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Now that the NFL season is officially over, we can start looking forward to 2016. What better way to do that than with our first mock draft? Things will change after the free agency period so there will be more to come at that point. In the meantime, let's take a look at how the first round might shape up based on current needs.
1) Tennessee Titans - Laremy Tunsil, OT - Mississippi
Drafting Tunsil allows Taylor Lewan to move to RT, solidifying the Titans o-line.
2) Cleveland Browns - Carson Wentz, QB - North Dakota State
Hue Jackson goes with Wentz over Goff.
3) San Diego Chargers - Jalen Ramsey, DB - Florida State
Bosa isn't really a scheme fit here while Ramsey could end up being the best player in this draft.
4) Dallas Cowboys - Joey Bosa, DE - Ohio State
Much better fit in Dallas, particularly if they don't re-sign Greg Hardy.
5) Jacksonville Jaguars - Noah Spence, DE/OLB - Eastern Kentucky
Most explosive pass rusher in the draft and an ideal piece for Gus Bradley's defense.
6) Baltimore Ravens - DeForest Buckner, DE - Oregon
Typical BPA approach nets the Ravens a solid re-building block for their defensive line.
7) San Francisco 49ers - Jared Goff, QB - California
Baalke and Kelly simply won't be able to pass on a franchise QB.
8) Miami Dolphins - Myles Jack, LB - UCLA
One of the most explosive athletes in the draft should be ready to go by training camp.
9) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Ezekiel Elliot, RB - Ohio State
As Doug Martin moves on, the Bucs land the perfect complimentary piece to Winston.
10) New York Giants - Vernon Hargreaves, CB - Florida
The first step in rebuilding what has become an atrocious pass defense.
11) Chicago Bears - Laquon Treadwell, WR - Mississippi
Searching for playmakers to take over for the soon-to-be-departed Alshon Jeffrey.
12) New Orleans Saints - A'Shawn Robinson, DT - Alabama
Help is on the way for one of the worst rush defenses in the league.
13) Philadelphia Eagles - Mackensie Alexander, CB - Clemson
You don't have to be an NFL scout to see how badly the Eagles need help at CB.
14) Oakland Raiders - Ronnie Stanley, OT - Notre Dame
The Raiders benefit greatly from Stanley's fall as both of Oakland's LTs are free agents.
15) Los Angeles Rams - Paxton Lynch, QB - Memphis
New town (kind of) means a new young QB for the Los Angeles franchise.
16) Detroit Lions - Andrew Billings, DT - Baylor
Talent meets position of need for the Lions.
17) Atlanta Falcons - Shaq Lawson, DE - Clemson
Even with the emergence of Vic Beasley, the Falcons still had only 19 sacks last year.
18) Indianapolis Colts - Reggie Ragland, LB - Alabama
Should eventually emerge as the leader of the Colts defense.
19) Buffalo Bills - Taylor Decker, OT - Ohio State
Has the tools (if not the athleticism) to develop into a steady LT replacement for Cordy Glen.
20) New York Jets - Robert Nkemdiche, DE/DT - Mississippi
The Jets get a top 2-3 talent who also carries a ton of baggage with him.
21) Washington Redskins - Vernon Butler, DT - Louisiana Tech
Replacing Terrance "Pot Roast" Knighton in the middle of the Redskins defense.
22) Houston Texans - Jarran Reed, DT - Alabama
Likely addressing QB through free agency, the Texans plug in Reed opposite J.J. Watt.
23) Minnesota Vikings - Darron Lee, LB - Ohio State
The Vikings strengthen their LB corps by adding Lee to play the weakside backer.
24) Cincinnati Bengals - Eli Apple, CB - Ohio State
Should develop into a steady cover corner replacing Leon Hall.
25) Pittsburgh Steelers - Shon Coleman, OT - Auburn
Replaces free agent Kelvin Beachum at LT protecting Big Ben's blind side.
26) Seattle Seahawks - Germain Ifedi, OT - Texas A&M
To keep
Russell Wilson alive (much less upright), the Seahawks must upgrade their o-line.
