Replacements for Every Projected 1st-Round Pick in B/R's 2016 Mock NFL Draft
The good news is your college football team managed to produce a projected first-round NFL draft pick, maybe more. The bad news is it has to replace those future pros.
It's part of the annual life cycle in the sport—saying goodbye to great ones and hoping those who take their place can be nearly as good. It's an unfair expectation placed on these replacements but one we've become used to making, especially during the long period between the end of one season and the start of the next.
Using Bleacher Report NFL draft expert Matt Miller's latest 2016 mock draft as a guide, we have identified the most likely successor to every projected first-round pick. Some may be existing starters who are moving to a new position, while others are reserves whose experience this past season should help them take on a greater role. And a few are newcomers who will be thrown right into the fire.
Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
1 of 31
Replacement for: A'Shawn Robinson
Jonathan Allen surprised many by choosing to return to college for his senior year, but by doing so he makes the loss of a Robinson manageable. After all, Allen was Alabama's leader in sacks (12) and tackles for loss (14.5) last season.
Numbers aside, the 6'3”, 283-pound Allen now will take on more of a leadership role with much of the rest of the Crimson Tide's defensive line set to be sophomores and juniors. That can only add to his draft stock, which he told ESPN.com's Chris Low was only worth a second-round grade after 2015.
Allen was set to have surgery to repair a torn labrum this offseason. Unless that procedure doesn't go well, expect him to be at full strength this fall.
Adrian Baker, CB, Clemson
2 of 31
Replacement for: Mackensie Alexander
Adrian Baker got a prime opportunity to show Clemson (and the nation) he was the right choice to succeed Alexander for 2016 when he had to replace the soon-to-be-departed star corner during last month's national championship game against Alabama. It didn't go well for the sophomore, though.
Though the 6'0”, 180-pound Baker made some good plays after Alexander left the game with a hamstring injury, he also made a critical mistake by taking the wrong angle on Alabama tight end O.J. Howard on what ended up being a 63-yard catch in the fourth quarter.
Baker, who will be a junior in 2016, had two interceptions last season but also allowed nine catches for 147 yards on 15 passes thrown his way, per Pro Football Focus.
Jayon Brown, LB, UCLA
3 of 31
Replacement for: Myles Jack
Jack injured his knee in UCLA's third game of the 2015 season, and soon thereafter he declared for the NFL draft rather than attempt to come back for more collegiate action. While Bruins coach Jim Mora wasn't particularly fond of the decision, it did mean he could spend much of the rest of the year trying out replacements for Jack.
Mora didn't have to look far, as Jayon Brown took over Jack's starting spot and held it the rest of the year.
The 6'0”, 220-pound Brown ended up leading UCLA in tackles as a junior, with 93 including 57 of the solo variety. He had four games with at least 10 tackles including an 18-tackle performance against Colorado, a game that saw the Bruins defense on the field for 114 snaps.
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Noah Brown, WR, Ohio State
4 of 31
Replacement for: Michael Thomas
Ohio State's passing game sputtered for much of 2015, producing 1,200 fewer yards and less than half as many touchdowns as the year before. Not having Noah Brown available contributed to that drop in production just as much as the way the Buckeyes handled their quarterback situation.
With Brown set to return from a broken leg suffered in the final week of the preseason and J.T. Barrett locked into the starting quarterback job, expect a big year from that combination.
The 6'1”, 240-pound Brown, who had only one catch for nine yards as a freshman in 2014, was projected as a starter before getting hurt last August.
Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson
5 of 31
Replacement for: Shaq Lawson
Austin Bryant will be tasked with filling in for the FBS leader in tackles for loss (TFL) last season, as Lawson had 25.5 TFL that included 12.5 sacks. Bryant got an early start on this succession plan when he subbed in for a hobbled Lawson several times during the Orange Bowl win over Oklahoma and against Alabama in the national title game.
The 6'4”, 265-pound true freshman logged 63 snaps against Oklahoma, and his four tackles were the most since logging seven against Appalachian State in September.
"It was my opportunity to play," Bryant told David Hood of TigerNet.com. "I had prepared to play all week, so I wasn't scared to play."
A former 4-star recruit from the 2015 class, Bryant spent most of last year serving as Kevin Dodd's backup. He's left as well, but Bryant is better suited for taking on Lawson's role, as he showed late in the year.
