Biggest Draft Buzz for Every Team from the 2016 NFL Combine
Above all else, the NFL Scouting Combine has value in that it hosts every NFL coach, general manager, scouting director and top prospect for the 2016 NFL draft. Having the decision-makers and their potential future draft prospects together allows for plenty of draft buzz and quotability for the media.
This year’s NFL Scouting Combine, as expected, didn’t see NFL personnel reveal too much, but there was enough to begin reading the tea leaves as to what to expect in free agency and, in this case, the 2016 NFL draft.
Arizona Cardinals
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Carson Palmer has led the Cardinals to the playoffs the last two seasons and was in consideration for the MVP award during the 2015 season. But since he's 36 years old, the Cardinals are in the market for a successor to their current franchise passer.
"There is no secret, we're always trying to look for the next guy,” Cardinals GM Steve Keim told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine. “To be in a situation like Green Bay years ago when they took Aaron (Rodgers) when Brett Favre was their starter, that's obviously the ideal situation, but how many times are you sitting in the 20s where you can take a guy that you see as the future."
While they tried to find that successor in Logan Thomas in the 2014 NFL draft, he’s already moved onto his next team. Some options that fit Bruce Arians' vertical passing attack in the 2016 class are Carson Wentz of North Dakota State, Christian Hackenberg of Penn State and Cardale Jones of Ohio State.
Atlanta Falcons
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While Julio Jones has grown into arguably the NFL’s best receiver, the rest of the Falcons’ pass-catching unit has turned into one of the worst supporting casts for a quarterback in the NFL. At the combine, the Falcons met with six pass-catchers, according to Walter Football (h/t SB Nation).
They interviewed Will Fuller, the Notre Dame speedster who’s drawn comparisons to DeSean Jackson; Braxton Miller, the quarterback convert with first-round explosiveness; and Hunter Henry, the Arkansas product with arguably the most reliable hands of any pass-catcher in the 2016 NFL draft.
Baltimore Ravens
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Without question, the Ravens' most important free agent to re-sign is Kelechi Osemele. The talented offensive lineman has been a strong presence at guard and flashed offensive tackle upside when Eugene Monroe was out with an injury.
GM Ozzie Newsome indicated that Osemele is likely the starter at left tackle if the team brings him back, which could have ripple effects into the Ravens' draft players. With left tackle shored up and plenty of offensive skill-position youth (once healthy), the Ravens should look to target defense early and often in the 2016 draft.
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Buffalo Bills
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While the Bills should be meeting with a lot of prospects, they’ve appeared to focus on early-round edge prospects. According to Ryan Talbot of Scout.com, the Bills have already interviewed Clemson’s Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd, as well as Eastern Kentucky's Noah Spence and Oklahoma's Charles Tapper.
The first three are projected first-round prospects, while Tapper had a phenomenal NFL combine showing. With Rex Ryan at the helm, the team will always advocate for defensive players. But with Mario Williams potentially gone in free agency and the offense chock-full of young skill-position players, defensive end looks like a reasonable place to begin projecting the Bills' draft strategy.
Carolina Panthers
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With Charles Johnson set to count $15 million against the salary cap for 2016, per Spotrac, the star defensive end may be asked to take a pay cut or be released outright, according to the Charlotte Observer. While it’s likely he’ll aim to return to Carolina, his departure would force the Panthers to find his replacement quickly.
At the back end of the first round, the Panthers may have some options to replace Johnson. With Kony Ealy looking the part of an NFL starter on one side, finding a powerful, strong-side defensive end to grow with him would be wise if Carolina releases Johnson.
Chicago Bears
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Last year, picking at No. 7 overall, the Bears opted for receiver Kevin White. But based on their inviting him to their facility during the draft process, the Bears were ready to consider Jameis Winston had he fallen on draft day, according to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times.
