McShay - 2016 1st round mock 5/8/15....

[Risen Star]

Click the link for full commentary on all the picks (ESPN Insider)....

http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2015/in...-tops-way-too-early-2016-mock-draft-nfl-draft


A couple of important notes:

• I have not done full tape studies on any of these players yet. We will begin going through the 2016 class next week and produce preseason scouting evaluations that will run in August. I made picks here based on what I've been able to see from these players in person, on TV and on limited tape and also what I've heard from league sources.

• The draft order below was generated for us by Football Outsiders, using their early projected records for the 2015 season.

Here is our way-too-early NFL mock draft for 2016.

Record in paranthesis is Football Outsiders 2015 projection

1.. Washington Commanders (5-11) - Christian Hackenberg QB Penn St.
2.. Cleveland Browns (5-11) - Connor Cook QB Michigan St.
3.. Oakland Raiders (5-11) - Joey Bosa DE Ohio St.
4.. Tennessee Titans (6-10) - Laremy Tunsil T Mississippi
5.. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10) - Emmanuel Ogbah DE Oklahoma St.
6.. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10) - Vernon Hargreaves CB Florida
7.. New York Jets (6-10) - Cardale Jones QB Ohio St.
8.. St. Louis Rams (6-10) - Duke Williams WR Auburn
9.. Arizona Cardinals (6-10) - Jared Goff QB California
10. Minnesota Vikings (6-10) - Ronnie Stanley T Notre Dame
11. Carolina Panthers (7-9) - Taylor Decker T Ohio St.
12. Chicago Bears (7-9) - Jalen Ramsey S Florida St.
13. San Francisco 49ers (7-9) - Laquon Treadwell WR Mississippi
14. Detroit Lions (7-9) - Jack Conklin T Michigan St.
15. Houston Texans (8-8) - Ezekiel Elliott RB Ohio St.
16. Buffalo Bills (8-8) - Shawn Oakman DE Baylor
17. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) - Robert Nkemdiche DE Mississippi
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) - A'Shawn Robinson DT Alabama
19. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) - Su'a Cravens S USC
20. San Diego Chargers (9-7) - Leonard Floyd OLB Georgia
21. New Orleans Saints (9-7) - Kendall Fuller CB Virginia Tech
22. New York Giants (9-7) - Kenny Clark DT UCLA
23. Baltimore Ravens (9-7) - Carl Lawson OLB Auburn
24. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7) - Jaylon Smith OLB Notre Dame
25. Atlanta Falcons (10-6) - Myles Jack OLB UCLA
26. Indianapolis Colts (10-6) - Spencer Drango T Baylor
27. Green Bay Packers (10-6) - Maliek Collins DT Nebraska
28. Denver Broncos (10-6) - Scooby Wright ILB Arizona
29. Miami Dolphins (11-5) - Derrick Henry RB Alabama

30. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) - Darron Lee OLB Ohio St.
He was a big-time playmaker for the Buckeyes' defense as a redshirt freshman last season. He lacks ideal size and strength at 6-2, 228, but his combination of athleticism, instincts, savvy and coverage skills is outstanding.

31. New England Patriots (11-5) - Tre'Davious White CB LSU
32. Seattle Seahawks (12-4) - Max Tuerk C/G USC

-

Other players considered

I couldn't fit these players into the 2016 mock, but all were under consideration:

-- DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
-- Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
-- Tony Conner, S, Ole Miss
-- Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
-- Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State

 

[waving monkey]

RS is there any analysis yet of the strength of the 16 draft ?

 

[Aven8]

He has the Skins finishing with the worst record? While I would love to see that, I think they might be the most surprising team this year. They did a lot to fix there Dline, and the addition of Cally cannot be understated.

 

[tm1119]

I'd be really sad if Hackenberg went to the Commanders.

What do people see in Cook? Is he even better than Cousins? He seems like a 3rd round pick fringe starter to me.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I like Darron Lee as well but would be crushed if we just missed out on Scooby Wright or Myles Jack by a few picks.

 

[Risen Star]

RS is there any analysis yet of the strength of the 16 draft ?

