Mel Kiper's 2016 NFL Mock Draft 4.0
— -- Early April means we're officially in the home stretch, which doesn't just go for us analysts. The draft class can now go shopping for suits or get the party planned, because with just a few exceptions, pro days have also been completed. There are a number of individual workouts that will take place in April, but much of the "process" we talk about has been completed.
Do pro days change things? Sure. Many players pass on certain combine workouts based on injuries, so teams want to see them perform. As well, we see a lot more from the quarterback class in these settings than we do in Indy.
That in mind, here's the latest mock. I added a number of players I see as Round 2 options, many of whom could have been taken in Round 1.
A player with an asterisk next to his name has a year of eligibility remaining. Two asterisks implies two years.
1. Tennessee Titans
* Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
At this point, I think that while Jalen Ramsey is the type of talent you could consider here, the need to protect the face of the franchise wins out unless they find a way to trade out of this spot. The top left tackle in the draft goes to a team where offensive line help is a must. No change from the previous mock.
2. Cleveland Browns
Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
He's not the top QB on my board, but this isn't a prospect ranking, it's a projection. The addition of Robert Griffin III does provide some added developmental insurance here so they don't have to start a rookie, and it also gives them a chance to wait on a QB pick if they really like one of the guys who could be around in Round 2.
3. San Diego Chargers
* Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
I do think they could consider Ronnie Stanley here, but if it's about the best player available here, I think Ramsey has a good shot. I know there are concerns he'll face some developmental hurdles as a rookie, but all cornerbacks do, and Ramsey's ceiling is extremely high.
4. Dallas Cowboys
* Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
I don't think they should be out of the market for a quarterback this high, but it's hard to go wrong with the best pure pass-rusher in the draft. Bosa might not be the kind of freakish athlete you peg for a future 20-sack season, but he's a much better athlete than many give him credit for, and he'll be an early contributor who can stay on the field in any situation.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
* Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
This guy just makes you better on the defensive side of the ball. The game comes so easy to him, and while we say it often, his ability to cover almost anyone with a legit linebacker frame is where it really stands out. Draft him and expect him to start right away.
6. Baltimore Ravens
* Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
The Ravens could go in a number of directions here, but this is a spot where Elliott starts to come into play for teams who want to stay strict to a "best player available" strategy. No question he'll benefit any team he lands with, including the Ravens.
7. San Francisco 49ers
* Jared Goff, QB, California
Sticking with this pick. Even if Colin Kaepernick remains at quarterback -- that feels less and less likely -- I don't know if Goff would be out of the equation here. Goff has some special traits that could help him get on the field pretty quickly if Chip Kelly can trust him with the offense.
8. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami)
DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
A steal at this point, Buckner would look pretty good on a defensive line with Fletcher Cox. Buckner has the ability to really control an offensive lineman and disrupt offenses, and his versatility makes him useful pretty much anywhere.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
* Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
I could see Stanley going as high as No. 3 overall, which makes him a reasonable value here. The Bucs did target offensive line help in last year's draft, but ceiling is a pretty big question mark, and they shouldn't make the same mistake the Colts did with Andrew Luck when it comes to building a solid group in front of their franchise talent.
10. New York Giants
* Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
The Giants could go a few different directions here, as their spending spree in free agency, particularly on defense, doesn't mean that adding a pass-rusher or cornerback is out of the question here. But Conklin can be plugged in immediately at right tackle, and could even battle for the starting job on the left side.
11. Chicago Bears
* Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
Sticking with the same pick here from the previous mock. The Bears did a nice job in free agency at inside linebacker, but Floyd is the edge defender who could really help early in passing downs.
12. New Orleans Saints
Sheldon Rankins, DL, Louisville
Another one I'm not changing from the previous mock. Rankins offers as much interior quickness as you're going to find in this draft, a class loaded with good interior defenders. More disruption from the defensive line is a recipe for a rebound for the Saints' defense.
13. Miami Dolphins (from Philadelphia)
** Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State
Lee offers tremendous upside, and I think a smart defensive coordinator will find him extremely versatile. He's an explosive, blitzing threat who is great in space and will grow into an above-average coverage linebacker. Athletes like this are special, and Lee has the instincts to go with that raw ability.
