Omar Kelly’s 2016 NFL Mock Draft (Final version)
The clock is ticking on Jeff Fisher and that Rams’ regime, and the best way to buy patience is to draft a young quarterback. Wentz’s size, athleticism and arm strength makes him the best option in this draft class. Los Angeles needs to trade Nick Foles for the extra picks they lost trading up to the No. 1 spot. Team needs: QB, WR, C, DL.
(Gregory Payan / AP)South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Take a look at the third and final version of how Omar Kelly projects the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. The first round of this year’s draft will begin on April 28, and every team but New England has a first-round pick. The Patriots lost their first-round pick through NFL penalty for the team’s role in Deflategate.
Despite re-signing Sam Bradford and adding Chase Daniel as a free agent, the Eagles traded a king’s ransom to the Browns to move up six spots so they could land the leftover quarterback. Goff isn’t a finished prospect, but his mechanics hint there’s upside with proper coaching. Team needs: QB, DL, OL, RB
(Ben Margot / AP)Jalen Ramsey has the skill set to play cornerback, but he’ll be more impactful as an NFL safety. San Diego needs to replace Eric Weddle, who signed with the Ravens as a free agent. Ramsey is the best player in the 2016 draft and might become an immediate superstar if put in the right scheme. Team needs: DL, S, OL, DE
(Michael Conroy / Associated Press)The Cowboys defense produced just 31 sacks last season, which is proof that Dallas needs pass rushing help. Joey Bosa has a relentless motor, and should be the second coming of Chris Long. Team needs: DE, CB, QB, RB
(Joe Robbins / Getty Images)Myles Jack has great speed and athleticism, which could make him the finishing piece that helps the Jaguars defense, which will get 2015 first-round pick Dante Fowler Jr. back. Team needs: CB, S, C, LB
(Christina House / For The Times)The Ravens are in the market for starting defensive linemen, and DeForest Buckner is a perfect fit for a 3-4 scheme. He’s not a polished pass rusher, but he’ll be an effective edge-setter as a rookie. Team needs: OL, CB, LB, DE
(Ryan Kang / AP)Erik Pears was largely ineffective last season, allowing 10 sacks, and Trent Brown isn’t ready to become an NFL starter. Anthony Davis might unretire, but Tunsil is too talented a prospect for the 49ers to pass on. Team needs: DL, OL, QB, CB
(Gregory Payan / AP)Despite this offseason’s signing of Robert Griffin III the Browns need a young quarterback who can be developed by new coach Hue Jackson. Lynch has the most upside because of his size, athleticism, and quick trigger. But the Browns could possibly trade down and still get him. Team needs: QB, WR, DL, LB
(Gregory Payan / AP)Shaq Lawson will help Tampa Bay tighten the screws on a defense that produced 38 sacks and finished second in the NFL in rushing yards per attempt (3.4) last season. Lawson could make Tampa Bay’s defense elite. Team needs: DL, OG, S, LB
(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)The entire right side of the Giants’ offensive line needs to be upgraded, and the linebacker unit needs a playmaker, but Ezekiel Elliott is the type of transformative player who can make the Giants a contender again, which could help Jerry Reese save his job. Team needs: OL, DL, LB, WR
(Tony Ding / AP)The Bears struggled to protect Jay Cutler, who was sacked just 29 times last season, but was consistently harassed. Ronnie Stanley could immediate play one of the tackle spots, allowing Kyle Long or Bobbie Massie to move inside. Team needs: OT, DL, QB, RB
(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)The Saints need to fortify both the offensive and defensive lines, and start the process in the first round by selecting Sheldon Rankins, who has strength, power and quickness. Team needs: DL, OLB, CB, OG
(Brynn Anderson / AP)The Dolphins need to find a starting cornerback to put opposite Byron Maxwell and Hargreaves III is the most polished option in this draft class. Hargreaves has good size (5-foot-10), long arms, and possesses impressive ball skills (10 interceptions in three seasons). Team needs: CB, RB, DL, OL
(Sam Greenwood / Getty Images)Reggie Ragland has ideal size and strength to play inside in a 3-4 scheme. He plays downhill and should be a perfect complement to Khalil Mack, Bruce Irvin and Malcolm Smith. Team needs: CB, S, OL, LB
(John Bazemore / Associated Press)Dodd has impressive size (6-foot-5, 277 pounds) and long arms, which hints he could be a good defensive end in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. But he’s only been productive for one college season, and will be 24 as a rookie in the NFL.
(Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)The Lions desperately need a receiver to replace Calvin Johnson, who retired. If Laquon Treadwell ran a faster 40-yard dash time, he’d probably be a top five pick because of how well he tracks balls and runs routes. Team needs: OT, WR, CB, S
(Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)Reed, who is 6-foot-2, 307 pounds is a well built defensive tackle who possesses exceptional strength. He’s a strong run defender. But he’s not sudden and lacks quick-twitch movement traits.
(Brynn Anderson / AP)The Colts need to fortify the offensive line to protect Andrew Luck better, but that can wait till the second day. Darron Lee is an excellent athlete who should thrive as an NFL weakside linebacker, helping a Colts defense that finished 26th in yards allowed per game. Team needs: OL, OLB, S, RB
(Jay LaPrete / Associated Press)Alexander has impeccable short-area burst, and terrific recovery speed, which explains why only 33 passes out of 106 targets were caught against him in two seasons. He’ll blossom learning tricks of the trade from Darrelle Revis. Team needs: LB, QB, TE, CB
(Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)While Robert Nkemdiche might not have been as productive as many expected during his college career, his size, strength and athleticism will excite any defensive line coach. He’d be a good end to put opposite J.J. Watt in Romeo Crennel’s 3-4 scheme. Team needs: TE, DE, OG, S
(Thomas Graning / AP)Josh Doctson is a well-built, highly competitive receiver who consistently produced at TCU, and knows how to play every receiver spot. His presence should help bolster the NFL’s 31st ranked passing attack. Team needs: WR, S, RB, OG
(LM Otero / Associated Press)A’Shawn Robinson has the power and size to be an immediate starter in a 3-4 scheme. His presence should help the Redskins improve on its run defense, which finished 31st in rushing yards per attempt in 2016.
(Brynn Anderson / AP)Losing Russell Okung and J.R. Sweezy in free agency makes addressing the offensive line Seattle’s top priority. Taylor Decker is a good pass blocker who plays an aggressive brand of football. Team needs: RB, OL, CB, WR
(L.G. Patterson / AP)The Packers need to find a nose tackle to replace B.J. Raji, who retired this offseason, and Billings is the perfect fit because of his exceptional body mass and ability to push the pocket from inside. Team needs: LB, OL, WR, DT
(Michael Conroy / AP)Improving the vertical passing game needs to be a priority for the Chiefs if Kansas City is ever going to make a legitimate title push. Corey Coleman, who has scored 33 touchdowns in three seasons, is a rare athlete with explosive speed. Team needs: OL, WR, DL, CB
(Orlin Wagner / Associated Press)Emmanuel Ogbah, who produced 28 sacks in his three seasons at Oklahoma State, has the versatility to play in a 4-3 or a 3-4 scheme. He has solid point of attack strength, but still needs to learn how to play the game. Team needs: CB, S, OLB, DL
(Darron Cummings / AP)The Panthers need cornerback help after rescinding the franchise tag on Josh Norman, allowing the All-Pro talent to leave as a free agent. William Jackson III has a ton of raw ability, but he’s not instinctive, and needs work on his technique. Team needs: OT, DE, CB, WR
(Grant Halverson / Getty Images)The Super Bowl champions were gutted by free agency, and have plenty of needs. The Broncos will take the best player available, and Conklin could become the day one starting right tackle, allowing Donald Stephenson to move inside to guard. Team needs: QB, OG, ILB , DT
(L.G. Patterson / AP)The Patriots, whose first selection is No. 60, forfeited their 2016 first-round pick as part of the team’s punishment for DeflateGate, but New England has remained an NFL dynasty despite selecting late in the first-round every year this decade. Expect the Patriots to add depth with pick No. 60. Team needs: OL, RB, LB, WR
(Kathy Willens / AP)