2016 Mock Draft 3.0 (Yep, 2 Rounds)

So the blockbuster trade of the #1 overall pick has sufficiently shaken up the 2016 draft and it looks like QBs will rule the day once again.  Carson Wentz and Jared Goff aren’t exactly Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III but as the saying goes “If you don’t have a franchise QB you don’t pass on a potential franchise QB” and in this case you trade everything to get one if that’s what it takes.  The Rams made their move to get up and get their QB of the future now it’s up to Cleveland to decide if they want the other one or if they want to cash in now that the price is set for trading up.

1. Los Angeles Rams (7-9 from Tennessee): Carson Wentz   QB   North Dakota St.

As much as I like Laremy Tunsil and Jalen Ramsey as the two best players in this draft the Rams didn’t give up two 1^st rounders, two 2^nd rounders and two 3^rd rounders over the next two drafts to take an OT or DB.  This is about finally getting a QB and moving from being a 7-9 team to making some noise in the playoffs.  It seems counterintuitive to think you draft a FCS QB, plug him into your starting lineup and all of the sudden you’re a playoff team but in LA’s case that just might happen.  A great running game and a good defense just need a QB that isn’t the dumpster fire like Nick Foles was last year and they could compete.  Wentz has a higher ceiling than Jared Goff and while the Rams are looking to be competitive in their first year back in LA they are also hoping Wentz develops into something great a few years from now when they move into their new stadium.

2. Cleveland Browns (3-13): Jared Goff   QB   California

I’m not certain the Browns are sold on Goff but new head coach Hue Jackson knows he has to get the QB position fixed and I don’t think RGIII is the answer.  Johnny Manziel was an unmitigated disaster both on the field and off and Goff is the anti-Johnny.  He’s mature and hardworking and he’s football IQ would allow him to step onto the field immediately as a starter.  Goff has a quick release and processes information instantly and will never set foot on the field unprepared.  Cleveland could ransom this pick if they aren’t sold on Goff and while it’s unlikely they get a haul like the Rams pulled off it would depend on who’s trading up.  The 49ers and Eagles have been rumored to want to move up and since they pick 7^th and 8^th respectively they probably don’t have to give up quite as much as the Rams did since the Rams were moving up from 15^th.  Of course if the Browns could get the Jets interested maybe they get as big of a haul since the Jets pick 20^th.  Cleveland’s roster is a disaster so if they can get a bunch of picks they should make a deal.

3. San Diego Chargers (4-12): Jalen Ramsey   DB   Florida St.

The Chargers are the lucky beneficiaries of QBs going in the first two spots because it means they get there pick of the two top players.  OT Laremy Tunsil would fit nicely at LT as a replacement for King Dunlop but I don’t think the Chargers are necessarily looking to replace Dunlop.  The Chargers just need their offensive line to stay healthy and maybe an upgrade at center.  However, they did lose the heart and soul of their defense with the departure of S Eric Weddle.  Weddle had been a mainstay for years and Ramsey is a readymade replacement.  Ramsey has future All-Pro ability and he’s a game changer on defense.  He’s the best prospect in the draft and Chargers shouldn’t overthink this pick.  Tunsil is certainly worth a long conversation and a DE (DeForest Buckner or Joey Bosa) is possible but it’s hard to pass up a once-in-a-generation talent like Ramsey.

4. Dallas Cowboys (4-12): DeForest Buckner   DE   Oregon

I’m sure the Cowboys would be more than happy if Ramsey falls here so they could take him and pair him with last year’s 1^st rounder Byron Jones and have two of the most athletic DBs in the NFL.  Since Ramsey is gone they can flip a coin between Buckner and Joey Bosa.  Bosa had more hype entering the season and the draft process but he wasn’t as dominant during the year and looked just okay during draft workouts.  Buckner has really come on and he has the size and versatility to line up in multiple spots.  He can start opposite Demarcus Lawrence at DE who started to come into his own last season and if Randy Gregory comes back from his drug suspension after 4 games Buckner can kick inside to DT in passing situations and give the Cowboys good pass rushing from three spots on the line.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Myles Jack   OLB   UCLA

I’ve been on the Jack pick for Jacksonville for a while now and here’s why, this team is on the cusp of doing something and Jack can be the impact defender they need.  He went back to Indianapolis for his medical recheck from the combine and the only issue was team’s concerned about his long-term viability in the league.  His immediate recovery has gone well and the Jaguars are going for a major turnaround this year.  They have the offense rolling behind Blake Bortles and they spent big money this off season on DL Malik Jackson, CB Prince Amukamara and S Tayshaun Gipson and with the return of last year’s draft pick Dante Fowler they hope to make a big move in the standings.  Jack is the type of LB they are missing and while his knees may not be designed to last 10 years he could make the most of the next 5 with this Jacksonville team.

