2016 NFL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions as Free Agency Officially Begins

Free agency starts Wednesday, forever changing the outlook of the 2016 NFL draft.

If it sounds dramatic, well, it is. Notes about certain agreements have already started to flow, changing what needs teams have to hit on draft day and subsequently changing how the other 31 teams (30 in the first round sans the New England Patriots) will act. 

Much will change about the draft outlook over the weekend. For now the situation looks clear, with the combine over and some free agents seemingly settled into place. Here is an updated look at the draft based on team need and prospect stock. 

2016 NFL Mock Draft

Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
1	Tennessee Titans	Laremy Tunsil	OT	Ole Miss
2	Cleveland Browns	Jared Goff	QB	California
3	San Diego Chargers	Ronnie Stanley	OT	Notre Dame
4	Dallas Cowboys	Joey Bosa	DL	Ohio State
5	Jacksonville Jaguars	Jalen Ramsey	CB/S	Florida State
6	Baltimore Ravens	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
7	San Francisco 49ers	Myles Jack	LB	UCLA
8	Miami Dolphins	Reggie Ragland	LB	Alabama
9	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	DeForest Buckner	DE	Oregon
10	New York Giants	Jaylon Smith	LB	Notre Dame
11	Chicago Bears	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan State
12	New Orleans Saints	Noah Spence	DE/LB	Eastern Kentucky
13	Philadelphia Eagles	Taylor Decker	OT	Ohio State
14	Oakland Raiders	Vernon Hargreaves III	CB	Florida
15	Los Angeles Rams	Carson Wentz	QB	North Dakota State
16	Detroit Lions	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss
17	Atlanta Falcons	Darron Lee	LB	Ohio State
18	Indianapolis Colts	A'Shawn Robinson	DT	Alabama
19	Buffalo Bills	Jarran Reed	DL	Alabama
20	New York Jets	Jonathan Bullard	DE	Florida
21	Washington	Michael Thomas	WR	Ohio State
22	Houston Texans	Robert Nkemdiche	DL	Ole Miss
23	Minnesota Vikings	Josh Doctson	WR	TCU
24	Cincinnati Bengals	Emmanuel Ogbah	DE	Oklahoma State
25	Pittsburgh Steelers	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio State
26	Seattle Seahawks	Ezekiel Elliott	RB	Ohio State
27	Green Bay Packers	Sheldon Rankins	DT	Louisville
28	Kansas City Chiefs	Corey Coleman	WR	Baylor
29	Arizona Cardinals	Leonard Floyd	LB	Georgia
30	Carolina Panthers	Shaq Lawson	LB	Clemson
31	Denver Broncos	Jason Spriggs	OT	Indiana

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Jacksonville's master plan continues to develop. 

Armed with some of the most cap space in the league, the Jaguars went out and grabbed former Denver Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson, according to ESPN.com. It's a huge get considering the Jaguars managed just 36 sacks last year in a division featuring Andrew Luck.

Why stop there?

With the need for a new rusher out of the way, the Jaguars can now grab a top defensive back to help what sure seems like a dramatic turnaround.

Ramsey is one of the best defensive backs to enter the draft in a long time. Not only does he measure well at 6'1" and 209 pounds, but he can play almost any spot in the secondary, meet the run with violence and play press coverage.

Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel made an apt comparison:

Considering Jacksonville ranked 29th against the pass last year and the depth chart could use another young talent next to Johnathan Cyprien at safety, Ramsey seems like the perfect pick.

Oddly enough, the best-case scenario for a Jacksonville rebuild has already been put in motion. Ramsey is the perfect finisher.

15. Los Angeles Rams: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

The Los Angeles Rams might be the most confusing team on the market this year. 

One has to wonder if the move to Los Angeles will help the team when recruiting free agents. Either it will, or free agents will see the Rams for what they are—a team still stuck in rebuild mode after years and years of the same thing.

Barring a major surprise, the Rams won't find a quarterback worthy of taking starter snaps next year. With such a likelihood in mind, look for the front office to take the best quarterback available—Carson Wentz out of North Dakota State.

Wentz impressed at the Senior Bowl and combine, coming in at 6'5" and 237 pounds with solid workouts. As NFL.com's Lance Zierlein concluded, though, Wentz will hit some growing pains while making the transition:

"

With a body type that is as prototypical as they come and a background in reading the entire field and working through progressions, Wentz will immediately check a couple of boxes that many college quarterbacks won't be able to check. While his arm strength is OK, he can still make all the throws and he can make them with accuracy. His ability to escape pressure and pick up first downs with his feet will be yet another check mark in his favor. Wentz is still in a developmental phase after just two years at an FBS program, but has the mental and physical building blocks of a future, franchise quarterback.

"

The Rams aren't in a position to fret over growing pains from a young quarterback. After years of mistakes under center, the team needs to do whatever it takes to secure as many franchise quarterbacks as possible in the hopes one pans out.

Wentz won't blow anyone away as a rookie. Odds are no quarterback in this class will. But long-term upside is the main reason for the hype around the North Dakota State prospect. Should the Rams groom such a strong dose of upside, the quarterback search in a new city could end sooner than most realize.

26. Seattle Seahawks: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

The Seattle Seahawks could have gone after a big-name running back on the market such as Matt Forte, Lamar Miller, Arian Foster and more. 

Maybe they still will. Leaning on Thomas Rawls as a starter after a solid season doesn't sound like such a terrible idea, either.

But in this scenario, the Seahawks have to pull the trigger on Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott. Taking a running back in the first round of the draft isn't the greatest idea anymore, but most guys aren't Elliott.

Elliott is a do-everything back who comes in at 6'0" and 225 pounds. He rushed for 1,821 yards and 23 scores last year while once again showing soft hands in the passing game and a good ability to act as a pass protector.

The praise isn't unwarranted. Even ESPN's Todd McShay echoed similar sentiments, according to Joe Fann of 49ers.com:

Few backs who enter the league actually come with every-down status these days, which is what makes Elliott so intriguing. But with so many teams already having a committee and such a notable free-agent class out there, the Seahawks might luck out and get stronger at the spot despite losing Marshawn Lynch. 

In a division as tough as the NFC West, the Seahawks need another guy like Elliott to help headline the backfield. Free agency looks like it will help some of the best backs in the draft take a fall, so keep this option in mind on draft day.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of Wednesday. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.