Rivals 2016 Mock Draft 5.0
The NFL Draft kicks off tonight in Chicago. After the All-Star games, combine and pre-draft trades, here are Rivals' best guess as to how the first round will shake out.
No. 1 Los Angeles Rams
Farrell: QB Jared Goff, Cal
Very few quarterbacks pan out after teams trade up for them. All signs point to the Rams taking the California native here. Goff could be the exception to the rule, but it’s a risky move giving up so much.
Gorney: QB Jared Goff, Cal
The Rams traded a bunch of draft picks for this opportunity and here it is –- Goff is going to Los Angeles and maybe it finally has a franchise quarterback. That’s the good news. The bad news is the Rams need a whole lot more, too.
No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles
Farrell: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
As risky as it is for the Rams to trade up for Goff, it’s even more risky for the Eagles. Wentz is clearly the choice unless the Rams surprise and take him first, but either way Philly is trading up for a quarterback and neither appear to be franchise-level guys. Wentz’s FCS experience worries me.
Gorney: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
The Eagles are in the same boat as the Rams. They dealt a bunch of draft picks to move all the way up to the second pick and Wentz will be the selection. He played FCS football and not a ton of it, either. The sample size isn’t great. But Philadelphia fans are considerate and patient, so Wentz will be given time. Right?
No. 3 San Diego Chargers
Farrell: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
There are rumors Tunsil will slide and Ronnie Stanley could be the first tackle off the board but I can’t believe the Chargers will pass on the guy who was initially the No. 1 pick in the draft when the Titans held the pick.
Gorney: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
It seems like a lot of steam is picking up for Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner with this pick, but the Chargers could use offensive line help, too, and Tunsil falling to No. 3 is a steal. San Diego takes the former five-star and figures out its defensive issues later.
No. 4 Dallas Cowboys
Farrell: DB Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
There has been talk of Ezekiel Elliott here and that wouldn’t be a bad pick at all, but Ramsey is a potentially elite defensive back either at cornerback or safety and the Cowboys have a great need at the position.
Gorney: DB Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
The Cowboys need some answers at cornerback especially. There’s no guarantee Ramsey is a straight corner, but he has off-the-charts athleticism and he’s the best fit for this pick.
No. 5 Jacksonville Jaguars
Farrell: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State
Myles Jack would be the pick here and fill a big need but the recent rumors about his knee injury potentially shortening his career could scare the Jags into the safer pick.
Gorney: LB Myles Jack, UCLA
I could definitely see Bosa or Buckner come off the board here, but Jacksonville is going to take a big gamble and go with the former UCLA star even though there are some concerns about his knee. Jack is just too good and fills too many needs to pass up.
No. 6 Baltimore Ravens
Farrell: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
The Ravens need help on the offensive line as well as on defense and would love to see Tunsil slide down here to No. 6, but I can’t see that happening. If it does, they will jump on Tunsil or take a risk on Stanley, who is much less physical.
Gorney: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State
If Bosa is here, the Ravens don’t pass on him. Baltimore has some talented defensive linemen, but they’re getting up in age and the Ohio State standout should be a perfect fit for their defense. Some consider Bosa a top-five pick and he might be gone by now, but if not, the Ravens scoop him up.
No. 7 San Francisco 49ers
Farrell: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon
Jack is another guy the 49ers covet, but he slides out of injury concerns and they go on the next best elite pass rusher in Bucker. Buckner is a freaky athlete, but also a high risk pick with a big bust factor.
Gorney: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
No doubt the 49ers could use a pass rusher and Buckner is still available, so that could very well happen. But San Francisco also needs a right tackle and Stanley is clearly the second-best option after Tunsil. If the 49ers don’t go with the best defensive end available, they’ll take Stanley off the board.
No. 8 Cleveland Browns
Farrell: LB Myles Jack, UCLA
Jack’s slide, a minor one, ends here as he will be too tempting for the Browns to pass on. They’d be tempted to take Elliott and don’t be stunned if they trade down or reach on Paxton Lynch, but with the two defensive ends and tackles they covet gone, Jack is the pick.
Gorney: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon
I simply cannot comprehend the Browns taking Michigan State offensive tackle Jack Conklin this high, but it is Cleveland so anything can happen. I could be naïve, but I’ll give the Browns the benefit of the doubt as they take the best defensive end left and that’s Buckner.