14. Oakland Raiders
* Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
The Raiders have done a lot of work in free agency to address the defensive side of the ball, but they need help at cornerback and could be tickled to find the best pure corner in the draft at this spot. Hargreaves lacks some measurables, but the tape doesn't lie.
15. Los Angeles Rams
* Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
Lynch needs a lot of development, but for a franchise desperate for a quarterback, he could be worth the bet. Could the Rams be one of the teams willing to move up for Goff or Wentz? It's not entirely out of the question.
16. Detroit Lions
* Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
The Lions have needs elsewhere, but getting the top wide receiver in the draft class at No. 16 overall is a good value. It's absurd to say Treadwell can replace Calvin Johnson -- nobody is doing that -- but he does give them length, strong hands and playmaking ability. They can get a good D-lineman in either of the next two rounds thanks to so much depth at the position.
17. Atlanta Falcons
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
You could make a case that Ragland is as ready to contribute on Sundays as any defender in this draft. Yes, he's an instinctive tackling machine at the line of scrimmage, but Ragland can cover ground. Atlanta can put him to work immediately.
18. Indianapolis Colts
Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
It's hard for me to see a situation in which one of the top three offensive tackles is still available here, but Decker is a solid value at this slot and I don't think the Colts can go wrong with a "best offensive lineman available" strategy, potentially more than once.
19. Buffalo Bills
* Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
Given his productivity and well-rounded game, Lawson would be a good get in this range. The Ryan brothers have to get the defense turned around or they could both be elsewhere in 2017, and Lawson is the kind of player who can get on the field early and help.
20. New York Jets
* Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
One of the fastest-rising prospects in the draft, Ifedi has the prototype frame for an NFL left tackle, with long arms and quick feet. You're certainly projecting a little here, because he's far more about potential than polish at this point, but you could end up with a steal at a need position. Ifedi can also play guard.
21. Washington Redskins
Jarran Reed, DL, Alabama
Washington went after physical trench players in the 2015 draft, and Reed would be a continuation of that trend. There isn't a better defender against the run, and Reed is ready to get on the field for pretty much any team.
22. Houston Texans
* Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
They have a big-time talent in DeAndre Hopkins, but Coleman adds another dimension, and is the kind of speedster who can open up space for others in the offense because you simply have to respect his speed. If you think you have your QB, you better add another weapon.
23. Minnesota Vikings
Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Sticking with this pick from the previous mock. As I said then, you have Stefon Diggs, but this is a huge year for Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings need to add another weapon in the passing game. Doctson is a magician when the ball is in the air, and he can make plays after the catch as well.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
* Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
Free agency didn't help Andy Dalton all that much. A.J. Green is still all-world at wide receiver, but they could use another player who will get the attention of opposing defensive coordinators and make safeties take a step or two backwards. Fuller has big-time speed and was the best deep threat in college football last season.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers
William Jackson III, CB, Houston
The Steelers could be a better secondary away from Super Bowl contention, and while you don't want to rely on rookies back there too often, Pittsburgh doesn't have a choice and should add talent wherever there's value to be had. Jackson is rising on boards everywhere and could be a good get at this stage.
26. Seattle Seahawks
** Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
I know the offensive line is a concern, but I don't think you can sacrifice talent for need here, especially when the reality is you're not being realistic if you think there's an immediate upgrade at left tackle to be found here. Apple has major upside as a physical cornerback with length. He'll fit right in.
27. Green Bay Packers
* Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State
A high-energy speedster coming off the edge looks great on this defense, and the more you watch Correa, the more you see the potential for him to help a pass-rush right away. He can take some pressure off Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers.
28. Kansas City Chiefs
* Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State
He's listed at safety, but Bell has the kind of coverage ability that some think he could handle cornerback. In a nutshell, he's a versatile talent in the secondary, and the Chiefs -- or any team, for that matter -- will find use for him.
29. Arizona Cardinals
Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
The addition of Chandler Jones gives the Cardinals a much-needed pass-rusher. Now a team without glaring needs does have a noticeable one on the interior of the offensive line. Kelly is a plug-and-play option at center, and he's also in the "best available" mix at this point.
30. Carolina Panthers
* Miles Killebrew, Southern Utah
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