7. San Francisco 49ers
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Stanley isn’t the top offensive tackle, that’s Tunsil, but he’s a nice 1B for the 49ers. A quarterback is a possibility, especially with new head coach, Chip Kelly, taking over the team. I think the sensible pick here is to take an offensive linemen and build up depth on the front lines of a team in a rebuilding mode.
8. Miami Dolphins
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Hargreaves is a good prospect in the secondary. A year ago he was my undisputed number one corner. However, a shaky second half of 2015 hurts his value just a little bit. The Dolphins go to the Florida standout to add depth to a weak secondary that could use some bolstering. Watch out for the Dolphins to go defensive line, possibly Joey Bosa?
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Bosa falls all the way to nine? Am I crazy? No. I’ve seen various scouts and NFL executives saying that Bosa isn’t as big of a home run as many think. Is he a home run? Yes. He’s just not the moon shot off of Barry Bonds that all are expecting him to be. He didn’t display the dominance in 2015 that we have grown accustomed to. He’ll be a stud for the Buccaneers who need a lot of defensive help.
10. New York Giants
DeForest Buckner, DE/OLB, Oregon
This is another guy I didn’t anticipate dropping this far. Buckner has a ton of outside rushing talent and will fit in well with what we’ve always known in New York. A tough edge rusher will fill in for the injured Jason Pierre-Paul, who wasn’t as effective with the injured hand last season. I think the Giants would rather have Buckner than Bosa, so another big hit in the Big Apple.
11. Chicago Bears
A’Shawn Robinson, DE/DT, Alabama
Robinson has proved that he’s a typical Alabama big man. He’ll be another run-stopping, quarterback hitting monster on the defensive front. The Bears desperately need to get the front of the defense working in the NFC North with Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, and Teddy Bridgewater all throwing against them. Not to mention Adrian Peterson and Eddie Lacy on the ground. Adding weight up front is a must in this season’s draft.
12. New Orleans Saints
Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
I really don’t like where the Saints are in 2016. They are at an impasse and need to find a direction. Floyd isn’t going to lead them to the promised land, but he is a guy to build around on defense. He’s got a lot of the similar qualities of Justin Houston, another former UGA linebacker, who has found success in the NFL. Floyd can get after the passer, stop the run, and even play in coverage. All around great linebacker for the Saints.
13. Philadelphia Eagles
Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
I don’t like Lynch as much as most columnists and analysts seem to. I just don’t see what everyone else does. However, with a new regime in Philly, it means a new quarterback. Lynch may not start in 2016, and that could ultimately be the best thing for him. However, I think we see the Eagles go quarterback here. It’s almost a lock, right?
14. Oakland Raiders
Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
Conklin is the third best lineman in the draft and he comes from Michigan State. That bodes well for Oakland. The Raiders are only a few plays away from competing for the playoffs. So adding to the line and the non-beauty positions will really help them grow. This helps the entire offense and will be a foundational pick for years to come.
15. Los Angeles Rams
Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
The Rams need a number one reciever, what’s new. Boyd is different than Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey however. This pick will prove to be a great one in a few years. Boyd is clearly my number two at the position in the draft. However, will they find someone to throw him the ball? That’s another big question for the new team on the block.
16. Detroit Lions
Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
Detroit needs help at corner and on both lines, however, they go for the impact pick of Reggie Ragland. The leader of the Crimson Tide defense is an immediate starter on the Lions defense and will help chance things in Detroit. This will likely be a draft filled with defensive selections. This is just the first.
17. Atlanta Falcons
Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
The Falcons were the worst team in the NFL when it came to getting to the quarterback. This is an obvious pick of whoever is best available on their pass rushing board. Dodd is my pick right here. They need to bolster the secondary as well, so that could be an interesting pick.
18. Indianapolis Colts
Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame
Smith suffered a catastrophic knee injury to end his season. That’s terrible news for a guy that I had pegged for the top ten prior to the injury. However, he still goes in the first round. He lands in a great situation, at least as far as playoffs are concerned, and fills an immediate need. Indy needs someone to be the star on defense opposite Andrew Luck, this could be the guy.
19. Buffalo Bills
Robert Nkemdiche, DE/DT, Ole Miss
Nkemdiche had a setback after the off-field issues sprang up a while back. That’s not good for draft prospects on this former five-star recruit. He still goes first round into a good situation. He gets to learn from Rex Ryan in Buffalo and I believe he ends up emerging as a top defensive linemen in the NFL.
20. New York Jets
Shillique Calhoun, OLB, Michigan State
The Jets need some edge rushing help to solidify an already robust defense. Getting to Tom Brady is the biggest concern whenever dealing with the AFC East. The Denver Broncos proved how important it really is. That model will serve as the Jets design for the draft. Calhoun is a fast edge guy, he can slot in nicely. He’s my first real reach as most players are consensus first rounders so far.
2 Comments
No Joey Bosa in the top 6? Injuries were a huge part of Dallas’ destruction, and they’re especially weak at wide receiver. I could see them taking Treadwell, but not a QB this early.
I can see Bosa going top six, however I don’t think he will. NFL execs don’t seem as high on him as fans do.