2016 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Round 1
4.) Dallas Cowboys – DE Joey Bosa, Ohio St
The Cedric Thornton signing helped the Cowboys lack of d-line, but they still need help outside with Demarcus Lawrence recovering from surgery and Randy Gregory a failed drug test away from being suspended for a whole season. Bosa isn’t a quick-twitch rusher, but has a non-stop motor, polished pass rush moves, and an innate ability to find the QB. If he can give up raves and molly, Bosa should be a double-digit sack guy for multiple years.
5.) Jacksonville Jaguars – LB Myles Jack, UCLA
Teams were raving about Jack after the UCLA pro day even though he passed on doing any timed running. Jack’s position drills were enough for most teams as many left calling him a potential superstar linebacker. He has elite speed, hits much bigger than his size, the agility of a defensive back, and the versatility to play multiple spots on defense (or offense).
6.) Baltimore Ravens – CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida
This is a tough pick for the Ravens as they are known for selecting the best player available in the draft, who the consensus says in DeForest Bucker. While Buckner would be a good fit on the Ravens d-line, they have such a glaring need at cornerback that I can’t see them passing on Hargreaves.
They didn’t sign anyone in free agency, they lost a defensive back unexpectedly last week, and were one of the worst secondaries in the NFL last season. Are they really going to bring back roughly the same secondary that couldn’t stop anyone last year? I only have Hargreaves ranked a few slots lower than Buckner, so it’s not much of a reach by my rankings at least.
7.) San Francisco 49ers – QB Jared Goff, California
The Niners seem resigned to trading Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert ins’t the answer, which leaves them in need of a QB of the future. Goff reminds me of Jay Cutler in college, with a cannon arm, underrated athleticism, sloppy mechanics under pressure, but enough arm to make all the throws and a knack for making the big play. I think he’s the best NFL QB right now, but I like Wentz’s upside more.
8.) Philadelphia Eagles – RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio St
The Eagles just traded up to the eighth spot in the draft and I think Elliott is the reason. They lost starter DaMarco Murray in the deal and now have injury-prone Ryan Matthews as their starting RB. There is little to no chance that they start the season counting on Matthews as their work-horse. Elliott would be a huge upgrade at RB for the Eagles and has the potential to be an all-around elite back as a rookie.
9.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson
The Bucs have a good pass-rusher in DR Gerold McCoy and that about it. They did sign DE Robert Ayers this off-season, but last year was the first effective pass-rushing season of his career. They need help in a few other spots as well, but nothing as glaring as the need for a pass-rushing defensive end.
There are some questions about Lawson after a red-flag on his should at the combine, but from what I hear all but a couple of teams cleared his shoulder as normal. He’s headed back to Indy to get the shoulder double-checked and assuming it clears… Lawson’s elite productivity last season (12.5 sacks, 24.5 TFLs), motor, and nasty on-field demeanor will get him drafted in the top ten.
10.) New York Giants – OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
The Giants have used two of their last three first round picks on offensive linemen and still have serious issues keeping Eli Manning upright. Drafting Stanley would allow them to move last year’s first rounder, Ereck Flowers, to his more natural right tackle position and slide 2013’s first rounder Justin Pugh inside to guard. The Giants have to do add a piece or two to their o-line early in the draft and Stanley falling to ten is a gift.
Next: Picks #11-#18