2016 NFL Mock Draft #1

I’m a bit behind in my draft prep because the end of December was crazy and then I started classes for my Master’s degree at the beginning of January.  I’ve seen plenty of film on many of the top prospects but I’m a little behind in evaluating some of the lesser known guys.  Let’s just say my prospect knowledge isn’t as deep at this point as it usually is leading up to the Super Bowl.  The Senior Bowl was quite helpful and things have finally started to settle down so I’m taking a shot at my first mock draft of the year.  It’s an interesting year with no clear cut top player and especially with no clear cut top QB.  The defensive line is quite stacked but only DE Joey Bosa from Ohio St. truly stands out.  The best player in the draft might be Jalen Ramsey from Florida St. but it’s still a little unclear if he’s a CB or a safety.  LT Laremy Tunsil of Ole Miss is a beast and might be the safest prospect on the board but he missed the first 7 games of the year because of some eligibility issues due to extra benefits.  It’s going to be an interesting draft season so here we go.

1. Tennessee Titans (3-13): Laremy Tunsil   OT   Mississippi

It’s hard to call a team that went 3-13 and then made the least inspiring head coaching hire possible (Mike Mularky, really?) lucky but when it comes to this draft they are.  The Titans are a rare team picking first overall that doesn’t need a QB and that’s lucky because there isn’t one worthy of the top spot.  They got their QB last year in Marcus Mariota and while he struggled at times he was the least of their problems.  Mariota showed plenty of promise and now it’s time to protect their investment.  Taylor Lewan played LT last season but he would be better on the right side and grabbing Tunsil would make that possible.  Laremy Tunsil is a fantastic LT prospect and arguably the safest bet in this draft.  He has All-Pro potential and his worst case scenario is being a solid NFL starter.  It’s not a flashy pick and the Titans could certainly go another way, DE Joey Bosa and DB Jalen Ramsey would be immediate starters too, but Tunsil is an investment in the future health and safety of your franchise player.

2. Cleveland Browns (3-13): Carson Wentz   QB   North Dakota St.

No I haven’t lost my mind I really have the QB from North Dakota St. going #2 overall in this mock draft.  The Browns are a disaster and they have to cut bait with Johnny Manziel because he’s a head case.  They are a complete train wreck especially at QB and new head coach Hue Jackson knows he has to find a solution.  Wentz is the hot name at QB right now after a very good Senior Bowl week showed that he can play with the big boys.  North Dakota St. might be a FCS team but they are the best FCS team and they have won 5 consecutive FCS Championships.  Wentz, along with Cal’s Jared Goff and Memphis’ Paxton Lynch are the possible top QBs in this draft and right now Wentz has the momentum.  The Browns may have to go with a stopgap like Josh McCown again this season but the truth is even an untested rookie like Wentz could be a far better QB than they have had in a long while if Hue Jackson can work some magic.

3. San Diego Chargers (4-12): Joey Bosa   DE   Ohio St.

I went back and forth between Bosa and Jalen Ramsey on this pick and the Chargers can’t go wrong either way.  Ramsey could slot in at CB opposite Jason Verrett or as a replacement at safety for Eric Weddle but the Chargers secondary would be much improved if the front seven had someone to help OLB Melvin Ingram get pressure.  Bosa fits a 4-3 defense better than a 3-4 like the Chargers run but he could also be the Chargers version of JJ Watt and who would complain about that.  San Diego’s defensive line isn’t lighting the world on fire and if they could line up Bosa and Ingram on one side it would make life very difficult for opposing offenses.  Bosa is a special talent and an athletic freak that I don’t think the Chargers can pass on even for a guy like Ramsey.  The Chargers are in a great position at #3 overall no matter what because whether it’s Bosa, Ramsey or if Tunsil falls to this spot they are in a position to draft and immediate starter at a premium position.

