2016 NFL Mock Draft: Pat Donovan – Football Insiders

Draft week will kick off with Football Insiders providing you a new mock draft every day this week.  Let’s get down to business.

1. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff – Quarterback – California: Comfortable in the pocket and on the move, Jared Goff’s ability to play in the pocket and mobility to run a spread style offense makes the Cal signal caller one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the 2016 Draft. Many thought the Rams might lean towards Carson Wentz, but sources close to the team are reporting it’s likely to be Goff.
2. Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz – Quarterback- North Dakota State: Carson Wentz has gone from little known quarterback at North Dakota State to the second-overall pick due to his ideal quarterback size, strength, and athleticism.
3. San Diego Chargers: Laremy Tunsil – Left Tackle – Ole Miss: Considered by many as the best player in the draft, Laremy Tunsil if the kind of powerful, athletic tackle that teams believe they can line up at left tackle for a decade or more. The Chargers would likely love to replace Eric Weddle with Jalen Ramsey, but they may not be able to pass on a left tackle with Tunsil’s ability.
4. Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliot – Running Back – Ohio State: Ezekiel Elliot is one of the best backs we’ve seen in the NFL Draft in years. Whether it was as a receiver out of the backfield or while toting the rock for over six yards-per-carry, Elliot has shown the ability to be a workhorse. The Cowboys need help all over the defense, but they won’t be able to pass up a guy who could be a huge difference maker behind that offensive line.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack – Linebacker – UCLA: Myles Jack is the most versatile player in the 2016 NFL Draft. Considered a safety by some teams and a linebacker by others, Jack showed the speed and athleticism to even line up against slot receivers in nickel situations while at UCLA. Jack is the kind of player a defensive-minded head coach like Gus Bradley will drool over.
6. TRADE: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (From BAL): Jalen Ramsey – Defensive Back – Florida State: Whether it’s at cornerback or safety, Jalen Ramsey is the best player at his position in the NFL Draft. Ramsey is considered by many to be the best defensive player in the class. Sources have told me that the Buccaneers would do “cartwheels down Dale Mabry” if Ramsey fell to them at nine. If he were to last to pick No. 6, expect them to try to move up.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Joey Bosa – Defensive end – Ohio State: Considered by many to be the most complete defensive end in the draft, Joey Bosa has the power and technique NFL teams are looking for at the position. There may be players with a higher ceiling, but Bosa is the safest pick at the position. Like the Buccaneers landing Ramsey at six, the 49ers would be thrilled to have Joey Bosa slide to them at No. 7.
8. TRADE: New York Giants (From CLE): Ronnie Stanley – Left tackle – Notre Dame: Ronnie Stanley is the kind of quick, athletic tackle who can become a franchise level LT with some added strength, but the Giants can plug him in on the right side after drafting Ereck Flowers last season. Stanley had a strong career at Notre Dame, but sometimes struggled against elite level defensive ends. If the Giants want Stanley, they might leapfrog the Ravens who also have needs on the offensive line.
9. TRADE: Baltimore Ravens (From TB): Sheldon Rankins – Defensive Tackle – Louisville: Ozzie Newsome doesn’t follow your draft board. He’ll always take the player he thinks is the best fit for Baltimore, so he won’t reach for an offensive tackle here. Sheldon Rankins is one of the best players at one of the deepest positions in the draft. Rankins is a run-stuffing defensive tackle who’s also disruptive enough get to the quarterback.
10. TRADE: Cleveland Browns (From NYG): DeForest Buckner – Defensive lineman – Oregon: The Cleveland Browns need help at many positions, so why not start their draft with a guy good enough to play at a couple of them. Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner is one of the more versatile defensive linemen in the draft. With the size to play inside and out in a 4-3, or play defensive end in a 3-4, Buckner would be a good fit in any defense.
11. Chicago Bears: Vernon Hargreaves III – Cornerback – Florida: While there may be an adjustment to the physicality of NFL receivers for the Florida cornerback, Vernon Hargreaves can do everything asked of cornerbacks at the next level, and that makes him a perfect fit in Chicago where they need a lot of help in the secondary.
12. New Orleans Saints: Noah Spence – Defensive End – Eastern Kentucky: Eastern Kentucky’s Noah Spence is one of the most explosive players in the draft, but while the defensive end has drawn comparisons to Von Miller, off the field concerns made some teams weary of making him their first-round pick, but the Saints won’t be able to help themselves considering how desperate they are for explosive talent on that side of the football.
13. Miami Dolphins: Darron Lee – Linebacker – Ohio State: Better suited as a 4-3 weak side linebacker, Darron Lee has the athleticism and speed that NFL teams covet at that position. Lee’s college career was complemented by a strong showing at the NFL combine, and the thought of adding a linebacker with his athleticism behind that defensive line could be enough for Miami to pull the trigger despite their needs on the offensive line.
14. Oakland Raiders: Jarran Reed – Defensive Tackle – Alabama: Alabama defensive tackle Jarran Reed is the kind of big run stuffer that you draft specifically to stop the run. He has the physical skills if he can add some pass rushing moves, but he’s a run-stuffing specialist right now, and that’s just fine with the Raiders who have a wealth of pass rushers.
15. Tennessee Titans: Jack Conklin – Tackle – Michigan State: Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin is strong in the run game and as a pass blocker. While he could work out on the left side, many NFL evaluators see Conklin as the kind of player who could start on the right side for a long time in the league. If the Titans can land Conklin after moving down 14 spots and picking up all those extra picks, they’ll be elated.