6. Baltimore Ravens (5-11): Laremy Tunsil   OT   Mississippi

Leave it to Ozzie Newsome to stand pat and end up with arguably the best player in the draft at a huge position of need for the Ravens.  Tunsil is an immediate LT starter and has the potential to be a top LT in the league in short order (surprisingly there aren’t as many great LTs in the NFL as you might think).  Eugene Monroe just hasn’t been able to stay healthy and effective for the Ravens and they need someone to protect Joe Flacco’s blindside.  Tunsil is the best OT in the draft and his game would translate well to the passing attack the Ravens employ, he can pass protect long enough to let Flacco throw deep.  Tunsil needs some work on his run blocking but he’s big, physical and athletic so he shouldn’t have a problem developing in that area.  Newsome gets great value and immediate impact with very low bust potential, sounds like a Ravens draft pick to me.

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

This pick may depend on if Chip Kelly has managed to wrestle personnel control away from GM Trent Baalke by the time the draft rolls around.  The York family has been pretty loyal to Baalke so I’m going to assume he maintains control.  What was once a fantastic offensive line under Jim Harbaugh is a shell of its former self now even if Anthony Davis returns from his one year “retirement”.  LT Joe Staley is a stalwart but he’s in year 10 and he might be worth more as a trade chip since he isn’t likely to be around to see the end of this rebuild.  Ronnie Stanley could step in at RT and eventually replace Staley at LT when the time comes.  Joey Bosa is a possibility here but he isn’t a great fit in the 49ers 3-4 scheme so unless the 49ers trade up to #2 to get Jared Goff I think Baalke goes with Stanley.  If Kelly is making the call he might grab QB Paxton Lynch from Memphis and before you say this is way too high for Lynch Kelly is the guy who once drafted Marcus Smith from Louisville in the 1^st round in Philly.  Don’t worry if you don’t know who that is neither does anyone else, including those who have had to play against Smith.

8. Philadelphia Eagles (7-9 from Miami): Ezekiel Elliott   RB   Ohio St.

It could be interesting to watch if the 49ers and Eagles get into a bidding war for the #2 pick if they both like Jared Goff that much.  My money would be on the 49ers only because I think they need a QB a little bit more and like Goff just a bit more too.  The smokescreen coming out of Philly right now is that they don’t want a RB here and won’t take one this high, don’t buy it.  New coach Doug Pederson is from the Andy Reid school of offense which means give me a decent QB, a good offensive line and great RB and we’ll be good to go.  Ezekiel Elliott is special and don’t let anyone tell you differently.  He’s the most well rounded back in this draft and he can play all three downs equally well.  Elliott would make life much easier on Sam Bradford (or Chase Daniel) and keep Pederson’s offense moving right along.  They could go defense here or if one of the two top OTs falls here that’s possible too but Elliott is too good to pass up.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10): Joey Bosa   DE   Ohio St.

If you had told me three months ago that Bosa would fall to 9^th in the draft, I would have said you’re crazy but here we are and circumstances change.  The trade of the 1^st pick messed some things up and Bosa’s underwhelming combine workout hurt him.  The great season by Buckner also had an effect.  Bosa is a physical specimen but he didn’t always translate his physical ability to production on the field.  Some of this is over analysis of a prospect and Tampa Bay couldn’t be happier if it plays out this way.  They need someone to pair with DT Gerald McCoy and Bosa would benefit greatly lining up next to such a dominating interior player.  It’s also the right scheme fit since Bosa’s best position would be as a DE in a 4-3 defense instead of a 3-4 like San Diego, Baltimore and San Francisco play.

10. New York Giants (6-10): Vernon Hargreaves III   CB   Florida

The Giants signed Janoris Jenkins to a big free agent deal and he replaces the departed Prince Amukamara and teams with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie but they don’t have much else and Rodgers-Cromartie isn’t getting any younger.  The NFL is a passing league and having three CBs is usually a good idea.  Hargreaves can come in and play in the slot before he eventually takes over Rodgers-Cromartie’s job outside.  The Giants are a team that doesn’t usually reach for need and while they tend to value pass rush over all else on defense I think Hargreaves is better value than DE Shaq Lawson or OLB Leonard Floyd.  I would argue they should look to a LB like Reggie Ragland to improve their bad LB corps but they have never seemed to care that they aren’t very good at LB.

