2016 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Round 2
52.) Houston Texans – QB Christian Hackenberg, Penn St
Reunites with former head coach Bill O’Brien who is the only person Hackenburg played well under at Penn St. He still has ideal size and arm strength, but really struggled once O’Brien left for the Texans job. In Hackenberg’s defense, he had no blocking in front of him and wasn’t surrounded by much talent at the skill positions.
53.) Washington Redskins – C Max Tuerk, USC
The Redskins continue to rebuild their o-line by upgrading at center which was their biggest weak spot on the line in 2015. Tuerk has unusual quickness for a center allowing him to get to the 2nd level and enough strength to move people off the ball and hold up to bull-rushes. He had some issues with shotgun snaps in college, but if fixed Tuerk should be able to start from day 1.
54.) Minnesota Vikings – G Josh Garnett, Stanford
The Vikings could use upgrades at both guard positions and Garnett was the most impressive interior lineman at the Senior Bowl. He was one of the only guards who consistently held his own against an impressive collection of 1st round d-line talent in Mobile. He’s a polished run blocker with the ability to move defenders off the ball and create running lanes.
55.) Cincinnati Bengals – S Vonn Bell, Ohio St
The Bengals don’t have many weaknesses, but both starting safeties are free agents and even if they are both re-signed a strong safety upgrade over George Iloka would improve their secondary. Bell had an impressive junior season with 6 interceptions and 92 tackles.
56.) Seattle Seahawks – G/T Spencer Drango, Baylor
The Seahawks need help all over the offensive line and a versatile blocker like Drango who could play either right tackle or guard should upgrade at least one spot on Seattle’s o-line right away.
57.) Green Bay Packers -TE Hunter Henry, Arkansas
The loss of Jordy Nelson last year exposed the Packers lack of receiving weapons and despite a couple of highlight reel catches from TE Richard Rodgers, the Pack didn’t have a reliable receiving option at the tight end position. Henry should be an immediate upgrade and can line up all over the field.
58.) Pittsburgh Steelers – S Jeremy Cash, Duke
The Steelers need as much help in the secondary as they can get and Cash is one of the best safeties in the draft. He’s aggressive in the box verse the run and proved at the Senior Bowl that he can pay as a high deep safety as well. The additions of Apple and Cash to go along with the return from injury of last year’s 2nd round pick Senquez Golson, should significantly improve the Steelers defensive backfield.
59.) Kansas City Chiefs – WR Tyler Boyd, Pittsburgh
A smooth route-runner with natural hands who is an ideal fit for the Chiefs short passing game. Boyd has the speed to get deep, which isn’t much of a factor with Alex Smith as QB, but at least will keep defenses honest. The combination of Maclin, Kelce, and Boyd would give the Chiefs the best set of weapons they have had in years.
60.) New England Patriots – WR Will Fuller, Notre Dame
The Patriots thought they had a deep threat with Brandon LaFell, but he never established rapport with Brady and dropped way too many passes. Fuller would give the Pats a dangerous deep threat to go with underneath receivers like Amendola and Edelman and of course Gronk. The Pats need help on the O-line as well, but have had success finding them in the mid-to-late rounds.
61.) Arizona Cardinals – S Darian Thompson, Boise St
With two safeties as free agents, Rashad Johnson and Tony Jefferson, and the Honey Badger coming off yet another knee injury, the Cards need some depth at safety. Thompson was one of the best safeties at the Senior Bowl and proved he’s not just an in-the-box safety but a guy with good range and instincts in pass coverage as well.
62.) Denver Broncos – OT Le’Raven Clark, Texas A&M
Has the feet and agility to play left tackle in the league, but needs some time to get stronger and clean up his technique. The Broncos will need an upgrade soon over Ryan Harris at left tackle and in a season or two Clark could take over if he’s willing to put the work in.
63.) Carolina Panthers – WR Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma
The Panthers have a couple of big targets outside in Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess as well as speedsters Ted Ginn and Philly Brown, plus Pro Bowl TE Greg Olsen, but they don’t have a weapon in the slot. When healthy Shepard might be the best route runner in the draft and should be able to get open consistently at the NFL level. He catches everything thrown his way, uses his body well to shield defenders, and can make things happen after the catch.
¹ Scouting reports on players are from a combination of watching games, individual player tape from Draftbreakdown, and various reports from CBS Sports, Walterfootball, NFL.com, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller, and of course draft gurus Mel Kiper and Todd McShay.