4 min read

Alex Sponseller
Alex Sponseller
The 2016 NFL Draft flipped upsidedown when the Rams traded to No. 1 and the Eagles No. 2, here is the final version of my 2016 Mock Draft. 1. Los Angeles (Trade from Tennessee): Jared Goff (QB, California)- Jared Goff and Carson Wentz are in a tight race for the top pick, but recent momentum has gone to Goff, who appears to be more experienced and a California local.

2. Philadelphia (Trade from Cleveland): Carson Wentz (QB, North Dakota State)- It would be shocking to see Philly go for a position other than quarterback, if it’s not Goff, it will likely be Wentz.

3. San Diego: Laremy Tunsil (OT, Mississippi)- There are four or five possibilities here, but protecting Philip Rivers as he enters the twilight of career will be crucial, and Tunsil is too good to pass up.

4. Dallas: Joey Bosa (DE, Ohio State)- Greg Hardy is gone and Randy Gregory is suspended. The Cowboys needs a pass rusher and Bosa is a force on the end.

5. Jacksonville: Jalen Ramsay (FS, Florida State)- Although Jacksonville signed Prince Amukamara and Taj Gipson, Ramsay is the most talented player at this point and will solidify this secondary.

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6. Baltimore: DeForest Buckner (DE, Oregon)- Although the front seven is solid, GM Ozzie Newsome believes in taking the best available player, and at No. 6, Bucker is exactly that.

7. San Francisco: Ronnie Stanley (OT, Notre Dame)- Stanley is a Week 1 starter and San Fran needs help up front.

8. Cleveland: Myles Jack (OLB, UCLA)- The Browns are experiencing a defensive turnaround, letting Karlos Dansby, Taj Gipson and Donte Whitner walk, Jack is a starting caliber linebacker.

9. Tampa Bay: Vernon Hargreaves (CB, Florida)- Newly-signed Brent Grimes needs a partner in the defensive backfield, Hargreaves is a top-rated option.

10. New York Giants: Jack Conklin (OT, Michigan State)- The Giants drafted Ereck Flowers in 2015, expect Conklin to man the right side and give the G-Men a long-term duo.

11. Chicago: Leonard Floyd (DE, Georgia)- John Fox will continue to rebuild the Bears’ defense, and Floyd gives them a starting-caliber pass rusher.

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12. New Orleans: Shaq Lawson (DE, Clemson)- Receiver is a possibility, but the Saints have four receivers 23-years-old or younger. Lawson is a tough, disruptive end that can make an impact.

13. Miami: Ezekiel Elliot (RB, Ohio State)- Miami lost Lamar Miller and missed out on C.J. Anderson, Elliot is the best running back in the draft.

14.Oakland: Sheldon Rankins (DT, Louisville)- Sean Smith and Reggie Nelson solidifies the backfield, Rankins gives them another weapon in the front.

15. Tennessee: Taylor Decker (OT, Ohio State)- Keeping quarterback Marcus Mariota upright is the key to Tennessee’s success moving forward.

16. Detroit: Kevin Dodd (DE, Clemson)- With the top offensive lineman selected, the Lions will look to add a pass rusher on defense with Dodd.

17. Atlanta: Reggie Ragland (ILB, Alabama)- The Falcons need interior depth on defense, Ragland will be a good value pick at 17.

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18. Indianapolis: Noah Spence (DE, Eastern Kentucky)- Offensive lineman is possible, but with an aging front, the Colts needs to add a pass rusher.

19. Buffalo: Robert Nkemdiche (DT, Mississippi)- Despite off-field issues, Rex Ryan will take a nasty lineman to headline the interior.

20. New York Jets: Eli Apple (CB, Ohio State)- Even with Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, the Jets were inconsistent in coverage last year, Apple should be an immediate contributor.

21. Washington: Jarran Reed (DT, Alabama)- With Terrance Knighton departing, the Redskins will need to rebuild the defensive line.

22. Houston: Laquon Treadwell (WR, Mississippi)- The Texans will look for a receiver to complement DeAndre Hopkins, Treadwell is a steal at 22.

23. Minnesota: Josh Doctson (WR, TCU)- With Mike Wallace departing, the Vikings will look for a new set of hands for Teddy Bridgewater.

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24. Cincinnati: Corey Coleman (WR, Baylor)- The receiver tear continues as the Bengals try to replace Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu.

25. Pittsburgh: Artie Burns (CB, Miami)- The Steelers’ secondary was a liability deep last year, Burns should provide a steady option on the outside.

26. Seattle: Germain Ifedi (OT, Texas A&M)- The offensive line struggled last year, and with Russell Okung heading to Denver, the Seahawks are desperate for help.

27. Green Bay: A’Shawn Robinson (DT, Alabama)- With B.J. Raji taking the year off, the Packers have an immediate need on the interior defensive line.

28. Kansas City: Will Fuller (WR, Notre Dame)- Cornerback is a possibility, but the Chiefs will look for a speedy complement for Jeremy Maclin.

29. Arizona: MacKensie Alexander (CB, Clemson)- Chandler Jones solves the pass rush problem, now the Cardinals will focus on the secondary.

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30. Carolina: Emmanuel Ogbah (DE, Oklahoma) Yes, Charles Johnson is returning and Kony Ealy flashed in the Super Bowl, but the Panthers will look to add depth on the end.

31. Denver: Chris Jones (DT, Mississippi State)- The Broncos will find a solution at QB, and focus on the defensive line.

NOTE: The New England Patriots will forfeit pick No. 29 due to the Deflategate scandal.

Sports Staff Writer Alex Sponseller can be reached at sports@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.


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