2016 NFL Draft: First Round Mock Draft and Analysis

1.  Los Angeles Rams (from Tennessee ) – Jared Goff, 6'4", 215lbs, QB, California, Jr.

04/23/16:  Jared Goff, QB, California

04/20/16:  Jared Goff, QB, California

04/13/16 (No. 15):  Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
03/20/16 (No. 15):  ​Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi
02/29/16 Post-Combine (No. 15):  Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

The Tennessee Titans obtained the 1st overall pick one year after using the 2nd overall pick to select their franchise QB Marcus Mariota.  The expectation was that Tennessee would use this pick on Mississippi OT Laremy Tunsil to upgrade their offensive line and protect Mariota.  That was until they received an offer they couldn’t refuse from the Los Angeles Rams.  The Rams are giving up four picks this season – their No. 15 pick in Round One, two 2nd Rounders and a 3rd Round pick – along with 1st and 3rd Round picks next year.  L.A. does get 4th and 6th round picks this year in return.  However, in a draft where the Rams had only six picks to start with, now have just five, and after this pick will have to wait until the 12th pick of the 4th Round, number 110 overall on Day Three.  So why make such a gamble?  Well, owner Stan Kroenke didn’t move his Rams to Los Angeles, bringing football to the L.A. area for the first time since 1994, not to make a splash.  Case Keenum may be the starter for now, but he’s not the long-term answer.  The Rams will already be featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks, so why not be the focus on Draft night as well?  Well that’s the marketing side of things.  If you look at the product on the field, it’s no secret the QB position must be addressed.  I had the Rams selecting Memphis junior Paxton Lynch at No. 15, so this was going to be the year L.A. would get their franchise QB.  The Rams tried this once before in 2010 when they thought they had their man in Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford.  Two knee injuries later and we all know what happened there.  With Bradford injured, the Rams started the likes of A.J. Feeley, Kellen Clemens, Austin Davis and Shaun Hill under center before Foles and Keenum took over last year.  Keep in mind, the St. Louis Rams finished the 2015 season at the bottom in the league in both passing yards per game (175.3) and total yards per game (297.6).  The Rams finished 2015 with a 7-9 record losing four games by six points or less, including two in Overtime and that was with Nick Foles and Case Keenum under center.  QB play often makes all the difference, so imagine what last season could have brought with a franchise QB under center.  Clearly the Rams know who they want with this pick.  Why else would they make this trade?  Cal’s Jared Goff and Carson Wentz of North Dakota State are the top two QB prospects.  I have Goff rated higher than Wentz because he’s the most NFL-ready QB this year.  However, my rankings don’t always go No. 1.  I picked San Francisco to take Cal’s Aaron Rodgers with the 1st overall pick in 2005, but they went with Alex Smith and Rodgers fell to No. 24 when the Packers drafted him to be the heir apparent to Brett Favre.  We all know what happened after that.  Eleven years later and another Cal QB has a chance to go No. 1 overall.  This time, I think the Rams get it right and take Goff.  Sure he has some lapses with accuracy and played almost exclusively out of the pistol and shotgun formations in Sonny Dykes’ offense, but if you watch his footwork, pocket presence, anticipation and eye discipline, it’s easy to see his transition.  They call it the Manning drill in Berkeley where Goff keeps his feet moving, typewriter style, as he goes through his progressions and it translates to the field.  Goff has tremendous poise in the pocket, showing an innate ability to feel the rush and buy time with his feet, often sidestepping the rush or stepping up in the pocket while keeping his eyes down the field.  Goff has such a quick release, he’s often able to get rid of the ball before the pressure gets to him.  His movement in the pocket reminds me a lot of Rodgers, much like Rodgers drew comparisons to Joe Montana.  Goff also does a great job with his eyes, freezing Safeties and LB’s to create a throwing window.  Even if it’s as simple as looking left at the snap to come back to a quick slant on the right, his eyes keep defenses guessing.  If you watched the Combine, you saw Goff keeping his eyes down the middle of the field, not giving up where he’s going with the football until the last minute.  Goff sees the field very well and does a tremendous job going through his progressions.  Goff has an NFL arm, showing an ability to throw the ball 40 yards down the field from the hash to the opposite sideline, but he also has the touch to drop a pass over the LB and in front of the Safety.  Goff completed 62.3% of his passes in his career and threw for over 12,000 yards with 96 TD.  However, it was his junior season that showed he’s ready to make the jump to the next level.  Last season, Goff threw for 4,719 yards and had 10 games in which he threw for 300+ yards.  He finished the season throwing for over 400 yards in three of his final four games, including 542 yards against Arizona State and a 467-yard and 6-TD performance against Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl.  Goff ‘s accuracy was excellent under pressure, often getting drilled as he released the pass only to put the ball away from the defender and exactly where his man can get it.  Goff was sacked 81 times and pressured countless times in his career at Cal, so just imagine what he can do to defenses if he was given time. Now, for all the impressive numbers Goff has put up in his career, he has also thrown 30 Int.  Goff would have lapses where his mechanics aren’t right, throwing off his back foot or trying to force a pass into a window that wasn’t there.  11 of his 13 interceptions in 2015 were against Pac-12 opponents, including 5 against Utah.    Then there’s the controversy over the size of his hands.  Goff’s hands measured in at 9 inches at the Combine, below the bottom threshold of 9.25 inches.  The debate will be whether he can hang onto the football.  Goff did fumble the football 23 times in his career, but keep in mind 10 of those were as a true freshman and only 4 of those took place a season ago.  The Rams are back in Los Angeles and Goff is the best QB in this year’s draft, sounds like a perfect match to me.  

2.  Philadelphia Eagles (from Cleveland) – Carson Wentz, 6’5”, 235lbs, QB, North Dakota State

04/23/16:  Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

04/20/16 (No. 8):  Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
04/13/16 (No. 8):  Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
03/20/16 (No. 8):  Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
02/29/16 Post-Combine (No. 8):  Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama

I wrote earlier this month that the analytics that Paul DePodesta and Sashi Brown brought to the Cleveland Browns would likely result for a trade for additional picks.  The Eagles struck a deal to move up to the No. 2 overall pick in exchange for five picks, including 3rd and 4th Round picks this year.  This just adds to one of the busiest offseasons of any franchise this year.  They had already moved up to the 8th pick from No. 13 overall as part of a trade that sent MLB Kiko Alonso and CB Byron Maxwell to Miami.  They also traded away Demarco Murray to Tennessee and released ILB Demeco Ryans.  Philly hit free agency to address the 29th-ranked pass defense.  They signed CB’s Leodis McKelvin and Ron Brooks and S Rodney McLeod to bolster their secondary.  Maxwell was not the player Philly would have hoped, but Nolan Carroll had a season of promise before going down with a season-ending injury.  He’s an unrestricted free agent that needs to be signed.  Eric Rowe struggled mightily at time adjusting to play in the NFL after only playing one year at CB in college, but he shows promise at the position as well.  The safety play of a year ago led the DB group as Walter Thurmond III showed he can make the transition from corner to SS, while Malcolm Jenkins proved to be the leader of the secondary, which was why he was recently re-signed to a one-year deal.  Many thought that the Eagles would look to bolster the running game now that Murray was traded away leaving the organization with the oft-injured Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles in the backfield.  Philly seemed to be the likely destination for Ezekiel Elliott.  One could have argued that jumping up to No. 2 could have been made to move ahead of Dallas to land their legitimate three-down workhorse back.  Think about it - In Doug Pederson’s offense, the RB becomes a focal point.  Just look at what Jamaal Charles did in Kansas City in a Pederson-led offense – 465 carries for over 2,200 yards in 2013 and 2014 and averaged 5.13 yards per carry in 2015 before an ACL tear ended his season after five games.  Charles also caught 131 passes in just over two seasons, which included 21 in just 5 games last year.  Simply put, Charles was the bell cow of the KC offense and while the likes of Charcandrick West, Spencer Ware, Knile Davis and DeAnthony Thomas filled in admirably, they couldn’t replicate the impact Charles made.  However, after the deal was done, Philly came out and said they will use the No. 2 overall pick on a QB.  It’s an interesting move, especially considering Sam Bradford was signed to a two-year $35-million deal and backup Chase Daniel signed for $21 million over three years.  Clearly Bradford is not the long-term answer for the Eagles.  However, his presence on the roster means they don’t have to rush their rookie QB into the starting spot.  They could allow him to play behind Bradford for two years before taking over the reins, but also have the option of trading Bradford should the development be ahead of schedule.  With Jared Goff likely coming off the board at No. 1, expect North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz to be the guy here.  Carson Wentz definitely looks the part with the prototypical size that’ll remind you of Ben Roethlisberger or Blake Bortles.  However, he wasn’t always that size, as he started his high school career in North Dakota as a 5’8” freshman before hitting his growth spurt.  He took over the starting job in 2014 and led the Bison to their fourth and fifth championships in a row.  Wentz keeps the ball high, has a compact delivery with a quick release.  While he has good, not great, arm strength, Wentz can make all of the throws needed to be successful at the next level.  He has enough zip on the ball to throw across the field on the line on one play, then shows the touch to put the ball 20 yards down the field over LB’s.  His ball placement and timing are excellent on the shorter routes, releasing the ball before the WR is out of his break and delivering the ball away from the defender.  Wentz has experience playing under center in a pro-style offense, so he shouldn’t have to make much of an adjustment there, but playing for an FCS school, his learning curve may be longer when it comes to adjusting to NFL speed.  His eye discipline is next level stuff, often looking one way, allowing the WR to make a cut on the opposite side, then coming back to that WR, hitting his man on a line.  His ability to freeze defenders creates a window and he’s able to throw his receiver open with his timing.  He makes excellent pre-snap reads, identifying blitzes and throwing where the defense vacated.  Overall, Wentz is a very accurate passer, finishing his career completing 64.1% of his passes with 45 TD and just 14 Int.  However, his deep ball accuracy needs some work.  Specifically, he needs more air under his throws to allow his WR’s to run under the pass, rather than have to come back and adjust to the ball.  Additionally, his deep ball will end up inside when the WR has outside leverage, so the WR is having to adjust to the ball rather than reach out and haul it in over shoulder.  Wentz is tremendous avoiding the rush, stepping up in the pocket or escaping to the perimeter while still keeping his eyes down the field to find the open man.  While Wentz did finish with over 5,100 yards passing, the bulk of which came in his final two seasons in the green and gold, he also finished with over 1,000 rushing yards and 13 TD on the ground.  Has surprising speed to get to the perimeter, will make you miss in the open field and isn’t afraid of contact, lowering his shoulder to finish a run.  For as tremendous an athlete as Wentz is, his footwork needs some work.  I noticed the steps in his drop were not always consistent and his feet aren’t clean when throwing on the run, often throwing in a kick or a hop as he starts to throw.  Finally, there’s the durability concerns.  He dealt with arm and shoulder injuries as a high school baseball player.  Then there’s the wrist injury suffered on October 17 that kept him out of action for eight weeks.  All in all, Wentz reminds me a lot of Joe Flacco, the last FCS QB to be drafted in the 1st Round when he was the 18th overall pick out of Delaware back in 2008. 

3.  San Diego Chargers – DeForest Buckner, 6’7”, 291lbs, DE, Oregon

04/23/16:  Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State

04/20/16:  Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State

04/13/16:  Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State

03/20/16:  DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State

The Chargers were expecting to make another leap forward a season ago after finishing 2014 with a 9-7 record.  Philip Rivers re-signed with the team, Melvin Gordon was brought in to solidify the run game and much was expected of the 9th-ranked defense.  However, the Bolts struggled mightily, finishing 4-12 overall.  San Diego still boasted a top-10 offense, but the defense finished 27th against the run and managed to fall in the bottom third in the league with just 32 sacks.  So now the Chargers have the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft and could go in a number of directions.  While I think it makes sense to use this pick on the defensive side of the football, if Laremy Tunsil falls to No. 3, he may be too good to pass on, especially considering the line gave up 40 sacks, which is the second-highest of Rivers’ career, and blocked for the 31st-ranked rushing offense.  Tunsil can come in and play RT right away as a healthy King Dunlap can remain at LT.  Pair them with LG Orlando Franklin and RG D.J. Fluker and you have a pretty solid O-line.  However, the Chargers just re-signed OT Joe Barksdale to a four-year $23-million contract, backup Chris Hairston and restructured the contract of Dunlap, who should be healthy after an injury-riddled season last year.  With Barksdale making $5.5 million and Dunlap making $7 million a year, who sits if Tunsil is drafted?  That said, in a division where you face the likes of Von Miller, Khalil Mack, Justin Houston and Tamba Hali twice each year, the top OT to enter the draft in at least five years may very well be the pick.  Tunsil just doesn’t fit the profile of a Charger draft pick and there’s already a logjam at the OT position, which leads me to believe this pick will be used on the defensive side after all.  The Bolts have to be looking to fix the problems against the run and with their pass rush.  NT Brandon Mebane was brought in to help with the run, so Oregon DE DeForest Buckner would make sense because he can both set the edge against the run and offers some pass rush ability from the five-technique with 18 career sacks with the Ducks.  He would be an instant upgrade over Kendall Reyes, who underperformed in 2015 and was eventually released.  However, this draft is deep along the defensive line, so the Chargers could still land an impact 3-4 DE in Round 2 if they use this pick on the best player available (BPA), Jalen Ramsey.  Prior to the free agent period, the secondary would have been the obvious target here, especially considering Eric Weddle left for Baltimore in free agency.  Then the Bolts signed Safety Dwight Lowery and CB Casey Hayward.  Don’t think San Diego can’t use Ramsey.  The Chargers will be Lowery’s fourth team in his career, having seen time in Jacksonvill, Atlanta, and Indianapolis before signing with San Diego.  He would be a nice veteran presence in the secondary, but is he the one to replace Weddle?  Jason Verrett is a lock at one CB position and Hayward will likely be the nickel, but Brandon Flowers is coming off a knee injury, so there are questions about how well he can bounce back.  Ramsey has the versatility to move from Safety to corner if there’s a need.  I just think San Diego has focused on the secondary this offseason that will allow them to focus on the defensive front.  Buckner has the power, quickness and length to affect both the pass and the run.  His size and length will remind you of former Oregon teammate Arik Armstead, who was drafted 15th overall in last year’s draft.  Like Armstead, Buckner has a huge wingspan and has enormous oven mitts for hands, measuring in at 11 ¾ inches.  However, Buckner is more explosive off the ball and even has the versatility to play both with his hand in the ground and as a stand-up rush end.  The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year was highly productive in his final two seasons with the Ducks, notching 163 tackles with 30 of those behind the line of scrimmage.  Buckner is a disruptive pass rusher, having racked up 10.5 sacks last season.  He has a quick burst off the ball and active hands to beat his man at the point.  His go-to move is usually a swim move to either get the edge or shoot the gap to beat a double team.   Buckner is relentless in his pursuit of the ball, often chasing down ball carriers from behind.  When Buckner plays with a low pad level, he’s able to generate a strong push up front to collapse the pocket, then uses his length to get off blocks and pursue the ball.   However, too often he plays too high, often getting stood up at the line or driven off the ball.  When the Ducks played Michigan State, 1st Round prospect Jack Conklin took advantage of the high pad level to push Buckner all over the field.  When he did bend and get under Conklin, he displayed the power to drive his man back into the backfield.  The problem was he was getting too high too often, which greatly limited his effectiveness.  Buckner will have to work on his flexibility to get his large 6’7” frame low on a consistent basis.  However, I think Buckner could be just scratching the surface on his potential and he has the length, power and quickness to be a versatile weapon the Chargers could move all over their defensive line.  