Nothing substantial other than the few mentions I saw have the belief next year's first round will be stronger than this year's. This year's 1st round wasn't highly thought of amongst these draftniks.

 

[CATCH17]

Lol at the Dolphins picking 29.

Are they trading down from # 9?

 

[JBell]

If Cook and Hackenberg are the top QB prospects, I'm waiting until 2017 to draft a QB.

#1 and #2 overall too?

 

[JoeyBoy718]

So their 2016 standings are:

AFC
1. Patriots (11-5)
2. Broncos (10-6)
3. Colts (10-6)
4. Ravens (9-7)
5. Dolphins (11-5)
6. Chiefs (9-7)

NFC
1. Seattle (12-4)
2. Dallas (11-5)
3. Green Bay (10-6)
4. Atlanta (10-6)
5. Giants (9-7)
6. Saints (9-7)

With the playoffs most likely looking like:

Wildcard

Colts > Chiefs
Dolphins > Ravens

Packers > Saints
Falcons > Giants

Divisional

Broncos > Colts
Patriots > Dolphins

Cowboys > Packers
Seahawks > Falcons

Conference

Patriots > Broncos

Seahawks > Cowboys

Super Bowl

Seahawks > Patriots

-----------------------------------------------------------

That's the only realistic way based on their records and pick positions. Though it doesn't seem possible since they have the Dolphins finishing with the 29th pick, meaning they'd be in the AFC Championship, but they couldn't in any mathematical way since they'd always end up playing the Patriots in the 2nd round.

 

[Risen Star]

That's the only realistic way based on their records and pick positions. Though it doesn't seem possible since they have the Dolphins finishing with the 29th pick, meaning they'd be in the AFC Championship, but they couldn't in any mathematical way since they'd always end up playing the Patriots in the 2nd round.

Why couldn't the Chiefs beat the Colts, sending the Dolphins to Denver?

 

[DBOY3141]

Don't see the Cards falling to 6-10.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Don't see the Cards falling to 6-10.

You are right but there are others that make me scratch my head besides that.

 

[Alexander]

I'd be really sad if Hackenberg went to the Commanders.

He just looked shell shocked by the end of the season last year.

If that repeats itself you will not worry about him going to Washington, you would welcome it.

 

[reddyuta]

Hackenberg and Cook dont inspire much confidence at all.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Hackenberg and Cook dont inspire much confidence at all.

I like Cook.

 

[tm1119]

He just looked shell shocked by the end of the season last year.

If that repeats itself you will not worry about him going to Washington, you would welcome it.

I'm a huge Penn State fan so Hackenberg in a Skins uni would never be a welcomed site to me.

It was his 1st year in a new system and was only a Sophomore though. I wouldn't worry too much about him. His arm talent is undeniable, he just needs to honed in. He trusts that big arm of his more than his eyes too often and gets in trouble forcing the ball. I fully expect him to put up some pretty good #'s this year. Whether he's good enough to be a 1st overall pick is pretty debatable though. That much I wouldn't bet on

 

[Garrettop]

#1: Why does anyone take mockdrafts seriously at any point in the year - but especially a year in advance?
#2: Another LB? Seriously? What a joke.

 

[KingintheNorth]

#1: Why does anyone take mockdrafts seriously at any point in the year - but especially a year in advance?

For some of us, like the Cowboys, the draft is a year-round hobby.

#2: Another LB? Seriously? What a joke.

Why not? We have the all of the back-up's we can handle. Let's go get a starter now.

 

[Garrettop]

It is one thing to talk about prospective seniors you would like to see on the team, but projecting who you would get is impossible enough even when the draft order is set (unless you pick 1st). As far as starters go, if McClain can keep it together we have 2 excellent starters, and unlike some others I think Hitchens will be fantastic on the strong side. Lee - McClain - Hitchens looks like a pretty formidable duo. We need another 1st rounder in the secondary.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Why not? We have the all of the back-up's we can handle. Let's go get a starter now.

I'd go DB before I would go LB.