NFL Mock Draft 2016: Updated Order and Predictions for 1st-Round Prospects

The first major stop on the path to the 2016 NFL draft is the Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, where college football's most experienced players currently lay it all on the line for scouts and NFL teams.  

With just the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers still alive, the majority of the league's attention focuses on the event, which will eventually give way to the scouting combine and other major landmarks in the coming months.

Long story short, it's the perfect time for fans of the eliminated franchises to catch up on the draft process to also begin the long journey. The best way to do so is through a mock draft outlining team need and prospect value, so let's do so below.

2016 NFL Mock Draft

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

Note: New England Patriots forfeited their first-round pick.

Breaking Down Notable Picks 

21. Washington: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

Laquon Treadwell out of Ole Miss might be the draft's top wide receiver, but that's a "might," not a sure thing.

Wideout is one of the more confusing parts of the puzzle heading to the draft because Treadwell comes with both good and bad points around his stock. The good, of course, is the 6'2", 210-pound frame and the 82 catches for 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Among other traits, Treadwell looks like an incredible possession receiver who can outpoint defensive backs, as CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler helps to detail:

"

Over this three years as a starter, Treadwell lined up inside and outside at Ole Miss and was consistently productive despite defenses game-planning against him. He has exceptional ballskills and attacks the ball similar to Dez Bryant, catching passes many other receivers are unable to make on a consistent basis.

"

The negatives aren't many, but a serious leg injury a few years back and emotional play also befit of a Dez Bryant description, including flags that hurt his team, certainly draw the eye. 

This is a sweet spot for a team like Washington. There are flags, but at this value, Treadwell becomes worth the risk. The team has a deep threat with DeSean Jackson and someone to move the chains with tight end Jordan Reed, but another big-bodied target who can spread things out would help quarterback Kirk Cousins in a big way, presuming he returns.

Treadwell could easily work his way into the top 10 on talent alone. Right now, though, Washington wouldn't complain about where his stock continues to hover.

26. Seattle Seahawks: Noah Spence, DE/LB, Eastern Kentucky

Here's another interesting value slotting for a playoff team on the hunt for improvement. 

Folks might remember Noah Spence as an All-Big Ten player with the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2013. But things fell apart with failed drug tests, and he wound up at Eastern Kentucky before long and now sits as one of the most interesting players in the draft process.

Spence has the look of an elite rusher at the pro level, with former teammate Braxton Miller going as far as to toss out a Von Miller comparison, according to Bleacher Report's Luke Easterling:

It's not so far out, as Spence certainly qualifies as a top-15 prospect from a talent standpoint, though the red flags aren't hard to figure out.

Seattle won't mind providing Spence a little shot at redemption. The praised Seahawks defense only generated 37 sacks this past year, and in the playoffs against the Carolina Panthers, it wasn't athletic enough or applying enough pressure to stop quarterback Cam Newton, sacking him just once while he tossed a touchdown and his running backs scored twice.  

Throwing Spence into the mix on a rotational basis would provide a boost to the unit.

27. Green Bay Packers: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

Many aren't familiar with the name Sheldon Rankins just yet, but the Louisville product won't have a hard time becoming a household name at this pace.

Rankins has quietly starred as the centerpiece for the Louisville defense over the past few years, providing solid pressure from the interior and boasting elite run-defense skills.

Those traits in mind, Rankins didn't have any problems wowing the crowd at the Senior Bowl. ESPN.com's Matt Bowen provided some commentary from the scene:

While Rankins might rise more in the coming months, the Green Bay Packers look like a sound fit at No. 27.

Green Bay ranked 21st against the run this past season and might grow tired of having to resort to B.J. Raji in the middle of the unit. Rankins can come in and boost this area right away, if not help add to the unit's 43 sacks.

Odds seem strong Rankins will continue to increase his stock alongside the increasing coverage surrounding his film and his numbers. Green Bay won't devalue him whatsoever, understanding that he's a rookie who can make a rather seamless transition and contribute.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of January 27. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.