2016 NFL Mock Draft April 28

1. 

   Los Angeles Rams- Jared Goff, QB, Cal

The Rams have traded up for the number one pick to start the craziness of the draft. There is no reason to trade up this far if they don’t plan on selecting a quarterback. Early reports say they are leaning towards Goff, who is the best quarterback in this class. Goff is a natural, who has a lot of poise in the pocket. He has solid arm strength and good accuracy.

2. Philadelphia Eagles- Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

Philadelphia has now traded up for the second pick. Teams do not trade up like this unless they want a quarterback. The Eagles prefer Wentz and want him to sit behind Sam Bradford for at least a year.  Wentz had a great pro day that cemented his good draft stock.

3. San Diego Chargers- Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss

The Chargers can’t pass up getting more protection for Phillip Rivers. The offensive line has some holes that Tunsil would be able to help fill. Tunsil has the ability to play either tackle position and has the potential to be a good starter for years.

4. Dallas Cowboys- Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State

The Cowboys don’t have a great pass rush or secondary, and in this scenario they get the guy they want. Ramsey is versatile enough to help out the Cowboys in numerous ways and can make plays for a team that only had eight interceptions last season. With one of their needs filled here, Dallas will be dangerous next season.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars- Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

The Jaguars have to improve their defense this off-season. Jack can help fill the hole they have at linebacker, but is also a great value pick, as he is one of the best athletes in the class.

6. Baltimore Ravens-Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

Baltimore can either get an offensive lineman or secondary help here. Their secondary was terrible, so they will probably fill the bigger need. Hargreaves is a good shutdown corner, who would immediately improve the Ravens’ secondary.

7. San Francisco 49ers- Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

The 49ers had the fifth fewest sacks in the NFL last season and desperately need to improve their pass rush to be competitive again. Bosa would be a great pick here as many believe he is a top five prospect.om

8. Cleveland Browns-Leonard Floyd, DE/OLB, Georgia

The Browns will probably try to trade down for a wide receiver or Ezekiel Elliot. Another big need is an outside linebacker who can get to the quarterback. Floyd is a very versatile player who can rush the passer, but still play good coverage when called upon.

9.Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Deforest Buckner, DE/DT, Oregon

Tampa Bay should probably trade down to get secondary hep at this pick, but with so many teams already trading they may be forced to take a player. The Buccaneers need help on the interior of the defensive line and Buckner could fit in their 4-3 defense at defensive tackle. He would be paired next to Gerald McCoy, which could be a dynamic duo for the future.

10. New York Giants- Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

It could be argued that Stanley is the best offensive lineman in this class. He is a great run blocker, who allowed C.J. Prosise to have a breakout year at running back for Notre Dame. He will be tasked with keeping Eli Manning off of the ground and providing holes for a weak running game.

11. Chicago Bears- Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Ohio State

Elliot was asked which team liked him the best and his answer was: The Bears. Matt Forte is now a Jet and Jeremy Langford isn’t a sure thing for next season. If both offensive tackle options are off of the board at this point, Elliot would be a great pick to get the offense up and running.

12. New Orleans Saints- Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

Lawson had a fantastic final season at Clemson and can help the Saints, who had a terrible season defensively last year. He will be a star on the defense along with fellow Clemson Tiger Stephone Anthony, who was drafted by the Saints last season.

13. Miami Dolphins- Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

The Dolphins now have Byron Maxwell, but still need another corner if they plan on beating Brady and the Patriots. Apple has good size and speed and shut down Big Ten receivers for two years.

14. Oakland Raiders- Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State

Oakland finally has their offense on the right track. Now they need some defensive players to put with with Khalil Mack. Lee is an athletic and fast linebacker who can cover and stop the run, but he can’t rush the passer very well. The Raiders can leave that to Mack.

15. Tennessee Titans-Jack Conklin, OT, MSU

The Titans traded down and now have a chance to rebuild their roster around Marcus Mariota. Tennessee should improve their defense, but can get Mariota protection because he was sacked a lot last season.

16. Detroit Lions- Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

The Lions used to have great interior defensive linemen, but that is no longer the case. Taking a defensive tackle would really help their run defense.