4. Dallas Cowboys (4-12): Laquon Treadwell   WR   Mississippi

The bad news was that the Cowboys lost Tony Romo to a broken collar bone twice this season (the second time was for good) and wouldn’t you know it but neither Brandon Weeden, Matt Cassel or Kellen Moore proved to be an adequate replacement. The good news is that their horrible record got them the fourth overall pick in the draft.  Everyone is talking about how the Cowboys need to draft a QB of the future but unfortunately spending the #4 pick on a QB like Jared Goff or Paxton Lynch, or Carson Wentz if he’s still available, doesn’t help the Cowboys win while they still have Romo.  Lost in the Romo injury was the Dez Bryant injury that happened before it that kept Bryant out about half the year.  Terrence Williams was supposed to step into the #1 WR role but it became quite obvious he’s better as a #2 guy.  Treadwell is a lot like Dez Bryant on the field, good speed, great body control and uses his physicality better than most WRs.  Combining Bryant and Treadwell would give Romo a very nice pair of WRs and Treadwell will make a nice #1 WR for whomever the Cowboys find to be Romo’s eventually replacement.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Jalen Ramsey   DB   Florida St.

The Jaguars offense finally started to look like a real NFL offense this last season and with QB Blake Bortles, WRs Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, RB TJ Yeldon and a much improved offensive line it is time for the Jags to fix their defense.  They will essentially be adding two major pieces to the defense if they grab Ramsey here because last year’s first round pick Dante Fowler didn’t play a snap last season after going on IR before the season even started.  Fowler can be the pass rusher they need while Ramsey can upgrade the secondary at whichever position they play him at.  Ramsey has been a stud in the Seminoles defensive backfield since he was a freshman.  He started out as a safety, he has played slot corner and this last season he excelled as a full time CB.  He is better than every player in the Jags secondary and having him back there would give Fowler just a little bit more time to get to the QB.  The Jaguars have been very patient with Gus Bradley but it is time for him to fix this team’s defense and if he does they may make some noise this year because the offense certainly looks on track.

6. Baltimore Ravens (5-11): DeForest Buckner   DE   Oregon

The Ravens suffered through a number of injuries throughout the year and ended the season without QB Joe Flacco, WR Steve Smith, RB Justin Forsett and LT Eugene Monroe (to name a few).  RB Javorius Allen and WR Kamar Aiken stepped up and played well giving the Ravens some hope that their offense will be productive with the return of Flacco, Smith, Forsett and Monroe.  The defense lost OLB Terrell Suggs and their pass rush suffered because of it.  Suggs isn’t getting any younger and his return is questionable.  Elvis Dumervil isn’t a spring chicken either and it is time the Ravens look for some help getting to the QB.  There really isn’t a pass rushing LB worthy of this spot but luckily DeForest Buckner is the type of big, physical DE that can play the five-technique (he’s 6’7 290 lbs.) and while pass rushing isn’t his greatest skill he would bring more pressure than the Ravens current crop of DEs.  There is one other potential pick here and the only reason I’m not going with it is because it seems a bit high at #6.  Alabama ILB Reggie Ragland is just the type of player GM Ozzie Newsome loves (he did draft CJ Mosley just a couple of years ago).  Ragland isn’t the type of athlete Mosley is but he would be a fantastic fit inside next to Mosley and the current starter there is soon-to-be 34-year-old Daryl Smith.  Smith has been excellent the last 3 years for the Ravens but father time is going to catch up sooner or later.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Ravens either trade down to grab Ragland or if his stock continues to rise just take him here at #6.

