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Updated 2016 NFL Mock Draft Following Combine
Serving an updated version of the 2016 NFL Mock Draft now that the results are in from this year's combine.
March 1, 2016
Latest 2016 NFL mock draft following the combine in Indianapolis.
The Spandex Olympics are finally over. Though sometimes over the top, NFL Scouting Combine still provides plenty of value.
You shouldn’t base a draft pick solely on the performance he had at Lucas Oil Stadium, but the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and bench press do have some value. And some teams are beholden to these numbers.
Part of that value can be seen in this latest mock draft. Here’s how the first round looks following the 2016 NFL Combine.
2016 NFL Mock Draft First Round
1. Tennessee Titans (3-13)
Needs: OL, WR, DE
Pick: Laremy Tunsil – OT, Ole Miss
Laremy Tunsil has franchise left tackle written all over him. Marcus Mariota needs some protection, and the Titans must take Tunsil in order give their franchise quarterback more protection.
2. Cleveland Browns (3-13)
Needs: QB, WR, DE
Pick: Jared Goff – QB, California
Jared Goff definitely helped his draft stock at the NFL Combine. He threw the ball well in spite of the “small hand issue.” A high ceiling and Pac-12 experience will lead Cleveland to draft Goff, the Browns’ fourth first-round quarterback selection in the past decade.
3. San Diego Chargers (4-12)
Needs: OL, DE, DB
Pick: Ronnie Stanley – OT, Notre Dame
The Chargers need playmakers on both sides of the ball, before adding any they must protect their most important asset: Philip Rivers. Ronnie Stanley can help keep Rivers’ jersey clean, and skill positions can wait until later in the draft.
4. Dallas Cowboys (4-12)
Needs: DE, SS, FS, QB
Pick: Jalen Ramsey – CB/S, Florida State
Jalen Ramsey showed off the speed with a 4.41-second 40-yard dash. He flashed the explosiveness with a 41.5-inch vertical and an 11-foot-3-inch broad jump. Dallas needs a playmaking free safety like Ramsey to be a difference maker on defense.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)
Needs: CB, S, DE, OL
Pick: Myles Jack – OLB, UCLA
Jacksonville drafted Dante Fowler Jr. No. 3 overall last season. With Fowler coming back from a torn ACL, the Jaguars can pair him with Myles Jack and create a fearsome pass rushing duo.
6. Baltimore Ravens (5-11)
Needs: CB, OL, WR
Pick: Joey Bosa – DE, Ohio State
He’s arguably the best overall prospect in the draft class. Joey Bosa can stop the run and get to the quarterback. Baltimore’s best teams have always been anchored by tremendous defenses; Bosa can help jumpstart a team that was ravaged by injuries last season.
7. San Francisco 49ers (5-11)
Needs: QB, OL, DL
Pick: Shaq Lawson – DE, Clemson
There’s a lot of talk about San Francisco eyeing Connor Cook outside of the first round. At the moment the 49ers still have Colin Kaepernick in spite of his agent asking to seek a trade, meaning Chip Kelly sets his sights on defense in the first round. San Francisco takes a pass rusher like Shaq Lawson to go after Carson Palmer and Russell Wilson and create a push up front.
8. Miami Dolphins (6-10)
Needs: OL, DB, LB, RB
Pick: Vernon Hargreaves III – CB, Florida
Forget about how his career at Florida ended in that Citrus Bowl debacle. The entire Gators team mailed it in toward the end. Vernon Hargreaves III is the best pure cornerback in the draft — Ramsey is more of a safety. When looking at the production, footwork, hips and ball skills, Hargreaves is a potential lockdown corner.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)
Needs: DE, MLB, FS, CB
Pick: DeForest Buckner – DE, Oregon
Tampa Bay needs pass rushers on the line, and DeForest Buckner has the size and agility to make an instant impact in the NFC South. Facing a trio of dynamic quarterbacks within the division, the Bucs can tell Buckner to put his hand in the dirt, collapse the pocket and get after the likes of Matt Ryan, Cam Newton and Drew Brees.