No. 9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Farrell: CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida
The Buccaneers need a cornerback and Hargreaves is a local guy who is coveted by many franchises. While he’s a potential bust, I don’t think he gets out of the top 10 and Tampa Bay jumps on him.
Gorney: CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida
Tampa Bay helped itself in the offseason getting Brent Grimes on a two-year deal and that should be a smooth transition as long as his wife, Miko, stays off Twitter, but more help is needed. Hargreaves might be the best pure cornerback in this draft and the Buccaneers don’t mess around here.
No. 10 New York Giants
Farrell: RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
I figured the Giants to go linebacker here, but if Elliott falls down to No. 10, I can’t see any way they can resist. He’s clearly the top running back in the draft and it’s a huge position of need.
Gorney: OLB Leonard Floyd, Georgia
There are so many possibilities here that make sense, but one number sticks out to me when thinking about what the Giants will do: 420.3. That’s how many yards New York gave up per game last season and that needs to be fixed. Floyd is a versatile playmaker and that’s what the Giants need.
No. 11 Chicago Bears
Farrell: LB Leonard Floyd, Georgia
The Bears need an outside pass rusher and Floyd fits the bill and is long in coverage as well. They could go defensive tackle or a bigger end who can hold the edge against the run, but Floyd's athleticism and pass rushing ability will be hard to pass on.
Gorney: DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson
Both lines need major help, maybe major overhauls, and the best player available here is Lawson, who lived in ACC backfields last season. Maybe the Bears stretch on Conklin or another offensive tackle, but Lawson could be an absolute steal this low in the draft and could be a stellar pick here.
No. 12 New Orleans Saints
Farrell: DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson
With so many defensive needs, the Saints want either an elite inside guy or an edge rusher. Lawson was supposed to be gone by now as many pegged him to the Giants but with so much shuffling in the top 10, he slides down here.
Gorney: DT Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
This is a huge wild card here. New Orleans needs help at all levels of its defense and now there are rumors they could go for a quarterback, presumably Paxton Lynch, but I can’t believe it yet. Rankins at least helps along the defensive line, gets into the backfield regularly and is the best defensive player left.
No. 13 Miami Dolphins
Farrell: CB Eli Apple, Ohio State
The Dolphins want a cornerback and there are plenty of good ones in this draft. Apple has the size and straight-line speed as well as the ball skills they covet.
Gorney: RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
Cornerback is a huge issue, but with Ramsey and Hargreaves off the board there’s no way the Dolphins can pass on Elliott for a slightly above-average corner. Miami needs the most help at corner, but running back is also an issue and the front office should be popping champagne if Elliott is still available.
No. 14 Oakland Raiders
Farrell: OT Jack Conklin, Michigan State
The Raiders were hoping one of the elite corners in this draft would slide to them but they don’t mind taking a mauler at tackle. There had been talk of Conklin going in the top 10, so landing him at No. 14 will make the Raiders happy.
Gorney: CB Eli Apple, Ohio State
Free agency worked well for the Raiders as they addressed issues across their defense, but more is needed. Apple is an aggressive, physical cornerback who could provide great depth in the secondary. I don’t care if he can’t cook like one anonymous NFL scout said this week. Apple is good enough to go this high.
No. 15 Tennessee Titans
Farrell: OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State
Trading down makes Tunsil obviously unrealistic, but there are some talented tackles here in the middle of round one. The Colts had targeted Decker, but the Titans swoop in and hope Decker surprises and pans out as well as Tunsil would have.
Gorney: OT Jack Conklin, Michigan State
The Titans traded the No. 1 spot for a bunch of other picks later in the draft and Tennessee fans should be thrilled because they’re still getting an outstanding offensive tackle to protect QB Marcus Mariota. Maybe it’s not Tunsil, but Conklin is very talented and should be the pick if he’s still available.
No. 16 Detroit Lions
Farrell: DT Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
There are plenty of needs for the Lions, but more on defense. It would be tempting to go with another rush end, but an inside guy like Rankins will help Ziggy Ansah even more.
Gorney: OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State
There is a lot of talk about going with one of the outstanding defensive linemen in this draft or possibly a top defensive back, but offensive line is also an issue and Decker is a great pick here. He’s versatile and athletic so he can move around to fill needed spots. I could definitely see a defensive lineman picked here, too.
