The Oracle’s Mock Draft

Come Thursday, the NFL’s season of captivation will either come to an end or begin anew depending on your perspective, as the First Round of the 2016 NFL Draft takes place as thirty-one lucky players will hear their names called by Commissioner Roger Goodell.  For many, the Draft symbolizes the beginning of the annual feeling of optimism that many fans harbor leading into a new season, with these new faces embodying that very sentiment.  After all, for better or worse, these kids are the future of their respective franchises.  For others, the Draft symbolizes the end of the league’s Post Super Bowl malaise, which needlessly draws out months after Free Agency.  For those folks, after this weekend football falls into the background as Summer takes center stage.  As if it was ever a question, you can place us here at Oracle Sports in the former category, for we never take a day off when it comes to the world of sports, and find the Draft one of the greatest guilty pleasures of the game.  And what’s Draft Season without a Mock Draft?  Virtually every single sports outlet out there employs some sort of Draft Guru who endlessly debates which player will go where, and which teams will choose wisely when the time comes.  So why not us?  By no means do I profess to be an authority on the subject, but then again neither are many of the legion of self-proclaimed experts out there playing matchmaker.  And by the way, this particular Mock will not continue any trades speculated by yours truly, for after the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles made a pair of shocking moves to climb the proverbial draft ladder, I simply can’t fathom what over moves and transactions await.  So without further ado, I, the Oracle will throw my hat (ahem, crystal ball) in the ring, and produce my first annual Mock Draft!!!  After watching Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay bicker back and forth for months, I simply can’t help myself!!!!

Expected to be selected No. One Overall, Goff could finally be the answer that the long starved Rams have been looking for at Quarterback position.

1. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff; QB, California – As stated earlier, the Rams plan on making quite an impact in their return to the City of Angels, and what better way than drafting a potential Franchise QB to make such a statement?  No team has ever moved up fifteen spots to No. One, which puts a tremendous amount of pressure on Jeff Fisher and Co. to get this one right.  It can be argued that no team in the league has suffered from worse Quarterback play than the Rams of late, making this a no-brainer that a signal-caller will indeed be the play.  But which one will it be?  Jared Goff or Carson Wentz?  Reports have been swirling for over a week now that Los Angeles has settled on the California product, who looks by and large the most NFL Ready at his position.  Accurate, with a strong enough arm and excellent presence in the pocket, Goff SHOULD be the Rams’ QB for years to come.  Then again, the same was said about Sam Bradford…
2. Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz; QB, North Dakota State – Not to be undone, Philadelphia scaled the rungs of the Draft a week later, sending a cache of picks to Cleveland for the right to take whichever QB that Los Angeles passes on.  In this case, it’s likely to be Wentz, the FCS prospect who has absolutely polarized the Draft Community.  While everyone can agree that this kid’s ceiling is very high, the Eagles’ new regime reportedly seems intent on going old school and letting the kid sit and develop behind the aforementioned Bradford.  With a cannon arm, plenty of size, and surprising athleticism, this kid could really be a difference maker once he acclimates himself to the pro level.
3. San Diego Charges: Laremy Tunsil; LT, Ole Miss – Now things start to get tricky.  San Diego could go in a number of ways here, but with that said, the more I think about it, there may not be a more perfect match than Tunsil and the Chargers.  Simply put, this team’s pass protection has been downright dreadful over the past few years, which is not conducive to keeping Phillip Rivers upright through the later stages of his career; Rivers has been sacked 155 times over the past four years.  The Chargers rushing attack was toothless last year, ranking next-to-last in yardage despite spending their First Round Pick on Tailback Melvin Gordon a year ago.  Though Tunsil comes with some baggage, he’s also supremely talented, and should exponentially improve both problem areas once he’s in the lineup.
4. Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Ramsey; DB, Florida State – Dallas really needs help defensively, particularly in terms of their weak pass-rush, which would lead me to believe that Defensive Linemen such as Joey Bosa or DeForest Buckner would be the play.  After all, the Cowboys parted ways with the troublesome Greg Hardy, and fellow DE DeMarcus Lawrence has apparently just been suspended for the first four games of the season due to a failed drug test.  With all that said, Jerry Jones loves his athletes, and I find it hard for him to pass up arguably the top talent in the Draft.  And it’s not like this team doesn’t need help in the Secondary either; Morris Claiborne is a bust, and Brandon Carr is gone, so pairing a stud like Ramsey with last year’s First Round Pick Byron Jones could give the Cowboys a promising tandem for years to come.  And as an added bonus, Ramsey can also play Safety, which is also a need area here.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack; LB, UCLA – If you follow Mock Drafts, this has been one of the most consistent picks from the beginning.  Despite coming off a major Knee Injury suffered midway through the season, Jack stands poised to be the pick for a Jaguars’ unit that after building a potentially explosive offense, will divert it’s attention to the defensive side of the ball.  Gus Bradley needs playmaking Linebackers with speed, athleticism, and range, which coincidentally are fortes of this kid.  Reports have varied in regards to his health, but what hasn’t are the reports out of Jacksonville that he will indeed be the pick if he is available, and at this point he likely will.
