2016 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for Elite CFP Prospects

Unless the Michigan State Spartans' Connor Cook blows up in the College Football Playoff, we might not see a player from any of the national semifinalists chosen in the first 10 picks of the 2016 NFL draft.

Most of the prospects who figure to hear their name called in the top 10 play for teams that won't be vying for the national championship. As of now, the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans and San Diego Chargers all have 3-10 records. 

Based on the NFL's strength-of-schedule tiebreaker, should there be a tie for the worst record, the Tennessee Titans would be awarded the first selection.

If it stays this way, the Titans could be fielding offers from QB-starved squads. Here's a look at the latest mock draft with a focus on the top prospects from the four semifinalists.

Selection	Player	Position	College	NFL Team
1	Laremy Tunsil	OT	Ole Miss	Tennessee
2	Joey Bosa	DE/OLB	Ohio State	San Diego
3	Paxton Lynch	QB	Memphis	Cleveland
4	Vernon Hargreaves	CB	Florida	Baltimore
5	Jared Goff	QB	California	San Francisco
6	Ronnie Stanley	OT	Notre Dame	Detroit
7	Myles Jack	LB	UCLA	Dallas
8	Jalen Ramsey	FS	Florida State	Jacksonville
9	Andrew Billings	DT	Baylor	Miami
10	Emmanuel Ogbah	DE	Oklahoma State	New Orleans
11	Connor Cook	QB	Michigan State	St. Louis
12	Jayron Kearse	FS	Clemson	Chicago
13	Jaylon Smith	LB	Notre Dame	Tampa Bay
14	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss	Atlanta
15	Leonard Floyd	DE/OLB	Georgia	Oakland
16	Shaq Lawson	DE	Clemson	N.Y. Giants
17	Ezekiel Elliott	RB	Ohio State	Houston
18	DeForest Buckner	DE/DT	Oregon	Philadelphia
19	Robert Nkemdiche	DE/DT	Ole Miss	Buffalo
20	Tre'Davious White	CB	LSU	Pittsburgh
21	Reggie Ragland	LB	Alabama	Washington
22	Vadal Alexander	G	LSU	Indianapolis
23	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan State	N.Y. Jets
24	Su'a Cravens	SS	USC	Minnesota
25	Kenny Clark	DT	UCLA	Kansas City
26	Taylor Decker	OT	Ohio State	Seattle
27	Scooby Wright	LB	Arizona	Green Bay
28	Adolphus Washington	DE/DT	Ohio State	Cincinnati
29	Jonathan Allen	DE/DT	Alabama	Broncos
30	Jarran Reed	DT	Alabama	Arizona
31	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson	Carolina
32	No Pick	N/A	N/A	New England

Cook is an Excellent Fit in St. Louis

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Connor Cook looks like the second-best QB prospect in the draft. Unless the St. Louis Rams are keen on trading up to get a shot at the Memphis Tigers' Paxton Lynch, Cook seems like a sensible selection at No. 11.

Obviously, we don't know if the Rams will remain in that spot, but no matter where they find themselves, a QB has to be at the top of their list.

Nick Foles hasn't been the answer, and the team doesn't even have a promising young quarterback on its roster that it can develop into a starter. While Cook isn't a dynamic prospect, he is experienced.

He's a fifth-year senior who has seen significant time over the last three seasons. He'd have a great chance to succeed if he landed with the Rams who have a solid head coach in Jeff Fisher, and a spectacular young running back in rookie Todd Gurley.

Lawson Makes Sense for Giants

Richard Shiro/Associated Press

If you look back at the New York Giants' Super Bowl teams under Tom Coughlin, you'll notice a common quality with each of those squads. They had depth and talent at defensive end.

The current crop of Giants aren't nearly as deep, and there's obvious uncertainty surrounding the status of Jason Pierre-Paul. He is slated to be a free agent this offseason.

Heading into Week 15, the Giants have just 16 sacks as a team and are ranked 31st in the NFL in this category. A player like Shaq Lawson of the Clemson Tigers could provide immediate help in this area.

There's no mystery as to whether Lawson, a junior, will be available in the upcoming draft. Per Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston, Lawson made his intentions known earlier this month. 

He said: “I sat down with my family, sat down with the support staff at Clemson. I enjoyed being at Clemson, but it’s time. I’m ready for the next level.”

Lawson leads the nation in tackles for loss with 22 and also has 9.5 sacks. 

He could be the defensive playmaker on the line of scrimmage the Giants have been missing this season.

Kearse is the Safety the Bears Need

Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

The Chicago Bears need some help at safety. Rookie Adrian Amos has shown some flashes, but veteran Antrel Rolle has spent much of the 2015 season injured. Others who have filled in, such as Chris Prosinski have struggled mightily.

A player like Clemson's Jayron Kearse could make a mark in Chicago.

At 6'4" 210 pounds, he has excellent size for his position. He's capable of playing either strong or free. That versatility will make him all the more coveted when the draft rolls around. Should Kearse play well in the CFP, expect to see his status go even higher.

If he does land in Chicago, he'll likely start from the first day in practice.