KD Cannon, WR, Baylor
6 of 31
Replacement for: Corey Coleman
It's hard to consider a player with 108 career receptions, more than 1,900 yards and 14 touchdowns a replacement, but that's effectively what KD Cannon will be in his junior year since he'll be moving from Baylor's No. 2 wide receiver spot to the top slot that Coleman so effectively held in 2015.
Coleman caught 20 TD passes last year, compared to 24 by the other 15 Bears players who had a reception. Cannon was second on the team with 50 catches for 868 yards and six TDs, though both of those numbers were slightly down from his freshman year.
With Baylor losing both Coleman and Jay Lee, the 6'0”, 180-pound Cannon is the natural choice to become the go-to target.
Te'Von Coney, LB, Notre Dame
7 of 31
Replacement for: Jaylon Smith
Smith was the kind of player who rarely left the field, but he was forced to exit early on in what proved to be the final game of his college career when he suffered a major knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl. That meant Te'Von Coney had the opportunity to get a jump-start on his mission to replace Smith for 2016, though his own shoulder injury knocked him out of the contest not long after.
Coney is still pegged as the successor to Smith at the “Will” linebacker spot, assuming his injury isn't significant. As a true freshman he played in 12 games, finishing with 13 tackles (one of which came in the Fiesta Bowl) as Smith's primary backup.
Riley Ferguson, QB, Memphis
8 of 31Replacement for: Paxton Lynch
Lynch threw for more than 8,800 yards with 59 touchdowns in his three seasons at Memphis, helping the Tigers rise from the bottom of the FBS ranks to become a mid-major power in 2015. He also helped coach Justin Fuente get a promotion, as he's now in charge of Virginia Tech.
New coach Mike Norvell wasn't left with much to work with on the existing roster, but thankfully he was able to pick up Riley Ferguson on the recruiting trail. The junior college passer was ranked as the No. 1 pro-style quarterback in 2016, per 247Sports, after throwing for 2,942 yards and 35 touchdowns last year at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas.
The 6'4”, 190-pound Ferguson began his career at Tennessee, where he enrolled in 2013 but did not play after suffering a broken leg.
Bryce Fitzner, OT, Kansas State
9 of 31
Replacement for: Cody Whitehair
Kansas State is replacing four of its offensive linemen from 2015, though none will be as difficult to replace as Whitehair. He started 51 games in his career, including the last 41 that he played in, serving as a staple at left tackle.
Now, that job is open for Bryce Fitzner, Whitehair's backup this past season, to assume on a full-time basis.
Fitzner saw his first action in 2015 after redshirting the year before. At 6'7” and 292 pounds he has the size to handle the position but will need to show he is strong enough to do so all year long.
Chase Forrest, QB, California
10 of 31
Replacement for: Jared Goff
Goff set Pac-12 records in passing yards (4,719) and touchdowns (43) last season, his third as California's starter. He navigated the program from a 1-11 record in 2013 to eight wins in 2015. It's now up to Forrest to try to keep the Golden Bears from regressing in the wake of Goff's jump to the NFL.
The 6'2”, 190-pound Forrest served as Goff's backup last year as a redshirt freshman, though he didn't see much action. He only appeared in three games, and 17 of his 18 pass attempts came in one, the season opener against Grambling when he threw for 162 yards and one TD with an interception.
Forrest figures to be the man Cal goes with unless it wants to have more mobility at the position; then, converted defensive back Luke Rubenzer—who threw two TD passes and ran for three scores as a freshman in 2014—would get the nod. A lot will depend on who coach Sonny Dykes hires to replace offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, with Sports Illustrated and other media outlets reporting that former Texas A&M play-caller Jake Spavital is in line for the job.
Cameron Hartsfield, S, Boise State
11 of 31
Replacement for: Darian Thompson
Getting to work with and learn from one of the top ball hawks in college football history for two seasons might not be enough for Cameron Hartsfield, but it's going to have to suffice.
Hartsfield heads into his redshirt junior season in line to start at safety for Boise State, the spot that Thompson held down for the past four years. In that time he recorded 19 interceptions, the most in Mountain West Conference history.
The 5'10”, 187-pound Hartsfield has yet to notch a pick in college. In 11 games last year he had three tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass breakup.
Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
12 of 31
Replacement for: Joey Bosa
Sam Hubbard is still working on coming up with a post-sack celebration to rival that of Bosa's famed shrug, but beyond that there's not much this rising sophomore can't do. He showed this in 2015, when the 6'5”, 265-pounder was second on the team in sacks (6.5) as Bosa's backup.
