2016 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Round 2
36.) Baltimore Ravens – OLB Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
The Ravens defense has fallen apart the last two seasons, mainly due to a lack of talent in the secondary but their pass rush has declined as well. OLB Terrell Suggs isn’t getting any younger and an explosive edge rusher like Spence could be developed to take his place. Spence has some off-field issues, but the Ravens have taken chances on players with questionable character before and the leadership in their locker room has steered players straight.
*Spence would be an option for the Bears if he fell to 41st overall as he’s the explosive edge rusher they badly need.
37.) San Francisco 49ers – C Ryan Kelly, Alabama
The Niners need help all over the offensive line and with the top tackles off the board, they can grab Kelly who is the best and most NFL ready center in the draft. They could very well go with a guard like Alexander or a tackle like Ifedi or Coleman, but I think Kelly will have an immediate impact and should lock down the center position for years.
38) Miami Dolphins – G Vadal Alexander, LSU
It seems like the Dolphins have had offensive line problems the last few drafts and patching up holes with late round picks and cheap free agents hasn’t worked. They need to invest an early pick in starter-quality talent and Alexander has that and then some. He played tackle in college, but struggled with speed off the edge, so is better suited inside at guard in the NFL. Alexander could move to right tackle in a pinch, but has the potential to be a mauling run blocker inside.
39.) Jacksonville Jaguars – OT Shon Coleman, Auburn
The Jags should spend most of their draft picks fixing their putrid defense, but they also need to figure out a way to better protect QB Blake Bortles who got sacked more than any QB in the league last season. Coleman has the size and feet to eventually play on the left side if current LT Luke Joeckel continues to struggle.
40.) New York Giants – DE Shilique Calhoun, Michigan St
The Giants defensive line was a strength for years, but was a mess in 2015. A combination of injuries, old age, and a few missing fingers left the Giants with one of the least effective pass rushes in the league. They need a play-maker off the edge and Calhoun has been one for the last three seasons at Michigan St. He has the speed to beat tackles off the edge, can change direction without losing power, has a variety of pass rush moves, and a non-stop motor.
41.) Chicago Bears – DE Adolphus Washington, Ohio St
It may seem like overkill for the Bears to select two defensive ends with their first two picks of the draft, but remember that the Bears ended the season starting three defensive lineman that they signed off the street during the season. Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was known for his skill in developing defensive linemen with the Niners and the Bears just didn’t have enough talent at the position last year.
They have a couple of promising players in Eddie Goldman and Ego Ferguson, but that’s about it. The 2016 draft is stocked with quality defensive linemen and the Bears need to take advantage of it and secure as much talent as possible. Washington is a first round talent, coming off a dominant week at the Senior Bowl, who is only available this late due to the impressive depth of d-linemen in this year’s draft. Washington was unblockable at times during the Senior Bowl and with a year to two under Fangio’s tutelage could combine with Eddie Goldman and DeForest Buckner to give the Bears a potentially dominant defensive line.
42.) Tampa Bay Bucs – CB Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech
The Bucs secondary was a mess last season and they could lose their best corner, Sterling Moore who is barely a starting caliber corner, in free agency. They could go with one of the top safety options here as well, but Fuller is too good of a corner prospect to pass up on day 2.