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

The 2016 NFL draft order is almost set for the non-playoff teams, with only some minor shuffling remaining for Week 17. 

The draft order used in this mock draft is based on the unofficial order for the non-playoff teams and projected playoff scenarios for the playoff-bound organizations. 

Based on the projected needs of each franchise and a film evaluation of each of the prospects, here's an early look at how April's draft could play out. 

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

Note: The New England Patriots do not own a first-round pick due to their Deflategate punishments. As a result, the first round will consist of just 31 picks. 

Notable Picks

5. San Francisco 49ers: Ronnie Stanley

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Not long ago, the 49ers offensive line was the strongest unit on the team, anchored by Joe Staley, Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis. But Iupati is now in Arizona, and Davis was one of the 49ers' recent unexpected retirements. 

The shaky offensive line has allowed Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick to be sacked 52 times this season, tops in the NFL.

Ronnie Stanley would likely start his career at right tackle opposite of Staley on the left side, once again giving the 49ers quality bookend tackles. 

According to CFB Film Room, Stanley allowed just three sacks this season in nearly 400 snaps in pass protection.

8. Baltimore Ravens: Laquon Treadwell

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Even if veteran Steve Smith returns for one more season, wide receiver is a glaring need for the Ravens this offseason. 

More specifically, the Ravens need a big possession receiver who can emerge as a weapon in the red zone for Joe Flacco. 

Despite the fact that Smith hasn't played since Week 8, he still leads the Ravens in red-zone targets, according to NFLsavant.com. In fact, aside from Smith, Kamar Aiken is the only other wide receiver on the Ravens with more than two red-zone targets this season. 

The lack of production from the receivers has led the Ravens quarterbacks to target others, such as fullback Kyle Juszczyk (nine red-zone targets), an inordinate amount in critical situations. 

This wide receiver draft class doesn't quite match up to the past two years, but Laquon Treadwell sits atop the board for this position. 

Listed at 6'2", 210 pounds by Ole Miss, Treadwell has the size to be the quality possession receiver the Ravens need.

11. New Orleans Saints: Mackensie Alexander

Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints have allowed over 4,000 yards through the air this season and a whopping 43 touchdowns—nine more than the next worst pass defense. 

Much of the blame falls on starting cornerback Brandon Browner, who has a Pro Football Focus grade of 25.3—the worst of all 119 qualifying corners.

According to Spotrac, Browner is guaranteed $4.05 million in 2016 and $1.3 million in 2017, but his performance has been so atrocious it would be difficult for the Saints to justify bringing him back next season despite the contract.

Alexander is only a redshirt sophomore, but he is coming off a stellar season for Clemson and is among the few elite cornerbacks in this draft class. 

NFL Network's Rand Getlin reported earlier this month that Alexander was leaning toward turning pro.