Saturday, April 16, 2016

NFL Mock Draft 3.0 - Rams and Titans Shake Things Up

L.A. Rams Twitter
Well, this should certainly shake things up.  If you haven't heard (how?), the Tennessee Titans traded the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft to the Los Angeles Rams (details here), which means two things: a.) Jeff Fisher and Les Snead have officially gone Hollywood and b.) it's time for a new mock!

Here's the picks:



1. Los Angeles Rams: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St.

The Rams traded up to make a splash, and in today's NFL there's no better position to do that with than quarterback.  Keenum is start-worthy at times, but these two QB's at the top of the draft protect to be much more than "start-worthy".

L.A. is playing its cards close, and even though I personally like Goff more, I think the allure of Wentz will draw in the Rams.  He has the physical traits, experience, and skill set to make an immediate impact at the next level.

Mock 2.0: Titans pick Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss

2. Cleveland Browns: Jared Goff, QB, California

The Browns should be happy to have either of the top-2 QB's in this draft because both are ready to start and succeed from Day 1.  The Rams-Titans trade will only make their decision that much easier.

Goff is the most pro-ready quarterback in the draft, and that's what the Browns NEED.  

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

The Chargers may be the biggest winner of this trade: they get the guy they want and need without having to do any of the heavy lifting.  The team gets the best tackle in the draft to protect the franchise, Phillip Rivers.

Tunsil is an athletic, All-American tackle that played in a very talented SEC and played well. Most scouts believe that the transition to the NFL will be a generally smooth one.

Mock 2.0: Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida St.

4. Dallas Cowboys: Joey Bosa, EDGE, Ohio St.

It would be extremely tempting for the Cowboys to pick Ramsey here, and they wouldn't be wrong to go through with it, but they know that a strong pass-rush is necessary if they are going to be competitive in the NFC East.

Bosa is one of the most talented edge rushers in the draft, and should not make it out of the top 5.  Also: Doesn't he just seem like a Jerry Jones guy?

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

Another team that could certainly be interested in Ramsey, but word is that the Jags are focused on improving their front seven; they also already signed safety Tashaun Gipson to help improve the secondary.  They go out and get the best LB available to usher out the aging Paul Posluszny.

Jack is another player that shouldn't make it out of the top 5.  He has the upside to be one of the best LB's in the game someday.

6. Baltimore Ravens: Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida St.

Finally(!), Jalen Ramsey finds a home in Baltimore.  The Ravens can just sit back and wait for a great player to reach them; in this installment, they get what many people consider to be the top prospect.  Barring a trade or the Rams/Browns not going QB, the Ravens should be looking at one or two top-5 talents when their pick comes around.

Ramsey is an elite athlete and has the versatility to play corner or safety at the next level; it wouldn't be a shocker to see him get picked with any of the first five selections.

Mock 2.0: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

7. San Fransisco 49ers: DeForest Buckner, DE/DT, Oregon

With the best two QB's off the board, Chip Kelly reaches into the Oregon well to start re-tooling his retirement-ridden defense.  The Niners ranked fourth worst in sacks last season and could use a running-mate for Aaron Lynch.

Buckner has the ability to play both inside and outside.  He also has a domineering frame (6'7, 290 lbs.) to pair with his strength and athletic ability. 

Mock 2.0: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St.

8. Philadelphia Eagles: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio St.

The Eagles could go with a tackle like Stanley here, but as of now I think they are going to go after a new bell-cow back to replace DeMarco Murray.

Elliott is a popular pick for the Eagles, with good reason.  Zeke is the type of workhorse back that would fit right into Pederson's offense.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida

The Bucs' had the No. 26 pass defense, per Football Outsiders' DVOA.  The reason for the team's deficiency was a combination of a horrendous secondary and a lackluster pass-rush.

In Hargreaves, the Bucs get the best pure corner in the draft and keep the Tampa, FL native close to home.  Vernon will be a Day 1 starter with the potential to quickly become the team's #1 corner.

Mock 2.0: DeForest Buckner, DE/DT, Oregon

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

We know what the Giants will do: BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE.  That philosophy just happens to coincide with a massive need for the G-Men in this scenario.  Even after spending numerous top picks on the offensive line, the Giants are still in need of multiple lineman.

Stanley isn't quite the athlete that Tunsil is, but he's quick enough to get off the ball and get to the second level.  He will be similar to Ereck Flowers in that he will start right away, but still has room and potential to grow.

Mock 2.0: Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia

11. Chicago Bears: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama

According to Ragland, he is getting the most interest from teams much higher on the board than I originally anticipated, including the Bears.  John Fox is a defense guy and he adds the thumper Ragland to a linebacker core that now includes Danny Treveathan.

