ravens 2016 draft choices

Transcription

RAVENS 2016 DRAFT CHOICES
First Round: No. 6
Second Round: No. 36
Third Round: No. 70
Fourth Round: Nos. 104, 130, 132 & 134
Sixth Round: Nos. 182 & 209
RAVENS STANDOUTS FROM THE TOP 10
Peter Boulware
4th (1997)
Jamal Lewis
5th (2000)
Jonathan Ogden
4th (1996)
Chris McAlister
10th (1999)
Terrell Suggs
10th (2003)
BALTIMORE RAVENS NFL DRAFT GUIDE
BALTIMORE RAVENS
DRAFT MASTERS
RAVENS PERSONNEL STAFF
OZZIE NEWSOME
ERIC DeCOSTA
Pat Moriarty
Sr. VP of Football Administration
Vincent Newsome
Director of Pro Personnel
Jessica Markison
Director of Football Admin.
George Kokinis
Senior Personnel Assistant
Chad Alexander
Asst. Director of Pro Personnel
Milt Hendrickson
Mid-Regional Scout
Andy Weidl
East-Regional Scout
Lonnie Young
West-Regional Scout
Mark Azevedo
Northeast Area Scout
THE WIZARD’S DRAFT MAGIC
JOE HORTIZ
David Blackburn
West Area Scout
Ian Cunningham
Southeast Area Scout
Jack Glowik
Midwest Area Scout
David McDonald
Football Systems Developer
Andrew Raphael
Player Personnel Assistant
Corey Krawiec
Brandon Berning
Joey Cleary
Maggie Domanowski
Player Personnel Admin. Asst.
HOMEGROWN PRO BOWLERS
The Ravens have had 36 players earn Pro Bowl honors
since their 1996 inception. Of those, 20 are homegrown
– 17 drafted and three signed as rookie free agents:
Year Drafted (Rd). Name.
Pro Bowls
1996 (1st) LB Ray Lewis 13
1996 (1st) T Jonathan Ogden 11
2002 (1st) S Ed Reed 9
2003 (1st) OLB Terrell Suggs 6
2006 (1st) DT Haloti Ngata 5
2007 (3rd) G Marshal Yanda 5
1997 (1st) OLB Peter Boulware 4
1999 (1st) CB Chris McAlister 3
2008 (2nd) RB Ray Rice 3
2001 (1st) TE Todd Heap 2
1996 (5th) WR/RS Jermaine Lewis 2
FB Le’Ron McClain 2
2007 (4th) 2000 (6th) OLB Adalius Thomas 2
2010 (RFA) LS Morgan Cox# 1
2007 (1st) G Ben Grubbs 1
2006 (6th) P Sam Koch 1
2000 (1st) RB Jamal Lewis 1
2014 (1st) LB C.J. Mosley 1
2002 (RFA) LB Bart Scott# 1
2012 (RFA) K Justin Tucker# 1
# Undrafted rookie free agent
Bold: 2015 Pro Bowler
The Ravens, led by GM/EVP Ozzie Newsome,
have had 20 drafts in their history and
selected 20 players in the first round. These
picks have earned an amazing 56 combined
Pro Bowls, several All Rookie honors,
multiple Defensive Player of the Year Awards
and two Super Bowl MVP honors.
RAVENS FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS
Year Name
Pick
Pro Bowls
1996 T Jonathan Ogden*
4
11
1996 LB Ray Lewis* ++ ~
26
13
1997 OLB Peter Boulware*
4
4
1998 CB Duane Starks*
10
1999 CB Chris McAlister*
10
3
2000 RB Jamal Lewis*=
5
1
2000 WR Travis Taylor
10
2001 TE Todd Heap*
31
2
2002 S Ed Reed* +
24
9
2003 OLB Terrell Suggs* + 10
6
2003 QB Kyle Boller
19
2005 WR Mark Clayton*
22
2006 DT Haloti Ngata*
12
5
2007 G Ben Grubbs*
29
1
2008 QB Joe Flacco^ ~
18
2009 T Michael Oher*
23
2011 CB Jimmy Smith
27
2013 S Matt Elam
32
2014 LB C.J. Mosley*
17
1
2015 WR Breshad Perriman 26
* All-Rookie Team ^ Rookie of the Year (NFL.com Fan Vote) ~ Super Bowl MVP
+ Defensive Player of the Year Awards = Offensive Player of the Year Award
ALL-TIME RAVENS PICKED IN THE
— TOP 10 —
1996 — T Jonathan Ogden (4th)
Pro Football Hall of Famer & 11 Pro Bowls
1997 — OLB Peter Boulware (4th)
4 Pro Bowls & ’97 Defensive ROY
1998 — CB Duane Starks (10th)
20 career INTs w/ Ravens
1999 — CB Chris McAlister (10th)
3 Pro Bowls & 26 career INTs w/ Ravens
2000 — RB Jamal Lewis (5th)
’03 Offensive POY & 1 Pro Bowl
2000 — WR Travis Taylor (10th)
6th in Ravens career catches (204)
2003 — OLB Terrell Suggs (10th)
’03 Defensive ROY, ’11 Defensive POY & 6 Pro Bowls
DRAFT PICKS’ ELITE HONORS
The Ravens have produced five different AP Player of the Year honors in the past 16 seasons. Baltimore has also had two players
earn Defensive Rookie of the Year, two others garner Super Bowl MVP honors and one player elected into the Pro Football Hall of
Fame. All of these players (listed below) are Baltimore draft picks.
Draft Pick (Year)
Major Accolades
Draft Pick (Year)
Major Accolades
Jonathan Ogden (1996) Pro Football Hall of Fame (2013 inductee)
Ed Reed (2002)
’04 Defensive Player of the Year
Ray Lewis (1996)
’00 & ’03 Def. POY; Super Bowl XXXV MVP
Terrell Suggs (2003) ’03 Defensive ROY; ’11 Defensive POY
Peter Boulware (1997)’97 Defensive Rookie of the Year
Joe Flacco (2008)
Super Bowl XLVII MVP
Jamal Lewis (2000)
’03 Offensive Player of the Year
DRAFT SUCCESS:
Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens’ general manager and executive
vice president, is directing his 21st draft. If history repeats itself,
Ozzie and his staff will select players that will have immediate
and long-lasting impacts on the Ravens’ continued success
as a playoff contender. Newsome deflects praise regarding
Baltimore’s outstanding draft history: “It’s about our process.
We have one that involves a lot of hard-working, smart people
who try to take the extra steps to make sure we select Ravenstype players,” Newsome explains.
The “process” includes 20 full-time members of the personnel
department, but also has input from Ravens coaches. Much of
Ozzie’s staff has been with the team since the franchise started
in 1996 or has graduated from the “20/20” club. The “20/20”
group includes members who started with the Ravens as young
assistants and grew into evaluators with more input. (The term
“20/20” refers to hiring “20-year-olds for $20,000.” “Actually, the
guys started when they were a little older than 20 and for more
than $20,000, but that’s what we call them,” Newsome adds.)
“[The Draft] is the lifeblood of this organization, and
we take it very seriously.We try to make it a science,
we really do. But in the end, it’s probably more of an
art than a science. There’s a lot of nuance involved.
It’s a big-picture thing. It’s a lot of bits and pieces of
information. It’s gut instinct. It’s experience, which
I think is really, really important.”
– Eric DeCosta, Ravens Assistant GM
The Ravens do not belong to the National Football Scouting
group, which provides member teams a list of and reports on
players eligible for the draft. “We make our own list, and that
means we look at all players on a college roster,” Eric DeCosta,
the Ravens’ assistant general manager and a graduate of the
“20/20” club, says. Baltimore’s personnel department includes
three regional scouts, four area scouts, two pro personnel
evaluators (who focus on college talent at this time of year)
and additional support staff to handle the load. “We do a lot
of cross-checking,” DeCosta offers. “A number of us look at
everyone, and then we have the area scouts look at certain
players from other regions so we get multiple grades and
opinions on all the players.”
Once a player is defined as a “draftable” talent by the Ravens,
John Harbaugh and his staff are assigned to add more study,
which could include visits and workouts with some of
the players. “Another advantage we have is that many of us
IT’S A PROCESS
The Ravens’ “20/20 Club” includes members of the team’s personnel/
scouting department who started with Baltimore as young assistants
and grew into evaluators with more input. The term “20/20” refers
to hiring 20-year-olds for $20,000. According to Ozzie Newsome: “The
guys actually started when they were a little older than 20 and for
more than $20,000, but that’s what we call them.”
RAVENS “20/20 CLUB” GRADUATES
(Current Personnel Staff)
Name
Joined Ravens Current Title
George Kokinis (Cle.)
1991
Senior Personnel Asst.
Eric DeCosta 1996 Assistant General Manager
Joe Hortiz 1998 Director of College Scouting
Chad Alexander 1999 Asst. Dir. of Pro Personnel
Mark Azevedo 2005 Northeast Area Scout
David Blackburn
2007
West Area Scout
Ian Cunningham
2008
Southeast Area Scout
have worked together or known each other for awhile, so we
scout the scouts and coaches,” Newsome says. “We may have
a scout or coach who has proven he really knows how to spot
talent at a certain position. That opinion carries more weight
when we’re finalizing the board.”
Adds DeCosta: “Ozzie has assembled such a good, hardworking personnel staff, but what has made it even better is
the enthusiasm and thorough work done by coach Harbaugh
and his staff. Their input has had impact on our board and will
again with this draft.”
Newsome encourages all scouts and coaches to have strong
opinions. “We have very open dialogue. We want everyone’s
opinion, especially from the scouts who have looked at the
players the longest. I think another strength of our room is
that we respect and listen to each other,” Newsome says.
Newsome always talks about taking the “highest-rated player
on our board” when it comes time to select a player. The
Ravens’ history proves that. When they had a Pro Bowl left
tackle with Tony Jones, Baltimore selected 11-time Pro Bowler
and Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden, who was the first pick
(fourth overall in ’96) in team history. When they had Pro Bowl
players like Priest Holmes and Shannon Sharpe, the Ravens
selected Jamal Lewis and Todd Heap in the first round.
“When we have grades that are even, we sometimes select the
player in the area we have the greatest need,” Newsome notes.
“But, our confidence in our staff and the process we use make
draft days easy, exciting and fun. The hay is in the barn, so to
speak. The hardest work is done year round prior to the draft.”
SUCCESS ACROSS THE DRAFT BOARD
Marshal Yanda (3rd, 2007)
Rd. Players (Years Drafted)
1 Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden (‘96), Future HOFers Ray Lewis (‘96) & Ed Reed (‘02), Todd Heap (‘01),
Terrell Suggs (‘03), Haloti Ngata (‘06), Joe Flacco (‘08), Jimmy Smith (‘11), C.J. Mosley (‘14)
2 Jamie Sharper (‘97), Ray Rice (‘08), Torrey Smith (‘11), Courtney Upshaw (‘12), Kelechi Osemele (‘12), Timmy Jernigan (‘14)
3 Casey Rabach (‘01), Marshal Yanda (‘07), Lardarius Webb (‘09), Brandon Williams (‘13), Crockett Gillmore (‘14)
4 Edwin Mulitalo (‘99), Jarret Johnson (‘03), Le’Ron McClain (‘07), Dennis Pitta (‘10), Kyle Juszczyk (‘13)
5 Jermaine Lewis (‘96), Dawan Landry (‘06), Arthur Jones (‘10), Pernell McPhee (‘11), Rick Wagner (‘13), John Urschel (‘14)
6 Adalius Thomas (‘00), Chester Taylor (‘02), Sam Koch (‘06), Haruki Nakamura (‘08), Tyrod Taylor (‘11)
7 DeAngelo Tyson (‘12), Michael Campanaro (‘14)
RFAMike Flynn (‘97), Priest Holmes (‘97), Will Demps (‘02), Bart Scott (‘02), Ma’ake Kemoeatu (‘02), Jameel
McClain (‘08), Dannell Ellerbe (‘09), Morgan Cox (‘10), Justin Tucker (‘12), Marlon Brown (‘13), Zach Orr (‘14)
2016 RAVENS
DRAFT GUIDE
RAVENS DRAFT DETAILS
• The Ravens invite members of the media to their training
facility at 1 Winning Drive when they host their 21st annual NFL
Draft from April 28-30 (Thursday to Saturday).
• Directing the Ravens’ draft is general manager & executive
vice president Ozzie Newsome, assistant general manager Eric
DeCosta and director of college scouting Joe Hortiz. Baltimore
begins the draft with nine selections.
• Each of the 32 NFL clubs have representatives in Chicago,
and via continuous telephone communication with their GMs,
owners, scouts and coaches, deliver the selected names to the
NFL officials. Player personnel assistants Corey Krawiec and
Patrick McDonough will represent the Ravens in Chicago.
DRAFT LOCATION/TIMES
• The 81st NFL Draft kicks off in primetime for the seventhconsecutive year, with the opening round starting Thursday,
April 28 at 8 p.m. ET. The second and third rounds are set for
Friday, April 29 at 7 p.m. ET followed by rounds 4-7 on Saturday,
April 30 at 12 p.m. ET.
• For the second-straight year, the Draft will be held in Chicago,
with the historic Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University
serving as the primary site. While several components of the Draft
will be housed in the theatre, additionally, a three-day football
festival for fans, called “Draft Town,” will expand outside to Grant
Park and Congress Plaza for a 900,000 square foot celebration.
• The Draft will be televised nationally by ESPN/ESPN2 and the
NFL Network and can also be heard on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
What: 81st Annual NFL Draft
Where: Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University,
Congress Plaza & Grant Park – Chicago, IL
When: Thursday, April 28: 8 p.m. ET (Round 1)
Friday, April 29: 7 p.m. ET (Rounds 2-3)
Saturday, April 30: Noon ET (Rounds 4-7)
MEDIA SERVICES
• Workspaces at the Under Armour Performance Center will be
set up in the media workroom. The press conference auditorium,
equipped with wireless access and TVs tuned to ESPN and NFL
Network, is also available to media. There will be TVs and food
for media to enjoy in the defensive meeting room (combined
LBs and DBs rooms) just outside the auditorium’s back hallway.
RAVENS 2016 DRAFT CHOICES (9)
Round
1
2
3
4a 4b 4c 4d 5
6a 6b 7
Overall Pick
6
36
70
104
130
132
134
none
182
209
none
Pick Information
Original Pick
Original Pick
Original Pick
Original Pick
From Den. (G. Gradkowski Trade)
Compensatory Pick
Compensatory Pick
To Den. (G. Gradkowski Trade)
Original Pick
Compensatory Pick
To Mia. (W. Davis Trade)
ALL-TIME DRAFT PICK BREAKDOWN
(20 Drafts)
Schools w/ Most Selections . . . . Alabama & Oklahoma (7)
Offensive Players Selected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Defensive Players Selected. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Specialists Selected. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
First-Round Offensive Players. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
First-Round Defensive Players. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Pro Bowl Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
First-Team All-Pro Players. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Hall of Famers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 (Jonathan Ogden)
Defensive Players of the Year. . . 3 (R. Lewis - twice, E. Reed, T. Suggs)
Offensive Players of the Year . . . . . . . . . . . 1 (Jamal Lewis)
Defensive Rookies of the Year. . . . . 2 (P. Boulware, T. Suggs)
Super Bowl MVPs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 (R. Lewis, J. Flacco)
Draft Selections By Position
QB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
RB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
FB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
WR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
TE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
RAVENS DRAFT PICKS BY COLLEGE
DT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
DE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
CB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
LB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
OLB/DE. . . . . . . . . . 13
S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
LS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Alabama 7, Arizona 2, Arizona State 2, Auburn 1, Ball State 1, Baylor 1, Bowling Green 1, BYU 1, California 2, Cal Poly 1,
Central Florida 3, Central Missouri State 1, Cincinnati 1, Coastal Carolina 1, Colorado 3, Colorado State 1, Colorado State
- Pueblo 1, Delaware 3, East Carolina 2, Eastern Washington 1, Elon 1, Florida 4, Florida International 1, Florida State 3,
Georgia 2, Georgia Tech 5, Harvard 1, Illinois 1, Indiana 2, Iowa 2, Iowa State 1, Kansas State 2, Kentucky 3, Louisville 3,
Maryland 2, Miami (FL) 6, Michigan 1, Minnesota 2, Mississippi 1, Mississippi State 1, Missouri Southern St. 1, Montana
1, Morehouse 1, Nebraska 1, New Mexico 2, New Mexico State 1, Nicholls State 1, Norfolk State 1, North Carolina 1,
Northern Arizona 1, Northwestern 1, Northwestern State 1, Notre Dame 4, Ohio State 2, Ohio University 1, Oklahoma
7, Oregon 4, Oregon State 2, Penn State 3, Rutgers 1, South Carolina State 1, Southern California 1, Southern Mississippi
2, SW Louisiana 1, Stephen F. Austin 1, Syracuse 3, TCU 1, Temple 1, Tennessee 3, Tennessee State 1, Texas 3, Texas
Southern 1, Texas Tech 1, Toledo 1, Trinity International 1, UCLA 1, Utah 3, UTEP 1, Virginia 4, Virginia Tech 3, Wake Forest
2, Washington State 1, Weber State 2, Western Illinois 1, Wisconsin 2, Wyoming 1
QUOTH THE RAVENS:
“I was fortunate 16 years ago when I came in here and had this group
of people who have been here forever. Art Modell was a big proponent
of continuity. I was fortunate to inherit guys like Ozzie [Newsome] and
all through the organization from equipment managers to trainers and
everything else. It’s absolutely a sound business philosophy. If you go
through the league, the winning teams are the ones who have the least
turnover in their front office and their coaching staff. It’s stark. You just
don’t turn things over. … It’s something that as long as we’re good at
picking people – and we’re then good at working well together – then yes,
continuity, I think, is a huge part of the recipe for success.”
– Steve Bisciotti, Ravens Owner
“Between coaching and scouting, we’re united in our efforts to [reach the
playoffs again]. We have ammunition to do it. We have a lot of smart guys
– evaluators, coaches, people working on the same page – to get this team
relevant again. We want to play postseason football.”
– Eric DeCosta, Ravens Asst. GM
“I think the Ravens’ front office is as solid as any in the National Football
League. It’s not just Ozzie [Newsome] who is outstanding. It’s Eric DeCosta;
it’s Joe Hortiz. These guys are outstanding. They’ve stood the test of time.
One bad season with a ton of injuries, I don’t think warrants criticism.
... I think when you really go through their draft and understand what’s
happened, they are one of the solid drafting teams in the league, and they
will continue to be so.”
– Mike Mayock, NFL Media
“‘In Ozzie We Trust.’ It’s an ode to the architect of the franchise’s two Super
Bowl teams, and an overture to the man’s steady hand, sharp mind and
unwavering belief in his ability to field a competitive team. Ozzie Newsome
and his inner circle, including assistant general manager Eric DeCosta and
contract guru Pat Moriarty, have proven to be unflappable under duress
and a perfect steward for this organization from original owner Art Modell
– for whom he was a Hall of Fame tight end in Cleveland – through current
owner Steve Bisciotti.”
– Jason La Canfora, CBS Sports
“The Ravens are lauded in NFL circles for their ability to identify and
develop blue-chip players. General manager Ozzie Newsome is viewed as
one of the premier player evaluators in the business; his keen eye for talent
has helped the Ravens consistently land Pro Bowl-caliber guys in the early
stages of the draft.”
– Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
“Talk to anyone who has watched [Ozzie] Newsome and his staff work up
close, and they’ll repeat a variation of the same theme: He made the rare
transition from great player to great team executive and personnel evaluator
by prioritizing listening, learning before talking, and being able to assimilate
vast amounts of information and condense it down to its most salient points.
Somehow, Newsome is able to block out the noise and avoid drowning in the
details, which paves the way to more decisive and reasoned decision-making
in the inherently inexact science that is football scouting and evaluation.”
– Don Banks, SI.com
“There’s a saying within the Ravens that goes, ‘In Ozzie we trust.’ The reason
for that is his track record is tremendous. He has a philosophy, he stays true
to it, and they’re not going to deviate from that. If the No. 3 player is the No.
3 player, and he’s on the board, that’s the guy they’re taking.”
– Chris Mortensen, ESPN
“Really, Ozzie is an ambassador for the NFL, period. I think about three ‘C’s’
when I think about Ozzie: classy, consistency and championships. That’s
what I think about. We’re all chasing Ozzie Newsome, man. He doesn’t talk
about it, but go in his office, he’s got skins on the wall. He doesn’t have to
talk about it. His resume says it all for him.”
– Jerry Reese, NY Giants GM
“As a player, he was known as the Wizard of Oz, a Hall of Fame tight end
who was hard to stop. As a drafter, he’s a master of finding the right players.
[Ozzie] Newsome built one of the greatest defenses in NFL history, starting
with middle linebacker Ray Lewis.”
– John Clayton, ESPN
NFL DRAFT EDITION
“[Ozzie] Newsome, the only GM the Ravens have had during their [20] years
in Baltimore, has produced two Super Bowl champions, drafted future Hall
of Famers with his first two picks ever (Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis),
has had only two head coaches in the last 16 years (Brian Billick and John
Harbaugh), and has either employed or mentored front-office personnel
all over the NFL. A franchise literally couldn’t ask for more than he’s done.”
– David Steele, The Sporting News
“The reason they’ve been successful is they work at it, and they have a
history and a tradition. Really from the moment we got to Baltimore, we
put a lot of emphasis on college free agents. I think the Ravens have always
approached it like it’s the eighth round of the draft, and their scouts take
great pride in unearthing a player or two. If you can get one of those players
on your team, the impact of it on the salary cap is really significant.”
– Phil Savage, Senior Bowl Exec. Director
“If the NFL was a fantasy football league, the Baltimore Ravens are that guy
who always makes the rest of the room say, ‘Nice pick.’ The Ravens take
value. Year after year, they see a blue-chip talent fall for some bogus reason
or another. And then they snap them up, coach them up and make them
into Pro Bowlers.”
– Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com
“The Ravens’ general manager [Ozzie Newsome] has built a perennial
playoff participant through the draft, and he’s done so by spotlighting the
kinds of players the organization is now known for – those who play like
they’d do it for free. Gritty, tough and with a love of the game. Hard-nosed,
nasty and with a certain violence. If you were choosing sides for a street
fight, think about how many Ravens you’d want on your team.”
– Ian Rapoport, NFL Media
“The genius of his ability to absorb all the information is second to none.
I always equate it to watching him look at the draft board is like watching
Russell Crowe [play Nobel Laureate in economics John Nash] in the movie
‘A Beautiful Mind,’ in that scene where the math just kind of comes off the
board for him. That’s Ozzie with all those names and statistics. Of course,
he has a great eye for talent, too, but his ability to orchestrate that process,
to gain that information, is unmatched.”
– Brian Billick, NFL Network
“If I had to pick one guy to draft me a team, I’d take Ozzie Newsome, the GM
of the Ravens. He’s the best I’ve seen since Ron Wolf. No matter where the
Ravens draft, a good player seems to fall to them.”
– Rick Gosselin, The Dallas Morning News
“Three guarantees in life: Death, taxes and the Ravens ruling the draft.
General manager Ozzie Newsome, [assistant general manager] Eric DeCosta
and a great scouting department comprise a front office that always seems
to be three steps ahead.”
– Adam Schein, SiriusXM/CBS Sports
“[Newsome is] a great judge of talent. ... He recognizes how talent fits into
the scheme that they use on both sides of the ball. He’s able to use a great
scouting staff to uncover terrific gems down in the lower part of the draft,
and he understands – more than anything else – how to put together a
team, not just a group of 53 guys, but a team that works and functions
together. He understands, because he was such a great player himself, the
characteristics that a player has to have in order to contribute positively to
a team. There’s a difference between judging talent and putting together a
team, and Ozzie is as good as there is at that.”
– Bill Polian, ESPN
“But in Baltimore, [Eric] DeCosta, the Ravens’ [assistant GM], is a rock
star. He’s the missing Jonas Brother. That was DeCosta who explained the
Ravens’ evaluation process to The New York Times like this: ‘We even grade
our lunches. If I say it’s a 6.2 lunch – all the guys know what that means:
pretty good, but not great. A 7.5 is like the Pro Bowl; if I say the soup is a 7.5
today, everybody runs to get the soup.’ Around Baltimore, in the days and
weeks leading up to the NFL Draft, there’s no duo with more juice in town
than Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome and DeCosta.”
– Rick Maese, formerly The Baltimore Sun
2016 RAVENS
2016 NFL FIRST-ROUND DRAFT ORDER
(as of April 1)
Pick Team
2015 Record Win % Strength
1. Tennessee Titans
3-13
.188
.492
2. Cleveland Browns
3-13
.188
.531
3. San Diego Chargers
4-12
.250
.527
4. Dallas Cowboys
4-12
.250
.531
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
5-11
.313
.473
6. Baltimore Ravens
5-11
.313
.508
7. San Francisco 49ers
5-11
.313
.539
8. Philadelphia Eagles
7-9
.438
.508
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6-10
.375
.484
10. New York Giants
6-10
.375
.500
11. Chicago Bears
6-10
.375
.547
12. New Orleans Saints
7-9
.438
.504
13. Miami Dolphins
6-10
.375
.469
14. Oakland Raiders
7-9
.438
.512
15. Los Angeles Rams
7-9
.438
.527
16. Detroit Lions
7-9
.438
.535
17. Atlanta Falcons
8-8
.500
.480
18. Indianapolis Colts
8-8
.500
.500
19. Buffalo Bills
8-8
.500
.508
20. New York Jets
10-6
.625
.441
21. Washington Redskins
9-7
.563
.465
22. Houston Texans
9-7
.563
.496
23. Minnesota Vikings
11-5
.688
.504
24. Cincinnati Bengals
12-4
.750
.477
25. Pittsburgh Steelers
10-6
.625
.504
26. Seattle Seahawks
10-6
.625
.520
27. Green Bay Packers
10-6
.625
.531
28. Kansas City Chiefs
11-5
.688
.496
29. Arizona Cardinals
13-3
.813
.477
30. Carolina Panthers
15-1
.938
.441
31. Denver Broncos
12-4
.750
.500
(New England forfeited its first-round pick due to NFL sanctions;
thus, there is no 32nd choice.)
DRAFT GUIDE
RAVENS DRAFT PICKS ON CURRENT ROSTER
(2015 Games Started in Parenthesis)
1st Round (6)
No. Name
55 Terrell Suggs (one)
5 Joe Flacco (10)
22 Jimmy Smith (16)
26 Matt Elam
57 C.J. Mosley (16)
18 Breshad Perriman
Pos.
OLB
QB
CB
S
LB
WR
Drafted
D1a (10th) - 2003
D1 (18th) - 2008
D1 (27th) - 2011
D1 (32nd) - 2013
D1 (17th) - 2014
D1 (26th) - 2015
2nd Round (3)
59 Arthur Brown
97 Timmy Jernigan (six)
87 LB
DT
TE
D2 (56th) - 2013
D2 (48th) - 2014
D2 (55th) - 2015
3rd Round (6)
73 Marshal Yanda (16)
21 Lardarius Webb (15)
98 Brandon Williams (16)
31 Terrence Brooks
80 Crockett Gillmore (10)
93 Carl Davis (three)
G/T
DB/RS
DT
S
TE
DT
D3b (86th) - 2007
D3 (88th) - 2009
D3 (94th) - 2013
D3a (79th) - 2014
D3b (99th) - 2014
D3 (90th) - 2015
4th Round (6)
88 Dennis Pitta 44 Kyle Juszczyk (11)
96 Brent Urban
34 Lorenzo Taliaferro
90 Za’Darius Smith
37 Javorius “Buck” Allen (six)
TE
FB
DE
RB
OLB
RB
D4 (114th) - 2010
D4b (130th) - 2013
D4a (134th) - 2014
D4b (138th) - 2014
D4a (122nd) - 2015
D4b (125th) - 2015
5th Round (3)
71 Rick Wagner (16)
64 John Urschel (seven)
82 Nick Boyle (two)
G/T
G/C
TE
D5 (168th) - 2013
D5 (175th) - 2014
D5s (171st) - 2015
6th Round (4)
4 Sam Koch
95 Kapron Lewis-Moore
66 Ryan Jensen (six)
12 Darren Waller (one)
P
DE
G/C
WR/TE
D6a (203rd) - 2006
D6a (200th) - 2013
D6b (203rd) - 2013
D6 (204th) - 2015
7th Round (1)
15 Michael Campanaro
WR/RS D7 (218th) - 2014
TIMING OF THE DRAFT ROUNDS
• Duration of first round of 2015 Draft: 3 hours, 9 minutes
• Last year’s first-round selections kicked off at 8:05 p.m. ET and were completed at 11:14 p.m. ET.