This year, it appears much more likely that a top quarterback slips to them. With Carson Wentz and Jared Goff in the mix for the top 10 but certainly not locks to go there, the Bears could have one or even both fall to them on draft day. And with Jay Cutler’s contract easier to cut in 2017, taking a quarterback in 2016 to groom for a year may be best for all involved.
Cincinnati Bengals
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Baylor’s Corey Coleman was among the Bengals' interviews during the NFL Scouting Combine. It was an intriguing interview for two reasons.
For one, the Bengals may lose both Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones in free agency, which would create a fairly big need at the position. Coleman looks the part of a first-rounder, and his speed and yards-after-catch upside fits nicely with A.J. Green.
But it was also intriguing because they offered him one of the most unique questions. According to Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan, Coleman was asked “who America fought in a war." Coleman said it stumped him and was the strangest question he got.
Cleveland Browns
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With Johnny Manziel clearly not in the team’s plans, the Browns are once again in the quarterback market. Colin Kaepernick recently asked for a trade, according to the NFL Network, but Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot shot down the idea of Kaepernick landing in Cleveland.
Hue Jackson may be targeting a free-agent quarterback to helm his offense, but he’ll have his choice of 2016 quarterback prospects. With Sam Bradford expected to stay in Philadelphia and Kaepernick not a good fit, the Browns may have no choice but to draft a quarterback at No. 2 overall as their 2016 starter.
Dallas Cowboys
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As Tony Romo is set to undergo surgery, the Cowboys have been often linked to quarterbacks with the No. 4 overall selection in the draft. But according to the Dallas Morning News' Jon Machota, the Cowboys aren’t in the quarterback market with their first-rounder.
While Carson Wentz has often been linked to Dallas, per Mike Mayock of NFL.com, it’s unlikely at this point that he’ll be available even in the back end of the first round. If Dallas wants to find a developmental quarterback, it will have to target passers such as Cardale Jones of Ohio State, Connor Cook of Michigan State and Dak Prescott of Mississippi State.
Denver Broncos
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When addressing the media about this draft season, GM John Elway indicated, almost without hesitation, where he wanted to improve: offensive line.
"Obviously that’s an area where we need to get better," Elway said. "That’s going to be a focal point for us this year as we go into free agency as well as the draft."
The Broncos should have options late in Round 1. Guard/tackle hybrids such as Stanford’s Joshua Garnett and Kansas State’s Cody Whitehair both would be strong fits for Denver’s offense.
Detroit Lions
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The Lions could go any number of directions early in the draft. They need to find Calvin Johnson’s replacement at receiver. The offensive line could use additional support. The linebacking corps and secondary each has some needs. But defensive line, especially on the interior, could be the position that is most in need.
After interviewing Louisiana Tech’s Vernon Butler at the Senior Bowl and now again at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to MLive's Justin Rogers, the Lions have done a poor job of hiding their interest in the first-rounder. While picking him in the top 20 is a bit rich based on my scouting, he is a strong fit for a franchise that has, in the past, loaded up on defensive line talent.
Green Bay Packers
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Injuries to their receiving corps clearly played a role in the Packers' good, not ideal, finish to the season. With Jordy Nelson and the rest of their receivers set to return in 2016 at full health, it’s unclear whether the Packers feel they need to continue to address the position.
But that hasn’t stopped them from interviewing receivers at the NFL Scouting Combine. One in particular who stood out was TCU’s Kolby Listenbee, according to Michael Cohen of the Journal Sentinel. Listenbee is a highly explosive vertical receiver with a track background that fits into the Packers' desire for speedy receivers.
Houston Texans
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According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Texans met with Christian Hackenberg at the NFL Scouting Combine. The connection is an obvious one. Hackenberg can fill their most important need this offseason, should be available at No. 22 overall and thrived as a college quarterback when then-Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien coached him.
The interview was likely a bit of a reunion for Hackenberg and O’Brien but also a chance for others in the scouting department to get their questions answered on the quarterback. If Hackenberg impressed the rest of the Texans staff during that interview, he could be one step closer to locking in his first-round draft status.