7. San Francisco 49ers (5-11): Ronnie Stanley   OT   Notre Dame

This pick could be completely dependent on who is calling the shots in San Francisco.  GM Trent Baalke is still in charge but new head coach Chip Kelly is no stranger to usurping someone else’s authority.  The 49ers were bad this past year and it wasn’t all Jim Tomsula’s fault.  The offensive line is a good place to start the rebuild.  RT Anthony Davis was one of the 49ers’ early retirements before last year and they never adequately replaced him.  Davis may return but even if he does LT Joe Staley isn’t getting any younger.  Staley (not to be confused with Stanley) is 31 and has 9 years in the league and he may not be around long enough to see this team turn around.  Stanley is still a bit raw in his technique but he would be a huge upgrade at RT for now if Davis doesn’t return and he would be a solid eventual replacement for Staley.  This could all be moot if Chip Kelly decides he likes one of the QBs (Paxton Lynch perhaps?) and wants to start from scratch at that position.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Myles Jack   OLB   UCLA

It is up to new head coach Adam Gase to work his magic on the Dolphins’ offense.  The line could use some help but they aren’t a huge problem and Gase’s work needs to be concentrated on getting Ryan Tannehill to be the franchise QB this team has needed since Dan Marino retired (that was a long time ago by the way).  RB Lamar Miller, WRs DeVante Parker, Jarvis Landry, Rishard Matthews and Kenny Stills and TE Jordan Cameron should give Gase and Tannehill plenty of playmakers on offense.  This team needs an infusion of talent on defense especially in the back seven.  A pass rusher to replace Cameron Wake would be nice eventually and the CB spot needs help but LB has been a problem for a while and Myles Jack is too good of player to pass up.  Jack is coming off a season lost to a knee injury but the injury occurred in September so his rehab should allow him to be ready early next season.  He’s the type of athletic playmaker this defense needs and while a CB like Vernon Hargreaves would be a welcome addition Jack is the superior prospect.  If Gase can get the offense going then the defense just has to be marginally better for this team to be in the playoff hunt.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10):  Vernon Hargreaves III   CB   Florida

It’s rare that a team that started a rookie QB and won six games would fire their head coach but Lovie Smith is out and his offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter is in.  Obviously the franchise feels good about the direction of the offense under Koetter and QB Jameis Winston and they should.  WR Mike Evans and TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins give Winston some nice weapons and they need to re-sign RB Doug Martin who had a nice rebound year under Koetter.  The defense is where the problems exist and while they could use help on all three levels the secondary needs many reinforcements.  Hargreaves lacks the ideal measurables teams want in a CB but he’s one the best cover guys you’ll see.  He’s a fighter and he’s been starting at Florida since his freshman year so he has plenty of experience.  He immediately upgrades one side of the defense and he brings an attitude and swagger this defense needs.

10. New York Giants (6-10):  A’Shawn Robinson   DT   Alabama

When in doubt give the Giants a defensive lineman.  Other than QB and WR the Giants could use help pretty much everywhere so I’ll go with their most likely position in the draft.  They are aging at DT with Cullen Jenkins and Barry Cofield figuring prominently in their depth chart and Robinson would be a great addition next to Jonathan Hankins who is coming off an injury.  Robinson doesn’t rush the passer like a lot of the Giants previous DL draftees but he’s a force against the run and they could use that.  He’s not flashy but that fits with Giants profile.  There is a major wildcard in this draft at DE named Noah Spence out of Eastern Kentucky.  He was kicked off of Ohio St.’s team for multiple failed drug tests but he transferred to Eastern Kentucky and re-established his draft stock.  He had a good week at the Senior Bowl and this is the spot in the draft where he becomes a viable option.  I don’t think the Giants will take this big of a risk here but he’s in the discussion.

11. Chicago Bears (6-10):  Jaylon Smith   OLB   Notre Dame

The Bears offense found a little success last season under Adam Gase and now they will try to continue that without him.  They promoted QB coach Dowell Loggins to offensive coordinator to try to keep some continuity for Jay Cutler and the offense.  The defense wasn’t great and they need impact players wherever they can find them.  Smith is dealing with a knee injury that might keep him out of the beginning of the season and it may limit his effectiveness during his rookie year but he’s too good to pass up.  He can play in virtually any alignment and will make plays no matter where he lines up.  He could make a very nice bookend OLB to Pernell McPhee and give the Bears the playmaker they need on defense.

