2016 NFL Mock Draft

Last update: Wednesday, March 30, 2016. Major changes.
Next update: Next week. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2016 NFL Mock Draft based on the current NFL Draft Order.

NFL Draft Recent Links:

2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/16): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5
Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/15) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/23)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)

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Tennessee Titans: Jalen Ramsey, S/CB, Florida State
For the first time in quite a while last week, there was a change atop this 2016 NFL Mock Draft. Laremy Tunsil has been a very logical pick for Tennessee, as the team needs to bolster its pass protection for Marcus Mariota. However, as Charlie Campbell reported in the NFL Draft Rumor Mill, Jalen Ramsey has emerged as the favorite to be the Titans’ choice at No. 1 overall.

What the Titans have wanted all along is to trade down so they can take Ramsey, as he is the top prospect in this class in their eyes. He also fills a huge need in a poor secondary, regardless of where they ask him to play. Tunsil offers more positional value, but when considering that Ramsey is the superior player, they probably have determined that everything cancels out, so why not take the prospect they covet most? Nothing has been decided yet, and things could change again, but if the draft were today, Ramsey would be the pick.
Cleveland Browns: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
The Browns signed Robert Griffin, so some now believe that the team won’t be drafting a quarterback at No. 2 overall. I don’t see how Griffin will affect this selection at all. Griffin most certainly can’t be relied upon as a starter, as the Redskins learned. If he didn’t work out in Washington, why would he play well while surrounded with worse personnel in Cleveland? Also, the Browns told Griffin that he would be competing with a young quarterback.

Charlie Campbell was the first to report that the Browns really like Carson Wentz, back in our Senior Bowl Coverage. Wentz was a big winner at the Combine, blowing Jared Goff away in nearly every aspect. It’s looking like the only way he’s not the No. 2 pick at this point is if someone trades ahead of the Browns.
San Diego Chargers: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
The only way the Chargers aren’t sprinting to the podium to hand in their envelope is if owner Dean Spanos is still on the phone, trying to find a city that will take his football team. This is a dream come true for the Chargers, as obtaining Laremy Tunsil might have once seemed like a pipe dream, a “dream with pipes” as described by one Hall of Fame running back. That, however, seems like a realistic possibility now with the Titans coveting Jalen Ramsey.

It’s pretty obvious what Tunsil would do for San Diego. The offensive line has been a disaster area the past several seasons, but that probably would no longer be the case with Tunsil stationed on the blind side to protect Philip Rivers from all of the ferocious pass-rushers in the AFC West.

Dallas Cowboys: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
I could see Joey Bosa slide to the Dolphins or Buccaneers because of his character concerns (sorry, Mike and Mike, but the teams we’ve spoken to do, in fact, have concerns), but Dallas is a strong possibility as well. Jerry Jones has shown that he’s not afraid to take a chance on a talented player with some off-the-field questions. With Greg Hardy on his way out, and Randy Gregory now one strike away from a year-long suspension, Bosa makes a ton of sense for the Cowboys.

For more on Bosa, check out the new entry in the NFL Draft Rumor Mill, which talks about how some teams are worried about Bosa’s night life, pertaining to party drugs.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack, LB/RB, UCLA
The Jaguars are going to focus on upgrading their defense this offseason. I had them drafting Jalen Ramsey in a previous mock, but as you can see in the NFL Draft Rumors page, Jacksonville will be focusing on its front seven over its secondary.

With Joey Bosa off the board, the top front-seven prospect is probably Myles Jack (possibly DeForest Buckner), who would provide an upgrade over the declining Paul Posluszny. And yes, Jack is still a first-rounder and a likely top-10 prospect. Jack injured his knee, yet he’s still in play to go this high. Todd Gurley was chosen No. 10 overall despite his knee injury, and Jack got hurt so early that he’ll be ready for the 2016 NFL season opener.
Baltimore Ravens: DeForest Buckner, DE/DT, Oregon
The Ravens are in a good spot. There appear to be six consensus top prospects in this underwhelming class: Laremy Tunsil, Carson Wentz, Jalen Ramsey, Joey Bosa, Myles Jack and DeForest Buckner. Baltimore will be able to take whichever of the six falls to them, and all but one fill a need. The lone exception is Wentz, and he, along with Tunsil won’t drop to this spot. Ronnie Stanley would also be an option in the event that the Browns don’t take a quarterback for some reason.

Buckner is the player who drops to the Ravens in this scenario. The defensive line needs to be addressed in the wake of Chris Canty’s release, and Buckner is a no-brainer as the top prospect available.

San Francisco 49ers: Jared Goff, QB, California
Bold prediction: If the 49ers don’t draft a quarterback in the first two rounds, Chip Kelly will start Blaine Gabbert next year, citing how his short-range accuracy makes him a great fit for his offense. This may sound crazy, but Kelly is completely incompetent and doesn’t understand NFL concepts. For more on this, check out my Top 10 Worst NFL Free Agent Signings from 2015.

