2016 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2

Last update: Wednesday, March 23, 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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2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
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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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Tennessee Titans: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
The Titans selected Jalen Ramsey, the player they’ve coveted most this whole time, in the first round. They neglected Marcus Mariota’s pass protection, but they can address that here. Jason Spriggs would allow Jeremiah Poutasi to move to guard, so this selection effectively upgrades two spots.
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: Bronson Kaufusi, DE/DT, BYU
The Chargers bolstered their offensive line in the first round. Now, they have to look to upgrade their defensive front. They added Brandon Mebane in free agency, but another lineman is needed.

Pick change; previously Chris Jones, DE/DT

Baltimore Ravens: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
It appears as though the Ravens want to cut ties with the overpaid and injury-prone Eugene Monroe, but they’ll need to spend an early selection on a left tackle in order to do that. Here’s their future blind-side protector.

Pick change; previously Tyler Boyd, WR
San Francisco 49ers: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
The 49ers wasted money on Torrey Smith, while Anquan Boldin doesn’t have much left. A new receiver is desperately needed, and Michael Thomas has the size and length Chip Kelly covets.

Pick change; previously Cody Whitehair, G
Jacksonville Jaguars: Cody Whitehair, G/OT, Kansas State
The Jaguars finally managed to find some help at tackle by signing Kelvin Beachum. They’ll have to add one more lineman on the interior. It was initially projected to be a center, but word is that Jacksonville plans on moving Brandon Linder to that spot. Thus, a guard is needed.

Pick change; previously Taylor Decker, OT
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
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. And no, signing Brent Grimes doesn’t count as addressing the position.

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 Xavien Howard, CB

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 an interior player who can get to the quarterback, and Andrew Billings would be a nice fit. I dropped Billings into the second round several weeks ago, based on what teams have told us, and it sounds like they were right on the money, based on Billings’ mediocre Combine showing.
Chicago Bears: Yannick Ngakoue, DE/OLB, Maryland
The Bears have made some solid upgrades to their front seven this offseason, but they could still use another edge rusher. Willie Young has stated that he wants to move to a team that runs a 4-3, while Lamarr Houston didn’t play all that well this past year.

Pick change; previously Adolphus Washington, DE/DT
Miami Dolphins: Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
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.

Pick change; previously Will Redmond, CB
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.

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: Su’a Cravens, S/LB, USC
The Rams lost Rodney McLeod in free agency, so they’ll be looking to find a replacement early in the 2016 NFL Draft. Jeff Fisher has an affinity for USC players, so perhaps he’ll have interest in Su’a Cravens.
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: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
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.

It sounds like Shaq Lawson could drop to this range. Teams weren’t very high on him prior to the Combine, and now this medical re-check he needs on his shoulder only clouds the situation.

Pick change; previously Yannick Ngakoue, DE/OLB
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. An upgrade in the interior is needed in addition to right tackle.
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: Justin Simmons, S, Boston College
William Moore was too injury-prone to rely upon, so the Falcons parted ways with him this offseason. All they have now are a couple of mediocre players at safety, so they could use a dynamic play-maker at the position.

Pick change; previously Michael Thomas, WR
New York Jets: Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State
As of this writing, Ryan Fitzpatrick is still on the open market, and the team hasn’t signed Robert Griffin yet. Charlie Campbell reported that the Jets have been scouting quarterbacks hard this offseason, perhaps well aware that some team would outbid them for Fitzpatrick (or knowing he’d ask for too much money). With that in mind, Cardale Jones is a strong possibility here. From the sound of it, Jones will be chosen in the second round, and he projects as a great fit for Chan Gailey’s offense.

Pick change; previously Germain Ifedi, OT/G

Houston Texans: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
The Texans don’t need to spend this selection on Christian Hackenberg anymore; instead, they can add a center to protect their new quarterback. They’ll have to replace Ben Jones.
Washington Redskins: Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
The Redskins can’t seem to fit Pierre Garcon into their offense, so perhaps they’ll select a receiver in the early rounds who would actually be productive.
Minnesota Vikings: Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State
Chad Greenway may or may not return for one more season. Regardless, the Vikings will have to find someone who can take over as a third starting linebacker.
Cincinnati Bengals: Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma
The Bengals lost both Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu in free agency, but I can’t exactly blame the front office for not retaining them. Both receivers were greatly overpaid, so Cincinnati will just have to move on with new wideouts.

Pick change; previously Noah Spence, DE/OLB

Seattle Seahawks: Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
The Seahawks once used an early pick on a troubled pass-rusher out of West Virginia. That worked out, so why not try again with Bruce Irvin no longer on the roster? Noah Spence is very talented, but will likely fall because of character issues. However, some team will take a shot on him in this range, just as the Cowboys did last year with Randy Gregory.

Pick change; previously Sheldon Day, DE/DT
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: Germain Ifedi, OT/G, Texas A&M
The Steelers have officially lost Kelvin Beachum, who signed with the Jaguars. Here’s their chance to find a replacement, or perhaps competition for Alejandro Villanueva at left tackle. Even if Ifedi loses, he can provide great depth up front, as he can play four of the five positions and eventually take over as the starter for Ramon Foster.

Pick change; previously Bronson Kaufusi, DE/OLB
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.
New England Patriots: Shilique Calhoun, DE/OLB, Michigan State
The Patriots acquired this pick for Chandler Jones, which I posted grades for in the NFL Free Agent Signing Grades page. So, why not replace Jones here? New England will have to address its pass rush.

Carolina Panthers: Sheldon Day, DE/DT, Notre Dame
The Panthers added Paul Soliai this offseason, but they could still use some depth at defensive tackle with some of their starters heading into free agency soon. Besides, Sheldon Day is just too good to pass up here.

Pick change; previously Sterling Shepard, WR
Denver Broncos: Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State
A cornerback is an option for the Broncos in the first couple of rounds. Aqib Talib is a suspension waiting to happen, while Bradley Roby may move to safety sometime soon.

Pick change; previously Vadal Alexander, G