The 2016 NFL Draft is just a few weeks away, yet confident projections remain difficult to come by. The class features a combination of only six or so special prospects and a quarterback group that doesn’t reek of top talent but may see three top 15 selections.
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Laremy Tunsil still sits atop our board, but the Cowboys and Eagles may be jostling for the No. 1 pick. Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch quietly may be coveted by multiple teams, but one particular mid first-round team remains his best fit.
It also is time to get to know Mississippi State’s Chris Jones, Houston’s Will Jackson and Boston College's Justin Simmons.
Note: The Patriots forfeited their 2016 first-round pick in the Deflategate ruling.
— 1. Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
Despite Jalen Ramsey buzz continuing to build, Tunsil is too safe a pick and can offer too much immediate value in protecting Marcus Mariota.
But there’s a real chance the Titans trade down. They’re open for business, and they value multiple offensive lineman on their board close to Tunsil. If a team like the Eagles or (more likely) the Cowboys wants to move up for Carson Wentz, it’ll have to get the Titans’ pick.
MORE: Tunsil vs. Ramsey debate | How is Ramsey so good?
— 2. Cleveland Browns: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
All signs point to the Browns drafting a quarterback here, with Wentz likely being the apple of the Browns’ eye. While new coach Hue Jackson (and likely others in the building) has been advocating for a second- or third-round quarterback, Wentz to Cleveland still has too much smoke to be ignored.
The Browns should consider Ramsey to fill their void at safety. But Cleveland seems to want to bring in at least one more quarterback, and Wentz is the near-consensus top quarterback for NFL teams.
— 3. San Diego Chargers: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
Injuries derailed the Chargers’ 2015 season, but they’re not devoid of talent on either side of the ball. While depth will remain an issue, their immediate needs rest at safety, linebacker and defensive line. With Ramsey, Myles Jack and/or Buckner likely on the board, the Chargers can choose.
Buckner isn’t often thought of as one of the stud prospects in this class, but at least a few NFL teams feel he could be a staple in a 3-4 defense building effort. A high-character five-technique who can set up teammates for success, Buckner can do wonders as a rookie for the Chargers defense.
— 4. Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
While signs throughout the draft process have signaled a Joey Bosa-Cowboys link, Ramsey’s elite upside and his recent workout in Dallas should keep the DB in the discussion. Cornerback may not be his best position, but he’d prove to be a major upgrade over what the Cowboys have there now.
Dallas can’t go wrong with its first-round pick, as it will have at least three or four scheme fits available to them. Ramsey is the best player on the board, but Bosa may be able to provide the most obvious and immediate value.
— 5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA
Adding Jack to this already heavily invested-in defense could accelerate the Jags’ rebuilding efforts and finally give the defense teeth in their already boastful compilation of talent.
Adding Jack could slide Paul Posluszny to a more rotational role as a run defender, put Telvin Smith into their feature linebacker role and allow the rookie to work as a rangy coverage linebacker, or even in a Kam Chancellor-esque role for Gus Bradley’s defense.
MORE: Jack is so good, lack of 40 time doesn't matter
— 6. Baltimore Ravens: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
While the Ravens likely would prefer Buckner, Ramsey or Jack, they’d happily add a strong-side edge player in Bosa to retool their defense moving forward. Bosa can compliment Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil as a powerful edge player and replace Courtney Upshaw. Bosa could go as high as fourth overall, and he may not fall much further than eight or nine.
— 7. San Francisco 49ers: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
If Colin Kaepernick still is on the roster come draft time, then the 49ers likely will pass on a quarterback. They’d be wise to take a top-end athlete (like GM Trent Baalke loves to do) in Elliott and find a quarterback that better fits their pick value. Jared Goff isn’t worth a top 10 pick, especially for a team in need of an offensive playmaker.
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— 8. Philadelphia Eagles: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
There’s been obvious quarterback interest from the Eagles, but it’s unlikely that they’ll trade up or even stay put for a quarterback unless Carson Wentz falls to No. 8.
Taking the best defender on the board here seems likely, with Hargreaves, Eli Apple and linebacker Darron Lee being the most likely targets. Hargreaves is a plug-and-play starter that can give this defense a quick turnaround under coordinator Jim Schwartz.