However, I think there’s a good chance Kelly will select Jared Goff if available (and yes, all head coaches have input on draft choices). Once again, new regimes mean new quarterbacks, and while the 49ers don’t have a different general manager, they are, in a sense, starting over with Kelly, whose affinity for Pac-12 prospects will once again be prevalent.
Philadelphia Eagles: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
The Eagles moved up to No. 8 because they believe that there are eight blue-chip prospects in this class. It’s unclear who some of the names are in that group, but the three logical possibilities are Ronnie Stanley, Vernon Hargreaves and Ezekiel Elliott. The Eagles have addressed both the offensive line and secondary this offseason, but they haven’t touched the running back position. That doesn’t mean Elliott is the pick for sure, but he definitely makes a ton of sense, as going into the season with Ryan Mathews, another player on the trading block, as the starting runner doesn’t sound too promising.

For more on Elliott, check out the new entry in the NFL Draft Rumor Mill, which talks about how some teams are worried about Elliott’s night life, pertaining to party drugs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Leonard Floyd, DE/OLB, Georgia
Gerald McCoy and Jacquies Smith were considered the Buccaneers’ top two pass-rushers last season. McCoy is great, but Smith? It’s quite apparent that Tampa needed someone better to get to the quarterback, and while it already added Robert Ayers, a long-term option is needed. Fortunately for the front office, this class is loaded with talented edge rushers.

The Buccaneers have been linked to Leonard Floyd, as Charlie Campbell mentioned on our podcast. Floyd would definitely help Tampa’s efforts of generating heavy pressure on Cam Newton, Drew Brees and Matt Ryan.

New York Giants: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
I’ve had Ronnie Stanley mocked here the past couple of updates, but Jordan Raanan of NJ.com wrote a great article about the team’s financial implications concerning the offensive line, citing that Stanley (or Jack Conklin) couldn’t be the pick at No. 10. With that in mind, Vernon Hargreaves might make more sense. He doesn’t fill a pressing need, but the team has no depth at cornerback. That’s a problem, since it’s a must to have three viable corners in this day and age. Hargreaves could eventually step in as a starter once Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie moves on.

Pick change; previously Ronnie Stanley, OT
Chicago Bears: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
The Bears probably want Vernon Hargreaves more than anyone, but they’d likely have to trade up to acquire him. If they stay put, Ronnie Stanley would be a strong option. Stanley would be a huge upgrade at left tackle, which is currently occupied by either the pedestrian Charles Leno or the newly signed Bobby Massie, who struggled on the right side in Arizona. Stanley would allow Massie to shift to the right side, and then Kyle Long could play guard again. That would be killing three stones with one bird, as a Hall of Fame running back once said.

Pick change; previously Vernon Hargreaves, CB
New Orleans Saints: A’Shawn Robinson, DE/DT, Alabama
We all know how bad New Orleans’ secondary is, but part of the problem is that the team hasn’t gotten any sort of push up front. It’s especially dire at defensive tackle, where 80-year-old Kevin Williams was the team’s best player last year. Something absolutely needs to be done about that. Nick Fairley was signed, but that was just to a 1-year deal, so I don’t think he’ll affect this choice.

Miami Dolphins: Jack Conklin, OT/G, Michigan State
The Dolphins have endured issues on their offensive line for quite some time. Their tackles used to be terrible. Then, there was Bully-gate, which forced Richie Incognito’s departure. Now, the guards are horrible. Adding Jack Conklin could change that, as he would be a big upgrade on the interior. Conklin would then eventually step out to left tackle once Branden Albert moves on. It’s worth noting that Albert is terribly injury-prone, so Conklin could play tackle as early as his rookie campaign.

Pick change; previously Kevin Dodd, DE
Oakland Raiders: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
The Raiders took care of a bunch of their needs this offseason. One thing they still have to acquire is some help on the defensive line, especially in the wake of Mario Edwards’ potential career-threatening neck injury. Adding a fierce, interior pass-rusher like Sheldon Rankins would provide a huge boost for their defense.

Pick change; previously Vernon Butler, DE/DT
Los Angeles Rams: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
Defensive tackle may not seem like the Rams’ biggest need, but it’s a position they’ve been willing to draft with an early selection when that’s been the case. With Nick Fairley gone, there’s not much behind Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers. The latter will be entering free agency following the 2016 campaign, so Vernon Butler, who has drawn comparisons to Muhammad Wilkerson, could step in as a starter in 2017.

Pick change; previously Laquon Treadwell, WR
Detroit Lions: Jarran Reed, DE/DT, Alabama
The Lions obviously need a big boost at defensive tackle after failing to properly replace Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley last offseason, and they’ve shown tons of interest in Jarran Reed over the past couple of months.

Pick change; previously Sheldon Rankins, DT

Go to 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I’ve received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.