Your inbox approves Men's coaches poll Women's coaches poll Play to win 25K!
NFL DRAFT
NFL Draft

Mock draft 2.0: First-round outlook after Super Bowl

Nate Davis
USA TODAY Sports
California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) prepares to throw the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium.

With Super Bowl 50 officially in the books, it's time to officially turn the page to draft season. Our second mock draft prognosticates how the entire first round of the 2016 NFL draft could play out:

1. Tennessee Titans – Laremy Tunsil, T, Mississippi: Heading into the combine later this month, Ohio State DE Joey Bosa is generally regarded as the draft's premier player. However his ability to penetrate would be wasted as a down lineman in coordinator Dick LeBeau's scheme, and it's not clear if Bosa can handle a conversion to outside linebacker in the Titans' 3-4 front. All that aside, Tennessee's top priority really should be taking better care of QB Marcus Mariota, who, despite his mobility, was sacked 38 times in 12 starts as a rookie. Enter Tunsil, the type of bodyguard you want on a team that faces J.J. Watt twice a year. (Of course, this all assumes the Titans don't deal out of the top spot and maybe get Tunsil or Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley a few spots down the board.)

2. Cleveland Browns – Jared Goff, QB, California: The Johnny Manziel experiment is coming to a sad end in Cleveland, so that means the Browns will almost surely pick a passer in the first round for the third time since 2012 (and fifth since the franchise's reboot in 1999). Goff isn't the second coming of fellow Cal Bear Aaron Rodgers, but he's got good size and accuracy, enough mobility and had TD-to-INT ratio that was better than 3-to-1 as a three-year starter in college. And with willing tutor Josh McCown signed for two more years, coach Hue Jackson wouldn't have to rush Goff into the starting lineup.

Ten NFL stories to watch before the 2016 season

3. San Diego Chargers – Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State: It's apparent what kind of impact a player like Tyrann Mathieu can have in the pass-centric NFL. Ramsey will draw those kind of comparisons given his ability to cover receivers outside, in the slot or even play safety. The Chargers, who are moving on from FS Eric Weddle and face a slew of talented pass catchers in the AFC West, certainly look like an ideal home for Ramsey.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

4. Dallas Cowboys – Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State: He'd fit perfectly on Rod Marinelli's defense, which needs its front four to create pressure, would form a formidable young tandem opposite DeMarcus Lawrence while also allowing the Cowboys to move on from the Greg Hardy circus.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Myles Jack, LB, UCLA: An elite athlete who could find a role in any scheme – Jack played linebacker (inside and outside), slot corner, safety and even moonlighted as a running back and return man for the Bruins – he is exactly the kind of playmaker the Jags need after allowing the most points in the AFC in 2015. Jack's varied skills could make him a combination of Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright and Bruce Irvin – the outstanding linebacking corps Jags coach Gus Bradley enjoyed in Seattle – and allow him to be a factor as a pass rusher, run stopper or in coverage. And with 2015 first-round DE Dante Fowler also set to debut in 2016 – like Jack, he's coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament – the Jaguars defense might finally approach what Bradley has long envisioned.

Myles Jack begins life as pro, signs with Octagon, preps for NFL draft

6. Baltimore Ravens – DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon: The Ravens could go in any number of directions, including tackle, receiver, cornerback or edge rusher. But you can bet they'll take the top player on their board, and in this scenario, that could very well mean Buckner. Buckner's ability to solidly defend the run and pass would make him a welcome addition, especially by veteran pass rushers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil.

7. San Francisco 49ers – Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi: The NFL's lowest-scoring offense clearly needs some playmakers – perhaps even a quarterback depending on how (and if) the Chip Kelly/Colin Kaepernick relationship develops. But let's give the Niners Treadwell, a fairly polished receiver who could nicely complement deep threat Torrey Smith.

8. Miami Dolphins – Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State: If a pass rusher worthy of the pick is there, it makes sense given DE Cameron Wake's age and Achilles rehab, and the potential loss of Olivier Vernon to free agency. But the Dolphins brought in a sharp offensive mind with the hiring of head coach Adam Gase, who inherits an inconsistent rushing attack. Elliott looks like the whole package, which Gase should appreciate after spending last season with Matt Forte in Chicago. And with Miami's leading runner, Lamar Miller, headed to free agency, Elliott would also fill a need.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Ronnie Stanley, T, Notre Dame: The Bucs struggled with injuries and inexperience on the offensive line in 2015. Maybe Demar Dotson returns to form in 2016, and maybe Donovan Smith improves after a rocky rookie year. But a strong case can be made that Stanley is a better option than either. And does it really make sense to take any risks with Jameis Winston's well-being?

10. New York Giants – Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida: GM Jerry Reese knows he better fix a defense that allowed the most yards overall and most through the air in 2015 if he wants to keep his job. Hargreaves is a sensible option in a division where the ball's in the air so much. And with Prince Amukamara heading for free agency, the Giants need to reload at corner.

Von Miller announces himself as next huge star with MVP performance

11. Chicago Bears – Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State: Jay Cutler quietly had a highly effective 2015 season ... but that occurred under Gase. The Bears haven't seemed wholly committed to Cutler in a while, and this could be the best time to deal him. Regardless, this is probably the year they get a new quarterback, whether he has to temporarily sit behind Cutler or not, and Wentz seems to have everything you'd want on his resume, a big-time college background notwithstanding.

12. New Orleans Saints – A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama: They need to start rebuilding a historically bad defense. So let's give them Robinson, who's stout against the run but can also amp up the pass rush for a team that's secondary was under siege to the tune of 45 TD passes allowed.

