Dan Levine 2016 NFL Mock Draft – 18 April 2016

April 18, 2016 · Dan Levine

1. Jared Goff 2. Carson Wentz 3. Laremy Tunsil 4. Joey Bosa 5. Jalen Ramsey

Round 1
1	Los Angeles (From Tennessee)	Jared Goff	QB	California
With the blockbuster trade the Rams made for the first overall pick, the only choice here can be one of the two quarterbacks. Goff is more ready to play now, and the Rams are in a position where they have to win now. Plus, Goff played at California so he adds some local flavor as well.
2	Cleveland	Carson Wentz	QB	North Dakota State
Cleveland now has the issue of not necessarily having “their guy” available. Either way, they should still take a quarterback – either guy is an upgrade over anything they have on their roster. If RGIII plays well, they can even buy some time before Wentz is ready.
3	San Diego	Laremy Tunsil	OT	Ole Miss
With Tennessee trading out of the top spot, a lot of people have speculated that Laremy Tunsil may tumble past the 5th pick. San Diego would certainly have an interesting choice here with their option of taking the best offensive or defensive player. I think they opt to protect Philip Rivers.
4	Dallas	Joey Bosa	DE/LB	Ohio State
Dallas can not pick a quarterback in this scenario, and frankly they were unlikely to do it anyway. Here, they get the best pass rusher in the draft to help bolster their defensive front. Jalen Ramsey is a serious consideration here.
5	Jacksonville	Jalen Ramsey	CB	Florida State
If Ramsey is still here at No. 5, I think Jacksonville pulls the trigger on him over Myles Jack. Jacksonville has been picking in the top 10 for so long that they truly need a playmaker. Ramsey can really solidfy their secondary as a versatile defensive back.
6	Baltimore	Myles Jack	LB	UCLA
The Ravens could get their post-Ray Lewis superstar linebacker here with Jack. His athleticism and ability to cover set him apart. Baltimore needs help in multiple areas. Ronnie Stanley could go here to help fill the void of losing Kelechi Osomele. Vernon Hargreaves is a consideration as well.
7	San Francixco	DeForest Bunkner	DL	Oregon
Buckner would be a great fit for a San Francisco team that is under a new regime. Plus new head coach Chip Kelly has familiarity with Buckner from his time at Oregon. Buckner would add some strength and power to that line.
8	Philadelphia (From Miami)	Ezekiel Elliott	RB	Ohio State
Philadelphia acquired the eighth pick after their trade with Miami earlier this offseason. They would probably prefer a quarterback, but with DeMarco Murray now in Tennessee they are set up great to take the best running back in the draft.
9	Tampa Bay	Vernon Hargreaves III	CB	Florida
I think Tampa would be elated if they could get the best true cornerback in the draft. Vernon Hargreaves could help build up a defense that looks like it’s a bit behind the offense after a tremendous first season by Jameis Winston.
10	New York Giants	Ronnie Stanley	OT	Notre Dame
The Giants would not be terribly disappointed if Stanley fell this far to them. They drafted Erick Flowers, but Stanley is a more natural tackle prospect than Flowers was last year. They could really make life easier for Eli Manning.
11	Chicago	Shaq Lawson	DE	Clemson
Chicago needs the most help on the defensive side of the ball. I think Shaq Lawson represents an upgrade on the edge for the Bears. There are quite a few players that Chicago could target, but Lawson is a good pick here.
12	New Orleans	Sheldon Rankins	DT	Louisville
New Orleans needs help with all things defense. Rankins has risen quite a bit over the last few months and he has propelled himself into the conversation as one of the best defensive tackles in the draft. The Saints will take him if he is the highest player on their board.
13	Miami (From Philadelphia)	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan State
Miami would love it if Ezekiel Elliott dropped here. Their running back situation is dismal right now. However, the next best thing you could do is help create a pocket for Ryan Tannehill since they may be spending most of their time passing. Conklin is a great plug-and-play lineman.
14	Oakland	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio State
Oakland has some great young talent on offense, so they address a porous defense with this pick. Apple is tough cornerback that can blanket the receiver. If Oakland can slow down pass defenses, they will have a shot at a winning record.
15	Tennessee (From Los Angeles)	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss
Tennessee picked up a bounty of picks after that trade with L.A. They can change their future with a couple of drafts. Here they can get Marcus Mariota a nice toy to play with. Treadwell is the most complete wide receiver in the draft. They could go offensive line here as well.
