2016 NFL Draft Thread [ARCHIVED] Football

It's almost here. A lot of terrible rumors and smokescreens usually start at the beginning of April.

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I don't even begin to let myself become attached to players until April. There's no point to it.

That said, Reggie Ragland to the Packers please.

 

Ragland is awesome

 

And we're back

 

what can you guys tell me about Kaufusi?

a lot of Dolphins fans on twitter are salivating over him in our scheme but I cant say I have seen him much. he is a day 2 pick most likely?

 

He's soft like Charmin. His dad really, really wanted him to play defensive line and linebacker. I think that he should've been a tight end from the get-go. He's a hell of an athlete for a player of his size, but he gets pushed around too easily. The production is nice, but then when you see how he got it, it's not very impressive.

You know who he reminds me of? Quinton Coples

 

PFF on Kaufusi in January.

 

Da lolz

 

How likely is it that Paxton Lynch falls to Denver? I keep seeing him on mocks but I wasn't sure how real of a chance that would be.

 

It depends on how many QBs come off the board in the Top 10. Some are saying Jared Goff could slide too, but I think someone will move up for him if he makes it by SF.

 

Who's running the mock draft?

 

I was extremely bored last night and decided to do a round 1 mock draft. Here it is.

1. Tennessee Titans (3-13) - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
The Titans are a bad football team. Their only hope at turning things around is Mariota. After a respectable rookie showing Mariota should continue to develop into a franchise quarterback. He is the centerpiece for their future. It is vital they find proper protection for him. Tunsil gives them a franchise LT and should help keep Mariota on his feet.

2. Cleveland Browns (3-13) - Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
I'm not a fan of this pick, but it's the Browns. They signed RG3 who should get his fair shot at a starting spot but it's hard to believe he will be anything more than backup quality. After a strong combine performance the Wentz hype train is moving along full-steam and it's being reported the Browns love him. I prefer Goff, but like I said, it's the Browns.

3. San Diego Chargers (4-12) - Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
The Chargers were able to upgrade at CB with signing of Casey Hayward, however they still need a replacement for Eric Weddle. Ramsey is probably the safest pick in this draft and should be able to make a difference day one. Being able to replace one of the top safeties in the league with a future perennial pro-bowler is too good to pass up. Verrett, Hayward and Ramsey is a nice (and young) secondary to build around.

4. Dallas Cowboys (4-12) - Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
The Cowboys need help at every level on defense. I think Jack is the second best defensive player in this draft and would makes sense for Dallas. They seem to always have injuries at the LB position. Jack's elite athleticism and talent-level give him the versatility to play at any of the LB positions. He will be another day one impact player and Dallas desperately needs one on defense.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) - Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
One way to improve an average-at-best secondary is to form an elite pass rush. Last year the Jags made a great select with Dante Fowler Jr but he unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury before his rookie campaign even began. The combination of Bosa and Fowler would give the Jags a very intimidating pass rush, and both players bring a lot of versatility that Gus Bradley will love.

6. Baltimore Ravens (5-11) - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
With the loss of Kelechi Osemele, and the unreliable Eurgene Monroe, the Ravens would be smart to snag Stanley with their first round pick. He can play multiple positions across the line and has the potential to be a franchise LT. The team is somewhat of a mystery with all the injuries they suffered last season so I'm keeping it safe with this pick.

7. San Francisco 49ers (5-11) - Jared Goff, QB, California
Goff is the best quarterback in this draft and the 49ers get lucky thanks to the Sadness continuing to be a huge disappoint to their fans. His quick release and mobility should be a nice fit for Chip Kelly's offense. However, there's really no telling what Chip will do here.

8. Philadelphia Eagles (7-9) - Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Ohio State
The Chip Kelly debacle is over and the team has already started repairing the roster from all of Kelly's head-scratching decisions. The Eagles could go in a few different positions here but with Murray's departure, and the hire of Doug Pederson, I think Elliot makes a ton of sense here. Elliot is a do-it-all type RB and Pederson should be able to turn him into a pro-bowler in the near future.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10) - Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
The Bucs did make a couple decent signings at CB this offseason but neither are anything close to long-term answers. With Julio Jones and Kelvin Benjamin in their division it is vital they find a lockdown corner soon. Hargreaves brings versatility in his ability to play press, off or zone. He has quick, smooth-moving feet to blanket receivers. Shows good instincts and ball skills that should make opposing QBs hesitate to throw his way. Pass rusher is another option here but I think Hargreaves is the safer pick and best fit based on who is available.

