2016 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2

Last update: Wednesday, March 9, 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.

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2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 11/13): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/15)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 7/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (10/26)
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Cleveland Browns: Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
Teams that draft quarterbacks in the first round usually double up on offense. I’ve had the Browns taking a receiver at this spot for quite some time. Now, I’m making the switch to Derrick Henry for a couple of reasons. First, the top three wideouts are off the board, and Henry is better than the other players at the position. Second, the Browns have talked about having higher-character players on the roster, so they may not want the lethargic Isaiah Crowell hanging around much longer.

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Pick change; previously Josh Doctson, WR
Tennessee Titans: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
In an ideal world, the Titans would trade down from the No. 1 pick and select either Jalen Ramsey or Vernon Hargreaves. They probably won’t be able to do that, so here’s some of the much-needed help for the secondary they desperately need.

By the way, special thanks to Mackensie Alexander for publishing his Draft Diary on this site. It’s a great read if you haven’t checked it out yet.

Pick change; previously Derrick Henry, RB
Dallas Cowboys: Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State
Senior Bowl coaches often grab a player or three that they took a close look at in Mobile. Thus, Braxton Miller is in play at this juncture. Miller had an exceptional performance in Mobile, and Dallas has a huge need at receiver across from Dez Bryant.
San Diego Chargers: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
The Chargers couldn’t get Laremy Tunsil in the first round, so they’ll have to add a blocker at this spot. Philip Rivers’ pass protection was a mess this past year, and it could be worse going forward with Joseph Barksdale bound to hit free agency. Meanwhile, blind-side protector King Dunlap wasn’t able to stay in the lineup, thanks to numerous injuries. San Diego absolutely has to do something about its horrendous blocking.

Pick change; previously Taylor Decker, OT

Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
Breshad Perriman didn’t even play last year, while Steve Smith is going to try to return from a torn Achilles. There are nothing but question marks in Baltimore’s receiving corps, so I could see the Ravens pulling the trigger on a wideout in the first couple of rounds.

Tyler Boyd has some off-the-field issues, but the Ravens have taken chances on troubled players before, and it’s worked out for the most.
San Francisco 49ers: Cody Whitehair, G/OT, Kansas State
The 49ers have to improve their woeful offensive line, and the main area of focus is the guard position. It was a weak point last year, and it’s only going to get worse with Alex Boone moving on.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
It sounds like the Jaguars may release Luke Joeckel, depending on what happens in the 2016 NFL Draft. Obtaining Taylor Decker near the top of Round 2 could be enough to send the highly disappointing Joeckel on his way.

Pick change; previously Sheldon Day, DT
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
The Buccaneers might have the weakest group of cornerbacks in the NFL. Alterraun Verner was an abomination this past season, while Johnthan Banks has only been marginally better, but only by default. This is an area that absolutely must be addressed this offseason.

New York Giants: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
This draft class is packed with talented defensive linemen. As luck would have it, the Giants happen to need multiple upgrades up front. They have to find a solid starter next to Johnathan Hankins, and Andrew Billings would be a nice fit. I dropped Billings into the second round last week, based on what teams have told us, and it sounds like they were right on the money, based on Billings’ poor Combine showing.
Chicago Bears: Adolphus Washington, DE/DT, Ohio State
The Bears need as much defensive help as possible as they continue to transition into their new 3-4 scheme. The defensive line is comprised of mediocre players, at best, so this is an area the front office will have to upgrade this offseason.
Miami Dolphins: Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State
Miami’s secondary is a mess, as everyone took note in a Monday night loss to the Giants. The front office will have to find help at both cornerback and safety, and the former can be addressed here.
Los Angeles Rams: Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
The Rams have no issues taking chances on players with character issues. Perhaps they’ll do so with Noah Spence, whose disappointing Combine could knock him out of Round 1 entirely. Los Angeles could use Spence to replace Chris Long.

