2016 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for 1st-Round Prospects Prior to Week 17

We still have another slate of games before the top of the 2016 NFL draft coalesces, but that hasn't stopped speculation. Bowl games have kicked into high gear, and with those contests come the last opportunities for top prospects to prove themselves. 

That said, what if the NFL season ended today? By some crazy, weird event—like, I don't know, George R.R. Martin finally releasing some more books in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, or the president declaring a national cease to sports—what if we all just chilled this weekend? That would be pretty terrible, of course, but still. Anything is possible. 

So in the event the world pauses this weekend, let's take a look at how the draft's first round would shake out if the season ended today. 

Mock Draft

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Tennessee Titans	Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
2	Cleveland Browns	Jared Goff, QB, California
3	San Diego Chargers	Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
4	Dallas Cowboys	Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
5	San Francisco 49ers	Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
6	Miami Dolphins	DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
7	Jacksonville Jaguars	Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
8	Baltimore Ravens	Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
9	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
10	New York Giants	Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
11	New Orleans Saints	Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
12	Philadelphia Eagles	Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
13	Detroit Lions	Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
14	Chicago Bears	Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
15	Buffalo Bills	Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State
16	Oakland Raiders	Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
17	Indianapolis Colts	Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
18	St. Louis Rams	Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
19	Atlanta Falcons	Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
20	Pittsburgh Steelers	Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
21	Washington	A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
22	Houston Texans	Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
23	Seattle Seahawks	Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska
24	New York Jets	Su'a Cravens, OLB, USC
25	Kansas City Chiefs	Vadal Alexander, G, LSU
26	Minnesota Vikings	Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
27	Green Bay Packers	Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
28	Denver Broncos	Kenny Clark, DL, UCLA
29	Cincinnati Bengals	Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
30	Arizona Cardinals	Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
31	Carolina Panthers	Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

Top 5 Analysis

1. Tennessee Titans: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

There will be a natural temptation here to go for an offensive tackle. Marcus Mariota missed four games in 2015 due to various injuries, and that came without the Titans utilizing him much on the ground. Had 252 rushing yards been Mariota's preseason over/under, 100 percent of the general public would have taken the over.

Presumably, whoever the Titans hire as their next coach will look to utilize Mariota more consistently. That could open up the potential for a tackle here if the Titans wind up feeling comfortable with any of the top options.

For now, though, they have to stick with the top player on the board. Tennessee's defense has been a mess all season, and Bosa is the type of instant-impact star who could be the foundation that turns things around. His junior season wasn't quite what everyone expected, but Bosa still has the total package of what teams want from a defensive end at the NFL level. He'll be a top-two pick.

2. Cleveland Browns: Jared Goff, QB, Cal

Admittedly, I'm a little unsure on this pick. Neither Goff nor Memphis' Paxton Lynch stand out as surefire superstars at the next level. By the time the draft rolls around, one or both could have fallen out of top-10 consideration altogether.

As we approach the new year, Goff's stock remains high enough to justify the pick. He's coming off a stretch of games against Arizona State and Air Force where he threw for 11 touchdowns and more than 1,000 yards. 

The Browns obviously aren't looking to push forward with Year 3 of the Johnny Manziel experiment. His actions off the field and play on it have been a disconcerting combination that realized every pessimist's worst fears. Goff might not instantly be a superstar, but he's a fresh start and a good prospect.

3. San Diego Chargers: Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State 

Mike Stewart/Associated Press

It's unclear whether Ramsey will be a cornerback or a safety at the next level, but he could excel at either position. He's been a shutdown option each of the last three seasons in Tallahassee, earning consensus All-American status a year after making the second team. That came despite Ramsey not putting up gaudy statistics. He hasn't picked off a pass and has recorded only 31 tackles this season.

We know that interceptions are not always indicative of production at defensive back spots, but it's promising that he's received recognition on the national level. The Chargers could use help at cornerback or safety, especially with Eric Weddle heading out of town. This feels like a perfect marriage.

4. Dallas Cowboys: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame 

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

The Cowboys could go nuclear and pick Tony Romo's heir apparent here. It just wouldn't make much sense. Romo is still relatively young at 35 and likely has another three or four years remaining as a viable NFL starter. That would suck up nearly the entire rookie contract of a quarterback taken here. With the Cowboys financially beholden to Romo until at least 2017, we'll have to wait a year for Dallas to make such a bold move.

As it stands, grabbing Smith and bolstering the defense might be the better option. Smith posted 114 total tackles and one sack during the regular season, emerging as one of the most dominant linebackers in the sport. He was a consensus All-American and took home the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker.

The Cowboys need someone to pair with a finally healthy Sean Lee over the long term. Smith should step in right away and be that player.

5. San Francisco 49ers: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

The 49ers replace one physically gifted mid-major quarterback with another? Sure, why not? There is nothing that could possibly go wrong here. (For the record: I'm low on Lynch. He tops out in the bottom of the first round for me.)