11. Chicago Bears (6-10): Jack Conklin   OT   Michigan St.

As I mentioned earlier there aren’t as many great LTs as you might think in the league so the position may be a bit overvalued in this draft, you will see five OTs drafted in the first round and potentially six.  Conklin isn’t flashy and he’s a lunch pail type of player but that should fit right in with the Chicago Bears.  The signing of Bobbie Massie was fine if they play him at RT so they can move Kyle Long back inside to guard but if they line Massie up at LT they will get Jay Cutler killed.  Conklin won’t ever be confused with Orlando Pace or Walter Jones but he’ll get the job done better than anyone on the current roster.

12. New Orleans Saints (7-9): Shaq Lawson   DE   Clemson

The Saints could certainly use another CB given Brandon Browner was a complete disaster last season and has been let go.  The could use a WR to replace the great Marques Colston who was Drew Brees’ favorite target for years.  However, this team’s defense has been bad lately and they have virtually no pass rush outside of Cameron Jordan and Shaq Lawson is solid value at this pick.  Lawson may never be a Pro Bowl DE but he can be a double digit sack guy and that would be huge for this team.  The secondary would be helped mightily if the defensive line could get some pressure and Lawson is better than any CB they could get at this spot if Ramsey and Hargreaves are gone.

13. Miami Dolphins (6-10 from Philadelphia): William Jackson III   CB   Houston

Clearly the Dolphins are planning on the return to health of many of their players on offense and the genius of new head coach Adam Gase to get that side of the ball moving in the right direction.  I have no earthly idea what they are doing on defense.  They let their best CB Brent Grimes go and replaced him with younger but less talented Byron Maxwell while at the same time they let younger and more talented DE Olivier Vernon leave while signing clearly past his prime Mario Williams.  The certainly still have a huge need at CB and I like Jackson’s trajectory here as he is slowly climbing the boards and rightfully so.  I’ve never been a big Mackensie Alexander fan but he’ll get a look here as will Ohio St’s Eli Apple.  Jackson is a better all-around CB and I think he’s the pick.

14. Oakland Raiders (7-9): Reggie Ragland   LB   Alabama

Ragland is a MLB that plays the role of thumper against the running game.  The Raiders went out in the off season and got Bruce Irvin to pair with Khalil Mack as pass rushers but they need someone to stop the run.  Ben Heeney did a nice job stepping in at MLB last season but he is better suited for being a run and chase LB on the outside.  Ragland can line up behind the behemoth interior DTs Dan Williams and Justin Ellis and shut down the running game.  I think the free agent signing of CB Sean Smith, the pick-up of David Amerson last year and their willingness to give former 1^st rounder DJ Hayden one more try means they will pass on a CB in round one and go for the LB they need to solidify a much improved defense.

15. Tennessee Titans (3-13 from LA): Taylor Decker   OT   Ohio St.

It is not a given that the Titans will draft an OT now that they are picking 15^th instead of 1^st and have a boatload of picks in the first three rounds.  It just so happens that it works out in this mock draft that Taylor Decker is available so their OT situation becomes the tale of two Taylors.  Taylor Lewan was all but set to get kicked to RT when the Titans were staring at Laremy Tunsil #1 overall but now it’s not a given.  Lewan and Decker can fight it out in minicamp and training camp, one becomes the LT the other the RT but either way it’s better than either Byron Bell or Jeremiah Poutasi lining up at RT.  The Titans traded for RB Demarco Murray and while he was terrible in Philly last year he still has some miles left on him so upgrading the line and relying on Murray a bit more would be quite helpful to the development and health of Marcus Mariota.  The four other picks in the next two rounds and the extra 1^st and 3^rd next year should really help Mariota’s development too.