Ragland is run-stopping stalwart with the great instincts required by his position.

Mock 2.0: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan St.

12. New Orleans Saints: Kevin Dodd, EDGE, Clemson

The Saints are trying to recover from the dismantling they received at the hands of former defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.  The team finished 27th in sacks (31) last season and could use someone to pair along with Pro-Bowl end Cameron Jordan.

Dodd rode the pine for his first two years at Clemson, but once he got his shot he didn't disappoint.  Dodd had a tremendous year with 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss, which he capped off with three sacks in the National Championship game.

13. Miami Dolphins: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

Miami cut loose aging CB Brent Grimes and added the Philly train wreck that is Byron Maxwell; so yeah, they still need some help.  They don't get the best corner in the draft, but they still get an improvement.

Alexander is considered by some to be the best cover corner in the draft.  He is a confident young man with excellent press coverage skills and somewhat suspect size (5'11", 185 lbs.).

Mock 2.0: Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida

14. Oakland Raiders: Robert Nkemdiche, DT/DE, Ole Miss

The Raiders offense has taken great form and looks ready to take on the world - now it's time for the defense to catch up.  The team found someone to slot opposite their monster, Khalil Mack, in FA signing Bruce Irvin, but need someone to occupy the middle of that line.

I expected Nkemdiche's character issues to cause a drop-off for him, but it seems that teams are very interested in the one-time top high school recruit.  It's very possible that a team might want to take a chance on this kid with the ideal NFL build and abilities.

15. Tennessee Titans: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan St.

The philosophy after the trade should be the same as it was before it: protect Marcus Mariota; with this pick, the Titans accomplish just that and grab an instant upgrade at right tackle.

Jack Conklin has been impressive in pre-draft workouts and has the tape to support his case for being one of the top tackles taken in this draft.

Mock 2.0: Rams pick Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

16. Detroit Lions: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama

The departures of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley left both a figurative and physical hole in the Lions defense.  Ziggy Ansah has really come into his own and could use a running mate that could stop the run.

Jarran Reed is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Lions.  He's a 311-pound point-of-attack, run stuffing, gap filling, mass of a man.  He earned his chops in Saban's Alabama defense and earned himself a reputation in the best conference in college football.

17. Atlanta Falcons: Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia

Atlanta ranked dead least in the NFL with 19 sacks in 2015.  In fact, the team only had one player, rookie Vic Beasley, in the top 100 in sacks; and he only had 4.0.  This isn't an isolated incident: the team has been in the bottom five in sacks each of the last four seasons.

Floyd is a tenacious pass-rusher with a freakish frame (6'6", 244 lbs.) and athleticism.  However, Floyd has the agility to be much more than the rusher he was in college, and could prove to be a jack of all trades.

Mock 2.0: Shaq Lawson, EDGE, Clemson

18. Indianapolis Colts: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio St.

Protect Andrew Luck - it's that simple.

The Colts need a right tackle, and fortunately, that's what Ohio State's Taylor Decker projects to be at the next level.  Decker has athleticism and solid power to go along with his prototypical NFL frame.

19. Buffalo Bills: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

The Bills just released their premier pass-rusher in Mario Williams, leaving an even greater need for a pass-rusher.  The Bills defensive line, without Willams, amassed only 10.5 sacks amongst 8 players.

Rankins is very agile for his large frame.  He can use this agility to fill holes and cause havoc in the backfield.

20. New York Jets: Shaq Lawson, EDGE, Clemson

If there's one thing the Jets know more than anyone else in this league it's that you need to put pressure on Tom Brady in order to even have a chance in the AFC East.

Injury concerns may see Lawson fall a bit, but there has been interest from the Jets in the Clemson rusher.  In his one season as a starter at Clemson, Lawson earned All-American honors with 12.5 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss.

Mock 2.0: Noah Spence, EDGE, Eastern Kentucky

21.  Washington Redskins: A'Shawn Robinson, DT/DE, Alabama

Overall, the Redskins ranked in the bottom third of the league in total, passing, and rushing defense (28th, 25th, and 26th, respectively).  They may certainly look to their defensive line to help remedy their defensive woes.

Robinson has been knocked for being inconsistent at times, but he has an ideal frame (6'4", 307 lbs.) and has the versatility to play multiple positions in multiple systems.  He could certainly help Washington shore up the middle of its line.