13. Philadelphia Eagles – Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis: They've already been busy extending several players since the season ended. QB Sam Bradford isn't one of them. Lynch is an intriguing prospect but could use the benefit of a redshirt year to adapt to the pro game. New coach Doug Pederson could help prepare Lynch in 2016 while Mark Sanchez holds down the fort.

14. Oakland Raiders – Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame: If he hadn't torn two knee ligaments in the Fiesta Bowl, Smith would almost surely have been a top-five pick. Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie has done an excellent job stockpiling elite talent in recent drafts, and Smith is a three-down player who would augment the roster's blossoming core. McKenzie also has plenty of cap space to bring in stopgap help that would allow Smith the time he needs to rehab, even if that means the entire 2016 season.

15. Los Angeles Rams – Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State: Yes, the Rams desperately need a solution at quarterback, and maybe they'll figure something out in free agency. Do they take Michigan State's Connor Cook here? Possibly. But don't forget, both of their starting corners, Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson, are unsigned. Apple is the kind of physical player, coach Jeff Fisher tends to love.

Bill Romanowski rips Panthers' Cam Newton on Twitter, apologizes for calling him 'boy'

16. Detroit Lions – Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama: Let's hope they can talk Calvin Johnson out of retirement, as it will be particularly difficult to find anyone remotely capable of filling his ample shoes in this draft. But even if there were an elite receiver on the board, the Lions might be better off focusing on the D-line, which could suffer a free agent exodus. Reed is a load inside and could divert attention away from star pass rusher Ziggy Ansah.

17. Atlanta Falcons – Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State: He's versatile, athletic and should be the kind of three-down player who can thrive in Dan Quinn's defense, which really needs some help at the second level.

18. Indianapolis Colts – Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama: Since he came to Indy, coach Chuck Pagano has been searching for solutions for a ragged run defense, particularly up the middle. Ragland could be the answer for a team that could lose Jerrell Freeman to free agency and probably needs an upgrade over vet D'Qwell Jackson.

19. Buffalo Bills – Shaq Lawson, DE/OLB, Clemson: You know Rex and Rob Ryan will be clamoring for defensive help, especially for a team that was so surprisingly inept at generating pressure on quarterbacks. Lawson isn't as talented as incumbent Mario Williams, who's likely on his way out of town, but his every-down effort would provide a boost.

20. New York Jets – Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia: As formidable as the Jets have typically been defensively in recent years, they've never really had the benefit of an edge player who can regularly make life miserable for say, Tom Brady. Floyd could be that guy and would certainly reap extra benefits playing off one of the NFL's most imposing defensive lines.

Broncos mock Panthers for flashy ways after Super Bowl win

21. Washington Redskins - Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss: Let's safely assume QB Kirk Cousins returns, so need to touch fellow Spartan Cook. Plus, GM Scot McCloughan typically builds from the inside out and will probably need to replenish some depth on his D-line. Nkemdiche is a disruptive player who will only make OLBs Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith more dangerous.

22. Houston Texans - Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State: A bit of a wild card, if he shines in the pre-draft process and allays questions about his game and demeanor, he could be taken much earlier. But if he's sitting at 22, can the Texans really bypass the opportunity to get a promising passer given what they saw last season, especially after Brian Hoyer's disastrous postseason?

23. Minnesota Vikings - Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville: The Vikes could be thinking about their O-line and secondary depth first. But will Mike Zimmer be able to resist stumping for a penetrator like Rankins, whose ability and size (6-2, 304) are reminiscent of Geno Atkins, who starred for Zimmer in Cincinnati.

24. Cincinnati Bengals - Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor: He'll need to develop into a better route runner, but he should step into the NFL as an effective deep threat immediately. Aside from A.J. Green, free agency could leave Cincinnati perilously thin at wideout. Even if he's raw, Coleman is the type of player who could open things up for Green and TE Tyler Eifert.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers - Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson: Pittsburgh ranked 30th in pass defense last season, and free agency will likely further weaken their already shaky depth at cornerback. Alexander would fill a need and provide toughness that's always appreciated in the Steel City.

John Elway repays Broncos owner Pat Bowlen with postgame tribute

26. Seattle Seahawks - Jack Conklin, T, Michigan State: Seattle struggled with its blocking for much of 2015 and probably can't afford to re-sign free agent LT Russell Okung. Conklin needs some polish, but few are better at making the big uglies shine than assistant coach Tom Cable.

27. Green Bay Packers - Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky: Substance abuse issues led to his demise at Ohio State, but Spence swears he's grown up now. There is no question about his ability, and he might be worth the roll of the dice for Green Bay's so-so defense.

28. Kansas City Chiefs - Andrew Billings, DL, Baylor: The Chiefs need to restock their D-line, and Billings has the talent and versatility to be a nice fit.

29. Arizona Cardinals - Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech: With Tyrann Mathieu suffering a late-season knee injury, and Jerraud Powers set to test the market, the Cards will likely be in the market for secondary help. And you know Virginia Tech alum Bruce Arians has a soft spot for Hokies.

30. Carolina Panthers - Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson: Carolina is imposing up the middle but needs to be in the market to replace aging DEs Charles Johnson and Jared Allen.

31. Denver Broncos - Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State: Can the Broncos afford to wait on Michael Schofield to develop? Can they afford high-priced LT Ryan Clady, who missed most of the 2013 and all of the 2015 seasons with injuries? Might be wise to snare Decker, who could be an asset to the ground game.

* - The NFL stripped the New England Patriots of their first-round pick as punishment for the team's role in Deflategate.

Follow Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis

VIDEO: NFL draft big board

Featured Weekly Ad