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

Last update: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015. Major changes.
Next update: Next week. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2016 NFL Mock Draft based on the NFL Power Rankings.

NFL Draft Recent Links:
2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 10/9): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (10/4)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 7/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (7/17)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)


    *** This mock draft will be updated occasionally for important events. Check out old versions of this 2016 NFL Mock Draft in the archived mock section. Follow @walterfootball for NFL Draft updates. ***



  1. Philadelphia Eagles: DeForest Buckner, DE/DT, Oregon
    The Eagles have an outstanding defensive line, but Vinny Curry and Cedric Thornton are impending free agents. It’ll be difficult to keep the two of them, so if one (or both) leaves, Chip Kelly, if he hasn’t fled to USC or Texas, may decide to snatch another Oregon Duck to help him fill a need.

    Follow @walterfootball for updates.

    Pick change; previously Tre’Davious White, CB

  2. Houston Texans: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
    The Texans were going to take Todd Gurley if he fell to them at No. 16 because the concerns about Arian Foster’s soft-tissue injuries are real. Foster has never been the same since foolishly changing his eating habits, and he’s never going to be a reliable player as a result. Houston will be looking for a new running back this offseason.

    Pick change; previously Jaylon Smith, LB

  3. Seattle Seahawks: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
    The Seahawks almost have to upgrade their offensive line, don’t they? Russell Wilson is constantly running for his life, and one of these weeks, he’s going to go down, and like Steve Urkel, he won’t be able to get back up. Even if a prospect like Jack Conklin doesn’t pan out, he won’t be worse than Garry Gilliam, who might be one of the worst linemen I’ve ever seen.



  4. New York Jets: Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona
    The Jets’ defense has been performing better than expected, but that doesn’t mean that they couldn’t use some upgrades. The middle of their defense could use some help. David Harris will be 32 in January, while Demario Davis will be entering free agency in the spring.

    Pick change; previously Ezekiel Elliott, RB

  5. Indianapolis Colts: Vadal Alexander, G, LSU
    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 season has been an embarrassment. The tackles are fine, but every position on the interior has to be upgraded.

  6. New York Giants: A’Shawn Robinson, DE/DT, Alabama
    Johnathan Hankins is a very talented defensive tackle, but that’s all the Giants have at the position. They need to fill the huge void they have next to Hankins, so I expect that to be a priority for them next offseason.

    Pick change; previously Kenny Clark, DT



  7. Buffalo Bills: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
    The Bills had lots of potential entering this season, as many, including myself, thought that Rex Ryan would improve a defense that was already terrific. Instead, the stop unit has struggled. Some players, like Mario Williams, have been completely dogging it, so I can’t see him being around next year. Here’s a replacement for the declining pass-rusher.

  8. Atlanta Falcons: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
    O’Brien Schofield is seeing a ton of snaps this season. The Falcons would be better off if that didn’t happen – they currently have the fewest sacks in the NFL – so it’s possible that they could use a second-consecutive first-round pick on an edge rusher.

  9. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jayron Kearse, S, Clemson
    The Steelers are going to have a hole at one of the safety spots next year. Michael Mitchell has played well, but Will Allen is a 34-year-old impending free agent. Shamarko Thomas can’t get on the field, so I’m not sure he’ll be in Pittsburgh’s future plans if the team can obtain a talented safety in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

    Pick change; previously Scooby Wright, LB



  10. Green Bay Packers: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
    I’ve had the Chiefs and Jaguars giving up on Eric Fisher and Luke Joeckel, respectively, in earlier versions of this mock draft (Chiefs-Fisher in this one). Let’s see if the Packers do the same with Datone Jones, who has gotten into trouble off the field. If Jones continues to struggle, Green Bay may want to bolster its defensive line.

    Pick change; previously Anthony Zettel, DE/DT

  11. Arizona Cardinals: Adolphus Washington, DE/DT, Ohio State
    Outside of Calais Campbell, the Cardinals aren’t all that talented on their defensive line. Plus, Campbell isn’t getting any younger, as he’ll turn 30 this upcoming offseason. This is solid value for DeForest Buckner, who was No. 15 in a previous update.

    Pick change; previously DeForest Buckner, DE/DT

  12. Denver Broncos: Anthony Zettel, DE/DT, Penn State
    The Broncos have a nice pair of starting defensive ends in Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson, but both will be free agents after the 2015 season. It’ll be difficult to retain both.

    Pick change; previously Adolphus Washington, DE/DT



  13. Minnesota Vikings: Su’a Cravens, S, USC
    Harrison Smith might be the best safety in the NFL. However, the Vikings have nothing else at the position, and the last time I checked, most teams start two players there. Minnesota could be searching for help next to Smith come April. It’s also worth noting that Smith will be a free agent in March 2017, so some insurance isn’t a bad idea.

  14. Cincinnati Bengals: Shilique Calhoun, DE/OLB, Michigan State
    Carlos Dunlap is the only Bengals’ edge player getting consistent pressure on the quarterback. Michael Johnson has just been average, while Margus Hunt and Will Clarke haven’t shown anything thus far. Cincinnati could take the top prospect available to bolster the pass rush.

  15. Carolina Panthers: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
    Carolina’s defense has been terrific this season, and even Charles Tillman has played well across from Josh Norman. That will be a problem going forward, however, as Tillman will be a 35-year-old free agent in March.

    Pick change; previously Jerald Hawkins, OT



    Go to 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2




    Go to 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3 | Back to 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-16


    Fantasy Football Rankings







NFL Picks - Oct. 10


2025 NFL Mock Draft - Oct. 9


NFL Power Rankings - Oct. 8


Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4






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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
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
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Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (10/4)
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