12. New Orleans Saints (7-9):  Mackensie Alexander   CB   Clemson

The Saints defense reverted to being terrible again and it cost defensive coordinator Rob Ryan his job during the season.  They have been trying to find answers at CB for quite some time and last year’s free agent pickup Brandon Browner didn’t work out so well.  Alexander is young and still developing but he has a very high ceiling.  He can come in and play right away but there will be some growing pains.  He’s not the biggest guy but he can handle himself.  My only reservation about Alexander is drafting a CB that started for two years as a CB and never recorded an interception.  In 2015 teams avoided throwing his way but in 2014 he was a redshirt freshman starter and he should have had some opportunities.  It does make you wonder if he can be the kind of playmaker you want at CB.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (7-9):  Jared Goff   QB   California

Chip Kelly is out, Doug Pederson is in and Howie Roseman is back in charge of the draft.  The Sam Bradford experiment might continue but something tells me the team is ready to move on from one of Chip Kelly’s failed ventures.  Goff has some physical maturing to do but he’s a heady QB with a strong arm and he can run Pederson’s offense without a problem.  This team needs to find a way to use the talent of DeMarco Murray at RB and take advantage of some of the other playmakers on offense like WRs Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor and TE Zach Ertz.  Pederson spent the last few years running Kansas City’s offense with Alex Smith at QB so he knows how to get the best out of a QB.

14. Oakland Raiders (7-9): Taylor Decker   OT   Ohio St.

The Raiders are beginning to have a bit of success largely due to some very good luck in the draft.  They found a star defensive player to build around in Khalil Mack and they finally found a legitimate QB in Derek Carr.  Drafting WR Amari Cooper and signing free agent WR Michael Crabtree went a long way in Carr’s development now it’s time to protect him.  Donald Penn and J’Marcus Webb were the starters at OT last season and while they did okay the position can be upgraded.  Decker isn’t in Tunsil’s class and he’s slightly below Ronnie Stanley but he’s an upgrade at either right or left tackle for the Raiders.  Decker doesn’t wow you with his skills but he’s a solid athlete with a mean streak and he would not only protect Carr but help improve the running game.

15. Los Angeles Rams (7-9): Paxton Lynch   QB   Memphis

I’m not advocating for this pick because I think Lynch has a long way to go to be a viable starting QB in the NFL and the Rams don’t have that kind of time, more specifically Jeff Fisher doesn’t have that kind of time.  Lynch is a big (6’6 230 lbs.), athletic QB but his delivery needs work and so do his reads.  Unfortunately, the Rams are desperate since Nick Foles didn’t do much and Case Keenum isn’t the answer either.  The team is moving to LA, I apologize if I ever refer to them as St. Louis, and they may be looking to make a splash with a new shiny QB.  If they do take Lynch something tells me they will be introducing their new QB again when they move into their new stadium in about 3 years, that’s about how long they will need to realize Lynch isn’t the answer.  There is one way this might work and that is if the rumors are true and Rams can convince Peyton Manning to be their QB next year which would buy them a year to work on Lynch’s development before they throw him into the fire.  Learning for a year under Manning might be the only way Lynch gets to where he needs to be to be an NFL starter.

16. Detroit Lions (7-9): Jack Conklin   OT   Michigan St.

The loss of Calvin Johnson to retirement, assuming he really goes through with it, is going to lead to many mock drafts giving the Lions a WR in the first round especially right now since it just happened.  Unless Laquon Treadwell falls all the way to this spot, and that’s not happening, the Lions can wait to grab a WR later.  There are some good WRs but no one that is worth this spot.  Conklin would solve the Lions’ issues at RT and that is probably his best position.  He is athletically limited but he brings his lunch pail to work every day and would be a rock on the right side.  The Lions need to give Matthew Stafford every chance to succeed because they have invested so much in him and protecting him better and improving the run game would be a great start and Conklin would accomplish both those objectives.  The Lions started last year horribly and it led to a lot of staff changes but they finished strong and they need to build on that success.

