NFL Draft 2016: 1st-Round Mock Draft and Scouting Combine Storylines to Watch

Out with the old and in with the new.

That's what the NFL Scouting Combine is all about. This is a league that gives the best and brightest a chance. The best young players are about to get a chance to show what they can do—at least when it comes to running around in their shorts and lifting weights—and the NFL powerbrokers and decision-makers are about to take notice.

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

The start of the combine is the start of a new season in the NFL. It's not the start of the official league year (that comes March 9), but the Denver Broncos have put their Super Bowl 50 victory in the history books and now it's time to move on.

One of the top storylines revolves around the quarterbacks. One quarterback, Carson Wentz of North Dakota State, has already moved to the top of most mock drafts. Wentz was recently compared to Andrew Luck by draft expert Mike Mayock:

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Mike Mayock compared Carson Wentz to Andrew Luck on Tuesday. https://t.co/eCNFtXjQds pic.twitter.com/5o7KQLzFXc

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) February 23, 2016"

Wentz had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl when he faced an upgrade in the level of competition. He should perform well in the passing drills, which will only help his status.

However, the most interesting aspect of the combine for Wentz will likely be his interview sessions with the coaches, scouts and media. Wentz appears to be a sharp, well-spoken individual, but the pressure will be on in Indianapolis. It's a test, and he's going to have to do well to cement his position.

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Speaking of quarterbacks, Ohio State's Cardale Jones is going to get an opportunity to show off his arm strength and accuracy. Jones, of course, took over as the Buckeyes' starting quarterback late in the 2014 season as a result of injuries. He made the most of his opportunity, exceeded all expectations and led Ohio State to the national championship.

While Jones was given the starting job at the start of the 2015 season by head coach Urban Meyer, he could not hold onto his job. Nevertheless, Jones made himself available in the draft, and he is ranked as the seventh-best quarterback by CBS Sports.

A likely fourth- or fifth-round choice, Jones has remarkable arm strength and is going to get a chance to show that aspect of his game off in Indianapolis. He has a chance to earn an opportunity. He may not go in the first or second round, but that doesn't mean he won't convince the right coach or scout that he has a legitimate future.

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Pre-combine buzz: "Post combine the buzz will be about Cardale Jones & Christian Hackenberg having all the tools, for someone to coach up."

— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) February 23, 2016"

Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey is an excellent player and a remarkable athlete. He has a chance to put on a big show when it comes to running and jumping, and that should only enhance his status as one of the top players in this draft. CBS Sports has him rated as the third-best prospect in the draft, and he appears to be ready to move to the next level and become a star.

Outside linebacker Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky may have had a tumultuous college career after failing drug tests while at Ohio State, but he did show an excellent burst and ability to get to the quarterback at Eastern Kentucky. He was even better at the Senior Bowl, as he appeared to be one of the most explosive pass-rushers in Mobile, Alabama.

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Noah Spence dips his inside shoulder while accelerating through the block. And he strips the ball https://t.co/i1eOZre3XG

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) February 22, 2016"

Spence is going to have to convince the decision-makers that he has outgrown his youthful problems. If he can do that, he could become one of the most effective rookies in the league next year. If he can't, his draft status could drop precipitously.

Wentz, Jones, Ramsey and Spence provide four of the storylines at the start of the combine. There will be many more as the weekend progresses.