6. Baltimore Ravens: DeForest Buckner; DE, Oregon – With the two Quarterbacks going first, teams will stand to gain from top-tier talent being pushed down the board, with the Ravens only too eager to pounce on the opportunity to replenish their ranks.  Baltimore really needs help in the trenches, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, where the pass rush has become a legitimate question mark with the aging Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs, with the latter coming off an Achilles tear.  Enter Buckner, who can play multiple positions along the front, with ridiculous athleticism for someone his size, and surprising pass-rushing skills to boot.  Bosa could be a play here too, but in my opinion, the mammoth product out of Oregon is a far surer thing.
   

   Likely heading to Philadelphia, Wentz will likely learn behind Sam Bradford before ultimately taking over when ready.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Ronnie Stanley; LT, Notre Dame – With Trent Baalke and Chip Kelly running the show, this is one of the more difficult picks to forecast at this point.  The Niners were pathetic last year, and need help at multiple positions, none more so than Quarterback.  However, reaching for Paxton Lynch would be precisely the kind of move that would incite the football world to further vilify the beleaguered General Manager and Head Coach.  With Colin Kaepernick likely staying put for at least one more season, it would be far more logical to provide him with some support, making Ronnie Stanley the choice in my mind.  Nimble, athletic, and fleet-footed, the Notre Dame product should become a solid blind-side protector for years to come.  The Offensive Line was once a strength in San Francisco, and with this kid it can once again.
8. Cleveland Browns: Ezekiel Elliott; RB, Ohio State – In the first smart move under their new regime, the Browns moved down six spots in exchange for a small fortune of picks from the Eagles, and as luck would have it stand in a prime position to select arguably the top playmaker in the field.  Cleveland needs help everywhere, with a roster barren of playmakers on virtually every level.  And with Robert Griffin III in line to start the season under Center, what better way of giving him a chance to succeed than giving him the consensus top rusher Ezekiel Elliott?  Sure, Tailbacks don’t typically go this high, but after the impact that Todd Gurley had on the Rams, the Ohio State product could really expedite what looks to be a very long rebuilding process in Cleveland.  Passing on a QB is another smart move, for a franchise that has unfortunately made far too few of them over the years.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joey Bosa; DE, Ohio State – Once upon a time considered a lock for a top-three selection, no player stands to fall further due to the Quarterbacks being taken first and Second than this kid.  After a dominant 2014 campaign, Bosa regressed a bit in 2015, though the same can be said about the entire Buckeyes’ team last year.  Say what you want, though, for he has raised his fair share of red flags.  Work ethic, health, and off-field habits have all been questioned, but what cannot be denied is his natural ability which could really make him a steal for a team in dire need of pass-rushers like Tampa Bay.  Even with Lovie Smith’s ousting, the defense will largely stay the same, which plays to Bosa’s strengths quite nicely.
10. New York Giants: Vernon Hargreaves III; CB, Florida – With Elliott off the board, the Giants immediately become a strong candidate to trade down, but if they do in fact stand pat, then continuing to fortify their porous defense should be the order here.  Big Blue spent a fortune  on the resigning Jason Pierre-Paul, and acquiring the likes of Janoris Jenkins, Olivier Vernon, and Damon Harrison, so continuing the defensive makeover sounds like the safest way to go.  Though undersized, Hargreaves was arguably the best cover corner in the SEC over the last two years, with outrageous athleticism on display.  Scheme versatile and intelligent, this kid should provide an immediate upgrade over the departed Prince Amukamara.