17. Atlanta Falcons (8-8): Reggie Ragland   LB   Alabama

The good news for Atlanta was they started the year 5-0, Julio Jones stayed healthy and was dominant and Devonta Freeman emerged as a top-notch RB.  The bad news was they finished the year 3-8, their defense wasn’t very good and the offensive line struggled down the stretch.  This team needs a leader and an enforcer on defense and that is exactly what Ragland will be.  He can man the MLB spot and he can change the dynamic of the defense.  The Falcons could look for Roddy White’s replacement opposite Julio Jones with a guy like Corey Coleman or Josh Doctson but Dan Quinn knows he needs to improve the defense and Ragland is a step in the right direction.

18. Indianapolis Colts (8-8): Jason Spriggs   OT   Indiana

The Colts had a dismal year and much of it can be attributed to Andrew Luck not being healthy.  The team is about to hand Luck a $100 million extension and they would be wise to protect their investment.  Spriggs isn’t a name you hear a lot when it comes to the first round but he was impressive at the Senior Bowl and he looks the part of a starting offensive tackle in the NFL.  Indiana was a pass heavy team and Spriggs played LT in college so his pass protection is very advanced and that is what the Colts need.  He would likely move over to RT since they have Anthony Costanzo at LT but he could eventually be a LT.  He needs to work on his run blocking but that will come in time and keeping Luck upright is the primary concern.

19. Buffalo Bills (8-8): Noah Spence   OLB/DE   Eastern Kentucky

DE Mario Williams has played 10 years in the NFL and even if he wasn’t getting along in years this was still likely his last go around in Buffalo.  Rex Ryan needs a pass rusher and he’s never been shy about taking a guy who’s a character risk.  Spence got kicked off the Ohio St. team for failed drug tests (yes, plural) and I don’t even want to think about what it takes to get Urban Meyer to kick a guy off his team.  He transferred to Eastern Kentucky and seems to have turned his life around.  If the character concerns are alleviated by interviews and background checks Spence may go higher than this because he’s arguably the best pure pass rusher in this draft.  Ryan won’t let character concerns trump this kid’s talent so I see this spot as Spence’s low end.

20. New York Jets (10-6): Leonard Floyd   OLB   Georgia

The Jets still need a QB of the future but Ryan Fitzpatrick played very well for them this last year and I’m guessing they bring him back so unless they absolutely love Connor Cook they aren’t taking a 1^st round QB at this point.  What they do need is a replacement for Calvin Pace at OLB because contrary to popular belief he can’t play forever.  Floyd is still a bit raw but he took major strides this year to become a better overall LB and he isn’t just a pass rusher anymore.  That said his ability to bend the edge and his explosive first step are impressive.  Floyd is long and lean and looks like you could snap him in half but on the Jets team featuring a fantastic defensive line he would be well protected and allowed to flourish.  As a Patriots fan I really hope they don’t get him.

21. Washington Redskins (9-7): Shaq Lawson   DE   Clemson

The Redskins seem to have found an answer at QB with Kirk Cousins and now it’s time to build a team that can help him win.  A better defense would help and while rookie Preston Smith improved the pass rush the team can’t leave it all up to Smith and Ryan Kerrigan to get all the pressure.  Lawson had a great year and while he doesn’t look like an ideal fit in the Redskins base 3-4 defense they vary things enough to get Kerrigan, Smith and Lawson on the field in passing situations to create havoc.  Lawson isn’t a one trick pony as he is very effective against the run too.  He plays with violent hands and he would be a very solid addition to the Redskins defense.

