As things begin to ramp up for the 2016 NFL Draft in just over a week, plenty of smoke screens are being thrown. Teams are already jockeying for position to get their guy. Who falls where due to the blockbuster deal between Tennessee and Los Angeles? Let’s find out.
1. Los Angeles Rams – Jared Goff, QB California
After trading for the first pick in this year’s draft with the Tennessee Titans, it’s no secret what position the Rams are going to draft. QB! The only uncertainty is who they will select. Is it going to be Jared Goff or Carson Wentz? With reports circulating that the Rams are very smitten with Goff, the cat could be out of the bag.
Previous Pick: Jared Goff
*TRADE*
2. Philadelphia Eagles (Trade w/ CLE) – Carson Wentz, QB North Dakota State
On the day news broke of the Rams and Titans swapping first round picks, a report mentioned the Eagles were the second team fighting to move up to the number one pick. Other reports have circulated saying Cleveland wants Goff and Philadelphia wants Wentz. With teams like Dallas and San Francisco in front of Philadelphia, look for them to move up and grab their first franchise QB since Donavon McNabb.
Previous Pick: Ezekiel Elliott
3. San Diego Chargers – Jalen Ramsey, DB Florida State
Things couldn’t have worked out more perfectly for the Chargers than the two franchises moving in front of them in the Draft. With two QBs selected one and two, it moves the other positional players down the board. After having a quick conversation about possibly drafting Laremy Tunsil, San Diego will jump on S Jalen Ramsey to replace their captain, Eric Weddle.
Previous Pick: Deforest Buckner
4. Dallas Cowboys – Joey Bosa, DE Ohio State
Dallas just lets the board fall to them. With the two best QBs gone, fans can relax to the fact Dallas won’t be selecting a new signal caller this early. The decision comes down to Myles Jack and Joey Bosa. Look for Dallas to take the latter so they can get more pressure on opposing QBs.
Previous Pick: Myles Jack
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Myles Jack, LB UCLA
A gift falls into Jacksonville’s lap. This franchise upgraded the defense in a major way this offseason, and now they get their future signal caller in the LB corps.
Previous Pick: Laremy Tunsil
6. Baltimore Ravens – Deforest Buckner, DE Oregon
The Ravens have a tough decision here. Do they go with an OT to protect Joe Flacco? Do they draft a CB in Hargreaves to contend with Antonio Brown and AJ Greene? Or do they draft a DE to get pressure on Big Ben and others? Buckner is a sure hit and is probably the safest prospect in this year’s draft. Baltimore can’t go wrong here.
Previous Pick: Ronnie Stanley
7. San Francisco 49ers – Vernon Hargreaves III, DB Florida
The 49ers secondary wasn’t very good last year. With Bosa and Buckner off the board, look for San Francisco to take VHIII to fill a huge need.
Previous Pick: Joey Bosa
8. Cleveland Browns (Trade w/ Eagles) – Laremy Tunsil, OT Ole Miss
After trading back, Cleveland is still able to get their man. Laremy Tunsil was probably the prospect most hurt from the Rams/Titans trade. This moved him down the board, but he now has an All Pro in Joe Thomas to teach him and make him better.
Previous Pick: Carson Wentz
*TRADE*
9. Miami Dolphins (Trade w/ TB) – Ezekiel Elliott, RB Ohio State
The dolphins lost Lamar Miller to the Texans this offseason. With new Head Coach Adam Gase trying to get his offense straightened out, look from him to do everything he can to get Elliott.
Previous Pick: Eli Apple
10. New York Giants – Shaq Lawson
The New York Giants had a complete overhaul on their defensive line. That won’t stop them from adding depth. With JPP signed to a one year deal, Big Blue will draft Lawson for insurance.
Previous Pick: Vernon Hargreaves III
*TRADE*
11. Tennessee Titans (Trade w/ CHI) – Ronnie Stanley, OT Notre Dame
Reports are still surrounding the Titans and their want into trading back up in the draft. The pick at number one, had they stayed, was probably going to be Laremy Tunsil. With New Orleans and Tampa Bay lurking, Tennessee pulls the trigger to trade up and get their LT of the future.
Previous Pick: Jalen Ramsey
12. New Orleans Saints – Mackenzie Alexander, CB Clemson
Had Shaq Lawson been here, New Orleans would have jumped all over him. But with him gone, New Orleans can turn their attention to another huge hole on their defense, CB. Alexander had a solid year for the Clemson Tigers, and would upgrade that secondary tremendously.
Previous Pick: Shaq Lawson
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Trade w/ MIA) – Jack Conklin, OT Jack Conklin
Franchise QB? Check. Franchise WR? Check. Franchise RB? Check. The only thing this offense is missing is protection. That will change with the pick of Jack Conklin. A fierce, hardnosed OT, that doesn’t mind getting dirty.
Previous Pick: Jack Conklin
14. Oakland Raiders – Darron Lee, LB Ohio State
The rich keep getting richer, and by that I mean this nasty defense. Oakland has made strides the last couple of years in assembling a smash mouth defense. Darron Lee is the icing on the cake. Lee can step in day one and make plays not only in the run, but the pass too.
Previous Pick: Darron Lee
15. Chicago Bears (Trade w/ TEN) – Eli Apple, CB Ohio State
Another CB comes off the board. Chicago has struggled with their secondary for the past couple of years. Pairing Apple with Fuller could spell trouble for opposing NFC North QBs.
