2016 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for Nation's Elite Prospects

There are at least three prospects destined to be taken in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft who could make instant impacts as rookies. There will always be pleasant surprises who are drafted in the later rounds, but this mock will focus on three players with the skills and athleticism to become instant stars.

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Tennessee Titans	Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
2	Cleveland Browns	Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
3	San Diego Chargers	Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi
4	Dallas Cowboys	A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
5	San Francisco 49ers	Jared Goff, QB, California
6	Miami Dolphins	Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
7	Jacksonville Jaguars	Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State
8	Baltimore Ravens	Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi
9	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
10	New York Giants	Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
11	New Orleans Saints	Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
12	Philadelphia Eagles	Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
13	Detroit Lions	Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
14	Chicago Bears	Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
15	Buffalo Bills	Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State
16	Oakland Raiders	Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
17	Indianapolis Colts	Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
18	St. Louis Rams	Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
19	Atlanta Falcons	Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
20	Pittsburgh Steelers	Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
21	Washington	Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
22	Houston Texans	Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
23	Seattle Seahawks	Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
24	New York Jets	Tim Williams, LB, Alabama
25	Kansas City Chiefs	Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
26	Minnesota Vikings	Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
27	Green Bay Packers	Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
28	Denver Broncos	Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas
29	Cincinnati Bengals	Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
30	Arizona Cardinals	Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
31	Carolina Panthers	Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana

Note: The New England Patriots forfeit their first-round pick as part of Deflategate punishment.

Joey Bosa

Guys who can consistently put pressure on the quarterback have the easiest path to stardom on defense. It takes awhile before anyone notices the greatness of a shutdown cornerback, an elite safety—unless he's getting a ton of interceptions—a run-stuffing defensive tackle or an inside linebacker. 

But when a young player is getting sacks, he's on everyone's radar. Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Joey Bosa projects as that type of player. The 6'6", 275-pound junior only had five sacks this season after recording 13.5 as a sophomore.

The decrease is partially due to opponents double-teaming him. Thus teammate Tyquan Lewis saw his sack total jump from 0.5 in 2014 to seven in 2015. Bosa's presence makes his teammates better because of the attention he commands.

Barring an injury, that probably won't change in the NFL.

Bosa has the motor and passion to be an elite pass-rusher on the next level. Sportsnaut's Scott Carasik compared him to a Hall of Famer:

Because the Tennessee Titans already have Marcus Mariota as their franchise quarterback, tabbing Bosa with the No. 1 pick is the smartest move.

Paxton Lynch

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The Cleveland Browns can't feel comfortable with Johnny Manziel as their franchise quarterback. The talented but immature signal-caller has caused speculation the team is on the lookout for someone more stable.

If Cleveland has the No. 2 pick, it will have the option to trade down and still pick one of the four quarterbacks with first-round talent. Assuming the Browns keep the pick, the selection should be the Memphis Tigers' Paxton Lynch. 

The 6'7", 245-pound junior easily passes the eye test. He has elite size for the position and great arm strength, but he's not an immobile guy at the mercy of defenders who get into the backfield. He had 11 runs for 10 yards or more in 2015. Here's what NFL.com's Lance Zierlein said about Lynch:

"

He is an absolutely outstanding athlete. Lynch plays with very good balance and body control, and has rare quick-twitch for a quarterback with his pocket-passing potential. When running, he shows a good understanding for making the most out of his carries before deciding to end it without taking a big shot. His combination of size and athleticism separates him from most every draft-eligible quarterback.

"

Lynch's passing stats are as eye-popping as Zierlein's evaluation of his physical prowess. In 2015, the fourth-year junior completed 68.8 percent of his passes. He threw for 3,670 yards, 28 touchdowns and just three interceptions. It's hard to imagine the Browns allowing him to slip by them.  

Jalen Ramsey

NELL REDMOND/Associated Press

Per Pro-Football-Reference.com, the Jacksonville Jaguars are 29th in pass defense, and they have just eight interceptions on the season. Three of those picks are from linebacker Paul Posluszny. That's definitely the profile of a team in need of help in the secondary. 

A case could be made for a pass-rusher, but the Jags will get a player with that skill set when 2015 first-round pick Dante Fowler Jr. returns next season. With Fowler potentially making a big impact off the edge, the Jags can focus on the best defensive back available.

That would be the Florida State Seminoles' Jalen Ramsey. Per Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel, Ramsey will make his decision after the Seminoles take on the Houston Cougars in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on New Year's Eve.

The 6'1", 202-pound junior has all of the physical tools to match up with the NFL's bigger receivers. He could even be an impact player at safety. No matter what position in the secondary fits him best, Ramsey is a player the Jags could plug in right away.

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Unless otherwise noted, all stats and height and weight references are courtesy of cfbstats.com.