Rivals 2016 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

The NFL Scouting Combine is finished, and a tremendous amount of new insight and information leading up to the NFL Draft in April is now available. With Pro Days forthcoming, Rivals.com is releasing its next mock draft. Here is a breakdown of each pick by Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney.

Previous: Rivals Mock Draft 1.0

Farrell: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss

I still think the Titans should trade down and add some picks here, but Tunsil showed in his workout despite short arms that he’s an elite talent and can be the blindside protector for Marcus Mariota.

Previous: Tunsil

Gorney: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss

Tunsil was clearly the best offensive tackle at the combine during workouts even though he didn’t run a pointless 40-yard dash. Mariota needs protection and Tunsil, the former five-star who played at Ole Miss, will be the pick

Previous: Tunsil

Farrell: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State

It’s either Wentz or Jared Goff here for the Browns and after Wentz had a better combine, the Browns will become enamored with him a bit more and curse his career by drafting him.

Previous: Jared Goff, Cal

Gorney: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State

I feel Goff is the more prepared NFL quarterback with the better skill set but unreal hand-size concerns might make the former four-star from Cal slip out of this pick for an unproven quarterback from North Dakota State. What else to expect from the Browns?

Previous: Jared Goff, Cal

Farrell: DB Jalen Ramsey, Florida State

Ramsey’s combine performance was off the charts while Joey Bosa struggled a bit and didn’t wow as much as expected. The Chargers have bigger needs, but Ramsey could play corner or safety and is too elite for them to pass up.

Previous: Joey Bosa, Ohio State

Gorney: DB Jalen Ramsey, Florida State

Ramsey blew away everybody with his combine showing and he’s become the best player available with the third pick. The Chargers have needs almost everywhere, so Ramsey can help at either defensive back spot.

Previous: Joey Bosa, Ohio State

Farrell: QB Jared Goff, Cal

The Cowboys said they likely won’t take a quarterback at No. 4 even though Tony Romo is long in the tooth and they have few other options. They jump on Goff if he falls to them at No. 4. He’s the elite quarterback in this class.

Previous: Jalen Ramsey, Florida State

Gorney: LB Myles Jack, UCLA

Dallas owner Jerry Jones said he won’t take a quarterback with this pick, which might be a mistake, but we believe him. There is a lot of talk that Jack, a former four-star from UCLA, has emerged on a lot of draft boards because people realize he’s incredibly talented and can play right away.

Previous: QB Carson Wentz

Farrell: CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida

The Jags would prefer Ramsey here, but unless they trade up, he’s gone so they will take the next elite corner to shore up that defense. Top five is too high for Hargreaves, but Jacksonville needs help, he’s a local and he does have great instincts.

Previous: Harvgreaves

Gorney: CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida

With Ramsey off the board, Hargreaves fills the need at cornerback for the Jaguars. They could be taking a gamble with him but sometimes teams drafting this high have to take a shot and hope they win. Hargreaves has tremendous instincts and he’s a playmaker so it could be big-time help.

Previous: Jalen Ramsey

Farrell: OL Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame

A linebacker would be tempting here but the Ravens need offensive line help and after Stanley there is a big drop off in talent.

Previous: Stanley

Gorney: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon

Buckner is a physical freak who is long, athletic and physical enough to jump Joey Bosa and be the first defensive end taken. Offensive line help is also needed but with someone so special as Buckner who impressed at the combine, he’ll be the pick here.

Previous: Buckner

Farrell: LB Myles Jack, UCLA

Bosa will be tempting here as the 49ers have a ton of needs, but Jack is still my choice. He didn’t do much at the combine, of course, but he’s clearly the top linebacker on the board and a difference-maker.

Previous: Jack

Gorney: QB Jared Goff, California

The Cowboys passing on Goff actually does him a favor. With the 49ers, Goff is a local kid who has a good feel for what coach Chip Kelly’s offense is all about. Kelly dealt with beyond average quarterbacks in Philadelphia and drafting Goff here will feel like a steal

Previous: Jack

Farrell: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State

Bosa falls to the team that took his father as a first-rounder all those years ago, full circle type of thing. The Dolphins can’t afford to pass on a guy this talented who was supposed to be off the board.

Previous: Mackensie Alexander

Gorney: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame

Stanley might not fall this far depending on needs of others earlier who could use a phenomenal offensive tackle. But if the four-star from Notre Dame does dip to this level, the Dolphins can always use more assistance in keeping QB Ryan Tannehill upright.

Previous: Stanley

Farrell: DE Deforest Buckner, Oregon

The Bucs need a rush end and Buckner is a freak, even more of a freak after the combine that we thought. They didn’t expect him to be here and would have been fine with Bosa if the Dolphins decided on Buckner.