11. Chicago Bears: Shaq Lawson; DE, Clemson – The Bears’ transition to a 3-4 defensive front wasn’t the smoothest last year, and that was mostly due to a lack of proper personnel.  John Fox will set out acquire the necessary pieces to further ease said move, with a premium being paced on Edge Rushers, which this draft offers in spades.  After a dominant Senior campaign, and stellar showing in the National Title Game against Alabama’s herculean Offensive Line, Lawson makes a ton of sense here.  With 12.5 sacks and a nation-leading 24.5 tackles for loss, this kid has the stuff to not only set the edge but terrorize opposing Quarterbacks, whether he’s standing up or has his hand in the dirt.
12. New Orleans Saints: William Jackson; CB, Houston – The consensus among most Mocks is that the Saints will address their beleaguered defense in a major way this weekend, which in all honesty they should have done years ago.  However, in need of help on all levels, New Orleans could go in a multitude of ways here, but my guess is that they’ll go Cornerback and attempt to write the wrong that was the monumental bust of signing Brandon Browner.  As expected Sean Payton let the oft-penalized Corner walk in Free Agency, and should look further than one of the draft’s fastest risers to replace him.  Jackson has the size, speed, and length to thrive the Saints’ zone-heavy schemes, not to mention solid ball skills, which would be a welcome sight in the Big Easy after sixteen games of Browner and Co.
13. Miami Dolphins: Eli Apple; CB, Ohio State – The third Cornerback in four picks comes off the board with the Ohio State product proving to be the Apple of Miami’s eye.  All jokes aside, the Dolphins need help on the back end, with Brent Grimes out of town and little in the way of depth.  Though reports have had this team head over heels for Ezekiel Elliott for quite some time (after all, who isn’t?), but in this Mock he’s gone, which will likely be the case in the real world come Thursday.  At 6’1″, Apple is one of the biggest Corners in this Draft, with the kind of length that has become so en vogue at that position over the past few years.  Possessing solid ball skills and speed to boot, this kid is not a bad consolation prize, who should profit from the presumed pressure created by the ‘Fins crazy expensive Defensive Line.
    

    Arguably the top player in the Draft, Ramsey can play all positions in the Secondary, equally adapt at Cornerback or Safety.

14. Oakland Raiders: Sheldon Rankins; DT, Louisville – It’s been a while since the Raiders haven’t been drafting in the Top Ten, and even longer since they’ve been lauded for smart decisions, but over the past few years they’ve absolutely crushed the Draft, landing franchise cornerstones such as Khalil Mack and Derek Carr.  After filling a multitude of needs in Free Agency, they literally go Best Player Available, which probably points towards selecting one of the remaining Defensive Lineman, which actually fits a position of need too.  You can never have enough pass-rushers, and Rankins (14.0 sacks, 26.5 tackles for loss since 2014) is the kind of interior rusher that would really bring together what has the potential of being a nasty defensive front.
15. Tennessee Titans: Jack Conklin; LT, Michigan State – Trading down was a brilliant play by the Titans, who after drafting Marcus Mariota last year, had no desire of remaining at No. One.  Ironically, many pointed towards them picking an Offensive Tackle at that spot, but nevertheless manage to get one anyway despite moving back fifteen selections.  At this point it’s between either Ohio State’s Taylor Decker or Michigan State’s Jack Conklin.  In Conklin, Tennessee would get one of the Big Ten’s finest Linemen, also capable of kicking inside to play Guard.  Tough, smart, and well-versed in a pro style system, this kid help keep Mariota clean for years to come.
16. Detroit Lions: Taylor Decker; LT, Ohio State – In all honesty, Decker and Conklin are interchangeable, with either going No. 14 or 15 respectively.  Since I have Conklin heading to the Music City, I’ll send Decker to the Motor City, where it became painfully evident that Lions’ Quarterback Matthew Stafford is in dire need of better protection.  Sacked forty-four times last year, Stafford struggled immensely without time to throw downfield.  And with Calvin Johnson allegedly retiring, he’s going to need more time to find his targets downfield.  Plus, no team was worse rushing the football than Detroit, who could only muster 83.4 yards per game on the ground.  This team needs help in the trenches in a major way, and Decker could definitely help out.
17. Atlanta Falcons: Darron Lee; LB, Ohio State – Seventeen picks in and already five Buckeyes have gone off the board.  With Dan Quinn a long way to go in building a Seattle-esque defense in Atlanta, it only makes sense that he would look towards that side of the ball on Thursday.  The Falcons need playmakers, particularly in the Front Seven, and while it may be tempting to take a pass-rusher for the second consecutive year, my gut tells me that they’ll go Linebacker with Lee, who will no doubt remind Quinn of Bobby Wagner.  Freakishly fast and athletic for someone at his position, the Ohio State Product will bring some much needed range to the intermediate levels of the defense.