16. Detroit Lions (7-9): Sheldon Rankins   DT   Louisville

Detroit is going to be upset if the top four OTs are off the board as they are in this mock draft and while I love OT Jason Spriggs I’m not sure the Lions feel the same.  It’s a new regime in the front office so it’s tough to tell where they will go.  WR Laquon Treadwell is a popular choice given the retirement of Calvin Johnson but after signing Marvin Jones and Jeremy Kerley to add to Golden Tate I’m not sure Treadwell gives them much bang for the buck here at 16^th overall.  DT Haloti Ngata was re-signed but he’s not getting any younger and Tyrunn Walker was hurt last season so some help up front on defense is needed.  Perhaps the new front office will go for best available player if the four top OTs are off the board.  Rankins is a disruptive force in the middle and while he’s not big he would make for a destructive pairing with emerging DE Ziggy Ansah.  They can address RT in the second round and still seriously upgrade from their current starter Michael Ola.

17. Atlanta Falcons (8-8): Darron Lee   OLB   Ohio St.

OG Cody Whitehair, S Vonn Bell, TE Hunter Henry or any LB with a pulse are all possibilities for this pick for the Falcons.  They are the only team so desperately in need of a TE that they would consider one in round 1 and their offensive guard and safety positions are so bad they could grab Whitehair (the best OG in the draft) or Bell (the best safety not named Jalen Ramsey).  Bell and Hunter would be reaches here so it’s either Whitehair or Lee and Lee is better value.  Lee is a three down LB who can run circles around the entire LB corps on this team.  His speed and coverage ability would be a breath of fresh air and while he may not transform the defense all on his own he would certainly help.  They can address OG in later rounds and they will still upgrade but they won’t find a LB of Lee’s caliber later.

18. Indianapolis Colts (8-8): Leonard Floyd   OLB   Georgia

I’ve had Cody Whitehair going in this spot before but the Colts can look to later rounds to address the interior of their offensive line.  Floyd is a roll of the dice as his athletic ability far outweighs his on field production.  He has great length and can bend the edge on the pass rush which the Colts sorely lack.  Robert Mathis is nearly finished, Eric Walden never was any sort of pass rusher and they just cut former 1^st round pick Bjoern Werner.  Floyd gives them someone they can just turn loose as a pass rusher and hope he can be the guy.  They have other holes and they may grab an OT or OG or they may reach for a safety like Vonn Bell.  Floyd is good value and a major need and for their entire team’s sake I hope they don’t waste another 1^st rounder on project like Werner or a luxury like WR Phillip Dorsett last year.

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

DE Jerry Hughes resurrected his career in Buffalo but former Bill Mario Williams flopped last year and headed south to Miami.  The Bills have to get someone to help out Hughes if Rex Ryan’s defense is going to dominate the way they need it to in Buffalo.  Spence has a long list of off-the-field issues that will make teams think twice but Rex Ryan won’t shy away from Spence’s red flags.  He is a little undersized at DE but then again so is Hughes but both can get pressure and that is all Ryan will ask.  The Bills need a RT, a LB or they could be a surprise place for a QB like Paxton Lynch to go but I think Ryan will go with defense first.  Spence wasn’t as dynamic at the combine as many had hoped he would be but that just means he should still be available at 19^th instead of going 5-10 picks earlier.

20. New York Jets (10-6): Vernon Butler   DT   Louisiana Tech

Butler is the unknown prospect to many because he comes from Louisiana Tech and he plays nose tackle, you don’t get more obscure than that.  I’ve had the Jets taking an OLB because they desperately need one but with Floyd and Spence gone there isn’t much value left at the position.  One of the biggest losses no one is talking about from free agency was the Jets losing Damon Harrison to the Giants.  Harrison was the unsung hero of the Jets great defensive line and while they grabbed Steve McClendon from the Steelers he’s already 30 years old.  Butler is big and physical and could step right in to Harrison’s place.  It’s not as flashy as getting a pass rushing OLB but it’s just as important for the Jets defense.  I would rank A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed from Alabama as better DTs than Butler but Butler is better suited for the NT position the Jets need.

21. Washington Redskins (9-7): A’Shawn Robinson   DL   Alabama

The Redskins offense was surprisingly affective last season under the guidance of Kirk Cousins so there are no glaring needs that must be addressed that can’t be said about the defense.  There are several holes and a lack of overall talent on the defensive side of the ball so grabbing the best available defender would be a good strategy.  GM Scot McCloughan knows that building from the line is a good strategy which is why he signed Chargers free agent DE Kendall Reyes but they still need help.  Robinson can play multiple positions on the Redskins 3-man line and if you line him up at DE with last year’s rookie LB Preston Smith on the same side you might actually generate some push and pass rush.  The Redskins could certainly use a LB or a CB here but Robinson is the best value.