Previous: Buckner

Gorney: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State

Either way, the Buccaneers win here. If Buckner is still available, they take him. If he’s not, Bosa is the pick because he’s a bull who loves being physical and getting after the quarterback. If both are gone, Tampa Bay is back to square one, but it is not far from that anyway.

Previous: Vernon Hargreaves

Farrell: DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson

Three defensive ends in a row and this pick hasn’t changed at all for me. Lawson is a guy who could push up into the top five depending on how much a team covets him. With Bosa average at the combine and Buckner now as physical as Lawson, the Giants love Lawson and hope he slips down to them.

Previous: Lawson

Gorney: DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson

So much discussion centers around Buckner and Bosa and rightfully so because they’re so talented, but Lawson dominated at Clemson and it just feels like he can be a superstar in the NFL. If he’s available here, the Giants should take him and be happy with their first-round steal.

Previous: Lawson

Farrell: DT A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama

With Jaylon Smith falling out of round one due to delayed recovery from his injury, Darron Lee would be tempting but is still a bit high here. Much to the dismay of the Saints, the Bears add to the middle of its defense with an elite defensive tackle even though he didn’t wow at the combine

Previous: Jaylon Smith

Gorney: LB Reggie Ragland, Alabama

Smith falling because of injuries doesn’t change the fact the Bears need a playmaking linebacker. The next best option – and it’s a good one - is Ragland, who is a sideline-to-sideline playmaker. The four-star led Alabama with 102 tackles and he could shoot up the board with Smith falling.

Previous: Jaylon Smith

Farrell: LB Leonard Floyd, Georgia

The Saints are bummed that Robinson is gone here and there are other solid defensive tackle options for sure, but they change direction and decide an outside pass rusher is needed and go on Floyd who could be a terror off the edge. Kevin Dodd is also tempting here.

Previous: A'Shawn Robinson

Gorney: DT Sheldon Rankins, Louisville

The Saints are looking for interior defensive line help and there’s no hotter name heading into the draft than Rankins, who excelled at the Senior Bowl and the combine and is quickly moving up the board. He has the speed and the power to warrant being taken this high.

Previous: Mackensie Alexander

Farrell: OT Jack Conklin, Michigan State

The Eagles signed Sam Bradford for two more years, Wentz and Goff are off the board, and they need an offensive lineman. Conklin really raised his stock at the combine, showing more athleticism and explosion than expected, and will be the fit here.

Previous: Carson Wentz

Gorney: OT Jack Conklin, Michigan State

To be completely honest, I didn’t believe in Conklin as much as others heading into the combine and thought he could slip with a poor performance or it would be made clear he’s an interior guy. Conklin proved me wrong and looked great in Indianapolis. The Eagles need an offensive tackle, so he’s the pick.

Previous: Taylor Decker

Farrell: CB Eli Apple, Ohio State

Farrell’s Take: They could also go on Mackensie Alexander here as they need a cornerback badly, but Apple has the length and ran well enough to be the choice. I still think Elliott would have been a great complement to Derek Carr and Amani Cooper, but corner is too good in this class to pass up.

Previous: Ezekiel Elliott

Gorney: CB Mackensie Alexander, Clemson

The Raiders are coming together as a franchise, but cornerback remains an issue. Apple could easily be the pick here, but Alexander is really talented and could be special, so Oakland takes a little bit of a shot here and goes with the former four-star from Clemson.

Previous: Kendall Fuller

Farrell: WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss

The quarterback situation with the Rams is awful so I thought they might reach on Paxton Lynch, but Treadwell showed off elite skills despite not running the 40 and pushed his stock up into the top 15. The Rams will hope to find a quarterback later, but can’t pass up on Treadwell.

Previous: Paxton Lynch

Gorney: QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis

There is real justification for taking a receiver here but the Rams are so desperately in need of quarterback help that Lynch makes sense. He could be a franchise guy long-term and the former three-star from Memphis has shown off tremendous ability time and again. It could be a receiver, but Los Angeles finds real value in Lynch.

Previous: Michael Thomas

Farrell: RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State

The Lions covet a few defensive tackles and are tempted to take an offensive tackle, but with Elliott falling past the Raiders I think they jump on him to improve their run game. I still think Rankins would be a better call here based on needs.

Previous: Sheldon Rankins

Gorney: DT A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama

Good luck has found Detroit. The Lions take Robinson here because he’s one of the most talented players in the draft that’s filled with outstanding defensive linemen. The five-star from Alabama falls a little on draft boards because he didn’t blow away unreal expectations in Indianapolis but could really provide immediate help to the Lions’ front.