18. Indianapolis Colts: Jarran Reed; DE, Alabama – After a dismal season marred by injuries, the Colts were pathetic in the trenches, and are in dire need of improving both Lines.  With both the aforementioned Conklin and Decker off the Board, they can probably divert their attention to defense, where Reed would be a very smart play for Chuck Pagano and Co.  Indianapolis still hasn’t quite transitioned properly to a 3-4 front, but this monster out of Tuscaloosa would certainly remedy that situation.  Capable of playing inside as a Defensive Tackle, or two-gapping as a Five Technique Defensive End, Reed was arguably the top performer on Nick Saban’s loaded National Championship defense.
19. Buffalo Bills: Noah Spence; Edge, Western Kentucky – Rex Ryan’s first season in Western New York was far from a rousing success, as one of the league’s most ferocious defenses slouched en route to twenty-one sacks.  Major changes ensued with the release of Mario Williams, as Ryan looks for pass-rushers better suited for his blitz-happy schemes.  At this point, Spence looks like a no-brainer for multiple reasons; the Ohio State transfer was dismissed due to a series of failed drug tests, but rehabbed his standing in the eye’s of scouts with a huge season with the Hilltoppers racking up 14.0 sacks.  Ryan has never shied away from players with character issues, and likely wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger on such a promising young Edge Rusher.
20. New York Jets: Vernon Butler; DT, Louisiana Tech – While it’s very tempting for the Jets to go Quarterback here, keep in mind that they are very likely to trade Pro Bowl Defensive End Muhammad Wilkerson (who wants out badly), which would in turn free up the cap space needed to resign Ryan Fitzpatrick, who nearly led them to the Playoffs last year.  Any package deal for Wilkerson will likely involve moving up, but if not and they get picks later in the draft (or in the future), then it would be incumbent on New York to replace the big fella.  Vernon Butler would be a great fit given his size, strength and athleticism, which are all traits that have seen him compared quite frequently to the man he would likely be replacing.
21. Washington Redskins: Ryan Kelly; C, Alabama – After the bombshell signing of Josh Norman, Cornerback is no longer the priority that it was a week ago, making their choice a bit of mystery at the moment.  My guess is that they’ll look at the trenches, where they could definitely stand to improve, particularly on the interior of the Offensive Line.  Brandon Scherff was a smart choice a year ago, and Jay Gruden and Co. would do well to dip back into that well in the form of Kelly, the top Center in the field.  Having anchored Alabama’s gargantuan Line last year, and helping pave the way for Heisman-winner Derrick Henry, this guy would solidify what had by one of the weaker units on the team.  It’s far from the sexiest of picks, but it’s necessary.
22. Houston Texans: William Fuller; WR, Notre Dame – One of the worst-kept secrets in this Draft is Houston’s desire and need to flank Pro Bowl Receiver DeAndre Hopkins with a playmaker.  At this point, the Texans should have their pick of the litter in regards to Receivers, with my choice being Fuller.  Though many will be clamoring for Laquan Treadwell, the sure-handed Mississippi product didn’t help his cause with a poor showing at his Pro Day.  Fuller on the other hand, brings the top-end speed that teams covet, and should really open things up for newly-minted Quarterback Brock Osweiler.
