Browns look to the future, Eagles target running game
The NFL season is well and truly over, putting the SCO fantasy football articles on hold until next year. But it's never too early to prepare for the future, so without further ado, here is the Silver Chips Online 2016 NFL Mock Draft.
Pick 1: Los Angeles Rams
Jared Goff, QB, California
The Rams traded up for this pick in order to take a quarterback to replace Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick, and they prefer Goff to Wentz.
Pick 2: Philadelphia Eagles
Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St.
The Eagles followed the Rams in trading up to look for a franchise quarterback. They'd be happy with Wentz or Goff at number two.
Pick 3: San Diego Chargers
Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
The Chargers desperately need an offensive line to defend Philip Rivers, and Tunsil is the best tackle out there.
Pick 4: Dallas Cowboys
Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida St.
If Ramsey falls this far in the draft, the Cowboys will jump on him to replace aging cornerback Brandon Carr, who may yet be released by the team.
Pick 5: Jacksonville Jaguars
Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA
Jack could be the most versatile defender in this year's draft, and adding him to a linebacking core of Paul Posluszny and Telvin Smith would be impressive.
Pick 6: Baltimore Ravens
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio St.
The Ravens need to rejuvenate their pass rush, and Bosa would slot right into the spot recently vacated by veteran Chris Canty.
Pick 7: San Francisco 49ers
DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
The 49ers would've loved a new quarterback with this pick, but will settle for a defensive end with an incredibly high ceiling and great size and physicality.
Pick 8: Cleveland Browns
Darron Lee, LB, Ohio St.
The Browns have a lot of holes to fill, and Lee could replace at least some of the tackling numbers that left with Karlos Dansby and Donte Whitner.
Pick 9: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Alterraun Verner wasn't as good last year as he usually is, and the Bucs need a true cornerback one to pair him with.
Pick 10: New York Giants
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio St.
Rashad Jennings and Shane Vereen are quite possibly the worst running back duo in the NFL. If Ezekiel Elliott falls to the Giants, they'd be loathe not to grab him.
Pick 11: Chicago Bears
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Good offensive tackles are hard to come by, and the Bears don't have one at the moment. Stanley can immediately help at right tackle and move to left with coaching.
Pick 12: New Orleans Saints
Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
The Saints were gashed on the ground by their opposition this year, and Jarran Reed fits the bill at defensive tackle.
Pick 13: Miami Dolphins
Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
Floyd would be among the best defensive players left on the board, and with second year prospects Jay Ajayi and Devante Parker solidifying the offense, defense is the way to go for the Dolphins in the first round.
Pick 14: Oakland Raiders
A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
The Raiders have done a good job of building their secondary and linebacking core through free agency, but could use a boost on the defensive line.
Pick 15: Tennessee Titans
Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
The Titans nab a great inside linebacker to play alongside breakout candidate Wesley Woodyard and solidify their front seven.
Pick 16: Detroit Lions
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
Megatron left Detroit's offense in shambles when he announced his retirement, and Marvin Jones is not the solution, but Treadwell could be.
Pick 17: Atlanta Falcons
Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
The Falcons need a speedy receiver to run across from Julio Jones, and Corey Coleman logged one of the best 40 yard dash times at this year's combine.
Pick 18: Indianapolis Colts
Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan St.
The injuries to Andrew Luck, Matt Hasselbeck, and Charlie Whitehurst show that the Colts need help on the o-line.
Pick 19: Buffalo Bills
Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
The Bills have finally found a quarterback, and have some solid offensive weapons, allowing them to pick the best remaining defender on the board, and a replacement for Jerry Hughes.
Pick 20: New York Jets
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
The New York Jets lost Damon "Snacks" Harrison to the Giants in free agency, and could opt to replace him in the first round this year.
Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
The Redskins defense outside of Ryan Kerrigan didn't put nearly enough pressure on the quarterback, and a strong defensive end like Lawson can help step it up.
Pick 22: Houston Texans
Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
Brock Osweiler is being paid the big bucks to jumpstart the Texans offense, but he'll need another offensive weapon to get the job done.
Pick 23: Minnesota Vikings
Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
The Vikings have the makings of a top defense, and a strong edge rusher could be what they need to get to the next level.
Pick 24: Cincinnati Bengals
Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones left in free agency, and the Bengals get Doctson to make up for it.
Pick 25: Pittsburgh Steelers
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
The Steelers defensive group stood strong for most of last year, but William Gay won't live forever, and the secondary is definitely the weak point.
Pick 26: Seattle Seahawks
Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
The Seahawks defense is in its prime right now, but one of its oldest members is defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, who will soon need to be replaced.
Pick 27: Green Bay Packers
Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
B.J. Raji is taking a hiatus from football, sending the Packers into a scramble to find his replacement. Rankins is that guy.
Pick 28: Kansas City Chiefs
Eli Apple, CB, Ohio St.
The Chiefs need a cornerback to play across from Marcus Peters now that Sean Smith has left for the division rival Raiders.
Pick 29: Arizona Cardinals
Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
Butler is a superior run stuffing defensive tackle, and would be a great match with ends Chandler Jones and Calais Campbell.
Pick 30: Carolina Panthers
William Jackson III, CB, Houston
Josh Norman is coming off of a huge year, but Charles Tillman needs replacing, as the aging corner has lost a step and can't keep up with opposing wideouts.
Pick 31: Denver Broncos
Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
Mark Sanchez is not a valid starter for this Broncos team. Lynch's size and athleticism make him an obvious replacement for the recently departed Brock Osweiler.
*The New England Patriots do not have a first round pick due to legal action following the "Deflategate" scandal.
Charles Lott. My name is Charlie, and I'm the features editor for Silver Chips Online. I enjoy reading, using Oxford commas, and playing frisbee for Blair. More »
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