Previous Pick: Mackenzie Alexander
16. Detroit Lions – Jarran Reed, DT Alabama
Suh and Fairley left a year ago. Detroit tried to fill the hole by trading for Hiaoli Ngata. Age is working against the veteran, so look for Detroit to draft the mauler out of Alabama, Jarran Reed, and pair him up beside Ezekiel Ansah
Previous Pick: Josh Doctson
17. Atlanta Falcons – Kevin Dodd, DE Clemson
I had Noah Spence mocked here last week, but after careful consideration, it only makes sense to pair second year veteran, Vic Beasley, with his college teammate Kevin Dodd. These two will wreck havoc on Cam Newtown and other opposing QBs.
Previous Pick: Noah Spence
*TRADE*
18. New York Jets (Trade w/ IND) – Paxton Lynch, QB Memphis
With rumblings around the league surrounding the Buffalo Bills and the possibility of them drafting a QB early, the Jets make a phone call to Indianapolis to move right in front of Buffalo. Even with a great year last year, Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t getting younger. Actually, he still hasn’t re-signed with New York, but it’ll happen eventually. The Jets have to think long term with a pretty good QB class this year. Lynch might sit just like Aaron Rodgers did when he came into the league, but it will be for the best.
Previous Pick: Paxton Lynch
19. Buffalo Bills – Leonard Floyd, DE Georgia
Losing Mario Williams, even on a down statistical year, is big for Buffalo. His spot needs to be filled quickly. Leonard Floyd has a motor and a knack for getting to the QB.
Previous Pick: Leonard Floyd
20. Indianapolis Colts (Trade w/ NYJ) – A’Shawn Robinson, DT Alabama
The Colts defensive line has been in shambles for a few years. They need to get pressure on QBs but more importantly, stop the run. Robinson fits that bill for this team.
Previous Pick: Kevin Dodd
21. Washington Redskins – Sheldon Rankins, DT Louisville
Losing Terrance Knighton to the Patriots this offseason leaves a hole in the middle of this defensive line. Rankins is a big body that can step in on day one and push the pocket.
Previous Pick: Jarran Reed
22. Houston Texans – Laquon Treadwell, WR Ole Miss
Outside of Deandre Hopkins, the Texans don’t have any playmaking WRs. While his combine numbers weren’t the best, Treadwell will make an instant impact in this league. He has the size to dominate smaller CBs, and will be a red zone threat from the start. This Houston offense is pointing in the right direction.
Previous Pick: Laquon Treadwell
23. Minnesota Vikings – Corey Coleman, WR Baylor
Unlike Houston, Minnesota has no playmaking WRs. Stefon Diggs came on late in the season last year, but was still inconsistent. Teddy Bridgewater has his RB, and a good offensive line, now he just needs an athletic, playmaking WR to throw to. Cory Coleman is just the man.
Previous Pick: Corey Coleman
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Josh Doctson, WR TCU
A CB could be taken here, but after losing Muhammed Sanu and Marvin Jones via free Agency, WR becomes an instant need. Pairing AJ Green with an athlete like Michael Thomas could give Andy Dalton the spark to get the Bengals to the second week of the playoffs.
Previous Pick: Michael Thomas
25. Pittsburgh Steelers – William Jackson III, CB Houston
Like their division rivals, the Steelers need help in the secondary. After trading for Brandon Boykin a year ago, Pittsburgh let the veteran walk in free agency. William Jackson will be able to step in and upgrade this secondary.
Previous Pick: A’Shawn Robinson
26. Seattle Seahawks – Taylor Decker, OT Ohio State
After losing Russell Okung to the Broncos, Seattle needs an OT to protect Russell Wilson. Seattle will only go as far as Wilson takes them.
Previous Pick: Taylor Decker
27. Green Bay Packers – Reggie Ragland, LB Alabama
The Packers defense hasn’t had leadership at MLB since Nick Perry was manning the ship. That will all change with Reggie Ragland. He led this Alabama defense to great measures and accomplishments in 2015.
Previous Pick: Reggie Ragland
28. Kansas City Chiefs – Karl Joseph, S West Virginia
Kansas City lost two of the four DBs from last year. One CB and one S. With a lot of the good CBs off the board, look for Kansas City to get the second best S in this year’s draft.
Previous Pick: Kendall Fuller
*TRADE*
29. Cleveland Browns (Trade w/Arizona) – Connor Cook, QB Michigan State
Cleveland, after wheeling and dealing all day, winds up trading back into the first round to get a QB. Pretty ironic RGIII goes from Washington, where he lost his job to Kirk Cousins, to Cleveland, where they draft Connor Cook, another Michigan State QB. With a LT and QB drafted, all Cleveland needs is a couple of WRs to get the offense clicking.
Previous Pick: N/A
30. Carolina Panthers – Kendall Fuller, CB Virginia Tech
The Super Bowl runner ups have one of the best CBs in the league, Josh Norman. After franchise tagging him, this team still needs depth and insurance in the case Norman bolts after this upcoming season for a bigger payday.
Previous Pick: Sheldon Rankins
31. Denver Broncos – Chris Jones, DT Mississippi
After losing Malik Jackson in the offseason, the Broncos need to bolster their defensive line in a huge way. Chris Jones will be able to plug the middle and stop the run for the defending Super Bowl Champions.
Previous Pick: N/A
