In the past week, two trades have taken place resulting in new teams at the top of the draft order, almost guaranteeing that the top two quarterbacks in the NFL Draft are gone within the first two selections. The Los Angeles Rams have taken over the top spot from the Tennessee Titans and, most recently, the Philadelphia Eagles have taken the number two spot from the Cleveland Browns.
With both Cal QB Jared Goff and North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz likely to be gone with those top selections, let's take a look at how our staff writers feel the first round might go leading up to the San Francisco 49ers' seventh overall selection – assuming no further trades.
Stewart M. Cockrell
- Rams: QB Jared Goff, California
- Eagles: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
- Chargers: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
- Cowboys: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State
- Jaguars: OLB Myles Jack, UCLA
- Ravens: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon
- 49ers: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
Clearly the Rams and the Eagles are planning on making Goff and Wentz the first two picks in the draft this year. The only question is "Who do the Rams love?" You better believe they know who they want or they wouldn't make the trade, so that leaves the Eagles with the lesser of the two QB's. Tunsil to San Diego makes a lot of sense from a value standpoint as he was the overwhelming choice in most mock drafts leading into the Rams/Titans trade. I like Bosa and Jack to the Cowboys and Jaguars because of fit. Bosa played in a 4-3 in college and even if Jack's knee limits his career, I think the Jaguars would be happy with 4-5 years with his potential. As much as I would like Ezekiel Elliot to go to the Ravens at 6, I think they will bolster the defensive line with Suggs getting older and take Buckner. Which leaves Stanley to us as a classic Trent Baalke pick. If Buckner is there, I think we will take him, but Stanley would be an upgrade on a poor unit, even if Anthony Davis comes back.
Follow Stewart M. Cockrell on Twitter @PointsofStew
Al Sacco
- Rams: QB Jared Goff, California
- Eagles: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
- Chargers: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
- Cowboys: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State
- Jaguars: OLB Myles Jack, UCLA
- Ravens: CB/S Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
- 49ers: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon
While Carson Wentz may have elite upside, Goff is the more finished product. The Rams gave up a ton for this pick, and I think they go the safer route with Goff. Philly committed $34 million guaranteed to Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel, and then they sell the farm and move up to number 2 to pick a QB? And do they know who the Rams are picking or are they just kind of cool with whatever? They'd better hope Wentz pans out, or they may have a lot of fans siding with Chip Kelly in the Howie Roseman/Kelly feud.
San Diego has to be doing backflips as the number one player on a lot of boards falls into their laps. Phillip Rivers is a happy man. While I think Ramsey is the better player, it wasn't long ago Bosa was considering the number one overall pick. Dallas will surprise some people here and take Bosa. Besides, doesn't Bosa just kind of feel like a Cowboy?
With three elite defensive players available, the Jags go with Jack to be a cornerstone in the middle of their defense. The Ravens will run this card up to the podium, as they add major piece to help rebuild their secondary in Ramsey. The versatile defensive back can play either safety or corner.
As for the 49ers, it doesn't matter that they took DE Arik Armstead last year, Buckner is too good to pass up. San Francisco will get the most polished defensive lineman in the draft, and someone to be an anchor in the trenches for the next decade.
Follow Al Sacco on Twitter @AlSacco49
Brandon Graham
- Rams: QB Jared Goff, California
- Eagles: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
- Chargers: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon
- Cowboys: CB/S Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
- Jaguars: OLB Myles Jack, UCLA
- Ravens: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
- 49ers: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
For the Rams, all indications are that Goff is their guy. The Eagles paid ransom money to get their franchise quarterback. That will be Wentz. The Chargers could go Tunsil, but after seeing division rival win a Super Bowl with defense, they elect to fill their biggest need. Jerry Jones will have a dream scenario as Ramsey falls into the Cowboys' lap. Jack is a lock for the Jaguars. It wouldn't surprise me if they were the ones floating concern over his medical re-check to scare others away and then Ozzie Newsome can not believe Tunsil is still available to the Ravens.
For the 49ers, I imagine they'll look hard to move back, but if they're unable to make a deal, they gladly select a player that can immediately start at RT. With Anthony Davis likely out the door, Stanley will instantly solidify the line and allow the team the luxury of not having to start last year's 7th round pick, Trent Brown.
Follow Brandon Graham on Twitter @brando_graham
Aaron Erickson
- Rams: QB Jared Goff, California
- Eagles: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
- Chargers: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
- Cowboys: RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
- Jaguars: CB/S Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
- Ravens: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State
- 49ers: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon
It doesn't really matter how the first two picks go down; it looks like Philly is comfortable with whichever QB is left over, which is flat-out, blind-drunk-at-closing-time logic to me. It's crazy that two poor rosters being assembled by suspect front office personnel have lost such significant means to upgrade their rosters and support their new quarterbacks. Since I think there will be some more poor decision-making on draft day, I'm picking crazy uncle Jerry to go off the rails of conventional wisdom once again and get his bell cow at No. 4. I agree that Elliot is the best back in the draft, but he's nothing close to Todd Gurley or Adrian Peterson. Jags jump on the most talented player in the draft falling to them, and the Ravens flip a coin between Buckner and Bosa, two physically dominant front line defenders. The 49ers get the leftovers, and they can't be happier, as both players would be massive upgrades.