    

    Elliott has been earmarked as the top playmaker in the Draft, with a wealth of teams jockeying for his services in the Top-Ten.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Corey Coleman; WR, Baylor – With Fuller off the board, the run on Wideouts continues with Coleman, who like Fuller, brings plenty of speed to the field, which is something that Minnesota desperately needs on the perimeter given they released Mike Wallace back in March.  Entering his third season in the league, Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater needs as many weapons as he can get, particularly someone who can help him stretch opposing defenses.  Coleman was nothing short of prolific at Baylor, as the All-American led the nation with twenty receiving touchdowns to go with his 1,363 yards on seventy-four receptions.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Thomas; WR, Ohio State – Another pick, another Receiver taken off the board.  Once flush with pass-catchers, the Bengals are now desperate for reinforcements after losing both Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu in Free Agency.  Sure A.J. Green is great, and Tyler Eifert emerged a bonafide threat at Tight End, but it’s unreasonable to think that the offense will continue to improve without requisite weapons.  Thomas is considered by many to potentially be the best of this group of Receivers, after topping 780 yards in each of the past two years.  At 6’3″, 210 lbs, he will provide Cincinnati with a physical presence opposite Green, which was sorely needed.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kendall Fuller; CB, Virginia Tech – I’ve been lamenting for years that Pittsburgh needs to upgrade their Secondary, particularly Cornerback, but year after year they continue to pass on the position.  Simply put, the Steelers need help here, and after doing a solid job of improving their pass-rush in past drafts, they finally need to address their liabilities in coverage.  Fortunately for Mike Tomlin, there are a number of really good Corners left to choose form, with Fuller getting the nod from this guy.  With excellent size and tremendous ball skills (six interceptions from 2013-2014), missed all but three games last year with a knee injury.  However, doctors have given him a clean bill of health, which could ultimately push him even higher into the First Round.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Jason Spriggs; LT, Indiana – Few teams suffered from poorer Offensive Line play than the Seahawks, who endangered their season on the chance of a Motley Crew of guys would gel into a cohesive unit.  Seriously, folks, there were undrafted players starting at multiple positions, rookies, and even former defensive players counting themselves as members of the Seattle Line, which is simply unacceptable given their lofty championship aspirations.  The revolution starts with Spriggs, who could upgrade either Tackle position, with his quick feet and surprising agility for a many his size.  Russell Wilson needs better protection, and this would be a good place to start.
27. Green Bay Packers: A’Shawn Robinson; DT, Alabama – Another team that needs better play in the trenches is the Packers, who struggled mightily at times to protect Aaron Rodgers last year.  The two-time MVP was forty-six times, which simply can’t happen again, lest he sustain injury.  OF course, they also struggled to stop the run, allowing a dreadful 4.5 yards per carry (29th Overall).  Robinson has fallen in many Mocks, but was still a key component on Alabama’s stout three-man front.  Green Bay runs a similar defense, so he should be able to step in right away at the Five-Technique, stifling blockers at the point of attack with his strength.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Mackenzie Alexander; CB, Clemson – The Chiefs struck gold a year ago with the selection of Cornerback Marcus Peters, who went on to pick off seven passes en route to earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.  I could really see them returning to that well, particularly given the fact that they lost fellow Corner Sean Smith in Free agency, and Hussain Abdullah to retirement over the last two months.  All of a sudden, that solid Secondary is rather thin, which puts the emphasis on selecting another Defensive Back.  And lo and behold, Alexander is available at this juncture.  Falling down some boards due to his lack of size and lack of interceptions (none in two years), the fiery Corner plays much bigger than his size, and will likely carry a big chip on his shoulder after being passed over by so many teams.
29. Arizona Cardinals: Kevin Dodd; DE, Clemson – Another Clemson Tiger comes off the board, as Shaq Lawson’s partner in crime heads out to the desert to bolster the Cardinals’ pass-rush.  As good as Arizona’s defense was last year, they were far from prolific when it came to pressure, totaling thirty-five sacks, with only the ageless Dwight Freeney, whom they signed off the street in October, surpassing five sacks.  Dodd would work wonders here, giving the Cardinals a big, athletic Defensive End who racked up 12.5 sacks and 24.0 tackles for loss in 2015, and was every bit as impressive in that National Title Game as his more famous teammate.  He would slot in perfectly along Bruce Arians’ hybrid front seven.
30. Carolina Panthers: Artie Burns; CB, Miami – I’ve had the Panthers pegged to select an Offensive Lineman for a while now, particularly given that unit’s utter capitulation in the Super Bowl against Denver’s defense, but the void left in the wake of Josh Norman’s departure is a much higher priority.  Losing an All-Pro for nothing hurts, but when you consider that Ron Rivera’s options on the roster leave a lot to be desired, Carolina simply must take a Corner, or two.  With the bigger names off the board, look for one of the guys at the top of the Second Round to get bumped up out of need, with Burns being a prime candidate.  With plenty of size and speed to spare, this kid is a good start to life without Norman.
31. Denver Broncos: Paxton Lynch; QB, Memphis – Denver’s handling of their Quarterback position this Offseason downright bizarre.  From Peyton Manning’s protracted retirement, to Brock Osweiler’s departure, to the signing of Mark Sanchez, to the failed acquisition of Colin Kaepernick, the defending Super Bowl Champions have left many of scratching our heads.  My gut tells me that John Elway and Co. have their sights set on Lynch, whose size, arm strength, and mobility are sure to attract the eye of the Hall of Famer and Gary Kubiak.  And speaking of Kubiak, the prospect of deploying this kid in the veteran coach’s trademark boot legs seems like a perfect fit, right?