2016 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Week 9 Breakdown

Let the New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers battle for the best record in football. Teams such as the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars have their eyes on the No. 1 pick in the draft.

There are game-changing prospects available in the 2016 draft, and those teams that are already out of contention have their eyes on the best players in college football. All it takes is a couple of successful drafts to alter the trajectory of a franchise, and there are plenty of squads that need altering.

With that in mind, here is a look at an updated first-round mock following Sunday’s action. The order of selections was determined using a reverse order of Odds Shark’s Super Bowl odds (as of Sunday at 6 p.m. ET).

Pick	Team	Player
1	San Francisco 49ers	Joey Bosa, DL, Ohio State
2	Cleveland Browns	Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
3	Detroit Lions	Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
4	Chicago Bears	Jared Goff, QB, California
5	Baltimore Ravens	Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
6	Tennessee Titans	Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
7	San Diego Chargers	Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
8	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
9	Jacksonville Jaguars	Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
10	Kansas City Chiefs	Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
11	Washington	Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
12	Buffalo Bills	Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
13	Houston Texans	Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
14	Miami Dolphins	Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
15	Oakland Raiders	Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
16	New Orleans Saints	Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
17	New York Jets	Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
18	St. Louis Rams	Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
19	Philadelphia Eagles	DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
20	Indianapolis Colts	Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
21	Dallas Cowboys	Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
22	Minnesota Vikings	Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
23	Pittsburgh Steelers	Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State
24	Atlanta Falcons	TreDavious White, CB, LSU
25	New York Giants	Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
26	Seattle Seahawks	Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole MIss
27	Cincinnati Bengals	Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
28	Carolina Panthers	Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
29	Denver Broncos	Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
30	Arizona Cardinals	Noah Spence, DE/LB, Eastern Kentucky/Ohio State
31	Green Bay Packers	Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State
32	New England Patriots	Forfeited Pick

Players to Watch

No. 13 Houston Texans: Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Cook has fallen behind the likes of Paxton Lynch and Jared Goff in many draft projections, but the Michigan State signal-caller is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in the college ranks.

He won a Big Ten championship in the 2013 season with a victory over the previously undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes and parlayed that momentum to a Rose Bowl win against Stanford. His team finished 11-2 the next season, with its only losses coming against the two teams in the national championship game—Ohio State and Oregon.

The Spartans then beat Baylor in the Cotton Bowl.

Cook has 68 touchdowns to only 18 interceptions during his career and threw for 3,214 yards last year alone. He could well be on his way to another 3,000-yard season in 2015 with 2,395 through nine contests.

He is an ideal pocket passer for the next level at 6’4” and 220 pounds, and he shows solid athleticism and footwork even though he is not someone who frequently tucks the ball and runs.

CBS Sports was impressed with the Michigan State leader in their draft profile:

"

Cook scans the entire field and is a confident passer to all levels, showing touch, anticipation and toughness in the pocket. He has effortless arm strength when he steps into his throws with proper mechanics and torque through his hips to deliver the proper trajectory on downfield passes. 

"

That sounds like someone who can step in right away for a Houston Texans franchise that already released Ryan Mallett and is currently relying on the inconsistent Brian Hoyer, who is 30 years old. Houston needs a long-term answer at quarterback as much as any team in the league, and Cook brings experience in critical moments and a strong, NFL-ready arm.

No. 19 Philadelphia Eagles: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

Oregon’s defense has been a train wreck at times this season, but DeForest Buckner is not the problem.

The defensive end has a career-high six sacks already, and it is only early November. He assumed a major leadership role on the Oregon defensive line this year after the San Francisco 49ers selected Arik Armstead in last season’s draft.

Buckner still racked up 13 tackles for loss and four sacks alongside Armstead last season as the Ducks reached the national title game.

Ryan Kang/Associated Press

At 6’7” and 290 pounds, Buckner is a physical monster who overpowers offensive linemen with strength and the ability to bull rush right through tackles and guards. He is also explosive enough to get around the edge and can pursue ball-carriers in space and through gaps along the offensive front.

Oregon defensive line coach Ron Aiken didn’t hold back his praise of the dominant Buckner, per Andrew Greif of the Oregonian:

"

DeForest Buckner can play anywhere on the defensive line in the NFL. He could be a 3-4 guy, a two-gapper, a single-gapper, a pass-rusher. I don't think a lot of people are going to bring him off the field in third and long. I think they'll keep him on the field in third and long and let him rush the passer, as well.

"

The Philadelphia Eagles defense is a middling 18th in the league in sacks entering Sunday’s action. They could use someone like Buckner to rejuvenate a defensive line in need of more depth and consistency.

What’s more, Connor Barwin could serve as something of a mentor for the youngster while he develops and grows accustomed to the NFL level. Philadelphia would be an ideal situation for all parties involved if the Eagles drafted Buckner in the first round.