4.  Dallas Cowboys – ​​Jalen Ramsey, 6’1”, 201lbs, CB/S, Florida State, Jr.

04/23/16:  Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

04/20/16:  Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

04/13/16:  Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

03/20/16:  Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Myles Jack, UCLA, LB

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The Cowboys are hoping to put 2015 behind them.  A broken collarbone in the second game of the season not only cost Tony Romo seven games, but the team couldn’t recover, as Dallas lost all seven of the games he was out.  Romo returned Week 11 against the Dolphins, a game that the Cowboys won, but then suffered a hairline fracture of his collarbone, which ended his season.  Dallas went on to win only one of the team’s final six games.  The Cowboys managed just four wins in 2015, the franchise’s lowest win total since 1989 where they won just one game in Troy Aikman’s rookie season.  Romo’s last injury-free season was 2012 and at 35 years of age, Dallas cannot expect Romo to hold up more than three or four years.  So maybe now is the time owner Jerry Jones decides to look for a QB of the future for Romo to mentor.  If the Cowboys feel that Carson Wentz is a franchise QB, they have to make the move up to No. 2 to get him.  Dallas hasn’t had much luck drafting QB’s in the draft outside the 1st Round.  Quincy Carter was a 2nd Round pick in 2001, while Stephen McGee (2009), Isaiah Stanbeck (2007) and Bill Musgrave (1991) were all taken in the 4th Round.  The last QB taken in the 1st Round was Aikman, and we all know what he did for the franchise.  Maybe now is the time to pull the trigger.  A healthy Tony Romo would allow Wentz to learn from Romo for a couple years, much like Aaron Rodgers did behind Brett Favre in Green Bay, before taking over command of the offense.  It’s been 27 years since Dallas has been in this position, so if not now, then when?  Romo will be on the roster at least through the 2018 season, so like Rodgers, Wentz would get three years of mentorship from a Pro Bowl QB before he takes over, but we all know Romo can’t stay healthy for an entire season, so he’ll also be an insurance policy.  We all saw what happened last season when there was nobody to play the position when Romo went down.  The Cowboys missed out on Jared Goff and Carson Wentz and this is too early to take Paxton Lynch, so if the Cowboys want to go after Romo’s successor this year, it will only happen if they were to trade down.  It seems more likely that they’ll just find a veteran to back up Romo for 2016.  Then there’s the ground game.  Without Demarco Murray last season, Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar carried the load.  Alfred Morris was added as a free agent, but Morris, McFadden and Dunbar have short-term contracts.  Elliott could be the long-term answer.  A workhorse like Elliott would take pressure off Romo, especially behind that offensive line.  I believe if this pick will be spent on the defensive side of the ball, it will likely come down to either CB/S Jalen Ramsey or DE Joey Bosa if either/both are available.  Last year, Dallas’ pass defense gave up just 227.0 yards per game, good for 5th-lowest in the league.  However, Dallas only picked off 8 passes a season ago; only Baltimore’s 6 Int. finished with fewer picks.  With that said, the Cowboys will have to make some room on the roster if they add Ramsey.  The team signed Orlando Scandrick to a long-term deal in last year’s offseason, took CB Byron Jones with the 27th overall pick in the 2015 draft and just recently re-signed the underperforming Morris Claiborne to a one-year deal.  Plus, Brandon Carr is under contract for another three seasons; that is unless he is released this offseason, which I don’t see happening.  Dallas could very well move Jones to Free Safety, meaning Ramsey could be an immediate replacement alongside him at Strong Safety.  Ramsey could also slide to the nickel back if need be.  Dallas needs a playmaker in the secondary that can make plays on the ball, so will the Cowboys be deterred by the fact that Ramsey only picked off three passes in his career?  Dallas also struggled to put pressure on the QB, finishing the year with just 31 sacks, a total that tied the Cowboys for 25th in the league with the Dolphins and Saints.  The future of Greg Hardy is up in the air and the only other DE to record a sack was the team’s sack leader Demarcus Lawrence, who finished the year with 8 sacks.  Bosa would be a Day One starter should the Cowboys take him with the 4th pick.  The problem is there is talk about Bosa’s history of partying and attending raves, which comes with party drug use.  Bosa denies involvement and advised he actually moved out of the apartment he shared with Elliott to distance himself from the parties Elliott was throwing.  However, when you have had to deal with Greg Hardy’s domestic issues then 2nd Round pick Randy Gregory was suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy and now Lawrence is suspended for the first four games of 2016 for his use of amphetamines, the last thing Dallas needs to deal with is another player with potential off-field problems.  Remember, Bosa did get suspended for the first game in 2015 for refusing to take a drug test, which results in an automatic positive that carries a suspension.  Dallas would have to do its homework to ensure there won’t be any off-field issues with Bosa and I just think they’ll steer clear with any player with any history of positive tests.  Ultimately, the Cowboys go with Ramsey, the Best Player Available.  Ramsey is one of the more versatile DB’s to enter the draft in quite some time.  Ramsey brings an aggressive, physical style of play to the CB position much like All-Pro Patrick Peterson, giving up just a 38.5% completion rate on passes thrown his way a season ago.  He can also line up on the slot receiver inside and played Safety in his first two seasons in Tallahassee, so he can play over the top as well.  Ramsey can be a disruptive and dominant press cover corner.  He has the strength to jam WR’s at the line and can redirect and completely throw receivers off their routes.  He’s a bit stiff in the hips when he has to turn and run, but his 4.4 speed allows him to recover quickly, making him difficult to throw over.  Ramsey has 33 3/8-inch arms and uses his length to his advantage, often trailing the WR and then raking across the WR’s arms or reaching in and getting a hand in to knock the pass away.  He’s an explosive leaper, having jumped over 26 feet in the long jump, and not only has the ability to highpoint passes to win the 50-50 balls, but he also isn’t afraid to lay out to make a play on a pass.  Ramsey does an excellent job diagnosing plays.  You saw him reading screens quickly in the Peach Bowl against Houston, making a quick break on the football to blow the play up behind the line.  He’s very decisive and instinctive in off coverage, breaking quickly on the ball without any wasted movement.  Ramsey has the physicality to set the edge against the run, can track the ball laterally and is a very good open-field tackler, wrapping up and driving through the ball carrier.  Ramsey has the talent to be disruptive and make an impact right away.  

5.  Jacksonville Jaguars – Myles Jack, 6’1”, 245lbs, LB, UCLA, Jr.​

04/23/16:  Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

04/20/16:  Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
04/13/16:  Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

03/20/16:  Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

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Jacksonville has a bevy of young offensive talent that took a huge step forward in 2015.  Blake Bortles emerged as a legitimate franchise QB after throwing for over 4,400 yards and 35 TD, while Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns each put up 1,000-yard receiving seasons.  T.J. Yeldon also proved to be a nice get in the 2nd round, rushing for nearly 750 yards in a rookie season slowed by injury.  Now it’s time to focus on the defensive side of the ball.  The Jags’ pass rush is still a need area, especially after Chris Clemons and Andre Branch won’t be back.  However, Dante is finally healthy after missing his rookie season last year with a torn ACL and the team invested $90 million on a five-year deal with Malik Jackson.  Even though Joey Bosa is available here, I doubt he’s the pick, especially considering Jacksonville finished 2015 with the 29th-ranked pass defense.  The Jags recorded just 9 Int. and the only DB to pick off a pass was CB Davon House with 4.  That’s why the focus this offseason has been on the secondary, bringing in Tashaun Gipson to start at safety opposite Jonathan Cyprien and Prince Amukamara to line up at CB with Davon House and Aaron Colvin.  The ideal situation for the Jags would be if Jalen Ramsey were to fall to them as he should be a Week One starter opposite House.  Gus Bradley wants his defense to get faster and while the undersized Telvin Smith, who was the team’s second-leading tackler a season ago, speed is still a concern at LB.  MLB Paul Posluszny once again was the team’s leading tackler and finished 2nd on the team with 3 Int., but he’s 31 and is starting to be slowed by injury, so there’s a chance the Jags will use him as a two-down LB.  Then there’s the OLB spot opposite Smith, where Dan Skuta gets the first chance to start, where he’s also expected to play the LEO pass rusher spot.  Adding Myles Jack, the do-everything LB from UCLA, would give Jacksonville some versatility at the position they haven’t had.  Jack has experience playing both outside and inside at the LB position, so he could play outside on 1st and 2nd downs and then move inside to take Posluszny’s spot and Skuta could move to the LEO to rush the passer.  However, there are concerns swirling about the health of Jack’s knee.  The question will be whether the Jags are one of the teams okay with the long-term health of Jack’s knee.  There are reports that the meniscus tear he suffered during practice on September 23 is not healing quickly enough and that it could absolutely be a problem for him in the near future.  Shortly after the injury, Jack did declare himself eligible for the NFL Draft to begin his rehab.  While the injury kept him from competing at the Combine, his 40-inch vertical at UCLA’s Pro Day is proof that he’ll be ready to go when the season starts. That’s not the issue.  Can his knee hold up over the rigors of a full NFL season, meaning will he be standing at season’s end?  After going through the loss of Dante Fowler, the Jags will be cautious before they use the No. 5 overall pick on a potential injury risk.  That may be why Bradley and GM Dave Caldwell paid Jack a visit in mid-April to check in on his health for themselves.  When healthy, Myles Jack is explosive, so he’s worth the risk.  Jack was a dynamic playmaker for the Bruins who was asked to do a little bit of everything.  He was named Pac-12’s Offensive and Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2013 after recording 76 tackles, 7 TFL, a sack, 2 Int., 11 pass breakups and 2 fumble recoveries on defense while also carrying the ball 38 times for 267 yards and 7 TD when lining up in the Bruin backfield.  Jack was a 2nd Team All-Pac 12 selection as a sophomore in 2014 as he again lined up on the outside next to Eric Kendricks, displaying tremendous instincts in coverage and the speed to make plays sideline to sideline.  When Kendricks graduated and left for the NFL, UCLA moved Jack inside for the 2015 season. However, his junior year was cut short after only three games when Jack tore his meniscus during practice on September 23.  Shortly after the injury, Jack left the team to prepare for the Draft.  While the injury kept him from competing at the Combine, his 40-inch vertical at UCLA’s Pro Day is proof that he’ll be ready to go when the season starts, which will be great news for the Jaguars.  Jack covers a lot of ground against the run, moving very quickly laterally from one gap to the next to make a play on the ball.  He also has excellent timing on the snap count to shoot a gap and chase down a RB from behind.  Jack’s speed is also on display when he chases down crossing routes or when he’s in coverage down the field.  Jack diagnoses quickly and takes great angles to the football.  He works well in traffic and is relentless in his pursuit of the ball.  Once he gets to the ball carrier, expect him to wrap up and deliver a big hit.  Jack has power in his hands and easily drives offensive linemen back at the point of attack.  Jack does tend to get overly excited on the field and is susceptible to personal foul penalties.  For example, last season Jack’s undisciplined play brought two horse collar penalties in the 1st half against Virginia.  Baltimore led the league with 14 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties a season ago, so Jack must keep his emotions under control at the next level.  Jack was playing both inside and outside and on both sides of the ball for the Bruins and still made an impact wherever he lined up.  Just imagine the type of impact when he’s given just one job to do.  

6.  Baltimore Ravens – Laremy Tunsil, 6’5”, 310lbs, OT, Mississippi, Jr.

04/23/16:  Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi

04/20/16:  DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

04/13/16:  Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

03/20/16:  Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Joey Bosa, DE/OLB, Ohio State

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2015 is a year Baltimore Ravens fans want to forget.  Joe Flacco, Terrell Suggs and Steve Smith, Sr. all went down with season-ending injuries and were just three of the 22 players to end up on injured reserve by the end of the season.  No team can rebound from that type of misfortune and Baltimore was no different, finishing the year at 5-11.  The focus with this pick could be on the defensive side of the football, where CB and LB are glaring needs.  No team picked off fewer passes in 2015 than Baltimore’s 6.  Jimmy Smith was the one CB with a solid season, finishing the year with half of the team’s Int. on the year.  The team brought in Kendrick Lewis and Kyle Arrington, but both were disappointments, while Ladarius Webb failed the conditioning test to start the year.  The Ravens signed veteran corner Shareece Wright, but adding another CB isn’t out of the question.  Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves has to get a look as he would give them a corner that can play on an island.  UCLA’s Myles Jack makes sense if he were to fall to No. 6.  Jack’s versatility would definitely come in handy, especially considering Baltimore released Daryl Smith, leaving a hole next to C.J. Mosley at ILB.  Jack’s injury is reminiscent of the 2003 NFL Draft, where a slow 40 time caused Suggs to fall, where Baltimore gladly took him with the 10th pick.  Could lightning strike twice?  Speaking of Suggs, he is coming back from a torn Achilles tendon at the age of 33 so there has to be a concern on whether he can return to his normal explosive self while Courtney Upshaw left in free agency.  That would leave Elvis Dumervil, who is 32 years of age himself, as the only other likely starter at OLB.  It’s not inconceivable to have Joey Bosa still on the board here.  Baltimore landed Suggs at No. 10 overall in 2003 following a 4.84 40 time.  Bosa was disappointed at the Combine after running a 4.86 40, then improved his time at his Pro Day with a 4.77.  He’s the type of talent GM Ozzie Newsome loves to target in the draft and would be the eventual successor to Suggs.  How about DeForest Buckner?  If the Chargers don’t take him at No. 3, he’ll be available here.  Buckner is not your typical five-technique as he’s able to affect both the pass and the run with his length and would be a perfect replacement for Chris Canty, whom the Ravens let go, and would be an immediate upgrade over Lawrence Guy.  Don’t be surprised if Buckner gets the nod over Bosa here.  The Ravens must also decide what they are going to do with Eugene Monroe, who is in the second year of big five-year deal and struggled with injuries and consistency last season after only starting five games.  If Tunsil falls into their lap at No. 6, that may force the Ravens hand.  Flacco’s health should be a top priority and there was nobody better protecting the QB at the collegiate level last season than Tunsil.  Every time I watched Tunsil play, one word always seemed to come to mind:  effortless.  Tunsil is so quick out of his stance, bends well at the knees and then moves with short, choppy steps laterally with the movement of a player much lighter than his 310-pound frame.  Tunsil is a dominant pass protector with very quick hips and beats his man to the edge with his kick slide, meaning he rarely has to open his hips up too soon.  Tunsil was suspended for seven games by the NCAA during an investigation surrounding improper benefits, but if you put on the game film of his first game back against Texas A&M, it was as if he never left the field.  Tunsil was lined up against super sophomore pass rusher Myles Garrett, himself a top draft prospect for the 2017 Draft, and he dominated Garrett for much of the game.  Tunsil’s knee bend allowed him to stay low in his stance, playing with good leverage hand placement under Garrett’s pad level to stand him up and control him at the point.  His quick feet allowed Tunsil to move laterally to keep Garrett in front and his quick change of direction allowed him to stifle Garrett’s secondary moves back to the inside.  Tunsil would fire so quickly off the line he would get depth of up to four steps before he needed to get his hands on Garrett.  You also saw Tunsil overpower Garrett at the point of attack in the ground game.  Tunsil is so light on his feet, he’s able to easily get to the second level and would drive the LB back 5+ yards until the whistle blows.  In the Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma State, Tunsil also got to face off against potential 1st Round pick Emmanuel Ogbah.  Tunsil used active hands to quickly get his hands on Ogbah off the snap, making it virtually impossible for Ogbah to get off the block.  When Ogbah showed a good burst off the edge, Tunsil didn’t panic; he kept his feet under him and was able to slide laterally with Ogbah to take him up the field clear of the pocket.  You also saw the power Tunsil has in his hands as he would stop Ogbah in his tracks with a powerful strike.  The biggest questions for Tennessee come down to durability and character.  Tunsil has had his fair share of injuries while at Mississippi.  He missed the Music City Bowl his freshman season after suffering a knee injury.  In 2014 as a sophomore, a partially torn biceps kept him out of two games, then a broken leg in the Peach Bowl kept him out of Spring practice.  The good news is, Tunsil was able to play in all six games in which he was eligible in 2015.  Then there’s the aforementioned NCAA investigation, where it was found he was given an interest-free promissory note for a down payment on a used car, was given use of loaner vehicles an airline ticket free of charge.  He was asked to pay the value of the benefits to a charity complete community service and pay the down payment.  Tunsil did take responsibility for his actions and apologized for the situation.  Tunsil reminds me a lot of All-Pro LT Tyron Smith coming out of USC in 2010.  Like Smith, Tunsil was already an elite pass protector with tremendous athleticism, quick feet and surprising power in his hands.  As a run blocker, both Smith and Tunsil continued to improve throughout their collegiate career, generating a push up front and acting as a lead blocker on the outside.  Unless the Ravens find something they don’t like when they do their homework, Tunsil has to be the pick here.  