Previous: Robert Nkemdiche

Farrell: LB Darron Lee, Ohio State

An outside guy was what was needed and Lee boosted his stock up so much after the combine that the Falcons feel comfortable taking him here. Before the combine, they would have settled for an inside linebacker, but now Lee can be that guy who covers a ton of space and can help in intermediate coverage.

Previous: Reggie Ragland

Gorney: LB Leonard Floyd, Georgia

The Falcons are looking for a playmaking linebacker and Floyd fits that role as someone who could move down into the box or play sideline-to-sideline to make stops. The four-star from Georgia might be a perfect fit in Atlanta’s defense.

Previous: Reggie Ragland

Farrell: OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State

Nothing has changed here as the Colts want an offensive lineman after the beating Andrew Luck has taken and Decker fits the bill. Conklin would be the pick if he fell this far but after his combine that’s unlikely.

Previous: Decker

Gorney: OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State

I essentially had Conklin and Decker flipped in the first mock draft but after the combine this seems to make more sense. Conklin proved himself so Decker slips just a little bit but Indianapolis still takes him because they need help and depth to protect QB Andrew Luck. Decker makes a whole lot of sense here.

Previous: Jack Conklin

Farrell: DT Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss

I still think Rex Ryan will gamble here and hope Nkemdiche isn’t the bust many project him to be. The smarter pick would be an offensive tackle, but this is a bit high based on what’s left, or a defensive end, so Kevin Dodd could be the guy. Or perhaps Rex will gamble on another potential bust in Noah Spence - who knows?

Previous: Nkemdiche

Gorney: DT Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss

There are still question marks about Nkemdiche’s uneven play last season and the “hotel incident,” but coach Rex Ryan likes a controversy and he could be getting a steal in the former No. 1 overall player out of high school. When Nkemdiche wants to dominate, he has that ability and Ryan takes him here, convinced he can get it out of him.

Previous: Noah Spence

Farrell: DL Kevin Dodd, Clemson

Evan after a weak combine there seem to be some enamored with Noah Spence at this pick, but Dodd is a safer take to add more outside pressure from a great defensive line. Elliott would have been a nice pick if he fell this far as well.

Previous: Leonard Floyd

Gorney: RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State

If Elliott falls this far – and that’s no guarantee since he had such a nice combine – I still think the Jets take the former four-star from Ohio State. Elliott is perfect for the offense and they need a franchise running back. That could easily be Elliott in this spot.

Previous: Elliott

Farrell: DT Sheldon Rankins, Louisville

With Robinson and Nkemdiche gone, the Redskins also expected Rankins to be gone so they are more than happy to gobble him up here. Help is needed in the middle on defense and, luckily for the Redskins, this is a deep draft at that position.

Previous: Jarran Reed

Gorney: DT Jarran Reed, Alabama

The Redskins are looking for interior defensive line help and Reed is the best of the bunch left. Over the long term he could be even better because he not only takes up a ton of space but he’s active, pursues well and is productive. This is a loaded defensive line group and the former three-star from Alabama is a good one.

Previous: A’Shawn Robinson

Farrell: QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis

The Texans need quarterback help badly and you know it will be tempting for Bill O’Brien to push for his former Penn State signal-caller Christian Hackenberg here, but he will be shot down by everyone else in the room. Lynch makes perfect sense here as a project who could be the best quarterback in this draft long-term, his ceiling is that high.

Previous: Noah Spence

Gorney: WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss

Houston would love a quarterback here but I think the top three of Wentz, Goff and Lynch are gone by now and no one else makes sense in the first round. That leaves the option of Treadwell, the five-star receiver from Ole Miss. Picture an offense with DeAndre Hopkins on one side and Treadwell on the other. Any quarterback would look good in that situation.

Previous: Paxton Lynch

Farrell: DT Andrew Billings, Baylor

The Vikings really wanted Conklin or Decker to fall here I think and will be tempted to take Will Fuller or Corey Coleman, but they already have that guy in Stefon Diggs. So in a deep draft at defensive tackle they go on Billings who was more athletic and not as stiff as expected at the combine.

Previous: Jack Conklin

Gorney: OT Jason Spriggs, Indiana

This could be a shot in the dark but Spriggs really helped himself with his combine performance and could shoot up this high. The Vikings need offensive line help to protect QB Teddy Bridgewater and Spriggs is athletic and tough. Sure, this could be a little high for him, but I’m taking a shot with this pick.

