2016 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 – Picks 17-32

Last update: Friday, April 22, 2016. Round 6 added.
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:

2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 11/20): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/22)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 7/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/23)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)

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Atlanta Falcons: Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State
I believe Darron Lee is one of the players the Falcons are targeting at No. 17. He’s such a great fit for their defense, and he happens to fill a huge need in their linebacking corps. He’s also exactly what the front office covets from an athleticism standpoint. I think Atlanta would rather have Shaq Lawson, but Lee isn’t a bad consolation prize.

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Pick change; previously Shaq Lawson, DE
Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
Many expect the Colts to select an offensive lineman here, such as Taylor Decker or Ryan Kelly. They definitely could, but a defensive lineman is very likely as well. Indianapolis expressed a desire to upgrade the nose tackle spot entering the offseason, but thus far, nothing has been done about it. Andrew Billings could be considered a better prospect than Decker or Kelly, and thus, the pick at No. 18.

Pick change; previously Ryan Kelly, C
Buffalo Bills: Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
The Bills generally did not have quality play from their linebacking corps this past season. Manny Lawson was just OK, while Nigel Bradham struggled in Rex Ryan’s scheme. Bradham went on to sign with the Eagles this offseason, so a replacement is needed. Reggie Ragland, one of the top players available, projects well to Ryan’s scheme.

Pick change; previously Darron Lee, LB

New York Jets: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
The Jets have been reported to be one of the teams that could trade to No. 2. They have Muhammad Wilkerson to use as ammunition. Regardless, it doesn’t appear as though Wilkerson will be on the roster much longer, and New York could also use a nose tackle. Butler, who has drawn comparisons to Wilkerson, could be used at nose tackle or defensive end, making him a great fit for this defense.

Pick change; previously Reggie Ragland, ILB
Washington Redskins: William Jackson, CB, Houston
The Redskins have needed help at cornerback for quite some time now. Perhaps they’ll finally fix the position in the 2016 NFL Draft, beginning with this pick. William Jackson, a great fit, might go higher than this, as both his tape and athleticism are excellent.

Pick change; previously Kenny Clark, NT
Houston Texans: William Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
William Fuller is chosen over Laquon Treadwell in this mock draft. That may have not seemed possible a month ago, but based on what I’m hearing, Fuller is getting some serious buzz from some of the teams in the latter stages of the first round, and he makes more sense for the Texans than Treadwell because the team needs a deep threat to complement DeAndre Hopkins.

Minnesota Vikings: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
The Vikings, on the other hand, would love a possession receiver, so Laquon Treadwell fits more what they are looking for. Some expect Treadwell to go as high as No. 10, but all of the teams we’ve spoken to believe he’ll be chosen in the high teens or early 20s, as is the case here.
Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
The Bengals lost their Nos. 2 and 3 receivers in free agency, Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu. Thus, they’ll be looking for help at the position early and often in the 2016 NFL Draft. They were one selection away from landing Laquon Treadwell in this mock, but the very athletic Josh Doctson would be quite appealing to them as well.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
The Steelers haven’t selected a first-round cornerback in a very long time, but that’s exactly what everyone said about them and an edge rusher, and the Chiefs and a corner, and the Cowboys and a lineman. These things change, and Pittsburgh’s current status in terms of its secondary could prompt the front office to go against recent trends.

Kendall Fuller is a very talented cornerback, but is being pushed down by an injury, as a healthy Fuller would be a top-10 choice. However, the medical recheck went pretty well for Fuller, who is now back in first-round consideration.

Pick change; previously A’Shawn Robinson, DE/DT

Seattle Seahawks: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
The “Legion of Boom” wasn’t as effective in 2015 as it was in previous years. Some will point to the absence of Byron Maxwell, but the greater issue was the mediocre pass rush, which produced 37 sacks. Making matters worse, Bruce Irvin is gone. It sounds like Frank Clark will be a factor in replacing him, but Seattle could still use another player or two who can get to the quarterback.
Green Bay Packers: Jonathan Bullard, DE/DT, Florida
The need for a defensive lineman isn’t exactly dire for the Packers, but it’s an area that should be addressed now in the wake of B.J. Raji’s unexpected retirement. The Packers do have a number of options at this spot, however, so I can almost guarantee that there will be a different selection here in the final edition of my mock draft.

Pick change; previously Vernon Butler, DT
Kansas City Chiefs: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
Whoa! There aren’t many mock drafts that have this happening, and probably for good reason. It’s still a possibility, however, if history is any sort of indication.

Alex Smith is 31. That’s not old for a quarterback by any means, but Donovan McNabb was 31 as well when Andy Reid spent the 36th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft on Kevin Kolb. And according to my nifty Windows 10 calculator, that’s just eight selections later than this one. Could history repeat itself, especially if Reid likes Lynch and is shocked to see him fall like this? Absolutely! I’m not saying it will happen, but it definitely could. It helps that the Chiefs have met with Lynch on multiple occasions.

Arizona Cardinals: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
The Cardinals wanted to address the center position entering free agency, but that never happened. As it turns out, one of the top players available at this juncture would help fill that need, further bolstering Carson Palmer’s protection.

Pick change; previously Keanu Neal, S
Carolina Panthers: Taylor Decker, OT/G, Ohio State
The Panthers obviously need a tackle after what transpired during the Super Bowl, but I don’t they’ll force the issue because they tend to go with the best player available. However, the top prospect on the board very well could be Taylor Decker, so he would make sense at this spot.

Pick change; previously Kevin Dodd, DE
Denver Broncos: A’Shawn Robinson, DE/DT, Alabama
A’Shawn Robinson dropping to No. 31 may seem strange, especially since I’ve had him mocked as high to the Bears at the 11th pick. However, Robinson has interviewed poorly and hasn’t shown much of a passion for football. There also has been much buzz about him. Each year, there’s a prospect who falls out of nowhere, and I think it could be Robinson this time.

The Broncos won’t mind, as they had a nice pair of starting defensive ends in Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson, but the latter has signed elsewhere.

Pick change; previously Jonathan Bullard, DE/DT