7.  San Francisco 49ers – Ronnie Stanley, 6’5”, 312lbs, OT, Notre Dame

04/23/16:  Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

04/20/16:  Carson Wentz, 6’5”, 235lbs, QB, North Dakota State

04/13/16:  Jared Goff, QB, California

03/20/16:  Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

​
The Tomsula Era in San Francisco is over after just one season.  Jim Tomsula is out and in walks Chip Kelly, who brings the up-tempo offense that gave him collegiate success at the University of Oregon but received mixed reviews in Philadelphia with the Eagles.  Kelly walks into San Fran to an offense that was ranked 31st in the league a season ago.  Colin Kaepernick lost his job to Blaine Gabbert after a week 8 loss to the St. Louis Rams and ultimately had season-ending shoulder surgery.  Kaepernick had been asking for a trade, but currently Kaepernick is still on the roster, so there is a chance he could remain in San Francisco for one more season.  Gabbert, who finished with a 3-5 record as the Niners’ starting QB, will challenge Kaepernick for the starting spot and has the skill set to fit in Kelly’s offense.  However, don’t be surprised if Kelly looks to bring in his own starting QB and makes the move to go after Paxton Lynch at some point in the draft, just not here.  Defensively, expect the Niners to consider Myles Jack if he were to fall as he’d pair nicely with NaVorro Bowman at ILB.  The secondary is young but has shown promise and adding a player the caliber of Vernon Hargraves could be what they need to take the unit to the next level.  Joey Bosa could be available at No. 7 and considering the Niners finished 29th in the league with just 28 sacks, this may actually be a great fit.  Aaron Lynch and Ahmad Brooks each had 6.5 sacks last season, but no other OLB recorded a sack.  Recent draft picks Corey Lemonier and Eli Harold have yet to show they can handle the jump to the next level and Brooks is now 32 years of age and could be released after the 2016 season.  All of these scenarios are plausible, but what makes the most sense is to address the porous offensive line that gave up 53 sacks.  Joe Staley is a fixture at LT, but the RT position needs an upgrade as Trent Brown finished his rookie season by starting the final two games of the year.  Anthony Davis came out and said he would be applying for reinstatement, but he has yet to file the paperwork and the 49ers can’t wait around to see if he follows through with his reinstatement.  If Stanley is still available, he should be the pick.  Ronnie Stanley is an elite pass protector, having only given up 14 pressures on 484 pass attempts in 2015.  Laremy Tunsil is the most athletic OT in this year’s draft, but Stanley is not far behind.  Stanley, a 2nd Team All-American a year ago, is very light on his feet, popping quickly out of his stance and effortlessly moving laterally to move with his man.  The former high school basketball player easily bends at the knees and uses his 35 5’8” arms to keep defenders at a distance.  Stanley also shows good hand placement, which allows him to play with leverage by getting under the defender’s pad level.  Stanley’s short, choppy steps allow him to move fluidly as a pass protector.  When his pad level stays low, he can generate a push up front in the ground game with his quick leg drive.  However, his pad level often gets too high in the ground game, which nullifies his effectiveness as a run blocker.  He’s known more for his athleticism than his physicality, so I’d like to see Stanley play with more of a mean streak, especially in the ground game.  Adding Stanley opposite Staley would give the Niners its bookend tackles, two elite pass protectors for whoever will be playing QB in 2016.  ​

8. Cleveland Browns (from Miami through Philadelphia) – Joey Bosa, 6’5”, 269lbs, DE, Ohio State, Jr.

04/23/16:  Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

04/20/16 (No. 2):  Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi
04/13/16 (No. 2):  Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame 
03/20/16 (No. 2):  Jared Goff, QB, California
02/29/16 Post-Combine (No. 2):  Jared Goff, QB, California

The Cleveland Browns have been a beacon of mediocrity since 1999.  Only one playoff appearance and 13 double-digit loss seasons, not to mention 24 different QB’s.  However, Sashi Brown and Paul DePodesta are changing the game, bringing the world of analytics to football.  New head coach Hue Jackson was hired and came out right away to say Johnny Manziel would not be playing in Cleveland in 2016.  Then, there’s the signing of Robert Griffin III.  The former Heisman Trophy winner and 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year in the NFL has a new home.  Questions abound on whether RG3, who has now suffered to ACL reconstructions on the same knee and hasn’t played since 2014, can get his groove back and return to his 2012 form.  That’s why RG3 signed a 2-year, $15 million contract.  Granted, RG3 is still only 26 years of age and has plenty of years left in him.  Many clamored for the Browns to take a QB, but staying true to the numbers game, the Browns instead traded the No. 2 pick to the Philadelphia Eagles.  Cleveland now has 12 picks, tied with San Francisco for the most in this year’s draft, six of which are in the top 100 selections.  The Browns can complete their overhaul that started this offseason, as you’ve not only seen Manziel leave, but also departing were Safeties Tayshaun Gipson and Donte Whitner, LB Karlos Dansby, C Alex Mack, WR’s Dwayne Bowe and Travis Benjamin, DT Randy Starks, OG Mitchell Schwartz.  So where will the Browns start?  How about up front along the offensive line?  Joe Thomas is a Pro Bowl LT and a future Hall of Famer, but the rest of the O-line struggled to protect the passer, as the Browns gave up 53 sacks, a total that was tied for the second-highest in the league in 2015.  Austin Pasztor filled in admirably at RT, but he’s a depth player.  Jack Conklin has the versatility to play both OT positions, so a move to RT should be a smooth transition and would instantly upgrade Cleveland’s pass protection.  Then there’s in-state product Joey Bosa.  Adding him to the fold would be huge for the pass rush as the edge rushers were led by Armonty Bryant’s 5.5 sacks, while Paul Kruger (2.5 sacks) and Nate Orchard (3.0) struggled to get after the QB.  Don’t forget Ray Horton is back as the team’s defensive coordinator.  He’s already talked about implementing multiple defensive looks and Bosa is scheme versatile, with an ability to play both with his hand in the ground and as a stand-up edge rusher.  Simply put, Joey Bosa is the most complete DE in this year’s draft, showing he can affect both the pass and the run on a consistent basis.  Bosa burst onto the scene as a freshman where he recorded 13.0 tackles for loss and sacked the QB 7 times, en route to Freshman All-America honors.  He’s not an explosive speed rusher off the edge by any means, but his technique is so advanced.  What immediately stood out to me in Bosa’s first season with the Buckeyes was the way he used his hands to get off blocks; his hands were so advanced for a freshman.  Bosa delivers a powerful punch at the point of attack and then quickly slaps the OT’s hands down, then show an arm over or a rip move to get to the corner in a hurry.  He also does a great job pulling the OT and then ripping through to easily get by.  Bosa may not have elite speed, but he has a tremendous burst off the ball, which is credited to his timing of the snap count, which will get him caught jumping offsides at time.  He has the flexibility to bend as he turns the corner and dips his inside shoulder to keep his turn tight to the line.  Once Bosa has gotten by the OT, he is relentless in his pursuit of the QB.  You will also see power in his game with an effective bull rush, transitioning from speed to power with forward body lean to drive his man back to the QB by extending his arms and getting his hands under the OT’s pad level.  Bosa is also disruptive against the run, keeping his pad level low and playing with good leverage.  He does a good job taking on blockers, stacking and shedding while keeping his eyes in the backfield to drop the RB once he gets off the block.  Bosa does a good job working free with one arm as he wraps up the back with his other arm.  In addition to his lack of explosive speed, many want to point to his struggles to read plays in front of him.  This could be problematic if he’s asked to drop as a 3-4 OLB.  However, he did show enough athleticism at the Combine to play in space.  I’m a lot higher on Bosa than most.  If you put on game film of his sophomore year, it’s easy to see why he was named a finalist for the Lombardi Award, Outland Trophy and Ted Hendricks Award in addition to the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year.  He spent the entire season wreaking havoc in opposing backfields, racking up 21.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks.  As a junior, his production dropped, but much of that was the result of teams keying in on him with double and sometimes even triple teams.  Yet, Bosa was still able to affect the play.  Bosa should have an immediate impact on the pass rush for the Browns.​

9.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jack Conklin, 6’5”, 308lbs, OT, Michigan State, Jr.

04/23/16:  ​DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

04/20/16:  Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

04/13/16:  DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

03/20/16:  ​Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

Tampa took a giant step forward in 2015 after finishing the prior season with just two wins.  Jameis Winston showed signs he will be the franchise QB the Bucs hoped he would be when they took him No. 1 overall a season ago and Doug Martin had a resurgence, finishing the season as the second-leading rusher in the league.  Things looked promising for Lovie Smith in Tampa, right?  Wrong.  In a surprising move, Smith was fired and brought in new head coach Dirk Koetter, who was the team’s offensive coordinator and built rapport with Winston.  There will be some offensive continuity with Koetter at the helm, but that doesn’t necessarily mean this pick will be used on the defensive side of the ball.  DE Robert Ayers was brought in with his 9.5 sacks from a year ago to team with Jacquies Smith, a pleasant surprise last year who racked up 7.0 sacks and worked his way into a starting role.  The two edge rushers, couple with Pro-Bowl DT Gerald McCoy and you have three legitimate pass rushers.  Then there’s the secondary, where there has been a revolving door of CB’s.  Sterling Moore had a decent year, but he’s an unrestricted free agent and likely won’t be back.  Alterraun Verner was benched during the season and could find himself cut.  Then there’s Jude Adjei-Barimah and Johnathan Banks, both talented CB’s who struggled, but show promise.  The Bucs were concerned about the CB position, enough so that they signed Pro Bowler Brent Grimes, who will start right away on one side, and Josh Robinson to cover the slot.  I’ve had Vernon Hargreaves penciled in here for weeks and he wouldn’t have to travel far, having played his college ball just a couple of hours north up I-75 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with the Gators, so keeping him at home would have to excite the fan base as well.  There is a distinct possibility that DeForest Buckner falls to this spot.  He played the five-technique in the Ducks’ 3-4 scheme, but at 6’7” and 291 pounds, he is pretty scheme versatile.  I envision Ayers and Buckner starting at DE with DT Gerald McCoy on the inside.  On passing downs, Jacquies Smith would then enter the game as an edge rusher, allowing Buckner to slide inside next to McCoy.  That’s a pretty formidable group that will be tasked with getting after NFC South QB’s Cam Newton, Drew Brees and Matt Ryan. If Tampa does go offense, it would be at OT, where rookie Donovan Smith proved to be a 2nd-Round steal a season ago when he held down Winston’s blind side.  The RT position is a bit cloudier.  Demar Dotson and Gosder Cherilus are currently expected to battle for the OT spot opposite Smith, but both are over 30 years of age and neither is the long-term answer at the position.  There isn’t any guaranteed money tied up with the two of them either.  There is a possibility that the top three OT’s would be off the board at this point and Ohio State’s Taylor Decker would be a reach at this point, but if Jack Conklin is around at No. 9, he’ll be the pick.  Conklin brings a no-nonsense, blue-collar approach to the OT position.  He’s physical in the ground game, plays hard to the whistle and has a bit of a mean streak.  Conklin can be a punishing run blocker, staying low and creating movement at the point of attack.  He’s also an underrated pass protector.  He can sink his hips, bend at the knees and extend is 35-inch arms to keep his man at a distance.  Conklin moves surprisingly well laterally with short choppy steps, but needs to continue to work on not opening his hips up too early.  When Conklin plays with a low pad level, he anchors well and can stifle any pass rush.  However, his pad level will get too high at times and when that happens, he’s easily driven back.  When Michigan State faced Oregon, Conklin’s performance against DE DeForest Buckner gave everyone a glimpse of what you can expect from him at the next level.  When Conklin stayed low and kept his hands inside, he was able to anchor and eliminate Buckner’s push, often standing him up at the line.  However, when the pad level was too high, Buckner was able to gain leverage and drive Conklin off the ball.  There was one sequence of plays that showed Conklin has a short memory and is able to rebound quickly.  Buckner was able to get under his pad level, drive him back and drop the RB for no gain.  The very next play, Conklin was able to drive into Buckner, turn him inside and bury him.  Maybe most impressive was the power Conklin displayed in his hands, which would completely throw Buckner off his line.  Conklin may not be the best athlete, but he is tough, he’s going to outwork you and he’ll wear you down as the game goes on.  Conklin will give the Bucs some toughness needed up front.