Indianapolis Colts
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Edge-rushers and offensive tackle. The Colts passed on both needs in the 2015 class, opting for the luxury pick of Phillip Dorsett instead, and now their need is even more glaring this offseason.
While they’ll have offensive line options (Jack Conklin of Michigan State may fit the best), the intriguing option is Eastern Kentucky’s Noah Spence. Despite being an elite talent, Spence’s character questions may push him down to the mid first-round. But, according to Stephen Holder of the Indy Star, GM Ryan Grigson has a strong aversion to prospect with character issues. Will he make an exception this year for an elite talent at a position of need?
Jacksonville Jaguars
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After drafting Dante Fowler Jr. last year, the Jaguars appear set at pass-rusher for the 2016 draft until they know what they have in him. But that didn’t stop head coach Gus Bradley from gushing about the defensive line and edge-rusher class.
“Going into the draft class, there were some unknowns there,” he said, per Jaguars.com. “But as we’ve looked at more and more guys, there are some guys who have the traits we’re looking for.”
While the Jaguars won’t target duplicate talents of Fowler, they could look to capitalize on the best player available in the second round or beyond. With money to spend in free agency, the Jaguars could aim to use their cap space to fill their needs and work to continue to add the best talent they can find in the draft. Plus, adding an edge-rusher to hedge against Fowler’s injury may be a wise decision.
Kansas City Chiefs
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Over the last two years, Chiefs receiver Albert Wilson has emerged as a legitimate weapon for the offense. When speaking about their receivers at the NFL Scouting Combine, GM John Dorsey reiterated his belief in Wilson, stating that he was “kind of” the team’s No. 2 receiver option.
What does that mean for the Chiefs’ draft strategy? Along with almost entirely eliminating their need at receiver early in the draft, it also emphasizes Dorsey’s confidence in players who have grown into significant roles on his team.
Just because a player wasn’t a high draft pick or doesn’t exude elite upside doesn’t mean the Chiefs won’t value that player high enough to not draft his replacement. Dorsey trusts his pro personnel staff enough to have it affect, in a good way, his draft strategy, something many NFL teams don’t often do.
Los Angeles Rams
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After turning down a five-year, $45 million deal from the Rams, according to former player Brian Witherspoon (h/t SB Nation), cornerback Janoris Jenkins may have his sights set on free agency. And with Trumaine Johnson also set to be a free agent, the Rams could look to replace one or both of their two talented cornerbacks.
If that’s the case, the Rams will be heavily involved in the cornerback scouting market during the 2016 NFL draft. Vernon Hargreaves III likely tops their list thanks to his pro readiness, but Ohio State’s Eli Apple may be the type of elite first-round talent the Rams have shown a tendency to want to develop. If not, they’ll have plenty of second- and third-round options, especially if they want to double up.
Miami Dolphins
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As we continue to see a rise in the unique ways that teams differentiate their scouting processes, we’ll begin to see more and more oddities in the evaluation process. The Dolphins have begun giving a tablet-based test to prospects that focuses on football IQ and speed.
It’s a unique process that was developed by current ESPN director of sports analytics Ben Alamar. It gives prospects pictures of plays and asks them what reads to make, what formation is shown, where his position player should focus and much more. Focusing on speed and accuracy, the test aims to evaluate football IQ across all positions.
For the Dolphins' draft strategy, it’s clear they’re putting a focus on football IQ over athleticism and instincts, which could lead the team to taking safer, more pro-ready prospects in the draft, especially after Round 1.
Minnesota Vikings
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With injuries and inconsistency across their offensive line, the Vikings are expected to target prospects at multiple offensive line spots in the 2016 draft early and often. Vikings GM Rick Spielman said as much about the team’s need on the offensive line at the NFL Scouting Combine, per the Associated Press via Fox Sports.