Follow Aaron Erickson on Twitter @EricksonAaron44
Zain Naqvi
- Rams: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
- Eagles: QB Jared Goff, California
- Chargers: CB/S Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
- Cowboys: RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
- Jaguars: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State
- Ravens: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
- 49ers: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon
Chip Kelly gets a chance to coach Buckner again, who he originally recruited to go to Oregon. The addition of Buckner (6'7, 287 lbs) will give the 49ers one of the largest defensive lines in the league with incumbents Arik Armstead (6'8, 280 lbs) and Quinton Dial (6'6, 304 lbs) also along the front. A defensive line that controls the line of scrimmage can control the game by freeing up linebackers to make plays and help the secondary by pressuring quarterbacks into hurried throws, so Buckner is the pick here.
Follow Zain Naqvi on Twitter @zain49ers
AJ Bolino
- Rams: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
- Eagles: QB Jared Goff, California
- Chargers: CB/S Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
- Cowboys: RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
- Jaguars: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State
- Ravens: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
- 49ers: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon
The Rams go with Wentz, who has intriguing intangibles and physical skills...along with a very high bust factor.
The Eagles happily take Goff, who has the ability to play the NFL game right now, and could spend a decade under center in the city of brotherly love.
The Chargers grab Tunsil, as he is the best tackle available in the draft, and the Chargers would like Phillip Rivers to survive the season.
Jerry Jones sees a franchise RB and can't help himself...but it remains to be seen whether or not Elliot can live up to the lofty expectations of RBs in Big D.
The Jags have an intriguing offense...and a defense that couldn't stop the Toadsuck Middle School Flag Football team. Ramsey is the best DB in this class...and in Jacksonville, he has a chance to anchor a unit in need of a leader.
The Ravens will grab Bosa in hopes that he becomes the heir apparent to Suggs...which is entirely dependent on how well he does avoiding temptation off of the field.
Which brings us to the 49ers. Buckner is the most complete defender in the draft...and I think his combination of physical ability and football IQ make him a no-brainer at this spot. In his last 2 collegiate seasons, he's notched 163 tackles. He also notched 10.5 sacks in his senior season. His reunion with former Oregon teammate Arik Armstead will give the 49ers a formidable defensive line...and an improved pass rush that will take some pressure off of a less than stellar secondary.
Follow AJ Bolino on Twitter @USMCLegbreaker
John Croston
- Rams: QB Jared Goff, California
- Eagles: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
- Chargers: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
- Cowboys: RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
- Jaguars: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State
- Ravens: CB/S Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
- 49ers: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon
With the top two quarterbacks gone, I think the focus will turn to rebuilding the trenches. There is a legitimate argument that Ronnie Stanley or Laremy Tunsil would be great choices here as well. However, I think Buckner wins the BPA battle over those two, in addition to filling a need. I also see (and/or hope) the team makes Josh Norman an offer he can't refuse. This would add serious depth to the secondary. Combine that with the talents of Bowman and Lynch at linebacker, adding Buckner to the mix on a defensive line that already has potential could help turn this defense into something special - a potent counterpunch to Chip Kelly's fast tempo offense.
David Bonilla
- Rams: QB Jared Goff, California
- Eagles: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
- Chargers: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
- Cowboys: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State
- Jaguars: OLB Myles Jack, UCLA
- Ravens: CB/S Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
- 49ers: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon
Whichever order they go in, Goff and Wentz will become the franchise quarterbacks for the Rams and the Eagles. That much is certain. The Chargers are likely looking to trade down, but if they stay put at the number three spot, it would be tough to pass on Tunsil, even if it is not their biggest need. For the Cowboys, one alternative might be Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott, but I can see them trying to address their pass rush.
I've believed for the longest time, despite the concerns over how healthy he might be, that Jack is unlikely to get past the Jaguars. His potential and versatility is just too great. I'd like to see him fall to the 49ers, but I just don't see it happening in this scenario. A pairing of Ramsey and Jimmy Smith in the secondary for the Ravens is awfully tempting for a team that has been known for defense.
As for the 49ers, I can really see them going with Notre Dame OT Ronnie Stanley at seven. However, if Buckner falls to them here, they may pass on addressing the team's biggest need and bookend him with last year's top selection, Arik Armstead. The 49ers pass rush produced just 28 sacks last season, ranking 29th in the league.
David Barclay
- Rams: QB Jared Goff, California
- Eagles: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
- Chargers: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
- Cowboys: CB/S Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
- Jaguars: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State
- Ravens: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon
- 49ers: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
Los Angeles has the blueprint for success — an aggressive defense and a young offensive line bolstered further by the skills of offensive rookie of the year Todd Gurley. The only thing missing is the presence of a strong quarterback. Enter Jared Goff. His quarterback IQ and passing accuracy could catapult the 22-year-old past incumbent starter Case Keenum by Week 1.
After paying handsomely to acquire the No. 2 pick from the Browns, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said that Philly plans to "invest in quarterbacks." And he means it. The Eagles inked Sam Bradford to a two-year, $35 million contract, and made Chase Daniel the most expensive backup in the league, signing him to a three-year, $21 million contract. Naturally, whichever quarterback remains after the Rams select No. 1, will join the two in Philly.
Perhaps even more dire than the 49ers' quarterback situation, is the dilemma surrounding the status and future of the 49ers' offensive line. Throughout the draft process, Stanley has been highly touted for his athleticism and speed. With his six-foot-six, 312-pound frame, it's not surprising the 22-year-old is considered to be the best pass protecting tackle in the 2016 class.
Follow David Barclay on Twitter @DJamesIII
Alex Pedregon
You can view version 3.0 of Alex's full first round mock draft here.