17. Atlanta Falcons- Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State

Atlanta had a league low 19 sacks last season. They will be targeting pass rushers again this season. Ogbah is falling in a lot of mock drafts, but he is still a talented player. He had great production last year for Oklahoma State and had a solid combine. Ogbah may be a little inconsistent, but he still produces enough numbers that it shouldn’t matter.

18. Indianapolis Colts- Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama

The Colts had a terrible defense last season and will want to get a play-maker on that side of the ball. Ragland can hold down the middle of the defense for the Colts for years. The Colts also need some interior offensive line players, but can get some later in the draft to protect Andrew Luck.

19. Buffalo Bills- Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss

Nkemdiche has a lot of concerns about his character after an incident involving marijuana before Ole Miss’ bowl game. He has a lot of potential and versatility, which makes him an intriguing prospect. Rex Ryan will overlook his character issues to get a player whose value is greater than his draft position.

20. New York Jets- Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

Decker is a great run blocker who helped Ezekiel Elliot blossom into a star. This pick makes even more sense now that D’Brickashaw Ferguson has chosen to retire. Decker would fill a huge need for the Jets without Ferguson.

21. Washington Redskins- Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama

Terrance Knighton just signed with the New England Patriots so the Redskins need someone to fill in on the interior of the defensive line. Reed is a physical defensive tackle who speializes in stopping the run, but still needs some work on his pass rushing abilities.

22. Houston Texans- Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

Treadwell is athletically gifted and has great hands. He has recently claimed that he played in the SEC on one leg. Because he was able to do that he will be a great NFL wide receiver when healthy. The Texans need a wide receiver to pair with Deandre Hopkins.

23.Minnesota Vikings- Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame

The Vikings just cut Mike Wallace and would like another receiver to pair with Stefon Diggs. Fuller is a great deep threat and had a great combine. Teddy Bridgewater could have a career year with an extra target and because he is now playing half of his games in a dome.

24. Cincinnati Bengals- Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor

The Bengals need to find a replacement for Domata Peko. He continues to get worse every season and the Bengals do nothing about it. Billings will be the steal of this draft. He is very quick off of the ball and reminds me of Aaron Donald. The Bengals can pair him next to Geno Atkins and have the best defensive line in the NFL.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers- William Jackson, CB, Houston

The Steelers desperately need secondary help and will probably pick a corner back if they decide they don’t want to stash another linebacker on their depth chart. Jackson had a great combine and season for Houston. The Steelers will need him from day one.

26. Seattle Seahawks- Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech

The Seahawks don’t have too many needs. Butler is a great interior pass rusher, who could make Seattle’s defense even better.

27. Green Bay Packers- Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA

Clark can play nose tackle in the Packers 3-4 defense, but may need to put on a few more pounds. The Packers need to improve their defense, as their offense continues to be great year in and year out.

28. Kansas City Chiefs- Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

Kansas City have to continue to give Alex Smith weapons. Doctson is great at high-pointing the football and has great hands to haul in passes. He will be a good fit across from Jeremy Maclin.

29.Arizona Cardinals- Noah Spence, DE/OLB, EKU

The Cardinals need to improve their defense, as their offense was outstanding in 2015. Spence would provide a great pass rusher for Arizona’s scheme. He did have issues with failing drug tests, but seems to be past that now.

30.Carolina Panthers- Makensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

The Panthers have a great defense, but now are desperate for corners with Josh Norman leaving. Alexander is a great pick here, who could start for Carolina next season.

31. Denver Broncos- Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

Denver lost two quarterbacks this off-season and replaced them with Mark Sanchez. They developed Brock Osweiler well, and Lynch fits the same mold. He differs from Osweiler in that he is more mobile, but has a weaker arm.

