2016 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Order Prospects Will Be Selected in 1st Round

The 2016 NFL draft is quickly filling up with underclassmen, as they start to file their draft paperwork prior to the January 18 deadline. 

NFL.com has been tracking the submissions and will release the official underclassmen list on January 22. 

Based on the prospects who have already announced their intentions, as well as the graduating seniors, here's an early look at how the first round of the draft could play out. 

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	Myles Jack	LB	UCLA
5. Jacksonville Jaguars	Jalen Ramsey	DB	Florida State
6. Baltimore Ravens	DeForest Buckner	DL	Oregon
7. San Francisco 49ers	Jared Goff	QB	California
8. Miami Dolphins	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Taylor Decker	OT	Ohio State
10. New York Giants	Shaq Lawson	DE	Clemson
11. Chicago Bears	Reggie Ragland	LB	Alabama
12. New Orleans Saints	Jarran Reed	DL	Alabama
13. Philadelphia Eagles	Paxton Lynch	QB	Memphis
14. Oakland Raiders	Vernon Hargreaves III	CB	Florida
15. St. Louis Rams	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss
16. Detroit Lions	Jaylon Smith	LB	Notre Dame
17. Atlanta Falcons	A'Shawn Robinson	DT	Alabama
18. Indianapolis Colts	Darron Lee	LB	Ohio State
19. Buffalo Bills	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan State
20. New York Jets	Ezekiel Elliott	RB	Ohio State
21. Washington Redskins	Michael Thomas	WR	Ohio State
22. Houston Texans	Connor Cook	QB	Michigan State
23. Minnesota Vikings	Cody Whitehair	OG	Kansas State
24. Pittsburgh Steelers	Noah Spence	LB	Eastern Kentucky
25. Green Bay Packers	Leonard Floyd	LB	Georgia
26. Seattle Seahawks	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio State
27. Kansas City Chiefs	Germain Ifedi	OT	Texas A&M
28. Cincinnati Bengals	Robert Nkemdiche	DL	Ole Miss
29. Denver Broncos	Hunter Henry	TE	Arkansas
30. Arizona Cardinals	Joshua Perry	LB	Ohio State
31. Carolina Panthers	Corey Coleman	WR	Baylor

Note: The New England Patriots do not own a first-round pick due to their Deflategate punishments. 

Notable Picks

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen Ramsey

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey announced on Tuesday that he would enter the NFL draft.

Ramsey will be a fun prospect for fans to speculate on this spring because his versatility makes him a fit with just about any team. 

According to Ben Stockwell of Pro Football Focus, Ramsey excelled in coverage in the slot in 2014. This past year, however, Florida State moved him to the outside where he continued to dominate, posting a PFF grade of plus-17.8. 

With experience in coverage in the slot and on the outside, in addition to his time spent at safety early in his career, Ramsey could be an upgrade in just about any NFL secondary. 

The Jaguars, who need help at all levels on defense, don't necessarily need to target a defensive back in the first round. However, if Ramsey is the best defensive player available, then he would be the safe selection.

16. Detroit Lions: Jaylon Smith

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Jaylon Smith is one of the most difficult players to place in a mock draft due to the knee injury he suffered in the Fiesta Bowl. 

However, based on a report from ESPN's Chris Mortensen, at least we now have some indication on what the plan of action is for Smith's offseason:

"

Notre Dame OLB Jaylon Smith will undergo reconstructive left knee surgery Thursday, per sources. Has been top 5-10 draft projection.

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) January 5, 2016"

After an early January surgery, it would seem unlikely that Smith would be able to work out for teams prior to April's draft.

The best-case scenario for Smith is likely to advance far enough in his rehab process that his doctors will allow teams to conduct their own medical tests on his knee prior to the draft.

Last season, despite undergoing knee surgery in November 2014, Todd Gurley was selected in the first round by the St. Louis Rams. However, Gurley, who skipped the medical tests at the combine on the advice of Dr. James Andrews, did eventually heal enough for teams to do their own medical checks. 

If Smith's rehab process prevented any medical checks prior to the draft, Smith could be in for a draft-day free fall. 

21. Washington Redskins: Michael Thomas

Norm Hall/Getty Images

Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas also threw his name in the mix on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Joe Schad. 

DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon remain a productive duo in Washington, and rookie Jamison Crowder was surprisingly productive this season. However, the Redskins may still select a receiver like Thomas to help plan for the future. 

According to Spotrac, Jackson is under contract through the 2017 season, but given the structure of his contract, the team could save $8 million by cutting him loose after 2016—a realistic scenario, even if he remains productive. 

Garcon's contract also expires at the end of 2016, and the team could save $8 million by cutting him this offseason, making him a strong cap casualty candidate this spring. 

Even if Garcon is still around for the 2016 season, the Redskins may plan for the future by targeting a prospect such as Thomas.