22. Houston Texans (9-7): Ezekiel Elliott   RB   Ohio St.

Conventional wisdom says the Texans should grab a QB as soon as possible especially after Brian Hoyer’s poor performance in the playoffs.  If Bill O’Brien thinks that Connor Cook can be his guy than I think he should take him but I don’t think he does.  Connor Cook as a rookie is not going to be a whole lot better than Brian Hoyer was last season.  Also consider that Hoyer wasn’t the biggest problem with the Texans offense last year it was the loss of Arian Foster and the inconsistent running game.  Foster isn’t going to be brought back so it’s time to get a new bell cow and that’s Ezekiel Elliott.  Elliott took some guff for speaking out last season about how the Buckeyes needed to get him the ball more and while taking those concerns public wasn’t advisable he wasn’t wrong.  He is an exceptional RB that a team like the Texans can rely on and he would take a lot of pressure off of Brian Hoyer (or Christian Hackenberg after O’Brien drafts Hackenberg in the second round).

23. Minnesota Vikings (11-5): Darron Lee   OLB   Ohio St.

The Vikings were a surprising 11-5 and won their division over the Packers, it was surprising because this was sooner than they expected to be this good.  OLB Chad Greenway has been a mainstay for years but his contract is up and virtually everyone expects Greenway to ride off into the sunset.  Former UCLA LBs Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks have taken over the other two spots but there is no obvious replacement on the roster for Greenway and Lee is the type of athletic player that would slide right in.  Lee is a versatile athletic LB who would be an excellent fit with Barr and Kendricks and give the Vikings a talented trio for the foreseeable future.

24. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4): Tyler Boyd   WR   Pittsburgh

The good news is that Andy Dalton did not have another failure in a playoff game, the bad news is the Bengals still lost in the first round when Dalton missed the game with a broken thumb.  Dalton had a fantastic year until he broke that thumb and the Bengals need to be sure he doesn’t regress.  The offense returns almost everyone except for all the WRs behind AJ Green.  They have 4 WR free agents and they can’t bring them all back.  Boyd spent 3 years at Pitt breaking all of Larry Fitzgerald’s records (yes, that Larry Fitzgerald).  He isn’t getting the hype of Corey Coleman or Josh Doctson but those two come from spread offenses that put up crazy stats.  Boyd has a thin frame, as do both Coleman and Doctson, and while he may not be a fast he’s a better technician than either of them.  Boyd is a naturally smooth athlete who will be a better complement to Green and whichever of the free agent WRs the Bengals re-sign.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6): Eli Apple   CB   Ohio St.

I’ve been beating the “Steelers need to draft a CB” drum for what seems like forever now maybe this is the year they take my advice.  If they get healthy along the offensive line and get LeVeon Bell back the offense should be fine but the defense still needs help.  Apple is a third-year sophomore that left the Buckeyes early and while he’s still young and a bit raw he has size and is the type of physical corner the Steelers need.  Apple would bring talent and youth to a position that desperately needs it.  The Steelers may look to go with the safety position to upgrade their secondary and if they do Darian Thompson of Boise St. would be a solid bet.

26. Seattle Seahawks (10-6): Cody Whitehair   OL   Kansas St.

The Seahawks won 10 games but their offensive line was less than stellar all year long and if they expect Thomas Rawls to replace Marshawn Lynch full-time next season it would be easier if he had some blocking.  Whitehair gives the Seahawks some options because while his best position is likely inside at OG he could play RT for them if they need him or they could try him out at C.  He played all over the line at K-State starting his career at guard, moving to right tackle and eventually playing LT the last two seasons.  He would be a huge upgrade for them at center, right guard or right tackle and would allow them to draft the best offensive lineman in a later round regardless of position.