10. New York Giants (6-10)
Needs: OLB, MLB, OL, DL
Pick: Noah Spence – OLB/DE, Eastern Kentucky
The former Ohio State recruit found his way to Eastern Kentucky after being dismissed by the Buckeyes, and that will, of course, be a topic of conversation when teams question his character. Bruce Irvin had issues, and that worked out well for Seattle. The Giants can afford to take a chance on Noah Spence, who can rush the passer both standing up and from a three-point stance.
11. Chicago Bears (6-10)
Needs: DT, WR, DB
Pick: Sheldon Rankins – DT, Louisville
Sheldon Rankins is one of the hottest names in the draft right now, having drawn comparisons to the Rams’ Aaron Donald. If Rankins is as athletic and powerful as Donald is, the Bears can find a spot for him on their defensive line.
12. New Orleans Saints (7-9)
Needs: OL, DL, OLB, WR
Pick: Jack Conklin – OT, Michigan State
Protect Drew Brees. Repeat: You must protect Drew Brees. The Saints recently parted ways with Marques Colston, which could mean they take a shot at Laquon Treadwell, but the bigger need is on the offensive line. Jack Conklin has the strength and athleticism to grow into a starting left tackle.
13. Philadelphia Eagles (7-9)
Needs: LB, QB, OL
Pick: Carson Wentz – QB, North Dakota State
14. Oakland Raiders (7-9)
Needs: FS, SS, CB, DT
Pick: Robert Nkemdiche – DT, Ole Miss
The Raiders have a defensive minded head coach in Jack Del Rio, and Oakland could benefit greatly by getting back to its roots of having a nasty, diabolical defense. Robert Nkemdiche has the off-the-field issues, but he’s an absolute monster on the defensive line and could wreak havoc with Khalil Mack.
15. Los Angeles Rams (7-9)
Needs: QB, CB, WR
Pick: Paxton Lynch – QB, Memphis
New city, new look, new team. The Rams have a star in the making with Todd Gurley, and Tavon Austin potential to reach the second and third levels when he gets the ball on the perimeter. Los Angeles needs a guy who can take the pressure off these dynamic talents. Paxton Lynch was much more fluid at the combine than most expected him to look. He’s the pick for the Rams as they continue their quest for a franchise quarterback.
16. Detroit Lions (7-9)
Needs: DT, WR, OL, LB, CB
Pick: Laquon Treadwell – WR, Ole Miss
It’s pretty simple here. Calvin Johnson is (likely) retiring, and the Lions need a replacement for one of the game’s most electrifying wide receivers. Laquon Treadwell isn’t a speedy receiver, but he can bully cornerbacks and win one-on-one battles with the best of them.
17. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Needs: LB, DL, WR
Pick: A’Shawn Robinson – DT, Alabama
Dan Quinn is trying to rebuild that defense in Atlanta. He drafted Vic Beasley for the edge last year, and now it’s time to add to the interior of the defensive line. A’Shawn Robinson can stop the run and get to the quarterback.
18. Indianapolis Colts (8-8)
Needs: SS, OL, HB
Pick: Taylor Decker – OT, Ohio State
Coming of a Super Bowl-or-bust season where the Colts failed to make the playoffs, the new goal is simply to keep Andrew Luck on the field. The Colts could easily fall in love with Ezekiel Elliott at No. 18 and take the former Ohio State star, but offensive line is a much bigger need. Taylor Decker can come in and start from day one.
19. Buffalo Bills (8-8)
Needs: DT, CB, WR
Pick: Darron Lee – OLB, Ohio State
Darron Lee flashed the speed at the combine with a 4.47-second 40-yard dash — tops of all linebackers. While that doesn’t mean a whole lot, it was very impressive. If he believes Lee can keep pace with tight ends and wide receivers, as well as rush the passer, Rex Ryan could decide to take Lee over someone like Reggie Ragland — especially now that Buffalo has parted ways with Mario Williams. Ryan can incorporate Lee into the many blitz packages he has stocked up for his linebackers.
20. New York Jets (10-6)
Needs: ILB, OLB, QB
Pick: Ezekiel Elliott – HB, Ohio State
The New York Jets placed their franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson on Monday, which means Chris Ivory will hit the open market to a lot of teams making bids. The Jets can get younger and replace Ivory by drafting Ezekiel Elliot, who has the ability to run between the tackles, on the edge and catch out of the backfield.