Spielman also indicated that he feels it’s a "pretty deep class," which is a positive sign that the Vikings could be in the market for multiple draft choices on the offensive line. In Round 1, prospects such as Indiana’s Jason Spriggs and Ohio State’s Taylor Decker can fit the Vikings' needs. And in the middle rounds, the team could add a host of talented centers, including Notre Dame’s Nick Martin and Alabama’s Ryan Kelly.
New England Patriots
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After letting Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner go last offseason, the Patriots were able to return to the AFC title game with Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan as their feature cornerbacks. Both played well in 2015, but the depth behind them leaves much to be desired.
Focusing on cornerbacks at the NFL combine, WEEI reporter Ryan Hannable indicated three cornerbacks who may be of the most interest to the Patriots after Round 1: Jonathan Jones of Auburn, Harlan Miller of Southeastern Louisiana and Maurice Canady of Virginia. Of those three, Canady may be the highest draft pick thanks to his college film and vertical speed, but Miller does have the length and press upside that teams covet.
New Orleans Saints
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After drafting Garrett Grayson in the third round last year, the Saints appeared to be set on Drew Brees’s successor at quarterback. But that didn’t stop them from interviewing Paxton Lynch, one of the draft’s best quarterbacks, at the combine, per Lynch's agent on Twitter (h/t NOLA.com).
Lynch is likely to come off the board anywhere between No. 2 and No. 22 on draft day, which places the Saints right in his projected wheelhouse if they’re interested. In 2011, the Panthers drafted Cam Newton a year after drafting Jimmy Clausen in the second round, so taking back-to-back top-100 quarterbacks isn’t unfathomable.
New York Giants
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With needs across the defense, the Giants could be in the market for the best defensive prospect available to them at No. 10 overall. With pressure on GM Jerry Reese this offseason, the Giants could be one of the teams that are most likely to take a chance on a prospect early in the process.
That “chance” could be Noah Spence, the Eastern Kentucky prospect with past drug use but awesome on-film explosiveness. The Giants met with Spence at the combine (along with Clemson’s Shaq Lawson), and he should be available when they pick in Round 1.
New York Jets
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The Jets have plenty of work to do to bring Ryan Fitzpatrick back as he works for a new contract. But regardless of whether they’re able to or not, the Jets should be in the market for a developing quarterback for the future.
Picking at No. 20 in the first round, the Jets may have to sit back and hope one of the top passers falls to them on draft day. It’s certainly possible that one, if not all, of the top passers slip to the teens on draft day, as NFL teams may not be as high on the draft’s quarterbacks as the media appears to be. If they don’t have a first-round quarterback in mind, a developmental guy such as Cardale Jones, Jacoby Brissett or Dak Prescott may work in the middle rounds.
Oakland Raiders
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Heading into the draft process, the Raiders appear to have outlined the three areas they’ll focus on during the draft process: defensive back, linebacker and offensive line. According to FiveThirtyEight.com (h/t SilverAndBlack.com), these are the three safest positions to draft every year.
Looking to draft safely makes plenty of sense for the Raiders. They’ve found awesome skill-position players, have the best young pass-rusher in the NFL in Khalil Mack and have plenty of cap space to take chances on upside players who are looking for fresh starts. The postseason is on the mind of everyone in the Raiders organization, and another strong draft may get them there.
Philadelphia Eagles
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After drafting a receiver in the first round a draft ago and with glaring needs across the offensive line, it’s unlikely the Eagles target a receiver in the first round of the 2016 draft, and maybe not in Round 2 either.
But with the receiving corps losing Riley Cooper and not having, at least based on 2015, a No. 1 receiver, the Eagles could look to go back to the well at the position. Three receivers they interviewed at the NFL combine include the jump-ball threat Josh Doctson, per Turron Davenport of USA Today; big-play talent Tyler Boyd, per Jaguars beat writer Mike Kaye; and troubled but highly efficient Leonte Carroo, per NJ.com's Eliot Shorr-Parks (h/t SB Nation). All are projected second-round prospects.