27. Green Bay Packers (10-6): Jarran Reed   DT   Alabama

The Packers need depth on the offensive line and they still need help at LB but Reed is too good to pass up. They have Mike Daniels and Datone Jones lining up at DE in their base 3-4 defense but BJ Raji may not return and Reed has the versatility and skillset to play between Daniels and Jones or in place of them.  He was routinely overshadowed in the media by his more ballyhooed teammate A’Shawn Robinson but Reed was just as good.  Reed, Robinson and Jonathan Allen (who surprising returned to Alabama) formed the devastating front line of the Crimson Tide’s National Championship team.  DTs who do their job don’t always get a lot of press clippings but the teams know their value and the Packers would be crazy to pass up this kind of talent if Reed is available this late in the first round.

28. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5): Shon Coleman   OT   Auburn

If Coleman makes the first round it will be the best story of the draft.  Coleman’s college career started late because he was diagnosed with cancer before he ever got started and he spent two years fighting the cancer and eventually beat it.  He started his football career after that and it took him a couple of years to get back into football playing shape but he never gave up and finally took over as the stating LT for Auburn after Greg Robinson was drafted two years ago.  He will be 25 when the NFL season starts and he is mature beyond his years but he’s still a bit raw as a player.  The Chiefs won’t mind because they desperately need help on the offensive line and they know a thing or two about guys coming back from cancer.  Shon Coleman and Eric Berry could have some very inspirational conversations.

29. Arizona Cardinals (13-3): Jonathan Bullard   DE   Florida

The Cardinals had a very good year and they kept Carson Palmer healthy which kept their offense running at a high level.  The defense played well be they are getting old on the edges of their front seven at DE and OLB.  If you don’t believe me just consider that at the end of the year they were starting Dwight Freeney at OLB, and no it’s not the son of the guy that played for the Colts it’s the same Dwight Freeney.  Jonathan Bullard is a versatile defender that has the size and skill to line up at DE in the 3-4 and play well against the run or pressure the pocket.  He isn’t a speed rusher but he gives the defense a presence that just isn’t coming from the likes of Frostee Rucker or Ed Stinson.

30.  Carolina Panthers (15-1): Darian Thompson   S   Boise St.

For a team that went 15-1 and made it to the Super Bowl the Panthers have plenty of holes to fill. The Super Bowl proved they need help at OT, they need some depth at DE, their WR corps is still lacking no matter what they try to tell you and even though Josh Norman was outstanding at CB this year their secondary could be improved.  Darian Thompson is fantastic safety prospect out of Boise St. and he’s a legitimate 1^st round prospect who could go higher than this for sure.  Safety isn’t a deep position in this draft so his value is even a bit higher because of that.  Thompson offers the best value for this spot as the Panthers would be getting the top safety in the class instead of the 5^th or 6^th best DE or OT.  WR is a distinct possibility but I’m not a big believer in Corey Coleman, Josh Doctson or Michael Thomas being instant impact players.

31.   Denver Broncos (12-4): Emmanuel Ogbah   DE   Oklahoma St.

The Super Bowl was likely Peyton Manning’s last game and almost certainly his last game as a Bronco.  Luckily for the Broncos they have Brock Osweiler around so they don’t need to grab a QB at this point.  It also could be the last hurrah for Demarcus Ware and while they might like last year’s rookie Shane Ray you can never have too many pass rushers.  Ogbah isn’t a perfect fit in Denver’s 3-4 defense but something tells me DC Wade Phillips would find a way to use him.  Replacing aging veteran TEs Owen Daniels and Vernon Davis should be high on the Broncos priority list but that isn’t going to happen early in this draft because TE is the weakest position this year.

 

There will only be 31 picks in the first round this year because the Patriots were docked their first rounder last year because of the deflated football b*llsh*t…err… incident and Robert Kraft’s boneheaded move to agree to the sanctions leveled by Roger Goodell.  Kraft never should have agreed and he should have taken Goodell and the NFL to court but I guess this was just his way of leveling the playing field so other teams still have a chance.  At least Bill Belichick can’t blow a first round pick on a bad CB or some dude out of Rutgers he’ll have to wait until the second round to do that this year.