2016 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Round 1

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Well I was planning on posting round 2 of my mock draft 3.0, but after another shocking trade for a top pick… This time by the Eagles moving up to the #2 overall pick to grab one of the top two quarterbacks in the draft. The Eagles trade shakes things up enough that my mock draft from two days ago is already irrelevant.

The combine and most of the pro days are over so at this point its just going to be private workouts that decide who goes where in the draft. It’s less than two weeks until draft day, so most teams already have their draft boards in place and I’ll make some educated guesses on who gets picked where below.

Mock Draft 4.0: Round 1

1.) St. Louis Rams: QB Jared Goff, California (6’4 | 215 | 4.75)

My initial take was that the Rams would select Carson Wentz first overall, due to his style of play being a better fit for what Rams HC Jeff Fisher has preferred in the past. Wentz has some similar traits to Steve McNair, including being from an FCS school, but from all reports I’ve seen lately the Rams are all in on Jared Goff.

I’ve already broke down Goff at length already and he has significant upside, but also a lot of negative traits that remind me of my favorite QB Jay Cutler (only slightly sarcastic). Goff is the most NFL ready QB in the draft with an arm that can make all the throws, the ability to look off safeties with his eyes, has underrated athleticism, and leads receivers open well. The downside is that he gets flustered under pressure, throws off his back foot too often, and trusts his arm too much at times to fit balls into small windows (ala Jay Cutler).

The Rams have invested heavily in their O-line the last few seasons (with limited success), have a work-horse RB in Todd Gurley, and an elite defensive. If Goff can minimize mistakes, he could lead the Rams to the playoffs as a rookie.

2.) Philadelphia Eagles: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota St (6’5 | 237 | 4.65)

The Eagles traded up from the #8 spot in the draft to the 2nd overall pick in order to draft QB Carson Wentz. It’s an odd move considering that they signed not one, but two free agent QBs this off-season in Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel. They will be spending more money on QBs than any team in football, but they must see Wentz as their QB of the future.

Wentz has ideal size for the position, might have the most powerful arm in the draft, generates velocity with minimal effort, moves like a running back, and has impressed throughout the interview process. The jump from the FCS to the NFL may take a year or two for Wentz, but he has the potential to eventually be an above-average NFL QB.

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3.) San Diego Chargers: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss (6’5 | 310 | 5.23)

Philip Rivers got crushed last year for the majority of the season, taking more hits than any other QB in the NFL (53). A quality DE like DeForest Buckner would be tempting here, but with Rivers nearing the end of his prolific career and no viable back-up in place, the Bolts need to do whatever they can to protect old man Rivers. Tunsil is the best left tackle prospect in this draft and him dropping to three is a gift that the Chargers shouldn’t pass up.

4.) Dallas Cowboys: DB Jalen Ramsey, Florida St (6’1 | 209 | 4,37)

I could see the Cowboys going a few different directions with this pick. Joey Bosa fills a need and has the attitude that would seem to endear him to eclectic owner Jerry Jones, but the Cowboys have drafted smarter since Jerry’s son has taken a bigger role in the draft process. Most reports have Ramsey listed as the top player on the Cowboys draft board and he could team with last year’s first round pick DB Byron Jones to give the Cowboys the makings off a dynamic young secondary.

5.) Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio St (6’5 | 269 | 4.84)

The Jags will add high-priced free agent Malik Jackson and last year’s 3rd overall pick Donte Fowler Jr to their d-line this season, but their rush was so anemic last year that they need all the help they can get. Fowler is far from a sure thing and Jackson is better off inside than out. A four-man front of Jackson and Sen’Derrick Marks inside with Fowler and Bosa off the edge has the potential to be a dominant d-line in a year or two.

Next: Picks #6-#10

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