10.  New York Giants – Ezekiel Elliott, 6’0”, 225lbs, RB, Ohio State, Jr.

04/23/16:  ​Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

04/20/16:  Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

04/13/16:  Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

03/20/16:  Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

It’s an end of an era for the G-men as it’s the first time since 2003 that Tom Coughlin will not be the head coach of the franchise.  Coughlin is out after finishing 3rd in the NFC East for a third consecutive season and back-to-back 6-10 records.  In steps Ben McAdoo, who developed chemistry with QB Eli Manning, which produced a top-10 offense a season ago.  There’s talk this pick could be used on a WR opposite Odell Beckham, Jr.  If that were to happen, Laquon Treadwell would be the guy.  However, the focus this offseason has had to be on the league’s worst defense that gave up 420.3 yards per game in 2015.  The Giants were also at the bottom in pass defense, giving up a staggering 62 pass plays of 20 yards or more and 31 TD.  And remember the days of the vaunted New York Giant defense where Michael Strahan wreaked havoc in opposing backfields and the NASCAR package of Osi Umeniyora, Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul and Mathias Kiwanuka harassed Tom Brady all game long in Super Bowl XLVI?  Well, those days are gone.  The 2015 Giants managed just 23 sacks the entire season, good for 30th in the league.  New York had to address both the secondary and the pass rush this offseason and they did just that, signing CB Janoris Jenkins from the Rams and DE Olivier Vernon from the Dolphins.  Jenkins is a solid corner who will team with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.  However, there isn’t any depth behind those two, which makes Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves an obvious option here.  Vernon has been a pass rush specialist throughout his career, recording 29.0 sacks in his four seasons in Miami, including 7.5 a season ago.  But who else will they have to rush the passer?  Robert Ayers, who led the G-men in sacks a season ago with 9.5, is off to Tampa.  Then there’s the future of Jason Pierre-Paul, who played last year with a club on his hand following a fireworks accident that mangled his right hand.  The team has re-signed him and JPP has had a series of surgeries to help improve his grip.  Even if JPP can return to some semblance of his former self, there isn’t any proven depth behind him, but drafting either Clemson DE Shaq Lawson or Kevin Dodd here would be a stretch.  Ezekiel Elliott came out and said he could help the Giants make the Super Bowl “pretty early” if they drafted him with this pick.  A three-headed monster of Eli Manning, Odell Beckham, Jr. and Elliott is pretty enticing.  Then reality sets in when you look at a roster with four RB’s – Andre Williams, Shane Vereen, Rashad Jennings and Orleans Darkwa.  Yes, Elliott could conceivably eliminate the running-back-by-committee approach the G-men have been working with, but there’s a more glaring need that must be addressed sooner rather than later:  the Offensive Line.  Last year’s 1st Round pick Ereck Flowers continued to show promise throughout the season at LT, while 2013 1st Rounder LG Justin Pugh and C Weston Richburg, himself a 2nd Round pick in 2014, are entrenched as starters in 2016.  Then there’s the right side of the line, where Marshall Newhouse was trusted into a starting spot after William Beatty went down to injury.  Beatty has since been released and Newhouse is a depth player, but not someone you want penciled in as a starter.  The draft has been very good to the Giants in recent years, so why not make a move here and secure their future RT?  It wouldn’t be the sexy pick, but drafting OL early and often worked out for NFC East rival Dallas, an organization that selected three offensive linemen in the 1st Round in four years – Tyron Smith (2011), Travis Frederick (2013), Zach Martin (2014) – and now has arguably the best offensive line in the league.  Adding Jack Conklin to the mix would give the Giants bookend tackles and, given the fact both Conklin and Flowers have played both OT positions, the move would give the team options.  With Conklin off the board, however, RB becomes the focus.  Elliott came to Columbus as a highly-touted four-star recruit, but he really burst onto the national scene in 2014 as a sophomore, running for 1,878 yards and 18 TD.  Maybe what was most memorable of Elliott’s sophomore season was how he finished the year, rushing for over 200 yards in each of his final three games, culminating in a 246-yard performance with 4 TD in a 42-20 win over Oregon for the CFP National Championship.  Everyone was waiting for Elliott’s encore performance as a junior and he did not disappoint, rushing for 1,821 yards and 23 TD, good for 5th and 3rd in the country, respectively.  What is immediately evident is Elliott’s explosiveness.  He hits the hole so quickly and is at full speed within a couple of strides.  While Elliott has the burst off the line, he can easily transition from speed to power between the tackles, running behind his pads with a tremendous forward lean.  He has the lower body strength to run through arm tackles and carry defenders for extra yards.  Elliott is patient, pressing the line of scrimmage, and has the vision to see the cutback lane, putting his foot in the ground to change directions in a hurry.  Once Elliott gets in space, the former high school track star shows the acceleration to run away from the secondary to take it the distance.  His versatility of being an inside and outside runner makes him such a dangerous weapon.  What will make Elliott so valuable at the next level may actually be what he does in the passing game and without the football.  He hauled in 58 passes in his Buckeye career, but if you watch the film, you’ll see a natural pass catcher with soft hands and excellent body control to make adjustments when the ball is in the air.  Elliott shows a tremendous awareness in pass protection, understanding where the free man will be coming from and has the ability to pick up the blitzer up the middle or slide across to pick off a rusher off the edge.  He even showed he can be a physical blocker in the ground game, leading the way for QB’s J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones, who often made cuts off the blocks Elliott made.  Elliott’s proficiency in so many facets of the game will allow him to make an immediate impact in the league.

11.  Chicago Bears – Vernon Hargreaves, 5’10”, 204lbs, CB, Florida, Jr.

04/23/16:  Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

04/20/16:  Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

04/13/16:  Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

03/20/16:  Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  A’Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama

The Bears have been major players this offseason in an effort to overhaul a roster following a 6-10 season in 2015.  Bobby Massie was signed to man one of the OT positions after Jermon Bushrod was let go.  ILB was a huge need area, but GM Ryan Pace took care of that need by signing Danny Trevathan and Jerell Freeman, giving the Bears one of the more active duos inside.  The next move was signing DL Akiem Hicks, who has the versatility to play all along their three-man front.  Hicks and Eddie Goldman would give Chicago a nice one-two punch up front.  Most are expecting the Bears to address their pass rush here, but they won’t reach on a pass rusher and I think it would be a reach at this point to go with either Georgia’s Leonard Floyd or Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky.  Plus, 20.5 of the team’s 35 sacks came from the OLB trio of Pernell McPhee, Lamarr Houston and Willie Young.  I think OLB is a need that will be addressed in the draft, just not here at No. 11.  If you take a look at the Bears’ secondary, you’ll find possibly the bigger need.  Tracy Porter was brought in to provide depth and was not expected to make much of an impact, but he turned out to be the team’s top CB and was re-signed this offseason.  On the other hand, Kyle Fuller has yet to live up to his 1st Round billing.  Undrafted free agent Bryce Callahan has a chance to play the nickel, but shouldn’t be expected to make more of an impact than that.  Which brings us back to the D-line.  We’ve already established that Hicks and Goldman would complement each other nicely, but neither Will Sutton nor Ego Ferguson has done much.  Ferguson is coming off a knee injury while Sutton looks like he’s a better fit for a 4-3 scheme.  Alabama’s Jarran Reed and A’Shawn Robinson would be an ideal fit as a five-technique in the Bears’ defense.  However, I just think the chance to land possibly the best pure cover corner in this year’s draft will be too much to pass up.  Hargreaves was surprisingly thick for a corner, having weighed in at 204 pounds at the Combine.  In the individual drills, we saw Hargreaves run a 4.5 40 and displayed tight hips when he had to turn and run.  However, he showed soft hands and exceptional ball skills.  Hargreaves finished his career with the Gators with 10 Int. and 38 pass breakups, a testament to the way he plays the ball.  He trusts his eyes, reading routes and driving quickly on the ball to get a hand in and knock the ball away.  Hargreaves likes to trail routes, then beat the receiver to the ball by undercutting the route.  He stays low in his back pedal and can change directions and drive downhill on a comeback.  Hargreaves is physical enough to jam the WR at the line, has the leaping ability and timing to highpoint a ball and make a play and is under control downhill to wrap up the WR without allowing any yards after the catch.  While he does trust his eyes, his aggressiveness can be used against him as he can be beaten on double moves.  He also does a great job using the sideline to his advantage to pin the receiver outside, but can lose inside leverage.  Both of these were on display against Michigan’s Jehu Chesson in the Citrus Bowl.  Hargreaves bit on a slant-and-go by Chesson, giving up a 31-yard TD and was also beaten inside by Chesson who hauled in a 45-yard reception.  While Hargreaves doesn’t have top-end speed and his aggressiveness gets him into trouble, his instincts and top-end production still make him a prospect worthy of a top-10 pick.  

12.  New Orleans Saints – Sheldon Rankins, 6’2”, 303lbs, DT, Louisville

04/23/16:  Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

04/20/16:  Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

04/13/16:  Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

03/20/16:  Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

The Saints again had an offense ranked in the top 10, yet their defense was among the very worst in the league.  New Orleans struggled against the pass, giving up the most pass plays over 40 yards with 17, while they struggled to put pressure on the QB, finishing in the lower third in the league in sacks.  The rush defense was equally porous, giving up a league-worst 4.9 yards per carry.  This year’s draft is loaded with defensive linemen and linebackers, which plays right into the Saints’ biggest defensive needs.  A speedy LB to eventually replace Dannell Ellerbe is a need, but after signing Craig Robertson, James Lauranaitis and Nate Stupar in free agency, expect that to happen later in the draft.  Then there’s the DE position, where Cameron Jordan had a Pro Bowl campaign in 2015, but received little help.  Shaq Lawson would absolutely be in play here if he’s still on the board.  Finally, the interior of the defensive line is maybe the top need, where veteran Kevin Williams and three-year pro John Jenkins handled the bulk of the load.  Williams is an unrestricted free agent and at 36 he doesn’t have much left in the tank.  The Saints will have their pick of the top DT’s in this year’s draft.  Alabama’s A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed, Mississippi’s Robert Nkemdiche and Louisville’s Sheldon Rankins are all in the mix.  I think Rankins would be the best fit, but after signing Nick Fairley in free agency and with a deep draft class, the sense of urgency of drafting a DT could be tempered by a round, especially if they can land a pass rusher off the edge.  The problem is that the Saints would be reaching if they selected Shaq Lawson or Kevin Dodd here.  In the end, Rankins will be the pick because of his versatility to affect both the run and the pass. At 6’2” and 303lbs, you can see a bit of Geno Atkins in him.  Rankins had a very productive career at Louisville, racking up an impressive 111 tackles in his final two seasons with the Cardinals.  Not only can Rankins play the run, as evidenced by the 31.5 career tackles for loss, but he can rush the passer, finishing his career with 18 sacks.  His quick first step allows him to beat his man off the ball and shoot gaps into the backfield.  Rankins does a good job taking advantage of a lineman oversetting to one side, easily spinning back to the other side or using a swim move to get by his man.  He also has power in his hands to offer a good punch at the point and uses leverage to drive interior linemen back into the backfield.  Rankins does not have ideal arm length and will struggle to get off blocks.  If Rankins can play with leverage and quickness off the ball, he can be as disruptive as Atkins.

13.  Miami Dolphins (from Philadelphia) – William Jackson III, 6’0”, 189lbs, CB, Houston

04/23/16:  William Jackson III, CB, Houston

04/13/16:  William Jackson III, CB, Houston

04/13/16:  Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State

03/20/16:  Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

After back-to-back 8-8 seasons, 2015 was supposed to be a step in the right direction for Miami.  However, the Fins started the year with a 1-3 record, subsequently fired Joe Philbin and finished the year at the bottom of the AFC East with a 6-10 record.  This off-season’s focus has been primarily been on the defensive side of the football.  Miami made a trade with the Eagles for ILB Kiko Alonso, who should be more productive in a 4-3 scheme, and CB Byron Maxwell, who replaces Brent Grimes and is expected to return to his 2014 form, which is why they are drafting at No. 13.  High-priced Olivier Vernon also left for the Giants and was replaced by Mario Williams, who is now 31 years of age and is coming off the worst season of his career.  The jury will be out on whether all of these moves will pan out, but one area that has yet to be addressed is the starting CB position opposite Maxwell.  Jamar Taylor has been a major disappointment since being taken in the 2nd Round in the 2013 draft, having only started nine games in his first three season with the team.  Then there’s unproven second-year pros Bobby McCain and Tony Lippett, both of whom show promise, but neither is expected to start.  William Jackson III of Houston and Ohio State’s Eli Apple will garner consideration here.  The Fins will also need to get faster at the LB position and selecting the versatile Darron Lee of Ohio State would be an upgrade over incumbents Koa Misi and Jelani Jenkins.  You can take Lee, the fastest LB at the Combine, at No. 13 and then land a CB like Miami’s Artie Burns in Round 2.  .  In the end, I think the Dolphins’ need at CB is too much to ignore and Williams III has been one of the fastest-rising prospects in this year’s draft.  First, he has the height and length defenses covet at the next level.  Second, his production, as he intercepted 5 passes and led the country with 23 passes defended in 2015 and allowed just 40% of passes thrown his way to be completed over his final two seasons with the Cougars.  Finally, his athleticism, as his 4.37 40 time was fourth-fastest among DB’s at the Combine.  Jackson III stays low in his back pedal, is smooth with his transition with quick hips to open up and has the speed to run stride for stride with the receiver.  He also does a tremendous job reading the QB’s eyes and driving quickly to beat the WR to the ball, using his length to get a hand in to knock the ball away.  Jackson III had a career game against Temple this past season where he finished with 7 passes broken up.  He repeatedly put himself in perfect position to make a play.  He was beaten deep by WR Robby Anderson on a 33-yard pass on the outside, but Jackson III didn’t panic, getting his left arm through the WR’s arms to knock the ball away.  Jackson III shows good recovery speed and can leap and highpoint the football to knock it away.  Later, Anderson ran an in route and Jackson III cut inside right on his hip and when the ball was thrown outside, he was able to react and knock it away.  WR Roland DeLoatch ran a slant route and Jackson III beat him to the ball, getting a hand in to knock the ball away.  While he trusts his eyes and reacts quickly to what he sees, his aggressiveness can get him in trouble as he’s susceptible to double moves.  He also gets into trouble on underthrown passes, as he will struggle at times to locate the ball and adjust to it while it’s in the air.  Jackson III only weighs 189 pounds and gets pushed around on the outside by more physical receivers.  He only put up 10 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press at the Combine, so strength is an issue.  The good news is Jackson III does a tremendous job breaking down in the open field, lining up his WR to drop his man without giving up any yards after the catch.  I think the length, speed and ball skills will ultimately make Jackson III the 3rd CB taken off the board, which is just fine with the Dolphins.