10. New York Giants (6-10) - Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
The Giants were big spenders in free agency and were able to beef up their DL. With their first round pick they have an opportunity to improved the other side of the trenches. Conklin and Flowers would give the Giants two young, promising tackles to protect Eli in is final years.

11. Chicago Bears (6-10) - DeForest Buckner, DL, Oregon
This one is obvious. Vic Fangio has already nutted in his pants before Goodell is able to announce the pick. Buckner slides down the board right into the laps of a Bears team who really struggles defensively in 2015. Buckner is a freak athlete and should provide help against the run as well as generate a better pass rush.

12. New Orleans Saints (7-9) - A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
The Saints had an awful run defense last season, giving up 128.9 ypg and 4.9 ypa. They did sign Nick Fairley but he has been a disappoint so far in his career. Robinson is a large man who should be able to plug up the middle and help improve their dreadful run defense.

13. Miami Dolphins (6-10) - Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Miami has been busy upgrading their defense this offseason. Cornerback is a position they desperately need to address. Byron Maxwell is a decent pickup, but they still have a big hole across from him. Alexander reminds me so much of Josh Norman with his feisty attitude and his ability to back it up with exceptional coverage skills.

14. Oakland Raiders (7-9) - Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
With the addition of Bruce Irvin the Raiders have a nice pass rushing tandem in Irvin and Mack. The addition of Ragland would give them some help in run defense, and he should be able to step and replace Curtis Lofton fairly quick. Smith/Ragland/Irvin is a nice group of LBs.

15. Los Angeles Rams (7-9) - Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
The Nick Foles experiment was disaster and the Rams are still looking for their franchise QB. Lynch is their only hope for one at this point in the draft. Lynch is a big dude at 6'7", 244 lbs but he is still shows impressive mobility when under pressure. Lynch's TD-INT ratio was elite last season and teams will be eyeing for that alone. Could be fun to watch him team up with Austin and Gurley.

16. Detroit Lions (7-9) - Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
Over the past two seasons the Lions have lost Suh and Fairley. They did bring in Ngata to help fill he void but he isn't the same player he once was in Baltimore. Rankins is an option here due to his pass rushing ability from the interior.

17. Atlanta Falcons (8-8) - Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State
The Falcons have been trying to rebuild their defense for the past couple offseasons as they continue to transition into Quinn's new defensive scheme. Darron Lee gives them an elite athlete with coverage ability.

18. Indianapolis Colts (8-8) - Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
This might be somewhat of a reach but the Colts interior line is atrocious and needs to be upgraded badly. Kelly is a tough, reliable player who should be a starting C in this league for a long time. Andrew Luck is a great QB with some solid weapons around him. If the Colts can get him some protection we should see his numbers return back to a pro-bowl level.

19. Buffalo Bills (8-8) - Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss
This just seems like a Rex Ryan pick. Physically impressive player with a lot of unlocked potential despite a somewhat underwhelming career at Ole Miss. Mario Williams is gone and Kyle Williams is old. The Bills need a DL and Nkemdiche seems like a nice fit in their defense.

20. New York Jets (10-6) - Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
The Jets could use another pass rusher and Lawson has fallen down the board farther than I thought he would. Lawson's athleticism should allow him to play as a pass rushing LB in a 3-4 scheme. Lawson is also a great run defender and led the nations in "stuffs" for DL this past season. High motor and toughness. Would be a nice addition for the Jets.

21. Washington Bonercats (9-7) - Andrew Billings, NT, Baylor
Pot Roast is gone after one season and Washington needs to find his replacement. Billings bring power and explosiveness off the line. He causes enough disruption to help against the run and pass. A great athlete for a guy his size. He's very young and may take a bit to mold into a NFL player but the ceiling is extremely high for Billings.

22. Houston Texans (9-7) - Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
After dishing out a big contract to Brock Osweiler the Texans should look to add a new weapon for him. Treadwell is the best WR in this draft and Houston should be running to the podium to make this pick. A duo of Hopkins and Treadwell should make life easy for their new QB.

23. Minnesota Vikings (11-5) - Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
The Vikings are an up and coming team with a great defense, a young promising QB and elite RB. They also have a nice option at WR with Stefon Diggs. Doctson would be a nice compliment to Diggs' skill set. He's a big target with a large catch radius and he has arguably the most reliable hands in the draft.

24. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) - Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
With the loss of Jones and Sanu the Bengals are left thin at WR. AJ Green is elite but they definitely need to upgrade from the newly acquired Brandon LaFell on the other side. Fuller provides them with a big-play threat who the defense will have to respect whenever he's on the field. This should open things up for Green and Eifert.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) - Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
The Steelers' secondary was awful last season and for some reason they let Brandon Boykin go with little effort to retain him. Eli Apple has a nice combination of size and strength for a CB and shows ability to play press coverage effectively. Very physical and uses his hands to disrupt WRs in their routes. Aggressive when the ball is in the air. Best player left at a position of need for Pittsburgh.

26. Seattle Seahawks (10-6) - Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State
As it stands now, the Seahawks might have the worst OL in the entire league. Most mocks have them taking a DL which is crazy to me considering how atrocious their OL is right now. Whitehair is a very nice pick for them and would be the smart way to go. He has experience all over the line but looks to be an interior lineman in the pros. Day one starter at a much needed position.

27. Green Bay Packers (10-6) - Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
BJ Raji has retired after a disappointing season and the Packers will be looking for another run stuffer. Reed is considered one-dimensional but he has pro-bowl ability due to how great he is in that one area. Superb against the run and possible day one starter. I read that he didn't miss a single tackle in 2015 which is impressive. Despite his possible limited ceiling he seems like a safe pick.

28. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) - Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
Before his injury Smith was considered a guaranteed top-10 pick. The severity of his knee injury has everyone in limbo heading into the draft. I've read mixed reports but this pick is based on recent news that he is already making progress in the weight room. Regardless, he will miss the 2016 season. However, he is worth the wait. The Chiefs get a potential all-pro player to replace Derrick Johnson in one year.

29. Arizona Cardinals (13-3) - Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
Despite the addition of Chandler Jones, I still see the Cardinals eyeing another pass rusher in round one. Dodd has a lot of hype driving him up the boards due to his play in big games at the end of 2015. It is important that Dodd goes to a team where he won't be pressured to be a day one impact player. The Cards are that team.

30. Carolina Panthers (15-1) - Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
The Panthers get lucky with Coleman falling into their lap. Despite not having Kelvin Benjamin the Panthers had the top ranked offense in the league last season. Adding him back into the mix, and with the improving Devin Funchess, the Panthers have two towering WRs on each side of Cam Newton. However, after that the depth at WR is shakey. Ginn had a surprisingly nice season in 2015 but he is still unreliable. Corey Coleman gives the Panthers a deep threat from the slot position.

31. Denver Broncos (12-4) - Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
Malik Jackson is a big loss for Denver's defense. Finding a suitable replacement is a must this offseason. Unfortunately for the Broncos, they are strapped for cash so replacement is likely to come in the draft. Butler should probably be picked before the Broncos are on the clock but he somehow slipped down the board. He is extremely athletic for a guy his size. A very promising pass rusher who would be a nice fit in the Broncos defense.

 

Everyone gives the bucs vh3 in 90% of mocks I've seen. Meh.

 

for once, there are more guys that I would be OK with taking than I would hate taking

guess thats what happens when your roster sucks

 

Quon and Nuk in Houston would be scary

 

I wanted to give them a DE but this draft class seems weak for pass rushers.

 

If the Jets are able to move Muhammad Wilkerson, I think Tampa Bay might be a team that tries to get him.

 

I feel like Conklin could be an underdog pick there

 

For 9? Would be a great way to get fired before next year comes lol bring in a guy you have to pay a ton next year, not a 4-3, and coming off a broken leg

 

I really don't like Josh Doctson as an upper-tier prospect. His potential to become a solid pro is there, but I think he's going to really struggle getting open, especially against press-man.

 

I don't think it'd be for 9 straight up. I think it'd be a piece of a much larger trade. Maybe used to move up.

8 of Wilkerson's 12 sacks came from the 4-3 DE spot.

 

Right, he just never played there straight up plus the injury. It's a gamble. I mean if it's to go from 20 to 9 and they don't like a lot of players Left maybe? It's gonna be weird. No idea what Mac is gonna do with that situation.

 

If you guys put a mock together, I'll take Atlanta if not taken already

 

I have no idea what we'll do about the jags though...