Originally recruited as a linebacker, Hubbard redshirted in 2014 in order to add bulk for the move to the defensive line. He added 35 pounds but didn't lose any of his speed, as he chased down Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer for a sack in the Fiesta Bowl when he got an early start on his promotion following Bosa's early-game targeting ejection.
CeCe Jefferson, DE, Florida
13 of 31
Replacement for: Jonathan Bullard
CeCe Jefferson was one of Florida coach Jim McElwain's first big recruiting gets last year, a 5-star prospect who picked the Gators over Auburn on national signing day. And after the program brought him along slowly for a year, it's time for him to evolve into a go-to player on Florida's defensive line.
The 6'1”, 275-pound Jefferson had 3.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss and 29 total tackles last season, spending much of that time backing up either Bullard or Bryan Cox Jr. The latter returns for his senior year, which means Jefferson gets first crack at the other starting defensive end spot.
He has big shoes to fill, as Bullard led Florida with 17.5 TFL.
Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State
14 of 31Replacement for: Taylor Decker
One of three new starters on Ohio State's offensive line for 2016, Jamarco Jones takes on the biggest role of the replacements by serving as J.T. Barrett's blindside protector. Decker handled that job for three different quarterbacks in his three years as starter, and from 2013 to 2015, the line allowed only 69 sacks in 42 games.
Jones, who will be a junior in 2016, has spent the last two years getting groomed for this job. The 6'4”, 305-pounder has earned plenty of snaps as Decker's backup, and this spring he'll get the first-team reps at left tackle.
Canton Kaumatule, DE, Oregon
15 of 31
Replacement for: DeForest Buckner
Oregon's defensive line will go through a major overhaul this offseason, shifting from the 3-4 alignment that Don Pellum used to the 4-3 that new coordinator Brady Hoke plans to institute. That change would be difficult enough if not for the fact the Ducks had to replace all three starters from the 2015 line, most notably Buckner.
Buckner's 10.5 sacks in 2015 were two fewer than every other Oregon defensive lineman combined. That includes Canton Kaumatule, the highly regarded prospect who was hampered by injuries last year as a freshman, resulting in just two tackles over eight games.
If healthy, Kaumatule should replace Buckner. He's 6'7” and 295 pounds—almost a carbon copy of the 6'7”, 300-pound Buckner.
Gregory Little, OT, Ole Miss
16 of 31
Replacement for: Laremy Tunsil
It's somewhat of a rarity for a recruit to be tabbed as the successor to a possible No. 1 overall draft pick even before he signs, but then again Gregory Little isn't your normal run-of-the-mill recruit.
The No. 1 offensive tackle prospect in the country, per 247Sports, as well as the No. 3 player in the 2016 class, Little is fully expected to be a full-time starter from the opening game of his college career. And unless Ole Miss thinks someone else who has already seen game action is better suited to handle Tunsil's spot at left tackle, it's Little's job if he wants it.
At 6'5” and 305 pounds, Little already has the size to handle the position. Now all he has to do is show he can handle the technique, and he'll be defending Chad Kelly's blind side when the Rebels open the season on Labor Day against Florida State in Orlando.
Miguel Machado, OT, Michigan State
17 of 31Replacement for: Jack Conklin
Miguel Machado began the 2015 season as the backup to right tackle Kodi Kieler but ended up spending most of his time working behind Conklin on the left side. This versatility should give him the advantage over other Michigan State linemen for Conklin's starting spot this fall, though it's not a given.
The 6'6”, 298-pound Machado enters his third year with the program after spending two seasons at Pasadena City College.
While Machado will get his shot this spring, MSU coach Mark Dantonio hasn't dismissed the idea of picking up a graduate transfer for the left side of the line, according to ESPN.com's Dan Murphy.
K.J. Malone, OT, LSU
18 of 31
Replacement for: Jerald Hawkins
Usually one of the most affected teams when it comes to NFL draft early entry, this time around LSU only saw one draft-eligible junior turn pro, while several others stuck around. Still, that lone departure was a big one since Hawkins had started at left tackle for all of 2015 and was the starting right tackle for his first two seasons.
An ankle injury knocked Hawkins out of much of the Arkansas game last season, during which K.J. Malone stepped in and was credited with five knockdowns in 46 snaps, per Jim Kleinpeter of NOLA.com. Malone said his "heart was pounding" when he was told to replace Hawkins, though he played with the kind of poise that could work out well for him in the future.
The son of former NBA star Karl Malone, the 6'4”, 298-pound Malone is listed as a guard but will get consideration at tackle for his redshirt junior year.
Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State
19 of 31Replacement for: Jalen Ramsey
Ramsey was the nation's second-best cornerback prospect when he signed with Florida State in 2013, and he more than lived up to that ranking. With him set to be a first-round draft pick after only three seasons in college, it makes sense for the Seminoles to replace him in the lineup with another highly touted prospect.
Tarvarus McFadden was rated by 247Sports as the third-best cornerback in the 2015 class, but in his freshman year he wasn't able to do much while playing behind Ramsey and Marquez White, the other starting corner. He plans to fix that in 2016, according to Safid Deen of the Tallahassee Democrat.
"This year was a rough year for me at first, but I was behind two great corners," said the 6'2”, 197-pound McFadden, who managed only four tackles in seven appearances. "I learned a lot from them two guys, and I’m ready to go next year."
McFadden will have competition for the spot from several challengers, including incoming freshman Levonta Taylor, the No. 1 cornerback prospect in the 2016 class.
Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
20 of 31
Replacement for: Ronnie Stanley
Stanley had been a rock for Notre Dame on the offensive line for three years, the last two at left tackle. Now, that job goes to Mike McGlinchey, who handled right tackle in 2015 as a redshirt sophomore and figures to be the best option moving over to the other side.
McGlinchey, who is 6'7 ½” and 310 pounds, got his first career start in the 2014 Music City Bowl and remained in that role through all of last year. By shifting him to left tackle, Notre Dame protects its quarterbacks on the back side and allows another player—possibly Alex Bars or Quenton Nelson, both of whom played guard last year—to move into the right tackle spot.
Aaron Patrick, DE, Eastern Kentucky
21 of 31
Replacement for: Noah Spence
After multiple failed drug tests ended Spence's Ohio State career, Eastern Kentucky provided him a chance to get his life back on track. In turn he gave the FCS program an NFL-caliber player on its defensive line, which helped the Colonels post a winning record in 2015.
It also allowed Aaron Patrick the opportunity to learn from a future pro, as he served as Spence's backup last year. The 6'4”, 235-pound redshirt freshman appeared in all 11 games, notching 12 tackles and one sack.
Curtis Samuel, HB, Ohio State
22 of 31
Replacement for: Braxton Miller
The H-back position is what the player makes of it, and with Miller, that meant utilizing his amazing athleticism in whatever manner possible. Curtis Samuel isn't as dynamic as the man he's set to succeed, but he's also not lacking in moves or ability.
Samuel had 22 receptions for 289 yards and two touchdowns last season as a sophomore, and his 132 rushing yards and a TD (on 17 carries) were the most of any returning non-quarterback. At 5'11” and 195 pounds, he is built like a running back but excels just as well in space.
It's likely that Samuel will be used as an outlet receiver and on fly sweeps more than Miller, the converted quarterback who had run for more than 3,000 yards in his first three seasons.
Easton Stick, QB, North Dakota State
23 of 31
Replacement for: Carson Wentz
North Dakota State won its fifth consecutive FCS national title in 2015 despite not having star quarterback Wentz for eight games because of injury. The Bison wouldn't have been able to reach another championship had redshirt freshman Easton Stick not handled the job so admirably and effectively.
The 6'2”, 215-pound Stick went 8-0 as a starter, throwing for 1,144 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding 498 rushing yards and five scores. He had 100-yard rushing games in his first two starts.
He stepped aside in the FCS title game with Wentz healthy again, but when NDSU pushes for a sixth straight championship in 2016, Stick will handle the starting job.
Damore'ea Stringfellow, WR, Ole Miss
24 of 31
Replacement for: Laquon Treadwell
Ole Miss had to say goodbye to arguably the best receiver in program history in Treadwell, whose tremendous return from a horrific leg injury late in the 2014 season only added to his legacy. Last year he had 82 receptions, more than any two other Rebels players.
Now, the Rebels will look for a similar impact from Damore'ea Stringfellow, who had 36 catches for 503 yards and five TDs in 2015 with Ole Miss. It was his first season of action after sitting out the 2014 campaign after transferring from Washington.
At 6'2” and 220 pounds, the junior-to-be is built similarly to Treadwell and thus will be asked to make the same kind of plays as Chad Kelly's primary target this fall. If not, Ole Miss will look to senior Quincy Adeboyejo, Markell Pack or one of its incoming receiver signees.