Round 2

32. Cleveland Browns- Corey Coleman WR, Baylor- Andrew Hawkins and Brian Hartline are the best wide receivers for the Browns. This has potential to be the worst receiving corps in league. Coleman is a very versatile receiver and would help out RGIII a lot.
33. Tennessee Titans- Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor- Titans need defensive help everywhere. Howard isn’t a great value pick, but fills a need.
34. Dallas Cowboys- Jonathan Bullard DE/DT- Florida- The Cowboys needs some more defensive line depth and pass rushing.
35. San Diego Chargers-Keanu Neal, S, Florida- Neal is a steal at this range and fills a need for the chargers.
36. Baltimore Ravens- Cody Whitehair, G/OT, Kansas State- The Ravens need offensive line help everywhere and Whitehair is versatile.
37. San Francisco 49ers- Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State- Thomas can be the redzone threat that Torrey Smith isn’t. The 49ers are going to need targets for whoever they put at quarterback next season.
38. Jacksonville Jaguars- Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia- Joseph is a playmaking, hard hitting safety. He is the best safety in the class.
39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Darrian Thompson, S, Boise State- The Bucs need any type of defensive back available.
40. New York Giants- Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama- Henry provides a good value at this pick. He can be a big physical runner for the Giants, which should take pressure off of Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr.
41. Chicago Bears- Germain Ifedi, OT/G, Texas A&M- The Bears can protect Jay Cutler so he can be productive by taking Ifedi here.
42. Miami Dolphins- Chris Jones, DE/DT, Mississippi State- The Dolphins can use some depth on the defensive line, especially with Cameron Wake coming off of a torn achilles.
43. Tennessee Titans- A’Shawn Robinson, DE/DT, Alabama- Tennessee needs a lot of defensive help and gets a player who is talented, especially for this range. Robinson stops the run well and can be a great player if he is focused.
44. Oakland Raiders- Kevin Dodd, DE/OLB, Clemson- The Raiders can get a pass rusher here, who should pair nicely with Khalil Mack.
45. Tennessee Titans- Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh- Boyd is a versatile play-maker who can bust one loose at any time. He does have a problem catching the football at times.
46. Detroit Lions- Shilique Calhoun, DE/OLB, Michigan State- Calhoun dominated the past couple of seasons at MSU. Lions get some needed defensive line depth here.
47. New Orleans Saints- Kamalei Correa, DE/OLB, Boise State- The saints need so much defensive help that they should take the best defensive player on their board.
48. Indianapolis Colts- Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama- Kelly is the best center in the class and should be taken here to help protect Andrew Luck.
49. Buffalo Bills- Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame- Smith could be the best player in the draft class had he not been injured in the Fiesta Bowl. Rex Ryan will love him, especially in the second round.
50. Atlanta Falcons- Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas- Henry is the best tight end in the class and the Falcons haven’t gotten a lot out of the position since Tony Gonzalez
51. New York Jets- Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State- Cook is a pro-style quarterback that can start, or back up Ryan Fitzpatrick pending a deal.
52. Houston Texans- Yannick Ngakoue, DE/OLB, Maryland- Ngakoue is very athletic, but raw. They can develop him next to J.J. Watt.
53. Washington Redskins- Kendall Fuller, CB, UCLA- The Redskins get another great pick here from UCLA. Fuller would be the top corner taken had he not had a knee injury last season.
54. Minnesota Vikings- Su’a Cravens, S/OLB, USC- The Vikings need an OLB for when Chad Greenway retires, but also need another safety. Cravens will fit one of those needs based on what position he plays in the NFL.
55. Cincinnati Bengals- Leontee Caroo, WR, Rutgers-  Caroo is a big wide receiver that can be paired next to A.J. Green. The Bengals capitalized on Mohammed Sanu from Rutgers as well.
56. Seattle Seahawks- Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana- The Seahawks need a lot of offensive line help, especially with Thomas Rawls starting at running back next season and Russell Wilson running for his life last season.
57. Green Bay Packers- Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State- Green Bay has a huge need at linebacker and can get Fackrell to provide depth.
58. Pittsburgh Steelers- Artie Burns, CB, Miami- Pittsburgh has a terrible secondary and should take two corners at least in this draft.
59. Chiefs-Le’Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech- The Chiefs need offensive linemen to protect Alex Smith, who might be the quarterback for a few more years with some help.
60. New England Patriots -Devontae Booker, RB, Utah- Booker was the best running back in the Pac-12 and can give the Pats a feature back.
61. New England Patroits- Adolphus Washington, DE/DT, Ohio State- Washington is a great player, but fell a little because of character issues. The Patriots will capitalize on his low draft stock.
62. Carolina Panthers- Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn- Panthers need both tackle spots upgraded.
63. Denver Broncos- Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame-  Martin is a great center, who is able to play guard as well. His brother Zack already plays guard for the Cowboys.