22. Houston Texans (9-7): Jarran Reed   DL   Alabama

Everyone has Houston taking a WR in round one to pair with DeAndre Hopkins to give Brock Osweiler more weapons but I think the value is elsewhere.  There are going to be very good WRs in rounds 2 and 3 but Jarran Reed is a top DL that fits the 3-4 alignment of the Texans.  Reed could line up at DE opposite JJ Watt or fill in for aging NT Vince Wilfork.  Reed is known as the other Alabama DT in this draft but he’s just as good if not better than A’Shawn Robinson.  The Texans can still get a complementary WR in Round 2 for Hopkins but they won’t find a better fit for their defense than Reed.

23. Minnesota Vikings (11-5): Laquon Treadwell   WR   Mississippi

The stunning drop of the top overall WR in this draft is quite fortuitous for the Vikings as WR is their top need on the offensive side of the ball.  They went into the off season with a lot of questions on the offensive line but they signed OG Alex Boone and OT Andre Smith and with the return to health of C John Sullivan and RT Phil Loadholt they hope their offensive line issues can wait a year.  Stefon Diggs proved to be a great addition at WR but they cut Mike Wallace and Charles Johnson didn’t exactly light the world on fire.  If Teddy Bridgewater is going to progress as a franchise QB he needs someone besides Diggs to throw to and Treadwell has #1 WR potential.  Diggs would be better off as a #2 guy that can work in the slot and not have to be the top outside threat but he stretches the field and Treadwell would be a big-bodied complement that can dominate in the red zone.

24. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4): Corey Coleman   WR   Baylor

It seems a foregone conclusion that the Bengals will grab a WR here because they lost Marvin Jones and Mohammed Sanu in free agency and the pick-up of Brandon LaFell excites no one.  It could be any one of a host of WRs at this point and I’m going with Coleman over Josh Doctson, Michael Thomas or Will Fuller because he’s the better complement to AJ Green and LaFell.  Coleman brings deep speed and the ability to play inside like Fuller but he has better hands.  The Bengals are a fairly deep team but if they go away from the conventional wisdom they could look to bolster their defensive line depth with a DE like Kevin Dodd or DT like Andrew Billings.

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

The Steelers have defied conventional wisdom for several years by passing on CBs in the first round when they clearly have needed them.  I was ready to have them pass on one again until they released Cortez Allen after two lackluster years and their 3^rd CB Brandon Boykin left in free agency leaving them with William Gay and Senquez Golson, who missed all of last year, as their top two CBs.  They have to do something and while Apple has some issues that need to be worked on he has all the physical traits you look for and could be molded into a top CB in the NFL.

26. Seattle Seahawks (10-6): Jason Spriggs   OT   Indiana

Nothing else is going to matter if the Seahawks go into next season with Garry Gilliam and J’Marcus Webb as their starting OTs.  Spriggs doesn’t bring to mind the power running game the Seahawks are known for but he’s a terrific LT prospect with elite athleticism and he won’t get Russell Wilson killed.  The Seahawks offensive line is terrible and they could draft Spriggs, Cody Whitehair, C Ryan Kelly or pretty much anyone else on the line here and they are immediately the best offensive lineman on the team.  Tom Cable is generally considered one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL but the man is a coach not a wizard.

27. Green Bay Packers (10-6): Andrew Billings   DT   Baylor

The Packers absolutely need to get another ILB so they can move Clay Matthews back outside to take advantage of his superior pass rushing skills but that isn’t going to happen here unless Reggie Ragland or Darron Lee fall this far and that’s unlikely to happen.  There are plenty of good ILBs they can grab later and for everyone’s sake they better.  Billings will be a fantastic addition to the front three because he can play on the nose replacing BJ Raji and he can slide outside to rotate at DE.  He’s strong as an ox and he and Mike Daniels would make a powerful pairing up front.

28. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5): Cody Whitehair   OG   Kansas St.

Everyone seems to have the Chiefs grabbing a CB to replace Sean Smith and that’s a reasonable assumption but I’m not sure Mackensie Alexander is what Andy Reid is looking for and Reid has a tendency to go for linemen early.  While the pick-up of Mitchell Schwartz is an upgrade over losing Donald Stephenson the loss of Jeff Allen in free agency makes the interior of the offensive line needed help.  Cody Whitehair is the best guard in the draft and has the versatility to kick outside if needed.  He would be an immediate starter and would really help the running game.