21. Washington Redskins (9-7)
Needs: OL, DT, CB
Pick: Cody Whitehair – OG, Kansas State
He’s the best interior offensive lineman in the draft. Cody Whitehair is agile and powerful, but the real value is in his ability to make the switch to center. It’s difficult to find a starting center in the NFL, and Washington can build off its surprising offensive line play from last year by adding Whitehair.
22. Houston Texans (9-7)
Needs: HB, QB, WR, OL
Pick: Josh Doctson – WR, TCU
Houston needs a quarterback more than anything, but there just aren’t a lot of options this year. Instead of taking a quarterback at No. 22, the Texans can draft a running mate for DeAndre Hopkins in Josh Doctson. From there they can focus on signing a quarterback in free agency or trading for one in the offseason, all while knowing he’ll have electric playmakers out wide.
23. Minnesota Vikings (11-5)
Needs: WR, OL, S
Pick: Corey Coleman – WR, Baylor
Minnesota received solid production from Stefon Diggs in his rookie season. Mike Wallace won’t be around forever, and the Vikings give Teddy Bridgewater another target by adding a touchdown machine like Corey Coleman.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
Needs: OG, CB, OLB
Pick: Eli Apple – CB, Ohio State
The Bengals love drafting guys from the SEC, but they’re going to take a run at one of the Big Ten’s best. The need for a cornerback is very real in Cincinnati, especially if they hope to keep pace with the stable of receivers in Pittsburgh. Eli Apple can make an instant impact as a rookie, especially with Leon Hall and Adam Jones getting older. Plus, Jones is entering free agency, and his return isn’t guaranteed.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
Needs: OL, CB, S
Pick: Jayron Kearse – SS, Clemson
The Steelers need a playmaker in the secondary. Jayron Kearse has the athleticism and ballhawking ability to make plays for Pittsburgh right away. With the young defense Mike Tomlin is rebuilding, Kearse would be a fine addition.
26. Seattle Seahawks (10-6)
Needs: OL, CB, OLB, DL
Pick: Derrick Henry – HB, Alabama
The Seahawks need a cornerback. They need help on the offensive line. But at No. 26 on the board, the best available pick would be Derrick Henry. Even though Thomas Rawls had a great rookie season, Marshawn Lynch’s retirement will be a big hit. Seattle can add the downhill running style of Henry to the versatile nature of Rawls and create a deadly duo in its backfield.
27. Green Bay Packers (10-6)
Needs: OL, CB, DE
Pick: Reggie Ragland – ILB, Alabama
The Packers don’t have a lot of glaring needs to fill, but at No. 27 it’s hard to pass up on Reggie Ragland. Green Bay can move Clay Matthews back to the outside and stick Ragland in the middle to plug running lanes. The Packers can address offensive line and the secondary later on in the draft.
28. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)
Needs: WR, OL, DL
Pick: Will Fuller – WR, Notre Dame
Will Fuller lit it up at the NFL Combine with a 4.32-second 40-yard dash and an 11.44-second 60-yard shuttle. He made a lot of plays at Notre Dame, and Kansas City is going to bank on his ability to stretch the field. Pairing him with Jeremy Maclin makes a lot of sense.
29. Arizona Cardinals (13-3)
Needs: DE, OL, TE, WR
Pick: Jonathan Bullard – DE/DT, Florida
He’s big. He’s quick. He’s versatile. Arizona won’t have Dwight Freeney or Calais Campbell forever, and the Cardinals can take Jonathan Bullard to help defend the run and rush the quarterback.
30. Carolina Panthers (15-1)
Needs: WR, OLB, DL
Pick: Andrew Billings – DT, Baylor
Carolina could easily take a run at a wide receiver here, someone like Michael Thomas or Braxton Miller, but both can be picked up in the second round. The Panthers would be better off adding depth to the defensive line by taking Andrew Billings.
31. Denver Broncos (12-4)
Needs: OL, DL, HB, QB
Pick: Leonard Floyd – OLB, Georgia
DeMarcus Ware won’t be around forever. Even though the Broncos drafted Shane Ray last year, they saw how important it was to have a dominating defense. Denver can take Leonard Floyd and exercise his ability to rush the passer combined with his ability to play standing up.
MORE: Vernon Hargreaves III Names College Football’s Best Cornerback