No. 17 Atlanta Falcons
Farrell: LB Darron Lee, Ohio State
Leonard Floyd would have been nice here as a local guy who can rush the passer, but a more natural linebacker who can cover more ground is needed so it’s either Lee or the only elite first round middle linebacker in Reggie Ragland. It’s Lee.
Gorney: LB Darron Lee, Ohio State
The Falcons were the worst team in the NFL in sacks last season, so a defensive lineman could also be the pick here to get a more robust pass rush. But the Falcons also need to upgrade their speed at linebacker and there’s no better pick here than Lee, who can run all over the field to make plays.
No. 18 Indianapolis Colts
Farrell: C Ryan Kelly, Alabama
The Colts need help on the offensive line badly and they love Kelly, who could be for Andrew Luck what Jeff Saturday was to Peyton Manning. You can’t go wrong with an early pick on a guy Nick Saban loves and it’s doubtful that they will go for any other position beyond offensive line.
Gorney: C Ryan Kelly, Alabama
The Colts need to better protect Luck. That is Goal No. 1 and Kelly has been moving up a lot of draft boards. With a bunch of the best offensive tackles already gone, Indianapolis bulks up the interior offensive line with Kelly.
No. 19 Buffalo Bills
Farrell: DT Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
I’m sticking with this one from beginning to end even though it’s one of the top two or three most risky picks in the draft. The Ryan brothers are a bit out there and like to take chances and Nkemdiche is too tempting.
Gorney: DT Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
I’m back to believing the Bills majorly roll the dice here and take a chance on Nkemdiche. There have been some rumors he’s moving into the first round and this selection makes a lot of sense. When Nkemdiche wants to dominate, there aren’t many people who can stop him.
No. 20 New York Jets
Farrell: QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis
The quarterback situation is a mess long-term in New York and Lynch likely won’t fall past this pick if he’s still on the board. There are safer picks for sure, especially on defense, but Lynch could end up better than Goff or Wentz in the long run.
Gorney: QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis
The Ryan Fitzpatrick situation with the Jets is worrisome, so the Jets win two-fold here: They have Fitzpatrick’s replacement in place, they have a back-up option if the Fitzpatrick negotiations collapse. Everybody is talking about how much “upside” Lynch has for the long term.
No. 21 Washington Redskins
Farrell: DT A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama
Robinson is the best defensive tackle in the draft despite questions about his motor and the Redskins are very happy he’s fallen here. They need help from a pure run stuffer and Robinson can do that and push the pocket as well.
Gorney: DT A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama
I definitely think this is an Alabama defensive tackle pick here. I’m going with Robinson because he has the higher ceiling and he could be a freak show in the NFL, but teammate Jarran Reed makes a lot of sense, too. The thing is both might be off the board by this point but probably one or the other will be available.
No. 22 Houston Texans
Farrell: WR Will Fuller, Notre Dame
I had the Texans taking Lynch before they signed Brock Osweiler and now they need to add some weapons for him. Fuller showed off his speed at the combine and they hope his inconsistent hands become steady as an option opposite DeAndre Hopkins.
Gorney: WR Corey Coleman, Baylor
Houston added Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller and now the Texans are going to draft a wide receiver with blazing speed. I thought it could be TCU’s Josh Doctson or Notre Dame’s Will Fuller, but I’m going to go with Coleman. He has the speed, hands and everything else to complement Hopkins.
No. 23 Minnesota Vikings
Farrell: WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss
With Fuller gone and the Vikings in need of a bigger receiver, it’s either Treadwell or Michael Thomas. The consensus No. 1 receiver in the draft at one point and a possible Top 10 pick before he ran poorly at his pro day, this is a great landing spot for Treadwell.
Gorney: WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss
Treadwell might not be the first receiver taken in the draft and that’s a crime because he’s the best one. He might not run 40 yards faster than anybody else but he’s exactly the kind of receiver that would work with Teddy Bridgewater throwing the ball. The Vikings make out big here.
No. 24 Cincinnati Bengals
Farrell: WR Corey Coleman, Baylor
AJ Green needs some help and a speedy slot receiver is just what the doctor ordered. This will give Andy Dalton a ton of weapons between Green, Tyler Eifert and now the shifty Coleman and put a lot of pressure on divisional defensive backs.
