2016 NFL mock draft (Version 2.0)
This is where things get interesting (if you don’t find a pair of megadeals at the top of the draft interesting). Do the Chargers go Tunsil or Jalen Ramsey or DeForest Buckner or Myles Jack or Joey Bosa? Their pick. Maybe they’ll trade the pick to a team in need of a quarterback (kidding...maybe).
(Rogelio V. Solis / AP)South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Here’s how the first round of the NFL Draft might look. The Patriots lost their first-round pick through NFL penalty. The first round of the three-day draft is on April 28.
Whoa! Another pre-draft trade. The Eagles moved up from No. 13 to No. 8 in March and then from No. 8 to No. 2 last week. Another team that believes it needs to find its quarterback of the future.
(Rick Bowmer / AP)This pick keeps changing in our mocks, but this is the first time Ramsey has been available to the Cowboys at No. 4. Sure, the Cowboys could go pass-rusher here, too, but a versatile, athletic freak like Ramsey could be a gamebreaker in Dallas.
(Lynne Sladky / AP)Jack isn’t fully healthy yet -- a fact that might scare the Jaguars, whose No. 3 pick last year missed the entire season. But Jack is on track to be back when needed.
(Damian Dovarganes / AP)Hargreaves’ one knock is his size. But he’s a technically sound corner who can lock up the best. And in the NFC South, the other three teams present high-flying passing attacks to deal with.
(Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP)The Ravens would have their choice of Bosa, DeForest Buckner or a dark horse pick (perhaps Vernon Hargreaves, Ronnie Stanley or Ezekiel Elliott). Bosa is the only pass-rusher of the group, and the Ravens need to create more pressure on opposing QBs.
(Jay LaPrete / AP)Goff or Wentz? Wentz or Goff? Today, we lean Goff, based largely on reports that the Eagles love Wentz (and must have known something about the Rams’ leaning to make their trade up to No. 2)/
(Ben Margot / AP)Unsexy but sensible. Under new management, perhaps the rebuilding Browns have found a new path. This team isn’t anywhere near contending, and I think they grab a quarterback when they’re back atop the draft in 2017. For now, grab a tackle who can protect that hypothetical stud (and fragile RG3 in the meantime).
(Chris Chambers / Getty Images)The Oregon connection between Buckner and new 49ers coach Chip Kelly is too easy a narrative to choose. But how about this one: Buckner fits what the 49ers need. And he’s probably the best player available at this slot.
(Ryan Kang / AP)The Giants spent a fortune on their defense this offseason, but they still have holes on offense. Elliott can do it all -- run, block, catch -- and would provide a dangerous safety blanket for Eli Manning.
(Paul Vernon / AP)Lee might be the best pure outside linebacker in the draft. The Dolphins have spent enough money on their ‘D’ and could still use playmakers.
(Paul Vernon / AP)The Saints defense struggled again in 2015, when it allowed a league-worst 29.8 points per game. A shoulder injury has raised flags on Lawson, but if it’s nothing serious, he might be too much of a talent to pass up.
(Richard Shiro / AP)Conklin is a tough lineman capable of playing multiple positions. Bears fans love tough guys.
(Gregory Payan / AP)The Steelers’ defense performed well in two playoff games, masking what was a problem throughout the regular season in the secondary.
(Ray Thompson / AP)Does anybody else find it suspicious that the Jets haven’t signed Ryan Fitzpatrick yet? They must like someone in this draft.
(Gregory Payan / AP)The top tackler on a national title team, Ragland adds immediate ball-hawking ability.
(Brynn Anderson / AP)Here’s another former Clemson pass rusher to pair with 2015 first-rounder Vic Beasley. Dodd is a bigger, albeit less experienced option for the other side of the defensive line.
(Gregory Payan / AP)Of all the big movers in the Big Ten, Decker was named the conference’s top offensive lineman in 2015. The Colts could use help on a line that left Andrew Luck vulnerable last year.
(Paul Vernon / AP)The Lions have needs everywhere, so at this stage in the draft, they can take the best player at a need position.
(Brynn Anderson / AP)Justin Houston’s ACL surgery has to scare the Chiefs, who now might have to grab a pass rusher in the draft. Floyd is an outside linebacker that can rush the passer, drop into pass coverage and chase down runners.
(John Bazemore / AP)What better way to gauge whether Kirk Cousins is worthy of a long-term contract than to hand him another weapon? Treadwell, Baylor’s Corey Coleman or Notre Dame’s Will Fuller will probably be the top wideout off the board, though it might not take this long.
(L.G. Patterson / AP)Here’s Coleman, staying in state to provide help to new QB, Brock Osweiler. After DeAndre Hopkins, the Texans’ next-best receiver ranked 78th in receptions last year.
(LM Otero / AP)So many needs. What to do? Offensive tackle might be their biggest need, but at No. 15 there isn’t necessarily a value pick there. Doctson, possibly the most complete of a deep wide receiver class, can also help Marcus Mariota.
(Darron Cummings / AP)Rex Ryan and the Bills love defensive line depth, and could use some here.
(VASHA HUNT / AP)The Raiders’ passing defense ranked in the bottom quarter of the league last year. Apple is a physical corner with above-average size.
(Paul Vernon / AP)Minnesota should go WR in the first round, but if the top three from that positon are off the board, they’re better off waiting until the second round.
(Darron Cummings / AP)Green Bay has leaned defense with its last four 1st-round picks, making it clear the team trusts Aaron Rodgers to make whatever’s around him work. While the Pack lacked offensive playmakers last year, they get back Jordy Nelson, and can use this pick again on D.
(Brynn Anderson / AP)Justin Houston’s ACL surgery has to scare the Chiefs, who now might have to grab a pass rusher in the draft. Spence played two years at Ohio State before a drug-related suspension, and was then predictably dominant in his lone season in Division I-AA.
(Gregory Payan / AP)The Cardinals occasionally allow talent to trump potential behavioral issues. An incident with marijuana cut Nkemdiche’s 2015 season short, but he has the ability to help a defense whose most recent memory is allowing 476 yards and 49 points in the NFC title game.
(Thomas Graning / AP)Seattle’s offensive line was a problem last year, and while Russell Wilson is a great improviser outide the pocket, it’s best if he doesn’t have to evade tacklers every play. Clark was a consistent force in college and a three-year starter for a prolific offense.
(Brynn Anderson / AP)If one of the top three quarterbacks falls here, Denver might pull the trigger, but if not, the Broncos can wait until later rounds to target a Connor Cook or Christian Hackenburg or Kevin Hogan. Less sexy, Billings fits as one of the best players available at a position of moderate need.
(LM Otero / AP)