• Longest first round since 1967: 2007 (6 hours, 8 minutes)
• Shortest first round since 1967: 1972 (2 hours)
• As it was first implemented in 2008, teams are allowed 10 minutes to draft in the first round, seven minutes in the second round
and five minutes in the remaining five rounds (third-seventh).
First Round . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 minutes
Second Round. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 minutes
Third-Seventh Rounds. . . . . . . . . . . . 5 minutes
2016 RAVENS
DRAFT GUIDE
2016 RAVENS DRAFT PICKS (9) WORKSHEET
Round
Overall
1
6
2
36
3
70
4a 104
4b 130
4c
132*
4d
134*
6a 182
6b 209*
Position Player
College
* Compensatory; cannot be traded
NFL COMPENSATORY PICKS
A total of 33 compensatory choices in the 2016 NFL Draft have been awarded to 13 teams. Under the rules for compensatory
draft selections, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive
compensatory draft picks.
The compensatory picks will be positioned within the third through sixth rounds based on the value of the compensatory free
agents lost. Compensatory picks may not be traded this year. A rule change approved by clubs in 2015 will permit compensatory
draft picks to be traded beginning in 2017.
Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. The formula was
developed by the NFL Management Council. Not every free agent lost or signed by a club is covered by this formula.
Since 1994 (the first year compensatory draft picks were established), the Ravens have been awarded an NFL-high 47
compensatory selections (see below right chart). Dallas and Green Bay (37 each) are second.
---- 2016 NFL COMPENSATORY DRAFT PICKS ---Round
3
3
3
3
Selection
33-95 34-96 35-97 36-98 Team
Detroit
New England
Seattle
Denver
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
33-131 34-132 35-133 36-134 37-135 38-136 39-137 40-138 41-139 Green Bay
Baltimore
San Francisco
Baltimore
Dallas
Denver
Green Bay
Cleveland
Buffalo
5
5
5
5
33-170 34-171 35-172 36-173 Arizona
Seattle
Cleveland
Cleveland
Round
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
Selection
37-174 38-175 Team
San Francisco
San Diego
33-208 34-209 35-210 36-211 37-212 38-213 39-214 40-215 41-216 42-217 43-218 44-219 45-220 46-221 New England
Baltimore
Detroit
San Francisco
Dallas
San Francisco
New England
Seattle
Dallas
Dallas
Buffalo
Denver
Pittsburgh
New England
Most Compensatory Picks
(2016 Draft)
1.Dallas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
New England. . . . . . . . . . . . 4
San Francisco. . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4.Baltimore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Cleveland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Denver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Seattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Most Compensatory Picks
(Since 1994)
1. Baltimore. . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
2. Dallas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Green Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
4. New England. . . . . . . . . . . 33
5. Los Angeles. . . . . . . . . . . . 31
ALL-TIME RAVENS
Rd.
1a 1b 2b 5b 6a 6b 7b Pk.
4
26 55
153
172
186 238 Pos.
G/T LB CB
WR
LB
WR
QB
1996
Player
Jonathan Ogden Ray Lewis DeRon Jenkins Jermaine Lewis Dexter Daniels James Roe Jon Stark College
UCLA Miami
Tennessee
Maryland
Florida
Norfolk State
Trinity Intl.
Obtained second 1st-round choice (26) from SF along with
49ers 1995 1st-, 3rd- and 4th- (from KC) round picks for Cle.
1995 1st-round pick (obtained from Atl. for RB Eric Metcalf
and Cle. original 1995 1st-round pick). First 2nd-round choice
(35) was traded to TB for TE Harold Bishop. Obtained second
2nd-round choice (55) from Den. for 1996 3rd-, 4th- and 7thround picks. First 5th-round choice (136) was traded to NO
for DB Reginald Jones. Obtained second 5th-round pick (153)
from Atl. for G Gene Williams. Third 5th-round choice (157)
obtained from Phi. to Dal. for 1997 4th-round pick. Obtained
second 6th-round choice (186) from Jax. (supplemental) along
with Jaguars 1995 5th-round pick for Cle. 1995 4th-round
pick. Obtained second 7th-round choice (238) from Phi. for
DL Ronnie Dixon.
Rd.
1
2a 2b 3
4b 5
6a 6b 7a 7b 7c 7d Pk.
4
34 58 64
118 134 167
194
205 234
236 238
Pos.
LB
LB
S
RB
LB
C
FB
LB
DE
QB
S
DT
1997
Player
Peter Boulware Jamie Sharper
Kim Herring Jay Graham
Tyrus McCloud Jeff Mitchell Steve Lee
Cornell Brown* Chris Ward Wally Richardson*
Ralph Staten*
Leland Taylor* College
Florida State
Virginia
Penn State
Tennessee
Louisville
Florida
Indiana
Virginia Tech
Kentucky
Penn State
Alabama
Louisville
Obtained second 2nd-round choice (58) from Den. for T Tony
Jones. First 4th-round choice (100) was traded to Atl. through
Sea. for G Jeff Blackshear. Obtained second 4th-round pick from
Dal. for 1996 5th-round pick (obtained from Phi.).
Rd.
1
2
5a 5b 6a 6b 7b Pk.
10 42
124 133
154 164 241
Pos.
CB
WR
DT
S
LB
T
TE
1998
Player
Duane Starks Patrick Johnson Martin Chase Ryan Sutter
Ron Rogers Sammy Williams Cam Quayle*
College
Miami
Oregon
Oklahoma
Colorado
Georgia Tech
Oklahoma
Weber State
Traded 3rd-round choice (71) along with 1998 4th-round pick
(93) to Ind. for QB Jim Harbaugh and Colts 1998 4th-round pick.
* Compensatory Pick
DRAFT CHOICES
Traded first 4th-round choice (from Ind.) to Ind. for 1998 4th-,
5th- and 6th-round picks. Traded second 4th-round pick (104) to
TB for 1999 3rd-round pick. Traded first 7th-round choice (199)
to Atl. through Pit. for OL Bernard Dafney.
Rd.
1
4a 4b 7
Pk.
10 105
129
216 Pos.
CB
WR
G
S
1999
Player
Chris McAlister Brandon Stokley Edwin Mulitalo* Anthony Poindexter
College Arizona SW Louisiana
Arizona
Virginia
Traded 2nd-round choice (42) to Atl. for Atl. 2000 1st-round
pick. Traded 3rd-round pick (72) to Det. along with conditional
2000 5th-round pick for QB Scott Mitchell. Traded 5th-round
choice (145) to STL along with 2000 7th-round pick for QB Tony
Banks. Traded first 6th-round choice (180) to NE for TE Lovett
Purnell. Traded second 6th-round choice (185, from Ind.) to
Min. for OL Everett Lindsay.
Rd.
1a 1b 3
5
6a 6b Pk.
5
10 75 148 186 191 Pos.
RB
WR
QB
OL
DE
DT
2000
Player
Jamal Lewis Travis Taylor Chris Redman Richard Mercier Adalius Thomas Cedric Woodard College
Tennessee
Florida
Louisville
Miami
So. Mississippi
Texas
Acquired first 1st-round pick (5) from Atl. for a 1999 2nd-round choice.
2001
Rd.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Pk.
31
62 92 126
161 194
231
Pos.
TE
DB
C/G
LB
RB
LS
DE
Player
Todd Heap Gary Baxter Casey Rabach Edgerton Hartwell Chris Barnes Joe Maese
Dwayne Missouri Rd.
1
2
4a 4b 5
6a 6b 6c 6d 7
Pk.
24 52
112
123
155
195 206
207 209 236
Pos.
S
DE
P
WR
TE
DB
WR
RB
S
QB
Player
Ed Reed Anthony Weaver Dave Zastudil Ron Johnson Terry Jones Lamont Brightful Javin Hunter* Chester Taylor* Chad Williams* Wes Pate 2002
College
Arizona State
Baylor
Wisconsin
W. Illinois
New Mexico St.
New Mexico
Northwestern
College
Miami
Notre Dame
Ohio
Minnesota
Alabama
E. Washington
Notre Dame
Toledo
So. Mississippi
Stephen F. Austin
Traded 3rd-round choice (96) to Den. for 4th- (112) and
5th-round (155) picks (Ravens had traded their 5th [159] to
Washington to draft Weaver).
ALL-TIME RAVENS
Rd.
1a 1b 3
4a 4b 5a 5b 6
7a 7b 7c Pk.
10 19 77 109 134 146
173 182 223
250 258
Pos.
LB
QB
RB
LB
FB
DT
T
S
TE
C
S
2003
Player
Terrell Suggs Kyle Boller Musa Smith Jarret Johnson Ovie Mughelli* Aubrayo Franklin Tony Pashos* Gerome Sapp Trent Smith Mike Mabry* Antwoine Sanders* College
Arizona State
California
Georgia
Alabama
Wake Forest
Tennessee
Illinois
Notre Dame
Oklahoma
Central Florida
Utah
Traded 2nd-round choice (41) to NE with 2004 1st-round pick
for NE’s 1st-round pick (19/Boller).
Rd.
2
3
5
6a 6b 7a 7b Pk.
51 82 153
187 199 244 246 Pos.
DT
WR
OLB
QB
WR
WR
G
2004
Player
Dwan Edwards Devard Darling Roderick Green Josh Harris Clarence Moore* Derek Abney* Brian Rimpf* College
Oregon State
Washington St.
Cen. Missouri St.
Bowling Green
N. Arizona
Kentucky
East Carolina
Traded 1st-round pick to NE for Pats’ 2003 1st-round selection
(19) to draft QB Kyle Boller. Traded 4th-round pick (120) to Jax.
for WR Kevin Johnson.
Rd.
1
2a 2b 4
5
6
7
Pk.
22
53 64 124 158 213 234
Pos.
WR
OLB
T
G/C
FB
QB
LB
2005
Player
Mark Clayton Dan Cody Adam Terry Jason Brown Justin Green Derek Anderson*
Mike Smith College
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Syracuse
North Carolina
Montana
Oregon State
Texas Tech
Obtained second 2nd-round choice (64) from NE in exchange
for Ravens 3rd- (84) and 6th-round (195) picks in 2005 and a
3rd-round selection in 2006.
Rd.
1
2
3
4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7
Pk.
12 56 87 111 132 146 166 203
208 219 Pos.
DT
C/G
CB
WR
RB
S
TE
P
CB
LB/DE
* Compensatory Pick
2006
Player
Haloti Ngata Chris Chester David Pittman Demetrius Williams P.J. Daniels* Dawan Landry Quinn Sypniewski* Sam Koch* Derrick Martin* Ryan LaCasse College
Oregon
Oklahoma
NW State
Oregon
Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech
Colorado
Nebraska
Wyoming
Syracuse
DRAFT CHOICES
Obtained 1st-round choice (12) from Cle. for Baltimore’s 1stround (13) and 6th-round (181) picks. Obtained 2nd-round
(56) and 3rd-round (87) choices from the N.Y. Giants for the
Ravens’ 2nd-round pick (44).
Rd.
1
3a 3b 4a 4b 5
6
Pk.
29 74 86 134 137 174 207 Pos.
G
WR
G/T
OLB
FB
QB
ILB
2007
Player
Ben Grubbs Yamon Figurs Marshal Yanda Antwan Barnes* Le’Ron McClain* Troy Smith* Prescott Burgess* College
Auburn
Kansas State
Iowa
Florida Intl.
Alabama
Ohio State
Michigan
Obtained first 3rd-round pick (74) and a 4th-round choice
(101) from Det. for the Ravens’ 2nd-round (61) pick. Acquired
second 3rd-round choice (86) from Jax. for 4th-round (101),
5th-round (166) and 6th-round (203) picks.
Rd.
1
2
3a 3b 3c 4a 4b 6
7a 7b Pk.
18 55 71 86 99 106 133
206 215
240 Pos.
QB
RB
ILB
S
T
WR
G/T
S
WR RB
2008
Player
Joe Flacco Ray Rice Tavares Gooden Tom Zbikowski Oniel Cousins* Marcus Smith David Hale* Haruki Nakamura* Justin Harper Allen Patrick* College
Delaware
Rutgers
Miami
Notre Dame
UTEP
New Mexico
Weber State
Cincinnati
Virginia Tech
Oklahoma
Obtained 1st-round (18) choice from Houston for the Ravens’
1st-round (26) and 3rd-round (89) picks that Baltimore
received from Jacksonville, plus the Ravens’ 6th-round
(173) choice. Baltimore began the day with the 8th-overall
pick and traded it to Jacksonville for the Jaguars’ 1st-round
(26), both 3rd-round (71 and 89) and 4th-round (125)
selections. Obtained 2nd-round (55) choice from Seattle
for the Ravens’ 2nd-round (38) pick. Acquired second 3rdround (86) choice, along with 2nd-round pick (Rice, 55) from
Seattle for the Ravens’ 2nd-round (38) pick. Traded 4thround (125) choice to Oakland for CB Fabian Washington.
Note: In 2007, the Ravens used a 5th-round pick in
the July Supplemental Draft to tab T Jared Gaither.
ALL-TIME RAVENS
Rd.
1
2
3
5a 5b 6
Pk.
23 57 88 137 149 185 Pos.
T
LB/DE
DB
LB
TE
RB
2009
Player
Michael Oher Paul Kruger Lardarius Webb Jason Phillips Davon Drew Cedric Peerman College
Mississippi
Utah
Nicholls State
TCU
East Carolina
Virginia
Obtained 1st-round choice (23) from NE for the Ravens’ 1stround (26) and 5th-round (162) picks. Acquired two 5th-round
choices (137 and 141) from NE for the Ravens’ 4th-round (123)
pick. Obtained 5th-round (149) and 6th-round (185) choices
from Denver for the 5th-round (141) pick.
Rd.
2a
2b
3
4
5a
5b
6
Pk.
43
57
70
114
156
157
194
Pos.
LB
DT
TE
TE
WR
DT
T
2010
Player
Sergio Kindle
Terrence Cody
Ed Dickson
Dennis Pitta
David Reed
Arthur Jones
Ramon Harewood
College
Texas
Alabama
Oregon
BYU
Utah
Syracuse
Morehouse
Acquired first 2nd-round (43), 3rd-round (70) and 4th-round
(114) choices from Den. for the Ravens’ 1st-round (25) pick.
Traded original 3rd-round (88) and 4th-round (123) choices to
Ari. for WR Anquan Boldin and a 5th-round pick (157).
Rd.
1
2
3
4
5a
5b
6
7
Pk.
27
58
85
123
164
165
180
225
Pos.
CB
WR
T
WR
CB
DE
QB
RB
2011
Player
Jimmy Smith
Torrey Smith
Jah Reid
Tandon Doss
Chykie Brown*
Pernell McPhee*
Tyrod Taylor
Anthony Allen
College
Colorado
Maryland
Central Florida
Indiana
Texas
Mississippi St.
Virginia Tech
Georgia Tech
Traded 3rd-round pick (90) and a 6th-round pick (191) to Phi. in
exchange for Eagles’ 85th selection to acquire Reid.
Rd.
2a
2b
3
4a
4b
5
6
7
Pk.
35
60
84
98
130
169
198
236
Pos.
OLB
G/T
RB
G/C
S
CB/RS
WR
DE
2012
Player
Courtney Upshaw
Kelechi Osemele
Bernard Pierce
Gino Gradkowski
Christian Thompson*
Asa Jackson*
Tommy Streeter
DeAngelo Tyson
College
Alabama
Iowa State
Temple
Delaware
South Carolina St.
Cal Poly
Miami
Georgia
DRAFT CHOICES
selection. Obtained the 84th-overall pick in a trade with Atl.
for the Ravens’ 3rd-round (91) and 5th-round (164) selections.
Rd.
1
2
3
4a
4b
5
6a
6b
7a
7b
Pk.
32
56
94
129
130
168
200
203
238
247
Pos.
S
LB
DT
OLB
FB
G/T
DE
C
WR
CB
2013
Player
Matt Elam
Arthur Brown
Brandon Williams
John Simon
Kyle Juszczyk*
Rick Wagner*
Kapron Lewis-Moore
Ryan Jensen*
Aaron Mellette
Marc Anthony*
College
Florida
Kansas State
Missouri Southern St.
Ohio State
Harvard
Wisconsin
Notre Dame
Colorado St.-Pueblo
Elon
California
Obtained 56th pick in a trade with Seattle for the Ravens’ 2ndround pick (62nd), 5th-round choice (165th) and 6th-round
selection (199th).
Rd.
1
2
3a 3b 4a 4b 5
6
7
Pk.
17 48 79 99 134 138 175 194 218 2014
Pos. Player
LB C.J. Mosley DT Timmy Jernigan S
Terrence Brooks TE Crockett Gillmore* DE Brent Urban* RB Lorenzo Taliaferro* G/C John Urschel* QB Keith Wenning WR/RS Michael Campanaro College
Alabama
Florida State
Florida State
Colorado State
Virginia
Coastal Carolina
Penn State
Ball State
Wake Forest
Ravens acquired the 218th pick from the Browns in exchange
for a 2015 draft choice.
Rd.
1
2
3
4a 4b 4c 5a 5b 6
Pk.
26 55 90 122 125 136 171 176 204 Pos.
WR TE DT OLB RB CB TE G
WR 2015
Player
Breshad Perriman Maxx Williams Carl Davis Za’Darius Smith Javorius “Buck” Allen Tray Walker* Nick Boyle* Robert Myers* Darren Waller College
Central Florida
Minnesota
Iowa
Kentucky
Southern California
Texas Southern
Delaware
Tennessee State
Georgia Tech
Acquired 55th choice from Arizona in exchange for the Ravens’
58th (second round) and 158th (fifth round) picks.
THE 2016
NFL DRAFT
Obtained 2nd-round pick (35) and 4th-round choice (98) in
a trade with Min. in exchange for the Ravens’ 1st-round (29)
* Compensatory Pick
2016 RAVENS
ALPHA ROSTER
No. Name
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Birthdate Exp.
College
Hometown
37 Allen, Javorius
RB
6-0
220
8/27/91
2
Southern California Tallahassee, FL
24 Arrington, Kyle
CB
5-10
190
8/12/86
8
Hofstra
Brandywine, MD
45 Beyer, Brennen
OLB
6-4
256
11/25/92
1
Michigan
Canton, MI
82 Boyle, Nick
TE
6-4
260
2/17/93
2
Delaware
Sussex, NJ
31 Brooks, Terrence
S
5-11
200
3/2/92
3
Florida State
Dunnellon, FL
59 Brown, Arthur ILB
6-0
240
6/17/90
4
Kansas State
Wichita, KS
69 Brown, Leon
G
6-6
320
2/24/93
1
Alabama
Riverdale Park, MD
14 Brown, Marlon
WR
6-5
214
4/22/91
4
Georgia
Memphis, TN
15 Campanaro, Michael
WR/RS 5-9
185
1/25/91
3
Wake Forest
Clarksville, MD
42 Capi, Nordly
DE
6-3
249
7/11/92
1
Akron
Ocoee, FL
OLB
6-1
240
4/6/89
6
Fresno State
Fontana, CA
56 Carter, Chris
63 Clausell, Blaine
T
6-6
339
1/31/92
1
Mississippi State
Mobile, AL
46 Cox, Morgan LS
6-4
233
4/26/86
7
Tennessee
Collierville, TN
94 Davis, Carl
DT
6-5
320
3/2/92
2
Iowa
Detroit, MI
39 Davis, Will
CB
5-11
190
5/8/90
4
Utah State
Spokane Valley, WA
58 Dumervil, Elvis
OLB
5-11
255
1/19/84
11
Louisville
Miami, FL
26 Elam, Matt
S
5-10
200
9/21/91
4
Florida
West Palm Beach, FL
5 Flacco, Joe
QB
6-6
245
1/16/85
9
Delaware
Audubon, NJ
48 Ford, Chase
TE
6-6
265
7/19/90
4
Miami
Corrigan, TX
29 Forsett, Justin
RB
5-8
195
10/14/85
9
California
Mulberry, FL
80 Gillmore, Crockett
TE
6-6
270
11/16/91
3
Colorado State
Bushland, TX
93 Guy, Lawrence
DE
6-4
305
3/17/90
6
Arizona State
Las Vegas, NV
74 Hurst, James
OL
6-5
312
12/17/91
3
North Carolina
Plainfield, IN
10 Jacobs, Chuck
WR
6-0
178
5/11/90
2
Utah State
Richmond, CA
97 Jernigan, Timmy
DT
6-2
302
9/24/92
3
Florida State
Lake City, FL
n/a Johnson, Jerrod
QB
6-5
251
7/27/88
1
Texas A&M
Humble, TX
44 Juszczyk, Kyle
FB
6-1
248
4/23/91
4
Harvard
Medina, OH
4 Koch, Sam
P
6-1
219
8/13/82
11
Nebraska
Seward, NE
41 Levine Sr., Anthony DB
5-11
200
3/27/87
5
Tennessee State
Winston-Salem, NC
23 Lewis, Kendrick
S
6-0
205
6/16/88
7
Mississippi
New Orleans, LA
95 Lewis-Moore, Kapron DE
6-4
315
1/24/90
4
Notre Dame
Weatherford, TX
30 Magee, Terrence
RB
5-9
215
3/16/93
2
LSU
Franklinton, LA
7 Mallett, Ryan
QB
6-6
245
6/5/88
6
Arkansas
Texarkana, TX
T
6-5
300
4/18/87
8
Virginia
Plainfield, NJ
60 Monroe, Eugene
57 Mosley, C.J.
ILB
6-2
235
6/19/92
3
Alabama
Mobile, AL
54 Orr, Zachary
ILB
6-0
255
6/9/92
3
North Texas
DeSoto, TX
18 Perriman, Breshad
WR
6-2
218
9/10/93
2
Central Florida
Lithonia, GA
36 Perry, Nick
S
6-1
211
12/7/91
1
Alabama
Prattville, AL
88 Pitta, Dennis
TE
6-4
245
6/29/85
7
BYU
Moorpark, CA
89 Smith Sr., Steve
WR
5-9
195
5/12/79
16
Utah
Los Angeles, CA
22 Smith, Jimmy CB
6-2
206
7/26/88
6
Colorado
Colton, CA
90 Smith, Za’Darius
OLB
6-4
275
9/8/92
2
Kentucky
Greenville, AL
49 Spears, Harold
TE
6-4
248
3/9/92
1
New Hampshire
Jacksonville, FL
55 Suggs, Terrell
OLB
6-3
265
10/11/82
14
Arizona State
Chandler, AZ
34 Taliaferro, Lorenzo RB
6-0
225
12/23/91
3
Coastal Carolina
Yorktown, VA
9 Tucker, Justin
K
6-1
183
11/21/89
5
Texas
Austin, TX
96 Urban, Brent
DE
6-7
295
5/5/91
3
Virginia Mississauga, ON, CAN
64 Urschel, John
G/C
6-3
305
6/24/91
3
Penn State
Buffalo, NY
71 Wagner, Rick G/T
6-6
310
10/21/89
4
Wisconsin
West Allis, WI
n/a Wallace, Mike
WR
6-0
205
8/1/86
8
Mississippi
New Orleans, LA
12 Waller, Darren
TE/WR 6-6
245
9/13/92
2
Georgia Tech
Acworth, GA
n/a Watson, Benjamin
TE
6-3
255
12/18/80
13
Georgia
Rock Hill, SC
21 Webb, Lardarius DB/RS 5-10
182
10/12/85
8
Nicholls State
Opelika, AL
n/a Weddle, Eric
S
5-11
200
1/4/85
10
Utah
Alta Loma, CA
98 Williams, Brandon
DT
6-1
335
2/21/89
4
Missouri Southern St. Kirkwood, MO
87 Williams, Maxx
TE
6-4
250
4/12/94
2
Minnesota
Waconia, MN
47 Wilson, Julian
CB
6-2
215
10/25/91
2
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, OK
n/a Worthy, Cam
WR
6-3
212
4/6/92
2
East Carolina
Blair, SC
35 Wright, Shareece
CB
5-11
182
4/8/87
6
Southern California Colton, CA
73 Yanda, Marshal
G/T
6-3
305
9/15/84
10
Iowa
Anamosa, IA
53 Zuttah, Jeremy
G/C
6-4
300
6/1/86
9
Rutgers
Edison, NJ
Unrestricted Free Agents
2 Clausen, Jimmy
QB
6-2
210
9/21/87
7
Notre Dame
Westlake Village, CA
50 McClellan, Albert
ILB
6-2
254
6/4/86
6
Marshall
Lakeland, FL
85 Reisner, Allen
TE
6-3
255
9/29/88
5
Iowa
Marion, IA
Restricted Free Agents
11 Aiken, Kamar WR
6-2
215
5/30/89
4
Central Florida
Hollywood, FL
Exclusive Rights Free Agents
83 Brown, Daniel
WR
6-5
225
5/26/92
2
James Madison
Windsor, VA
WR
6-2
213
4/22/91
3
Tennessee-Martin Sarasota, FL
17 Butler, Jeremy 81 Clay, Kaelin
WR/RS 5-10
195
1/3/92
2
Utah
Long Beach, CA
66 Jensen, Ryan
G/C
6-4
310
5/27/91
3
Colorado State-Pueblo Fort Morgan, CO
WR
6-5
218
10/6/89
3
Kentucky
Los Angeles, CA
84 Matthews, Chris
32 Price, Sheldon
CB
6-2
198
3/26/91
1
UCLA
La Puente, CA
86 Reuland, Konrad TE
6-5
254
4/4/87
3
Stanford
Mission Viejo, CA
38 Rolle, Jumal
CB
6-0
188
5/28/90
3
Catawba
Wilson, NC
77 Wesley, De’Ondre
G/T
6-6
326
8/28/92
2
BYU
Antioch, CA
27 West, Terrance
RB
5-10
225
1/28/91
3
Towson
Baltimore, MD
40 Whitehead, Jermaine
DB
5-11
193
3/12/93
1
Auburn
Greenwood, MS
2016 RAVENS
NUM. ROSTER
----------- 2015 Games -----------
No. Name
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Birthdate
Exp. College
How Acq.
