2016 NFL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions for Top Prospects

The 2016 NFL draft order is starting to take shape, and it appears to be a six-team race for the No. 1 selection.

Dan Kadar of Mocking the Draft, has the unofficial updated order, using the full season strength of schedule as the tiebreaker. 

Seven teams are currently within one game of the top spot, although the Dallas Cowboys would appear to be a long shot to earn that now that Tony Romo has returned to full health. 

Entering Week 12, the Cleveland Browns are the owners of the No. 1 pick, closely followed by the San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans. 

Pick	Team	Player	Pos	School
1	Cleveland Browns	Paxton Lynch	QB	Memphis
2	San Diego Chargers	Joey Bosa	DL	Ohio State
3	Tennessee Titans	Laremy Tunsil	OT	Ole Miss
4	Baltimore Ravens	Ronnie Stanley	OT	Notre Dame
5	Detroit Lions	Jaylen Ramsey	CB	Florida State
6	San Francisco 49ers	Jared Goff	QB	California
7	Dallas Cowboys	Ezekiel Elliott	RB	Ohio State
8	Miami Dolphins	Robert Nkemdiche	DL	Ole Miss
9	Oakland Raiders	Vernon Hargreaves III	CB	Florida
10	Jacksonville Jaguars	Emmanuel Ogbah	DE	Oklahoma State
11	St. Louis Rams	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss
12	Washington Redskins	Michael Thomas	WR	Ohio State
13	Chicago Bears	Jaylon Smith	LB	Notre Dame
14	Philadelphia Eagles	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
15	New Orleans Saints	Myles Jack	LB	UCLA
16	New York Jets	Reggie Ragland	LB	Alabama
17	Seattle Seahawks	Corey Coleman	WR	Baylor
18	Kansas City Chiefs	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan State
19	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Taylor Decker	OT	Ohio State
20	Houston Texans	A'Shawn Robinson	DT	Alabama
21	New York Giants	Shaq Lawson	DE	Clemson
22	Indianapolis Colts	Jarran Reed	DL	Alabama
23	Buffalo Bills	DeForest Buckner	DL	Oregon
24	Pittsburgh Steelers	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio State
25	Atlanta Falcons	Shilique Calhoun	DE	Michigan State
26	Green Bay Packers	Joshua Perry	LB	Ohio State
27	Minnesota Vikings	Denver Kirkland	OG	Arkansas
28	Cincinnati Bengals	Jayron Kearse	S	Clemson
29	Arizona Cardinals	Su'a Cravens	LB	USC
30	Denver Broncos	Derrick Henry	RB	Alabama
31	New England Patriots	no pick
32	Carolina Panthers	Josh Doctson	WR	TCU

Notable Picks

2. San Diego Chargers: Joey Bosa

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Defensive line may not be the most glaring need in San Diego, but Joey Bosa is the type of special prospect that's tough to pass up. 

Much has been made about Bosa's drop in sacks this season, but his production has arguably been more impressive given the amount of attention he receives from the offensive line. 

As CFB Film Room illustrates, Bosa has been a consistent disruptive force, despite the drop in sacks: 

"

Ohio State defenders stuffing the stat sheet #SilverBullets https://t.co/JQ6RRFJ5ZG pic.twitter.com/F5CqFHdS15

— CFB Film Room (@CFBFilmRoom) November 17, 2015"

San Diego could use Bosa in a hybrid role, much the same way the Texans have used J.J. Watt to take advantage of his strengths against the run and as a pass-rusher. 

6. San Francisco 49ers: Jared Goff

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Benching Colin Kaepernick for legendary draft bust Blaine Gabbert was a pretty clear sign the 49ers are in the market for a new quarterback. But the 2015 class is a weak one, with no guarantee an option will present itself in the first round.

If Goff turns pro he will be likely be viewed as a fringe top-10 prospect due to concerns about size and strength. 

According to NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, Goff has "excellent touch underneath and on intermediate throws."

The major concern with Goff, however, is his ability to throw the deep ball, due to arm strength and accuracy concerns. 

11. St. Louis Rams: Laquan Treadwell

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

The Rams' search for a possession receiver continues. 

After failing with Brian Quick, Kenny Britt, Austin Pettis and others, the Rams are still searching for a reliable receiver who can line up on the outside and come down with the contested catch. 

Treadwell lacks elite speed, but his body control and hands have led some analysts, such as Bleacher Report's Ian Wharton, to draw some lofty comparisons: 

"

I think Allen Robinson is a very good comparison for Laquon Treadwell

— Ian Wharton (@NFLFilmStudy) October 19, 2015"

Obviously the Rams would prefer to land a franchise quarterback with this selection, but the options are slim. The Rams have probably played their way out of contention for one of the top signal-callers in this class. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eli Apple

Paul Vernon/Associated Press

It's been a rough season for the Steelers secondary, its first without Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu since 2002. 

Starting cornerbacks William Gay and Antwon Blake have struggled mightily, ranking 70th and 109th respectively among all corners, according to Pro Football Focus. 

There's a definite drop-off among defensive back prospects after Jalen Ramsey and Vernon Hargreaves are off the board, but Ohio State's Eli Apple has played his way into the mix to be among the next defensive backs selected.

While Apple made a few mistakes against Michigan State on Saturday, it was a small blemish on an otherwise strong season. 

"

Eli Apple in coverage 10+ yards downfield: 6 rec allowed on 22 targets, 7 pass breakups (yes, that's more PBUs than receptions allowed)

— CFB Film Room (@CFBFilmRoom) November 17, 2015"

Apple would likely step into an immediate starting role in Pittsburgh, potentially as the No. 1 cornerback considering the limited competition on the roster.