Damon Webb, CB, Ohio State
25 of 31
Replacement for: Eli Apple
Most of Damon Webb's playing time in 2015 came in nickel packages, serving as the extra cornerback who would take on the third or fourth receiver on obvious passing situations. He appeared in seven games, including the final five, making 10 tackles along the way.
Now, it's the 5'11”, 193-pound junior's chance to move into a more prominent role. With Apple one of three starters in the secondary moving on for Ohio State, only corner Gareon Conley returns. He'll handle the top receiver target, leaving Webb with the secondary routes.
Mike Weber, RB, Ohio State
26 of 31
Replacement for: Ezekiel Elliott
A key member of Ohio State's 2015 recruiting class, Mike Weber likely would have served as one of Elliott's top backups as a freshman if not for a knee injury suffered during the preseason. That led to a redshirt campaign, though he felt he was still able to learn through observation.
"I learned from Zeke and the guys in front of me," Weber told Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com. "I just sat back and watched those guys. I am just going to let it all loose next year."
The 5'10”, 215-pound Weber might be called on to be more than just a runner, too, since Elliott had 55 receptions the past two seasons. That's an area he may need to work on the most this offseason so that he can be a full contributor in and out of the backfield.
Chris Williams, DT, Louisville
27 of 31
Replacement for: Sheldon Rankins
Rankins was an integral part of Louisville's dominant defenses the last two seasons, anchoring the middle of the line with 14 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss in 2014-15. Knowing his career was coming to an end, the Cardinals sought out his replacement from the junior college ranks and got their guy in December.
Chris Williams was ranked by 247Sports as the No. 80 JUCO prospect and the 10th-best defensive tackle in the 2016 class. The 6'1”, 285-pound Williams spent the last two years at Northwest Mississippi Community College. He signed with Ole Miss in 2014 but never played for the Rebels.
"They are looking for me to come in and have a big impact on the D-line," Williams said of Louisville, per Mike Hughes of 247Sports. "They want me to play either 3-technique or 0-tech. It depends where I fit in during spring. They want me to have a big impact like Rankins was."
Tim Williams, LB, Alabama
28 of 31
Replacement for: Reggie Ragland
Alabama's pass-rushing specialist this past season, Tim Williams had 10.5 sacks despite being listed third on the depth chart. He'll move up to the first line for 2016 as he's tasked with replacing the team's leading tackler and reigning SEC defensive player of the year.
Ragland had 102 tackles in 2015 compared to 19 for Williams, who as a junior was mostly in on third downs and other obvious passing situations.
The 6'4”, 230-pounder has 27 tackles in 34 career games, but his knack for getting to the quarterback makes him the best candidate to take on Ragland's role as the man who roves the middle of Alabama's defense.
Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
29 of 31
Replacement for: Vernon Hargreaves III
Hargreaves was a shutdown corner almost from the start of his college career three seasons ago, though Jalen Tabor performed at a similar level on his side of the field in 2015. That makes Tabor the obvious choice to handle opponents' top targets in 2016, which leaves Tabor's spot open for Quincy Wilson to move into the lineup.
Wilson had 29 tackles, two interceptions and five pass breakups last season as a sophomore, earning a few starts along the way after starting twice as a true freshman the year before. His pick against Kentucky helped seal a 14-9 win in September.
Chris Worley, LB, Ohio State
30 of 31
Replacement for: Darron Lee
A converted safety, Chris Worley backed up Lee this past season as a sophomore and finished with 17 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. Now, he'll look to take over the starting spot as Ohio State's strong-side linebacker, where Lee excelled for two years.
The 6'2”, 225-pound Worley won't be handed the job, though, as sophomore-to-be Jerome Baker is also capable of handling a position that requires the player to both attack at the line and handle himself in pass coverage.
Richard Yeargin, DE, Clemson
31 of 31
Replacement for: Kevin Dodd
Though listed on Clemson's national title game depth chart as Shaq Lawson's backup, Richard Yeargin figures to end up on the other side of the line in 2016 as the bookend to Austin Bryant. Those two got to play a lot together during the Orange Bowl, when Lawson was hurt and Dodd also needed a breather, and their growth this offseason will be key to the Tigers' ability to rebuild on defense.
As a redshirt freshman in 2015, the 6'3”, 255-pound Yeargin appeared in nine games and had eight tackles, along with one sack. He'll get first crack at the starting job, but if he struggles, then Clemson could turn to Clelin Ferrell, a former 4-star prospect who redshirted last season.
Recruit rankings courtesy of 247Sports.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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