P
S
DNP INA
4 Sam Koch
P
6-1
219
8/13/82
11
Nebraska
D6a ‘06
16
0
0
0
5 Joe Flacco
QB
6-6
245
1/16/85
9
Delaware
D1 ‘08
10
10
0
0
7 Ryan Mallett
QB
6-6
245
6/5/88
6
Arkansas
FA ‘15
8
6
1
1
9 Justin Tucker
K
6-1
183
11/21/89
5
Texas
FA ‘12
16
0
0
0
10 Chuck Jacobs
WR
6-0
178
5/11/90
2
Utah State
FA ‘15
0
0
0
0
12 Darren Waller
TE/WR 6-6
245
9/13/92
2
Georgia Tech
D6 ‘15
6
1
0
1
14 Marlon Brown
WR
6-5
214
4/22/91
4
Georgia
FA ‘13
10
2
0
5
15 Michael Campanaro
WR/RS 5-9
185
1/25/91
3
Wake Forest
D7 ‘14
4
0
0
0
WR
6-2
218
9/10/93
2
Central Florida
D1 ‘15
0
0
0
9
18 Breshad Perriman
21 Lardarius Webb
DB/RS 5-10
182
10/12/85
8
Nicholls State
D3 ‘09
15
15
0
1
22 Jimmy Smith
CB
6-2
206
7/26/88
6
Colorado
D1 ‘11
16
16
0
0
23 Kendrick Lewis
S
6-0
205
6/16/88
7
Mississippi
UFA (HOU) ‘15 15
15
0
1
24 Kyle Arrington
CB
5-10
190
8/12/86
8
Hofstra
FA ‘15
15
4
0
1
26 Matt Elam
S
5-10
200
9/21/91
4
Florida
D1 ‘13
0
0
0
0
29 Justin Forsett
RB
5-8
195
10/14/85
9
California
FA ‘14
10
10
0
0
30 Terrence Magee
RB
5-9
215
3/16/93
2
LSU
FA ‘15
4
0
0
2
31 Terrence Brooks
S
5-11
200
3/2/92
3
Florida State
D3a ‘14
12
0
0
4
34 Lorenzo Taliaferro
RB
6-0
225
12/23/91
3
Coastal Carolina
D4b ‘14
3
0
0
2
35 Shareece Wright
CB
5-11
182
4/8/87
6
Southern California FA ‘15
11
7
0
4
36 Nick Perry
S
6-1
211
12/7/91
1
Alabama
FA ‘15
0
0
0
0
37 Javorius Allen
RB
6-0
220
8/27/91
2
Southern California D4b ‘15
16
6
0
0
CB
5-11
190
5/8/90
4
Utah State
TR (MIA) ‘15
2
0
0
3
39 Will Davis
41 Anthony Levine Sr.
DB
5-11
200
3/27/87
5
Tennessee State
FA ‘12
16
0
0
0
42 Nordly Capi
DE
6-3
249
7/11/92
1
Akron
FA ‘15
0
0
0
0
44 Kyle Juszczyk
FB
6-1
248
4/23/91
4
Harvard
D4b ‘13
16
11
0
0
45 Brennen Beyer
OLB
6-4
256
11/25/92
1
Michigan
FA ‘15
0
0
0
0
46 Morgan Cox
LS
6-4
233
4/26/86
7
Tennessee
FA ‘10
16
0
0
0
47 Julian Wilson
CB
6-2
215
10/25/91
2
Oklahoma
FA ‘15
0
0
0
0
48 Chase Ford
TE
6-6
265
7/19/90
4
Miami
FA ‘15
0
0
0
1
49 Harold Spears
TE
6-4
248
3/9/92
1
New Hampshire
FA ‘15
0
0
0
0
53 Jeremy Zuttah
G/C
6-4
300
6/1/86
9
Rutgers
TR (TB) ‘14
9
9
0
0
54 Zachary Orr
ILB
6-0
255
6/9/92
3
North Texas
FA ‘14
16
0
0
0
55 Terrell Suggs
OLB
6-3
265
10/11/82
14
Arizona State
D1a ‘03
1
1
0
0
56 Chris Carter
OLB
6-1
240
4/6/89
6
Fresno State
FA ‘15
15
0
0
0
57 C.J. Mosley
ILB
6-2
235
6/19/92
3
Alabama
D1 ‘14
16
16
0
0
58 Elvis Dumervil
OLB
5-11
255
1/19/84
11
Louisville
FA ‘13
16
16
0
0
59 Arthur Brown
ILB
6-0
240
6/17/90
4
Kansas State
D2 ‘13
16
0
0
0
60 Eugene Monroe
T
6-5
300
4/18/87
8
Virginia
TR (JAX) ‘13
6
6
0
6
63 Blaine Clausell
T
6-6
339
1/31/92
1
Mississippi State
FA ‘15
0
0
0
0
64 John Urschel
G/C
6-3
305
6/24/91
3
Penn State
D5 ‘14
16
7
0
0
69 Leon Brown
G
6-6
320
2/24/93
1
Alabama
FA ‘15
0
0
0
0
71 Rick Wagner
G/T
6-6
310
10/21/89
4
Wisconsin
D5 ‘13
16
16
0
0
73 Marshal Yanda G/T
6-3
305
9/15/84
10
Iowa
D3b ‘07
16
16
0
0
74 James Hurst
OL
6-5
312
12/17/91
3
North Carolina
FA ‘14
16
8
0
0
80 Crockett Gillmore
TE
6-6
270
11/16/91
3
Colorado State
D3b ‘14
10
10
0
4
82 Nick Boyle
TE
6-4
260
2/17/93
2
Delaware
D5a ‘15
11
2
0
1
87 Maxx Williams
TE
6-4
250
4/12/94
2
Minnesota
D2 ‘15
14
7
0
2
88 Dennis Pitta
TE
6-4
245
6/29/85
7
BYU
D4 ‘10
0
0
0
0
89 Steve Smith Sr.
WR
5-9
195
5/12/79
16
Utah
FA ‘14
7
7
0
1
90 Za’Darius Smith
OLB
6-4
275
9/8/92
2
Kentucky
D4a ‘15
15
0
0
1
93 Lawrence Guy
DE
6-4
305
3/17/90
6
Arizona State
WAV (SD) ‘14 16
6
0
0
94 Carl Davis
DT
6-5
320
3/2/92
2
Iowa
D3 ‘15
13
3
0
3
DE
6-4
315
1/24/90
4
Notre Dame
D6a ‘13
5
0
0
11
95 Kapron Lewis-Moore
96 Brent Urban
DE
6-7
295
5/5/91
3
Virginia
D4a ‘14
6
0
0
0
97 Timmy Jernigan
DT
6-2
302
9/24/92
3
Florida State
D2 ‘14
15
6
0
1
DT
6-1
335
2/21/89
4
Missouri Southern St. D3 ‘13
16
16
0
0
98 Brandon Williams
QB
6-5
251
7/27/88
1
Texas A&M
FA ‘16
0
0
0
0
n/a Jerrod Johnson
n/a Mike Wallace
WR
6-0
205
8/1/86
8
Mississippi
FA ‘16
16
12
0
0
n/a Benjamin Watson
TE
6-3
255
12/18/80
13
Georgia
UFA (NO) ‘16 16
16
0
0
n/a Eric Weddle
S
5-11
200
1/4/85
10
Utah
UFA (SD) ‘16 13
13
0
2
n/a
Cam Worthy
WR
6-3
212
4/6/92
2
East Carolina
FA ‘15
0
0
0
0
Unrestricted Free Agents
2 Jimmy Clausen
QB
6-2
210
9/21/87
7
Notre Dame
WAV (CHI) ‘15 4
3
10
2
50 Albert McClellan
ILB
6-2
254
6/4/86
6
Marshall
FA ‘10
13
0
0
3
85
Allen Reisner
TE
6-3
255
9/29/88
5
Iowa
FA ‘14
0
0
0
0
Restricted Free Agents
11
Kamar Aiken
WR
6-2
215
5/30/89
4
Central Florida
FA ‘13
16
14
0
0
Exclusive Rights Free Agents
17 Jeremy Butler
WR
6-2
213
4/22/91
3
Tennessee-Martin FA ‘14
8
0
0
2
27 Terrance West
RB
5-10
225
1/28/91
3
Towson
FA ‘15
8
0
0
6
32 Sheldon Price
CB
6-2
198
3/26/91
1
UCLA
FA ‘15
2
0
0
1
38 Jumal Rolle
CB
6-0
188
5/28/90
3
Catawba
FA ‘15
9
0
0
3
40 Jermaine Whitehead
DB
5-11
193
3/12/93
1
Auburn
FA ‘15
0
0
0
2
66 Ryan Jensen
G/C
6-4
310
5/27/91
3
Colorado State-PuebloD6b ‘13
11
6
0
5
77 De’Ondre Wesley
G/T
6-6
326
8/28/92
2
BYU
FA ‘15
6
0
1
2
81 Kaelin Clay
WR/RS 5-10
195
1/3/92
2
Utah
FA ‘15
7
0
0
0
83 Daniel Brown
WR
6-5
225
5/26/92
2
James Madison
FA ‘15
6
1
0
0
84 Chris Matthews
WR
6-5
218
10/6/89
3
Kentucky
FA ‘15
13
0
0
0
86 Konrad Reuland
TE
6-5
254
4/4/87
3
Stanford
FA ‘14
4
1
0
0
MOCK DRAFTS
2016 Mock Drafts
MEL KIPER, JR. – ESPN.com
Last updated: March 8, 2016
1. Tennessee Titans
*Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
The top left tackle in the draft goes to a team where offensive line help is a must. I'm certain the Titans will continue to shop this pick,
but it could be difficult to get a good offer.
Free-agency effect: As usual, free agency isn't exactly flush with offensive tackle help. The Titans can shop elsewhere knowing they
have a tackle option here. While it's not a free-agency move, the addition of DeMarco Murray is another reminder the O-line should be a
priority.
2. Cleveland Browns
Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
I wouldn't rule out Cleveland taking a non-quarterback here and then getting one with the No. 32 pick, but Wentz would make sense
here as a super physical talent whom new coach Hue Jackson can develop.
Free-agency effect: Is there a QB in free agency clearly better than a healthyJosh McCown, one they want to pay big dollars for? Right
now, I doubt the Browns make a splash there.
*Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
The offensive line has been a major problem area going on a few years, and Stanley can be plugged in immediately. The Chargers
need D-line help as well, but the draft is much deeper at that position.
Free-agency effect: If the Chargers find O-line help in free agency, it could shift the thinking here if they have players graded similarly.
4. Dallas Cowboys
DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
A good combination of clear need and a really good player available. Buckner brings versatility and the ability to disrupt the pocket.
Free-agency effect: There are some decent pass-rushers in free agency, but the Cowboys don't have the cap space to win bidding
wars.
*Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
If there's a debate among evaluators on Ramsey, it's whether he'll end up at cornerback or safety. I think a little patience with him at
cornerback will go a long way. He has star potential. Jacksonville should be thrilled if he's available here.
Free-agency effect: The Jags have the money to get multiple players in free agency, and should target the secondary. But when it
comes to the draft, I think they should be taking the best player available, period.
2016 Mock Drafts
6. Baltimore Ravens
*Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
The Ravens need help in the secondary and on the O-line, but it's hard to pass on a talent as complete as Bosa at this spot. A great
pass-rusher does as much for a secondary as a good corner.
Free-agency effect: With Kelechi Osemele headed elsewhere via free agency, the offensive line could be in play here, but the value is
a question if Stanley is off the board.
*Jared Goff, QB, California
Even if Colin Kaepernick remains at quarterback, I don't know if Goff would be out of the equation here. I think he could develop into
something special for coach Chip Kelly and would provide insurance for Kap.
Free-agency effect: While a rebuilding team needs to be thinking "best player available" here, the 49ers have a lot of money to spend - and needs all over -- so I do think priorities could shift.
8. Miami Dolphins
*Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
A top-five player on my board, I think Jack could benefit any team in the league, thanks to his skill set at linebacker and special ability to
cover from that position.
Free-agency effect: The Dolphins could be in the market for a pass-rusher ifOlivier Vernon is too expensive, and that could push a guy
like Shaq Lawson up the board.
Editor’s note: The No. 8 pick now belongs to Philadelphia as part of the Byron Maxwell/Kiko Alonso trade.
*Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
No change here from the previous mock. Hargreaves is highly regarded throughout the league and certainly could be drafted before
this point.
Free-agency effect: The Bucs could get secondary help in free agency, but Hargreaves at this point would be hard to pass up, too.
10. New York Giants
*Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
Even if Jason Pierre-Paul were to return, the Giants would be wise to add pass-rushing talent, and Lawson is a good fit here. Like JPP,
he's also underrated as a complete defensive end in that he's good against the run.
Free-agency effect: The Giants do have some shopping to do, and if they add pass-rush help, perhaps this pick becomes a
cornerback such as Hargreaves, if available.
2016 Mock Drafts
11. Chicago Bears
*Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
The Bears did work on the interior of the defensive line in the 2015 draft, but they need pass-rushers, and Floyd is a big-time upside
play.
Free-agency effect: The Bears could have a tough time winning the services of a top pass-rusher in free agency, given other areas
where they need to spend money, which includes retaining talent. They want to build through the draft.
Sheldon Rankins, DL, Louisville
A big man with the quickness to create havoc in the backfield working from the interior, Rankins is a guy you draft to get better on
defense, period, and that's what the Saints need to do.
Free-agency effect: Given their cap squeeze, the Saints can't be too aggressive in free agency, and they need to add defenders in the
draft.
*Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
If you just go on tape and forget pure potential, you would put Conklin much closer to the No. 1 and No. 3 picks in this mock draft. The
Eagles can't go wrong in drafting even a couple of good offensive linemen.
Free-agency effect: Philadelphia won't solve O-line depth issues in free agency alone. The makeover is ongoing, but the Eagles need
to add young O-line talent.
Editor’s note: The No. 13 pick now belongs to Miami as part of the Byron Maxwell/Kiko Alonso trade.
14. Oakland Raiders
**Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
A high-upside cornerback with size, Apple might deal with some growing pains, but he's an impressive combination of size, athleticism
and natural gifts for the position.
Free-agency effect: The Raiders can throw their money around this offseason, but they need major work in the secondary, so they'll
need to draft help here regardless.
*Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
The Rams might actually find an upgrade at QB in free agency, but even if they don't add one, they also need somebody to catch the
ball. It's not often you can get the top pass-catching prospect in the draft at No. 15.
Free-agency effect: The list of free-agent wide receivers isn't exactly stacked, with the top guy certain to stay put, so the Rams are
going to get one at some point.
2016 Mock Drafts
16. Detroit Lions
*A'Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama
The Lions improved defensively during the second half of the season, but "best interior defensive lineman" would be a solid strategy
here; Robinson matches up as a value just on overall ability at this point, even if you forget the need.
Free-agency effect: I don't think the Lions can fix the D-line needs in free agency alone, especially if they spend money on an
offensive tackle.
17. Atlanta Falcons
**Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State
Nobody was better at the NFL combine, and Lee has plenty of good tape as well. An explosive, versatile player is a good value here,
and Atlanta has a need for a playmaker at linebacker.
Free-agency effect: If the Falcons add a guy such as Danny Trevathan in free agency, Lee might not be the best pick for immediate
help. If they don't add any pass-rush help, you could see them go that direction.
Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
I think "best offensive lineman available" would be a smart strategy here, and Decker would join former teammate Jack Mewhort. The
Colts would obviously move him off left tackle, but he's a good athlete and could transition.
Free-agency effect: Indianapolis could go a few ways in free agency, but I'm not sure any of them would change the reality that young
talent on the O-line is a priority.
19. Buffalo Bills
*Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss
A special talent and incredible athlete at his size, Nkemdiche could play a big part in getting Rex (and Rob) Ryan's defense back to
where it should be after an awful 2015. He's a character risk, but a top-five talent.
Free-agency effect: The Bills are freeing up some cap money, but they will have a tough time outbidding people for top talent. I
wouldn't expect free agency to alter draft plans.
20. New York Jets
*Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
While I think Elliott could certainly qualify as "best player available" here, I'm not sure the Jets would take a running back this high. But
that will be the question for every team, and Elliott sure would see the field for them.
Free-agency effect: Chris Ivory is likely to be gone, so even if it's not at this spot, I would expect the Jets to grab a running back at
some point. I'll say this: If Ryan Fitzpatrick leaves, this is a dark-horse spot for a QB.
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
Last year's draft was all about getting tougher and more physical on both sides of the ball. Ragland continues that trend, fills a need
and is ready to play. Solid value here.
Free-agency effect: I think the defensive line will be a bigger priority than linebacker in free agency.
2016 Mock Drafts
22. Houston Texans
*Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
DeAndre Hopkins had 97 more targets than any other player on the Texans last season, and they need to find someone who can take
some pressure off. Fuller is the No. 1 guy in this draft if you want to take the top off a defense.
Free-agency effect: Houston could add a wideout in free agency, but nobody available has quite the upside of Fuller. The real
question is whether the Texans get a QB, and if that influences this pick.
Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Stefon Diggs was a great value, and as they move indoors the Vikings need to add another weapon in the passing game. Doctson is
great after the catch and would be a great fit in the offense.
Free-agency effect: The Vikings should spend money on the offensive line in free agency, but that could be a target here as well if
they don't do enough.
*Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky
Secondary is an emerging need for the Bengals, and I also think they'd grabKendall Fuller or Doctson here if they have high grades on
either, but Spence is a potential stud in the pass rush and would be a good value here.
Free-agency effect: The depth of departures at wide receiver and in the secondary could shift the strategy for a "win now" team.
William Jackson III, CB, Houston
The Steelers are an improved secondary away from contending for a Super Bowl, and the addition of another young talent to go with
(hopefully) a solid debut for Senquez Golson could help.
Free-agency effect: The Steelers won't have the flexibility to do much in free agency and will need to bolster the team through the
draft.
*Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
Defensive line is going to be a need area, but Fuller becomes a value at this point, and the defensive-line class in this draft is going to
produce starters well into Day 3. Get the best player.
Free-agency effect: If Jeremy Lane departs, this is a legit need area, so free agency will be something to watch.
2016 Mock Drafts
*Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State
The Packers need weapons in the passing game, but with the top three wide receivers gone and a middling tight end class, getting a
pass-rusher is never a bad option. Correa is an absolute blur off the edge.
Free-agency effect: If you know anything about the Packers, you know free agency isn't an area where they do much business. I
doubt it changes anything with their draft strategy, in all seriousness.
Jarran Reed, DL, Alabama
The Chiefs need to add impact talent on the interior of the defensive line, and I'm not sure there's a player who is consistently better
stopping the run than Reed. He would be a good get here.
Free-agency effect: The Chiefs could see some turnover on defense, and I think they could draft heavily on that side regardless of
what happens in free agency.
*Emmanuel Ogbah, DE/OLB, Oklahoma State
The Cardinals need to add a pass-rusher -- look at how much they relied onDwight Freeney late in the season -- and to get the
supremely athletic Ogbah at this point would be rare in most years, but they could benefit from the glut of D-line talent in this class.
Free-agency effect: Nothing Arizona will be able to do in free agency will change the fact that it needs good young talent on the
defensive line.
*Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State
The Panthers could look at either cornerback or safety here, but the way the board breaks in this instance, getting the top safety would
be a sensible value at No. 30.
Free-agency effect: Carolina is out of cap jail, but it won't exactly be winning bidding wars. If the Panthers get secondary help, maybe
that pushes them toward a pass-rusher here. But it all depends on who is available.
31. Denver Broncos
Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
Spriggs is a great athlete who will need a little developmental work but is the kind of guy who could thrive under coach Gary Kubiak in
this system.
Free-agency effect: Denver is going to be in a retention battle, and you could see that factoring in here, particularly if the Broncos
lose Malik Jackson.
2016 Mock Drafts
TODD McSHAY – ESPN.com
1. Tennessee Titans
Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi
The Titans have made it clear they're open to trading the No. 1 overall pick, but general manager Jon Robinson also emphasized last
week they would need a substantial offer to do so. If they keep the pick, I could see them going in one of three directions: pass-rusher
(Joey Bosa is the most obvious candidate), defensive back (Jalen Ramsey) or left tackle (Tunsil). I'll stick with Tunsil for now. He's the
most talented offensive lineman in the draft, and it's a clear need for the Titans, who have to protect the QB better this season after they
allowed 54 sacks total in 2015.
2. Cleveland Browns
Even if the Browns sign Robert Griffin III or trade for Colin Kaepernick, they still should use this pick on a quarterback. Since returning
to the NFL in 1999, Cleveland has had 24 different starting quarterbacks, five more than any other team in the league. Wentz and
Cal's Jared Goff are extremely close on my board, with the North Dakota State product slightly ahead. Wentz has the height, sturdy
frame, natural accuracy and on-field leadership you look for in a QB.
Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
Defensive line is another need for the Chargers, but with Eric Weddle gone, San Diego will likely look to upgrade its secondary in the
draft. Ramsey's ability to play both corner and safety gives him added value to the Chargers, who aren't set at either position. An AllAmerica track-and-field star at Florida State, Ramsey is an extremely rare athlete and one of the best all-around football players in this
draft.
4. Dallas Cowboys
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
If I was running the Cowboys, I'd draft a quarterback. With Tony Romo turning 36 this offseason, now is the time to start planning for the
future at the game's most important position. But this is a projection, and all indications are that Dallas will pass on a QB at No. 4. I
wouldn't rule out RB Ezekiel Elliott, even after Dallas signed Alfred Morris earlier this week, but the Cowboys have a more dire need at
pass-rusher. Yes, I know Bosa doesn't have elite speed off the edge, but he has shown the ability to be dominant -- even when fighting
through double- and triple-teams. He has been the top player on my board since August.
Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA
The Jaguars have made a conscious effort to get better on defense this offseason. Next year, they'll add free agents Malik
Jackson and Tashaun Gipson-- along with 2015 first-rounder Dante Fowler Jr. (torn ACL) -- to a defense that finished 31st overall in
2015. But the Jaguars still need a playmaker at linebacker, and Jack fits the bill. A true sideline-to-sideline defender, the UCLA product
excels in coverage and can make plays all over the field versus the run.
6. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens were unusually aggressive in free agency, signing S Eric Weddle, WR Mike Wallace and TE Benjamin Watson. While
OT Ronnie Stanley and RB Ezekiel Elliott would both be in play here, I have a feeling Buckner would be the pick if GM Ozzie Newsome
sticks to his best-available strategy. The No. 3 player on our board, Buckner isn't a traditional edge rusher, but he is disruptive against
the run and plays with a great motor. He has the skill set to fit in both a 3-4 and 4-3 at the next level.
2016 Mock Drafts
Jared Goff, QB, Cal
There has been a lot of noise around Colin Kaepernick since my last mock draft, with the 49ers exploring trade options. As of now, he's
still on the roster, but the position is far from settled. If Goff -- or Wentz -- is still on the board at No. 7, you'd have to think San Francisco
would at least consider pulling the trigger. A QB with Goff's skill set -- natural accuracy, good anticipation and a smooth release -- would
fit nicely within Chip Kelly's offense.
8. Philadelphia Eagles*
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Jason Peters is 34 years old. It's time for the Eagles to consider teaming Lane Johnson up with a younger tackle on the opposite side.
Stanley has experience playing both left and right tackle. With his long arms (35½ inches) and athletic skill set, he has the ideal makeup
to eventually develop into a blindside protector at the next level. If he went to Philly, Stanley would get the benefit of not being thrust
into left tackle duties from Day 1.
*Acquired in the Byron Maxwell/Kiko Alonso trade
Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
Hargreaves isn't a true speedster (4.50 40-yard dash at the combine), but he wins in coverage thanks to his exceptional quickness,
fluidity and ball skills. Even though he's just 5-foot-10, Hargreaves' leaping ability (39-inch vertical jump) helped him snag 10
interceptions in college. The Bucs can never have too many cover guys playing in their division, and drafting Hargreaves would give
them the best man-to-man corner in this class.
10. New York Giants
Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
The Giants spent a truckload of money in free agency on defensive playmakers -- DE Olivier Vernon, CB Janoris Jenkins and
DT Damon Harrison. That's a good start for a team that hasn't drafted a defensive player in the first round since 2011, but the Giants
shouldn't stop there. Lawson led the FBS last season with 25.5 tackles for loss, playing with a good mixture of relentlessness,
technique and discipline. He also brings great work ethic and intangibles to the table.
11. Chicago Bears
Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
Inside linebacker is much less of a need after the Bears picked up Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman in free agency. But even after
signing offensive tackle Bobby Massie, Chicago could still look to spend a first-rounder on another OT. Conklin is a plug-and-play
starter on either the left or right side of the line, with the long arms (35 inches) and agility to protect the QB. This move would also
allow Kyle Long to bump back inside to his natural position at guard and solidify the entire O-line.
Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
The Saints are in dire need of a defensive tackle who can push the pocket from the inside, and one of Rankins' best attributes is his
ability to pressure the QB (14.0 sacks during his last two seasons at Louisville). He has a rare combination of quickness and power,
which he showed off during one-on-one pass-rush drills at the Senior Bowl.
2016 Mock Drafts
13. Miami Dolphins*
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
The No. 5 player on our board, Elliott has the skill set to be an every-down RB from Day 1. He's an exceptional blocker and a threat to
catch the ball out of the backfield, while also showing great vision and suddenness in the open field. The Dolphins need some
semblance of a run game to take the pressure off QB Ryan Tannehill.
*Acquired in the Byron Maxwell/Kiko Alonso trade
14. Oakland Raiders
Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
Ragland is a heat-seeking missile with the toughness to excel as a downhill linebacker. He thrived versus the run at Alabama, but he
was never truly unleashed as a pass-rusher. He might have some hidden potential off the edge, possessing underrated speed (4.72 40yard dash) and athleticism.
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
Case Keenum is penciled in as the starting QB right now, so there's always a chance the Rams will try to trade up to grab one of the
top-two passers. But with this being too early for Paxton Lynch and Los Angeles still needing a legit difference maker on the outside,
Treadwell is the pick. He's the best pure WR in this class, showing outstanding hand-eye coordination and body control.
16. Detroit Lions
This is a no-brainer. The Lions need to do a better job of protecting QBMatthew Stafford, who has been sacked 89 times over the past
two seasons, and Decker is a starting right tackle from Day 1. He doesn't have a lot of flash to his game, but Decker is one of the
steadier offensive linemen you'll study on tape.
17. Atlanta Falcons
Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State
Lee, a former high-school quarterback, still needs a little refinement as a linebacker, but he has been blessed with an elite combination
of speed (4.47 40-yard dash) and athleticism. When he's freed up and doesn't have to take on blocks, Lee displays an upper-echelon
closing burst getting to the ball carrier.
Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
The Colts need a lot of help in the trenches, so they should hope that one of the top four OTs falls to them. There's a pretty clear dropoff once Decker comes off the board. Not wanting to reach, Floyd is a good second option here. He possesses rare speed and
athleticism for his position and would give the Colts a high-ceiling pass-rusher off the edge.
2016 Mock Drafts
19. Buffalo Bills
Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
The Bills could use an edge rusher or an off-the-line linebacker, but the top options at those positions are off the board. Reed isn't a
bad backup option. The Alabama product is the most dominant interior run-stuffer in this draft class. Reed won't be a high-impact passrusher, but he's a better athlete than you'd think, capable of pushing the pocket with his power and surprising closing burst.
20. New York Jets
Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
Admittedly, I don't love this pick. It's too early for Lynch, who has a raw skill set and comes from an offense that featured few complex
reads. He will need time to adjust to the pro game and is best for a team with a reliable QB already in place. With needs at outside
linebacker and offensive tackle, the Jets would have to reach for guys like Noah Spence or Germain Ifedi here if the board fell this way.
Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
Billings has a shorter frame (6-foot-1), but his outstanding combination of quickness, athleticism and power helps him wreak havoc on
the interior. This is a dominant and versatile run-defender who would give the Redskins more depth along the defensive front.
Additionally, with a need at center, I wouldn't be surprised if Scot McCloughan considered Alabama's Ryan Kelly here.
22. Houston Texans
Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
The Texans gave themselves a little freedom in the draft after picking up Brock Osweiler and Lamar Miller in free agency. They need to
address the interior of their offensive line at some point in the first three rounds, but Osweiler could use another vertical threat to take
pressure off DeAndre Hopkins. Fuller, who blazed a 4.32 40 at the combine, fits the bill. While his hands are a bit inconsistent, the
Notre Dame product is a big play waiting to happen.
With exceptional leaping ability (41-inch vertical) and huge hands (10 inches), Doctson is the best WR in this class when the ball is in
the air. And he shows the speed on tape to create late separation in contested-catch situations. Teddy Bridgewater needs another
weapon on the outside after Mike Wallace was sent packing.
Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
Coming from Baylor's spread offense, Coleman still needs work as a route runner. But make no mistake, this is an explosive athlete
with game-breaking ability on offense and in the return game. While Coleman is a little undersized at 5-foot-11, he can change
directions on a dime, which gives him a lot of upside in the NFL. The Bengals are in dire need of a No. 2 WR after both Mohamed
Sanu and Marvin Jones left in free agency.
2016 Mock Drafts
Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
At this point, all 21 players with first-round grades are off the board, so every pick could feel like a slight reach. Apple's tape is good but
not elite. While his 4.40 40 speed is a positive, he needs to improve his technique in press coverage. He's a willing participant against
the run, which is especially important in the AFC North, and teams will like his long, 6-foot-1 frame.
A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Robinson could last a little longer than expected due to his inconsistent motor and lower-body stiffness. But Robinson's raw ability is
undeniable, and he appears unblockable at times. Plus, he comes with great durability, playing in all 43 games during his Alabama
career. Any team that takes him in the first round will placing a large bet on its defensive line coach's ability to maximize Robinson's
unique skill set.
Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
At 6-foot-4 and 323 pounds, Butler has good overall strength, explosive upper-body power and above-average mobility for his size. His
tape has flashes ofMuhammad Wilkerson (Jets), but he needs to improve his consistency as a pass-rusher. With B.J. Raji taking a
hiatus from football, the Packers need more depth along the D-line. The good news? There's plenty of depth in this D-line class to find a
good option here or in Round 2.
The Chiefs need WR help, but there's quite a drop-off once the top four pass-catchers come off the board. With a good frame (6-0, 189
pounds) and elite speed (4.37 40), Jackson is a highly competitive corner who thrives off the challenge of facing the opposing team's
No. 1 WR. He showed some playmaking ability with two interceptions returns for touchdowns this season, but he struggles at times
when the ball is in the air.
Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
Jones is arguably the most naturally gifted DT in this draft, which is saying something, considering I have seven DTs coming off the
board in the Round 1 -- and another five in Round 2. A former high school basketball standout, Jones has a rare combination of length,
strength and athleticism. If he remains focused, Jones has the potential to develop into a highly disruptive inside presence.
Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
Standing 6-foot-6, weighing 324 pounds and blessed with incredible 36-inch arms, Ifedi was born to play offensive line. The only times I
saw him get beat in pass protection came when he faced elite speed rushers with great hands to negate his long arms. Ifedi's
technique, particularly in the run game, could use some work, but his upside is undeniable.
31. Denver Broncos
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi
Depending on how their quarterback situation shakes out, the Broncos could target Connor Cook here. For now, though, Nkemdiche is
an intriguing fit. He has the skill set to play a versatile role within Wade Phillips' defense. He could potentially take over the spot vacated
by Malik Jackson. Nkemdiche is a top-10 talent who fell this far because of inconsistent 2015 tape and behavioral concerns.
2016 Mock Drafts
32. Cleveland Browns: Ryan Kelly, OC, Alabama
A three-year starter, Kelly has the intelligence and technique to overcome his physical deficiencies and succeed at the NFL
level. He's our top-ranked interior offensive lineman.
33. Tennessee Titans: Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State
Correa is a dynamic athlete who really gets after the passer. He started all 27 games in his final two seasons at Boise State,
racking up 30 tackles for loss 19 sacks and five forced fumbles.
34. Dallas Cowboys: Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
Cook showed better anticipation as a passer in 2015, but his accuracy was still too inconsistent. He could eventually
develop into a starting-caliber QB.
35. San Diego Chargers: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
While Spriggs has elite athleticism, he doesn't do the best job of handling power rushers. We have a middle to late secondround grade on him, but I'd be surprised if his upside didn't intrigue a team before then.
36. Baltimore Ravens: Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky
High risk, high reward. Spence has Round 1 talent, but his off-field mishaps -- two drug-related suspensions that forced him
to transfer away from Ohio State -- give teams pause.
37. San Francisco 49ers: Cody Whitehair, OL, Kansas State
Whitehair was a four-year starter, and his exceptional awareness is immediately apparent on tape. He needs to continue to
improve his lower-body strength.
38. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Alexander has one of the higher ceilings in this year's cornerback class due to his movement skills and ability to play pressman coverage. Zero interceptions in 27 college starts is a red flag, though.
39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
Dodd finished second in the FBS with 23.5 tackles for loss, up from 2.5 the previous season. Was it a one-year fluke or a
sign of things to come? We'll find out soon enough, but it appears Dodd is just scratching the surface of his potential.
40. New York Giants: Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia
Joseph is one of the more violent and efficient tacklers we've studied in the past five years at the safety position. And he
showed improved range in coverage and ball skills in 2015, finishing with five interceptions in four games.
41. Chicago Bears: Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
Fuller is an instinctive playmaker in coverage, he's tough against the run and he makes an impact on special teams. If he
returns from his ACL injury at full strength, he'd be a steal here.
42. Miami Dolphins: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
He's an explosive athlete with elite measurables, but that doesn't show up on tape frequently enough. Ogbah needs to play
with more consistent effort, improve as a hand fighter and develop more of an plan as a pass-rusher.
2016 Mock Drafts
43. Los Angeles Rams*: Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
Hackenberg had his best season when playing under current Texans coach Bill O'Brien. He has ideal size, a big-league arm
and adequate pocket mobility. But his decision-making must improve.
*Acquired in the Sam Bradford/Nick Foles trade
44. Oakland Raiders: Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State
Bell played in all 42 games during his career at Ohio State, showing natural ball skills and a knack for coming up big in
critical moments. He's the best cover safety in this draft class.
45. Los Angeles Rams: Artie Burns, CB, Miami (FL)
Burns' extremely long arms (33¼ inches) and ability to play press coverage give him a lot of upside as a cornerback. He
had a career-high six interceptions in 2015 after having just one pick during his prior two seasons.
46. Detroit Lions: Jonathan Bullard, DT, Florida
Bullard has experience playing inside and outside along the D-line. He lacks elite physical tools, but he grows on you the
more tape you watch. He's a high-motor player.
47. New Orleans Saints: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
Smith got as high as No. 2 on my Top 32 during the season before suffering a devastating knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl.
How his medical information checks out will determine where he ends up getting selected. When healthy, Smith is one of
the best defensive prospects in recent years.
48. Indianapolis Colts: Joshua Garnett, OG, Stanford
Coming from Stanford, Garnett is built for a power-run scheme. His pass-protection skills need some refining, but at 6-foot-4
and 312 pounds, he possesses adequate short-area quickness.
49. Buffalo Bills: Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma
Shepard is a highly instinctive slot WR with good route-running ability and a history of showing up in big moments. His
athleticism was readily apparent at the combine (4.48 40, 41-inch vertical).
50. Atlanta Falcons: Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas
At 6-foot-5 and 253 pounds, Henry has the body type to make plays down the seam, and he uses his frame well to shield
defenders from the ball in contested-catch situations.
51. New York Jets: Jerald Hawkins, OT, LSU
Hawkins projects as a right tackle prospect with near-elite length (34¼-inch arms) and adequate athleticism in pass
protection. His technique is still a work in progress.
52. Houston Texans: Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State
A massive nose tackle prospect (6-4, 323), Johnson excels against the run. He showed the ability to anchor against double
teams at the Senior Bowl.
53. Washington Redskins: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
Thomas still needs to develop as a route runner, but he has natural ball skills and the ability to develop into a longtime
starter on the outside.
2016 Mock Drafts
54. Minnesota Vikings: Keanu Neal, S, Florida
A physical run defender, Neal comes with very good mental makeup and intangibles. But he doesn't have great playmaking
instincts at this point, having tallied just four picks and five pass breakups in two seasons as a full-time starter.
55. Cincinnati Bengals: Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State
At the Senior Bowl, Washington showed good first-step quickness off the ball for his size (6-3, 301). He has good range
against the run and is disruptive at the point of attack.
56. Seattle Seahawks: Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
This is a straight-line explosive back, and you see it on tape. Henry has a ridiculous size-speed combo, running a 4.54 40 at
247 pounds. His game is really about getting downhill. He's a bulldozer when he gets going.
57. Green Bay Packers: Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina
He's still a work in progress as a blocker, but Adams flashes big-play ability as a pass-catcher down the seam. He's one of
the most underrated players in this class.
58. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
Clark has the quickness and agility to create some disruption in the backfield, and he's nimble enough to execute twists and
stunts. After having just one sack in his first 26 games, he added six last season in 13 contests.
59. Kansas City Chiefs: Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State
A former QB, Miller has caught on quickly as a WR. He's still not a finished product, but Miller has impressed with his
explosiveness and improved route running throughout the postseason process.
60. New England Patriots: Nick Kwiatkoski, ILB, West Virginia
A three-year starter, Kwiatkoski comes with outstanding makeup and leadership skills. He has a chance to add immediate
depth to a linebacker corps while contributing on special teams.
61. New England Patriots*: Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama
Standing just 5-foot-10, Jones lacks prototypical measurables, but he's instinctive, has quality mirror skills and is both
physically and mentally tough.
*Acquired in Chandler Jones/Jonathan Cooper trade
62. Carolina Panthers: Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas
Big, thick and country strong, Ridgeway is a load to move up front. While he has the natural ability of a first-rounder,
durability issues and conditioning concerns will likely cause him to fall.
63. Denver Broncos: Jihad Ward, DE, Illinois
Ward's tape suggests he's a better run-defender than a pass-rusher, but at the Senior Bowl, he flashed a little in one-on-one
drills getting after the quarterback.
2016 Mock Drafts
DON BANKS – SportsIllustrated.com
1. Tennessee Titans
Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
The Titans are making it clear they’re willing to deal out of the top spot, but I’m not expecting anyone to be motivated enough to swing that
type of blockbuster. (It has been 15 years since the most recent pre-draft trade involved a No. 1 pick, with Atlanta dealing with San Diego
and taking Michael Vick in 2001). So it’s Tunsil for all the obvious reasons, given that protecting quarterback Marcus Mariota and featuring a
grinding run game are Tennessee’s top priorities. The Titans are in position to become the first team since the ’09–10 Rams to pick at No. 2
one year and follow it up with the first overall selection the ensuing year. St. Louis took offensive tackle Jason Smith at No. 2 in ’09, and
then quarterback Sam Bradford at No. 1 in ’10. Neither choice panned out for the Rams, and the Titans have to be hoping their quarterbacktackle tandem fares considerably better.
2. Cleveland Browns
Jared Goff, QB, Cal
With the short-term services of Robert Griffin III secured, perhaps the Browns will be tempted to take a non-quarterback (Florida State
safety Jalen Ramsey?) and hope that either Connor Cook or Paxton Lynch are quarterback options at No. 32. But I’m not ready to buy that
scenario just yet, because Griffin is such an unknown at this point in his short but eventful career. The Goff versus Carson Wentz debate
has weeks and weeks to rage, but for now, given the track record of how long Browns head coaches last, I’d be looking for the most proready passer if I were Hue Jackson. And that’s thought to be Goff.
Jalen Ramsey, S, Florida State
Landing an elite prospect for the defensive line would be an easy call to make, with Oregon’s DeForest Buckner and Ohio State’s Joey Bosa
still on the board. But Ramsey might wind up being the best player this draft has to offer, and with veteran safety Eric Weddle taking his
talents to Baltimore, Ramsey would fill a need in the secondary no matter where he lines up.
4. Dallas Cowboys
Can’t see the Cowboys, with all their defensive needs, going quarterback at No. 4, no matter how much Dallas knows it needs a succession
plan for its post-Tony Romo era. With Randy Gregory suspended for the first four games of 2016, and Greg Hardy having earned his
persona non grata status, the Cowboys are borderline desperate for some instant impact on the defensive line. Buckner is one of the draft’s
more versatile and proven talents.
Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
Adding Jack, a sideline-to-sideline playmaker who can stay on the field no matter the situation, would render Jacksonville’s defense as the
most improved unit in the NFL this off-season, combined with the Jaguars’ strong work in free agency. If Jacksonville hits with this pick,
you’d have to think its days of owning a top-five selection should be over for the foreseeable future.
6. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore would love this scenario, given that Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti just last week said his team needs to land some younger pass
rushers to supplement the heat brought by the likes of veterans Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil. But Baltimore also could be on the move
downward in the round, with teams like San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles perhaps angling to get to No. 6 to take the
top-rated quarterback available, be it Carson Wentz or Jared Goff.
2016 Mock Drafts
We should know Colin Kaepernick’s fate for 2016 by the end of the week, and whether his $11.9 million salary gets guaranteed on the
49ers’ books for this season. But with Blaine Gabbert around to hold down the fort for a year, San Francisco still should be thinking of the
long term at quarterback. And that means heading in the direction of either Wentz or Goff, with the luxury of giving them some time to
develop. Again, if the 49ers sense they’re going to miss out on both quarterbacks, they will have to be willing to move up to get their man.
With Jason Peters toward the end of his career, the Eagles certainly have need for an offensive tackle like Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley.
But Elliott is a tantalizing option who can do everything you ask a running back to do, and do it well. He’d give the Eagles a home run threat
in the backfield and help take the pressure off quarterback Sam Bradford. After Todd Gurley’s rookie success last season with the Rams,
taking a running back in the top 10 is no longer heresy.
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
In a division where the Bucs do battle six times a season with the likes of Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Matt Ryan, taking the top-rated
cornerback in the draft is almost always the right play. While the Bucs added veteran cover man Brent Grimes in free agency, you can never
have enough corners in today’s pass-first NFL. The Bucs might be sitting ninth in a draft that goes about eight elite players deep, but they
will have nothing to complain about if they come away with Hargreaves.
10. New York Giants
It’s not the sexiest pick, and the Giants are probably hoping that Elliott falls to the 10 spot. But an old-school approach works for New York,
especially after going on that huge defensive spending spree in free agency. Stanley is a top-10 talent and he’d help solidify one of the
Giants’ weakest links in recent years. With Stanley and last year’s first-rounder Ereck Flowers on board, new head coach Ben McAdoo
should have his tackle combination established for years to come, and that helps out Eli Manning’s game.
11. Chicago Bears
The Bears could go in a few different directions, taking a cornerback or getting the run started at this draft’s deep defensive tackle position.
But Conklin upgrades the entire line in a way that the Bobby Massie signing in free agency can’t match, and landing Conklin gives Chicago
the ability to move Kyle Long back to guard, where he’s more of a natural fit.
Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State
The Saints signing ex-Ram Nick Fairley to a one-year low-budget deal doesn’t preclude them from addressing defensive tackle in the first
round, but for now I’m giving them Lee, whose strong combine showing helped raise his grade into the top half of the first round. New
Orleans added James Laurinaitis and Craig Robertson in free agency, but they’re inside linebackers, and Lee has the potential to be an elite
three-down playmaker on the outside.
2016 Mock Drafts
13. Miami Dolphins
As the Broncos again showed us in the AFC title game, the way you beat Tom Brady is with a relentless pass rush. Miami signed Mario
Williams and re-secured Cameron Wake, but Lawson adds some youth and speed off the edge, and that’s a winning combination.
Cornerback is still a need as well, because Byron Maxwell’s addition and Brent Grimes’s departure isn’t a game-changer for the Dolphins’
secondary.
14. Oakland Raiders
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
There’s some variance of opinion on whether Alexander grades out in the top half of the round, and some draft analysts seem to consider
him a second-round prospect with less than ideal size. But his press-man cover skills are top-notch, and even with the Sean Smith signing,
the Raiders could use more cornerback options in an AFC West that still features some quality veteran quarterbacks, even without Peyton
Manning being in Denver.
Lynch to the Rams has become a popular mock pick, and if it came true, I know it would make his L.A.-based agent Leigh Steinberg a very,
very happy man. In reality, this is more of a projection than some of my other picks, because I don’t think the Rams are to the point in their
scouting where they know enough about Lynch to know if he’s their guy. But that research is ongoing, and he makes for an intriguing
possibility. Lynch with the Rams could represent the future while he takes something of a redshirt season watching Case Keenum and Nick
Foles play in 2016.
16. Detroit Lions
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi
You can’t replace the retired Calvin Johnson with just free-agent signee Marvin Jones. But you might be able to offset the loss of Megatron
with Jones and Treadwell, a tough, strong receiver who makes up for his lack of top-end speed with great hands and an aggressive style of
pass-catching. So the Lions take a first-round receiver and for a change it makes perfect sense. Imagine that, Matt Millen.
17. Atlanta Falcons
Rankins adds quickness to a Falcons defensive front that got pushed around too much in 2015, surrendering an NFL-worst 20 rushing
touchdowns. He’s a nice fit for the 4–3 formation that Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn uses, and he’s got the skill set to create backfield
penetration and help out an anemic pass rush that registered a league-low 19 sacks last season. The Falcons will feel fortunate if he’s there
for them at No. 17.
Protect The Franchise. Protect The Franchise. Protect The Franchise. Those are the top three priorities for the Colts this off-season, as they
endeavor to never again see quarterback Andrew Luck endure an injury-shortened season. Matt Hasselbeck’s heroics aside last year, when
Luck is out of the lineup, the Colts are out of luck.
2016 Mock Drafts
19. Buffalo Bills
Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
Some teams won’t consider a risk-reward prospect like Spence in the first round, with his character red flags—two drug-related suspensions
at Ohio State—making him an iffy proposition. But the Bills and Rex Ryan have shown they’re willing to take chances if the talent is special
enough, and Spence has first-round pass-rushing ability. Buffalo needs more burst off the edge if it’s ever going to chase down New
England in the AFC East. For similar reasons, Mississippi defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche is likely on the Bills’ radar screen as well.
20. New York Jets
Todd Bowles and the Jets’ talented defense could use another athletic edge rusher to plug into their impressive front seven. Notice the trend
here, football fans? I’ve given the Dolphins, Bills and Jets first-round pass rushers because that’s how you attack Tom Brady and the
Patriots’ consistently effective passing game. To beat New England, the quarterback must go down, and he must go down often. Which is
why everyone is searching for the next Von Miller.
One way or another, Jay Gruden’s team has to get better on run defense. Washington finished 31st in the league with 4.8 yards per carry
allowed, then got gouged by the Packers on the ground in the playoffs. Ragland is a physical, aggressive presence at inside linebacker, and
he’d add a stout tackler to Washington’s second line of defense. A defensive tackle like Baylor’s Andrew Billings or Alabama’s A’Shawn
Robinson makes plenty of sense in upgrading the run defense as well.
22. Houston Texans
The Texans upgraded at quarterback (Brock Osweiler) and running back (Lamar Miller) in free agency and now it’s time to find some
receiving help to draw a little bit of coverage away from the superb DeAndre Hopkins. This is where the run on first-round receivers begins,
and I’m thinking Doctson’s ability to go up and get the ball, making the contested catch with a big set of hands, makes him the most logical
option to pair with Hopkins’s game.
Will, meet Teddy. Teddy, meet Will. Now get to know each other and grow together, helping give the Vikings’ offense the deep-ball passing
tandem it has lacked so far in Minnesota’s Bridgewater era. The Vikings have a need for speed at outside receiver, and Fuller can supply it.
It’s just a matter of Bridgewater’s arm being able to take full advantage of that vertical threat.
With Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu both leaving via free agency, the Bengals’ receiving corps could use a dangerous playmaker who
can impact a defense every time he touches the ball, from anywhere on the field. Coleman’s speed and ability to stretch the field could give
A.J. Green even more room to work his magic.
The Steelers have a glaring need for talent at cornerback, and in Apple they get a prospect with NFL size and the added bonus of coming
out of a proven and winning program like Ohio State. Houston cornerback William Jackson III is another potential fit for Pittsburgh if, as
expected, both Hargreaves and Alexander come off the board in the top half of the round.
2016 Mock Drafts
Cody Whitehair, OL, Kansas State
The Seahawks realize they can’t keep scotch-taping up their issues on the offensive line forever, even if Tom Cable is one of the league’s
premier O-line coaches. Whitehair is a versatile talent with experience at both guard and tackle, and he plays with the tenacity and
toughness that Cable looks for. If you want to maximize your Russell Wilson Super Bowl window of opportunity, Seattle, it’s time to spring
for some improved pass protection.
A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
The Packers were caught a bit off guard by B.J. Raji stepping away from the game for a hiatus in 2016, but at least the draft is rich in
defensive tackles this year and the board should fall right for them to find Raji’s replacement at No. 27. We’re giving them Robinson
because his upside seems vast, and his 6' 4", 307-pound size and experience in a two-gap system makes him a suitable fit. But Green Bay
has options galore, with both Alabama’s Jarran Reed and Baylor’s Andrew Billings still available in the defensive tackle aisle.
William Jackson, CB, Houston
The Sean Smith departure for Oakland in free agency created an obvious void at cornerback, and the hope is that Jackson can provide the
same kind of first-year impact as last year’s first-round pick, Defensive Rookie of the Year Marcus Peters. That’s a lot to hope for, but
Jackson has enough size and coverage skills to make an early starting impact.
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
I know the Cardinals feel like they solved their dearth of pass rushing potential when they traded for New England defensive end Chandler
Jones, but Nkemdiche’s talent level would elevate the play of Arizona’s entire defensive line, and I could see Bruce Arians being just the
coach willing to gamble on Nkemdiche’s off-field issues. It paid off handsomely for Arians in the case of Tyrann Mathieu, another former
SEC star who hurt his draft stock with character concerns.
Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
I know Jared Allen retired and Charles Johnson returned on just a one-year, prove-it-all-over-again deal, but anyone watching the Super
Bowl meltdown against Denver could see the Panthers need an upgrade at offensive tackle. Ifedi has the versatility to play tackle or guard,
and getting better protection for the league’s reigning MVP, quarterback Cam Newton, should be job one in Charlotte.
31. Denver Broncos
Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
What I heard Broncos football czar John Elway say was Denver was in the market for finding the next Brock Osweiler, meaning a
quarterback to be drafted and developed, rather than just traded for. Maybe Mark Sanchez or even Josh McCown is the present, but Cook
could be the future in Denver, and he’s played in a pro-style offense that won’t require a lengthy transition to the NFL game. If Memphis
quarterback Paxton Lynch should fall this far, he’d be another prime option for the Broncos, and he is even almost identical to Osweiler in
size and athleticism.
2016 Mock Drafts
CHRIS BURKE – SportsIllustrated.com
1. Tennessee Titans
The Titans may find ample reasons to pass on Tunsil here, but a slight uptick in performance by Taylor Lewan is not one of them. A
team needs two stalwart tackles, now more than ever, and Tunsil could be a generational talent. Plus, here is what Mike Mularkey said
at the combine about Lewan when asked if the 2014 first-rounder could go to right tackle: “I think Taylor can play in a lot of places. He’s
a very good football player. I could see that, if that was ever a scenario that came up.” Sounds like Tennessee might already be
planning a move.
2. Cleveland Browns
Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State
The Browns landing Colin Kaepernick wouldn’t necessarily rule them out of drafting a QB, but it would scream rather loudly that they do
not plan to do so at pick No. 2. Not having a quarterback can shift a team’s draft board out of desperation, but the strength at the top of
this class is on defense. Ramsey can be a legitimate game-changer.
DeForest Buckner had been the choice here of late, but I never really loved the idea. Why? Because it was going mostly off fit, as
opposed to taking the best player (at least as I have them ranked). When a franchise is sitting in the top five, the goal should be to
maximize talent and then scheme around it. Forget about a 3-4 or 4-3 front here—just get Bosa on the field and let him chase the
quarterback.
4. Dallas Cowboys
With Bosa off the board, this pick boils down to three main options: Myles Jack, Ezekiel Elliott or trade down with a team that wants a
quarterback. The Cowboys might be tempted by Elliott but letting DeMarco Murray walk and then getting 1,000 yards out of Darren
McFadden helped back the theory that their O-line—not their starting RB—is the real star. Even with Rolando McClain returning, the
Cowboys could find room to let Jack’s versatility shine.
With Tunsil, Ramsey, Bosa and Jack all off the board, this is a nightmare scenario for Jacksonville. The Jaguars are crossing their
fingers a QB goes in the top four, so one of those top defenders is available here. (An interesting pitch from Twitter on this scenario:
Jacksonville just takes a QB itself, then shops him later, sort of NBA draft style.) So, now what? Lawson? Buckner? Vernon
Hargreaves? Pencil in the top outside pass rusher of the three.
6. Baltimore Ravens
Deforest Buckner, DE, Oregon
Whereas the Jaguars would be mortified to see the top five fall like this, the Ravens would have to love finding Buckner at No. 6. They
need an upgrade on their pass rush, but from the D-line as well as at OLB. Buckner produced 10.5 sacks last season at Oregon and is
a natural fit as a 3-4 end.
2016 Mock Drafts
Jared Goff, QB, Cal
Maybe all the recent drama ends with Colin Kaepernick deciding to give Chip Kelly’s offense a try. Put that on the “long shots” list for
the moment, though. If Kelly can’t have Kaepernick, allowing him to handpick a new QB should be a priority. Goff’s game needs some
refinement, but he is close to NFL-ready with the footwork to succeed in the 49ers’ new scheme.
It’s easy enough to drop Elliott at this spot—the Eagles likely had someone in mind when they moved up as part of their recent trade
with Miami, and Elliott is a top-five talent in this class. But Stanley also won’t slip far behind this. Philadelphia has to make plans for
Jason Peters’s eventual departure, whether it comes this year or in the near future.
Brent Grimes boosts an underwhelming cornerback core, but keep in mind that he’ll be 33 in July. Also don’t overlook how little else the
Buccaneers have at the position, thanks to Alterraun Verner and Johnathan Banks’s collective struggles and the free agencies of
Sterling Moore and Mike Jenkins. Hargreaves can become a No. 1 option outside; he's already a potential No. 2 with the footwork to
slide down over the slot.
10. New York Giants
The Giants haven’t taken a Round 1 linebacker in more than three decades and they do not really prioritize running back as a premium
need. Of course they usually don’t spend $200-plus million on their D-line so ... who knows. This could be the Elliott landing spot; it
could be where Reggie Ragland or a pass-rushing LB like Noah Spence/Leonard Floyd land. This mock, it’s Treadwell, whose physical
game would translate to the NFL and whose knack for blocking would help the rushing attack.
11. Chicago Bears
Plug holes through free agency, draft the best available player. That’s a ticket for success in the NFL when executed properly, as
Chicago GM Ryan Pace appears to be doing. The Bears still have needs but they’re not in do-or-die territory anywhere. With
Alexander, Spence and Elliott all there for the taking, they nab the potential lock-down corner.
Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky
Hau’oli Kikaha flashed noticeable upside last season and Cam Jordan was a 10-sack performer, but the Saints still need another pass
rusher. Spence would leapfrog the likes of Obum Gwachum and Davis Tull on the depth chart, at once upgrading the New Orleans’
attack and giving it more chances to come in waves.
2016 Mock Drafts
13. Miami Dolphins
Part of this is that, for as much as the Dolphins like Jay Ajayi, the offense could use an impact back to replace Lamar Miller. Part of it is
that Elliott would be an utter theft at 13. Adam Gase loves to involve his running backs in the passing game, and Elliott is a brilliant
three-down talent.
14. Oakland Raiders
While Oakland has made great strides upgrading its front seven, it remains shy of a MIKE thumper—Curtis Lofton didn’t cut it there.
Ragland has produced up and down workouts from the Senior Bowl through Alabama’s pro day, but his game-day skill working inside is
undeniable.
At some point during our flurry of mocks, we’ll pitch a few trade proposals, one of which no doubt will include Los Angeles moving into
the top 10 for Wentz. With that in mind, Wentz continues to be the call at 15. He has impressed repeatedly in press conference and
interviews, and his game is ready made for an NFL staff to develop it.
16. Detroit Lions
The Lions re-signed Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker, added Stefan Charles and tried to scoop up Akiem Hicks, too. They should still
be in the market for a draftable DT, but have made far less progress solving their O-line dilemmas. Decker may not move Riley Reiff
from left tackle. He would offer a permanent solution on the right side.
17. Atlanta Falcons
Fallout from the early free-agency window has shifted some focus on the Giants’ No. 10 selection to Lee, a rangy playmaker who could
thrive behind New York’s remade line. The Falcons have even more need for him. They are painfully shy of athleticism in the second
level.
The Colts ranked 25th against the run last season, with blame to go around. David Parry and Henry Anderson, both 2015 draft picks,
did provide some hope up front. Add in Robinson, a run-stuffer capable of lining up anywhere from nose to five-tech, and the Colts
might be in business.
2016 Mock Drafts
19. Buffalo Bills
Rex Ryan covets interchangeable parts up front, players he can move around so as to vary the looks he’s giving an offense. Hence
Rankins’s consistent presence in the 19 hole. The “undersized” 299-pound tackle butchered college linemen, from centers to guards to
tackles.
20. New York Jets
Because he runs so light (244 pounds), the 6-foot-6 Floyd could slide if teams decide he is not capable of providing help outside of on
third downs. Those with a little better vision will see a unique talent at an important position. Bank on the Jets, with creative defensive
mind Todd Bowles patrolling the sidelines, to fall in the latter category.