22. Houston Texans:  Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

Well, the Texans went out and got themselves a new young backfield duo in Brock Osweiler and Lamar Miller.  Keeping with the theme of offensive improvement, I would expect the Texans to target someone to help take pressure off of DeAndre Hopkins.

Coleman's speed and agility will make him a problem for corners at the next level and have earned him much praise leading up to the draft.  His speed and vertical route-running would be a nice complement to DeAndre Hopkins.

Mock 2.0: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

23. Minnesota Vikings: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

The Vikings are looking at a number of top WR's in this year's draft, including Josh Doctson.  Teddy Touchdown needs someone to stretch the field when teams sell out to stop Adrian Peterson.  While Stefon Diggs proved that he can certainly do that, when he is covered options are limited to say the least.

Though he doesn't fully utilize his 6'2" size, Josh Doctson can get in and out of breaks quickly and has a knack for separating from defenders downfield.

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

The receiver run continues! The Bengals have shown interest in a number of top receivers leading up to the draft after losing Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu in free agency.

Treadwell did not wow at the Combine or his pro day, but he didn't disappoint either.  The tape shows that Treadwell wins with his toughness and route-running.  This one is a pick 'em and start 'em type of pick.

Mock 2.0: Andrew Billings, NT/DT, Baylor

25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

The Steelers allowed the third most passing yards in the NFL in 2015, due in large part to a revolving door of sub-par corners.  The Steelers need to bolster their secondary with the likes of A.J. Green in their division, who averaged 107 yards and a touchdown in 3 games against Pittsburgh in 2015.

Apple has the footwork to be a more than component man corner, but more than that, his toughness and physically allow him to knock receivers off their routes.  He will need to refine his physicality to avoid costly penalties at the pro-level, but his sound technique should allow him to do so.

26. Seattle Seahawks: Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M

Seattle has to keep Russell Wilson protected in order to maximize its offensive potential; stopping the bits and pieces method of building an o-line could help do that.

Ifedi has seen increasing interest as the draft draws nearer and could sneak in the back-end of the first round.  He is flexible enough to play both tackle or guard at the next level.

Mock 2.0: Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas St.

27. Green Bay Packers: Andrew Billings, DT/NT, Baylor

The Packers need help filling the massive hole (literally) left by B.J. Raji's retirement.

Billings has the power and agility to be a dominant force at the point of attack.  Billings' Combine performance should open some eyes and help bump him into the first round conversation for teams seeking an anchor up the middle.

Mock 2.0: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama

28. Kansas City Chiefs: William Jackson III, CB, Houston

The Chiefs held on to safety Eric Berry, but lost starting CB Sean Smith to the Raiders, leaving a need for the KC defense.

Jackson isn't a finished product, but he had an excellent Combine and has solid measurables.  The Chiefs will look to make a young 1-2 punch with their Rookie of the Year, Marcus Peters.

29. Arizona Cardinals: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

Arizona addressed two of its most pressing needs in its defense by adding Chandler Jones and Tyvon Branch through trade and free agency, respectively.  The team could look to add a long-term solution to the offensive line in the draft.

Kelly is the best center available in the draft, according to many scouts.  He has the skills and football IQ to be a starter on Day 1.

30. Carolina Panthers: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana

If the Super Bowl proved anything, it proved that there's room for improvement on the Carolina offensive line.  The primary area of concern along the line for the NFC champs is the tackle position.  According to Pro Football Focus, no tackle graded nearly as poorly as Michael Oher in 2015.  Admittedly, it's not a glaring weakness, but a team that just went 17-2 shouldn't really have glaring weaknesses.

Spriggs had an eye-opening combine: he posted the best 40 time, broad jump, bench press, and 20-yard shuttle.  He needs some work, but his athleticism would be an instant improvement for Carolina.

Mock 2.0: Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M

31. Denver Broncos: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

Until a Kaepernick or any other trade/signing happens, the Broncos are in need of a quarterback, the Sanchize won't cut it.

Paxton Lynch has drawn comparisons to former Broncos QB Brock Osweiler, mainly due to his size.  Lynch needs some time to develop as a pocket passer and could benefit from a red shirt year, which he would be unlikely to get in Denver.  But with the right coaching and patience (HA! Not in this league.) he could be the next $70 million QB to leave Denver after 7 starts.

**NOTE: The draft only has 31 picks because the New England Patriots were stripped of their 2016 first round pick.
                                                                                                                                                 

Who dropped out?:

Noah Spence, EDGE, Eastern Kentucky (20th overall in Mock 2.0):
His character issues have knocked him down the boards and out of the first round.

Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas St. (26th overall in Mock 2.0):
Tackles are typically the first round linemen, and that holds true in this draft.

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