16	Detroit	A’Shawn Robinson	DL	Alabama
Detroit is in constant need of defensive players. After losing a lot of their depth to free agency, the Lions can take one of the most dominant defensive lineman in a draft full of talented linemen. Robinson can get after the passer from the tackle position.
17	Atlanta	Leonard Floyd	LB	Georgia
Atlanta’s defense still needs to get better after a couple of poor seasons. Floyd is considered raw but with loads of talent. He is an athletic freak and, if he reaches his potential, he will really wreak havoc on quarterbacks. If Vic Beasley improves the Falcons could have a tremendous tag team.
18	Indianapolis	Taylor Decker	OT	Ohio State
Indianapolis must protect Andrew Luck at all costs. Losing him last year spelled the end of their season despite Matt Hasselbeck playing well. They have not emphasized the offensive line in the first round very much since 2012. Now is the time to take a great prospect in Decker.
19	Buffalo	Reggie Ragland	LB	Alabama
Ragland would be a steal if he is here for the Bills. It may just happen. Ragland can run sideline to sideline and he is a tackling machine. Buffalo’s defense lost Mario Williams off the edge and they need Ragland to bring that grit that Rex Ryan’s defenses display.
20	New York Jets	Darron Lee	LB	Ohio State
The Jets are a good team who, quite frankly, have their biggest need at quarterback. This draft position is a bit early for Paxton Lynch, but it would be foolish to rule him out of their plans. Lee represents the best player available for them and a way to add depth to their linebacking corps.
21	Washington	Jarran Reed	DL	Alabama
Washington’s biggest issue last year was stopping the run. They need a presence up the middle to slow offenses down. Reed is the best pure runstuffer in the draft and he will be able to help in the defensive rebuiliding in D.C.
22	Houston	Josh Doctson	WR	TCU
With Brock Osweiler now in the fold under center, the Texans can hopefully start flying on offense. Jalen Strong has not worked out for them. Doctson would be an incredible number two option opposite DeAndre Hopkins.
23	Minnesota	Will Fuller	WR	Notre Dame
Like Houston ahead of them, Minnesota will definitely be looking for some outside threats in the passing game. Stefon Diggs is a heck of a player, but there needs to be an additional option. Fuller is a vertical threat that could really help Teddy Bridgewater out.
24	Cincinnati	Corey Crawford	WR	Baylor
The run of wide receivers continues as Corey Crawford goes off the board. Due to attrition in free agency, Cincinnati is in the market for a solid number two receiver alongside AJ Green. Crawford is fast and productive and allow Andy Dalton to spread the ball around.
25	Pittsburgh	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
Pittsburgh has an explosive offense so they should address the defense here. Alexander is a quick playmaker in the defensive backfield. He could help infuse some youth on the back end for the Steelers.
26	Seattle	Robert Nkemdiche	DT	Ole Miss
One of the most talented players in the draft, Nkemdiche’s off-field concerns will knock him down a bit. That leaves Seattle in the perfect spot to snatch him up. The Seahawks love taking the best player available. Here, Nkemdiche is it.
27	Green Bay	Andrew Billings	DT	Baylor
Much like Seattle before them, Green Bay usually takes the best player available. Billings is another one of those elite defensive lineman talents in this draft. He will immediately be able to fill in for the departure of B.J. Raji.
28	Kansas City	Kevin Dodd	DL/LB	Clemson
Kansas City has Tamba Hali and Justin Houston coming off of the edge. Adding Dodd would create one of the most feared pass rush rotations in the league. Dodd was a beast opposite his teammate Shaq Lawson last year.
29	Arizona	Ryan Kelly	C	Alabama
Arizona is an interesting team. I am sticking with offensive line for them in the first round. Kelly could be a ten-year starter in the middle for the Cardinals and he will be vital in maintaining the health of Carson Palmer for the next couple of seasons.
30	Carolina	Karl Joseph	S	West Virginia
Carolina would love to take a receiver here, but the value is not great at this point with a lot of good receivers off the board. With Joseph, a hard-hitting missile from West Virginia, the Panthers add even more value to a great defense.
31	Denver	Paxton Lynch	QB	Memphis
Denver is in an interesting position since their quarterback situation is up in the air. Ultimately I think they go with a veteran, but they really need someone who represents the future of the team now that Osweiler is gone.
32	New England	Pick Forfeited

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Dan Levine 2016 NFL Mock Draft – 18 April 2016

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