As is becoming the norm with draft prospects, it’s difficult to pin one specific role on Billings. Calling him a “nose tackle” brings to mind
visions of a hulking, space-eating presence with limited mobility. Billings hardly fits that description. He can stand up to blockers, but his
main selling points are in his penetrating quickness and his effective efforts going side to side.
22. Houston Texans
Quarterback was the obvious fit here, until the Texans signed Brock Osweiler. The offensive line also has been cleaned up with guard
Jeff Allen arriving and swing tackle Chris Clark re-signing. So that leaves running back and wide receiver as potential trouble spots. The
value here is at WR, and with Doctson in particular. He would make some huge plays with defenses worried about DeAndre Hopkins.
Jack Conklin, G/T, Michigan State
A more exciting selection would be the Vikings taking Doctson (as in previous mocks, though off the board here) or another standout
receiver like Corey Coleman or Michael Thomas. Conklin could help more. Can the Vikings count on Matt Kalil or Phil Loadholt longterm? Do they believe in T.J. Clemmings? If the answer is no on either of those questions, they need a tackle.
Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma
I’m as much at fault as anyone, but there has been a surprising lack of Round 1 love for Shepard thus far. It is probably because he
profiles more as a slot guy (5’ 10”, 194 pounds) than a true No. 1. But he deserves to be in this range because of how dominant he can
be there, as a polished weapon with dazzling open-field abilities. The Bengals just lost Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu. They recoup
a lot of versatility in this selection.
Repeating a point here: Teams picking toward the end of Round 1 have more leeway to chase a need than those at the top, as the
rosters in the 20s tend to be competitive already. When a roster hole aligns with a best-player-available approach, magic can happen.
That’s the case at 25, as the Steelers nab Butler—legitimately, a top-15 caliber player—to anchor their defensive line.
2016 Mock Drafts
Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford
His physicality may make Garnett more of a man-blocking fit. His consistent work pulling and getting to the second level provided
evidence that Garnett can move well enough to excel as a zone blocker, too. Either way, Garnett has emerged as arguably the top
guard in this class and the Seahawks must improve in the trenches.
Even with B.J. Raji opting for retirement, the Packers still have enough bodies up front to survive. That does not mean, however, that
they would (or should) pass on Reed, an early-down wrecking ball. There may not be as many questions about the Packers’ inside
linebackers if the defensive line can put up more resistance.
William Jackson, CB, Houston
When he has an opportunity to play a physical game, right up in a receiver’s face, Jackson is as good as any cornerback this draft. He
has areas to work on elsewhere—footwork when he doesn’t get that initial jam, for one—but nothing that should stop Kansas City from
making him Sean Smith’s replacement. Ohio State’s Eli Apple would fit the bill, too.
Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
This selection was set to be Oklahoma State DE/OLB Emmanuel Ogbah until the Cardinals pulled off a trade for Chandler Jones. As
part of that deal, they reportedly will ship out 2013 draft bust Jonathan Cooper, who was ticketed for a move to center this coming
season. Kelly is a far superior option and without question worthy of Round 1 consideration. Bruce Arians would love his smarts and his
attitude.
Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
You may have noticed Dodd jumping all over the board in our mocks. The reason: Unlike several other possible Round 1 options, Dodd
strikes me as a 4-3 DE only. His new team, should it run a 3-4, may disagree and see what he can do as an OLB. In Carolina, his role
would be clear—a promising edge presence and immediate help on passing downs, with room to develop.
31. Denver Broncos
Will the Broncos have Colin Kaepernick on their roster by late April? Ryan Fitzpatrick? Another QB? If not, they should be looking to
add at the position. The variable in the mix then would become how they view Mark Sanchez. If they see him as someone who can
handle the starting job for a year, Lynch—a high-ceiling prospect who needs time to develop—would be the favorite. If not, Connor
Cook—a more NFL-ready option—should jump to the front of the line.
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DANIEL JEREMIAH – NFL.com
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CHARLES DAVIS – NFL.com
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BUCKY BROOKS – NFL.com
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LANCE ZIERLEIN – NFL.com
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PETER SCHRAGER – FoxSports.com
1. Tennessee Titans (3-13)
Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss, Jr.
The word "king's ransom" has been thrown around for what it would take for a team to move up to the No. 1 pick, and in Florida at the
owners meetings, Titans general manager Jon Robinson confirmed that he has had some conversations with other teams about
potentially trading the pick. If Tennessee keeps it, I still see them going with Tunsil. The Titans gave up 54 sacks a season ago, the
most in the entire league. 2014 first-round pick Taylor Lewan could shift to right tackle and Tunsil could man the left side. Quarterback
Marcus Mariota can breathe easy, knowing he has protection on both sides for the near future.
2. Cleveland Browns (3-13)
Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State, Sr.
RGIII is in Cleveland. They're not done. Wentz backed up an impressive week at the Senior Bowl with an even more impressive week
at the Combine, and then a nearly flawless pro day (he threw a soaking wet ball, squirted from a water bottle, into the dirt last Thursday)
in Fargo. The two-year starter at NDSU measures in at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, runs a sub-4.8 40-yard dash, and can make all the
throws. He's never had less than an A in a class in his life and his teammates rave about him. Too good to be true? I'm told Wentz is
even more impressive in interviews with teams. His dance card will be full the next few weeks, meeting with several clubs, and going
through a slew of workouts. There's been comparisons to Andrew Luck, Carson Palmer, Alex Smith, and most recently, Cam Newton.
He's worthy of the No. 2 pick. But don't sleep on Hue Jackson's love for Cal guys. And Jared Goff is as Northern California cool as you
get.
3. San Diego Chargers (4-12)
DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon, Sr.
The Chargers run a 3-4, and it's rare to see a defensive scheme like that take an end so high in the draft. But Buckner could just be too
good to pass up. He has monster 12-inch hands and moves like an NBA power forward. He is a 6-foot-7, 290-pound pure athlete who
tore up the Pac-12 this season. He had 17 tackles for loss in 2015 and is my top defensive lineman in this draft. San Diego's D-Line
was pitiful last year. They're desperate for a thumper up front. That's Buckner.
4. Dallas Cowboys (4-12)
Jared Goff, QB, Cal, Jr.
I'm still going with Goff to the Cowboys. There are multiple players they can take here, with Myles Jack, Joey Bosa, and Jalen Ramsey
all worthy of the fourth overall pick. But I still think Jerry Jones knows what's the most important thing in football (besides the owner).
And that's the quarterback. The Cowboys got a glimpse of what life without Tony Romo could be like this season, and it wasn't pretty.
Goff is a big kid, a wonderful prospect who has all the intangibles, and has all the traits that could make the next great franchise
quarterback in Big D. Tony Romo is 36 and coming off multiple surgeries. If Goff has to wait to play, that's OK. He'll be better for it.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)
Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida St., Jr.
Ramsey was an absolute star at the Combine and did it all during his time at Florida State. The Jaguars had one of the most
underwhelming defenses in the league last year, and have already added Malik Jackson, Prince Amukamara, and Tashaun Gipson this
offseason. They get Dante Fowler back next year. Add in Ramsey and this could be a defense with bite. Is he a safety or a corner? I'm
not sure. But he's darn good and a great fit for whatever Gus Bradley wants to do on defense moving forward.
2016 Mock Drafts
6. Baltimore Ravens (5-11)
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio St., Jr.
The Ravens were very active in free agency this year, bringing in Ben Watson, Mike Wallace, and Eric Weddle. Bosa was hyped as the
next J.J. Watt throughout the college football season. He's probably not that, but that's OK. He's something special all the same. His
dad played in the league (and still plays a major role in his life) and he's got an edge. We'll see, but I like the fit, regardless.
7. San Francisco 49ers (5-11)
Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA, Jr.
Jack is the draft's biggest wild card but could also end up being its best player. If his rehab from a torn meniscus continues to progress - as I'm told it is -- he'll be a top-10 selection. San Francisco needs game-changers on both sides of the field, and Jack is just that. I've
heard mixed reviews on Jack's pro day workout, but overall it was better than expected. He jumped nearly 40 inches on a knee that's
not even fully recovered. A freakish athlete and one that the 49ers would be happy to have lining up on Sundays.
8. Philadelphia Eagles (7-9)
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State, Jr.
A game-changer. Just what the Eagles' offense needs. I was told by an NFL scout that Elliott is the best blocking back to come into the
NFL in "over a decade." Elliott is in the 10-20 range on most mock drafts. Watch. He could go as high as 4.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)
Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida, Jr.
The Buccaneers have revamped their roster through free agency. It's hard not liking the additions of veterans Brent Grimes and Robert
Ayers on defense and coming to terms with Doug Martin so he's back in Tampa Bay. Adding Hargreaves, the No. 2 defensive back in
this draft, as the crown jewel of the defensive backfield would make a whole lot of sense. A local kid, Hargreaves was one of the few
bright spots at Florida during his time there. He looks the part and could be a No. 1 corner from day one.
10. New York Giants (6-10)
Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia, Jr.
Think the Giants are done revamping that defense? Think again. I know Floyd isn't in the top 10 of many mock drafts, but I've got him
going to New York at 10. They brought back Jason Pierre-Paul for a year and added Olivier Vernon, Janoris Jenkins, and Damon
Harrison on long-term contracts. Four studs. They still need an outside linebacker who can come off the edge. He checked all the
boxes in his height and weight, and ran a 4.6 40-yard dash before bowing out of the three-cone drill, 60-yard shuttle, and bench press
at the Combine.
11. Chicago Bears (6-10)
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame, Jr.
Right behind Tunsil on the offensive line board this year is Stanley. The Notre Dame star had a great Combine week and is as tough
and smart as advertised. He's 6-foot-6, 312 pounds, dominated opponents his entire career at Notre Dame, and had an arm length and
hand size longer than Tunsil in Indianapolis. Jay Cutler was under constant duress last season. The Bears signed Bobby Massie in free
agency, freeing up Kyle Long a bit, but need another young force to protect their $100 million investment.
12. New Orleans Saints (7-9)
Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville, Sr.
The Saints addressed some defensive needs in free agency and quietly did very well despite limited salary cap space. They're not done
in that area. Rankins was the star of the Senior Bowl practice week before getting injured and missing the game. He could be the
missing piece in the middle of the New Orleans defensive line. Rare combination of speed and power.
2016 Mock Drafts
13. Miami Dolphins (6-10)
Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State, Jr.
If Ryan Tannehill's ever going to succeed, he's going to need to stay on his feet. Conklin could go as high as the top 10 and through the
Combine and pro day workouts, he solidified his place as the third or fourth offensive tackle in this draft. Miami's got several veterans
on the offensive line and Ja'Wuan James will be back this year. I don't think they pass on Conklin.
14. Oakland Raiders (7-9)
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama, Sr.
I haven't seen Ragland in the top 15 of many mock drafts, but I think this is a perfect fit. Oakland has spent a lot of money on a
cornerback and pass rusher in free agency, but it needs to shore up the middle of the defense. In addition to Sean Smith and Bruce
Irvin, they can add Ragland, the MLB of the future. The Raiders don't have a great recent history with middle linebackers from Alabama
(Rolando McClain), but Ragland's a different type of player.
15. Los Angeles Rams (7-9)
Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State, Soph.
The Rams lost out in the Janoris Jenkins sweepstakes, and it was actually pretty close. Now they've got Trumaine Johnson on what
looks like a one-year deal at the moment and a defensive backfield that lost Rodney McLeod, too. One of the best young defensive
back corps in the league is now a bit vulnerable. Apple is a rangy, 6-foot-1 cornerback who can get after it. Yes, Paxton Lynch is on the
board, and I've got the Rams taking a cornerback.
16. Detroit Lions (7-9)
Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson, Jr.
Lawson tore up the Combine and put himself firmly in the top 20 in Indianapolis. He's had some great workouts, too. 270 pounds, 4.7
40-yard dash, and explosive off the edge. The Lions are under new leadership and Bob Quinn did nice work in free agency after Calvin
Johnson retired earlier in the month. This is a good fit for all parties, and lining up across from Ziggy Ansah, Lawson could make an
impact from the get-go.
17. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State, RS Soph.
There will be nearly a dozen players out of Ohio State drafted in the first 100 picks. Lee is fourth on my list and could end up being the
best of all of them at the next level. He's a bit small on first sight and doesn't look like a traditional NFL linebacker (235 pounds), but Lee
flies all over the field and can rush the quarterback. Dan Quinn wants competitors and if ever there was one, it's Lee. Compared
favorably to Lavonte David, he could be a force in Atlanta.
18. Indianapolis Colts (8-8)
Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State, Sr.
Another Buckeye off the board. Decker is 6-foot-7, 315 pounds and can move. Agile and strong, he's a left or right tackle and can likely
play as soon as next season. Andrew Luck gets another big body to protect him.
2016 Mock Drafts
19. Buffalo Bills (8-8)
Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama, Sr.
The Bills would likely love to see one of the top offensive or defensive tackles sitting there for them to take. Reed is in that second tier
of prospects but is no slouch. Quarterback could be a position to watch, too. Remember, Tyrod Taylor is entering the final year of his
contract.
20. New York Jets (10-6)
Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor, Jr.
The Jets had arguably the best defensive line in all of football a year ago. Damon Harrison is playing for the other team in town,
Muhammad Wilkerson isn't thrilled with the franchise tag, and Sheldon Richardson's going to need a new contract before you know it.
The Jets went with Leonard Williams in the first round a year ago when defensive line wasn't a big need. I can see them going
defensive line again now that it suddenly is.
21. Washington Redskins (9-7)
A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama, Jr.
The run on defensive tackles continues. Don't be shocked if 8-10 go in the first round next month. Robinson's massive. If Pot Roast
Knighton isn't coming back to Washington, Robinson could be a nice replacement. He played in 43 games under Nick Saban and was a
team leader for a national champion. No nonsense and gets after it.
22. Houston Texans (9-7)
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss, Jr.
The Texans already added Brock Osweiler and Lamar Miller this offseason. Imagine adding Treadwell, too. The best pure receiver in
this draft, he's compared to Anquan Boldin -- a tough, strong, smart route-runner. He'd be the perfect complement to DeAndre Hopkins.
23. Minnesota Vikins (11-5)
Josh Doctson, WR, TCU, Sr.
Teams are a lot higher on Doctson than I was aware of heading into the Combine, and he really delivered on their praise in Indy. He's
6-foot-2, 220 pounds, and jumped 41 inches in the air (best of the wide receivers). Doctson had a great career at TCU, which was
shortened by injury last season. He high-points the ball and just snags it. If Teddy Bridgewater is in need of a guy to grow old with, I
could see Doctson being that guy.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor, Jr.
Both Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones signed elsewhere for big money this offseason. Look for the Bengals to re-load. Coleman had
74 receptions for 1,363 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. His season was cut short with an injury, but he should be fine come
Week 1.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis, Jr.
Paxton Lynch has all the physical tools. But there are questions as to whether he's able to play in Year 1. If that's the case, he could
slip a bit more than expected in the draft. Ben Roethlisberger isn't going anywhere soon (he just signed a long-term extension), but if
Lynch is on the board at 25, don't be shocked if Pittsburgh scoops him up. Landry Jones is a free agent next year and Michael Vick
remains unsigned.
2016 Mock Drafts
26. Seattle Seahawks (10-6)
Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M, Jr.
Ifedi is an intriguing prospect who has first-round grades for most teams. He's 6-foot-6, can move, and has 36-inch arms. Russell
Okung is in Denver. Seattle fans watched Carolina's defense destroy their O-line for a half in the divisional round last year. Ifedi's a
starter.
27. Green Bay Packers (10-6)
Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame, Jr.
Smith's a fascinating case study. We might not see him on an NFL field for another year. Who'll be bold -- and patient -- enough to find
out what he's like after he recovers from his heinous knee injury? Green Bay did nothing in free agency and likes to build through the
draft. If there's any team willing to take a roll of the dice on the long-term, it would be Ted Thompson and the Packers. If healthy, Smith
could still end up being the best defensive player in this entire draft. One GM told me he was the top player on his board entering
college bowl season.
28. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)
Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State, Jr.
We know Justin Houston's got injury issues and Tamba Hali can't play forever. Here's your guy who no one was talking about a few
months back that cold go in the first round. He clocked a 4.69 in the 40 and showed exceptional athleticism in drills. Correa appears to
be a good fit for a 3-4 team looking to beef up their outside pass rush. The Chiefs are a team looking to do just that.
29. Arizona Falcons (13-3)
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss, Jr.
I asked nearly a dozen talent evaluators about Nkemdiche at the Combine and there are no questions that he's a good enough player
to be a star at the next level. The off-the-field concerns are real, but he won't be the first defensive lineman in NFL history with a
troubled past. Is there any coach better for this kid than Bruce Arians? His line, so many times before, is "I'll coach him up, baby." This
is a great fit for both sides.
30. Carolina Panthers (15-1)
Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana, Sr.
A high school tight end, Spriggs was a four-year starter at left tackle for Indiana and played his best against Ohio State's Joey Bosa. He
scooted at the Combine and performed well enough to confirm he's a first-round pick. Mike Remmers and Michael Oher were exposed
a bit in the Super Bowl. Spriggs is a solid addition.
31. Denver Broncos (12-4)
Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State, Sr.
Cook comes from an NFL offense, has 34 wins on the college level, has finally recovered from his shoulder injury, and can challenge
Mark Sanchez in training camp for the starting job. At 31? Why not?
2016 Mock Drafts
PETE PRISCO – CBSSports.com
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NATE DAVIS – USA TODAY
1. Tennessee Titans
Laremy Tunsil, T, Mississippi
He's been entrenched in this spot mostly because of his ability to secure second-year QB Marcus Mariota's blind side. But the Titans didn't
have one of the top 25 run-blocking tackles in 2015, per ProFootballFocus, an area they'll want to improve to maximize their acquisition of
RB DeMarco Murray.
2. Cleveland Browns
Even with Robert Griffin III's arrival, the Browns would be wise to take Wentz and let Hue Jackson coach him up on the practice field for a
team that looks years away from winning. And if RG3 experiences a career resurgence, then the franchise has a pair of valuable trade chips
(Griffin and Wentz) to assist with its massive rebuild.
Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
The Bolts added Casey Hayward in free agency, giving them a strong group of corners. But they remain thin at safety after giving Eric
Weddle the boot. Ramsey, arguably the best player in the draft, can play anywhere in the secondary, but his track speed may allow him to
make the biggest impact on the back line.
4. Dallas Cowboys
Only five teams had fewer sacks than Dallas' 31, and that was with the services of free agent DE Greg Hardy. Bosa, who's no slouch
against the run, should be able to consistently provide double-digit sacks, a dimension the Cowboys have lacked since parting with
DeMarcus Ware.
During free agency, GM Dave Caldwell upgraded the line (Malik Jackson) and secondary (Tashaun Gipson) of a defense that allowed the
most points in the AFC a year ago. The versatile Jack would provide a major boost to a linebacking corps that lacks playmakers.
6. Baltimore Ravens
When he's not executing one of his typical draft night trades, GM Ozzie Newsome adheres to a "best player on the board" philosophy. In
this scenario, that means Buckner goes to Baltimore, which could clearly use a disruptive 6-7, 291-pound five-technique to reinvigorate its
three-man front.
Jared Goff, QB, California
He makes good decisions, has quick feet, gets rid of the ball quickly and accurately, all traits that could make him highly effective in Chip
Kelly's offense – provided his 6-4, 215-pound frame can withstand the punishment that's often a byproduct of this scheme.
2016 Mock Drafts
8. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami Dolphins)
They moved up five spots after swapping first-round choices with the Dolphins, who took CB Byron Maxwell and LB Kiko Alonso off Philly's
hands in the deal. Howie Roseman could go in any number of directions for the Eagles, but why not take a highly productive three-down
back who could theoretically ease the burden on QB Sam Bradford (or Chase Daniel)?
Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
The ball's in the air quite a bit in the NFC South. Pairing Hargreaves with veteran CB Brent Grimes would give the ex-Gator more time to
adapt to the pros while honing his skills against No. 2 receivers or while locking down the slot.
10. New York Giants
Ronnie Stanley, T, Notre Dame
Adding the Irish star would allow the Giants to move last year's first rounder, T Ereck Flowers, to his more natural right side while potentially
giving the O-line bookends well into the next decade.
11. Chicago Bears
Jack Conklin, T, Michigan State
The Bears spent quite a bit on their defense in free agency, and the draft's wealth of D-linemen allows them to get a good one later. But
Conklin would solidify a suspect O-line by allowing Kyle Long to move back inside to guard and keeping newly signed T Bobby Massie on
the right side where he belongs.
The Saints allowed 28 more points in 2015 than any other team. They could certainly use a three-down lineman whose quickness makes
him an asset in stopping the run and getting penetration on passing downs.
13. Miami Dolphins (from Eagles)
Only the Browns had more issues stopping the run in the AFC than Miami. Plugging Ragland into the middle of the Dolphins defense would
have the dual benefit of shutting down some of those rushing lanes while also allowing Alonso to play in space on the outside.
14. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders struggled to stop the pass in 2015, partially because no one not named Khalil Mack had more than four sacks. Lawson is an
all-down disruptor whose 25½ tackles for a loss was the most in the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2015.
He's got a big arm and nice mobility for such a large man (6-7, 244). Allowing him to adapt to the pro game behind Case Keenum and/or
Nick Foles before he eventually takes over an offense that goes through RB Todd Gurley is pretty much an ideal scenario for a
developmental quarterback.
2016 Mock Drafts
16. Detroit Lions
Even with Haloti Ngata back, the Lions still need to get better and younger at defensive tackle a year after parting with Ndamukong Suh.
And getting more push inside only benefits DE Ziggy Ansah off the edge.
17. Atlanta Falcons
One reason Dan Quinn's Seattle defenses were so dominant was due to the multi-faceted abilities of the linebackers. It's an area where the
Falcons are sorely lacking, but Lee could instantly change as a rangy asset who's effective on all three downs.
The Colts are probably a few months away from giving QB Andrew Luck a contract in the neighborhood of $200 million, so it goes without
saying that they need to do a much better job protecting him. Getting more out of the running game would also be nice.
19. Buffalo Bills
Rex Ryan values cornerbacks and could definitely use a third one behind starters Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby. Given his athleticism
and physicality, Apple looks ready to step in as a nickelback.
20. New York Jets
The Jets have been trying for years – Calvin Pace, Vernon Gholston, Quinton Coples – to find an impact edge rusher. They're still trying, but
maybe Floyd is the long-sought solution.
Coming off a strong pro day – it included a sub 5-second 40-yard dash for the 6-1, 311-pounder – Billings could be a wrecking ball as the
nose man in Washington, which needs a new one with Terrance Knighton unsigned. And GM Scot McCloughan has a penchant for picking
linemen early.
22. Houston Texans
Texans coach Bill O'Brien seemed to take special interest in him at Baylor's pro day. The speedy Coleman has the ability to catch up to new
Houston QB Brock Osweiler's deep throws while opening things up underneath for WR DeAndre Hopkins and RB Lamar Miller.
A solid route runner with nice hands, he could be a better fit for this attack than departed Mike Wallace. Treadwell’s steadiness could help
QB Teddy Bridgewater open up the offense, something the Vikings want.
2016 Mock Drafts
The fastest wideout at the combine (4.32 in the 40), he could make defenses pay for doubling WR A.J. Green and/or TE Tyler Eifert. Fuller
also fills a big hole after Cincinnati lost WRs Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu in free agency.
No team allowed more passing yards in the AFC last year than Pittsburgh. Alexander could start immediately for a secondary begging for
reinforcements and help ensure Ben Roethlisberger and Co. don't have to win so many shootouts.
A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Excellent value if he actually lasts this long for a team that needs to start rebuilding the D-line depth that was such a crucial component of its
Super Bowl runs.
A massive man (6-4, 323) and promising talent who could instantly offset the absence of NT B.J. Raji for this defense.
A tall (6-0), physical player who could step right into the starting spot vacated when Sean Smith signed with the Raiders.
Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Mississippi
Perhaps the second coming of Darnell Dockett? Of course, that assumes Nkemdiche's motor is revved and head screwed on straight. But
his talent is undeniable, and coach Bruce Arians doesn't shy away from players with baggage. This could be a perfect marriage.
The Panthers brought Charles Johnson back for one more year, but the declining vet only had one sack in 2015. Dodd could probably use a
bit more time to develop but might be ready to make a major impact in 2017 if not by midseason this year. He was a breakout player last
year for the Tigers, racking up 23½ tackles for loss and 12 sacks.
31. Denver Broncos
Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
Whether he takes over at center or slides to one of the vacated guard spots, Kelly could be a perfect fit in Denver's zone-blocking scheme
given his mobility and intellect.
2016 Mock Drafts
VINNIE IYER – The Sporting News
1. Tennessee Titans
This is the only no-brainer and surefire perfect pick of the entire draft. Tunsil fills their need for a rock to better protect Marcus Mariota on the
left side, also allowing them to move fellow first-rounder Taylor Lewan to upgrade the right side. Tunsil’s skills are worthy of the pick, and
there are few to no questions about him.
2. Cleveland Browns
They would be silly to go into 2016 to assuming newly-acquired Robert Griffin III will be their starting quarterback. They could use help
almost anywhere, but Wentz won’t be around later. He can compete for the job as a rookie and should get every chance to earn it over
RGIII. Hue Jackson got one QB pet project he wanted, so why not give him the other, too? The Browns need every possible option to finally
figure out.
Big and strong, athletic and long, Buckner is the perfect player to re-energize the Chargers’ defense, which has fallen apart against the run
and can’t get to the quarterback. His high effort and play off the ball will allow him to excel in their hybrid scheme. They could use some help
in the back end, but it wouldn’t matter if they don’t have someone like Buckner wreaking havoc up front.
4. Dallas Cowboys
Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State
Ramsey is Tunsil’s top challenger for best overall prospect, but the draft history of his position and the more pressing needs of the previous
three teams mean there’s a good chance Ramsey will be available here. Dallas isn’t locked into any of its needs, but with the team wanting
to zoom away from Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr, Ramsey can fill a key spot. It would be exciting to see what Ramsey and last year’s
first-round pick Byron Jones can do as a dynamic, playmaking duo.
There’s a good ring to this pick, and not only because Jack is going to the Jags in JAX. He has the feeling of Von Miller and Khalil Mack
from recent drafts — a nasty defender who can do anything from anywhere. His speed, explosiveness and finishing ability can raise Gus
Bradley’s defense at every level. When looking for versatility and dominance, it doesn’t get better than Jack.
6. Baltimore Ravens
Joey Bosa, DE/OLB, Ohio State
Reports of Bosa falling on boards are greatly exaggerated. So are concerns of whether he can fit a base 3-4 defense. Baltimore’s scheme is
perfect for him to stay revved up as an edge rusher, even at outside linebacker. The team needs a successor for Terrell Suggs, and in the
meantime, Bosa can produce as a situational player who will end up playing in increased situations as a rookie.
2016 Mock Drafts
The 49ers have watched Goff work down the road in Berkeley for the past three seasons. He has prototypical size (6-4, 215 pounds), a
strong enough arm and natural accuracy. He also has the mental makeup for Chip Kelly’s offense, with his quick, fearless release and
smarts. There’s an indication that he’ll work hard to get better and expand his skill set. Goff makes sense with an overpaid, underachieving
Colin Kaepernick still in town. It would be a slam dunk if Kap is gone before the draft.
The Eagles are still offensive-minded with new coach Doug Pederson, except with a more conservative and efficient approach. After the
teams said goodbye to the toxic, unproductive combination of Chip Kelly and DeMarco Murray, Pederson will restore order to the team’s
power running game with his three-down workhorse back of choice. Elliott also is a big boost in pass protection and is an underrated
receiver. There will be visions of Elliott carrying the Eagles the way Jamaal Charles has done for the Chiefs.
The Buccaneers need a tough, technically-sound cover corner with a knack for making plays on the ball. Despite his lack of ideal size and
speed, Hargreaves offers exactly that. As it has become pretty clear that Ramsey won’t fall this far, Tampa can stay in state and get this
solid Gator a little later.
