:
They need to start rebuilding a historically bad defense. So let’s give them Robinson, who is stout against the run but also can amp up the pass rush for a team whose secondary was under siege to the tune of 45 touchdown passes allowed.
13. Philadelphia Eagles — Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis:
They’ve been busy extending several players’ contracts since the season ended. QB Sam Bradford isn’t one of them. Lynch is an intriguing prospect but could use the benefit of a redshirt year to adapt to the pro game. New coach Doug Pederson could help prepare Lynch in 2016 while Mark Sanchez holds down the fort.
14. Oakland Raiders — Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame:
If he hadn’t torn two knee ligaments in the Fiesta Bowl, Smith almost surely would have been a top-five pick. Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie has done an excellent job stockpiling elite talent in recent drafts, and Smith is the top of three-down players who would augment the roster’s blossoming core. McKenzie also has plenty of cap space to bring in stopgap help that would allow Smith time to rehab, even if that means the entire 2016 season.
15. Los Angeles Rams — Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State:
Yes, the Rams desperately need a solution at quarterback, and maybe they’ll figure something out in free agency. Do they take Michigan State’s Connor Cook here? Possibly. But don’t forget, both of their starting corners, Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson, are unsigned. Apple is the kind of physical player coach Jeff Fisher tends to love.
16. Detroit Lions — Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama:
Let’s hope they can talk Calvin Johnson out of retirement, as it will be particularly difficult to find anyone remotely capable of filling his shoes in this draft. But even if there was an elite receiver on the board, the Lions might be better off focusing on the defensive line, which could suffer a free agent exodus. Reed is a load inside and could divert attention away from star pass rusher Ezekiel Ansah.
17. Atlanta Falcons — Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State:
He is versatile and athletic and should be the kind of three-down player who can thrive in Dan Quinn’s defense, which really needs help
at the second level.
18. Indianapolis Colts — Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama:
Since he came to Indy, coach Chuck Pagano has been searching for solutions for a ragged run defense, particularly up the middle. Ragland could be the answer for a team that might lose Jerrell Freeman to free agency and probably needs an upgrade over veteran D’Qwell Jackson.
19. Buffalo Bills — Shaq Lawson, DE- OLB, Clemson:
Rex and Rob Ryan will be clamoring for defensive help, especially for a team that was so surprisingly inept at generating pressure on quarterbacks. Lawson isn’t as talented as incumbent Mario Williams, who’s likely on his way out of town, but his every-down effort would provide a boost.
20. New York Jets — Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia:
As formidable as the Jets have typically been defensively in recent years, they’ve never really had the benefit of an edge player who can make life miserable for, say, Tom Brady. Floyd could be that guy and would reap extra benefits playing behind one of the NFL’s most imposing defensive lines.
21. Washington Redskins — Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Mississippi:
Let’s assume quarterback Kirk Cousins returns, so no need to touch fellow Spartan Cook. Plus, GM Scot McCloughan typically builds from the inside out and probably will need to replenish depth on his defensive line. Nkemdiche is a disruptive player who will make OLBs Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith even more dangerous.
22. Houston Texans — Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State:
A bit of a wild card. If he shines in the predraft process and allays questions about his game and demeanor, he could be taken much earlier. But if he’s sitting at No. 22, can the Texans really bypass the opportunity to get a promising passer given what they saw last season?
23. Minnesota Vikings — Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville:
The Vikings could be thinking about their offensive line and secondary depth first. But will head coach Mike Zimmer be able to resist stumping for a penetrator such as Rankins, whose ability and size (6-2, 304 pounds) are reminiscent of Geno Atkins, who stood out for Zimmer in Cincinnati.
24. Cincinnati Bengals — Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor:
Coleman will need to develop into a better route runner, but he should step into the NFL as an effective deep threat immediately. Free agency could leave Cincinnati perilously thin at wideout, aside from A.J. Green. Even if he’s raw, Coleman is the type of player who could open things up for Green and TE Tyler Eifert.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers — Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson:
Pittsburgh ranked 30th in pass defense last season, and free agency likely will further weaken its shaky depth at cornerback. Alexander would fill a need and provide toughness.
26. Seattle Seahawks — Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State:
Seattle struggled with its blocking for much of 2015 and probably can’t afford to re-sign free agent LT Russell Okung. Conklin needs polish, but few are better at making the big uglies shine than assistant Tom Cable.
27. Green Bay Packers — Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky:
Substance abuse issues led to his demise at Ohio State, but Spence swears he has grown up. There is no question about his ability, and he might be worth a roll of the dice for Green Bay’s so-so defense.
28. Kansas City Chiefs — Andrew Billings, DL, Baylor:
The Chiefs need to restock their defensive line, and Billings has the talent and versatility to be a nice fit.
29. Arizona Cardinals — Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech:
With Tyrann Mathieu suffering a late-season knee injury and Jerraud Powers set to test the market, the Cardinals likely will be in the market for secondary help. And you know Virginia Tech alum Bruce Arians has a soft spot for Hokies.
30. Carolina Panthers — Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson:
Carolina is imposing up the middle but needs to be in the market to replace aging defensive ends Charles Johnson and Jared Allen.
31. Denver Broncos — Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State:
Can the Broncos afford to wait on Michael Schofield to develop? Can they afford high-priced LT Ryan Clady, who missed most of the 2013 season and all of 2015 with injuries? It might be wise to snare Decker, who could be an asset to the ground game.