2016 NFL Mock Draft: Broncos address their defensive line in the first round

#1

Jared Goff

QB

California

Analysis:

The Rams traded with the Tennessee Titans for this pick and paid quite the price to move from pick 15 to the first overall pick.

Now the Rams who are moving to LA have their brand new Franchise quarterback. Adding him with Todd Gurley gives this team a young nucleus to work with, and he should do well his rookie season.

There's a chance that this pick is Carson Wentz, but reports right now point to Goff.

#2

Carson Wentz

QB

North Dakota State

Pick Analysis:

Like the Rams, the Eagles trading a bunch of draft picks and players to move up from pick 13 to pick 8 and now the second overall pick.

This is an interesting choice because the Eagles re-signed Sam Bradford to a big deal and then signed free agent quarterback Chase Daniels. Now they traded a bunch of draft capital to select whichever quarterback the Rams do not?

The Philly fan base is pretty cruel and will be calling for Wentz from day one. This puts the rest of their QB's in a tough position. I think he could do well, but going from North Dakota State to Philly will be a big culture change for Wentz.

But the Eagles get their quarterback of the future.

#3

DeForest Buckner

DE/DT

Oregon

Pick Analysis:

The Chargers could go a number of different ways here. They could add the best player in the draft and take Laremy Tunsil, they could take Jalen Ramsey or Joey Bosa.

I have them taking Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner.

This guy is huge. 6'7", 290lbs, large hands, explosive off the line and has the potential to be a pain right in the a$$ for the Broncos for years to come.

#4

Joey Bosa

DE

Ohio State

Pick Analysis:

It was announced earlier today that defensive end Demarcus Lawerence would be suspended four games. This is the second young defensive end the Cowboys have had suspended this year. Last season's second round pick Randy Gregory is also serving a four-game suspension. So taking a defensive end here sounds about right.

Bosa is an animal off the edge and will give the Cowboys a nice pass rushing threat who could start from day one.

I think they could go Jalen Ramsey here, but I'm leaning Bosa in this situation.

#5

Jalen Ramsey

CB/S

Florida State

Pick Analysis:

This might be a dream scenario for the Jaguars. Tunsil and Ramsey are both still on the board and the Jaguars could really use both.

I have them going with Ramsey because I do not think they're giving up on Luke Joeckel just yet.

Ramsey gives Head Coach Gus Bradley a defensive back who could be a playmaking safety or a shutdown corner in the NFL. After spending a first round pick on Dante Fowler last year and adding Malik Jackson this offseason I think upgrading their secondary is the next thing they will do.

#6

Laremy Tunsil

OT

Ole Miss

MHR Pick Analysis:

Speaking of a dream scenario, here's another.

A week ago Tunsil was slated to be the first overall pick in this year's draft. Now two trades have dropped him to the 3-6 range in the draft. I think he could easily go at pick 3, 4, or 5, but in this scenario, I have him landing in Baltimore.

Tunsil would be an upgrade over Eugene Monroe and would help protect quarterback Joe Flacco who is coming off a torn ACL.

#7

Ronnie Stanley

OT

Notre Dame

Pick Analysis:

The 49ers could go a number of different ways here, but I give the 49ers the best remaining offensive tackle on the board. The Niners are set at LT, but Stanley could step in and be the RT from day one and help whoever is quarterbacking this team.

I almost gave them Myles Jack, but his injury concerns are reportedly dropping his stock.

#8

Myles Jack

OLB

UCLA

Pick Analysis:

His medical reports are apparently not great, but it's a week away from the draft and misinformation spreads like a wildfire.

He's a top 5 pick if everything is clean here, so the Browns could get a steal. They have holes everywhere so they need to start somewhere. Adding a stud linebacker is a start.

#9

Shaq Lawson

DE

Clemson

Pick Analysis:

The Bucs need a pass rusher and Lawson is the best one remaining, and one of the best prospects left on the board.

They could address their secondary here but you need a pass rusher before secondary.

#10

Jack Conklin

OT

Michigan State

Pick Analysis:

The Giants need help along the line and Conklin would be a great addition.

They did spend a first round pick on Ereck Flowers, but he should be moved to right tackle. This would allow Conklin to play left tackle for the Giants and block Eli Manning's blindside.

#11

Vernon Hargreaves

CB

Florida

Pick Analysis:

Hargreaves would be a great value pick right here for the Bears. He's the top cornerback in this draft(Ramsey is but is he a safety or corner?)

He would start from day one and help improve the Bears secondary.

#12

Sheldon Rankins

DT

Louisville

Pick Analysis:

The Saints defense was BAAADDDDDD last year so I have them going with the athletic and disruptive Sheldon Rankins.

He really helped his draft stock at the Senior Bowl where he was unblockable at times. He's one of my favorite prospects in this year's draft and will help the Saints defense.

#13

Ezekiel Elliott

RB

Ohio State

Pick Analysis:

The Dolphins struck out on running back C.J. Anderson and just about every other running back they targeted this offseason so they set their sights on Elliott. He's the top back in this year's class and is a complete back and already one of the better pass-blocking running backs in the league.

He will pair with second-year running back Jay Ajayi to give the Dolphins a nice 1-2 punch in their backfield.

#14

Robert Nkemdiche

DT

Ole Miss

Pick Analysis:

A troubled college player landing with the Oakland Raiders? Sounds about right to me.