— 9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
The Bucs boast one of the better young linebacker units in football, but they still need support at defensive end and throughout their secondary, especially at cornerback. While adding another offensive lineman may be tempting, bringing in a top cornerback or defensive end is needed. Lawson offers strength and edge-setting upside and could be a strong compliment to Robert Ayers.
— 10. New York Giants: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Ereck Flowers last year was a reach at 10th overall. The Giants need to kick him to the right side or even inside at guard to maximize his ability. Stanley has the athleticism and pass-blocking upside, but questions about his passion and desire to develop may worry teams. The Giants need to add to their offense, with offensive line being the most likely option if Elliott is off the board.
— 11. Chicago Bears: Jared Goff, QB, California
There’s a real chance Goff doesn’t go in the top 10, with the 49ers the only team in that area (assuming Wentz goes to the Browns) that may consider him. If he slips out of the top 10, the Bears may be an intriguing fit.
Jay Cutler likely won’t be on the team after the 2016 season, and they’re in position to slowly begin a rebuilding project. Finding a quarterback with upside would be a plus, and Goff could benefit from a year of development behind Cutler.
— 12. New Orleans Saints: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
This is a little high for a still-developing interior player, but Butler offers the type of upside the Saints should covet early in the draft. His development likely is a matter of when, not if, and the Saints appear to be in no rush to rebuild their defense. Sheldon Rankins has been linked to this pick, but Butler is a better prospect, can offer more long-term versatility and could best complement Cam Jordan as a three-technique or opposite five-technique.
— 13. Miami Dolphins: Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State
Miami would love Elliott, Lee or Eli Apple in round one, as they have major needs at running back, linebacker and cornerback. Lee is a tad undersized and a bit of a work in progress, but he offers rare range, lateral speed and explosiveness for a linebacker. The upside is there, and his ceiling is worth drafting in the top half of Round 1.
MORE: All-time greatest draft picks from Ohio State
— 14. Oakland Raiders: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Oakland might consider interior defensive line help with this pick, and in such a strong class, somebody will be available to pique interest. That said, the secondary should be the Raiders’ No. 1 concern, and Apple is arguably the draft’s best cornerback in terms of athleticism and upside. He was overshadowed in the Ohio State defense, but the blossoming talent is there to thrive with a young and talented defense in Oakland.
— 15. Los Angeles Rams: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
It’s no secret that the Rams should be heavily courting all of the draft’s best quarterbacks. Lynch very well may be the draft’s best quarterback, and at least two teams agree. Whether the Rams agree, as well, whether they value Lynch highly enough to take him in Round 1 and whether they really do feel they need a QB upgrade is hard to determine at this point.
— 16. Detroit Lions: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
The Lions will strongly consider offensive line and cornerback support, but it’s hard to pass on the opportunity to fill the void left by Calvin Johnson with another big-bodied receiver like Treadwell. While he isn’t the athlete or vertical threat Johnson was, his addition, along with Marvin jones and incumbent Golden Tate, could ease the tension in an offense that just lost it’s most important asset.
— 17. Atlanta Falcons: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
While the Falcons could use offensive line reinforcement and a receiver, they likely will be searching for defense with their first-round pick. Defensive line remains a need despite added investments, and Ogbah is valued highly by NFL teams. He can fill a strong-side end role of sorts for this Seahawks-like building effort, and his finishing ability should be coveted by top 20 teams.
— 18. Indianapolis Colts: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
The Colts need to address their offensive line without adding plug-and-play free agents or relying on mid-round picks. Conklin isn’t a sexy blocker, but he’s an adequate pass protector with experience in a similar offense at Michigan State. He’s arguably the second best tackle in this class despite his athletic limitations.
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— 19. Buffalo Bills: Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
Rex Ryan and the Bills need to restock their defensive line, and Jones is the type of talent that Ryan loves. With first-round flashes and athleticism but still-developing hand usage, body positioning and rush timing, he’ll need time in the NFL before he can be relied upon. But he could grow into one of the NFL’s better three- or five-techniques.
— 20. New York Jets: Kevin Dodd, DE/OLB, Clemson
If Goff or Lynch is available, the Jets likely won’t hesitate with their selection. If not, they’d be wise to add a pass-rusher early. Lorenzo Mauldin is a solid long-term pass rusher, but he’ll never be the type to lead the defense. And while the Jets need to find a left tackle and a defensive lineman to potentially replace Muhammad Wilkerson, a pass rusher is an important need.