Oakland Raiders: Darian Thompson, S, Boise State
Darian Thompson had a rough Combine, but as Tony Pauline reported, Thompson was dealing with an illness. The Raiders like Thompson, as they need a safety to replace Charles Woodson.
Los Angeles Rams: Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas
Jared Cook was discussed as a potential cap casualty. Fortunately, the team finally pulled the trigger. Cook has stolen countless millions from the Rams’ organization. Cutting ties with one of the laziest players in the NFL has been long overdue.
Detroit Lions: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
Calvin Johnson has announced his retirement, so unless the Lions can lure him back with a mega contract, they’ll have to find a new starting receiver to play across from Golden Tate.
New Orleans Saints: Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU
The Saints can continue to upgrade their horrible defensive line, as they really don’t have any edge rushers of note after Cameron Jordan. In a division comprised of Cam Newton, Matt Ryan and Jameis Winston, New Orleans will have to improve its ability to get to the quarterback.
Indianapolis Colts: Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame
The Colts need to stop screwing around and fix Andrew Luck’s offensive line, which has been an abomination for far too long. Its performance throughout this past season has been an embarrassment. The tackles are fine, but every position on the interior has to be upgraded.
Buffalo Bills: Robert Nkemdiche, DE/DT, Ole Miss
I think this is the most natural spot for Robert Nkemdiche. Even before his latest off-the-field issues, the teams we spoke to believed that he was overrated. Both Charlie and I had him in the early teens before his recent incident, but I thought he could fall to around 20 or so.

And then, the Combine happened. Nkemdiche was fine in the timing and the drills, but he was horrendous in the media and team interviews. Throwing a teammate under the bus may have been the last straw for his first-round prospects. Thus, I have him slipping to the middle of the second frame.

The Bills might snatch him up in a heartbeat. Rex Ryan has shown that he doesn’t care about character concerns, and defensive tackle is a big need. Kyle Williams, who turns 33 this offseason, is due $7 million in 2016, so the Bills could part ways with him.
Atlanta Falcons: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
The Falcons will have to target a receiver early; they’re desperate to find weapons for Matt Ryan, who had no one to throw to last year outside of Julio Jones.
New York Jets: Germain Ifedi, OT/G, Texas A&M
The Jets will have to find a long-term answer at left tackle soon, given that D’Brickashaw Ferguson will be 33 at some point during the 2016 campaign. In the meantime, an upgrade at right tackle would be welcome, as Breno Giacomini struggled last year.

Pick change; previously Dak Prescott, QB

Houston Texans: Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
Teams expect Christian Hackenberg to be chosen in the latter half of the second round. I’m sure the Texans would take a chance on him, given that Bill O’Brien got the most out of him when he was at Penn State.
Washington Redskins: Su’a Cravens, S/LB, USC
Keenan Robinson and Perry Riley, will be free agents in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Mason Foster and Will Compton played at the end of the year, but neither was that great. The Redskins need to continue to bolster their defense.
Minnesota Vikings: Vadal Alexander, G, LSU
T.J. Clemmings might be Minnesota’s left tackle of the future, but the front office will have to look for a long-term left guard as well.
Cincinnati Bengals: Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma
With Marvin Jones headed into free agency, the Bengals could be searching for a new No. 2 receiver this offseason.

Seattle Seahawks: Sheldon Day, DE/DT, Notre Dame
The Seahawks didn’t get much of an interior pass rush going this past season, as Brandon Mebane didn’t appear to be the same player. They may spend an early pick on a defensive tackle if the value is right, which is the case here.

Pick change; previously Jason Spriggs, OT
Green Bay Packers: Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford
The Packers could stand to add another weapon for Aaron Rodgers. Richard Rodgers caught a Hail Mary at Detroit, but he’s slow and pretty mediocre.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Yannick Ngakoue, DE/OLB, Maryland
Jarvis Jones and Alvin Dupree haven’t exactly proven themselves, while James Harrison won’t be around much longer. Another edge rusher could be acquired.
Kansas City Chiefs: Blake Martinez, LB, Stanford
Derrick Johnson’s return to the lineup has been huge for Kansas City’s defense, but the team has a weakness right next to Johnson. Also, it needs to be considered that Johnson just turned 33, so he doesn’t have many dominant years left.
New England Patriots: Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech
It doesn’t seem like Bill Belichick wants to count on LeGarrette Blount, so he’ll probably try to find someone to pair with Dion Lewis.
Arizona Cardinals: Shilique Calhoun, DE/OLB, Michigan State
The Cardinals have lacked a potent edge rusher for quite a while, so here’s their chance to upgrade the position (if they plan on using Kevin Dodd on the defensive line).

Carolina Panthers: Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State
The Panthers could use some interior defensive line depth, especially with some contracts expiring soon.
Denver Broncos: Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State
Charlie Campbell reported that the Broncos like Dak Prescott, so he could be the target here – or perhaps at the end of the first round – if Brock Osweiler signs elsewhere this offseason.

Pick change; previously Zack Sanchez, CB