14.  Oakland Raiders – Reggie Ragland, 6’2”, 247lbs, ILB, Alabama

04/23/16:  Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama

04/20/16:  Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama

04/13/16:  Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama

03/20/16:  Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

After years toiling at the bottom of the AFC West, the Oakland Raiders are now seen as a team on the rise.  The offense finally has an identity with a franchise QB in Derek Carr and a go-to wideout in Amari Cooper while the defense is led by the dynamic Khalil Mack, who has proven to be one of the most explosive players in the league.  Head coach Jack Del Rio definitely has built some much-needed confidence in a franchise that has not seen the playoffs since their Super Bowl run in 2002.  GM Reggie McKenzie has addressed several need areas, signing OG Kelechi Osemele to a big deal, meaning he could be expected to kick out to OT if needed.  He re-signed LT Donald Penn to solidify the line up front.  The pass rush needed a boost, so specialist Bruce Irvin was brought in to do just that at LB.   The pass defense was an area of focus this offseason, especially considering the Raiders gave up 258.8 passing yards per game in 2015.  The Raiders have one of the more prolific edge rushers in the game today in Khalil Mack, but they’re lacking an interior presence rushing the passer.  Incumbent DT’s Dan Williams and Justin Ellis are run stuffers and both are best suited at NT.  If he’s on the board, an interior penetrator like Sheldon Rankins to push the pocket would be a nice complement to the duo of Williams and Ellis at the nose.  David Amerson, was released after two games in Washington, but emerged as a star for Oakland, leading the team with 26 pass breakups.  Travis Carrie was moved to safety due to injuries at the position, but is still an option at CB.  Then there’s former 1st Rounder D.J. Hayden, who has underperformed and likely won’t be a starter in 2016.  I expected this pick to be used on a CB until the Raiders signed Sean Smith, who had a solid season with the Chiefs.  Smith and Amerson would give Oakland two 6’3” corners with excellent length.  Imagine all the height in the secondary if Houston’s William Jackson III came off the board here.  I think this pick could be used to upgrade the middle of the defense, as the team has moved on from Curtis Lofton.  I am a big fan of former Kansas Jayhawk Ben Heeney, who filled in admirably in the middle as a rookie, the chance to get a legitimate three-down ILB who can play the run and offers pass rush ability may be too good to pass on.  Reggie Ragland makes a lot of sense because he’s not only an old school thumper against the run, but he can also rush the passer, having lined up at DE for the Bama in passing situations.  For the past two seasons, Ragland has been the quarterback of the Alabama defense, a team captain calling plays in the middle of the field.  Ragland is instinctive and plays inside out against the run.  He has excellent range to cover the field sideline to sideline and has the relentlessness to pursue ball carriers from behind.  Ragland diagnoses run plays quickly plays downhill, shooting gaps at the line in a hurry.  He can also get depth in coverage, patrolling the middle of the field on crossing routes.  In the Cotton Bowl, he was able to pick up WR Aaron Burbridge coming over the middle and was able to drop him for little gain.  Ragland can even get to the perimeter to chase down throws into the flat.  Ragland times his blitzes well off the edge and can even show he can put his hand in the ground and rush the passer on 3rd downs for the Tide, offering a burst off the edge while playing with leverage.  Ragland can be overly aggressive and takes on blockers rather than shedding them.  He also was able to play in open spaces free of clutter due to Bama’s stellar defensive line, so will he be able to make the same plays in traffic?  Against the pass, most of Ragland’s plays were made in zone coverage as he will struggle when asked to cover man-to-man.  I expect Ragland to be a difference maker for the Raiders’ defense, much like fellow Bama ILB C.J. Mosely, who was drafted with the 17th overall pick in 2014 and has started all 32 games in his first two seasons in the league.  Expect Ragland to start right away and be the QB of the defense in Oakland.

15.  Tennessee Titans (from Los Angeles) – Taylor Decker, 6’7”, 310lbs, OT, Ohio State

04/23/16:  Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

04/20/16:  Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

04/13/16 (No. 1):  Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi
03/20/16 (N0. 1):  Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi
02/29/16 Post-Combine (No. 1):  Laremy Tunsil,  OT, Mississippi

Tennessee made the first big move of the draft season when they traded the No. 1 overall pick to the Los Angeles Rams.  The Titans were able to land three additional picks in the first three rounds this year and two more next year, a major step in the right direction toward improving a roster that went 2-14 last season.  The Offensive Line must be restored this offseason after giving up a league-high 54 sacks last season.  The health of Marcus Mariota has to be a huge concern, as he missed four games due to injury and was sacked 38 times in the 12 games in which he played.  Laremy Tunsil was expected to go No. 1 overall to the Titans to protect Mariota’s blind side.  Now that the Titans are picking at No. 15, not only will Tunsil not be on the board, but neither will Ronnie Stanley or Jack Conklin.  However, Taylor Decker, the 4th-rated OT in the Draft, is pretty good in his own right.  He’s the likely pick here.  If the Titans were to go anywhere else with this pick, Georgia’s Leonard Floyd or Clemson’s Shaq Lawson could be taken to add pass rush depth off the edge; Mackensie Alexander or Ohio State’s Eli Apple could challenge for a starting spot opposite Jason McCourty; or even Alabama’s Jarran Reed or A’Shawn Robinson could be the guy to give Jurrell Casey some help up front.  Adding any of the top three OT’s likely would have moved Taylor Lewan to the right side, but Decker’s home at the next level will likely be at RT.  Decker was introduced to FBS football at RT as a true freshman in 2012 and has gone on to start 42 of his 54 games with the Buckeyes.  I see Decker as a better pass protector than most.  He’s a knee bender and can play low despite his size.  He can get out of his stance to set up quickly, is surprisingly light on his feet to slide laterally with short choppy steps and has active hands to keep the edge rusher in front.  Decker gets a deep kick step to beat DE’s to the edge and will get deep enough to pick up a blitzing LB.  He proved he has the lateral quickness to keep up with Notre Dame’s Sheldon Day in the Fiesta Bowl, mirroring the quick DE for much of the game.  You just want to see that happen on a consistent basis.  When his kick slide doesn’t go anywhere, he was easily beaten off the edge by quick pass rushers like Michigan State’s Shilique Calhoun and Indiana’s Nick Mangieri.  He can also get his hands slapped down easily, so he must get his hands on the rusher to control him.  Decker does have a strong power step back to the inside to pick up secondary pass rush moves.  His hand placement and ability to ancho stifles a defender’s push up the field.  I also like his awareness.  Against Michigan, he was able to read the blitz of explosive Safety Jabril Peppers.  Knowing Peppers has exceptional speed, Decker was able to pop out of his stance quickly and move laterally to pick him up, keeping the pocket free.  While Decker is an above-average pass blocker, he can be a punishing run blocker.  Decker can generate a push to blow his man off the ball and keeps his legs moving with short choppy steps to continue to drive him downfield.  He can also cave in the left side of the line on one play, then get out to the second level to blow up a safety on the next.  He even has the hips necessary to turn his man on a seal block.  The biggest issue with Decker is the fact that while he can be a dominant run blocker, he’s not always able to sustain blocks, which limits the effectiveness of the ground attack.  In Decker’s collegiate game in the Fiesta Bowl, he offered a glimpse of what he can do.  He overpowered Irish DE Andrew Trumbetti at the point on a run play, driving him all the way to the sideline.  The next play, he showed off quick feet to mirror the DE in pass protection.  Bottom line, consistency will be the deciding factor of Decker’s effectiveness at the next level.

16.  Detroit Lions – Laquon Treadwell, 6’2”, 221lbs, WR, Mississippi, Jr.

04/23/16:  Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi 

04/20/16:  Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi

04/13/16:  Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi

03/20/16:  Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

The Lions have spent this offseason trying to come to grips with the fact that Calvin Johnson won’t be lining up at WR in 2016.  Megatron’s retirement left a huge hole at the WR position, but Detroit did sign former Bengal Marvin Jones to team with Golden Tate.  Neither is a No. 1 wideout, the only way I see this pick used on a WR is if Laquon Treadwell is available here.  Otherwise, I think the focus has to be on solidifying the offensive line, which blocked for the league’s worst rushing offense, averaging a lowly 83.4 yards per game a season ago.  The line gave up 44 sacks in 2015, not much of an improvement on the 45 sacks given up the year before.  Riley Reiff was voted the MVP of the offensive line a season ago and the fifth-year option in his contract was exercised, meaning Reiff will make $8 million 2016 and the Lions are committed to having him on their O-line.  The question is going to be where.  Will it be at LT?  He’s struggled with speed off the edge in his career.  Could Reiff move to the right side, either at RG or RT?  He’s versatile enough to play either position.  Last year’s 1st Round pick Laken Tomlinson had a shaky start at LG, but came on as the season went along.  RT Michael Ola was brought in midseason to help at RT and he filled in admirably.  RG Larry Warford’s play has regressed since a promising rookie season three years ago.  The Lions must improve their pass protection and run blocking in 2016 and adding Michigan State All-American Jack Conklin would be a very safe pick because you know exactly what you’re getting should he fall this far.  If this pick isn’t used up front offensively, then expect the pick to be used on the defensive front four.  DE’s Ziggy Ansah and Devin Taylor are entrenched as starters, but depth is a serious concern.  Kevin Dodd and Oklahoma State’s Emmanuel Ogbah would be a reach at No. 16, but the Lions could trade back if they want a pass rusher to add to the DE rotation.  This is about where Jarran Reed will come off the board.  He could team up with the aging Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker.  As I said earlier, if Treadwell is available, the Lions will look to him to take the reins from Megatron as the team’s No. 1 WR.  Once a top-five recruit when he arrived at Oxford three years ago, Treadwell entered the pre-draft process as the No. 1 WR in the draft.  However, following questions about his speed and athleticism after a 4.63 40 time and a 33 ½-inch vertical leap at the Mississippi Pro Day, there’s talk that his stock could be dropping.  Let’s keep in mind that Larry Fitzgerald ran a 4.63 40 while Anquan Boldin couldn’t break 4.7, yet both of them are playmakers at the next level.  Even the GOAT Jerry Rice ran a 4.59 coming out of Mississippi Valley State.  Keyshawn Johnson may have said it best:  “It’s not how fast a player is going forward, it’s how fast they can stop, change direction, and create space.”  When it comes to making plays, Treadwell did just that for the Rebels.  As a junior, he was the SEC’s leading receiver with 82 receptions for 1,153 yards and 11 TD, including a Sugar Bowl record-tying 3 TD against Oklahoma State.  Treadwell may not be able to create much separation, but he does a tremendous job positioning his big body to shield the ball from defenders.  He’s an above-average route runner, showing he can sink his hips into the cut and is smooth out of his breaks.  When the ball is in the air, few WR’s attack the ball like he does, showing strong hands to easily pluck the ball out of the air.  He tracks the ball well when it’s in the air, shows good body control and has a large catch radius with an ability to highpoint 50-50 balls.  Treadwell also has the strength to beat press coverage off the line.  He’s also a playmaker after the catch, making the first man miss and showing a physicality to fight off defenders for extra yards.  What separates Treadwell from the other wideouts in this year’s draft is his superior blocking ability.  He’s a physical blocker on the outside to let RB’s get the edge, keeping his hands inside and driving his man out of the play.  He also freed up fellow receivers with his downfield blocking, sustaining his blocks to allow WR’s to make plays after the catch.  Lion fans would appreciate Treadwell’s effort blocking on the outside.  Durability could be a concern as a dislocated ankle and broken fibula cut short his sophomore season in 2014.  His ability to bounce back to have a banner junior season one year later should dispel any concerns about his health.  The Lions need a big playmaker on the outside and Treadwell would be that guy.  

17.  Atlanta Falcons – Leonard Floyd, 6’4”, 244lbs, OLB, Georgia, Jr.

04/23/16:  Leonard Floyd OLB, Georgia

04/20/16:  Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia

04/13/16:  Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

03/20/16:  Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State, RS Soph.

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State

It was a tale of two seasons for the Falcons.  After starting the season 6-1, Atlanta lost six straight, finishing the year with an 8-8 record and missed the playoffs.  Defensively, the Falcons were solid against the run, finishing 14th in the league against the run, getting solid production up the middle.  The pass rush was supposed to be improved after adding Vic Beasley, last year’s eighth overall pick.  However, Beasley only finished with 4.0 sacks and Atlanta’s 19 total sacks were at the bottom in the league, as compared with Denver’s 52 sacks at the top of the list.  I could definitely see Beasley’s former college teammate Shaq Lawson here.  Justin Durant and Brooks Reed were brought in as free-agent OLB’s, but neither lived up to expectations.  Now in 2016, playmakers are needed on the defensive side of the ball, which means the focus will be at the LB position, where every position is up for grabs, including the middle, which is being currently held down by the overachieving Paul Worrilow.  Everyone in Atlanta is hoping Sean Weatherspoon can return to his old self when he was all over the field wearing a Falcons uniform in 2011 and 2012.  However, following three years of devastating injuries, Weatherspoon will likely begin the year as a reserve OLB.  O’Brien Schofield may not be more than a pass rush specialist.  Courtney Upshaw was signed to bolster the pass rush, but he was a disappointment in Baltimore and at 270 pounds, he may wind up at DE.  This pick could be used on one of a couple of different SEC linebackers.  I see Georgia’s Leonard Floyd being in the mold of fellow former Georgia Bulldog Alec Ogletree, an outside backer off the edge when he played between the hedges In Athens and during his first few years with the Rams, but is now moving inside.  Floyd has the same type of versatility to rush the passer off the edge and can drop into coverage against TE’s and RB’s.  When Floyd was a Georgia Bulldog, he was long and lanky, at 6’4” and 225lbs.  However, at the Combine, he bulked up to 244 pounds and still showed 4.6 speed and explosiveness with a 39-inch vertical leap.  He’s a flexible edge rusher with the ability to bend to run the arc and dip his inside shoulder then rips through to turn the corner and then has the burst to finish.  Floyd can attack the OT’s outside shoulder, but also moves well laterally to cut across the face of the OT to shoot inside to get to the QB.  Yet, for as explosive as Floyd has been, his sack production has not been what you’d expect as his most productive year was his freshman season when he registered 6.5 sacks.  Floyd has the explosiveness to be a dynamic edge rusher.  It just worries me that he has the same measureables as 2013 1st Round Pick Barkevious Mingo, who has just 7.0 sacks to his credit in three seasons with the Browns.  If he’s in space and can get a good jump off the line, he’s in good shape.  Despite the fact that Floyd was rather lean for an OLB, he was still able to set the edge, using his length to get off blocks to drop the RB behind the line.  Floyd may be at his best against the run when he’s in pursuit from the backside as he’s able to track down RB’s from behind.  While Floyd does take decent angles when he can get to the outside, he does have a tendency to get caught inside when he’s trying to fight off blocks.  His leaner frame didn’t always hold up against some of the bigger backs either.  When the Dawgs faced the Tide, Heisman winner Derrick Henry would take him for a ride to pick up extra yards.  Floyd is athletic enough to drop into coverage and could handle TE’s, RB’s and maybe even a slot WR or two, but he wasn’t asked to do it much so there could be a learning curve.  Floyd has to be intriguing because of his speed and versatility.  