— 21. Washington Redskins: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
After Washington drafted a guard in the top 5 a year ago, don’t be surprised if GM Scot McCloughan drafts relatively safe once again. He understands the value of hitting on early-round picks in a rebuild project, and defensive tackles are as safe as they come.
Billings is not a great pass rusher and relies too much on his upper half strength. But he does possess nose tackle upside with obvious run-defending three-technique play and could be an instant starter for the Redskins.
— 22. Houston Texans: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
In missing out on Nelson Agholor last year and passing on Phillip Dorsett, the Texans missed their opportunity to add a speedy compliment to DeAndre Hopkins. This year, they’ll likely have their choice between Coleman, the Baylor standout with awesome speed and production, or Will Fuller of Notre Dame, who has similar vertical finishing ability and hand timing as DeSean Jackson.
— 23. Minnesota Vikings: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
Had it not been for Stefon Diggs a year ago, the Vikings receiving corps would have been one of the NFL’s worst, and Teddy Bridgewater’s development would have been further stifled. Thomas, whose speed allows him to separate, has the size to work underneath more than Diggs.
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— 24. Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
With the loss of Jones and Mohammed Sanu in free agency, the Bengals are left with a mediocre receiving unit behind AJ Green and Tyler Eifert. Doctson offers similar skills as those of Green, as both are longer, well-coordinated receivers who can consistently win one-on-one opportunities. Having three bigger receivers who can control the perimeter and seams may be the best way to combat the size of NFL cornerbacks nowadays.
— 25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
After missing out on Russell Okung this offseason, the Steelers are still without great left side pass protection for Ben Roethlisberger. Decker can make a reasonable claim that he’s the second best tackle in this class, and he easily could go top 13 on draft day.
— 26. Seattle Seahawks: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
Seattle would love to find an Okung replacement in Round 1, but a premier left tackle may cost the Seahawks a trade-up, something they’ve been averse to in the past. Le’Raven Clark and Germain Ifedi could be reach picks if they’re desperate. Instead, expect the Seahawks to retool their defensive line with a versatile presence to fill the Brandon Mebane role.
— 27. Green Bay Packers: A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
The Packers have almost no choice with their first-round pick, as they desperately need defensive front-three help after recent draft busts and B.J. Raji’s retirement. Vernon Butler or Chris Jones would be ideal, but Robinson would be a great find. Able to sink and explode well as a knee bender, Robinson offers pass-rush upside and, most importantly, experience at multiple defensive line spots after his time at Alabama. He should be an immediate rotational factor with high potential.
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— 28. Kansas City Chiefs: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
Offensive line isn’t a major need, but the Chiefs could use an upgrade at left guard and needs an Eric Fisher backup plan. Spriggs was a four-year starter at Indiana and tested through the roof at the Combine, winning the award as the best athlete among linemen. He has quality left tackle upside but should be able to kick inside at left guard if need be.
— 29. Arizona Cardinals: Will Jackson, CB, Houston
Patrick Peterson has grown into a high-level starter, and Tyrann Mathieu should continue to be one of the more feared slot cornerbacks/hybrid safeties in the NFL. That said, the Cardinals still need support at corner, and adding another physical press cornerback would be a welcome addition for a defense trying to stay consistent and finally reach a Super Bowl under Bruce Arians.
— 30. Carolina Panthers: Justin Simmons, S, Boston College
The Panthers’ secondary played well en route to a Super Bowl appearance, but for the long term, Carolina needs to keep the unit a strength by adding talent, especially one like Simmons. The cornerback-turned-safety offers great bend and change of direction in space, and he comes downhill as a tackler with patient, controlled steps, but enough violence to finish plays. He offers awesome upside to continue to develop and has one of the highest football IQs in the 2016 draft.
— 31. Denver Broncos: Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State
Snatching Okung was a tremendous move for the Broncos, and offensive line no longer is a clear issue. But they need to keep offensive line a strength considering their quarterback situation. Though he played left tackle at Kansas State last year, Whitehair’s powerful short-area strength and quickness should make him an excellent left (or right) guard in the NFL.