2016 NFL Mock Draft

Last update: Thursday, March 3, 2016. Major changes. Round 5 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:
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)


    *** 2016 NFL MOCK DRAFT (5 rounds) updated March 3. This mock draft will be updated each week. Check out old versions of this 2016 NFL Mock Draft in the archived mock section. Follow @walterfootball for NFL Draft updates. ***
  1. Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
    Marcus Mariota took an absolute beating in his rookie campaign, suffering injuries on multiple occasions. The Titans have to do something about this; they cannot afford to have Mariota transform into David Carr.

    Tennessee’s top goal is to trade down and draft one of the defensive backs. However, I’m not sure teams are dying to trade up for one of the underwhelming quarterbacks, so if the Titans stay put, Laremy Tunsil will be the pick. With Tunsil on the roster, the Titans will have outstanding bookend tackles, allowing Jeremiah Poutasi to slide inside to guard, where he would probably be more comfortable. Barring a lucrative trade – Tennessee is desperate to move down – there’s no way the Titans will pass on Tunsil if they have a chance to obtain him.

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  2. Cleveland Browns: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
    Toward the end of the season, I thought the Browns would draft Joey Bosa. Things change quickly, however, and as we all learned, Johnny Manziel is having major personal issues, pretending to be someone named Billy in Vegas while drinking his life away. The Browns have realized that they can’t go forward with a self-destructive alcoholic, and they’ve stated that he will be released come March. New regimes mean new quarterbacks, anyhow, so Cleveland’s front office will want to obtain its own guy.

    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.

  3. San Diego Chargers: DeForest Buckner, DE/DT, Oregon
    I’ve slotted Joey Bosa here for a while, but as mentioned on the draft podcast, we’re hearing that there’s a good chance he’ll fall a bit in the draft. Bosa has always been overrated as a prospect. That’s not to say he’s going to be a bad player, or anything, but the J.J. Watt comparisons aren’t even close. Also, some teams are worried about some character issues with Bosa.

    With that in mind, the Chargers may look at Jalen Ramsey or DeForest Buckner. I had the former slotted here recently, but I’m beginning to think Buckner is the better option, as the Chargers desperately need help on their defensive line. Besides, taking a safety at No. 3 overall is a bit too early.



  4. Dallas Cowboys: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
    I could see Joey Bosa slide to the Dolphins or Buccaneers because of his character 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.

  5. 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 DeForest Buckner and Joey Bosa off the board, the top front-seven prospect is Myles Jack, 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.

  6. Baltimore Ravens: Jalen Ramsey, S/CB, Florida State
    This would be Baltimore’s dream scenario. Jalen Ramsey is the team’s top target at No. 6 overall, which makes sense, considering he’s the top defensive back and the secondary needs to be upgraded. Ramsey can play either cornerback or safety, and Baltimore has to improve both areas, particularly the former.



  7. 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.

    However, I think there’s a good chance Kelly will select Jared Goff if available. 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.

  8. Miami Dolphins: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
    This is the first big change of my post-Combine 2016 NFL Mock Draft. I’ve had Ezekiel Elliott slotted to the Texans for quite some time, and I can guarantee 100 percent that he’ll be the pick if he gets there, but it’s sounding like Elliott will be chosen much higher than that – probably in the top 10.

    Elliott, who had a terrific Combine, makes a ton of sense for the Dolphins, who seem set to lose Lamar Miller to free agency. Running back is a big need now, and the argument can be made that Elliott is the best player available.

    Pick change; previously Vernon Hargreaves, CB

  9. 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 needs someone better to get to the quarterback. 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.

    Pick change; previously Noah Spence, DE



  10. New York Giants: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
    The Giants might be saying goodbye to Prince Amukamara this offseason. He’s a free agent, and New York may deem him too injury-prone to re-sign. If so, the Giants could consider Vernon Hargreaves as a potential replacement. Hargreaves had an up-and-down showing at the Combine, but he should still be a top-10 selection.

    Pick change; previously Sheldon Rankins, DT

  11. Chicago Bears: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
    The Bears will probably be targeting one of the defensive linemen with this selection – unless something like this occurs, and they can snatch up Ronnie Stanley, who falls because there’s not much of a demand for him in the 8-10 range. The Giants could take him, but Vernon Hargreaves might be considered the superior prospect.

    Chicago has a huge hole at tackle. Charles Leno and Kyle Long both struggled there in 2015. Leno is just a career backup, while Long belongs inside.

    By the way, I have the Bears picking first overall in my 2017 NFL Mock Draft, selecting Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson.

  12. 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 isn’t getting any sort of push up front. It’s especially dire at defensive tackle, where 80-year-old Kevin Williams is the team’s best player. Something absolutely needs to be done about that.



  13. Philadelphia Eagles: William Jackson, CB, Houston
    I’ve slotted Paxton Lynch here frequently over the past couple of months, but as of this writing, the Eagles are making a big push to re-sign Sam Bradford. If they can’t get a deal done, I’ll go back to mocking Lynch at this juncture.

    If Bradford is re-signed, the Eagles will look to improve their offensive line or secondary, in all likelihood. William Jackson would provide a big upgrade for the latter area. Jackson is seen by many as a fringe first-round prospect, but he could certainly be chosen this high after his performance at the Combine. Jackson, who already had terrific tape, posted eye-popping numbers in Indianapolis and also looked great in the field drills. Like another Houston cornerback, D.J. Hayden, Jackson could make a big leap in a weak class.