18.  Indianapolis Colts – Shaq Lawson, 6’2”, 270lbs, DE, Clemson, Jr.

04/23/16:  Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

04/20/16:  Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

04/13/16:  Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

03/20/16:  Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky

The nightmare season for Andrew Luck is finally over.  2015 saw Luck miss two games early in the season with a shoulder injury, then missed the final seven games with a lacerated kidney.  In total, he only played in seven games and Indy missed the playoffs for the first time since Luck came into the league four years ago.  It didn’t matter who it was under center, whether it was Luck or Matt Hasselbeck, the offense struggled last season.  The good news is there’s plenty of young talent, led by T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief and Dwayne Allen to get the offense jumpstarted in 2016. You can expect OT Anthony Castonzo and OG Jack Mewhort to hold down the left side of the line, but the right side definitely needs some competition.  Joe Reitz was solid at RT, but Todd Herremans didn’t pan out at RG, meaning the job went to an inconsistent Hugh Thornton.  The Colts could be looking for an OG in the draft, possibly Kansas State’s Cody Whitehair, to challenge Thornton for the starting spot or they could opt to move Reitz inside, meaning they would still be on the market for a RT.  Ohio State’s Taylor Decker makes a lot of sense as he has experience at RT and would give the Colts bookend tackles to protect Luck and keep him healthy. However, I think there’s a good chance to go defense in the draft as the Colts haven’t had a top-20 defense since 2013.  Indy had to be excited about the play of rookie DE Henry Anderson before an injury cut his season short.  There’s a chance you could see Anderson and Kendall Langford flank Arthur Jones in the middle, which would put their three best down linemen in at the same time.  I think the focus needs to be on the pass rush.  The aging Robert Mathis was again the most productive player off the edge, leading the team with 7.0 sacks at 34 years of age.  Trent Cole and Erik Walden, both of whom are also over the age of 30, ended the season with 3.0 sacks apiece.  Indy must add speed off the edge, which makes Leonard Floyd of Georgia or Oklahoma State’s Emmanuel Ogbah in play.  However, the Colts have to make sure they the edge rusher selection right, especially considering they are just three years removed from taking another DE in the 1st Round in Bjoern Werner, who was converted to OLB and has yet to make an impact?  Someone needs to push Walden and Cole for playing time and at this point, the best edge rusher is Shaq Lawson, who can pressure the QB both with his hand in the ground and standing up.  For two seasons, Lawson played behind last year’s No. 8 pick Vic Beasley, but still played behind the line of scrimmage quite a bit having racked up 20.0 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in his first two seasons at Clemson.  Once Lawson finally got his shot to be a full-time starter, he did not disappoint, registering 24.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks, both of which were in the top five in the FBS.  At 6’2” and 267 pounds, Lawson is powerfully built and definitely looks the part.  While many point to the fact that Lawson is not an explosive edge rusher, his performance at the Combine paints a bit of a different picture.  His 4.7 40 time was fourth among defensive linemen and only five linemen were faster than his 1.64 10-yard split.  Lawson is able to attack the OT’s outside shoulder by dipping his inside shoulder to get the edge.  He uses his power and body lean to get a good push up the field, uses his hands to fight through blocks and has speed to come down the line and pursue the QB.  Lawson also uses his strength to set the edge against the run.  He’s a tireless worker who does not give up on the play and will keep working until he can get a hit on the ball.  Despite his thick build, Lawson will wear down as the game goes along, so conditioning will be a factor for him at the next level.  He also must have better awareness as he has a seek-and-destroy mentality, but doesn’t always diagnose plays.  While Lawson isn’t as explosive as Beasley, he may end up being a better pro because he’s already proven effective against the run and made twice as many tackles as Beasley in their final seasons with the Tigers.  

19.  Buffalo Bills – Jarran Reed, 6’3”, 307lbs, DT, Alabama

04/20/16:  Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama

04/20/16:  Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama

04/13/16:  Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama

03/20/16:  A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama

02/29/16 Post-Combine: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi

Despite the Bills’ offense showing signs of life with Tyrod Taylor under center, the Buffalo defense took a step back under Rex Ryan, falling from fourth to 20th in the league in total yards per game.  Up front, Marcell Dareus was his typical self as a run stuffer, but didn’t make much of an impact sacking the QB, while Kyle Williams was slowed by injury and struggled when he was on the field.  While three-year DT Corbin Bryant stepped in and played adequately for Williams, there really isn’t the kind of depth Ryan would want in the interior of his defensive line.  Rex has hired his brother Rob to change things up defensively.  How many formations will Rob implement?  Can we expect more schemes involving three-down linemen?  If that’s the case, adding a versatile D-lineman like Bama’s Jarran Reed would give the younger Ryan some options up front, as Dareus, Williams and Reed could line up at any position of a three-man front.  Reed is stout at the point of attack, takes on multiple blockers and was tremendously productive in the middle, having recorded 108 tackles in his final two years despite being a part of the Crimson Tide’s DL rotation.  Reed plays with good leverage off the ball, getting under his man’s pad level to stand him up.  When he’s lined up over the nose, his hands get quickly on the center of the snap, generating power to drive his man into the backfield.  His power and pad level allow him to wreak havoc in opposing backfields against the run.  Reed is also surprisingly athletic, splitting double teams downhill, then using his hands to clear the blocks.  He has a good feel for the flow of the run play as he’ll slant one way, then spin back the other way to get penetration.  While Reed is an absolute run stuffer capable of occupying multiple blockers at the line, he’s not much of a pass rusher, only recording 2 sacks at Alabama.  However, he’s not going to be asked to pressure the QB in Buffalo.  His job will be to dominate the point of attack, occupy multiple blockers and generate a push up front, three things he was known for with the Tide.  Don't rule out Buffalo trying to land Paxton Lynch to be their future franchise QB.  They may have to position themselves ahead of New York and even Denver to land the Memphis junior.

20.  New York Jets – Darron Lee, 6’1”, 232lbs, LB, Ohio State, RS Soph.

04/23/16:  Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State

04/20/16:  Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State

04/13/16:  Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia

03/20/16:  Emmanuel Ogbah, OLB, Oklahoma State

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia

The Jets have had a nerve-racking offseason.  First QB Ryan Fitzpatrick flirts with the free agent market and sets a price tag that is too high for New York’s budget, then RB Chris Ivory bolts in free agency.  A solution to the latter problem has been resolved as former Bear Matt Forte signed to be the workhorse in New York.  In 2006, the Jets selected D’Brickashaw Ferguson with the 4th overall pick.  Since then, Ferguson started in all 160 games, an impressive feat to say the least.  After a decade holding down the left side of the line, Ferguson is now 32 years of age and has decided to walk away from the game with his health intact and enter the next chapter of his life.  I had Taylor Decker going here before Ferguson announced his retirement.  However, now that they have traded for Ryan Clady, I don’t expect this pick to be on an OT.  The Jets are trying to work with Fitzpatrick to meet in the middle to get a deal done.  If it doesn’t happen by the draft, expect the Jets to look to move up to land one of the top three QB’s in this draft as I don’t think they’re sold on Geno Smith or Bryce Petty to take the reins as a starter.  Will the Jets be able to land Paxton Lynch here?  Or will they look to trade up to get ahead of Buffalo to get him?  If the QB position gets settled, the Jets may turn back to the defensive side of the ball in the 1st Round.  Since 2006, the Jets have drafted defense in Round 1 in all but two years, including each of the last six drafts.  Will the trend continue?  The Jets recorded 39 sacks a season ago, but 20 of those were registered by the D-line trio of Muhammad Wilkerson (12.0), Sheldon Richardson (5.0) and Leonard Williams (3.0).  By contrast, the LB position put up 14 sacks, with nearly half of those tallied by ILB’s David Harris and Demario Davis, who has signed with Cleveland this offseason.  Last year’s 3rd Round pick Lorenzo Mauldin showed some promise, but Calvin Pace’s days in New York are likely over as the 35-year old managed just 3.0 sacks a season ago and is an unrestricted free agent.  An edge rusher opposite Mauldin is a priority.  The question will be whether the Jets want to take a chance on Eastern Kentucky’s Noah Spence, who showed a rare ability to bend and turn the corner at the Senior Bowl, but ran a 4.8 40 at the Combine and has some major character concerns.  That is unless Leonard Floyd or Shaq Lawson is available.  I still think replacing Davis inside should receive some consideration and Darron Lee is similar in stature and is a tremendous athlete with the ability to cover WR’s.  Lee caught everyone’s eye at the Combine after running a 4.47 40 and it’s that kind of speed that the Dolphins desperately need.  Lee may only be a redshirt sophomore, but he made plays all over the field and filled the stat sheet, finishing with 146 tackles, 27 for loss, 11 sacks, 3 Int., 5 pass breakups and 3 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries in two seasons with the Buckeyes.  His coming-out party on the national scene was in the 2015 Sugar Bowl, where he recorded seven tackles, three of which went for loss, which led to being named the Defensive MVP.  Lee is a jack-of-all trades, showing he can play the run, blitz the QB and drop into coverage. He is quick laterally to get to the outside and hold contain on runs to the perimeter and can play downhill and fill holes.  He uses his speed to pursue the ball quickly and is able to beat runners to the edge.  In coverage, Lee stays low in his back pedal, transitioning quickly to turn and run with his man.  He does an excellent job spying the QB and can quickly make a break on the QB, exploding to make a play in the open field.  Lee just has to watch being overly aggressive, either taking himself out of plays or whiffing on tackles.  Lee’s speed off the edge as a pass rusher would be a welcome addition to the Dolphin pass rush.  He does a good job dipping and ripping to get by blockers to pressure the QB.  He’s at his best when he’s in space, but he struggles in traffic and has difficulty getting off blocks because he’s not one of the bigger LB’s.  The Jets will have to find ways to allow him to run free.  If they can find a way to do that, Lee could have a major impact.​

21.  Washington Redskins – Ryan Kelly, 6’4”, 311lbs, C, Alabama

04/23/16:  ​Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

04/20/16:  Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

04/13/16:  Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

03/20/16:  Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama

Washington made an improbable run to the playoffs with Ryan Kirk Cousins at the helm.  Cousins completed just under 70% of his passes and threw for nearly 4,200 yards.  The emergence of rookie Matt Jones at RB has made former Pro Bowler Alfred Morris expendable.  That’s why I see this pick being used on defense, where the Skins must improve upon the 26th-rated run defense.  NT Terrance Knighton has already come out and said he will not be returning to the nation’s capital and Kedric Golston is not the answer in the middle.  Jarran Reed would be a perfect fit, as would Baylor’s Andrew Billings.  However, if Jay Gruden wants his offense to impose its will on the opposition with a power running game, his O-line has to resemble that.  Last season, the Skins weren’t afraid to take an interior lineman with the 5th overall pick when they selected Iowa’s Brandon Scherff.  Could it happen again this year?  It just might.  Kory Lichtensteiger was adequate at center when healthy, but he also was put on short-term injured reserve for a lingering neck injury, so he missed eight weeks of the season.  The 31-year old will be a free agent at the end of next season, so it’s clear he won’t be the long-term answer in the middle of the Washington Offensive Line.  If Alabama’s Ryan Kelly is indeed the pick here, you can pencil him in as the starting Center for Week One.  A case could be made that the Offensive MVP of the Alabama offense a season ago was not Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry, but rather Ryan Kelly, who was the leader of an offensive line that had to replace three starters and went on to not only block for the nation’s leading rusher and Heisman winner, but also won the inaugural Joe Moore Award recognizing the nation’s top offensive line.  Kelly’s presence up front was a stabilizing influence as a leader and his play was dominant at times, which led him to being awarded the Rimington Award for the nation’s top Center.  The four-year starter has blocked for 16 100-yard rushers and has not given up a sack in two years.  Kelly’s game is quickly setting up after the snap and playing with good hand placement and leverage.  He’s a knee bender, plays with a wide base, keeps his hands inside and is able to move laterally to keep DT’s in front.  Kelly is agile enough to pull as a lead blocker and can climb to the second level, but struggles with speed downhill.  He brings some toughness and attitude to his blocking, opening some gaping holes for Henry before finishing his blocks by burying his man.  His leverage allows him to anchor against a bull rush inside, but he’s going to have to add some strength so he doesn’t get pushed around inside.  Bama was a power running team with Henry running to daylight, but they also weren’t afraid to air it out when needed.  Either way, Kelly held down the middle of the line.  Gruden could absolutely use that type of play in Washington.

22.  Houston Texans – Josh Doctson, 6’2”, 202lbs, WR, TCU

04/23/16:  Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

04/20/16:  ​Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

04/13/16:  Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

03/20/16:  ​Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

The Houston Texans made the playoffs following a 9-7 season, which was still good enough to win an AFC South division that struggled across the board.  Houston’s struggles certainly weren’t on the defensive side of the ball, as J.J. Watt, Vince Wilfork, Brian Cushing and friends were the 3rd-ranked defense in the league.  It was the inconsistency of the offense that ultimately doomed the Texans.  GM Rick Smith and Head coach Bill O’Brien has already taken steps to make improvements, signing Brock Osweiler to take over for Brian Hoyer at QB and Lamar Miller will be replacing the oft-injured Arian Foster, who was released earlier this year.  Osweiler will need weapons to get the ball to in 2016.  After hauling in 111 passes and eclipsing the 1,500-yard mark, DeAndre Hopkins has emerged as one of the top WR’s in the league.  However, No. 2 wideout Nate Washington is gone, while last year’s 3rd Round pick Jaelen Strong has struggled to adapt to the pro game.  Cecil Shorts and Keith Mumphrey rounded out the receiving corps, but neither will be a starter.  Remember the days of Andre Johnson and Hopkins lining up together?  The Texans need to find another WR to take some pressure off Hopkins and I’d give the nod to Doctson over Baylor’s Corey Coleman.  Why?  Coleman is the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner, was nearly impossible to cover in Baylor’s spread offense and ran a 4.37 40 time at the Combine.  The problem is he’s not a natural pass catcher and the drops catch up with you at the next level.  Doctson, on the other hand, may have the strongest hands in the draft and catches everything thrown his way.  Nobody in this year’s draft is better when the ball is in the air.  Doctson can elevate and high point the ball in traffic, has the ability to contort his body to adjust to the ball in the air and attacks the ball with his hands, easily plucking it out of the air.  He works the sidelines very well, going up to haul in a pass, but making sure he gets his feet inbounds as he secures the catch.  Doctson has a ridiculous catch radius; if a QB puts the ball anywhere near him, he’ll go get it. While he shows a good burst to eat up the corner’s cushion, he sinks his hips well when he cuts and quickly changes directions in his route to create separation.  Doctson is a legitimate red zone option because of his size, length and leaping ability and has a nose for the end zone, finishing his career as TCU’s all-time TD leader with 34.  He’s also physical after the catch, breaking arm tackles and using a strong stiff arm to get extra yards after the catch.  Despite only playing meaningful minutes in 10 games last season due to a wrist injury, he was still a 1st Team All-American after racking up 1,337 yards and 14 TD.  Doctson has solidified himself as the No. 2 WR in this year’s draft and makes perfect sense as a complement to Hopkins and could bring back the days of the two-headed monster at WR.  Doctson may be a lot leaner than Johnson’s 6’3” 227-pound frame, but his 4.52 40 time at the Combine isn’t that far off from the 4.41 Johnson posted in 2003.  

