*This Mock Draft is from the perspective of what Turron thinks will happen*
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1. Titans: LT Laremy Tunsil – 6’5 315, Ole Miss
Tunsil is the pick for the Titans because they have to sure up their offensive line. They can’t afford to have Marcus Mariota continue to take on as many hits as he did in 2015. Tunsil will instantly strengthen two spots for the Titans. He takes over at left tackle which allows Taylor Lewand to move to right tackle.
2. Browns: QB Jared Goff – 6’4 212, California
The Browns are fed up with Johnny Manziel. Hue Jackson is known for how he works with quarterbacks. He will want to link himself to a young quarterback that he can groom from the start. Goff has some issues when it comes to panicking when he is under pressure in the pocket, but he can place the ball very well on deep throws and would benefit greatly from working with Jackson.
3. Chargers: LT Ronnie Stanley – 6’6 318, Notre Dame
King Dunlap is not getting any younger and was not that good of a left tackle anyway. Stanley is a very athletic lineman that will protect the blind side for Phillip Rivers. He will anchor the Chargers offensive line for years to come.
4. Cowboys: DE Joey Bosa – 6’5 275, Ohio State
The Cowboys add a pass rusher that can generate instant pressure on the quarterback. He is a very strong defender that can also hold his own against the run. Bosa allows them to move on from Greg Hardy and has plenty of star power for a team that is in need of image uplift.
5. Jaguars: CB Vernon Hargreaves – 5’10 195, Florida
Hargreaves gives the Jaguars the top corner that they need. He will team with Aaron Colvin to become a formidable duo. Hargreaves is accustomed to covering the opposing team’s top receiver. He has done so since he arrived on the scene at the University of Florida.
6. Ravens: DB Jalen Ramsey – 6’2 200, Florida State
Ramsey gives the Ravens a versatile player that can fill a void at either safety of cornerback. They would be wise to put him at safety so they can take advantage of his playmaking skills on every snap. Ramsey did not register a large amount of interceptions, but he is always around the football.
7. 49ers: WR Laquon Treadwell – 6’3 219, Ole Miss
The 49ers hired Chip Kelly to be their head coach. That likely bodes well for the future of Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco. Treadwell would come in and see plenty of targets while lining up in the slot. His catching ability is very reliable and he is able to get yards after the catch which is a very important asset for receivers that play for Kelly.
8. Dolphins: LB Myles Jack – 6’1 240, UCLA
Jack would be a key addition that fits perfectly onto Miami’s roster as pointed out by Dolphins Insider Brandon Howard of Sports Talk Florida. Jack gives the Dolphins a player that would bring a much needed degree of athleticism to their linebacker unit.
9. Bucs: CB MacKensie Alexander – 5’11 195, Clemson
Alexander is a close second to Hargreaves in this draft’s cornerback class. He is a very fluent corner that can shut down opposing receivers. Alexander is feisty and will try to talk receivers out of their game. He has no problem coming up and tackling against the run. Corner is a major need for the Bucs and they get one of the best in Alexander.
10. Giants: DE Shaq Lawson – 6’4 270, Clemson
Lawson gives the Giants a disruptive defender that they can pair with Jason Pierre-Paul if they chose to bring him back. Lawson led the nation in tackles for loss and is the game changing defensive lineman that the Giants lacked throughout the 2015 season.
11. Bears: OLB Leonard Floyd – 6’3 230, Georgia
Floyd brings instant sizzle off the edge for the Bears. Vic Fangio will enjoy drawing up ways to take advantage of his pass rush ability. Floyd is a bit undersized as far as his weight is concerned, but he is more than capable of using his agility to avoid blockers.
12. Saints: LB Jaylon Smith – 6’3 235, Notre Dame
The Saints really need to bring in a player that will compliment Stephone Anthony at weak side linebacker. This is somewhat of a luxury pick for the Saints, but it would pay off in 2017. Smith is one of the most athletic linebackers in the country and is expected to have a full recovery from his knee injury.
13. Eagles: DL DeForest Buckner – 6’7 287, Oregon
Buckner gives the Eagles a big, powerful defensive end that fits either the 3-4 or 4-3 defense. Cedric Thornton and Vinny Curry are set to become free agents, so they’ll need to address defensive end in the draft. Buckner has tremendous power and uses his bull rush to push offensive linemen back to the quarterback.
14. Raiders: LB Reggie Ragland – 6’2 252, Alabama
Ragland is a downhill linebacker that can man the middle of the defense. Curtis Lofton is on the decline. They need a linebacker that can deliver a big punch on running backs. Ragland brings a physical presence to the Raiders and will help sure up their run defense.
15. Rams: QB Paxton Lynch – 6’7 243, Memphis
The Rams traded Sam Bradford for Nick Foles and ended up benching Foles last season. They need a quarterback immediately. Lynch has very good size and is surprisingly athletic. He can make touch passes and throw the ball downfield but has been erratic at times. Chris Weinke will be charged with the task of getting Lynch ready to take over for a franchise that will be relocating to a new city.
