NFL Mock Draft 2016: Predictions for Top College Prospects

The 2016 NFL draft order is almost set, and the draft class is starting to take shape. 

Following their recent bowl games, the two premier quarterback prospects in this class—California's Jared Goff and Memphis' Paxton Lynch—each announced their intentions to turn pro. 

Many changes will come to the draft projections as the field of prospects takes shape in the coming weeks, but based on the players who have announced their intentions and others who likely will do so, here's a look at how the first round could play out in April.

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Notable Picks

1. Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil

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

If the Titans pass on Joey Bosa, it will most likely be to upgrade their protection around Marcus Mariota. 

Tennessee has allowed 50 sacks this season, but much of those issues are a result of the interior offensive line and Mariota himself. 

Left tackle Taylor Lewan actually fared well this season, ranking as Pro Football Focus' 11th-best offensive tackle, so it would be reasonable if the Titans passed on the elite tackles with this selection.

However, right tackle Byron Bell's contract expires at the end of this season, according to Spotrac. 

If Bell signs elsewhere, offensive tackle suddenly becomes a glaring need for Tennessee. 

15. Indianapolis Colts: Ezekiel Elliott

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

The Colts have many other needs, most notably an upgrade for the offensive line. However, the depth in this running back class is so poor, snagging Ezekiel Elliott in the first round may be their only option for improving one of the league's worst rushing attacks. 

Entering Week 17, the Colts rank 30th in the NFL with just 1,311 rushing yards as a team—fewer yards as a team than Adrian Peterson and Doug Martin have individually.

Elliott's combination of strength and elusiveness makes him the premier running back prospect in this class and would be a dramatic upgrade over 32-year-old Frank Gore in Indy.

18. Buffalo Bills: Jarran Reed

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

The Bills rank 31st in the league with just 20 sacks this season, which is uncharacteristic of a team led by head coach Rex Ryan. 

Unfortunately for Buffalo, this draft class lacks elite pass-rushers, so the Bills may not be able to address the issue directly. 

However, the class is loaded with quality interior lineman who can have an indirect effect on the pass rush. 

Jarran Reed has the versatile skill set that fits the type of lineman Ryan typically targets. Reed is capable of playing a hybrid role, lining up as an interior linemen in 4-3 sets or as an end when the defense is in the 3-4.