29. Arizona Cardinals (13-3): Ryan Kelly   C   Alabama

The Cardinals are in a position where they don’t need much and their roster is in pretty good shape but they are lacking at the center position.  Lyle Sendlein has held down the position for years but he’s a free agent and not expected to return.  Kelly is the top center on the board and while the position is usually devalued a bit the Cardinals have the luxury of not caring about that.  They have signed free agents and drafted players to improve the line and Kelly would be the final piece.  They have to keep Carson Palmer healthy to have an offense at all so this is a good investment.

30. Carolina Panthers (15-1): Germain Ifedi   OT   Texas A&M

The Panthers defied all logic last year and won 15 games with two bad OTs but it caught up to them in the Super Bowl when Denver’s pass rush pounded on Cam Newton all day long.  They cannot go into the season without some help and while Ifedi is not a solution at LT he would be an upgrade over Mike Remmers at RT.  Ifedi struggled to transition to LT as an Aggie but he was fine at RT and that should be his position going forward.  The Panthers could grab DE Kevin Dodd with the retirement of Jared Allen and the aging of Charles Johnson making that a position in transition.  Or they could grab Vonn Bell since they need new blood at safety.

31. Denver Broncos (12-4): Mackensie Alexander   CB   Clemson

Yes, I know as of right not Mark Sanchez is in line to be their opening day starter but if you think John Elway is going to take a project QB like Paxton Lynch and hand him the keys to the defending Super Bowl Champions you’re crazy.  Once the draft rolls around I actually expect one of these picks at the end of the first round to be traded to either San Francisco or the New York Jets so they can trade up to grab a QB.  I think the Broncos will either find a way to trade for Colin Kaepernick from the 49ers or maybe they pull off a swap for the Bucs Mike Glennon.  Alexander is a solid prospect and while the Broncos have three good CBs, Aqib Talib, Chris Harris and Bradley Roby, Talib is 30 years old Alexander is too good of value this late in the first round to pass on.  The team could roll the dice on a character risk Robert Nkemdiche to replace the departed Malik Jackson but Alexander is the safer choice.

The Patriots are boycotting the first round this year 😉

 

Round 2

32. Cleveland Browns: Josh Doctson   WR   TCU

Whether it’s Robert Griffin III, a rookie QB or Josh McCown lining up under center next season the Browns have to do better than Brian Hartline and Andrew Hawkins at WR.  Hue Jackson is an offensive coach and he knows he needs playmakers to fix this offense.

33. Tennessee Titans: Chris Jones   DT   Mississippi St.

The Titans addressed the OT position in round one now it’s time to get a little help on the defensive line.  Jones is 6’6 310 lbs. and could help at any of the three positions on the Titans line and he adds great depth that they don’t have.

34. Dallas Cowboys: Kendall Fuller   CB   Virginia Tech

Orlando Scandrick is coming off knee surgery, Brandon Carr isn’t what he used to be and Byron Jones might be better off at safety.  Morris Claiborne was finally okay at corner but he’s on a short term contract and he needs help.  Fuller is also coming off knee surgery but he’s my favorite CB in this draft when healthy.  This is good value once he’s fully recovered.

35. San Diego Chargers: Kamalei Correa   OLB   Boise St.

This may be too low for Correa as he’s a late riser in the draft process.  He brings a pass rush as an OLB which is exactly what the Chargers defense needs.  If Correa can be a playmaker in the front seven it will make Jalen Ramsey that much more of a playmaker on the backend.

36. Baltimore Ravens: Emmanuel Ogbah   DE/OLB   Oklahoma St.

Ogbah is an interesting fit since he’s more of a 4-3 DE but the Ravens once took a DE named Terrell Suggs and moved him to OLB and that worked pretty well.  Ogbah has good athleticism and he gives them some youth at OLB.

37. San Francisco 49ers: Paxton Lynch   QB   Memphis

Somehow I see this pick actually happening somewhere between 25^th-32^nd overall as I think the 49ers will move up to grab Lynch if they don’t move up in round 1 to get a QB #2 overall.  I’m not a huge Lynch fan and I think he’s going to take some time to develop but he’s a good athlete that could develop for whoever is the 49ers coach after Chip Kelly gets fired in 2 years, yeah that Baalke/Kelly marriage is not going to last too long.

38. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kevin Dodd   DE   Clemson

The Jags offense is fine and they have concentrated this off season on defense and one thing they know for sure is you can never have too many pass rushers.  Malik Jackson was brought in to bring pressure inside and they hope Dante Fowler can attack off the edge but DE Jared Odrick isn’t much of a pass rusher so Dodd could be an immediate pass rushing specialist.

39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vonn Bell   SS   Ohio St.

The Buccaneers got the pass rusher they wanted in Ohio St’s Joey Bosa in round one and now they come back around to his teammate Bell in round two.  The Bucs secondary is pretty bad but Brent Grimes helps at CB while Alterraun Verner and Jonathan Banks still have hope at CB, safety on the other hand is pretty bad.  Bell would walk in as a day one starter.

40. New York Giants: Derrick Henry   RB   Alabama

The Giants haven’t been great lately and ownership is getting a little restless.  Rashad Jennings is a nice RB but Henry could be a massive upgrade.  I’m not a big Henry fan but he checks all the boxes; big, physical, fast, etc.  Eli Manning would probably benefit most here towards the end of his career having a dominant running game.

41. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Bullard   DE   Florida

Bullard gets lost amongst the DE/DT/OLB group in this draft because his position is unclear.  He is extremely versatile and was used in so many different ways at Florida.  Bullard is strong and stout and would help the Bears as a 3-4 DE but could bring pressure too.

42. Miami Dolphins: Su’a Cravens   OLB/SS   USC

Cravens is a bit of a mystery because he was at one time a dominant SS and enforcer for USC and then they moved him to LB.  He could play OLB in the NFL or SS but either way his versatility would be a good thing for the Dolphins as they need help at both spots.

43. Tennessee Titans (from LA): Artie Burns   CB   Miami

Taking care of the offensive and defensive lines with their first two picks they can grab a nice CB prospect with one of the many picks they got in their trade from the Rams.  Burns would be a welcome addition to a less than stellar CB group and that’s exactly why the Titans made this trade, time to get upgrades all around.

44. Oakland Raiders: Robert Nkemdiche   DT   Mississippi

A guy with a troubled past going to the Raiders is nothing new but this isn’t like old times.  The Raiders are actually in a positon to be a good place for Nkemdiche.  Derek Carr and Khalil Mack are the new leaders of the team and veteran coaches like Jack Del Rio and Ken Norton Jr. would be great for him.  He would be a nice versatile defensive line piece to line up at DT or DE.

45. Tennessee Titans (from LA): Jaylon Smith   OLB   Notre Dame

This is the other reason making the trade was so huge.  Jaylon Smith is a top 10 talent in this draft with a major medical question due to a knee injury.  He probably isn’t going to play next season at all but when you have six picks in the top 76 you can take a chance on getting greatness down the road.  It’s terrible what happened to Smith and he may never be the same but if he makes a full recovery he becomes a major piece of the Titans future.

46. Detroit Lions: Shon Coleman   OT   Auburn

Coleman is a great story because after a two year fight he beat cancer and went on to play college football at Auburn.  He’s a bit older than your normal prospect but he’s big, physical and pretty athletic.  The Lions need a new RT and Coleman could plug in from day one.  Matthew Stafford would welcome him with open arms.

47. New Orleans Saints: Joshua Garnett   OG   Stanford

The Saints cut Jahri Evans for salary cap purposes earlier this off season after a long career with the team and it leaves them very thin up front. Garnett could step in immediately as a starter and he adds depth they don’t have.

48. Indianapolis Colts: Nick Martin   G/C   Notre Dame

The Colts need help on the interior of their line and Martin has the ability to play both guard and center.  He isn’t the player his brother Zack is for the Cowboys but he’s pretty good and gives the Colts some options inside.

49. Buffalo Bills: Deion Jones   LB   LSU

The Bills LB corps is nothing special and Jones would bring speed and athleticism to Rex Ryan’s unit.  His youth would be nice given Manny Lawson isn’t getting any younger.

50. Atlanta Falcons: Hunter Henry   TE   Arkansas

TE is literally the weakest position in this draft which might push Henry higher up the draft board than he should be so he might not make it this far.  He is the only TE I expect from this draft class to help his team next year at all.  Henry is a good all-around TE and would be a major upgrade for Atlanta and he would become a Matt Ryan favorite.

51. New York Jets: Shilique Calhoun   DE/OLB   Michigan St.

Calhoun was a DE for the Spartans but he has the size and athleticism to play as a pass rushing OLB for Todd Bowles defense.  He will take some time to transition to LB but his natural pass rush instincts will be used immediately as the Jets have a huge need to bring pressure off the edge.

