NFL Draft 2016: Notable Picks from Latest Expert Mock Drafts
Expert mock drafts for the 2016 NFL draft seem more plentiful than opinions from anonymous scouts, which, for those paying attention to the process, is pretty impressive.
What fans should understand about mock drafts, though, is that they serve a purpose much more important than simple entertainment.
Experts taking the time to carve out mock drafts means an all-encompassing look at the picture, with draft order, trades, team need and prospect value all balled into one resource.
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Below, let's take a look at some of the best resources available while zooming in on some of the most notable picks out there.
No. 15. Tennessee Titans: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
Most didn't find it shocking the Tennessee Titans traded down in the draft after hitting the jackpot last year with Marcus Mariota.
Fine, but it left many scratching their heads as to what the Titans will do with the 15th pick in 2016. For CBSSports.com's Rob Rang, it's another chance to get Mariota a weapon in the hopes he succeeds as a pro.
Said weapon is interesting because it's Laquon Treadwell, the Ole Miss product who has lost ground to the likes of TCU's Josh Doctson and Baylor's Corey Coleman during the process. It's also interesting because Treadwell is a big receiver at 6'2" and 221 pounds, and Tennessee just drafted a similar wideout last year in Dorial Green-Beckham.
Not that the two cannot coexist. Treadwell is big and the frame hurt his speed numbers in drills, but few in recent years can match his physicality and ability to go up and get the ball in the air.
The comparisons have been nothing short of encouraging, such as one described by Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News:
In Rang's scenario, three offensive tackles come off the board before the Titans waltz to the podium.
If Tennessee cannot get Mariota more help in the form of beef in the trenches, Rang suggests another alternative, which isn't as wild as it seems.
No. 13. Cleveland Browns: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
How's this for a wild ride?
Not only do the Cleveland Browns make another trade in this scenario presented by The MMQB's Robert Klemko (with the Miami Dolphins), they still get their potential franchise quarterback with the 13th pick.
With Jared Goff and Carson Wentz expected as the one-two punch to start the draft, it's been a mystery to figure out where Memphis' Paxton Lynch fits. Klemko presents an interesting idea:
"Hue Jackson gets his quarterback, albeit an unpolished one, and a haul of additional picks to build out the roster. His defining trait as a coach is confidence in his own abilities—and he validated that thinking through his work with Andy Dalton and AJ McCarron in Cincinnati—so why not draft a project passer if it means more picks to work with?
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Why not? Lynch is the definition of a project, but a strong arm, a 6'7", 244-pound frame and an ability to move in the pocket or get upfield make him one of the more interesting quarterback prospects in years.
Granted, it's debatable Cleveland coach Hue Jackson would want to take a risk on a project when he could have had a different top name at No. 8. And in this scenario, the Browns could have had Eli Apple, Ronnie Stanley, Doctson or Treadwell.
Still, Lynch is quite the intriguing pick in large part because of Jackson's ability to squeeze the most out of quarterbacks. While it might be wiser for the Browns to take best player available and grab a guy in the later rounds for Jackson to develop, Lynch has the highest upside of any quarterback in the class if he lands in the right situation.
No. 10. New York Giants: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
Few have gone offense for the New York Giants this year when it comes to mock drafts, with the needs on the defensive side of the ball simply too demanding to ignore.
Only a handful of prospects seem to have the ability to make the Giants consider something else. Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott tops the list.
In a dual mock featuring ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, the latter took control of the Giants at No. 10 and threw conventional wisdom out the window: "Your last two picks haven't done me any favors, Mel [DE DeForest Buckner at No. 8 and OT Ronnie Stanley at No. 9]. If I'm running this team, I'm taking Elliott here, bigger needs on the defense be damned. He's one of the 10 best players in this draft, and will be an every-down back from the get-go."
One could argue, but there isn't much reason to. Elliott is one of the best backs to come out in years, an all-around back at 6'0", 225 pounds who can pass block, go out reliably on pass routes and, of course, run the ball well—having tallied 1,821 yards and 23 touchdowns last year.
Considering the Giants only got 863 yards and three scores from Rashad Jennings last year and really just refused to commit to any back or the run itself, Elliott in the Big Apple doesn't seem like such a terrible idea.
With Eli Manning not getting any younger, Elliott takes care of one of the roster's quieter needs in the best possible way.
Stats are courtesy of NFL.com and accurate as of April 23. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
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