2016 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 (Post Regular Season, 1-7-15)
With the 2015 NFL regular season wrapping up, mock draft season has officially started. The top 20 picks are locked, while picks 21-32 are pending until the playoffs are completed. This is my first mock draft and more are coming soon. Tennessee, you are on the clock!
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College |
| 1. | Tennessee Titans | Laremy Tunsil | OT | Ole Miss |
| 2. | Cleveland Browns | Paxton Lynch | QB | Memphis |
| 3. | San Diego Chargers | Joey Bosa | DE | Ohio State |
| 4. | Dallas Cowboys | Jared Goff | QB | California |
| 5. | Jacksonville Jaguars | Jalen Ramsey | CB/S | Florida State |
| 6. | Baltimore Ravens | Laquon Treadwell | WR | Ole Miss |
| 7. | San Francisco 49ers | Connor Cook | QB | Michigan State |
| 8. | Miami Dolphins | Vernon Hargreaves III | CB | Florida |
| 9. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Mackenzie Alexander | CB | Clemson |
| 10. | New York Giants | DeForest Buckner | DE | Oregon |
| 11. | Chicago Bears | Shaq Lawson | DE | Clemson |
| 12. | New Orleans Saints | Myles Jack | LB | UCLA |
| 13. | Philadelphia Eagles | Taylor Decker | OT | Ohio State |
| 14. | Oakland Raiders | Ronnie Stanley | OT | Notre Dame |
| 15 | St. Louis Rams | Kendall Fuller | CB | Virginia Tech |
| 16. | Detroit Lions | Reggie Ragland | LB | Alabama |
| 17. | Atlanta Falcons | A’Shawn Robinson | DT | Alabama |
| 18. | Indianapolis Colts | Ezekiel Elliott | RB | Ohio State |
| 19. | Buffalo Bills | Jack Conklin | OT | Michigan State |
| 20. | New York Jets | Jaylon Smith | OLB | Notre Dame |
| 21. | Houston Texans | Robert Nkemdiche | DT | Ole Miss |
| 22. | Green Bay Packers | Leonard Floyd | OLB | Georgia |
| 23. | Minnesota Vikings | Michael Thomas | WR | Ohio State |
| 24. | Cincinnati Bengals | Darron Lee | OLB | Ohio State |
| 25. | Seattle Seahawks | Emmanuel Ogbah | DE | Oklahoma State |
| 26. | Pittsburgh Steelers | Tre’Davious White | CB | LSU |
| 27. | Kansas City Chiefs | Jonathan Allen | DE | Alabama |
| 28. | Washington Redskins | Jarran Reed | DT | Alabama |
| 29. | Denver Broncos | Shon Coleman | OT | Auburn |
| 30. | Arizona Cardinals | Nick Martin | C | Notre Dame |
| 31. | New England Patriots | N/A | ||
| 32. | Carolina Panthers | Deon Bush | FS | Miami |
Discussion of the Top 10
1.) Tennessee Titans
The Pick: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
Discussion: With Marcus Mariota having a stellar rookie season, Tennessee appears to have its franchise quarterback. Their next job: Protecting Mariota. The Titans gave up a league-high 54 sacks this past season. Tunsil is the top lineman in the draft, so this pick only makes sense.
2.) Cleveland Browns
The Pick: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
Discussion: The struggle for Cleveland to get back on track is horrendous. The Johnny Manziel Era in Cleveland appears to be over, so the Browns will be looking for a quarterback. Lynch has a big frame that will be able to withstand hits in the NFL. He has a strong arm and does a great job setting his feet in the pocket. The Browns aren’t going anywhere without a QB, so look for Lynch to be picked here.
3.) San Diego Chargers
The Pick: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Discussion: The argument for Bosa as the top player in this draft is very reasonable. The Chargers need some help in the run defense, and Bosa would make an immediate effect. Bosa is a tremendous athlete and dominated almost every tackle he faced in college. Although his numbers decreased from a year ago, Bosa faced many double teams each week. Unless Tunsil fell to San Diego, Bosa will be off the board here on draft day.
4.) Dallas Cowboys
The Pick: Jared Goff, QB, California
Discussion: Following a disappointing season in Dallas that included several key injuries, the Cowboys need to find a quarterback to follow Tony Romo. Goff, arguably the top quarterback of this draft, has tremendous accuracy and a high ceiling. Dallas wouldn’t have to rush Goff into starting early in his career, giving him time to develop his game and understanding of the NFL.
5.) Jacksonville Jaguars
The Pick: Jalen Ramsey, CB/S , Florida State
Discussion: Jacksonville took an enormous leap this past season and contended in the AFC South. With the Jaguars finishing 28th in the league in pass defense, cornerback is a definite necessity. Ramsey, one of the best athletes in the draft, would be able to play a cornerback or safety position.
6.) Baltimore Ravens
The Pick: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
Discussion: With Treadwell recently declaring for the draft, he appears to be the first wide receiver to be picked. With great size, Treadwell is a big-play guy that is able to go up and make jump ball catches. With Steve Smith coming back from a torn achilles and Kamar Aiken being Baltimore’s leading receiver, Treadwell will for sure be off the board here. He will be very helpful following the return of Joe Flacco.
7.) San Francisco 49ers
The Pick: Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
Discussion: Colin Kaepernick is struggling and Jim Tomsula being fired, San Francisco will look to start over in 2016. Picking a quarterback will be the 49ers’ top need heading into the draft. With Lynch and Goff likely off the board, Cook will be available. Coming off a successful career at Michigan State, Cook’s game will translate well to the NFL.
8.) Miami Dolphins
The Pick: Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
Discussion: Finishing in the bottom half of pass defense again in 2015, Miami will look for a cornerback to come in and compete right away. Hargreaves III is the perfect fit for this defense. After a dominating career at Florida, Hargreaves III was a projected Top-10 pick since his freshman year at school. He has tremendous on-ball skills and is very helpful in the run-defense.
9.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Pick: Mackenzie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Discussion: Although he hasn’t declared yet, Alexander is a good corner with great potential. Being a redshirt-sophomore, his game hasn’t reached its peak yet. He has great technique and is very aggressive. With Tampa Bay’s stumbling defense, Alexander will help them get back on track.
10.) New York Giants
The Pick: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
Discussion: The New York Giants finished 30th in the NFL for sacks in 2015, making a pass rusher as their top need in the draft. Buckner is a powerful pass rusher that accounted for 10.5 sacks in 2015. With Pierre-Paul being less effecting, Buckner would help the Giant defense early in his rookie season.
What do you think? Leave a comment below!
Josh and Tom Mock Central 