16. Lions: LT Taylor Decker – 6’7 315, Ohio State
The Lions need help along the offensive line. Decker started at right tackle as a sophomore at Ohio State and may start out there with the Lions. Riley Reiff is set to become a free agent in 2017. If the Lions decide to move on from him, Decker can take over at left tackle in 2017.
17. Falcons: DT A’Shawn Robinson – 6’4 313, Alabama
The Falcons have had a never ending quest to get more physical up front. Robinson comes from Alabama, a school that is known for their physical style of play. Robinson is effective against both the run and the pass. The Falcons will be able to use a quality rotation of Ra’Shede Hageman, Grady Jarrett and Robinson.
18. Colts: RB Ezekiel Elliott – 6’0 220, Ohio State
Frank Gore is on the downside of his career. The Colts have struggled to find success running the football in the past. Elliott gives them a top level talent that can single-handedly raise the intensity on offense. He has ideal size and vision. Elliott is in an ideal situation sharing carries with Gore as a rookie and taking over in 2017. He would give the Colts the running back to go along with Andrew Luck and Donte Moncrief that would form their own young version of triplets.
19. Bills: RT Jack Conklin – 6’6 326, Michigan State
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman has always been a big proponent of running the football. Conklin is a mauler in the run game and one of the best run blocking linemen in the draft. He has been a long term starter since his redshirt freshman season at Michigan State.
20. Jets: OLB/DE Emmanuel Ogbah – 6’4 270, Oklahoma State
Ogbah gives the Jets a powerful defender that can play either defensive end or outside linebacker. He would give the Jets a solid edge rusher to take the place of Calvin Pace and he can be used to drop back into coverage if called upon as well.
21. Redskins: DL Robert Nkemdiche – 6’4 295, Ole Miss
Nkemdiche simply has too much potential for the Redskins to pass up. He has limited production in college but his athleticism makes him an intriguing prospect. Nkemdiche has played both defensive end and defensive tackle. Chris Baker is set to become a free agent next year and isn’t getting any younger.
22. Texans: QB Connor Cook – 6’4 220, Michigan State
The way Brian Hoyer played in the playoffs can be described with one word; “terrible.” It is clear that the Texans need to bring in a quarterback that can get the ball to DeAndre Hopkins. Cook has some ability as a quarterback. He tends to miss some downfield throws from time to time, but he is able deliver the ball to his receivers in the intermediate passing game.
23. Vikings: WR Michael Thomas – 6’3 210, Ohio State
The Vikings could use another receiver that can make plays for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Thomas has the ability to win at the line of scrimmage and get open on slant routes. He can also be a downfield threat.
24. Bengals: DT Kenny Clark – 6’3 310, UCLA
Clark is one of the best run stuffers in the draft. The Bengals could pair him up with Geno Atkins to form a combination that can hold it down against the run and generate pressure on the quarterback from the interior.
25. Steelers: CB Kendall Fuller – 6’0 195, Virginia Tech
Kendall Fuller is the tough, feisty corner that the Steelers crave at cornerback. He is well equipped to mirror receivers and can run with them down the field. Fuller can excel in press/bail coverage against receivers.
26: Packers: DT Andrew Billings – 6’2 310, Baylor
B.J. Raji is set to hit the free agent market. The Packers want to improve against the run. Billings is one of the strongest players in this draft class. He doesn’t make many splash plays, but he is a high effort player that will track down the ball carrier. He could start immediately for the Packers at nose tackle.
27. Chiefs: WR Corey Coleman – 5’11 185, Baylor
The days of wide receivers not scoring touchdowns for the Chiefs are something of the past. Jeremy Maclin will need a receiver to compliment him. Coleman is an explosive receiver that would come in and be a really good target for quarterback Alex Smith. He can make things happen once he gets the ball in his hands.
28: Seahawks: DT Jarran Reed – 6’3 313, Alabama
The Seahawks have multiple defensive tackles set to hit free agency. Reed comes in and becomes a starter right away. He is strong against the run and hustles to the football every snap. His high energy style of play matches the coaching style of head coach Pete Carroll.
29: Cardinals: OLB Noah Spence – 6’3 260, Eastern Kentucky
The Cardinals need to improve their pass rush and Spence is one of the better pass rushers in this draft. He had some off the field issues, but the Cardinals have taken on players with issues in the past and it worked out. Spence gives the Cardinals another young pass rusher that can make things happen off the edge.
30: Broncos: DT Sheldon Rankins – 6’2 287, Louisville
The Broncos need an interior pass rusher and Rankins fits that mold to a tee. He can take on blockers and would be a good option to use in combination with Demarcus Ware or Von Miller on stunts. Derek Wolfe is set to become a free agent. Rankins gives them a player that can lineup at defensive end or rotate with Sylvester Williams at nose tackle.
31: Panthers: WR Tyler Boyd – 6’2 200, PITT
Boyd gives the Panthers another weapon for Cam Newton. He is one of the better possession receivers in this draft. Boyd would probably line up in the slot for Carolina. He makes the contested catches and sells his routes very well. Boyd is a versatile receiver that the Panthers can move around the formation to create favorable matchups.
Questions? Comments?
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Email: Turron@footballgameplan.com