23.  Minnesota Vikings – Corey Coleman, 5’11”, 199lbs, WR, Baylor, Jr.

04/23/16:  Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

04/20/16:  Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

04/13/16:  Corey Coleman, 5’11”, 199lbs, WR, Baylor

03/20/16:  Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

The Vikings made the playoffs a season ago under the leadership of head coach Mike Zimmer and seem to continue to make strides every year.  The Vikes could go in a few directions with the No. 23 overall selection.  One of those directions likely won’t be on the offensive line, as there appears to be a logjam up front.  LT Matt Kalil’s option was picked up this year, so you’d figure he’d get one last run to prove he can protect Teddy Bridgewater’s blindside.  On the right, Andre Smith was brought in via free agency and will compete with Phil Loadholt, who is still recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, and T.J. Clemmings for the starting spot.  You could make a case for Kansas State’s Cody Whitehair, but after signing Alex Boone to man the LG position and Mike Harris and Brandon Fusco lining up on the right side, don’t expect it to happen.  Center John Sullivan had two back surgeries, so you’d think Alabama’s Ryan Kelly could be the guy here is he’s available, but Joe Berger played so well in Sullivan’s absence that I think he’s enough insurance for the Vikes to pass on Kelly.  Then there’s Notre Dame’ Jaylon Smith, who suffered a major ACL injury in the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame on January 1 and while there’s reportedly no nerve damage to the knee, there’s a strong chance he’ll have to sit out the entire 2016 season to rehab.  That may be just fine with Minnesota if they bring veteran Chad Greenway back for one more season.  That way Greenway can have his swan song while Smith recovers and the move would give Smith a veteran mentor from whom to learn.  Imagine a linebacker corps consisting of Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks and Jaylon Smith.  It could happen in 2017 and if Smith returns to form, the Vikes would instantly have the most athletic trio of LB’s in the league.  If anyone makes this move, it would be Mike Zimmer.  However, the offense is in desperate need of some playmakers at WR, especially now that Mike Wallace is gone.  Stefon Diggs, a 4th Round pick in last year’s draft, was a pleasant surprise last season in his rookie season, while Charles Johnson and Jarius Wright are better suited as role players.  The Vikes need speed on the outside and there isn’t a more explosive wideout in this draft than Biletnikoff Award winner Corey Coleman.  2015 was an eye-popping year in terms of production for Coleman, as he scored an FBS-high 20 TD on 74 receptions and averaged over 18 yards per reception.  He has such a quick burst that he will often beat corners off the line and his acceleration and sub-4.4 speed allows him to get vertical and easily get over the top of his man.  His speed demands safety help over the top and if you want to jam him at the line, you better be successful or he’ll make you pay.  Coleman was targeted on nearly 40% of the Bears’ snaps, but teams still had a difficult time stopping him despite the fact they knew he was getting the ball.  He does a tremendous job tracking the ball while it’s in the air and has exceptional leaping ability with a 40 ½-inch vertical leap, which allows him to highpoint balls over CB’s despite measuring under six-feet tall.  Coleman can also change speeds to set up his man on the outside before running by.  He’s a playmaker with the ball in his hands, showing elusiveness in the open field.  However, Baylor’s offense had a rather basic route tree, which limited the types of routes Coleman ran.  You rarely saw Coleman run anything other than a go route or a slant or drag underneath.  He’s going to have to prove he can run the entire route tree to be more than a one-trick pony.  While he gets upfield in a hurry outside the numbers, he’s often pinned against the sideline by corners.  Coleman tended to round off his underneath routes, but with his blazing speed, it didn’t make much of a difference.  However, there won’t be as big a discrepancy in terms of speed, so he’ll have to be a crisper route runner.  Coleman isn’t a natural pass catcher, letting balls get into his body, and had lapses in concentration that led to 10 drops in 2015.  Coleman can be a game changer with his elite speed, which is why he’ll be taken in the 1st Round.  However, Coleman has to prove the drops are behind him and that there’s more to his game than the 9-route.  No. 23 may actually be too high of a projection for Coleman, but if his speed can draw the attention of the safety, that just might be what’s needed to free up Diggs, Johnson and Wright underneath.

24.  Cincinnati Bengals – Sterling Shepard, 5’10”, 195lbs, WR, Oklahoma 

04/23/16:  Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma

04/20/16:  Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma

04/13/16:  Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma 

03/20/16:  Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi

The Bengals are still trying to forget their playoff exit from a season ago, an 18-16 loss to the Steelers following a last-minute collapse.  Fans in Cincinnati have to be wondering what would have happened with a healthy Andy Dalton, who broke his thumb in Week 14.  Dalton took a major step forward in 2015 and Cincy is hoping he will be ready to build on the progress he made.  A.J. Green had another Pro Bowl Season and Tyler Eifert proved he’s one of the top young TE’s in the game, but the Bengals are going to need to replace some weapons following the departures of Marvin Jones (Lions) and Mohamed Sanu (Falcons) in free agency.  Cincy is in need of a WR.  However, with the top three WR’s off the board, would the Bengals reach for Notre Dame’s Will Fuller or even Ohio State’s Michael Thomas?  Not likely.  NT is another need area as Domata Peko is not getting younger, so a powerhouse like Baylor’s Andrew Billings makes a lot of sense.  I just think the lack of playmakers at the WR position will be too much to overlook and this pick could be used on the most underrated WR in this year’s draft, Oklahoma’s Sterling Shepard.  I compare Shepard’s rise to that of Nelson Agholor from a year ago.  Agholor was seen as a 2nd Rounder because he was seen primarily as a slot WR, but his playmaking ability won out as he was selected 20th overall by Philadelphia.  Shepard is such a smooth WR, showing excellent route running that allows him to create separation against tight coverage.  He can sink his hips into his route and is so quick out of his break that he’s able to get open in a hurry.  Shepard’s double moves were so crisp, he had corners biting on the initial move, which left him wide open down the field.  He does a good job adjusting to the ball when it’s in the air, catching the football wherever it’s put around him.  He tracks the ball well and is an excellent leaper, as evidenced by the 41-inch vertical leap at the Combine.  Shepard is also a sure-handed WR, having only dropped 8 balls in his career, compared to his 233 catches.  Shepard has an excellent feel where he is on the field, finding soft spots in zones and can work the sideline well to keep his feet inbounds.  He was also a production machine for the Sooners.  In 2014, Shepard had 51 catches for 970 yards, nearly all of which were racked up in just seven games as he pulled a groin muscle that kept him out of action for most of the rest of the season.  He was healthy as a senior, posting 86 receptions for 1,288 yards and 11 TD.  2015 saw three double-digit reception games, four 100+ yard games and three games with multiple TD receptions.  Shepard also has experience in the return game, where he can also make an impact early.  I expect Shepard to be the perfect complement to Green.

25.  Pittsburgh Steelers – Vernon Butler, 6’3”, 323lbs, DT, Louisiana Tech

04/23/16:  Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech

04/20/16:  Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech

04/13/16:  William Jackson III, CB, Houston

03/20/16:  Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech

Is this the year the Steelers finally take a CB in the 1st Round?  I’ve been expecting it to happen for years now, but the last three seasons the focus has been at LB.  The last time the Steelers drafted a CB in the 1st Round was Chad Scott in 1997 and the last time a Pittsburgh CB made the Pro Bowl was Rod Woodson in 1996.  31 year-old William Gay is the most productive corner on the roster, while Cortez Allen has failed to live up to the big contract and was benched midseason, while Antwon Blake and Brandon Boykin won’t be back.  You have to expect Ross Cockrell and Senquez Golson will get a chance at bigger roles in 2016, but a corner like William Jackson III, Eli Apple or Clemson’s Mackensie Alexander would be awfully enticing.  That said, adding a versatile player like Louisiana Tech’s Vernon Butler to the D-line would give Pittsburgh options.  DE’s Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt are productive starters who continue to get better every year.  Losing Steve McClendon in free agency to the Jets leaves a hole at the NT position.  Butler has the size and strength to hold the point of attack in the middle and has the quickness off the ball to collapse the pocket and pressure the QB whether he’s lined up inside or outside at the five-technique.  Not only would Butler give them option, but the trio of Heyward, Tuitt and Butler would rival what the Jets have done with Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams, which was a disruptive group a season ago.  I think Butler gets the nod here because he’s versatile enough to play anywhere up front.  Butler is another fast-rising prospect who was on everyone’s radar during the season, but after an impressive Senior Bowl, he worked himself into the 1st Round.  Butler is one of the more versatile linemen in this year’s draft, playing all along the Louisiana Tech defensive front.  At the next level, he could be both a five-technique and NT in a 3-4 scheme as well as a 4-3 DT.  Butler moves very well for his size, using his quickness of the ball to shoot gaps and track down the ball.  You will also see the power, showing a violent punch off the line to jolt the OG and plays with good leverage, extending his 35 1/8-inch arms under the OG’s pad level and drives his man back to collapse the pocket.  Butler was productive in his final two seasons for LA Tech, finishing with 104 tackles and 22.5 TFL along with 4 sacks.  Maybe most impressive is the fact that Butler is always working to the QB.  On stunts, he will come around end, then work back inside OT, gets off the block to then affect the pass.  Like so many of the DT’s in this year’s class, Butler is at his best playing with a low pad level at the point of attack.  If he gets too high in his stance, he’s a big target for O-linemen to easily take him out of the play.  I think Butler has a very high ceiling and should be a starter right away.  The Steelers track record has been to shore up the front seven in Round One and tackle the secondary in later rounds.  There is enough depth at the position in this year’s draft for Pittsburgh to again do just that.

26.  Seattle Seahawks – Derrick Henry, 6’3”, 247lbs, RB, Alabama, Jr.

04/23/16:  Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama

04/20/16:  Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama

04/13/16:  Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama

03/20/16:  Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA, Jr.

Seattle had an up-and-down season in 2015, starting the year 4-5 before winning five straight games, finishing the year with a 10-6 record and a Wild Card berth.  The Seahawks must address an offensive line that gave up 46 sacks and now Russell Okung left for Denver in free agency, so the O-line has to be the top priority.  Expect Seattle to be a willing trade partner for an OT, namely Ryan Clady, who the Broncos expect to deal if they make a deal for Colin Kaepernick.  However, if a deal doesn’t get done for an OT, I’d expect this pick to be used on the top LT available.  However, if the Seahawks come to Chicago on April 28 without an OT to replace Okung, Indiana’s Jason Spriggs could be the answer, but I think Seattle has had success with drafting OT’s later in the draft.  You can’t forget that Marshawn Lynch won’t be back in a Seahawks uniform after walking away from the game this offseason.  Beast Mode’s replacement may not be as hard to find as one might think as the reigning Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry is cut from the same mold.  Henry is a downhill runner that is physical between the tackles and, like Lynch, is a load to bring down.  He’s a long strider, so it takes him time to build momentum, so defenses have to get to him early, otherwise he’s a runaway freight train in the open field.  His powerful lower body strength allows him to break tackles in the hole before getting to the second level.  Henry does not have elite lateral quickness, so you want to force him wide and not let him put his foot in the ground and get up the field.  Despite being 6’3” and 247 pounds, Henry has the speed to bounce the runs outside and get to the perimeter.  You might think Henry doesn’t have the ability to take it the distance, but time and time again, even in the CFP National Championship game against Clemson, you saw him run away from defenders at the second level.  If there were still doubters about his explosiveness, Henry silenced the critics by running a 4.54 40 time and leaping 37 inches in the vertical jump.  Henry was a workhorse with 406 touches a season ago, often putting Bama on his back at times, willing his team to victory. His 158 yards in the title game was his 10th game of the year with 100+ rushing yards and the 3-TD performance became his 20th straight game with a rushing TD.  He had four 200+ yard games last year and his 2,219 rushing yards set the SEC’s single game record.  Henry continued to wear down defenses and seemed to get better as the game went on.  He had five games with over 30 carries, including 44 against Florida, so you have to be concerned about the number of miles on those legs.  Will Henry wear down sooner rather than later?  Henry’s also not much of a receiver out of the backfield, having only hauled in 17 passes in his three years at Alabama.  Seattle likes to get the ball to its RB’s, so Henry must prove he can get it done.  

27.  Green Bay Packers – Andrew Billings, 6’0”, 311lbs, DT, Baylor, Jr.

04/23/16:  Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor

04/20/16:  Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor

04/13/16:  Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor

03/20/16:  Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor

Green Bay has been looking for an upgrade at ILB that would allow Clay Matthews to move back outside.  However, if Ted Thompson opts not to trade up for Reggie Ragland, the Pack won’t find an inside backer at No. 27.  TE may have been the least productive position for Green Bay a season ago.  Richard Rodgers is more of a blocking TE and does not offer much as a receiver.  Arkansas’ Hunter Henry is the clear-cut top TE in this year’s draft and would give Aaron Rodgers a receiving threat down the middle of the field, but with Henry’s versatility and athleticism, he could actually line up all over the field.  Imagine a receiving corps that included Henry, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams.  I think it would be safe to say this pick was definitely Henry until NT B.J. Raji announced his retirement.  The hole in the middle of the defense has to be filled and who better than Billings, arguably the strongest player in this year’s draft.  As a high school senior, Billings set the Texas state powerlifting record with 2,010 total pounds, which included an 805-pound squat, a 705-pound deadlift and a 500-pound bench press.  Billing has the strength to hold the point of attack and the power to push the pocket, but he also has surprising quickness off the ball to be disruptive in opposing backfields.  Billings will line up over the nose and engage the center off the snap, easily driving him back before tossing him aside and then has the burst to close on the QB.  He’ll even generate a push up front when he’s double teamed, getting his pad level low and exploding off the ball.  Billings’ problem is the fact that his pad level can get too high.  When that happens, he gets stood up and will get driven back.  A guy with his power should not be driven off the ball like that, so Billings will have to learn to play with a consistently low pad level.  Billings would use his power and quickness off the ball to collapse the pocket versus the pass as well.  He explode into his man, use his hands to disengage, split a double team and then chase down the QB with short-area quickness.  Billings would beat interior linemen off the ball with a quick burst and a swim move to get by.  His athleticism was also on display when he’d push the pocket in one direction, then spin the other direction to get to the QB stepping up in the pocket.  Everyone wanted to talk about Shawn Oakman at Baylor, but it was clearly Andrew Billings that was the team’s Defensive MVP and was named Big XII’s co-Defensive Player of the Year from the DT position.  Can Billings fill Raji’s shoes?  Let’s take a look at their college stats, where you see a pretty favorable comparison.  Raji finished his four years at Boston College with 105 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.  Billings ended his three-year career in Waco with 107 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.  

