2016 NFL Mock Draft: RB revolution could continue with Henry, Elliott
By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25174156/nfl-mock-draft-rb-revolution-could-continue-with-henry-elliott
Prior to Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon earning top 15 picks in the 2015 NFL Draft, many had speculated the franchise running backs was on his way to extinction.
While clubs may be less willing to build around one franchise back these days, the running game in general remains a focal point for every club. And given the smaller salaries rookies earn today, some believe there will be more backs drafted early in 2016 yet again.
Projecting what NFL teams will do is difficult enough to do days before the draft. So take this way-too-early mock draft as it’s intended — as a fun peek ahead to provide college and NFL fans an idea of what to watch this fall. For the sake of simplicity, I’ve elected to use the 2015 draft selection order for this projection.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Ohio State DE Joey Bosa: Despite off-field issues, and based on his on-field ability and the value of the position, quarterback Jameis Winston was the easy choice for the Bucs at No. 1 in 2015. A quarterback could leap Bosa, too, but in terms of talent, he’s the clear-cut top talent for the 2016 draft, demonstrating a combination of explosiveness and determination that reminds me of a young Justin Smith.
2. Tennessee Titans — Baylor DE Shawn Oakman: By drafting Marcus Mariota No. 2 overall and gambling on the upside of wideout Dorial Green-Beckham, general manager Ruston Webster clearly loves “tool-sy” players. Oakman’s length, power and athleticism scream future Pro Bowler.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars — Notre Dame OT Ronnie Stanley: The Jags are more stout at the point of attack now. But if they pick this early again it might be time to question if 2013 No. 2 overall pick Luke Joeckel can live up to his selection. Stanley, balanced and athletic, projects as a standout NFL left tackle.
4. Oakland Raiders — Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves III: Only the extraordinary talents step into the SEC and stick out immediately. Hargreaves, a true cover corner in the mold of ex-Gators star Joe Haden, has done just that.
5. Washington Redskins — Michigan State QB Connor Cook: Yes, Washington picked up Robert Griffin III’s fifth-year option but unless there is significant improvement from the 2012 No. 2 overall pick in Jay Gruden’s scheme, the club may consider a replacement. That holds especially true if Cook, the top-rated quarterback in the draft, is on the board.
6. New York Jets — UCLA OLB Myles Jack: Todd Bowles inherited a dominant defensive line, a unit reinforced by the selection of Leonard Williams. The linebacker corps needs help, though, and Jack is a superstar.
7. Chicago Bears — Georgia OLB Leonard Floyd: John Fox is a defensive wiz but the Bears could again struggle to generate pressure on the quarterback in 2015. Athletic, stronger than he looks and experienced in the 3-4 scheme, Floyd could be the perfect addition.
8. Atlanta Falcons — Oklahoma State DE Emmanuel Ogbah: Sure, the Falcons built up the pass rush with former Clemson stars Vic Beasley and Grady Jarrett, but more help is needed. Ogbah isn’t a household name … yet.
9. New York Giants — Virginia Tech CB Kendall Fuller: Even more gifted than (ex-Hokies teammate and 2014 first-rounder) older brother Kyle, Fuller has the athleticism and instincts to help the Giants defend talented passing attacks in the NFC East.
10. St. Louis Rams — Mississippi OT Laremy Tunsil: The Rams invested heavily on offensive linemen the past two seasons but may not be able to pass up on a balanced, athletic blind-side pass protector like Tunsil.
11. Minnesota Vikings — Alabama RB Derrick Henry: Should Adrian Peterson return to Minnesota and at his Hall of Fame level, perhaps the Vikings look elsewhere. Otherwise, Mike Zimmer could see Henry as the perfect back for Norv Turner’s run-heavy offense.
12. Cleveland Browns — Alabama DT A’Shawn Robinson: Cleveland addressed its 32nd-ranked run defense with massive run-stuffer Danny Shelton in the 2015 draft. Robinson is similarly built and like Shelton, athletic enough to slide outside to the five-tech defensive end role to eliminate any space in the run-heavy AFC North.
13. New Orleans Saints — Ole Miss DL Robert Nkemdiche: After paying surprisingly little attention to its defensive line in the 2015 draft, the Saints could see the highly touted and powerful NKendiche as the perfect plug-and-play option in Rob Ryan’s defense.
14. Miami Dolphins — Oklahoma OLB Eric Striker: Few clubs would be willing to pick an off-line-of-scrimmage linebacker but given the athleticism in Buffalo and New England, and the Dolphins’ need for improved play in the back seven, the aptly-named Striker might make sense.
15. San Francisco 49ers — Pittsburgh WR Tyler Boyd: With defensive-minded coach Jim Tomsula, the 49ers won’t turn into a pass-happy bunch. But surrounding Colin Kaepernick with weapons could be the key to competing in the NFC West. Boyd is a smooth athlete already dominating competition in much as did former Pitt star Larry Fitzgerald.