The Raiders are looking for some interior pass rush help and turn to Nkemdiche who could be the best one available at this point.

Jack Del Rio will see a player he can save and get the most out of, so Nkemdiche makes a lot of sense here.

#15

Taylor Decker

OT

Ohio State

Pick Analysis:

The Titans could have taken Laremy Tunsil with the first overall pick, but they decided to trade back to get some extra draft picks and they still were able to land one of the better offensive tackles in this year's draft.

They will keep Taylor Lewan at left tackle and Decker will slot in at right tackle. They need to protect their franchise quarterback Marcus Mariota.

#16

Jarran Reed

DT

Alabama

Pick Analysis:

The Lions have lost Suh and Nick Fairley over the last few years and will look towards Jarran Reed to replace them.

He's a stout run stuffer who would step in as a starter on day one and really help the Lions defensive line. A nice solid pick by the Lions.

#17

Darron Lee

LB

Ohio State

Pick Analysis:

The explosive athletic linebacker would be a great addition to Falcon's Head Coach Dan Quinn's defense. In Seattle, he had Bobby Wagner at linebacker and he'll view Lee as the same type of sideline to sideline player.

#18

Ryan Kelly

C

Alabama

Pick Analysis:

The Colts offensive line needs all sorts of help and Kelly is the best available offensive lineman available.

Kelly is a leader and will anchor the Colts offensive line for year's to come.

#19

Reggie Ragland

ILB

Alabama

Pick Analysis:

Many assumed Ragland would be the first inside linebacker off the board, but Lee's athleticism won out here.

Ragland gives Buffalo Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan a leader and a tackling machine in the middle of his defense. That defense really struggled in 2015 and will look to improve on that with Ragland.

#20

Paxton Lynch

QB

Memphis

Pick Analysis:

This is the obvious pick right now. The Jets are sniffing around Brian Hoyer and playing a waiting game on Ryan Fitzpatrick but have yet to sign one. So they turn to the best available quarterback in Paxton Lynch.

The raw quarterback prospect would fit in well with the Jets offense.

#21

Andrew Billings

NT

Baylor

Pick Analysis:

The Redskins lost Terrance Knighton to the Patriots in free agency and will be looking to replace him in the draft. Billing's is the best pure nose tackle available and would be a nice fit in Washington.

#22

William Fuller

WR

Notre Dame

Pick Analysis:

Fuller is surprisingly the first wide receiver off the board and he lands with Brent Osweiler and the Houston Texans.

He'll give the offense a deep threat to play opposite of DeAndre Hopkins and a deep threat for Brent.

#23

Laquon Treadwell

WR

Ole Miss

Pick Analysis:

Treadwell gives the Vikings offense a much needed big possession receiver to go along with their speedy receivers.

He is considered the top receiver in the draft and provides nice value for the Vikings.

#24

Josh Doctson

WR

TCU

Pick Analysis:

The run on receivers continues here with the Bengals finding their replacement for Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu with Josh Doctson.

The highly athletic Doctson would be a nice compliment next to A.J. Green.

#25

William Jackson III

CB

Houston

Pick Analysis:

The Steelers secondary needs a lot of help and Jackson is a favorite of the Steelers. Doing some dot connecting here but I see Jackson joining the Steelers secondary.

#26

A'Shawn Robinson

DT

Alabama

Pick Analysis:

Robinson seems like the type of player to be drafted by the Seahawks. Athletic with loads of potential.

The Seahawks love to add pieces to their defensive line and I see Robinson as a perfect fit. They could find an edge player to replace Bruce Irvin but Robinson seems like a great option here.

#27

Vernon Butler

DT

Pick Analysis:

Nose tackle B.J.Raji suddenly retired and they should be on the lookout for a replacement. Butler can play inside and outside and would give the Packers defense line versatility.

He's a talented player with size and athleticism and would be another great pick by Ted Thompson.

#28

Eli Apple

CB

Pick Analysis:

The Chiefs lost cornerback Sean Smith in free agency and should be looking for a replacement in the draft and will take Eli Apple.

He has size, speed, and athleticism to be a good corner.

N/A

Nope

Cheaters

No Pick

Pick Analysis:

Pick was forfeited because they cheated

#29

Noah Spence

OLB

Eastern Kentucky

Pick Analysis:

The Cardinals have not been scared to take on character risks before and will roll the dice on Spence. Their best pass rusher last season was the veteran Dwight Freeney so Spence makes a ton of sense here.

#30

Mackensie Alexander

CB

Clemson

Pick Analysis:

The Panthers removed the Franchise Tag from Josh Norman on Wednesday so they will be looking for his replacement in the draft. Alexander is the top corner on the board here and would be a great fit for the Panthers.

#31

Chris Jones

DT/DE

Mississippi State

Pick Analysis:

If the Broncos strikeout on Paxton Lynch I think a player like Chris Jones would be a great addition to this defense. He has your prototypical size to be a 3-4 defensive end and a skill set to help replace Malik Jackson's production in this defense.

Scouting Report on Defensive End Chris Jones

A few other options are free safety Karl Joseph, tight end Hunter Henry, tackle Jason Spriggs, running back Derrick Henry, quarterback Connor Cook, guard Cody Whitehair, defensive end Jonathan Bullard, tackle Germain Ifedi