28.  Kansas City Chiefs – A’Shawn Robinson, 6’4”, 307lbs, DE, Alabama, Jr. 

04/23/16:  A'Shawn Robinson, DE, Alabama 

04/20/16:  A'Shawn Robinson, DE, Alabama

04/13/16:  A’Shawn Robinson, DE, Alabama

03/20/16:  Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Mackensie Alexander, Clemson

Kansas City had about as much momentum entering the playoffs as any team riding a 10-game win streak to close out the season.  After shutting out Houston in the Wild Card game, they lost by 7 to New England in the Divisional matchup.  However, KC fans have to be excited for the future, as the Chiefs boasted a top-10 offense and a top-10 defense under head coach Andy Reid.  KC hit a home run in the 1st Round a season ago with Marcus Peters.  The Defensive Rookie of the Year was tied for the league lead in both Int. (8) and pass breakups (26).  Sean Smith is now gone in free agency and Jamell Fleming and Marcus Cooper are just role players, so the Chiefs have to hope they can find another lockdown corner in this year’s draft.  Why?  Well, they’ll have to face four passers that threw for over 4,000 yards a season ago: Drew Brees, Philip Rivers (twice), Matt Ryan and Blake Bortles; not to mention Derek Carr (twice), Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Newton and Andrew Luck.  The CB position will be a priority and there is a chance Eli Apple or Mackensie Alexander will be selected here.  But what about the NT position?  Wait, isn’t that a spot occupied by Dontari Poe?  Think about it.  The Chiefs drafted positions with players entering their contract years.  We saw it last year with Peters and Smith, but there was also Dee Ford and Tamba Hali in 2014 and Eric Fisher and Branden Albert in 2013.  Poe is such an athlete at NT that he’s going to command big money as a free agent after the 2016 season that the Chiefs have to find their replacement.  Even if Poe does stick around, A’Shawn Robinson would immediately compete with Allen Bailey and Jaye Howard for a starting spot at DE.  Robinson is one large individual up front who is known for his power, engulfing blockers at the point of attack, eating up space and regularly taking on multiple blockers.  Robinson’s strength is evident when he’s able to take linemen and toss them aside and then get penetration into the backfield.  Against Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl, Robinson was able to get his hands on RT Kodi Kieler and drive him into the backfield, then force RB outside, where he was dropped for a loss by an OLB.  Bills fans could get used to seeing that.  Robinson averaged just over 44 tackles a season over his three seasons in Tuscaloosa and managed 22 tackles for loss in his career.  He can absolutely dominate the point of attack when he stays low and fires off the ball quickly.  The problem is he will sometimes be the last to fire off the line and his pad level will get too high, making him susceptible to being driven back off the ball.  In the National Championship game, OG Eric Mac Lain repeatedly had leverage on Robinson and was able to drive him off the ball with ease.  Robinson also has a tendency to just lay on blocks, rather than use his hands to disengage.  He’s also not much of a pass rush threat, dropping the QB only 9 times in three seasons.  He’ll have to show he can collapse the pocket and pressure the QB to be a consistent three-down player.  Robinson played in just over 55% of Bama’s snaps, so he’ll have fresh legs, but he’s going to have to bring it on every play.  When he wants to play, he is nearly unblockable, but the problem is there’s just as much disappointing game film, so he’s a tough one to figure out.  With Robinson and Poe taking up blockers up front, expect big things from LB’s Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson and Dee Ford.

29.  Arizona Cardinals – Eli Apple, 6’0”, 199lbs, CB, Ohio State, Jr.

04/23/16:  Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

04/20/16:  Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

04/13/16:  Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

03/20/16:  Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Emmanuel Ogbah, DE/OLB, Oklahoma State

The Cardinals just missed out on the Super Bowl a season ago, but expectations are still high within the organization as they have a talented roster and one of the game’s best minds as head coach in Bruce Arians.  GM Steve Keim has been methodical in his approach to the offseason.  He re-signed RB Chris Johnson, TE Jermaine Gresham and DT Red Bryant, all of whom took less money to stay in Arizona.  Keim knew he needed another pass rusher, so he dealt a 2nd Round pick and OG Jonathan Cooper to the Patriots for Chandler Jones.  Then, he signed free agent Evan Mathis to fill the void left by Cooper.  Where will Arizona look with the 29th overall selection?  We do know the team has invested quite a bit into the offensive line.  The Cards brought in OT Jared Veldheer and OG Mike Iupati to man the left side of the line while OT D.J. Humphries was drafted a season ago and will step in at RT now that Bobby Massie is in Chicago.  The question remains what will happen at the Center position as Lyle Sendlein is a free agent and A.Q. Shipley does not look like the answer. I think adding Alabama’s Ryan Kelly would solidify the Cards’ offensive line if he fell this far.  Maybe the biggest turning point in Arizona’s season was when Tyrann Mathieu tore his knee in Week 15 against Philadelphia.  The Cardinals went from one of the better pass defenses in the league to giving up 287.5 passing yards per game in the playoffs, with only Green Bay giving up more yards.  Patrick Peterson locks down one side of the field and Mathieu would cover the slot, but the other side is still up in the air.  Apple flew under the radar as a prospect, but continued to get better and better as the year went on.  At the Combine, teams saw his 4.4 40 speed and even more important, a smooth athlete that can stop and start quickly, has fluid hips to open up and turn and run and has the ball skills to start at the next level.  He has the strength to jam WR’s at the line, drives well on the ball to close quickly and has the length to get a hand in to knock it away.  He does a good job staying close to his man down the field and can adjust to the ball when it’s in the air.  While Apple had 22 passes defended, but he needs to watch getting his hands on the WR too soon as he also had 4 holding penalties and was called for defensive pass interference 7 times in his Buckeye career.  Apple will come down in run support, but he’s just an average open-field tackler, struggling with broken tackles and can get dragged for extra yards.  I think he proved at the Combine that he belongs in the 1st Round as he showed he’s such a smooth athlete, but he needs to keep his hands off WR’s if he wants to excel at the next level.

30.  Carolina Panthers – Mackensie Alexander, 5’10”, 190lbs, CB, Clemson, Jr.

04/23/16:  Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

04/20/16:  Su’a Cravens, S, USC

04/13/16:  Su’a Cravens, S, USC

03/20/16:  William Jackson III, CB, Houston

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Jonathan Bullard, DL, Florida

The talk of the 2015 season was whether the Carolina Panthers would finish the season undefeated.  After 14 straight wins, they lost 20-13 to Atlanta in Week 16, the lone blemish on their otherwise perfect regular-season record.  League MVP Cam Newton was special, throwing for over 3,800 yards and accounting for 45 total TD.  Newton was also the team’s second-leading rusher with 636 yards on the ground.  Jonathan Stewart had his best season since 2009, but he’s now 28 years of age and has just two years remaining on his contract.  The Panthers need more from the RB’s behind Stewart to take some of the pressure off Newton.  When Stewart hurt his foot early in Super Bowl XL, the rest of the running game was a relative non-factor.  I could see this being a landing spot for Alabama’s Derrick Henry.  Also, Newton’s No. 1 wideout Kelvin Benjamin was out for the year, so TE Greg Olsen took over as the leading receiver, breaking the 1,000-yard mark on the season.  In a league where teams are going to multiple TE sets, I could easily see Carolina drafting the best TE in this year’s draft Hunter Henry of Arkansas if he’s around at this pick.  Adding Henry would take pressure off Olsen and would give Newton another target to which to throw.  Strong Safety Roman Harper’s contract was voided, leaving unproven Dean Marlowe, who is better suited for Free Safety, to take over.  Starting Free Safety Kurt Coleman had a career year in his first year in Carolina, picking off 7 passes in the regular season and had another 2 picks in the post season.  However, he’ll need help in the back end this season.  USC’s Su’a Cravens seems like a natural fit.  For as good as Carolina’s 6th-ranked defense was last year, the secondary suffered from a lack of CB depth in the postseason.    Robert McClain and Cortland Finnegan were brought in after the Panthers lost Charles “Peanut” Tillman and Bene Benwikere to injury; Finnegan is gone and Tillman may not be brought back. The bigger story is the fact that the Panthers rescinded the franchise tag on Josh Norman, which made him an unrestricted free agent.  We can project any number of directions Carolina could go with this pick, but replacing Norman has to be the top priority.  Alexander would immediately compete with Benwikere and Robert McClain for a starting spot.  Alexander was one of the best in the FBS a season ago, allowing only 29.6% completions on passes thrown in his direction.  He has fluid hips that allow him to be quick to change directions, can run stride for stride with his man and uses his length to his advantage when making a play on the football.  You have to like his awareness, reading the QB eyes and breaking of his man to get to a pass to a wideout underneath.  He reacts quickly and drives well on the play to arrive just as the ball does to make a play.  When he’s in the perimeter, he does a good job of putting his body in the right position to make a play on the ball.  Alexander is supremely confident and isn’t afraid to be on an island.  He had Oklahoma WR Sterling Shepard’s number in each of the last two seasons and let the former Sooner know all about it every step of the way.  Alexander has not allowed a TD in 21 straight games; the last TD he gave up was in the first game of his freshman season.  On the surface, Alexander looks the part of a 1st Round CB, but the fact that he hasn’t hauled in a single Int. in his two seasons with the Tigers is alarming.  He only broke up 11 passes in his career.  Did QB’s fear him that much?  There isn’t any game film that shows Alexander showing off the ball skills you would expect from a 1st Round CB.  I think for that, Alexander’s stock will drop.  His cover skills are there and he can take a WR out of the play.  He will just have to prove he can make plays when the opportunity presents itself.  

31.  Denver Broncos – Paxton Lynch, 6’7”, 245lbs, QB, Memphis, Jr.

04/23/16:  Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

04/20/16:  ​Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

04/13/16:  Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi

03/20/16:  ​Paxton Lynh, QB, Memphis

02/29/16 Post-Combine:  Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana

Bronco fans have to deal with life after Peyton Manning.  The Super Bowl Champs were able to give Manning the appropriate sendoff with a Lombardi Trophy in his final game.  How do you move on from Peyton Manning?  This situation is not like the Colts situation where Andrew Luck was waiting as the No. 1 overall pick.  Backup Brock Osweiler left for Houston, leaving the Broncos with Trevor Siemian as the only QB on the roster.  Denver did trade for Mark Sanchez to add a veteran presence, but he’s not the future at the position.  A deal for Colin Kaepernick was said to have been done as long as Kaep restructured his contract, but as it stands, both parties are too far apart.  If the deal ultimately gets done, you can rule out a QB for the defending champs.  The closer we get to the draft though, the more and more it seems likely that Kaepernick will be the starter for the 49ers in 2016.  Paxton Lynch is clearly the No. 3 QB on this year’s draft, but he could be off the board before Denver picks at No. 31.  There is still a chance he ends up here, but a more likely scenario would be for Denver to trade up into the draft to get Lynch.  I’ve seen some saying Denver will take Michigan State’s Connor Cook here.  If Cook is truly their guy, it would have to be in later rounds.  For much of the offseason, many expected this pick to be used on an OT, until Donald Stephenson and then Russell Okung signed to give Denver the much-needed bookend tackles.  OG Louis Vasquez was released, which means Cody Whitehair, this year’s Joel Bitonio, could be in play.  TE Owen Daniels was also released, leaving Virgil Green and Jeff Heuerman to man the TE position.  Could this be where Hunter Henry comes off the board?  He’d make a lot of sense and would give whoever is under center a legitimate receiving threat.  However, I think Denver looks at their defensive front, especially now that Malik Jackson signed a big-money deal with the Jaguars.  They already brought in former Texan Jared Crick, with whom Gary Kubiak and DC Wade Phillips are very familiar having coached him during their time with Houston, but depth is an absolute need.  Also, keep in mind NT Sylvester Williams is entering the final year of his contract, so 2016 may be his last in Denver.  Could this be where the troubled Robert Nkemdiche falls?  His off-field issues are well-documented, having fallen out of a second-story window of an Atlanta hotel, which ultimately got him a marijuana charge against him.  Denver has shown they won’t let off-field troubles necessarily deter them from taking a top prospect in the 1st Round.  Just last season, Denver selected Shane Ray with the 26th overall pick despite testing positive for marijuana just days before the Draft.  Don’t forget Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller was suspended six games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy in 2013.  If there’s an organization that can manage these situations, it’s Denver, as neither Miller nor Ray has had an issue since their positive tests.  Look, Denver won’t come into the season with Mark Sanchez as the only viable option at QB.  I think the Broncos and John Elway will do what it takes to get Lynch.  Paxton Lynch was already on everyone’s radar as a QB to keep an eye on in 2015 after he made a major step forward his Sophomore season with the Tigers.  Nobody was really talking about him on the national level until week 7 when Memphis knocked off Ole Miss 37-24 behind Lynch, who threw for 384 yards on 39-53 passing with 3 TD and just one 1 Int.  What you immediately notice when you study tape of Paxton Lynch is just how well he moves for a guy his size.  While he’s 6’7”, he moves like a guy who is four or five inches shorter.  Lynch is able to manipulate the pocket, buying time by sidestepping the rush or climbing the pocket.  He can avoid the rush by getting outside the pocket, where he can do damage both as a passer and as a runner.  Lynch keeps his eyes down the field while rolling out and does a good job squaring his shoulders to the target and getting his hips around to throw an accurate ball with velocity on the run.  If he doesn’t have a throw, Lynch isn’t afraid to pull it down as he has surprising quickness on the outside.  He ran Lynch is primarily a shotgun QB, so the transition to playing under center will be a bit of a transition, but he looked comfortable in his drops at the Combine.  His release is quick and doesn’t have any wasted movement.  Unlike some QB’s in this year’s draft, there are no concerns about Lynch’s arm as there isn’t a throw he can’t make.  You saw him routinely throw the ball across the field from the hash to the opposite sideline outside the numbers.  He’s able to anticipate throws and hit WR’s in a tight window, placing the ball where the WR can make a play.  I also like that Lynch can change the speeds of his passes, not everything is a fastball.  He has the touch required to place a ball over the LB and in front of the safety.  He also has the touch to place the ball outside and away from the defender on back shoulder throws.  Lynch proved to be very accurate, completing 66.8% of his passes.  He also threw 28 TD passes compared to just 4 Int.  His 7 TD in the first half of the Tigers’ rout of SMU tied an FBS record for most TD’s thrown in any half.  Lynch’s pocket presence and escapability was clearly a strength as he was sacked just 17 times last season.  There’s no question Lynch has talent but he’s raw.  A former wing-T QB in high school, The Memphis offense was simplified to give him confidence.  The goal of the  offense was to get the ball into the hands of the playmakers, so many of his throws were in the short-to-intermediate range to then allow his WR’s get up field; you didn’t see him pushing the ball down the field with any regularity.   When he’s given a clean pocket, he can take you apart.  But he had trouble against pressure, which was definitely on display against Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl.  Ball placement was off, throws were rushed and he was never able to find a rhythm.  As a result, Lynch completed just 16-of-37 passes for 106 yards with no TD and 1 Int., and that was coming from a guy that had a streak of eight consecutive games with 300+ yards.  Lynch also gets into trouble when he doesn’t set his feet.  When pressure is in his face, Lynch has a tendency to retreat and throw off his back foot, which often causes errant throws.  Passes will also sail when he’s on the move and he either doesn’t get his hips around or he doesn’t get his feet set before making the throw.  Off of a play fake, Lynch would fade away from his target, meaning his throw would come up short, forcing his WR’s to adjust to the ball to make a play.  He can’t just rely on his arm strength at the next level, so consistent footwork has to be an area of focus going forward.  If the Broncos want to take a step forward for the future, adding a QB will be a major step and Lynch may have the highest ceiling of them all.