16. Houston Texans — Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg: Bill O’Brien recruited Hackenberg to Penn State and helped him star as a freshman. Hackenberg has talent, but didn’t progress as anticipated last season and needs a strong bounce-back campaign as a junior.
17. San Diego Chargers — Oregon DE DeForest Buckner: The Chargers closely scouted the defensive linemen in the 2015 draft and need to get help for Corey Liuget. Buckner didn’t get the attention of former teammate Arik Armstead but he’s similarly gifted, and already more consistent.
18. Kansas City Chiefs — Florida State S Jalen Ramsey: The Chiefs addressed a need at cornerback with Marcus Peters and Steven Nelson in the 2015 draft, but safety could be a need in ’16, given Eric Berry’s uncertain future. Ramsey has the athleticism and instincts scouts love but faces a challenge, as the Seminoles will replace both starting corners next season.
19. Buffalo Bills — Ohio State QB Cardale Jones: With only three starts under his belt, projecting Jones as a first-round pick may seem ridiculous. But the tools are undeniable, and Rex Ryan has never been one to follow conventional thinking especially with his clubs’ struggles at quarterback.
20. Philadelphia Eagles Southern Cal OL Max Tuerk: Recruited to play tackle and flashing first-round talent at center in 2014, Tuerk offers great versatility and athleticism — traits Chip Kelly requires on his O-linen.
21. Cincinnati Bengals — Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell: Cincinnati’s top four wide receivers are set to enter free agency after the 2015 season, including star A.J. Green. So the Bengals will be scout wideouts closely this fall. Treadwell has top 10 talent but must recover from a horrific leg injury which ended his sophomore season.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers — Southern Cal S Su’a Cravens: Few defenders warrant comparisons to ex-USC and Steelers great Troy Polamalu, but with his instincts, physicality and closing speed, Cravens is earning precisely that.
23. Detroit Lions — Michigan State DE Shilique Calhoun: Given the passing attacks in the NFC North, building the pass rush in Detroit makes sense and this local product likely would be a popular pick with fans, as well.
24. Arizona Cardinals — Missouri ILB Kentrell Brothers: Few clubs boast Arizona’s athleticism at linebacker, with Deone Bucannon and Daryl Washington. Brothers offers similar speed and with Washington coming off suspension, Arizona might be willing be looking for some security at the position.
25. Carolina Panthers — Baylor OT Spencer Drango: Clearly the Panthers anticipate Michael Oher will be able to lock down a starting role at tackle. But if he struggles to fulfill expectations (as was the case in Baltimore and Tennessee), reinforcements could be in order.
26. Baltimore Ravens — Michigan State OT Jack Conklin: Powerful, experienced and playing in a pro-ready scheme, Conklin makes sense for a club which consistently wins in the draft by sticking to the best-player-available approach.
27. Dallas Cowboys — Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott: If Darren McFadden is healthy, he could make Jerry Jones look like a genius for letting division rival Philadelphia reward DeMarco Murray after a breakout 2014. Anything other than a breakout season from McFadden could force the Cowboys to look to the draft for help. Elliott’s power and speed could be make him excellent fit.
28. Denver Broncos — Alabama TE O.J. Howard: While not the finished product his hype indicates, Howard’s size and athleticism would make a lot of sense in Gary Kubiak’s TE-heavy attack.
29. Indianapolis Colts — Florida DE Jonathan Bullard: Since they’re likely to light up the scoreboard on offense, the Colts will want to constantly upgrade their own pass rush. Bullard flashes the talent to join Shariff Floyd, Dominique Easley and Dante Fowler Jr. as Florida defensive linemen selected in the first round for the fourth consecutive year.
30. Green Bay Packers — Tennessee OLB/DE Curt Maggitt: The Volunteers were shut out of the 2015 NFL Draft for the first time since the Kennedy administration. If Maggitt (pronounced muh-JIT) is able to build off of last year’s breakout season (11 sacks), all will be well in Knoxville. His agility and acceleration could intrigue the Packers, who could use some youth off the edge.
31. Seattle Seahawks — Ohio State OT Taylor Decker: With left tackle Russell Okung entering the final year of his deal and the Seahawks likely forced to dedicate finances to re-signing Russell Wilson, offensive line could once again be a focus. Decker, a powerful run blocker, plays with the physicality and toughness the Seahawks love.
32. New England Patriots — Notre Dame WR Corey Robinson: Clearly, Tom Brady doesn’t need help at wide receiver to win but the Patriots could be intrigued with the size and athleticism of the latest Irish star pass-catcher, who choose the gridiron rather than the basketball court like his father, former NBA great David Robinson.
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Agamemnon
