2016 NFL Mock Draft: Prospect Predictions for Every Selection of Round 1

The 2016 NFL draft underclassmen deadline passed on Monday, with the official list set to be announced by the NFL on Friday. 

According to ESPN's Todd McShay, the unofficial count sets a record for underclassmen turning pro:

"

I have unofficial count of 103 underclassmen declaring (Mon deadline). Would be record high. Not good! 1/3 of UC were not drafted last 2 yrs

— Todd McShay (@McShay13) January 16, 2016"

Based on current draft order and those who have declared for the draft, here's a look at how the first round could play out in April. 

Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
1	Tennessee Titans	Joey Bosa	DL	Ohio State
2	Cleveland Browns	Jared Goff	QB	California
3	San Diego Chargers	Laremy Tunsil	OT	Ole Miss
4	Dallas Cowboys	Myles Jack	LB	UCLA
5	Jacksonville Jaguars	Jalen Ramsey	DB	Florida State
6	Baltimore Ravens	Vernon Hargreaves III	CB	Florida
7	San Francisco 49ers	Carson Wentz	QB	North Dakota State
8	Miami Dolphins	DeForest Buckner	DL	Oregon
9	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Ronnie Stanley	OT	Notre Dame
10	New York Giants	Ezekiel Elliott	RB	Ohio State
11	Chicago Bears	Reggie Ragland	LB	Alabama
12	New Orleans Saints	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
13	Philadelphia Eagles	A'Shawn Robinson	DT	Alabama
14	Oakland Raiders	Jaylon Smith	LB	Notre Dame
15	Los Angeles Rams	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss
16	Detroit Lions	Andrew Billings	DL	Baylor
17	Atlanta Falcons	Shaq Lawson	DE	Clemson
18	Indianapolis Colts	Taylor Decker	OT	Ohio State
19	Buffalo Bills	Kevin Dodd	DE	Clemson
20	New York Jets	Noah Spence	LB	Eastern Kentucky
21	Washington Redskins	Jarran Reed	DL	Alabama
22	Houston Texans	Paxton Lynch	QB	Memphis
23	Minnesota Vikings	Cody Whitehair	OG	Kansas State
24	Cincinnati Bengals	Josh Doctson	WR	TCU
25	Pittsburgh Steelers	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio State
26	Seattle Seahawks	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan State
27	Green Bay Packers	Darron Lee	LB	Ohio State
28	Kansas City Chiefs	Michael Thomas	WR	Ohio State
29	Denver Broncos	Derrick Henry	RB	Alabama
30	Arizona Cardinals	Leonard Floyd	LB	Georgia
31	Carolina Panthers	Emmanuel Ogbah	DE	Oklahoma State

Notable Picks

10. New York Giants: Ezekiel Elliott

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

From 2011 through 2014, only one running back was selected higher than 28th overall (Trent Richardson, who went No. 3 to the Browns in 2012).

The running back position was largely being ignored early in the NFL draft. Then, in 2015, the Rams took Todd Gurley 10th overall, and the Chargers followed shortly after with Melvin Gordon at No. 15. 

So where does Ezekiel Elliott fit into this year's draft board? Were the Rams and Chargers the exceptions, or was this the start of a new trend?

A case could be made that Elliott is an even more valuable asset, and a safer selection, than either Gurley or Gordon were a year ago.

For starters, Elliott isn't coming off a season-ending knee injury like Gurley. But his skill set also makes him a unique prospect. 

In this era of football, we're seeing more and more elite running backs forced off the field in passing situations. 

Adrian Peterson, for example, was only on the field for 65 percent of Minnesota's offensive snaps in 2015, according to Football Outsiders. 

Elliott, who excels as a receiver and in pass protection, is one of the rare running backs in this era who does not need to come off the field. He's a true three-down running back, which may ease the concerns of teams interested in spending a high pick on his talents.

15. Los Angeles Rams: Laquon Treadwell

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

Finding a franchise quarterback will be a priority for the Rams as they prepare for their move to Los Angeles. Unfortunately, at No. 15, they may not have the opportunity to land one of the top signal-callers in this class. 

The next-best option for the Rams to jump-start their struggling offense is to target one of the top receivers.

Rookie wide receivers often struggle with their transition to the NFL, but Treadwell has the tools necessary to make an immediate impact. 

Treadwell lacks the speed to run by defensive backs, which forced him to develop his route-running skills in college. 

As a smooth route-runner and a physical receiver capable of winning the battle for contested catches, Treadwell should make an immediate impact. 

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Doctson

Ashley Landis/Associated Press

Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones, who combined for 103 targets in 2015, are both unrestricted free agents this offseason. 

Finding the money to re-sign both receivers seems like an unlikely scenario, which could force the Bengals to address the position in the draft. 

Josh Doctson excelled at TCU primarily as a possession receiver, routinely winning jump-ball battles in tight coverage. 

If the Bengals, who also have star receiver A.J. Green, sign either Sanu or Jones, Doctson could settle in as a third option during his rookie year while developing into a larger role down the road. 

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