10. New York Giants
Wide receiver is very tempting. Even with a good offseason haul on defensive linemen, a team can never have enough impact players
outside. But Eli Manning needs a little more protection for another playoff trip. After the Giants reached for Ereck Flowers in the first round
last year, Stanley is a sturdier pick with more athleticism and less questions. Flowers needs to move to right tackle because he can’t handle
the left. Stanley can, and he will facilitate a better power running game.
11. Chicago Bears
Like Bosa, Lawson is being undersold as a fit in a 3-4, because he also has the ability to get to the quarterback as a five technique in that
scheme. Chicago, with Vic Fangio, is built to take full advantage of versatile edge rushers. The Bears need more players tailored to their
style, and it’s hard to pass on Lawson.
The Saints need to reconstruct their defensive line. Signing Nick Fairley to a one-year deal after a disappointing season is only a partial,
short-term solution. Rankins is a linchpin against the run with quickness to consistently disrupt plays in the backfield.
13. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins shouldn’t worry if the top two cornerbacks are off the board. Ryan Tannehill needs more help in staying upright. The team
needs to bolster its run blocking for a backfield that will no longer benefit from the speed of Lamar Miller. Conklin fits the bill on both counts.
2016 Mock Drafts
14. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders have known how well Ragland can fill their biggest need for a while. They’ve addressed defensive line and outside linebacker,
with Khalil Mack playing the most pivotal role in both efforts. It’s time they clean up against the run inside, and it doesn’t get much safer than
a player who did that at a high level for Nick Saban.
Treadwell didn’t run well at his Pro Day, so some teams might be turned off. That would be a mistake. He is the best receiver in this class.
His size (6-2, 211 pounds), hands, quickness and ability to dominate small corners all fit the profile. St. Louis desperately needs this kind of
player. Treadwell can join Todd Gurley in putting the Rams’ offense more on the map in L.A.
16. Detroit Lions
The Lions need some offensive line help, too, but when Conklin is gone, it will be easy to instead look for another nice-sized cover
cornerback to pair with Darius Slay. Apple is starting catching the eyes of more teams wanting a secondary upgrade.
17. Atlanta Falcons
Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State
Dan Quinn wants more speed, and he’ll get it (along with top-end athleticism) in Lee. The Buccaneers, Panthers and Saints all have this
type of potential in their respective linebacker corps. Lee will give the Falcons steady production in every capacity.
Get used to Buckeyes going in bunches in this draft. Decker is the answer to how the Colts can best upgrade their pass protection for
Andrew Luck. Decker is probably better suited to play right tackle, and that’s OK with Anthony Castonzo, a keeper on the left side.
19. Buffalo Bills
Rex Ryan will get a defensive lineman with this pick. Alabama is a good source, with either Reed or A’Shawn Robinson in the first round.
With Kyle Williams getting up there in age, Reed is the better choice. The Bills need less flashes of athleticism and more steady power.
Reed comes ready to stop the run, and Williams can be an effective interior pass rusher.
20. New York Jets
It’s easy to see Cook in green after his great career with the Spartans, and the Jets might need to turn the page at quarterback. This isn’t a
reach for Cook. The Jets can keep him clean with their solid offensive line and set him up to be successful with their reliable, veteran skillplayer support.
Like Buffalo, Washington intends to get nastier inside. This is an upside pick, going more for Robinson’s ceiling rather than his floor. But
given his athleticism and freaky-big frame (6-4, 307 pounds), that ceiling is pretty darn high in a front he fits well.
2016 Mock Drafts
22. Houston Texans
The Texans made a huge investment at quarterback with Brock Osweiler. They have a big-play threat out of the backfield in Lamar Miller.
Post Andre Johnson, they have struggled to find a wide receiver to ease the pressure on DeAndre Hopkins. Coleman is a lot like Hopkins in
the sense he can hit home runs both running deep and routes and exploding after the catch. It doesn’t hurt that he’s already a "Texan."
The Vikings desperately need a game-breaking wide receiver for Teddy Bridgewater after the messes that were Charles Johnson and Mike
Wallace. At 6-2, 202 pounds, Doctson comes in with better upside than Johnson had. He also can be the speedy, vertical threat Wallace
once was, but in the body of a stronger, more-complete wideout.
The wide receiver run continues thanks to a team that lost both Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu in free agency. With Coleman and
Docston gone, it’s not too early to go after the underrated Fuller next. He consistently made big plays against top competition with the
Fighting Irish, and he can toast the single coverage he will get opposite A.J. Green.
The Steelers might be tempted if one of the top four wide receivers fall. But more conventional wisdom says they will fill their secondary
need here. Alexander is the next corner off the board because of his pedigree and reliable, complete game.
Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
The Seahawks lost 2012 first-rounder Bruce Irvin, from whom they got good sack production as an end/outside linebacker hybrid — a
situational pass rusher from the LEO position. Spence’s size (6-2, 251 pounds) isn’t far off, and like Irvin did, he comes in with some off-field
baggage. Seattle is better equipped to look past that than other clubs, and Spence is committed to producing without issues.
The Packers have a huge void at defensive tackle with B.J. Raji deciding to walk away from the game. At 6-1, 311 pounds, Billings is built to
handle the nose in their 3-4 because his frame gives him a strong base of power.
The Chiefs don’t know what the near future holds for Justin Houston, who’s coming off a knee surgery. The good news is they can tap back
into the Bulldogs to pad their edge rush. Tamba Hali was re-signed, but he’s 32. Behind him and Houston is Dee Ford, a third-year player on
the spot. Quarterback and cornerback are considerations, too, but Floyd’s value here is too hard to ignore.
2016 Mock Drafts
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
This is a bit of character gamble, but the potential reward is a dominant, high-energy disrupter. Nkemdiche’s skills at 6-3, 294 pounds can
be harnessed. The Cardinals should feel confident that Nkemdiche will stay on the straight and narrow, maximizing his talents after their
success story with Tyrann Mathieu.
Dodd was a late college breakout on the other side of Carolina. But after what he did for the national runner-up Tigers as a senior, some see
him on par with former teammate Lawson. Because of his smarts, body and pro style, Dodd is in position to make a smoother transition to
the NFL.
31. Denver Broncos
The Broncos look like they will have to find their next starting quarterback in the draft. After Denver saw one tall, young passer (Osweiler)
leave town, Lynch, a 6-7, 224-pounder, fits what John Elway and Gary Kubiak want: an exceptional athlete who can use his feet to elude
pressure and supplement the running game. Lynch’s decision-making and ball security also are great complements to a defense-dominated
team.
2016 Mock Drafts
PAT KIRWAN – RealFootballNetwork.com
1. Tennessee Titans
Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi
Protecting Marcus Mariota is job one! Did you get a chance to see the Mississippi pro day? Tunsil is the real deal and a future pro
bowler. 2ND ROUND PICK: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
2. Cleveland Browns
The Browns have a chance to finally get the quarterback situation right, and signing RG3 to a two-year deal should not sway the club
from drafting this QB…but you never know! 2ND ROUND PICK: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
The big man trumps the athleticism of Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack for this spot, especially since the Chargers were 27th against the
run in 2015. 2ND ROUND PICK: Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State
4. Dallas Cowboys
If the Cowboys take a QB in the first round they can franchise tag him at least twice, which makes Goff a Cowboy for a minimum of
seven years. I’m pretty sure Tony Romo can’t play that long. 2ND ROUND PICK: Jonathan Bullard, DL, Florida
The Jags are building a nice football team and Jack can do it all. If they come back in the second round for another defensive player,
they will fix the 24th ranked defense with all their offseason moves. 2ND ROUND PICK: Von Bell, S, Ohio State
6. Baltimore Ravens
Jalen Ramsey, S/CB, Florida State
The Ravens haven’t had a player like Ramsey since Ed Reed roamed the Baltimore secondary. He has the skills to play anywhere in
the back end of this defense. 2ND ROUND PICK: Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
Joey Bosa, DE/OLB, Ohio State
A month ago no one would believe Bosa would last this long in the draft, but the 49ers better be ready for it to happen. The days of
Justin Smith and Aldon Smith are long gone, and the 29th-ranked defense in the NFL needs to be fixed. 2ND ROUND PICK: Kendall
Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
8. Philadelphia Eagles (From Miami)
New HC Doug Pederson will want to run the west coast system he learned from Andy Reid, and a three-down back like Elliott is critical
to making it work. 2ND ROUND PICK: No Pick
2016 Mock Drafts
The medical re-check on Lawson’s shoulder will ultimately influence this pick, but for now the Bucs get a guy that made 67 plays behind
the line of scrimmage. 2ND ROUND PICK: Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
10. New York Giants
Some believe Stanley is the best left tackle in the draft. If the Giants pick him, they can move powerful Ereck Flowers back to right
tackle and have bookends for the next decade. Protect Eli Manning and he still has another Super Bowl run in his career. 2ND ROUND
PICK: Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
11. Chicago Bears
Sheldon Rankins, DL, Louisville
The Bears 3-4 defense doesn’t really have a one gap penetrator up front. Rankins will bring that element to this, or any defense. His 50
plays behind the line of scrimmage from an inside position is impressive. 2ND ROUND PICK: Jeremy Cash, S, Duke
Robinson isn’t just a space eater on the inside. He has first step quickness and can play multiple spots across the front. The Saints had
the worst defense in the NFL last year, and every coach I know always says it starts up front. 2ND ROUND PICK: Germain Ifedi, OL,
Texas A&M
13. Miami Dolphins (From Philadelphia)
Hargraves is considered the second best DB in the draft, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the Dolphins liked a different corner. Hargraves is
productive, but his lack of ideal size could be a deciding factor. 2ND ROUND PICK: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
14. Oakland Raiders
I believe every team is looking for ‘hybrid’ defensive players who can run and hit, but can also walk out on a slot receiver and play man
coverage. Lee can be that guy. 2ND ROUND PICK: Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia
Lynch isn’t ready to play and won’t be at any point during the 2016 season. Fans say they don’t want players for the future, but the truth
is the Rams aren’t ready for a Super Bowl run. So why not draft a QB with a cannon for an arm and give him a year to develop while the
new stadium is being built? 2ND ROUND PICKS: Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas and Jalen Mills, S, LSU
16. Detroit Lions
The Lions were 22nd in sacks allowed, and now that Calvin Johnson is gone, that problem could get worse. Plus, the Lions have to run
the ball more and Conklin answers the call on both the run and pass fronts. 2ND ROUND PICK: Su’a Cravens, LB/S, USC
2016 Mock Drafts
17. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have had a bad pass rush for several years now and it must be addressed. Whether it’s Dodd or Ogbah, or even Spence,
they need a player opposite Vic Beasley. 2ND ROUND PICK: Vadal Alexander, G, LSU
Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky
Spence had off the field issues that are well documented, but a number of club executives told me they are behind him now. This kid
has pass rush skills like Robert Mathis, and the 26th-ranked pass defense could use that kind of help. 2ND ROUND PICK: Nick Martin,
C/G, Notre Dame
19. Buffalo Bills
Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Mississippi
Many consider this a risky pick because Robert has gotten the “underachiever” tag. Rex Ryan will believe he can get the best out of
Nkemdiche, and his best is awesome. 2ND ROUND PICK: Kentrell Brothers, LB, Missouri
20. New York Jets
The Jets have a great front, but their outside linebackers have been average at best. Floyd recorded 45 plays behind the line of
scrimmage, plus 38 hits on the QB and 5 forced fumbles. 2ND ROUND PICK: Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford
Ragland is a defensive leader in the mold of CJ Mosley over in Baltimore. He’s also a run stuffer who is better in coverage than
advertised. 2ND ROUND PICK: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
22. Houston Texans
Treadwell ran 4.6 at his pro day, which caused him to drop this far in the first round. The truth is he can change direction and has a big
target area. Opposite DeAndre Hopkins, and with Brock Osweiler under center, the 31st-ranked passing attack will improve. 2ND
ROUND PICK: Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State
The Vikings get a quick receiver that had 138 receptions and 33 touchdowns in the last two seasons. Some worry about the transition
from the Baylor offense to the NFL. 2ND ROUND PICK: Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State
The Bengals lost WR’s Mohammed Sanu and Marvin Jones during free agency and need to re-stock the position. A player with size,
215 receptions, and 34 touchdowns adds up to the right player opposite AJ Green. 2ND ROUND PICK: Kenny Clark, DL, UCLA
2016 Mock Drafts
The Steelers were 8th in sacks on defense last season, but 30th in passing yards allowed and 21st in third down situations. That all
points to the secondary. 2ND ROUND PICK: Adolphus Washington, DL, Ohio State
Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
Russell Okung has departed in free agency and a long term answer needs to be found at left tackle. Spriggs had a good week at the
Senior Bowl, and the Seahawks have always tapped into the talent down in Mobile. 2ND ROUND PICK: William Jackson, CB, Houston
Jarran Reed, DL, Alabama
Reed is a very solid defensive lineman with the versatility Dom Capers likes to have for his scheme. BJ Raji retired, and the Packers
need to be better up front. 2ND ROUND PICK: Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn
The loss of Sean Smith in free agency left a void in the secondary. The recent discovery of a knee issue with Justin Houston could
change the plans with the first pick, but for now a corner like Alexander is a solid pick. 2ND ROUND PICK: Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio
State
Bobbie Massie left in free agency, and the #1 offense in the NFL needs linemen to protect Carson Palmer long enough to continue to
execute their deep passing attack. 2ND ROUND PICK: No Pick
Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
The Panthers would be lucky if Ogbah is still on the board at this point. He had 24 sacks in the last two years and would be in a threeman rotation with Charles Johnson and Kony Ealy. 2ND ROUND PICK: Devontae Booker, RB, Utah
31. Denver Broncos
Ask yourself, “what is Denver going to do at quarterback?” Should they start Mark Sanchez? Will they trade for Colin Kapernick or Mike
Glennon? Maybe. But if they get to pick #31 first, it may have to be Connor Cook. 2ND ROUND PICK: Austin Johnson, DL, Penn State
PLAYER RANKINGS
2016 Player Rankings By Position
With pro days just about completed, here's a quick update on how I have my board stacked at each position. Right now I'm working to
finalize lists at each position that will take me beyond about 500 players who could conceivably crack an NFL roster in 2016.
These aren't deep scouting reports below. I'll just reflect movement since the last batch of these rankings in early March.
* Denotes junior
** Denotes third-year sophomore
Quarterbacks
1. *Jared Goff, California
2. Carson Wentz, North Dakota St.
3. *Paxton Lynch, Memphis
4. Connor Cook, Michigan St.
5. *Christian Hackenberg, Penn St.
6. *Cardale Jones, Ohio St.
7. Dak Prescott, Mississippi St.
8. Brandon Allen, Arkansas
9. Jacoby Brissett, NC St.
10. Jeff Driskel, Louisiana Tech
While I do think the top two quarterbacks here are locks for Round 1, and likely the top half, I will tell you that any of the top five guys
here could be taken in Round 1. In fact, you could see Hackenberg as the third quarterback off the board.
Running Backs
1. *Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio St.
2. *Derrick Henry, Alabama
3. *C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame
4. Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech
5. *Alex Collins, Arkansas
6. Devontae Booker, Utah
7. *Paul Perkins, UCLA
8. Daniel Lasco, California
9. *Jordan Howard, Indiana
10. Jonathan Williams, Arkansas
I've moved Dixon up since the last ranking. He edges ahead of Collins, who gets dinged a little on fumbling issues. Elliott is a lock to be
the first running back taken, but don't assume Henry will be the second, as fit and system will factor into the decision a great deal.
We've seen that a number of times in recent years.
Fullbacks
1. Dan Vitale, Northwestern
2. *Glenn Gronkowski, Kansas St.
3. Dakota Gordon, San Diego St.
4. Derek Watt, Wisconsin
5. Soma Vainuku, USC
6. Andy Janovich, Nebraska
7. Quayvon Hicks, Georgia
8. Chris Swain, Navy
9. Joe Kerridge, Michigan
10. Trevon Pendleton, Michigan St.
No change here from my most recent ranking. I'll take a hard look again in the next few weeks.
Wide Receivers
1. *Laquon Treadwell, Mississippi
2. Josh Doctson, TCU
3. *Corey Coleman, Baylor
4. *Will Fuller, Notre Dame
5. Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma
6. *Michael Thomas, Ohio St.
7. Leonte Carroo, Rutgers
8. *Tyler Boyd, Pitt
9. *Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina
10. Charone Peake, Clemson
I don't think the (somewhat) slow 40 time for Treadwell lowers his standing much, but I do think it caps him in terms of landing inside the
top 10. If there's a debate for me it's between Coleman and Fuller, and I know some teams have Coleman higher than I do.
Tight Ends
1. *Hunter Henry, Arkansas
2. Jerell Adams, South Carolina
3. Nick Vannett, Ohio St.
4. *Austin Hooper, Stanford
5. Ben Braunecker, Harvard
6. Tyler Higbee, Western Kentucky
7. Devon Cajuste, Stanford
8. Stephen Anderson, California
9. Thomas Duarte, UCLA
10. David Morgan, UTSA
The only change from my previous ranking is that Anderson jumps in at No. 8. After the combine and more time watching the two, I had
Adams just a hair behind Henry, but I haven't made a change at the top.
Offensive Tackles
1. *Laremy Tunsil, Mississippi
2. *Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
3. *Jack Conklin, Michigan St.
4. Taylor Decker, Ohio St.
5. Jason Spriggs, Indiana
6. *Shon Coleman, Auburn
7. *Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M
8. Willie Beavers, Western Michigan
9. Dominique Robertson, West Georgia
10. Le'Raven Clark, Texas Tech
Tunsil would be my bet to go No. 1 overall, and he shined during a recent pro day. The question for me is how high Conklin can go. I
think he's right on the edge of the top 10, and the more teams watch the tape, the more comfortable they are with his ability to help right
away.
Offensive Guards
1. Christian Westerman, Arizona St.
2. Joshua Garnett, Stanford
3. Cody Whitehair, Kansas St.
4. Vadal Alexander, LSU
5. Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas
6. Isaac Seumalo, Oregon St.
7. Spencer Drango, Baylor
8. Joe Thuney, NC St.
9. Connor McGovern, Missouri
10. Landon Turner, North Carolina
Change at the top here. I moved Westerman to No. 1 after spending more time reviewing this group. Another new name is Thuney out
of North Carolina State.
Centers
1. Ryan Kelly, Alabama
2. Nick Martin, Notre Dame
3. Max Tuerk, USC
4. Graham Glasgow, Michigan
5. Jack Allen, Michigan St.
6. Matt Skura, Duke
7. Austin Blythe, Iowa
8. Evan Boehm, Missouri
9. Jake Brendel, UCLA
10. Kyle Friend, Temple
Kelly is the rare center I could see being drafted inside the top 20. I don't assume that will happen, it just wouldn't shock me. Martin is
another player you can draft with the expectation he'll be able to start right away.
Defensive Ends
1. *Joey Bosa, Ohio St.
2. DeForest Buckner, Oregon
3. Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
4. *Shaq Lawson, Clemson
5. Jonathan Bullard, Florida
6. *Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma St.
7. Jihad Ward, Illinois
8. *Kevin Dodd, Clemson
9. Carl Nassib, Penn St.
10. Shilique Calhoun, Michigan St.
Again, I know Bosa and Buckner are really different types of defensive end, but we have to group these guys somehow. No changes in
this group from the last ranking. You'll want to watch for when I go a little deeper, however, because between this group and the
defensive tackles, the draft is just loaded.
Defensive Tackles
1. *A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
2. *Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi
3. Jarran Reed, Alabama
4. *Kenny Clark, UCLA
5. Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech
6. *Chris Jones, Mississippi St.
7. *Austin Johnson, Penn St.
8. *Andrew Billings, Baylor
9. Adolphus Washington, Ohio St.
10. Javon Hargrave, South Carolina St.
No major changes, with Butler up to No. 5 the most notable shift. Without exaggeration, every single guy on this list has a chance to
start early on. The class is loaded.
Inside Linebackers
1. *Myles Jack, UCLA
2. Reggie Ragland, Alabama
3. Antonio Morrison, Florida
4. Kentrell Brothers, Missouri
5. Nick Kwiatkoski, West Virginia
6. Cassanova McKinzy, Auburn
7. *Scooby Wright, Arizona
8. *Dominique Alexander, Oklahoma
9. B.J. Goodson, Clemson
10. Blake Martinez, Stanford
The top two guys here are locks to go in Round 1. The question is whether anybody else joins them. No changes in the ranking since
March.
Outside Linebackers
1. *Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
2. **Darron Lee, Ohio St.
3. *Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
4. *Kamalei Correa, Boise St.
5. *Leonard Floyd, Georgia
6. Deion Jones, LSU
7. *Su'a Cravens, USC
8. De'Vondre Campbell, Minnesota
9. Joshua Perry, Ohio St.
10. Jordan Jenkins, Georgia
The mystery, of course, is the status of Smith's knee. He has medical rechecks on April 15, and that will tell us a lot. Healthy, he's on
top of this list and a top-five pick. The biggest rise here is the addition of Campbell.
Cornerbacks
1. *Jalen Ramsey, Florida St.
2. *Vernon Hargreaves, Florida
3. **Eli Apple, Ohio St.
4. William Jackson III, Houston
5. **Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech
6. **Mackensie Alexander, Clemson
7. *Artie Burns, Miami (Fla.)
8. KeiVarae Russell, Notre Dame
9. Maurice Canady, Virginia
10. Eric Murray, Minnesota
The top two here have been the same since last spring; it's really about the new names. The new name from the previous ranking is
Canady.
Safeties
1. *Vonn Bell, Ohio St.
2. Karl Joseph, West Virginia
3. Jeremy Cash, Duke
4. Sean Davis, Maryland
5. Darian Thompson, Boise St.
6. *Tyvis Powell, Ohio St.
7. Miles Killebrew, Southern Utah
8. *Keanu Neal, Florida
9. K.J. Dillon, West Virginia
10. Justin Simmons, Boston College
I know Joseph is coming off the injury, but he has so much good tape. I can see a team taking a shot there late in Round 1. No notable
changes here since the last ranking.
Kickers
1. *Roberto Aguayo, Florida St.
2. Brad Craddock, Maryland
3. Ka'imi Fairbairn, UCLA
4. Jaden Oberkrom, TCU
5. Conrad Ukropina, Stanford
6. Ross Martin, Duke
7. Marshall Koehn, Iowa
8. Andrew Baggett, Missouri
9. John Lunsford, Liberty
10. Zach Matics, Appalachian St.
I'll say this: If Aguayo comes off the board in Round 2, I wouldn't be surprised.
Punters
Long-snappers
1. Drew Kaser, Texas A&M
2. Riley Dixon, Syracuse
3. *Eric Enderson, Delaware
4. Nick O'Toole, West Virginia
5. Will Monday, Duke
6. Cason Beatty, Florida St.
7. Alex Kinal, Wake Forest
8. Tom Hackett, Utah
9. Lachlan Edwards, Sam Houston St.
10. Ben LeCompte, North Dakota St.
1. Jeff Overbaugh, San Diego St.
2. Jimmy Landes, Baylor
Last updated: January 26, 2016
With college football season now finished, let's take another
look at the best 2016 NFL draft prospects by position.
* Denotes underclassmen
Quarterbacks
Offensive linemen
1. Jared Goff, Cal*
2. Carson Wentz, North Dakota St.
3. Paxton Lynch, Memphis*
4. Connor Cook, Michigan St.
5. Christian Hackenberg, Penn St.*
6. Jacoby Brissett, NC St.
7. Dak Prescott, Mississippi St.
8. Cody Kessler, USC
9. Brandon Allen, Arkansas
10. Cardale Jones, Ohio St.*
1. Laremy Tunsil, T, Ole Miss*
2. Ronnie Stanley, T, Notre Dame
3. Jack Conklin, T, Michigan St.*
4. Taylor Decker, T, Ohio St.
5. Germain Ifedi, T, Texas A&M*
6. Shon Coleman, T, Auburn*
7. Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford
8. Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas St.
9. Jerald Hawkins, T, LSU*
10. Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
Running backs
Defensive linemen
1. Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio St.*
2. Derrick Henry, Alabama*
3. Alex Collins, Arkansas*
4. Jordan Howard, Indiana*
5. Paul Perkins, UCLA
8. Kelvin Taylor, Florida*
9. Kenyan Drake, Alabama
10. Josh Ferguson, Illinois
1. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio St.*
2. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
3. A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
4. Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss*
5. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
6. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson*
7. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
8. Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor*
9. Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson*
10. Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA*
Wide receivers
Linebackers
1. Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss*
2. Michael Thomas, Ohio St.*
3. Will Fuller, Notre Dame*
5. Corey Coleman, Baylor*
6. Tyler Boyd, Pitt*
7. Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina*
8. Braxton Miller, Ohio St.
9. Cayleb Jones, Arizona*
10. Rashard Higgins, Colorado St.*
1. Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA*
2. Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
3. Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame*
4. Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio St.*
5. Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia*
6. Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia
7. Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise St.*
8. Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah St.
9. Antonio Morrison, OLB, Florida
10. Joshua Perry, ILB, Ohio St.
Tight ends
Defensive backs
1. Hunter Henry, Arkansas*
2. Austin Hooper, Stanford*
3. Nick Vannett, Ohio St.
4. Bryce Williams, East Carolina
5. Caleb Smith, Oregon St.
6. David Grinnage, NC St.*
7. Jake McGee, Florida
8. Henry Krieger Coble, Iowa
9. Kyle Carter, Penn St.
10. Jerell Adams, South Carolina
1. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida St.*
2. Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida*
3. Eli Apple, CB, Ohio St.*
4. Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech*
5. Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson*
6. Su'a Cravens, S, USC*
7. Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
8. Vonn Bell, S, Ohio St.*
9. Jayron Kearse, S, Clemson*
10. Keanu Neal, S, Florida*
2016 Player Rankings (Big Board)
1. *Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss Rebels
No change at the top. Tunsil is the best tackle in this class, and has a real chance to be a special one at the next level -and right now the NFL is a league short on elite talent at the position. He's not perfect, but the tools are there.
2. *Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State Seminoles
The most common debate on Ramsey is where he'll end up at the next level. He has the versatility to be a really good
cornerback or a really good safety, but we can't dismiss the idea that it could be a combination of the two. If the ball skills
were better he'd be No. 1 here.
3. *Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State Buckeyes
This draft isn't short on pass-rushers, but I still think if it's third-and-8 and you just need to go for a guy most likely to get to
the quarterback, I'd go with Bosa. He's the most complete D-lineman in the draft if you place a high value on rush skills but
don't want to sacrifice elsewhere.
4. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon Ducks
The more you watch Buckner simply control blockers at the line of scrimmage, the less you worry about fit at the next level
and realize he's going to be good anywhere he lines up.
5. *Myles Jack, ILB, UCLA Bruins
A September injury simply can't take away what the tape shows. Jack is a gifted athlete, and the ability to cover like a safety
makes him a special talent. I think the kid who thinks he can play anywhere (and is probably right) is a top-10 pick.
6. *Jared Goff, QB, California Golden Bears
At this point I still feel Goff is the most gifted passer in the draft class. He's not quite the physical talent the player at No. 8
is, but with quarterbacks you have to put everything aside at some point and consider who can be special.
7. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
As I've said before, Stanley was smart to go back to South Bend for another season. I think he'll need to work on
consistency, but if the growth rate continues you have a potentially really good left tackle here.
8. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State Bison
The raw physical talent always stands out when you watch Wentz, but the ability to drive the ball all over the field with
accuracy is what's going to be make him a starting NFL quarterback. The question is whether someone will have the
patience not to force it.
9. *Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida Gators
The top pure cover corner in the draft, I think the question with Hargreaves is whether he lands inside the top 10. I'd guess
he will at this point because he can be a decent rookie at a position where that's not the norm.
10. *Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State Buckeyes
I've repeated the mantra that I wouldn't draft a running back in Round 1 a thousand times, but Elliott is the kind of talent that
tempts you. He's such a complete back, and figures to upgrade many teams at the position depending on where he lands.
11. *Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State Spartans
Just solid in every phase. The former walk-on gets bonus points here for his nasty run blocking. Will he stay at left tackle?
That's the question. But I think it's too early to say he can't stick there.
12. *Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss Rebels
In terms of raw ability he's the top receiver in the draft, but you have to hope he runs well at his pro day. Treadwell didn't run
in Indy -- he told us he didn't feel quite right during the season until October coming back from that big injury -- but a decent
time will make him the top WR taken.
13. Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama Crimson Tide
We probably typecast him too often as a classic thumper in the middle when it's clear he can do much more. Ragland has
great instincts and is the kind of player you draft with the intention of starting him in Week 1.
14. Sheldon Rankins, DL, Louisville Cardinals
Versatile and explosive, Rankins can create problems in the backfield rushing from the inside, and no defensive coordinator
can look past his potential. I don't think he can fall past the middle of Round 1.
15. *Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky Colonels
The ability is obvious, as Spence might be the best pure pass-rusher in the draft if the speed element is a focus, but he'll
need to hold up his end of the bargain off the field.
16.*Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson Tigers
Tremendously productive and with a solid frame, Lawson provides pass-rush help but also takes care of his responsibilities
as a run defender. I don't think it's out of the question for him to go inside the top eight picks.
17. Josh Doctson, WR, TCU Horned Frogs
Solid all-around without one all-world trait, Doctson is gifted when it comes to getting himself in the right position to make
difficult catches, and he also can turn the short catch into a big play.
18. A'Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama Crimson Tide
This week on the podcast we debated whether Robinson should be thetop defensive tackle in the draft. For my money, he
is, and I think he can improve in areas such as playing a little high and become even better. Great character player, great
motor.
19. Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama Crimson Tide
Easily the top center in the draft, I've had Kelly inside the top 20 in a previous mock draft. While you don't usually expect to
take a center so high, here's a case where you can and plug in a solid starter.
20. **Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State Buckeyes
One of the best athletes in the draft, Lee is explosive in his movements and can cause problems in the backfield when he
reads the play early because he can get there faster that just about anyone. Needs to clean things up as a tackler and he'll
be useful early.
21. *Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State Buckeyes
He has size, speed and a physical side to his game. I say every year that cornerbacks who can't tackle become liabilities,
and Apple doesn't shy away from the physical aspects. He'll need to become a better technical cover corner, but the talent
is obvious.
22. *Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State Buckeyes
The best safety in the draft when it comes to coverage, Bell will miss the occasional tackle and I've spoken with some
people in the NFL who could see him moving to corner. In any event, that it's a discussion highlights his versatility and
coverage skills.
23.*Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis Tigers
The frame, arm talent and potential are selling points, with the downside that Lynch will simply need more time than the first
two QBs on this list to be ready to start, in my opinion. But I think he has a good shot to go in Round 1.
24. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State Buckeyes
I had him ranked among the top offensive tackles in the draft class last year before he opted to return to school, and Decker
is again there this year, a guy who will go in Round 1. Will he stay at left tackle? Maybe not early in his career.
25. *Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss Rebels
A gifted player who can help an NFL team right away as part of a rotation on the interior of the defensive line, Nkemdiche's
challenge is to make sure teams can trust him off the field.
1. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State*
The gap between Bosa and the other top-tier players in this draft is narrowing, but the Ohio State star remains No. 1 on my
board. While Bosa does not have elite speed off the edge, as evidenced by his combine 40 time (see chart below), he
shows the relentlessness and instincts shared by most top-level NFL pass-rushers. Bosa keeps offensive linemen off-balance with a
wide array of pass-rush moves. Playing with outstanding effort, he finished his Buckeyes career with 50.5 tackles for loss in 41 games.
2. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi*
An exceptional athlete, Tunsil is firmly in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick because of his ability to redirect and mirror top
pass-rushers. He's not a road grader in the run game, but he shows great range in that area and would fit best in a zoneblocking scheme due to his exceptional mobility. Tunsil opted against running the 40-yard dash and doing the bench press at the
combine, but I'm looking forward to seeing if the results match the tape when he works out at Ole Miss' pro day later this month.
3. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
Buckner isn't going to win many battles with speed, but he has good length and explosive upper-body power to push the
pocket as a pass-rusher. Buckner, who's best suited to play 5-technique in a 3-4, also has the quickness and agility to play
left defensive end in a 4-3. He posted 17.0 TFLs (including 10.5 sacks) in 2015, showing the versatility and motor befitting a top-five
pick.
4. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State*
Ramsey might be the best all-around athlete in this class -- and he knows how to use his physical gifts to his advantage on
the field. In the position drills at the combine, he showed a little tightness in his hips and just average ball skills, but as I
mentioned back in October, Ramsey's game and athleticism compares favorably to Patrick Peterson. He has the versatility to line up
against a slot receiver one play and patrol center field the next.
5. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State*
Elliott helped his draft stock in Indy more than any other player who entered the combine with a first-round grade on my
board. After turning in an elite 40-yard dash time and looking natural in on-field drills, I'd be surprised if Elliott fell outside the
top 10. He has the combination of patience, vision and suddenness to excel as an interior runner in the NFL. A true three-down back,
Elliott keeps defenders off-balance with smooth change-of-direction skills.
6. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Stanley's key measurables are exactly what you'd hope for from a top-tier left tackle prospect, and the tape confirms the
workout numbers. He plays with great balance and doesn't lose many one-on-one battles in pass protection. Stanley -- who
has the versatility to play both left and right tackle at the next level -- put on a clinic during Notre Dame's Fiesta Bowl matchup against
Ohio State.
7. Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida*
Hargreaves didn't run as well as hoped at the combine, but he's still the best pure cover corner in this class. With excellent
ball skills (10 career INTs) and exceptional foot quickness, he has shown the instincts and aggressiveness to develop into a
good starting cornerback in the NFL.
8. Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA*
An explosive athlete who moonlighted as a running back for the Bruins, Jack holds up well in space and displays easy
change-of-direction skills. He has shown the ability to cover bigger receivers in the slot and has excellent awareness and
instincts in coverage. Still recovering from an early-season knee injury, Jack did not workout at the combine, but he's expected to give it
a go at UCLA's pro day on March 15.
9. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
Wentz has taken full advantage of the postseason process, first shining at the Senior Bowl, then performing well during onfield drills and off-field interviews at the combine. I have yet to hear a negative word about Wentz's mental makeup, and he
also grades out high in another extremely important area of QB evaluation: accuracy. He shows quick feet in his drops and throws the
ball with excellent timing and placement. At 6-foot-5 and 237 pounds, Wentz is in play for the Browns at No. 2 overall.
10. Jared Goff, QB, Cal*
On tape, Goff is a naturally accurate thrower who displays above-average anticipation. He comes with great physical tools -a smooth stroke, a near-elite arm, ideal height -- and the high football IQ that NFL teams look for in college QBs. Goff will
pick up the pro game quickly from a mental standpoint. One potential red flag? His 9-inch hands, which bring up ball-security concerns.
11. A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama*
Robinson had just 9.0 career sacks in 42 career games, but those numbers are deceiving. Turn on the tape and you see a
guy who is frequently disruptive as a pass-rusher, pushing the pocket and forcing QBs off their spots. And Robinson is
devastating against the run, showing very good range for his size. Throughout his career, he showed the ability to play multiple spots
along Alabama's defensive front.
12. Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State*
A walk-on-turned-All-American, Conklin plays with great effort and is a punishing blocker in the run game. Entering the
combine, I struggled to see how his game translated to playing left tackle in the NFL, but I might have to go back and rewatch some tape after his arm length and agility checked out better than expected. At the very least, Conklin has solidified himself as
the No. 3 offensive tackle prospect in this class and a first-round pick.
13. Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
Watching Ragland, it's obvious that he studies a lot of tape and picks up opponents' tendencies. When you combine that
football intelligence with natural straight-line speed and toughness, you get the best inside linebacker prospect in this class.
Ragland, who is already a great all-around player, impressed with his ability to routinely beat RBs and O-linemen around the edge
during pass-rush drills at the Senior Bowl.
14. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi*
Treadwell isn't an exceptional athlete -- and I'll be curious to see what he runs at his pro day after skipping the 40-yard dash
at the combine. But on tape, he shows outstanding hand-eye coordination and body control. He does an especially good job
of working the sideline and getting his feet in bounds. Coming off a gruesome leg injury, Treadwell was understandably cautious in the
beginning of this past season, but he finished the year with 82 catches, 1,153 yards and 11 TDs.
15. Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State*
Lee is a true sideline-to-sideline defender who displays a good combination of athleticism, range and versatility. With 27.5
tackles for loss during the past two seasons, Lee has a nose for the ball and shows a knack for making big plays. He is
quick to diagnose against the run and has elite speed for the position. With the ability to match up in coverage and play in space, Lee
fits today's NFL extremely well.
16. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson*
Lawson, who led the FBS with 25.5 tackles for loss in 2015, is a high-energy defensive end who plays with a good mixture
of relentlessness, technique and discipline. He's an excellent run-defender, but at this stage, he's not as consistent as you'd
like to see in a pass-rusher. Lawson makes a ton of effort plays on tape and brings a great work ethic and intangibles to the table.
17. Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State*
With nine career interceptions, Bell has elite cover skills for a safety. He shows good recovery speed when needed and can
match up with most slot wide receivers and tight ends one-on-one. An aggressive, tough run defender, Bell has remarkable
durability, playing in all 42 Ohio State games since 2013. This is an NFL-ready safety who could start on Day 1.
18. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
Reed occupies multiple blockers and plugs rushing lanes better than any interior lineman in this draft. He showed the ability
to beat double- and triple-teams on multiple occasions at the Senior Bowl. Reed's pass-rushing skills leave a lot to be
desired; he's not a threat to penetrate with first-step quickness and he shows a limited array of pass-rush moves. But he did improve in
this area, registering eight QB hurries in his final season at Alabama.
19. Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia*
You want a raw athlete off the edge? That's Floyd, who possesses rare speed and athleticism for his position. He vaulted
himself into the first-round discussion with his performance at the combine. Floyd's ceiling is very high, but with a lean frame
(6-6, 244 pounds), there is no doubt that he will need to improve his ability to take on blocks at the next level.
20. Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Doctson is the best WR in this year's class at attacking the ball when it's in the air. With a good frame (6-2, 202), a wide
catch radius (41-inch vertical) and big hands (nearly 10 inches), he had a great showing at the NFL combine. Doctson has
the skill set to develop into a reliable deep threat, and he could be the No. 2 WR off the board.
21. Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
A massive defensive lineman with good quickness for his size, the 323-pound Butler is a premier run-defender. On tape, he
wins a high percentage of one-on-one matchups against the run. There are flashes of the New York Jets'Muhammad
Wilkerson in his game, but Butler needs to show refinement as a pass-rusher and more overall consistency.
22. Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas*
In a down year for tight ends, the 6-5, 253-pound Henry stands out from the crowd. He has the body type to make plays
down the seam, and he uses his frame well to shield defenders from the ball in contested situations. Henry put up
impressive numbers last season in a run-heavy offense with 51 catches, 739 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Henry did not participate in any notable drills at the combine.
23. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
Decker is a stud in the running game. He takes good angles and consistently gets out in front of defenders on zone-stretch
plays. With less-than-ideal length and inconsistent technique in pass protection, Decker projects best as a right tackle in the
NFL.
24. Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State*
Apple will need to improve his technique when playing press coverage, but he shows the quick feet and speed to turn and
run with faster receivers. His 4.40 40-yard dash ranked seventh-best among defensive backs at the combine. Apple (6-1,
199) has the length that a lot of NFL teams are looking for in their cornerbacks, and as an added bonus, he's a terrific run-defender.
25. Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor*
Billings has freakish weight-room strength (31 reps on the bench press), which he puts to good use as an interior rundefender. On tape, he has the quickness and raw power to have upside as a pass-rusher, and that showed in 2015. After
recording 2.5 sacks in the first 15 games of his career, he had 5.5 in his last 12.
26. Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
Fuller blazed the second-fastest 40-yard dash time at the combine this year. On tape, he's a vertical burner who is always a
threat to rip off a big play (20.3 yards per catch last season). One area of concern? Fuller had a lot of drops in college, and
we got a possible explanation for why at the combine: His hands measured just 8¼ inches, well below the five-year average for WRs
(9¼ inches).
27. Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis*
Lynch has the strongest arm of the top three quarterbacks, and he showed off a great deep ball during on-field drills at the
combine. But he played in a system that featured a high percentage of throws near or behind the line of scrimmage and a
lot of predetermined or half-field reads. And when he was asked to throw a more diverse set of passes at the combine, he was
inconsistent with his accuracy. Lynch is an intriguing prospect, but he's not nearly as polished as Wentz or Goff.
28. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
Rankins has solidified himself as one of the best interior defensive linemen in this class with a standout performance at the
Senior Bowl and a solid showing at the combine. During the Senior Bowl, he showed explosiveness in one-on-one passrush drills and stuffed the run during 11-on-11. Rankins compiled 15 sacks in his final two college seasons and is a load for any Olineman to handle because of his rare combination of quickness and power.
29. Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky*
Spence continues to be a tough prospect to pin down. On tape and at the Senior Bowl, he impressed with elite quickness
and bend around the edge. But at the combine, he way underperformed for someone who weighs 254 pounds. While
he improved his 40 time at his pro day, Spence's inconsistencies and off-field character make him one of the ultimate risk/reward
players in this draft.
30. Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
With 36-inch arms and a 6-6, 324-pound frame, Ifedi was born to play offensive tackle. On the rare occasion he gets beat in
pass protection, it is by elite speed rushers with great hands to negate his long arms. With excellent quickness and balance,
Ifedi has the raw tools to one day develop into a starting left tackle. But at this point, he's more of a project than his peers above him on
this list.
31. Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State*
A highly productive pass-rusher with 19 sacks in his past two seasons at Boise State, Correa has the first-step quickness
and speed/body control to turn the corner as an outside rusher. He plays with a great motor and is a good enough athlete to
hold up in coverage and make plays against the run.
32. Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State*
Jones plays with an inconsistent motor, and there's some concern about his overall work ethic. But his freakish combination
of length, strength and straight-line burst gives him a high ceiling. When playing with leverage, he's able to hold his ground
against double teams.
2016 Tiered Player Rankings
Tier 1
This is the elite class of prospects in the 2016 NFL draft. They should be starters from Day 1 and project as perennial Pro Bowl players.
1. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State (Grade: 96)
2. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi (95)
3. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon (95)
Bosa has been in the No. 1 position all season, and I see no reason to change that now. He plays with exceptional technique and effort.
And while Bosa may lack elite speed, he's a dominant player on the field. Tunsil, meanwhile, is firmly in the mix for the No. 1 overall
pick because of his rare athleticism and upside. Buckner, who has the versatility to fit in a 3-4 or 4-3, has a motor befitting a player who
will have a long and successful career.
Tier 2
A notch below the elite class but still worthy of a top-20 pick in most drafts. Expected to be plug-and-play starters
4. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State (94)
5. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State (92)
6. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame (92)
7. Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida (92)
8. Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA (92)
9. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State (92)
10. Jared Goff, QB, Cal (92)
The top defensive back in the draft, Ramsey has the skills to play either cornerback or safety at the next level, while Hargreaves is
much more of a pure man-to-man cover corner. Elliott is a truly elite talent who was downgraded ever so slightly here because of the
declining value of his position. And the quarterbacks -- Wentz and Goff -- aren't on the same level as last year's top QB selection
(Jameis Winston), but they don't grade out too far below last year's No. 2 overall pick (Marcus Mariota). While they could benefit from a
year of sitting and learning, Wentz and Goff both possess the mental makeup and physical tools to develop into good NFL starters.
Tier 3
These players carry late first-round grades.
11. Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State (91)
12. Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama (91)
13. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi (91)
14. Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State (91)
15. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama (91)
16. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville (91)
17. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson (90)
18. Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor (90)
19. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State (90)
20. Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia (90)
21. Josh Doctson, WR, TCU (90)
This tier starts to give you a sense for just how deep the defensive tackle class is this year. Reed, Rankins and Billings all have
intriguing, if not fully developed, skill sets. Reed is, quite simply, the most dominant run-defender in this class. Rankins is more than
capable of developing into an every-down player who plays multiple spots along the D-line. And Billings is an out-of-this-world athlete
with the first-step quickness to win early.
Tier 4
Would rather not reach for these prospects late in the first round, but they're good value picks in the first half of Round 2.
22. Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech (89)
23. Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame (89)
24. Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame (89)
25. Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State (89)
26. Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State (89)
27. Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis (89)
28. Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi (88)
29. Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor (88)
30. Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M (88)
31. Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State (88)
32. Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State (88)
33. Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas (88)
34. Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (88)
35. A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama (87)
36. Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State (87)
37. Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky (87)
38. Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia (87)
39. Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama (86)
40. Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State (86)
41. Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson (86)
42. Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech (86)
43. Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State (86)
44. Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State (86)
Yes, I only have first-round grades on 21 players, but with 31 picks in Round 1 this year, a host of prospects from this tier are sure to
come off the board ahead of where their grades suggest they should. Fuller and Apple -- who faced off against each other in the Fiesta
Bowl in January -- both have very specific traits that stand out to talent evaluators. Fuller is a true speedster at the wide receiver
position after blazing a 4.32 40 at the combine, while Apple has the height (6-foot-1) teams are looking for from their cornerbacks. It's
possible a team like Arizona grabs Lynch toward the end of the first round, but because he figures to be a long-term project, his value is
that of a second-rounder. Spence has Round 1 talent, but his off-field mishaps -- two drug-related suspensions that forced him to
transfer away from Ohio State -- give teams pause.
Tier 5
These players are middle or late second-round prospects.
45. Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA (84)
46. William Jackson III, CB, Houston (84)
47. Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State (84)
48. Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana (84)
49. Keanu Neal, S, Florida (84)
50. Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina (83)
51. Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma (82)
52. Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas (82)
53. Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State (81)
54. Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State (81)
55. Joshua Garnett, OG, Stanford (80)
56. Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama (80)
57. Jerald Hawkins, OT, LSU (80)
58. Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska (80)
59. Willie Henry, DT, Michigan (80)
60. Su'a Cravens, S, USC (80)
61. Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State (80)
62. Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State (80)
Again, it's a good year to need a defensive tackle; teams will find some great talent at the position deep into Round 2. That also figures
to be when WRs who thrive in the slot (Shepard and Miller, in particular) will start getting a look. A team might reach for a player like
Spriggs in the first round because of the value of left tackle prospects. Spriggs has exceptional length and athletic ability, but he never
really put it all together on tape, which is why he is positioned in this tier.
Tier 6
These players are third-round prospects. They could develop into solid starters, but they either have limited upside or come with a
higher element of risk than players worth drafting in the first two rounds.
63. Artie Burns, CB, Miami (FL) (79)
64. Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame (79)
65. Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina (79)
66. Jeremy Cash, S, Duke (79)
67. Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford (79)
68. Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia (79)
69. Jihad Ward, DE, Illinois (79)
70. Nick Martin, OC, Notre Dame (79)
71. Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State (78)
72. Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers (78)
73. Joshua Perry, ILB, Ohio State (78)
74. Nick Kwiatkoski, ILB, West Virginia (77)
75. Chris Moore, WR, Cincinnati (77)
76. Jacoby Brissett, QB, North Carolina State (77)
77. Antonio Morrison, OLB, Florida (77)
78. Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State (77)
79. Eric Murray, CB, Minnesota (77)
80. Darian Thompson, S, Boise State (77)
81. Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh (76)
82. Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida (76)
83. Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor (76)
84. Nile Lawrence-Stample, DT, Florida State (76)
85. Jalen Mills, S, LSU (76)
86. Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech (75)
87. Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama (75)
88. Deion Jones, OLB, LSU (75)
89. Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State (74)
90. Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana (74)
91. Zack Sanchez, CB, Oklahoma (74)
92. Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas (73)
93. Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah (73)
94. D.J. Reader, DT, Clemson (73)
95. Charles Tapper, Oklahoma (73)
96. D.J. White, CB, Georgia Tech (73)
97. Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU (72)
98. Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn (71)
99. Briean Boddy-Calhoun, CB, Minnesota (70)
100. Deon Bush, S, Miami (FL) (70)
101. B.J. Goodson, ILB, Clemson (70)
102. Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA (70)
103. Joe Schobert, OLB, Wisconsin (70)
104. Chris Westerman, OG, Arizona State (70)
This is a long list, so let's start at the top. Burns' extremely long arms and ability to play press coverage give him a lot of upside as a
cornerback. Ward's tape suggests he's a better run-defender than a pass-rusher, but at the Senior Bowl, he flashed a little in one-onone drills getting after the quarterback. And in a league that can never have too many solid backup QBs, Brissett could be off the board
as early as Round 2.
2016 Player Rankings
ESPN SCOUTS INC. – ESPN.com
NAME
POS
HT
WT
SCHOOL
GRADE
OVR RANK
Joey Bosa*
DE
6'5¼"
269
Ohio State
96
1
Laremy Tunsil*
OT
6'5"
310
Mississippi
95
2
DeForest Buckner
DE
6'7"
291
Oregon
95
3
Jalen Ramsey*
CB
6'1¼"
209
Florida State
94
4
Ezekiel Elliott*
RB
5'11¾"
225
Ohio State
92
5
Ronnie Stanley
OT
6'5¾"
312
Notre Dame
92
6
Vernon Hargreaves III*
CB
5'10½"
204
Florida
92
7
Myles Jack*
OLB
6'1"
245
UCLA
92
8
Carson Wentz
QB
6'5¼"
237
North Dakota State
92
9
Jared Goff*
QB
6'4"
215
California
92
10
Jack Conklin*
OT
6'5¾"
308
Michigan State
91
11
Darron Lee*
OLB
6'0¾"
232
Ohio State
91
12
Reggie Ragland
ILB
6'1¼"
247
Alabama
91
13
Jarran Reed
DT
6'2⅞"
307
Alabama
91
14
Sheldon Rankins
DT
6'1⅛"
299
Louisville
91
15
Laquon Treadwell*
WR
6'2"
221
Mississippi
91
16
Shaq Lawson*
DE
6'2⅝"
269
Clemson
90
17
Andrew Billings*
DT
6'0⅝"
311
Baylor
90
18
Taylor Decker
OT
6'7"
310
Ohio State
90
19
Leonard Floyd*
OLB
6'5⅝"
244
Georgia
90
20
Josh Doctson
WR
6'2"
202
TCU
90
21
Robert Nkemdiche*
DT
6'3½"
294
Mississippi
90
22
Vernon Butler
DT
6'3⅝"
323
Louisiana Tech
89
23
Will Fuller*
WR
6'0⅛"
186
Notre Dame
89
24
Jaylon Smith*
OLB
6'2"
223
Notre Dame
89
25
A'Shawn Robinson*
DT
6'3⅝"
307
Alabama
89
26
Vonn Bell*
S
5'10¾"
199
Ohio State
89
27
Eli Apple*
CB
6'0⅝"
199
Ohio State
89
28
Paxton Lynch*
QB
6'6⅝"
244
Memphis
89
29
Corey Coleman*
WR
5'10⅝"
194
Baylor
88
30
Germain Ifedi
OT
6'5¾"
324
Texas A&M
88
31
Kamalei Correa*
OLB
6'2⅝"
243
Boise State
88
32
Chris Jones*
DT
6'5¾"
310
Mississippi State
88
33
Hunter Henry*
TE
6'4⅞"
250
Arkansas
0
34
Mackensie Alexander*
CB
5'10⅜"
190
Clemson
88
35
Noah Spence*
OLB
6'2½"
251
Eastern Kentucky
87
36
Karl Joseph
S
5'9⅝"
205
West Virginia
87
37
Ryan Kelly
OC
6'4"
311
Alabama
86
38
Austin Johnson*
DT
6'4⅜"
314
Penn State
86
39
Connor Cook
QB
6'4"
217
Michigan State
86
40
Kevin Dodd*
DE
6'5"
277
Clemson
86
41
Kendall Fuller*
CB
5'11½"
187
Virginia Tech
85
42
Emmanuel Ogbah*
DE
6'4¼"
273
Oklahoma State
85
43
Kenny Clark*
DT
6'2⅝"
314
UCLA
84
44
William Jackson III
CB
6'0⅜"
189
Houston
84
45
Michael Thomas*
WR
6'2¾"
212
Ohio State
84
46
Jason Spriggs
OT
6'5⅝"
301
Indiana
84
47
Keanu Neal*
S
6'0½"
211
Florida
84
48
Sheldon Day
DT
6'0⅝"
293
Notre Dame
83
49
Jerell Adams
TE
6'5⅛"
247
South Carolina
83
50
Sterling Shepard
WR
5'10¼"
194
Oklahoma
82
51
Pharoh Cooper*
WR
5'11⅛"
203
South Carolina
81
52
Adolphus Washington
DT
6'3⅜"
301
Ohio State
81
53
Christian Hackenberg*
QB
6'4⅜"
223
Penn State
81
54
Braxton Miller
WR
6'1⅜"
201
Ohio State
80
55
Joshua Garnett
OG
6'4⅜"
312
Stanford
80
56
Derrick Henry*
RB
6'2⅝"
247
Alabama
80
57
Jerald Hawkins*
OT
6'5⅝"
305
LSU
80
58
Maliek Collins*
DT
6'1⅞"
311
Nebraska
80
59
Su'a Cravens*
S
6'0¾"
226
USC
80
60
Nick Vannett
TE
6'6"
257
Ohio State
80
61
Will Redmond
CB
5'10¾"
182
Mississippi State
80
62
Artie Burns*
CB
5'11⅞"
193
Miami (FL)
79
63
Willie Henry
DT
6'2¾"
303
Michigan
79
64
Tyler Boyd*
WR
6'1½"
197
Pittsburgh
79
65
Nick Martin
OC
6'4⅛"
299
Notre Dame
79
66
Austin Hooper*
TE
6'3¾"
254
Stanford
79
67
Jihad Ward
DE
6'5⅛"
297
Illinois
79
68
Jeremy Cash
S
6'0⅜"
212
Duke
79
69
Jordan Jenkins
OLB
6'2⅝"
259
Georgia
79
70
Hassan Ridgeway*
DT
6'3⅜"
303
Texas
78
71
Leonte Carroo
WR
5'11⅞"
211
Rutgers
78
72
Joshua Perry
ILB
6'3¾"
254
Ohio State
78
73
Carl Nassib
DE
6'6⅞"
277
Penn State
78
74
Nick Kwiatkoski
ILB
6'2"
243
West Virginia
77
75
Chris Moore
WR
6'1"
206
Cincinnati
77
76
Jacoby Brissett
QB
6'3¾"
231
North Carolina State
77
77
Jonathan Bullard
DE
6'3"
285
Florida
77
78
Eric Murray
CB
5'10⅝"
199
Minnesota
77
79
Darian Thompson
S
6'1⅞"
208
Boise State
77
80
Antonio Morrison
OLB
6'0¾"
233
Florida
77
81
Shilique Calhoun
DE
6'4⅜"
251
Michigan State
76
82
Xavien Howard*
CB
6'0⅛"
201
Baylor
76
83
Jalen Mills
S
6'0"
191
LSU
76
84
Kenneth Dixon
RB
5'10⅛"
215
Louisiana Tech
75
85
Cyrus Jones
CB
5'9⅞"
197
Alabama
75
86
Deion Jones
OLB
6'0⅞"
222
LSU
75
87
Cody Whitehair
OG
6'3¾"
301
Kansas State
74
88
Jordan Howard*
RB
5'11⅞"
230
Indiana
74
89
Zack Sanchez*
CB
5'10⅞"
185
Oklahoma
74
90
Alex Collins*
RB
5'10"
217
Arkansas
73
91
Jordan Payton
WR
6'1⅛"
207
UCLA
73
92
Miles Killebrew
S
6'1⅞"
217
Southern Utah
73
93
D.J. Reader
DT
6'2⅝"
327
Clemson
73
94
Charles Tapper
DE
6'2⅝"
271
Oklahoma
73
95
D.J. White
CB
5'10⅞"
193
Georgia Tech
73
96
Bronson Kaufusi
DE
6'6½"
285
Brigham Young
72
97
Shon Coleman*
OT
6'5½"
307
Auburn
71
98
Briean Boddy-Calhoun
CB
5'9½"
193
Minnesota
70
99
Deon Bush
S
6'0⅜"
199
Miami (FL)
70
100
B.J. Goodson
ILB
6'0⅝"
242
Clemson
70
101
Paul Perkins
RB
5'10⅜"
208
UCLA
70
102
Joe Schobert
OLB
6'1⅜"
244
Wisconsin
70
103
Christian Westerman
OG
6'3⅛"
298
Arizona State
70
104
Le'Raven Clark
OT
6'5¼"
316
Texas Tech
69
105
Kyler Fackrell
OLB
6'5"
245
Utah State
69
106
Adam Gotsis
DE
6'4½"
287
Georgia Tech
69
107
Daryl Worley
CB
6'0¾"
204
West Virginia
69
108
Connor Mcgovern
OG
6'4¼"
306
Missouri
68
109
Dadi Lhomme Nicolas
OLB
6'2⅞"
235
Virginia Tech
68
110
Isaac Seumalo
OC
6'3⅞"
303
Oregon State
68
111
Kenny Lawler*
WR
6'2½"
203
California
67
112
Maurice Canady
CB
6'1"
193
Virginia
67
113
Graham Glasgow
OC
6'5⅞"
307
Michigan
67
114
T J Green
S
6'2½"
209
Clemson
67
115
Matt Judon
DE
6'3"
275
Grand Valley State
67
116
Ronald Blair
DE
6'2⅛"
284
Appalachian State
66
117
James Bradberry
CB
6'0¾"
211
Samford
66
118
Rashard Higgins*
WR
6'1⅜"
196
Colorado State
66
119
Jayron Kearse*
S
6'4"
216
Clemson
66
120
Yannick Ngakoue
DE
6'2"
252
Maryland
64
121
Sebastian Tretola
OG
6'4⅛"
314
Arkansas
64
122
Kentrell Brothers
ILB
6'0⅜"
245
Missouri
63
123
Shawn Oakman
DE
6'7⅝"
287
Baylor
63
124
Aaron Burbridge
WR
6'0"
206
Michigan State
62
125
Harlan Miller
CB
5'11⅞"
182
Southeastern Louisiana
62
126
Terrance Smith
OLB
6'2⅞"
235
Florida State
62
127
Brandon Allen
QB
6'1⅜"
217
Arkansas
61
128
Max Tuerk
OC
6'5"
298
USC
61
129
Caleb Benenoch
OT
6'5½"
311
UCLA
61
130
James Cowser
OLB
6'3⅛"
248
Southern Utah
61
131
Joe Dahl
OG
6'4⅛"
304
Washington State
61
132
Javon Hargrave
DT
6'1⅜"
309
South Carolina State
61
133
Tyvis Powell*
S
6'2¾"
211
Ohio State
61
134
Ryan Smith
CB
5'11"
189
North Carolina Central
61
135
Anthony Zettel
DE
6'3⅞"
277
Penn State
61
136
Cayleb Jones*
WR
6'2⅝"
209
Arizona
60
137
Evan Boehm
OC
6'2⅛"
302
Missouri
60
138
Devontae Booker
RB
5'10¾"
219
Utah
60
139
Parker Ehinger
OG
6'6¼"
310
Cincinnati
59
140
Tyler Matakevich
ILB
6'0"
238
Temple
60
141
K J Dillon
S
6'0⅜"
210
West Virginia
59
142
Matt Ioannidis
DT
6'3½"
299
Temple
59
143
Kyle Murphy
OT
6'6⅜"
305
Stanford
59
144
Tyler Higbee
TE
6'5¾"
249
Western Kentucky
59
145
Dak Prescott
QB
6'2¼"
226
Mississippi State
59
146
C J Prosise
RB
6'0½"
220
Notre Dame
59
147
Devon Cajuste
WR
6'3¾"
234
Stanford
59
148
Keivarae Russell
CB
5'11⅛"
192
Notre Dame
59
149
Blake Martinez
ILB
6'1⅝"
237
Stanford
59
150
90-100 Rare Prospect
Player demonstrates rare abilities and can create mismatches that have an obvious impact on the game. Is a premier college player
that has all the skill to take over a game and play at a championship level. He rates in the top 5 players in the nation at his position and
is considered a first round draft prospect.