Pittsburgh Steelers
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While they won’t be alone in their interest, the Steelers targeted Louisiana Tech’s Vernon Butler as one of their interviews for the 2016 NFL draft during the combine, per Walter Football (h/t SB Nation). While defensive line isn’t a major need, the Steelers haven’t been shy about drafting talent over need in the past.
Butler is a perfect fit for the Steelers defense, offering Muhammad Wilkerson-like upside with active hands, a patient lower half and aggressive upfield movement. If the Steelers miss out on a top cornerback at their draft position in Round 1, don’t be surprised if Butler becomes a target.
San Diego Chargers
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According to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union Tribune, the Chargers are open to trading down from the third overall pick in the 2016 draft. While many teams are “interested” in trading down every year, the Chargers may have plenty of suitors for their pick.
While a team that is looking for a top quarterback may be the most obvious example, the Chargers are sitting in a spot that will fetch ample value thanks to the opportunity for a team to snag one of the elite talents of the last few years. Laremy Tunsil, Jalen Ramsey, Myles Jack, Joey Bosa and DeForest Buckner all have their advocates as “elite” talents. A team such as the 49ers that covets elite talents may be the most likely to satisfy the Chargers' demands.
San Francisco 49ers
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The blend of Chip Kelly’s influence and Trent Baalke’s prior decision-making in the draft process should make for a difficult-to-project draft for the 49ers. Whether Colin Kaepernick is brought back or traded will be up for much debate this draft season, but the 49ers need to prepare for a future without him either way.
San Francisco met with Dak Prescott at the NFL combine. He can fit into Chip Kelly’s offense well enough, as he ran something similar and simplistic at Mississippi State. Additionally, his value as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick may fit exactly where the 49ers are planning to target a quarterback in this draft class.
Seattle Seahawks
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During his combine interview, Seahawks GM John Schneider discussed the difficulty in projecting college offensive linemen to the NFL. In his talk, he discussed how college teams running the spread has made the transition that much more difficult for teams to address starting offensive line positions with the NFL draft.
To extrapolate a bit, Schneider’s statements could be indicative of the team’s future draft plans. With Russell Okung set to become a free agent, the Seahawks may need to look elsewhere to find his replacement. Unless Schneider can find an offensive tackle who hasn’t been hindered by the spread offense, the Seahawks may be forced to fill their offensive line needs through free agency instead of the draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Among other free-agent sentiments that Bucs GM Jason Licht elaborated on during his NFL Scouting Combine interview, he clearly indicated which side of the ball the Bucs will focus on during the draft: defense.
While the defensive focus shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, it’s curious that the GM was so willing to tip his hand. The Bucs will have a handful of defensive options at the ninth overall pick and could go any number of directions. The two most likely candidates appear to be cornerback (Vernon Hargreaves III is likely the best cornerback available) and defensive end (Shaq Lawson or Noah Spence would get my vote).
Tennessee Titans
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After the NFL combine workouts, interview meetings and quotes from Titans GM Jon Robinson, all signs point to Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil being the first pick in the 2016 NFL draft. Tunsil performed remarkably well in combine drills, matching his on-film performance as a potential dominant left tackle prospect.
Robinson said, per NFL.com, "The quarterback is the most important position on the team, and it's imperative that you keep him upright.” That, among other quotes, indicates the Titans have targeted Tunsil as their draft pick, including a statement about Taylor Lewan’s capability to slide to right tackle.
Washington Redskins
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GM Scot McCloughan drafted well in his first round last year and will look to stick with his relatively safe approach when drafting in the early rounds. This year, the Redskins need to address the defensive line and cornerback positions, and they met with prospects at those positions during the interview process, per Liz Clarke of the Washington Post.
One in particular who stands out is Alabama’s A’Shawn Robinson, who fits in with Redskins' defensive front thanks to his length, versatility and ability to set up pass-rushers well. Whether or not he’ll be there in the middle of Round 1 when the Redskins pick is still far from clear, but if he’s available, he may be the odds-on favorite to be the next Washington Redskin drafted.
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