16. Detroit Lions: Laquon Treadwell – Wide Receiver – Ole Miss: Laquon Treadwell is considered to be the best wide out in a below average class at wide receiver. Treadwell has elite level hands, but some believe he lacks the elite level speed to be considered an elite level receiver at the next level. He’ll be in a tough spot in Detroit because regardless of how well he does, he’s not Calvin Johnson.
17. Atlanta Falcons: Shaq Lawson – Defensive End – Clemson: Shaq Lawson is a high motor, high intelligence defensive end with ability to match the smarts and want to. What Lawson lacks in explosiveness, he makes up for it with the kind of savvy that makes guys solid pros for a long time.
18. Indianapolis Colts: Kevin Dodd – Defensive End – Clemson: Unlike his teammate Shaq Lawson, Clemson defensive end Kevin Dodd didn’t really make a splash until 2015, but just like his teammate, teams are very high on Dodd who is just scratching the surface after only playing one year of high school football. We often see a run on pass rushers in the draft, and this year we see a back to back run of Clemson pass rushers in the first round.
19. Buffalo Bills: Leonard Floyd –Linebacker – Georgia: Georgia linebacker Leonard Floyd has the versatility to play standing up on early downs and with his hand in the ground on pass rushing downs. That versatility helps his draft stock as he gets set to enter a league where defenses strive to give their opponents multiple looks, and nobody likes versatile guys more than Rex Ryan.
20. New York Jets: Paxton Lynch – Quarterback – Memphis: Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch has ideal size for an NFL signal caller, but as a quarterback with a lot to learn who never played under center in college, Lynch will take some time to develop. Even if the Jets figure it out with Fitzpatrick, the guy isn’t long for this league, and the Jets need depth at the position unless you’re really high on Bryce Petty.
21. Washington Redskins: Emmanuel Ogbah – Defensive End – Oklahoma State: Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah has explosive speed for a 273-pound man, and the kind of upside teams covet at a key position, but inconsistent play in college could have caused him to hang around longer than his physical skillset says he should have. For a time considered a top-10 pick by many analysts, Ogbah would be a great value at 21.
22. Houston Texans: Corey Coleman – Wide Receiver – Baylor: Corey Coleman is a very fast receiver with good ball skills who some believe is the best receiver in the draft. Coleman doesn’t have the best hands in the class, but he might be the best playmaker. The Texans already have one of the best hands receivers in the game in DeAndre Hopkins, so a speedster like Coleman makes sense.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Will Fuller – Wide Receiver – Notre Dame: Will Fuller has a ton of speed, but he showed more consistent hands at the NFL combine than he has on game tape. He’ll have to show more consistency to be a playmaker in the NFL.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Doctson – Wide Receiver – TCU: Helped by a strong 40 time, TCU wide receiver showed he’s got speed to go with his 6-foot-2 frame, and that makes him an attractive red zone option. The Bengals might have preferred one of the speedier receivers, but the run at the position have them left with Doctson.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: A’Shawn Robinson – Defensive Tackle – Alabama: Alabama Defensive Tackle A’Shawn Robinson is considered one of the most talented players in the draft by some, but teams have issues with his lack of consistency at Alabama. The Steelers will be thrilled in Robinson is still hanging around at 25.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Taylor Decker – Tackle – Ohio State: Ohio State tackle Taylor Decker is a strong run-blocking tackle who could struggle against the NFL’s speed rushing ends. Decker’s toughness is a great complement to a Seahawks line that needs depth. As usually, the Seahawks get a great value in the draft.
27. Green Bay Packers: Reggie Ragland – Linebacker – Alabama: Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland doesn’t have elite level athleticism, but he’s an elite level football player who makes every play and played in an NFL style defense in college. Nobody will like this pick more than Clay Matthews who can finally go back to doing what he does best.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Eli Apple – Cornerback- Ohio State: With the upside to turn into a top corner, Ohio State’s Eli Apple has the size that NFL team’s looking for long corners covet, and he’s a guy who can step right in for Sean Smith who went to Oakland. Many consider Apple to be the third-best cornerback in the draft after Jalen Ramsey and Vernon Hargraves.
29. Arizona Cardinals: Robert Nkemdiche – Defensive End – Ole Miss: At 6-foot-3 and 294 pounds, Ole Miss defensive end Robert Nkemdiche has the kind of size and versatility NFL teams are desperate for, but off the field incidents and poor combine interviews hurt his final draft stock. When it comes to talent, Nkemdiche will be the best guy left on the board when Arizona picks, and there’s a reason why you look back at the end of the draft and always wonder how Arizona did so well.
30. Carolina Panthers: Mackenzie Alexander – Cornerback – Clemson: Clemson’s Mackenzie Alexander is a cover corner who was hurt by his inability to work out at the combine, but some NFL scouts believe he could be a very good nickel corner immediately for most NFL teams. We certainly saw cornerback become a need suddenly for the Panthers after they rescinded the franchise tag on Josh Norman.
31. Denver Broncos: Vernon Butler – Defensive Tackle – Louisiana Tech: Vernon Butler is a strong defensive tackle whose ability to be disruptive could him into the first round. Butler has work to do to become an elite level defensive tackle, but he already has the ability to be a to be a rotational player. While the Broncos can’t expect Butler to step in and replace Malik Jackson, he can certainly be part of a rotation that helps fill the hole left the now Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman.

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