    Pick change; previously Paxton Lynch, QB

  14. Oakland Raiders: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
    The Raiders were getting decent play out of Aldon Smith, but he’s been suspended for an entire season. Trusting him for the long term is probably not a good idea, and they also need a replacement for Justin Tuck, so grabbing an edge rusher at No. 14 is probably a smart move.

    Pick change; previously Leonard Floyd, DE/OLB

  15. Los Angeles Rams: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
    I’ve mentioned that new franchises mean new quarterbacks on countless occasions. Well, perhaps new cities mean new quarterbacks as well. Football failed in Los Angeles the last time, so the Rams need a flashy player to attract all of the B- and C-list celebrities to their games. Paxton Lynch might be able to do that. Besides, the team is discussing an extension with Jeff “Commander .500” Fisher, so with some new security, Fisher will feel comfortable enough to draft a signal-caller.

    Pick change; previously Laquan Treadwell, WR

  16. Detroit Lions: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
    The Lions obviously need a big boost at defensive tackle after failing to properly replace Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley last offseason, and Sheldon Rankins is one of the better players available.

    Pick change; previously Jarran Reed, 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.

Go to 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2 | Go to 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3


Go to 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Round 4 | Go to 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Round 5


Go to 2017 NFL Mock Draft | Fantasy Football Rankings







2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 16


NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22


Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19


NFL Picks - Feb. 12






NFL Draft Links:

My 2003 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2003 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/8/08)
My 2004 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2004 NFL Draft Prospects/ 2004 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/6/08)
My 2005 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2005 NFL Draft Prospects
2005 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/4/08)
My 2006 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2006 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/28)
2006 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded on 7/3)
My 2007 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/ Round 4/ Round 5/ Round 6/ Round 7
Other 2007 Mock Drafts:April Fools
2007 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/24)/Kenny Ortiz's Top 40 Prospects
2007 NFL Combine and Pro Day Results
2007 NFL Draft Grades
2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/Round 4/Round 5/Round 6/Round 7
Alternative 2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/7): Round 1 /Round 2
2008 NFL Re-Draft - Round 3 (UPDATED 4/27)
2008 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 8/5)
Other 2008 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/25)/ Craig Smith (4/22)/ Emmitt Smith (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Shocker (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Backwards (4/19)/ Forum Mock (4/15)/ April Fools (4/1)
2009 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
Other 2009 Mock Drafts: Re-Draft (4/26) /Matt McGuire (4/25) /Reader Mock (4/25) /Hunter Ansley (4/24) /Backward Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Smith (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/9) /April Fools (4/1) /Experts (3/30) /KFFL (3/14)
2010 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/22): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 3 (4/24): Round 4 (Walt's) / Round 4 (Matt's)
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 2 (4/23): Round 2 (Walt's) / Round 3 (Walt's) / Round 2 (Matt's) / Round 3 (Matt's)
Other 2010 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Celebrity Mock (4/8) /Experts (3/17) /Reader (4/13) /Consensus (2/25)
2011 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2011 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 2 /Round 3
Other 2011 Mock Drafts: Free Agency (5/9) /Greg Cox (4/28) /Backward Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/21) /Team Big Boards (4/21) /Celebrity Mock (4/13) /Experts (4/7) /Not Mock (4/6) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Greg Cox's 2012 Mock (2/22) /Matt McGuire (1/8)
2012 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2012 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2012 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Pick History (4/23) /Emmitt Mock (4/19) /Not Mock (4/19) /Backward Mock (4/17) /Celebrity (4/15) /Goals (4/10) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Greg Cox (9/9)
2013 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2013 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2013 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /GM Mock (4/21) /Charlie's Trade Mock (4/20) /Goals (4/19) /Rapid Reader Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/14) /Not Mock (4/13) /Pick History (4/5) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Archived 2013 NFL Mock Drafts
2014 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATE 5/8): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2014 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/10): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2014 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/8) /Goals (5/3) /Not Mock (4/27) /Emmitt Mock (4/20) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Celebrity Mock (4/11) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2015 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2015 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/2): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2015 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/30) /Goals (4/25) /Not Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/3) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/5) /Overreaction Mock (12/29)
2016 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2016 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2016 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Combo (5/8) /Goals (4/23) /Not Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
2017 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2017 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2017 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Combo (5/7) /Goals (4/22) /Not Mock (4/21) /Emmitt Mock (4/16) /Backward Mock (4/9) /Celebrity Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Overreaction Mock (1/2)
2018 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2018 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2018 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Combo (5/6) /Goals (4/21) /Not Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Backward Mock (4/8) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/11) /Senior Bowl (1/27)
2019 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2019 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2019 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /Combo (5/5) /Goals (4/20) /Not Mock (4/18) /Witten Mock (4/14) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Emmitt Mock (4/7) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/10) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/26) /Video Mock (1/8) /Overreaction Mock (12/31)
2020 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2020 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2020 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/23) /Combo (5/3) /Goals (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/12) /Trades Mock (4/8) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/16) /Corey Long (3/13) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/27) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2021 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2021 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/1): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2021 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/17) /Goals (4/23) /Backward Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/11) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/30) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
2022 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2022 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2022 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Goals (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/5) /Overreaction Mock (1/10)
2023 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2023 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2023 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Backward Mock (4/19) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/4) /Overreaction Mock (1/9)
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)
2018 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2017 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2016 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2015 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2014 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2013 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2012 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2011 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2010 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2009 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2008 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2007 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2006 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2005 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2004 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2003 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2002 NFL Draft Re-Mock