Gorney: WR Josh Doctson, TCU
The run at receiver continues. And the Bengals could be getting the best mix of speed and pass-catching ability in the draft. Doctson was phenomenal at TCU, has great hands and adds another big piece to stretch the field for the Bengals. Fuller makes sense, too, but Doctson has more-consistent hands.
No. 25 Pittsburgh Steelers
Farrell: CB Artie Burns, Miami (Fla.)
Everyone knows the Steelers need secondary help and this is a deep draft for cornerbacks. Burns has length and great ball skills and while he’s not as physical as they like at corner, he’s too talented to pass up here. This could be the steal of the draft.
Gorney: CB William Jackson III, Houston
I fully expect Pittsburgh to take a cornerback here and the best one left is Jackson, who got tested at Houston last season and really came through. I could buy Burns, too, but I don’t think he’s nearly as prepared or competent at the position. Jackson gets taken here and could also be a steal.
No. 26 Seattle Seahawks
Farrell: DE Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State
Ogbah fits the bill as an outside pass rusher for the Seahawks with great quickness off the edge and he is strong enough to play the run. His playing style fits what the Seahawks and Pete Carroll like. He's well-rounded despite not being very long. The Seahawks covet speed on defense and he can run.
Gorney: DT Jarran Reed, Alabama
It seems like the Seahawks could go in a lot of directions here whether it’s along the offensive line, along the defensive line or something in the secondary. So I’m going with the best defensive tackle left on the board, Seattle loads up with a big body in the middle and takes Reed.
No. 27 Green Bay Packers
Farrell: LB Reggie Ragland, Alabama
Things couldn’t have worked out better for the Packers with Ragland falling this far. This allows them to move Clay Matthews back outside and shore up a huge need on their defense. A defensive tackle would be tempting as well, but Ragland is the perfect fit.
Gorney: LB Reggie Ragland, Alabama
Ragland could end up being one of the biggest steals in this draft and could be a productive, versatile linebacker for years to come. Green Bay cannot believe its good luck by Ragland falling this far because he could be one of the top dozen picks.
No. 28 Kansas City Chiefs
Farrell: DE Kevin Dodd, Clemson
I had the Chiefs going with physical guard Cody Whitehair here but I also had Dodd going in the top 20 picks. If Dodd slides, the Chiefs will jump on him as he can help Justin Houston as an outside pass rusher.
Gorney: WR Will Fuller, Notre Dame
This is another spot where a lot could happen so I’m making a little bit of a guess. Defensive line could be the pick or cornerback seems like a trendy idea, but I just don’t like Burns this high. Offensive line might also be the selection, but Fuller provides a lot at receiver.
No. 29 Arizona Cardinals
Farrell: S Keanu Neal, Florida
Once again the Cardinals look for secondary help to shore up an already strong unit and add a guy who can come up and hit and make up for a lack of size elsewhere at defensive back.
Gorney: DE Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
The Cardinals have a few interesting options here. They could go with a defensive back whether at corner or safety, but my guess is it’s someone to help in their edge pass rushing. Who to take? Dodd would definitely be an option, but if Arizona believes Spence’s off-the-field issues are behind him then he’s the better player.
No. 30 Carolina Panthers
Farrell: CB William Jackson III, Houston
Josh Norman is gone and William Jackson III is now a high priority. I had Derrick Henry here for a long time and would still be intrigued to see him in the same backfield as Cam Newton, but need is need and a corner is now a need.
Gorney: DE Kevin Dodd, Clemson
The Panthers need a cornerback to replace Norman, but do they go on Mackensie Alexander or Burns here? That’s definitely a possibility. Another option is to get an elite pass rusher like Dodd who could rush the quarterback and make him misfire. Landing a cornerback later might be better.
No. 31 Denver Broncos
Farrell: QB Connor Cook, Michigan State
The quarterback position is a disaster in Denver and the Broncos could trade up to get Lynch, but if they don’t, I wouldn’t be shocked if they took a shot on Cook. He has the talent, but does he have the attitude?
Gorney: S Vonn Bell, Ohio State
The Broncos need a quarterback so that needs to be addressed, but taking one after Goff, Wentz or Lynch seems like a real stretch. A defensive lineman could be the pick and there are plenty of good ones but Bell is a fantastic talent on the back end who can make plays. But, seriously, what are the Broncos going to do at quarterback?