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

Last update: Wednesday, April 27, 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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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.

*** OTHER 2016 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Shaq Lawson, DE – This is probably the latest Shaq Lawson can go. I can’t imagine the Falcons passing on him if he happened to be available.

2. Jonathan Bullard, DT – The Falcons could use an interior rusher, and Bullard has the athleticism that they covet.

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Indianapolis Colts: Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky
Indianapolis can certainly use some young blood at outside linebacker, as Trent Cole doesn’t have many quality seasons remaining. There’s definitely value here with Noah Spence, who would be a top-10 prospect if it weren’t for his off-the-field issues. That said, it appears as though Indianapolis isn’t too worried about Spence’s past, meaning he’s definitely in consideration at the No. 18 spot.

*** OTHER 2016 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Andrew Billings, DT – Indianapolis expressed a desire to upgrade the nose tackle spot entering the offseason, but thus far, nothing has been done about it.

2. Taylor Decker, OT – Right tackle is a massive need for the Colts, so Decker is someone who could interest them.
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.

*** OTHER 2016 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Darron Lee, LB – Darron Lee is probably Buffalo’s top realistic target, but the Falcons are likely to take him.

2. Jarran Reed, DT – The Lions have shown interest in Reed, but if they don’t take him, Buffalo very well could.

New York Jets: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
Is this too early for Jason Spriggs? Quite possibly, but the Jets do like him, according to Tony Pauline. I’ve seen some late first-round buzz for Spriggs, so perhaps New York will take him at No. 20 or perhaps trade down and acquire him. Spriggs makes sense from a needs perspective because the right tackle situation is a mess. The left tackle spot isn’t much better, as Ryan Clady has a dubious injury history.

*** OTHER 2016 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Vernon Butler, DT – Butler has been compared to Muhammad Wilkerson. Coincidentally, Wilkerson is likely to leave the Jets soon.

2. Paxton Lynch, QB – This is a possible spot for Lynch, as he’s a good fit for the Jets’ system. However, I think New York is more likely to hold out for a second-day quarterback.
Washington Redskins: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
Terrance Knighton signed with the Patriots, but the Redskins wanted a better, long-term option anyway, so here it is. There’s a decent chance Jarran Reed will be available for Washington, and if so, the front office may just pull the trigger.

*** OTHER 2016 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. A’Shawn Robinson, DE/DT – Perhaps another Alabama defensive tackle would do the trick. The Redskins obviously need help up front.

2. Ryan Kelly, C – The Redskins are in desperate need of a center, and Kelly fits the range.
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.

*** OTHER 2016 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Corey Coleman, WR – Corey Coleman is Plan B if Fuller isn’t available. Both are better fits than Treadwell.

2. Hunter Henry, TE – Tight end has been a need for quite some time. That would change with Henry on the roster.

Minnesota Vikings: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Could the Vikings pass on Laquon Treadwell in favor of another receiver as well? Sure. Josh Doctson has the size Minnesota is looking for, and he also has the dynamic downfield ability that Treadwell lacks.

*** OTHER 2016 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Laquon Treadwell, WR – The other receiving option, Treadwell also has the size the Vikings covet.

2. Vernon Butler, DT – Defensive tackle is not much of a need, but I wanted to list Butler because he’s such a perfect fit for Zimmer’s defense.
Cincinnati Bengals: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
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. Cincinnati has shown a ton of interest in Corey Coleman, who would be a great complement for A.J. Green.

*** OTHER 2016 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Josh Doctson, WR – The Bengals met with two receivers more often than anyone else at the position this offseason: Doctson and Coleman. I think the former goes here if available.

2. Vernon Butler, DT – Another player the Bengals have met with frequently, Butler would fill a huge need at defensive tackle.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
I’ve had the Steelers selecting a cornerback for a while, and I do think one is still a strong option. Both Kendall Fuller and William Jackson are viable options. However, the Steelers like to build from the ground up, and they currently have a big hole at nose tackle. That would change with Andrew Billings, who would potentially be a big upgrade at the position as a disruptive force.

*** OTHER 2016 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Keanu Neal, S – Neal is a very strong possibility here. The Steelers like him a lot, and he’s not going to be available at No. 58.

2. Kendall Fuller and William Jackson, CBs – The two corners I mentioned could be chosen.

Seattle Seahawks: Robert Nkemdiche, DE/DT, Ole Miss
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. That player could be Robert Nkemdiche. The Ole Miss product has character concerns, but the Seahawks have chosen players with off-the-field issues before, and it hasn’t been an issue yet.

*** OTHER 2016 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Vernon Butler or Jonathan Bullard, DT – More athletic, interior players who makes sense.

2. Germain Ifedi, OT/G – Perhaps the worst-case option here, Ifedi would at least improve the awful situation the Seahawks have on Russell Wilson’s blind side.
Green Bay Packers: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
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, but few offer the upside of Vernon Butler, who could easily be off the board by now.

*** OTHER 2016 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Jonathan Bullard, DT – Butler is another player who would make a ton of sense for the Packers.

2. Trade Down – Charlie Campbell reported that the Packers are a likely trade target for the Broncos and Browns, who could be looking to move up in an attempt to land Paxton Lynch.
Kansas City Chiefs: Cody Whitehair, G/OT, Kansas State
A bit too early for Cody Whitehair? I thought so too when I first heard his name being floated for this pick, but I do know that at least one other team in this area will consider him as well. Whitehair played left tackle in college, but will have to move inside. That’s fine, as he’ll likely be dominant as a guard. He can also play center and right tackle if needed, and I’m sure teams will value his versatility.

*** OTHER 2016 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Paxton Lynch, QB – 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.

2. Laquon Treadwell, WR – Treadwell is available. He could easily be the pick.

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.

*** OTHER 2016 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Robert Nkemdiche, DE/DT – If the troubled Nkemdiche goes in the first round, it’ll probably be here. The Cardinals have taken players with character issues before, and Nkemdiche could fill a big need.

2. Cody Whitehair, G/C – A backup option in case Kelly isn’t available.
Carolina Panthers: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
I never would’ve imagined dropping Laquon Treadwell to No. 30 a couple of months ago, but his stock has been declining for weeks. We haven’t spoken to one team that is overly high on him. Teams that need receivers are looking in other directions, and Treadwell’s 4.64 40 time has been an absolute killer. He’s being viewed as just a No. 2 possession receiver. That said, he’s an amazing value here for the Panthers, who could stand to add a second wideout.

*** OTHER 2016 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Kevin Dodd, DE – Charles Johnson was re-signed to just one year, so the Panthers could be open to using another early-round selection on an edge rusher.

2. William Jackson, CB – Here’s another spot for Jackson, as the Panthers desperately need a cornerback in the wake of Josh Norman’s departure.
Denver Broncos: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
I don’t think Paxton Lynch will be available when the Broncos are scheduled to be on the clock. The Jets and Chiefs could both take him, or perhaps the Browns could move up ahead of Kansas City. Thus, the Broncos will have to plot a trade of their own, which is very feasible because they happen to have an extra third-round pick. Leaping the Chiefs and swapping choices with the Packers makes a ton of sense.

Denver almost has to do this. It can’t go into the 2016 campaign with Mark Sanchez as the starting quarterback. The defense lost personnel and won’t be able to carry the team by itself again in 2016, meaning the Broncos need a viable signal-caller.

*** OTHER 2016 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. A’Shawn Robinson, DE/DT – 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. However, Denver may decide that he’s worth the risk at No. 31.

2. Germain Ifedi, OT/G – Ifedi could step in and replace the departed Evan Mathis right away, and he could eventually play left tackle if Russell Okung doesn’t pan out.