2016 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Round 3
79.) Philadelphia Eagles – QB Cardale Jones, Ohio St
Raw, but with all the tools to be a top-tier QB at the NFL level. He has the size (6’5 | 250), a cannon arm, moves like a running back, and proved he could perform under pressure with his performance in the 2014 CFB playoffs. It may take a couple of development years before Jones can be a first division starter, but all the tools are there.
80.) Buffalo Bills – G Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas
The Bills need some young talent on the interior line and a powerful run blocker like Tretola would be a good fit for the Bills. He is polished enough to contribute right away and improve the run game. Tretola is a road-grader as a run blocker and is strong enough to stone NFL bull-rushers. Tretola struggles a bit with speed rushers but should be able to handle most DTs in pass pro while being a plus run blocker.
81.) Atlanta Falcons – TE Austin Hooper, Stanford
The Falcons got decent production from veteran TE Jacob Tamme, but he’s not the long term answer. Levine Toilolo couldn’t catch a beachball and is better off as a blocking only tight end. Hooper would give Matt Ryan a legit weapon to go along with Julio Jones and 2nd round pick Braxton Miller. Despite a relatively small frame for a TE (6’3 | 248), Hooper is a solid blocker but his primary value is as a receiver.
82.) Indianapolis Colts – OLB Kyler Fackrell, Utah St
The Colts need some more edge rushers and Fackrell is one of the better ones in the draft. He has a non-stop motor, quickness off the edge, shifty pass rush moves, and the ability to close on QBs. He’s old for a prospect, 25, but polished enough to contribute right away and should improve the Colts pass rush from day 1.
83.) New York Jets – RB Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech
The Jets had a productive combination at running back of Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell but they are both free agents and some fresh legs at the position could improve the running game. Dixon is a powerful runner with surprising quickness in traffic and a tendency to fall forward for extra yards. He’s also shown that he can catch the ball out of the backfield and has the potential to be a #1 RB in the NFL.
84.) Washington Redskins – CB Will Redmond, Mississippi St
Missed the last few months of the 2015 season with an ACL tear but should be ready for training camp in 2016 and was one of the SEC’s best corners before his injury. Redmond has just average size (5’11 | 186), but above-average speed (4.45) and the fluidity to stick with receivers all over the field. Redmond also is a willing run defender and could team with Bashaud Breeland to give the Skins two above average cornerbacks.
85.) Houston Texans – G Denver Kirkland, Arkansas
The Texans only had one above-average guard in Brandon Brooks and he’s a free agent this year. The Texans need an influx of talent on the interior offensive line and Kirkland is a powerful run blocker who is a good fit for the Texans run heavy (bad QB) offense. Kirkland has the versatility to play either right or left guard and move inside to center in needed. He needs to improve his pass pro technique, but has the talent to be a starter in the NFL.
86.) Minnesota Vikings – OLB Jordan Jenkins, Georgia
Jenkins looked like a beast at the Senior Bowl and could go at least a round higher. The Vikings are eventually going to lose long-term OLB Chad Greenway to either retirement or free agency and Jenkins fits in perfectly with a young, athletic, and aggressive defense. Jenkins is raw but has Pro Bowl athleticism and could make an already formidable Vikings defense even better.
87.) Cincinnati Bengals – WR Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina
Most of the Bengals wide receivers beside A.J. Green are free agents and the Bengals are bound to lose at least one or two of them this off-season. Cooper isn’t big (5’11 | 207) but has impressive quickness and change of direction ability and would give the Bengals a dangerous weapon in the slot. Cooper excels at catching short passes and making something happen with the ball in hands. The combination of Green, TE Tyler Eifert, and Cooper could make the Bengals even more dangerous on offense.