2016 NFL Mock Draft
17. Chicago Bears - Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
The Bears certainly turned things around after it looked like they were ready to tank early in the season. Jay Cutler should be back with the Bears in 2016 (with a restructured contract, for their sake - projected cap hit in 2016: $17M) so John Fox can start building the type of defense he likes to rely on. Reggie Ragland led one of the better run-stopping defenses in the country this year and would be a building block for the future.
18. New York Jets - Leonard Floyd, DE/OLB, Georgia
The Jets know where their bread is buttered and may need a boost to their pass rush, especially if Sheldon Richardson leaves via free agency. Leonard Floyd has a lanky frame and will continue to add bulk once he gets in a professional weight program.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Su’a Cravens, S/LB, USC
Lovie Smith hasn’t been overly impressive in his first 2 seasons as the Buccaneers head coach, but he hasn’t had much to work. Su’a Cravens has potential to make a huge impact in the NFL as a hybrid coverage linebacker/safety and excel covering Tight Ends, a perfect fit for the Tampa 2.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
The Steelers defense is having trouble keeping up with their explosive offense. While their secondary needs help, getting a physical specimen to disrupt along the trenches will take some of the pressure off of the DBs.
21. Houston Texans - Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
Bill O’Brien could very well move back in the draft to the 2nd round for Christian Hackenberg, but the QB position has held the Texans franchise hostage for their entire existence (minus a few decent years from Matt Schaub) and he can’t pretend like he can get by with scrubs like Brian Hoyer. If they don’t fix the QB position now, they will be forever haunted by the fact that they passed on Derek Carr for such a trivial reason as his last name.
22. Seattle Seahawks - Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
If Laquon Treadwell falls to the Seahawks, they won’t hesitate to draft him. Treadwell is the best WR in the draft and should be a fast riser upon draft boards once the pre-draft process is underway. If Treadwell runs a fast 40-yard dash, his stock could rise as high as the top-10.
23. Kansas City Chiefs - Spencer Drango, OT, Baylor
Eric Fisher has been a colossal disappointment at LT for the Chiefs, but he may have found a serviceable home at RT. Alex Smith has done enough to remain the Chiefs QB for another year, so the Chiefs might as well give him more time to go through his progressions before checking down.
24. Green Bay Packers - Shilique Calhoun, DE/OLB, Michigan State
Julius Peppers has been a great free agent acquisition, but he’ll be 36 going into next season and the Packers pass rush is already lacking. Shilique Calhoun needs to get stronger, but has good pass rushing instincts, plays the run well, and has improved every year at Michigan State.
25. Indianapolis Colts - Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
Andrew Luck needs offensive lineman and everyone knows it, but that won’t stop Ryan Grigson from taking another impact player at a skill position. Frank Gore wore down as the season progressed and Ezekiel Elliot could provide a home-run threat for the Colts in the run game, while the O-line is addressed later in the draft or via free agency.
26. Washington Redskins - Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
The Redskins were one of the surprises of 2016 after the early dysfunction with their handling of the RGIII saga. Despite the early drama, one of Jay Gruden’s best moves was going against the front office and starting Kirk Cousins; now the offense just needs some weapons. Tyler Boyd has a checkered past, but he’s got #1 WR size/speed.
27. Minnesota Vikings - Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
Despite the success that Stefon Diggs has had in his rookie season, the Vikings would be wise to get another weapon for Teddy Bridgewater to throw to since Mike Wallace has made very little impact. Michael Thomas has the size (6’3″, 210 lbs) that you look for in a #1 WR and would be a great complement to Diggs.
28. Arizona Cardinals - Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
The Cardinals offensive line has been solid, but not spectacular and Carson Palmer needs to be upright if the Cardinals are going to continue their reign in the NFC West. Jack Conklin comes from a pro system and should translate well to RT.
29. Cincinnati Bengals - Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State
The Bengals have depth everywhere and can take the best player available (BPA) at this point. Don’t be surprised if they add another WR to take some pressure off AJ Green, otherwise the speedy Ohio State LB Darron Lee would be a nice addition to their already stacked defense.
30. Denver Broncos - Germain Ifedi, G/T, Texas A&M
Brock Osweiler has a future at QB for the Broncos, but just because he is more mobile than Peyton Manning doesn’t mean that they still don’t need healthy bodies along the offensive line. Germain Ifedi comes from the Aggies OT factory and should be a nice athletic addition at RT.
31. Carolina Panthers - Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
Josh Norman has established himself as one of the top CBs in the league, but the other side of the field could stand to be upgraded. Tre’Davious White isn’t the most athletic CB to come out of LSU recently, but he’s fluid with great instincts.
32. New England Patriots - #DeflateGate, EM, Gillette Stadium Locker Room
The Patriots don’t have a first round pick this year due to the #DeflateGate punishment 😂😂
Other Top Prospects for the 2016 NFL Draft (in no particular order)
Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State
Nick Martin, OG, Notre Dame
De’Runnya Wilson, WR, Mississippi State
D’haquille “Duke” Williams, WR, Auburn
Tony Connor S, Ole Miss
Jordan Jenkins OLB, Georgia
Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
Cameron Sutton CB, Tennessee
Andrew Billings, NT, Baylor
Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn
Eric Striker, LB, Oklahoma
Eddie Jackson, S, Alabama
Marquez North, WR, Tennessee
Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame
Dan Voltz, C, Wisconsin
Travin Dural, WR, LSU
Tyler Johnstone, OT, Oregon
Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska
Chris Jones, DE/DT, Mississippi State
Darian Thompson, S, Boise State
William Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Von Bell, S, Ohio State
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