Previous: Cody Whitehair

Farrell: WR Will Fuller, Notre Dame

The Bengals were hoping Treadwell would slide this far down but after his combine performance that wasn’t going to happen, so it’s a choice between Fuller, who ran that insane 4.32 but has suspect hands, or Coleman, who didn’t run but is a matchup nightmare in the slot. They opt for Fuller.

Previous: Laquon Treadwell

Gorney: WR Josh Doctson, TCU

There’s one other wide receiver option here and it’s Doctson, who also looked great at the combine and has phenomenal hands. Fuller might run a little faster but Doctson, a former three-star from TCU, has proven to be more reliable. Really, any way the Bengals look at it they can’t lose with Fuller, Doctson or Coleman.

Previous: Corey Coleman

Farrell: CB Mackensie Alexander, Clemson

Eli Apple would have been the pick if he fell this far but Alexander is not a bad consolation prize for a team that needs secondary help badly. His swagger will fit in nicely with the Steelers mentality.

Previous: Kendall Fuller

Gorney: CB Eli Apple, Ohio State

By now, Alexander is off the board and Apple remains the best option at cornerback. Those two might flip-flop since Apple did so well at the combine but Iupon further analysis, Alexander is the overall better corner. Apple, a four-star from Ohio State, is longer and maybe more physical, so he’s still a great pick here.

Previous: Apple

Farrell: DE Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State

An outside pass rusher would be preferred but they are not taking a chance on Spence and with Ogbah having such a great combine and being available here, they will jump on him to help things out.

Previous: Andrew Billings

Gorney: DL Kevin Dodd, Clemson

Ogbah helped himself at the combine but Dodd is still the superior prospect who helped his draft status late in the season. The former four-star from Clemson has all the tools needed to help shore up Seattle’s front, and if he’s still on the board it would be a steal.

Previous: Sheldon Rankins

Farrell: LB Reggie Ragland, Alabama

The Packers didn’t expect Ragland to be here this late and they would love to have an inside guy to free up Clay Matthews. Not only are they getting an inside guy, they are getting an elite one at that.

Previous: Kenny Clark

Gorney: DT Andrew Billings, Baylor

Another defensive lineman and another player who could have a tremendous career. Billings was so impressive at the combine and showed he has athleticism and versatility to make an impact right away. The Packers probably go defense, so the former four-star from Baylor makes a ton of sense.

Previous: Laquon Treadwell

Farrell: OG Cody Whitehair, Kansas State

It was either going to be defensive line or offensive line for the Chiefs even though a receiver like Josh Doctson or Coleman could be tempting. They go with the mauler in the middle.

Previous: Kevin Dodd

Gorney: WR Will Fuller, Notre Dame

Offensive line definitely makes sense, but I could see the Chiefs loading up at receiver, too, and with what Fuller did at the combine in the 40-yard dash, speed is the answer here. The former four-star from Notre Dame is another option at receiver who can stretch the field and open up the offense even more.

Previous: Jason Spriggs

Farrell: DB Keanu Neal, Florida

The Cardinals need a safety and Neal’s stock is rising. He’s a hitter and will complement Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu very well.

Previous: Cody Whitehair

Gorney: DE Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky

Spence could fall right out of the first round because he wasn’t great at the combine and there are definite off-the-field concerns but he’s too talented a player to slide so far. The Cardinals take him as an edge rush threat who is fast, athletic and wants to prove he deserves a spot in the NFL. It could turn out to be one of the draft’s best picks.

Previous: Jarran Reed

Farrell: RB Derrick Henry, Alabama

The offensive tackle position needs some help, but how do you pass on an offensive weapon like Henry to replace Jonathan Stewart, who is headed toward retirement very soon? With Cam Newton’s ability to be a power runner along with Henry, this will open things up for the passing game.

Previous: Shon Coleman

Gorney: WR Corey Coleman, Baylor

The proposition of Newton and Henry in Carolina’s backfield is interesting and daunting at the same time but the Panthers take one of the best speedy receivers left and that’s Coleman, the four-star from Baylor. Ohio State’s Michael Thomas also makes sense in this spot if he drops this low but Coleman’s speed and playmaking ability set him apart.

Previous: Jonathan Bullard

Farrell: OT Jason Spriggs, Indiana

This is a bit of a reach but a good one as Spriggs is the most athletic tackle available at this stage and has a high ceiling. There are safer picks, but the Broncos roll the dice on a position of need.

Previous: Vernon Butler

Gorney: OG Cody Whitehair, Kansas State

The Broncos can load up with an offensive lineman, but not to protect Peyton Manning any longer. Still, Denver needs help here and Whitehair is a talented, tough, versatile player who fills that need. The three-star from Kansas State was solid at the Senior Bowl and combine and should move into the first round.

Previous: Josh Garnett