The 2016 NFL Draft kicks off with the first round Thursday at 8 p.m., followed by rounds two and three Friday at 7 p.m. and rounds four through seven Saturday starting at 12 p.m.. Big storylines for the first round include the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles trading up for picks one and two, respectively, the New England Patriots not having a pick due to the “Deflategate” saga and how many quarterbacks end up being selected Thursday night.
In our TNH Mock Draft, there was no trading, although you can expect at least a few big moves Thursday night. Ben selected picks 1-10 while giving his opinion on the odd picks inside the top 10, while Zack selected for teams 11-31 and responded to the even picks.
As a consensus All-American in 2014 and 2015, Bosa had 101 tackles, 26 sacks and five forced fumbles in three years. He also led the conference in 21 tackles for a loss of yards and 13.5 sacks in 2015, thus leading to his Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. The Jaguars are in need of a big time defensive end and Bosa would be a starter right alongside last year’s first-round pick Dante Fowler Jr.
1. Los Angeles Rams
JARED GOFF QB, California
The California boy stays home to play for the Rams organization that is making their triumphant return back to Los Angeles. It has been a battle for the No. 1 overall pick between Goff and North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz, but Goff gets the call after a career where the junior threw 96 touchdowns and only 30 interceptions with 12,200 passing yards. Who was the last California Golden Bear QB to be drafted in the first round? Aaron Rodgers, and that has worked out for the Green Bay Packers. Goff should not be opposed to donning a golden tie Thursday night because all eyes will be on him.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
CARSON WENTZ
QB, North Dakota St.
The Eagles acquired this pick from the Cleveland Browns for a number of picks. Philadelphia traded five total picks, including this year’s and next year’s first-round picks, to move up to this spot with the goal of selecting a quarterback. The North Dakota State product threw for over 5,000 yards, 45 touchdowns and only 14 interceptions in his college career. If Wentz goes first overall, Goff will certainly be the selection, but the team won’t be too upset grabbing the 6-foot-5-inch FCS quarterback that won two national championships.
3. San Diego Chargers
JALEN RAMSEY
DB, Florida St.
This is subject to change because changes have been circulating all over the San Diego Chargers franchise, but expect Jalen Ramsey to land with the Bolts. Ramsey had a prolific career at Florida State University, and was the first freshman to start at cornerback since Deion Sanders in 1986. Most scouts think he’s overrated, but some think he’s the next Richard Sherman. His stock went up as he had the highest vertical jump at the NFL Combine that registered at 41.5 inches. Ramsey made more plays on the ball from the slot, but he can jam and trail receivers as well. He has star potential, but could use a little more swagger and attitude.
4. Dallas Cowboys
EZEKIEL ELLIOTT
RB, Ohio St.
This scenario will play out only if Jerry Jones gets his way. There are several rumors about the owner’s heavy interest in the Ohio State running back. Dallas signed former Redskins running back Alfred Morris this offseason and brought back last year’s team-leading rusher Darren McFadden, but the allure of Elliott behind that monstrous offensive line may be too tempting to go in any other direction. In two years as the starter at Ohio State, Elliott ran for nearly 4,000 yards, 43 touchdowns and won a national championship; implementing himself as possibly the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
JOEY BOSA
DE, Ohio St.
I expect the Tennessee Titans to trade up for this pick, but if the Jacksonville Jaguars stay put then Joey Bosa will sport the black and gold this upcoming fall. The 6-foot-6-inch, 275 pound defensive lineman was a problem for anyone facing the Buckeyes.
6. Baltimore Ravens
LAREMY TUNSIL
OT, Ole Miss
This is a dream scenario for Baltimore. At one point Laremy Tunsil seemed like the for-sure selection at number one overall to Tennessee. Now that both the Titans and Browns have traded out of the top two spots in the draft respectively, the first two picks will be used on quarterbacks. After signing a lucrative six-year $120 million contract in 2013, quarterback Joe Flacco suffered a season-ending leg injury in Week 11 against the Rams last season. They certainly don’t want the franchise centerpiece going down again, so if Tunsil falls, he is the pick.
7. San Francisco 49ers
DEFOREST BUCKNER
DE, Oregon
Another West Coast player lands in the Bay Area at the seventh pick, going to the San Francisco 49ers. I felt the 49ers would go with an offensive player, possibly a quarterback, as Colin Kaepernick is on the fence and Paxton Lynch intrigues me, but if Deforest is still on the board then they would be asinine not to take him. Similar physique and play of New York Giants’ Jason Pierre-Paul, Buckner at 6-feet-7-inches, 300 pounds had 109 tackles, 36 tackles for loss of yards and 18 sacks over a four-year career with the Oregon Ducks. New head coach Chip Kelly, who coached Buckner back in 2013, would strongly press for this pick.
8. Cleveland Browns
RONNIE STANLEY
OT, Notre Dame
It wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if the Browns traded down yet again to collect more picks to better round out their roster. Drafting Stanley won’t fix the Browns’ problems, but if they stay in this slot, it is a step in the right direction. Due to trading out of the No. 2 spot, it appears that either Josh McCown or 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin III will quarterback this Cleveland offense. Cleveland would be smart to use this pick to protect whichever one it is.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
MYLES JACK
ILB, UCLA
He may be a smaller linebacker listed at 6-feet-1-inch, 245 pounds, and speculated to have knee problems, but Myles Jack was one of the most versatile players among all of college football the past three years. His reputation grew as a dynamic defensive presence back when he was a freshman, and the numbers support it up until his junior year when a knee injury stopped his season short. What makes Jack stand out is his ability to play both sides of the ball. On defense, he registered 116 tackles and four interceptions. On offense, he ran for a total of 387 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. Tampa Bay should take Jack in this spot.
10. New York Giants
VERNON HARGREAVES III
CB, Florida
General manager Jerry Reese is on the hot seat heading into the 2016 season due to a number of draft picks not panning out for them. Only two players, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and long-snapper Zak DeOssie, remain from Reese’s first six drafts after being hired in 2007. The key to a good draft for the Giants will be going for a defenseman in round one. New York gave up the most yards in the NFL last year and a large part of that was due to its weak secondary. Hargreaves is a smooth, two-time All-American corner that could contribute in a nickel role for the Giants’ defense.