52. Houston Texans: Will Fuller   WR   Notre Dame

Fuller is a speed demon that will take the top off the defense and give Brock Osweiler a chance to unleash his arm.  The only problem is that Fuller drops too many passes but I think the Texans can live with that if he takes some coverage away from DeAndre Hopkins.  Fuller may go higher than this but he shouldn’t.

53. Washington Redskins: Keanu Neal   FS   Florida

Neal has been a late rising prospect and he brings some much needed talent to a position where the Redskins are lacking.  They converted DeAngelo Hall to safety at the end of last season because they were so in need of players.  Neal needs some experience and refinement but he’s a major upgrade to what they have.

54. Minnesota Vikings: Karl Joseph   SS   West Virginia

The Vikings signed Michael Griffin from Tennessee in an effort to give Harrison Smith some help at the safety position but Griffin is a 10-year veteran and his tank is on E.  He could be a great mentor and a short stopgap measure to Karl Joseph who is a pretty good safety prospect that would look very good paired with Smith.

55. Cincinnati Bengals: Kenny Clark   DT   UCLA

Domata Peko and Pat Sims aren’t getting any younger and the Bengals need to have someone with some heft next to undersized DT Geno Atkins and Clark is a beast.  He could come in and push those guys down the depth chart and maybe one of them right off the roster.

56. Seattle Seahawks: Christian Westerman   OG   Arizona St.

If you think I was kidding about the state of the Seahawks offensive line, I wasn’t.  Tom Cable needs players to work with and while Jason Spriggs and Christian Westerman may seem a bit on the light side for the power running game they are athletic players that Cable can mold into a solid unit.

57. Green Bay Packers: Kentrell Brothers   ILB   Missouri

This would be a dream scenario for the Packers if they can’t get Reggie Ragland in the first round.  Brothers is the next best ILB and while he isn’t quite on Ragland’s level he is good enough to be a starter and allow the Packers to move Clay Matthews back outside.

58. Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Thomas   WR   Ohio St.

This may seem like a strange pick but with Martavis Bryant suspended for the year it leaves the Steelers with Antonio Brown and Markus Wheaton as the top two WRs.  Brown is fantastic but he and Wheaton are smaller players.  Ben Roethlisberger likes to have one big guy and Thomas fits the bill.  Bryant’s future is murky at best so Thomas is a nice alternative to have.

59. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavien Howard   CB   Baylor

The Chiefs need a replacement for Sean Smith and Jamell Fleming and Phillip Gaines don’t inspire much confidence.  Howard is a good athlete that would make a nice pairing with Defensive Rookie of the Year Marcus Peters.  Teams are going to avoid Peters like the plague so the other CB is going to have to make some plays.

60. New England Patriots: Le’Raven Clark   OT   Texas Tech

The Patriots have had an interesting off season as they jettisoned young pass rusher Chandler Jones for a pick (the next one) and a OG that needs a fresh start, Jonathan Cooper.  They went out and found plenty of veteran help meaning they don’t have any real glaring needs.  DT Terrance Knighton, DE Chris Long and TE Martellus Bennett should all play huge rolls for this team.  The Patriots have Sebastian Vollmer and Marcus Cannon going into the last year of their contracts and Nate Solder coming back from an injury so Clark would be a solid investment.  Considering Clark played in Texas Tech’s high volume passing offense he should fit right in with the Patriots passing attack.

61. New England Patriots (from Arizona): Tyler Boyd   WR   Pittsburgh

They signed Chris Hogan as a restricted free agent away from the Bills and they added veteran Nate Washington to be a deep threat but Danny Amendola could be cut at any time and Julian Edelman is the only real threat at WR.  Boyd would be a welcome addition and would give the Pats a young outside receiver to take pressure off of Edelman and Gronkowski.

62. Carolina Panthers: Carl Nassib   DE   Penn St.

They lost Jared Allen to retirement and Charles Johnson is back on a one-year deal and he isn’t getting any younger.  Kony Ealy played well in the playoffs but he could use a hand.  Nassib played well last year and could be a strong addition to a position of need.

63. Denver Broncos: Joshua Perry   LB   Ohio St.

Yes, I have them passing on a QB again.  They lost Danny Trevathan in free agency and could really use someone to line up at ILB next to Brandon Marshall.  Perry is big and versatile and he would step right in and play well at that position.