2016 NFL Draft: Round 1 Mock

The first round of the 2016 NFL Draft will go down in Chicago, Illinois tonight starting at 5:00 p.m. Check out the first round mock draft below…

I make this mock with the draft order as it stands at 11:00 AM on draft day. I don’t have any insider

information /

from speaking with GMs so all the picks will be from the teams who currently have them. Yes, sadly that means no trades. It also means I will be wrong, but like filling out a NCAA Tournament bracket, that is the expectation and the inevitable.

Rams: Jared Goff, QB (California)
Eagles: Carson Wentz, QB (North Dakota State)

I could not be

more /

certain about these first two picks. When you trade everything to get one of the first two picks of the draft, you have to draft a QB, even if that means compounding mistakes. These two are the consensus top two QBs and Goff seems to be the safer choice for Los Angeles.

Chargers: DeForest Buckner, DE (Oregon)
Cowboys: Jalen Ramsey, CB (Florida State)

When your biggest need is at an impact position and there’s a potential star available for you in the top 5, it shouldn’t be a tough decision. That’s the case for the Bolts and Boys here.

Jaguars:

Joey Bosa, DE (Ohio State)… A healthy Myles Jack would

slot /

in perfectly here but there’s no need to take the risk with Bosa on the Board.

Ravens:

Laremy Tunsil, OT (Ole Miss)… Baltimore is getting the best player in the draft and a guy who can

protect /

the high paid Joe Flacco.

49ers: Myles Jack, LB (UCLA)… Chip Kelly is the guy to gamble on Jack’s health. San Fran needs a LB and from a talent perspective Jack is a steal at 7.

Browns:

Ronnie Stanley, OT (Notre Dame)… Before you can get skill players, you need guys that can block for them. With that said, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cleveland

select /

Ezekiel Elliott.

Buccaneers: Leonard Floyd, OLB (Georgia)… Tampa Bay needs a pass rusher. With Jack and Bosa off the board, this is an easy decision for them.

Giants:

Shaq Lawson-DE-Clemson This is the first time since 2011 that the Giants select a defensive player in the first round and it’s

well /

overdue.

Bears: Vernon Hargreaves III, CB (Florida)… He can play anywhere on the field and has a chance to surpass Ramsey as the best corner in the draft.

Saints:

Sheldon Rankins, DT (Louisville)…

New /

Orleans was 31

in passing and rushing defense last year. This big man can be disruptive up front.

Dolphins:

Ezekiel Elliott, RB (Ohio State)… Miami has a major need at RB and the best one in the

class /

lands in their lap at 13.

Raiders: Reggie Ragland, ILB (Alabama)… Raiders fans have to be drooling at the opportunity for Khalil Mack to mentor Ragland and have the duo grow for years to come.

Titans:

Jack Conklin, OT (Michigan State)…

PROTECT /

Marcus Mariota!

Lions: Ryan Kelly, C (Alabama)… Kelly is a little undersized but has the quickness and intelligence to a staple in the league.

Falcons: Darron Lee, LB (Ohio State)… With a 4.47 40 at the combine, Lee had the fasted dash among LB.

Colts:

Eli Apple, CB (Ohio State)… Back to back Buckeyes come off the board and the latter is a great choice

to play /

opposite Vontae Davis.

Bills: Jarran Reed, DT (Alabama)… This Bills are just another team to create a good tandem. This time on the defensive line with Reed and Marcell Dareus.

Jets:

Taylor Decker, OT (Ohio State)… The Jets need OL

help /

and if Decker falls to them at 20, this pick makes sense.

Redskins:

Vernon Butler, DT (Louisiana Tech)… With the addition of Josh Norman, the

Skins /

can worry about moving the line of scrimmage. Butler is 6’4” 323 pounds.

Texans: Corey Coleman, WR (Baylor)

Vikings: Laquon Treadwell, WR (Ole Miss)

Bengals:

Josh Doctson, WR (TCU)… This

run /

of WR coming off the board gives each team what they want. Houston gets their speed guy opposite DeAndre Hopkins that will have to keep safeties honest. Minnesota gets a 6’2” physical receiver that young QBs usually like. Teddy Bridgewater won’t be complaining. Cincinnati gets a number two receiver sure to be around for quite some time. Marvin Jones and Mohammed Sanu have moved on since playing second fiddle to A.J. Green.

Steelers:

William Jackson III, CB (Houston)… Pittsburgh is desperate for some help in the secondary and Jackson III is a guy who can

step /

in right away wherever they need him to. Other years, the Steelers would have to trade up for a Jackson III but the teams in front of them have other needs, a huge gift for Pittsburgh.

Seahawks: Germain Ifedi, OT (Texas A&M)… Ifedi can play guard and either tackle spot. Seattle needs some OL help and Ifedi can do whatever is asked.

Packers: A’Shawn Robinson, DT (Alabama)… Another versatile player, Robinson can play any DL spot in the Packers 3-4 scheme.

Chiefs: Karl Joseph, S (West Virginia)… FINALLY! The best safety in the draft waits much longer than expected and nearly makes it out of the 1^st.The former Mountaineer will get to play alongside Eric Berry and the Chiefs look strong at yet another position.

Cardinals: Deion Jones, OLB (LSU)… Jones is the player of the future. He’s a LB with a 4.5 40 time. He can stay with Tight Ends, Wide Receivers and Running backs in space. The Cardinals can use him in coverage on the flat, in the middle and the man is a great pass rusher.

Panthers: Artie Burns, CB (Miami)… Carolina looks to replace Josh Norman. Burns will come in and be the beneficiary of the rest of the defense being great. Not much will be asked of him and he has much improvement to do in terms of the fundamentals.

Broncos: Christian Hackenberg, QB (Penn State)… Denver needs a QB or many of them. Right now mark Sanchez is the undisputed starter. The defending champs might take multiple guys throughout the draft as well as sign a free agent or two. A fun QB battle should be in store.

Next: Has Jamaal Charles Lost a Step?

The NFL Draft will begin at 5:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN.

Home/Arizona Cardinals