80-89 Outstanding Prospect
Player has abilities to create mismatches versus most opponents in the NFL. A feature player that has an impact on the outcome of the
game. Cannot be shut down by a single player and plays on a consistent level week in and week out. He rates in the top 10 at his
position and is considered a second round draft prospect.
70-79 Solid Prospect
Still a standout player at the college level that is close to being an elite player. He has no glaring weaknesses and will usually win his
individual matchups, but does not dominate in every game, especially when matched up against the top players in the country. He will
usually rate in the top third of players at his position and is considered a third round draft prospect.
60-69 Good Prospect
This player is an good starter that will give a solid effort week in and week out, but he is overmatched versus the better players in the
nation. His weaknesses will be exposed against top competition. He is usually a prospect that is missing something from his game. For
example, he has the size and skills to be an outstanding prospect, but lacks the speed. He will usually rate in the top half of the players
at his position and is considered a middle round draft choice.
50-59 Adequate Prospect
These are usually players that play at a high level in college, but lack some measurables or skills to play at that same level in the NFL.
He may be a player that has a lot of developmental qualities, or could be a player that will contribute right away on special teams or in a
situational capacity. He will usually rate in the second-third at his position and is considered a fifth round draft choice.
21-49 Borderline Draft Prospect
These are players that teams like something about, but certainly do not have the full package in terms of NFL talent. A lot of times,
teams will take chances on character players or developmental type athletes with this grade. And often, these are players that come
from smaller schools or did not standout at the college level. NFL teams are looking for 'diamonds in the rough' with this type of
prospect. He will usually rate in the bottom third of players at his position and will be considered a late round draft choice or un-drafted
free agent.
20 Free Agent Prospect
These are players that did not make our original 'evaluation list' but are prospects that need to be monitored. Especially in the preseason, these players will fluctuate up and down depending on performance in their final year of eligibility.
10 Not a legitimate Prospect
These are players that lack NFL measurables and/or skills. They are players that we feel would not even make a solid contribution as a
training camp body.
MIKE MAYOCK – NFL.com
Quarterback
Guard
1. Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
2. Jared Goff, California
3. Paxton Lynch, Memphis
4. Connor Cook, Michigan State
5. Dak Prescott, Mississippi State
1. Cody Whitehair, Kansas State
2. Joshua Garnett, Stanford
3. Christian Westerman, Arizona State
4. Vadal Alexander, LSU
5. Connor McGovern, Missouri
Running back
Rise: Garnett (3), Westerman (4), McGovern (NR)
Fall: Alexander (2), Graham Glasgow, Michigan (5)
1. Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
2. Derrick Henry, Alabama
5. C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame
Rise: Prosise (NR)
Fall: Jordan Howard, Indiana (5)
Wide receiver
1. Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss
2. Corey Coleman, Baylor
4. Will Fuller, Notre Dame
T-5. Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma
T-5. Michael Thomas, Ohio State
Rise: Doctson (4), Fuller (5), Shepard (NR)
Fall: Thomas (3)
Tight end
1. Hunter Henry, Arkansas
2. Austin Hooper, Stanford
3. Jerrell Adams, South Carolina
4. Nick Vannett, Ohio State
5. Ben Braunecker, Harvard
Rise: Braunecker (NR)
Fall: Henry Krieger Coble, Iowa (5)
Offensive tackle
1. Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
2. Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
3. Jack Conklin, Michigan State
4. Taylor Decker, Ohio State
T-5. Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M
T-5. Jason Spriggs, Indiana
Rise: Ifedi (NR), Spriggs (NR)
Fall: Willie Beavers, Western Michigan (5)
Center
1. Ryan Kelly, Alabama
2. Nick Martin, Notre Dame
3. Max Tuerk, USC
4. Evan Boehm, Missouri
T-5. Graham Glasgow, Michigan
T-5. Jack Allen, Michigan State
Rise: Glasgow (NR)
Fall: Allen (5)
Interior defensive line
1. DeForest Buckner, Oregon
2. Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
3. Jarran Reed, Alabama
4. A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
5. Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
Rise: Rankins (3), Reed (4), Robinson (5)
Fall: Nkemdiche (2)
Edge rusher
1. Joey Bosa, Ohio State
2. Leonard Floyd, Georgia
3. Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
4. Shaq Lawson, Clemson
T-5. Kamalei Correa, Boise State
T-5. Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State
Rise: Floyd (4), Correa (NR), Ogbah (NR)
Fall: Spence (2), Lawson (3), Kevin Dodd, Clemson (5)
MIKE MAYOCK – NFL.com
Linebacker
1. Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
2. Myles Jack, UCLA
3. Darron Lee, Ohio State
4. Reggie Ragland, Alabama
5. Deion Jones, LSU
Rise: Lee (4)
Fall: Ragland (3)
Cornerback
1. Vernon Hargreaves, Florida
2. Eli Apple, Ohio State
3. Artie Burns, Miami (Fla.)
4. William Jackson III, Houston
5. Mackensie Alexander, Clemson
Rise: Hargreaves (2), Apple (4), Burns (NR), Jackson (NR)
Fall: Alexander (3), Cyrus Jones, Alabama (5)
Note: Jalen Ramsey, Florida State (1), moves to safety
Safeties
1. Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
2. Karl Joseph, West Virginia
3. Vonn Bell, Ohio State
4. Miles Killebrew, Southern Utah
5. K.J. Dillon, West Virgina
Rise: Dillon (NR)
Fall: Joseph (1), Bell (2), Darien Thompson, Boise State (3),
Jeremy Cash, Duke (5)
Note: Ramsey moves from cornerback
RANK
PLAYER
POS.
1
Laremy Tunsil
2
SCHOOL
HT.
WT.
OT
6'5"
310
Jalen Ramsey
CB/S
6'1"
209
3
Myles Jack
LB
6'1"
245
4
Ezekiel Elliott
RB
6'0"
225
5
Joey Bosa
DE
6'5"
269
6
Laquon Treadwell
WR
6'2"
221
7
DeForest Buckner
DE
6'7"
291
8
A'Shawn Robinson
DT
6'4"
307
9
Ronnie Stanley
OT
6'6"
312
10
Vernon Hargreaves
CB
5'10"
204
11
Vernon Butler
DT
6'4"
323
12
Noah Spence
DE
6'2"
251
13
Reggie Ragland
LB
6'1"
247
14
Jared Goff
QB
6'4"
215
15
Mackensie Alexander
CB
5'10"
190
16
Shaq Lawson
DE
6'3"
269
17
Sheldon Rankins
DT
6'1"
299
18
William Jackson
CB
6'0"
189
19
Taylor Decker
OT
6'7"
310
20
Darian Thompson
S
6'2"
208
21
Darron Lee
LB
6'1"
232
22
Jack Conklin
OT
6'6"
308
23
Josh Doctson
WR
6'2"
202
24
Joshua Garnett
G
6'4"
312
25
Jason Spriggs
OT
6'6"
301
26
Andrew Billings
DT
6'1"
311
27
Tyler Boyd
WR
6'1"
197
28
Kevin Dodd
DE
6'5"
277
29
Derrick Henry
RB
6'3"
247
30
Sterling Shepard
WR
5'10"
194
31
Eli Apple
CB
6'1"
199
32
Leonard Floyd
OLB
6'6"
244
33
Kenny Clark
DT
6'3"
314
34
Carson Wentz
QB
6'5"
237
35
Jaylon Smith
LB
6'2"
223
36
Jarran Reed
DT
6'3"
307
37
Jalen Mills
CB
6'0"
191
38
Jeremy Cash
S
6'0"
212
39
Corey Coleman
WR
5'11"
194
40
Su'a Cravens
LB
6'1"
226
41
Chris Jones
DT
6'6"
310
42
Michael Thomas
WR
6'3"
212
43
Robert Nkemdiche
DT
6'3"
294
44
Emmanuel Ogbah
DE
6'4"
273
45
Cody Whitehair
G
6'4"
301
46
Paxton Lynch
QB
6'7"
244
47
Jonathan Bullard
DT
6'3"
285
48
Braxton Miller
WR
6'1"
201
49
Connor Cook
QB
6'4"
217
50
Kendall Fuller
CB
5'11"
187
TEAM REPORTS
2016 AFC North Draft Needs
DANIEL JEREMIAH & BUCKY BROOKS – NFL.com
NFL Media analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks identify "Perfect Pairs" -- the ideal top two picks -- for each NFL
team leading up to the 2016 NFL Draft.
Baltimore Ravens
Jeremiah's perfect draft pair: Ohio State DE Joey Bosa (Round 1, pick 6); Houston CB William
Jackson III (Round 2, pick 36)
Jeremiah's take: We're going to go on the defensive side of the ball here to get the Ravens' defense back to what it was.
Bosa would give them a nice rusher who can win off the edge or kick inside to do some damage. As for Jackson, he's one
of my favorite players in the draft. The buzz about him is going to continue to build to the point where he might not be
available at No. 36. He's big, fast, he can play the ball and he's tough.
Cincinnati Bengals
Jeremiah's perfect draft pair: TCU WR Josh Doctson (Round 1, pick 24); LSU OLB Deion Jones (Round
2, pick 55)
Jeremiah's take: I don't know if anyone has helped themselves more in the postseason than Doctson. He erased
concerns about his speed at the combine (4.50 40-yard dash). He is a weapon. With the Bengals losing Marvin Jones and
Mohamed Sanu in free agency, they need to replenish the position with some size. Jones can add athleticism to the
Bengals' linebacker corps. He's a little undersized, but he has strong safety-type cover skills. Jones can be a weapon,
especially in sub and nickel situations.
Cleveland Browns
Brooks' perfect draft pair: North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz (Round 1, pick 2); Notre Dame WR Will
Fuller (Round 2, pick 32)
Brooks' take: The Browns need a quarterback and a wide receiver who can make plays. Wentz is a big, physical
playmaker who has A-plus arm talent. I think head coach Hue Jackson and quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton find a way
to craft their offense around his unique skill set. He should be a terrific pro in time. In Fuller, you have a home-run hitter.
We saw his speed at the NFL Scouting Combine (4.32 seconds in the 40-yard dash). If he becomes a consistent passcatcher, there's no doubt that he's going to make plenty of big plays. If the Browns are able to get Josh Gordon back on
track, Fuller will be a nice complement for him.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Brooks' perfect draft pair: Ohio State CB Eli Apple (Round 1, pick 25); Utah RB Devontae Booker (Round 2,
pick 58)
Brooks' take: Apple is a long, rangy player who fits the prototype at corner for the Steelers. He can play press coverage
but also has the versatility to play off coverage. Even though Pittsburgh is starting to transition to more of a zone-based
defense in the back end, I think Apple is a nice fit. As for Booker, I think at some point you have to address Le'Veon Bell's
injury situation because he's been banged up. I want to make sure that I have some security at the position in case Bell
has to miss any time. Booker can do all of those things the Steelers would be looking for -- he can run it inside and
outside and catch the ball out of the backfield. I think he's a perfect Steeler in this situation.
Baltimore Ravens
2015 record: 5-11 (.508)
Top need: Offensive line
Other needs: Cornerback, outside linebacker, wide receiver
Top prospects at positional needs: OL: Laremy Tunsil (Ole Miss), Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame), Cody Whitehair
(Kansas State), Jack Conklin (Michigan State); CB: Jalen Ramsey (Florida State), Vernon Hargreaves (Florida),
Mackensie Alexander (Clemson); OLB: Myles Jack (UCLA), Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame), Leonard Floyd (Georgia); WR:
Laquon Treadwell (Ole Miss), Will Fuller (Notre Dame), Corey Coleman (Baylor).
Analysis: With Antonio Brown and A.J. Green in the division, the Ravens are in desperate need of help in the defensive
backfield. Terrell Suggs' injury is par for the course for aging players and adding a young pass rusher would help. We are
waiting to see what Breshad Perriman can do, but more talent for Joe Flacco couldn't hurt.
Cincinnati Bengals
2015 record: 12-4 (.477)
Top need: Wide receiver
Other needs: Nose tackle, linebacker, center
Top prospects at positional needs: WR: Laquon Treadwell (Ole Miss), Tyler Boyd (Pittsburgh), Corey Coleman
(Baylor); NT: Andrew Billings (Baylor), Austin Johnson (Penn State), Kenny Clark (UCLA); LB: Myles Jack (UCLA), Jaylon
Smith (Notre Dame), Leonard Floyd (Georgia); Center: Ryan Kelly (Alabama), Max Tuerk (USC), Evan Boehm (Missouri).
Analysis: While I'm not sure that there is one "must-have" need for the Bengals, finding an upper-echelon safety would
really help to solidify this defense. Center Russell Bodine has been pushed around far too often up front, and it might be
impossible for the Bengals to ignore that position beyond this season. A.J. Green is the man at wide receiver, but free
agency looms for four wide receivers on the Bengals' depth chart and not everyone will be retained. Free agency and age
could lead the Bengals to add one, if not two linebackers and depth at defensive tackle is entirely possible with one of
their draft picks.
Cleveland Browns
2015 record: 10-6 (.504)
Top need: Cornerback
Other needs: Safety, offensive guard, outside linebacker
Top prospects at positional needs: CB: Jalen Ramsey (Florida State), Vernon Hargreaves (Florida), Mackensie
Alexander (Clemson); Safety: Miles Killebrew (Southern Utah), Keanu Neal (Florida), Karl Joseph (West Virginia); Guard:
Cody Whitehair (Kansas State), Germain Ifedi (Texas A&M), Joshua Garnett (Stanford); OLB: Myles Jack (UCLA), Jaylon
Smith (Notre Dame).
Analysis: The Steelers can't stop the pass. There hasn't been a bunch of turnover for the Steelers at the cornerback spot,
but this might be the year we see some new blood added and not just for depth purposes, but as potential long-term
starters. To go along with some new cornerbacks, the Steelers might be on the lookout for Will Allen's eventual
replacement if they find a safety talented enough. The absence of Ben Roethlisberger for four games in 2015 highlighted
the need for the Steelers to find a capable, young backup to groom and it might be time to find a left guard to challenge
Ramon Foster for the starting role.
Pittsburgh Steelers
2015 record: 10-6 (.504)
Top need: Cornerback
Other needs: Safety, offensive guard, outside linebacker
Top prospects at positional needs: CB: Jalen Ramsey (Florida State), Vernon Hargreaves (Florida), Mackensie
Alexander (Clemson); Safety: Miles Killebrew (Southern Utah), Keanu Neal (Florida), Karl Joseph (West Virginia); Guard:
Cody Whitehair (Kansas State), Germain Ifedi (Texas A&M), Joshua Garnett (Stanford); OLB: Myles Jack (UCLA), Jaylon
Smith (Notre Dame).
Analysis: The Steelers can't stop the pass. There hasn't been a bunch of turnover for the Steelers at the cornerback spot,
but this might be the year we see some new blood added and not just for depth purposes, but as potential long-term
starters. To go along with some new cornerbacks, the Steelers might be on the lookout for Will Allen's eventual
replacement if they find a safety talented enough. The absence of Ben Roethlisberger for four games in 2015 highlighted
the need for the Steelers to find a capable, young backup to groom and it might be time to find a left guard to challenge
Ramon Foster for the starting role.
SportsXchange.com
Baltimore Ravens
1. Pass rusher: The Ravens were tied for 17th in the league with 37 sacks. Part of the challenges with their secondary
was that opposing quarterbacks were allowed too much time to throw downfield. The loss of linebacker Terrell Suggs to a
season-ending torn Achilles in the season opener proved to be devastating. Without Suggs in the lineup, teams were able
to focus on fellow linebacker Elvis Dumervil, who was held to just six sacks. The Ravens will likely try to fill this void in the
draft, maybe with the sixth overall pick. One option could be Ohio State's Joey Bosa if he is available.
2. Cornerback: The Ravens finished last in the NFL with just six interceptions. The secondary was better in the second
half of the season, but that unit could still use some help. Upgrading the secondary is especially important because the
Ravens compete in a conference with numerous dynamic wide receivers, including Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown and the
Bengals' A.J. Green. Cornerback Jimmy Smith is solid when healthy, but fellow starter Lardarius Webb is being moved
from corner to safety. This will open a starting spot and Baltimore needs a player that can create turnovers. The Ravens
could fill this role via the draft if Florida defensive back Jalen Ramsey falls to them.
3. Left tackle: After losing Kelechi Osemele to Oakland, the Ravens could be in the market for a left tackle. Baltimore
currently has Eugene Monroe on the roster, but he has missed 16 games since signing with the team in 2013. With
quarterback Joe Flacco returning from a season-ending knee injury, the Ravens need to ensure he gets the proper
protection. General manager Ozzie Newsome might look at the free-agent market to improve the position.
Cincinnati Bengals
1. Wide receiver: Free agent Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones already left as free agents. So, it stands to reason that
Cincinnati would seek receiver help. That said, the Bengals still have some depth at the position and just twice since 2008
have they picked a receiver in the first two rounds (A.J. Green 2011, Jerome Simpson 2008).
2. Secondary: This is where Cincinnati stands to take a big hit in free agency. Although veteran corner Adam Jones is
back and safety Reggie Nelson is expected to return, corner Leon Hall likely will not. Hall is 31 with nine seasons under
his belt.
3. Running back: This is an important offseason for Jeremy Hill who had a dismal season capped by his fourth-quarter
fumble that led to the Bengals' crushing playoff loss to the Steelers. Hill and Giovani Bernard had given Cincinnati a
versatile tandem of backs with complementary skills. But, has the team's confidence in Hill waned enough for them to add
some depth at the position?
SportsXchange.com
Cleveland Browns
1. Quarterback: The Browns like Josh McCown in the short term and as a tutor for whichever quarterback they draft, but
finding a long-term answer is the No. 1 project of the offseason. The Browns on March 11 cut Johnny Manziel, as
expected. Austin Davis is a capable backup, but nothing more. The Browns were 3-13 last year. Team owner Jimmy
Haslam is on record saying the rebuild will take time. They are in trade talks with the 49ers for Colin Kaepernick. If they
complete the deal they might not use the second pick in the draft on a quarterback but are still likely to draft one. If they do
not trade for Kaepernick they are expected to draft Carson Wentz from North Dakota State or Jared Goff from Cal with the
second pick.
2. Center: The Browns tried to keep two-time Pro Bowl center Alex Mack, but, tired of seven straight years of losing, he
opted out of his contract and signed with the Atlanta Falcons. Last year, former general manager Ray Farmer drafted
Cameron Erving in the first round anticipating Mack would leave. The problem is Erving got pushed around in four starts
as a rookie guard. The Browns might have to sign a center in free agency or draft one rather than count on Erving.
3. Wide receiver: The Browns might get Josh Gordon back if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstates him, but even
so head coach Hue Jackson wants a big target for whoever ends up playing quarterback. The need increased when
Travis Benjamin signed with the San Diego Chargers in free agency. Farmer did not believe in spending a high draft pick
on a receiver. Expect that to change in this regime. Last season the wide receivers caught only eight touchdown passes.
Benjamin caught five of them.
Pittsburgh Steelers
1. Cornerback: The Steelers finished 30th in the league in pass defense and need an infusion of young talent at the
position. Starter Antwon Blake and nickel back Brandon Boykin both left as an unrestricted free agents. Senquez Golson,
who missed his rookie season with a shoulder injury, could earn a starting job or assume the role as nickel corner, but the
Steelers still need depth and possibly someone to step in and be a starter even after they re-signed William Gay. The
Steelers have salary-cap room to add a starting corner in free agency, but that player could come in the early rounds of
the draft, too.
2. Safety: The Steelers have to find a starting strong safety in free agency or the draft. Will Allen, the starter in 2015, is an
unrestricted free agent and will turn 34 in June. He assumed the starting role last season only because Shamarko
Thomas did not perform well in training camp. The Steelers would like to get younger at the position and find an impact
player who can improve their struggling pass defense. They are not restricted in their search. The versatility of starting
free safety Mike Mitchell allows them to pursue a pure free safety if they choose. In that event, Mitchell could easily move
to strong safety where his skills as a run defender could be better utilized.
3. Defensive line: The Steelers have a talented front, but they have little depth. Luckily for the Steelers, this is one of the
deepest drafts in years for defensive linemen. Starting ends Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt each played more than 80
percent of the team's defensive snaps. The reserves all played fewer than 200 snaps on the year. The Steelers will not resign reserve end/nose tackle Cam Thomas, who was a disappointment in his two seasons with the team. Rookie L.T.
Walton would have to take a big step in his development in order to be a contributor next season. Complicating matters is
starting nose tackle Steve McLendon signed with the Jets. Daniel McCullers was drafted in 2014 to be McLendon's
replacement, but the coaches haven't given him much of an opportunity. Adding a veteran in free agency is an option, too.
ERIC EDHOLM – Yahoo! Sports
Baltimore Ravens
Team needs: DE, CB, OLB
Adding Mike Wallace and Benjamin Watson will help the passing game, and Eric Weddle addresses a huge need at
safety — especially in light of Will Hill's release. But with the subsequent move of Ladarius Webb to safety, cornerback
becomes a bigger concern. The lack of a pass rush is also problematic, and it could be addressed in a variety of ways.
Another area to watch: the offensive line, after losing Keleche Osemele.
Cincinnati Bengals
Team needs: WR, S, LB
There's little doubt that losing Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu at receiver created a void, although the Bengals could
go with a speedier option (perhaps Corey Coleman or Will Fuller) in the draft as a replacement. George Iloka is back at
safety, but Reggie Nelson remains a free agent for now, making safety a question. Linebacker and defensive line depth
are two other concerns of note.
Cleveland Browns
Team needs: QB, WR, OL
You guys know the deal. They need a little of everything. But without a quarterback of any note to project beyond this
season, that is the no-questions-asked biggest worry. Luckily, having the second pick in the draft could be a huge way
toward solving that. If Josh Gordon returns in good faith (and shape), perhaps receiver is less of a need, but the loss of
Travis Benjamin hurts the offense and special teams. The offensive line, once one of the few bedrock units on the team,
has been gutted of two starters, Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz, and there's no evidence that Cameron Erving is set to
take over at either spot.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Team needs: CB, S, LB
The Steelers sniffed around some big-name free agents but did not pull the trigger on any. Their biggest moves were
adding left tackle Ryan Harris to replace departed Kelvin Beachum and tight end Lardarius Green to replace retired Heath
Miller. They still have concerns about stopping the pass, so it would not be out of the question to see them draft multiple
defensive backs. The Steelers also could use a little more depth and punch at linebacker. The defense is not complete.
NFL NATION – ESPN.com
Last updated: January 13, 2016
Baltimore Ravens
Jamison Hensley
The Ravens' top need with the No. 6 overall pick is cornerback, although an argument could be made for pass rusher. It's
evident that the Ravens need to improve in the secondary after setting team records for the most touchdown passes
allowed (30) and fewest interceptions made (six). There's a void at the starting cornerback spot opposite Jimmy Smith
because Baltimore believes Lardarius Webb, a five-year starting corner, is now better suited to play safety. Florida State's
Jalen Ramsey or Florida's Vernon Hargreaves III would be ideal selections.
Cincinnati Bengals
Coley Harvey
Much of this depends upon what happens in free agency for the Bengals, but as things stand, linebacker could be their
biggest area of draft need. They have two linebackers eligible for free agency in March (Vincent Rey and Emmanuel
Lamur), and Vontaze Burfict is currently slated to miss the first three games of 2016. Don't be surprised, though, if the
Bengals end up spending their first-round pick on either an offensive lineman or a cornerback. Those are two positions
they typically draft early. They could be areas of need, too, depending upon what happens this offseason (both guard
Kevin Zeitler and corner Dre Kirkpatrick have fifth-year options that the team could pick up).
Cleveland Browns
Pat McManamon
Why should this year's draft be any different for the Browns than, oh, the past 15? Cleveland needs a quarterback. The
owner pointed out the team has the second pick in the draft when discussing the team's quarterback play in 2015. That
will be the focus of the next few months.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Jeremy Fowler
The Steelers need a rangy, athletic outside corner to bolster depth at one of the league's most important positions. They
selected corner Senquez Golson in the second round of last year's draft, but he seems destined for slot corner duties. The
only Steelers corner taller than 5-foot-10 is Ross Cockrell, who isn't a long-term solution at the position. It might be time to
invest a first-round pick in a cornerback.

ravens 2016 draft choices

Transcription

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