27) Green Bay Packers - Jaylon Smith, LB - Notre Dame
Like the Ravens, the Packers stay true to their board and draft BPA.
28) Kansas City Chiefs - Leonard Floyd, DE/OLB - Georgia
With needs all over their defense, they choose the top pass rusher still on the board.
29) Arizona Cardinals - Kevin Dodd, DE - Clemson
Powerful and athletic pass rusher for the Cards already ferocious defense.
30) Carolina Panthers - Kendall Fuller, CB - Virginia Tech
Another of the Fuller brothers with similar ball-hawking skills to Kyle (Bears 1st round pick in '14).
31) Denver Broncos - Jonathan Bullard, DE
The world champs have plenty of needs going into 2016; they start with replacing Malik Jackson.
* The New England Patriots do not own a first-round selection.
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AJ Dembroski
QB is far from their biggest need. The only way they should take one is if Wentz falls (he's frankly the only franchise QB in this draft), and he won't (and his career will subsequently die as he goes to Cleveland). Defensive back, pass rush, the right guard and right tackle are more critical. Yes, QB is a more important position, but there's a difference between having sub optimal talent and having no talent. No QB could turn this team around right now, they'd just be drug down with it.
Feb 10, 2016 at 7:59 AM
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Danny
Take Geoff or we will! He's a winner
Feb 9, 2016 at 7:46 PM
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Dallas Niner fan
The main factor is if Kelly sticks with Kap or not. If he does not than we need a QB. If Geoff is there we better take him. We passed on a Cal QB before and look how that turned out.
Feb 9, 2016 at 8:04 AM
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BILAL19
I hope the Niners add at least 2 or 3 linemen and 2 pass rushers in the first 5 rounds. Our O line was terrible consistently just like our pass rush, but you can design blitz to compensate on defense but, the O line individual play was garbage. Those are our only two issues IMO, we don't have any maulers up front to run at defenders and Blaine is a better passer than Kap at this point.
Feb 9, 2016 at 7:13 AM
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Rg1
I think we should trade back...we have too many needs.....we need WR'S....LB'S....OLINE.....CB'S and depth at those positions...might need to trade back twice imo
Feb 9, 2016 at 6:53 AM
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NinerGM
Good attempt but there is ZERO chance the 49ers take a QB in this draft at #7. Either they take a pass-rusher they secretly covet or they trade down and take another pass-rusher and pick up another pick in the 2nd or 3rd. This team doesn't have a reliable pass-rush. Lynch has health issues (bad back) which never bodes well long term for an every down, 16 game season, pass-rusher.
Feb 8, 2016 at 8:51 PM
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Amos
This is a "passers" and "pass rushers" league. (DBs very important also) So my pick is a QB, Jalen Ramsey or DeForest Buckner. Maybe none of them will be available!
Feb 8, 2016 at 6:07 PM
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Dominic
Good mock draft. I like the idea of getting a franchise QB at 7. We can use the rest of the draft to fill out the trenches and the defense.
Feb 8, 2016 at 3:18 PM
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TKTNURI
Why do I keep thinking Myles Jack will be a Niner? Not sure but Go Bruins!
Feb 8, 2016 at 3:18 PM
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Frank
Sorry don't see hue taking a FCS QB over a pac 12 QB at a college he coached at...SD biggest issue was OL and the Ravens wouldn't pass on VG3 their secondary is awful. Also you think Jax goes pass rush after they drafted the best one last season?
Feb 8, 2016 at 2:53 PM
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Kellrazor
Myles Jack will be a Niner. We need him. QB Goff will be gone to either Dallas or Cleveland. Same with Lynch.
Feb 8, 2016 at 2:12 PM
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Stewart
I like the idea of Goff, but I would be willing to be Baalke will go pass rusher, linebacker, or interior lineman. With Boone likely out the door and the horrible offensive line we had, it makes sense. You can almost book it we are going to get better in the trenches in the early rounds.
Feb 8, 2016 at 1:42 PM
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C
With your logic why would a team like Dallas or San Diego not take this alleged franchise qb? Lame logic. I will laugh when he is taken earlier or passed on by the 49ers.
Feb 8, 2016 at 1:20 PM
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