NFL MOCK DRAFT1. Tennessee Titans (3-13)
Laremy Tunsil - OT - Ole Miss
The Titans need a running back, but aren’t going to take one this early. They could trade down and take Elliot, but as this is a mock draft, they go with Tunsil to protect Mariota. I see them taking Derrick Henry at #32.
2. Cleveland Browns (3-13)
Carson Wentz - QB - North Dakota State
The Browns are moving on from Johnny Manziel, and they need a QB. Even if they don’t plan to start their guy year one, they need to make this spot either Wentz or Goff. Bigger hands are favored in the conditions the Browns will play in, as well as Went just being the better player.
3. San Diego Chargers (4-12)
Jalen Ramsey - DB - Florida State
The best player in this draft, there’s a need here for the Chargers, who will be parting ways with Eric Weddle, as well as possibly playing Ramsey at CB, however their bigger need is at S. Hard to pass up the best player in the draft at #3.
4. Dallas Cowboys (4-12)
DeForest Buckner - DE - Oregon
Physical at the line of scrimmage, reliable to get in the backfield and to the Quarterback. The Cowboys need upgrades all over their defense, and with Ramsey gone, they upgrade their pass rush.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)
Myles Jack - OLB - UCLA
Jack slips as far as 5 because of the possibility of not playing for an extended time in 2016 due to a meniscus tear. The Jags are a team that will splurge in free agency this year, and may be able to wait a year to get him, especially with waiting on Dante Fowler, and his return this coming season.
6. Baltimore Ravens (5-11)
Joey Bosa - DE - Ohio State
Bosa slips below Buckner in the DE group, but still is a top 5 prospect. He’ll be a steal for the Ravens at #6, who need to upgrade their pass rush.
7. San Francisco 49ers (5-11)
Laquon Treadwell - WR - Ole Miss
The Niners want to keep Kaepernick, but he doesn’t want to be there. He is there right now, so he gets a big bodied weapon with range to make up for Kap’s lack of accuracy. He’s not the kind of receiver Chip Kelly usually plays with, but he can be dangerous in that offense.
8. Miami Dolphins (6-10)
Shaq Lawson - DE - Clemcon
Lawson is a great player, who may struggle in the NFL with drug violations. The Dolphins take a chance on him at 8, with the chance at getting another playmaker on their defensive line.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)
A’Shawn Robinson - DT - Alabama
The Bucs have Gerald McCoy at DT, so there’s not really a positional need. But Robinson is a great player who could play well in a 4-3 defense, like the Bucs’.
10. New York Giants (6-10)
Ronnie Stanley - OT - Notre Dame
The Giants have major needs all over the place, but Eli Manning is in the final years of his career. The Giants need to protect their franchise QB, give him more time to get the ball to Odell Beckham. Stanley can help extend Eli’s career another couple of season at least.
11. Chicago Bears (6-10)
Robert Nkemdiche - DT - Ole Miss
Nkemdiche comes with off the field issues, but the Bears need to take the risk and grab him to improve their run defense. Nkemdiche instantly helps in the pass and run games, and can be a force for the Bears.
12. New Orleans Saints (7-9)
Mackensie Alexander - CB - Clemson
Alexander is small (5’10”, 190 lbs.), but he competes on every play, with great reaction. The Saints need to upgrade a secondary that was historically bad for much of 2015. The Saints won games despite their secondary.
13. Philadelphia Eagles (7-9)
Jack Conklin - OT - Michigan State
Conklin has the versatility to play tackle or guard on the O-Line. With Jason Peters entering the final year(s) of his career, Conklin can be a fill-in at guard, and move out to right tackle when Peters retires, with Lane Johnson becoming LT. Can also move out to either tackle spot in case of injury in Year 1.
14. Oakland Raiders (7-9)
Eli Apple - CB - Ohio State
The Raiders need to improve upon their secondary in order to really compete. Apple has the physical tools to be a #1 CB, but will need time covering #2 WRs to really get there. Competitive, with long arms, and can be a playmaker.
15. Los Angeles Rams (7-9)
Jared Goff - QB - Cal
New city, new QB. The only problem I have with the Rams taking Goff is the contract that Nick Foles has, giving him an edge in the starting QB battle. However, the Rams need to find a true franchise QB, and Goff can be that for them.
16. Detroit Lions (7-9)
Corey Coleman - WR - Baylor
With Calvin Johnson expected to retire, the Lions will need to grab a new WR. Golden Tate can play at #1, but the Lions will likely prioritize another WR in the draft. Coleman is 5’11” with the speed and change of direction to play WR in the NFL.
17. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Jarran Reed - DL - Alabama
It doesn’t matter how it happens for Atlanta, but they need to improve that defense. They have what they need on offense, with a franchise QB, a top RB and arguably the best WR in the league. To really be competitive, they need to upgrade the defense wherever they can, however they can.
18. Indianapolis Colts (8-8)
Jason Spriggs - OT - Indiana
The Colts have neglected the Offensive Line for far too long. Andrew Luck needs to be protected. Spriggs can come in and be an upgrade anywhere on their line. With even a little more protection, Luck won’t get sacked as many times as he has.
19. Buffalo Bills (8-8)
Reggie Ragland - ILB - Alabama
Ragland is what every team looks for in an ILB. The Bills run a 3-4 defense, where Ragland can really show off what he can do. Defensive Line may be a point of need, but the Bills can wait on that into the second round.
20. New York Jets (10-6)
Ezekiel Elliot - RB - Ohio State
I have Elliot ranked #5 on my board, so this is a major steal for the Jets. There have been other teams with needs at RB, but just had bigger needs with value available. The Jets are losing Chris Ivory, and so will need someone to run the ball. He gets past the Jets, I think he slips to the Titans at #32.
21. Washington Redskins (9-7)
Emmanuel Ogbah - DE - Oklahoma State
Ogbah is an instant threat for the Redskins, who could use secondary more, but there won’t be anyone they like. With Ogbah, they have a real threat to sack the Quarterback.
22. Houston Texans (9-7)
Paxton Lynch - QB - Memphis
The Texans have made it known they’re looking for the QB in this draft, so if Lynch falls to them, they will definitely grab him. I think they’re more likely to take Christian Hackenburg in the second or third round, but Lynch is someone they can take, start, and succeed. They just need someone who can get the ball to the WRs.
23. Minnesota Vikings (11-5)
Josh Doctson - WR - TCU
I think Doctson is the best WR in this class. He’s tall with great jumping, hands and route running. He can be a true #1 WR in the NFL, and will have a nice compliment with Stefan Diggs. The kind of player that can help Teddy Bridgewater improve.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
Leonard Floyd - OLB - Georgia
This is the most complete team in the NFL, and will likely be looking WR here. However, with no value picks here, they go with the best player available. Floyd is a coverage linebacker, and will play weak-side on most NFL teams. He can get to the QB, but not as well as other LBs in this class.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
Vernon Hargreaves III - CB - Florida
The Steelers will need to upgrade their secondary this year. They’ll dip into free agency, but will also look to grab a rookie. Hargreaves is small (5’10”, 204 lbs.) but is someone that can pay #1 despite his size. The Steelers will need to get someone else to play #1 while Hargreaves develops, but he can eventually become the #1 guy.
26. Seattle Seahawks (10-6)
Taylor Decker - OT - Ohio State
The Seahawks will be losing two offensive lineman to free agency, and will need to keep Russell Wilson upright. Decker is more a right tackle than a left tackle, but he can still start Day 1 for the Seahawks.
27. Green Bay Packers (10-6)
Hunter Henry - TE - Arkansas
The Packers need to upgrade at TE. Richard Rodgers may have caught that Hail Mary, but he’s not the #1 TE this team has lacked since Jermichael Finley. Henry can come in and be that guy, and he’ll learn from Aaron Rodgers.
28. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)
Jaylon Smith - LB - Notre Dame
Smith is a guy who can play in a 3-4 or a 4-3, he gets to the ball carrier and takes him down. An all-round player, he’s the kind of guy the Chiefs will be looking for to replace Tamba Hali should he be on the way out.
29. Arizona Cardinals (13-3)
Kevin Dodd - DE - Clemson
The Cardinals need to upgrade their pass rush. Dodd is a competitor, and is big, a guy who doesn’t give up. 12 sacks in 2015, with 4 pressures, he’s a great addition to the Cardinals, who will also be a run stopper.
30. Carolina Panthers (15-1)
Andrew Billings - DT - Baylor
Baylor is a run stopper with the ability to be a pass rusher as well. He’s young, not turning 21 until later this month, and has a great first step.
31. Denver Broncos (12-14)
Cody Whitehair - G - Kansas State
The Broncos will be looking for Hunter Henry here but with him gone, they’ll look to upgrade their Guard spot with the loss of Evan Mathis. Whitehair will likely be a Guard in the NFL, but he can play at Tackle. His run-blocking ability is top in the draft.