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

Last update: Thursday, Nov. 26, 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 11/20): 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)
(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. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
    The Buccaneers drafted Donovan Smith to go with Demar Dotson, but Smith has struggled mightily thus far, so perhaps he could move inside. Also, with Dotson, he’ll be entering his contract season as a soon-to-be 31-year-old, so this could be a long-term solution.

    Follow @walterfootball for updates.

    Pick change; previously Robert Nkemdiche, DE/DT

  2. Seattle Seahawks: Leonard Floyd, DE/OLB, Georgia
    All of the first-round offensive tackles are off the board, so the Seahawks have to look elsewhere for the first time in a while in terms of this mock draft. Perhaps they’ll draft the best-available defensive player. Leonard Floyd would make sense, as Bruce Irvin is an impending free agent. Irvin has expressed interest playing elsewhere, so Seattle will probably have to replace him.

    Pick change; previously Jack Conklin, OT

  3. Buffalo Bills: A’Shawn Robinson, DE/DT, Alabama
    I’ve mentioned Mario Williams as someone who hasn’t played up to his potential. The same can be said for Kyle Williams, who turns 33 this offseason. Considering that he’s due $7 million in 2016, the Bills could part ways with him.

    Pick change; previously Shaq Lawson, DE



  4. 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.

  5. Kansas City Chiefs: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
    Andy Reid loves bolstering the trenches. I’ve had him taking an offensive lineman all this time, but he could also find someone for his defensive front. Jaye Howard andMike DeVito have both been outstanding this season, but they also happen to be impending free agents. It’ll be difficult to keep both around.

    Pick change; previously Taylor Decker, OT

  6. New York Giants: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
    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. 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.

  8. Atlanta Falcons: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
    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.

    Pick change; previously Emmanuel Ogbah, DE

  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.



  10. 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.

  11. Green Bay Packers: Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona
    It goes without saying that Clay Matthews is a great player, but he would be better off at his natural edge-rushing position. The Packers simply haven’t been able to find an adequate inside linebacker. Perhaps that’ll change early in the 2016 NFL Draft.

    Pick change; previously Kenny Clark, DT

  12. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
    Andy Dalton has enjoyed having more weapons to throw to, but there’s a chance he could lose some this offseason, as Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu will both be impending free agents. The Bengals don’t have much depth at receiver, as we saw last year, so they’ll probably have to spend multiple resources on improving this area.

    Pick change; previously Shilique Calhoun, DE



  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  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.



    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 - Nov. 20


2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20


NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19


Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4






NFL Draft Links:

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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)
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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)
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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 4/25): 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)
2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 11/20): 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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