2016 NFL Draft: Prospects Who Could Replace Departed Free Agents
It's been a wild week of free agency in the NFL, as nearly all of the top players on the market found new homes (or returned home) within the first 48 hours.
With a number of big names bolting for greener pastures this week, many teams have been left with glaring holes to fill but without much remaining on the free-agent market with which to work.
As a result, quite a few teams—including some playoffs teams from 2015—will be forced to turn to the NFL draft for immediate help.
Here's a look at seven prospects who could be targeted early in the draft to fill holes created by free-agent departures.
Miami Dolphins: Noah Spence
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Replacing: pass-rushers Olivier Vernon, Derrick Shelby
The Dolphins front office clearly knew losing Vernon and/or Shelby was a strong possibility because they quickly went out and inked Mario Williams to a two-year contract.
In the short term, Williams should be a great fit as a starter at defensive end, but the Dolphins now lack any real depth behind the 31-year-old Williams and the 34-year-old Cameron Wake.
Eastern Kentucky pass-rusher Noah Spence could be an ideal addition in the first round for the Dolphins, even though there's little chance he would earn an immediate starting job.
Spence is one of the few explosive pass-rushers in this class and could excel in a situational role early in his career.
With both Williams and Wake getting up there in age, Spence would be in line for a starting role in a year or two.
Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Doctson
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Replacing: wide receivers Mohamed Sanu, Marvin Jones
One of the reasons Andy Dalton was able to make significant strides in 2015 was the continued development of Sanu and Jones. The two young receivers teamed up with A.J. Green to give Dalton an elite stable of weapons.
But Sanu is now with the Atlanta Falcons, and Jones is with the Detroit Lions.
There are a handful of receivers with first-round grades who could interest the Bengals, but Josh Doctson appears to have the skills to make the most immediate impact.
Doctson's elite leaping ability and ball-tracking skills allow him to consistently win the battle for contested catches, which often allows for a smooth transition to the NFL.
The Bengals hope to compete again in 2016, which should draw them to an instant-impact playmaker like Doctson.
Los Angeles Rams: Zack Sanchez
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Replacing: cornerback Janoris Jenkins
The Los Angeles Rams used their franchise tag on cornerback Trumaine Johnson, but unfortunately Janoris Jenkins bolted for the New York Giants.
The Rams had built a solid secondary, with Johnson and Jenkins anchoring the unit at cornerback. While they have some options to replace Jenkins internally (most likely E.J. Gaines), adding another cornerback to compete for the job is a strong possibility.
Oklahoma's Zack Sanchez could be an option for the Rams with one of their two second-round selections.
Sanchez lacks ideal size (he's 5'11") but does an excellent job competing with bigger receivers. Over the past two seasons, Sanchez has snagged 13 interceptions.
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Denver Broncos: Paxton Lynch
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Replacing: quarterbacks Peyton Manning, Brock Osweiler
Shockingly, the league's biggest quarterback controversy currently belongs to the defending champs.
With Peyton Manning retiring and Brock Osweiler bolting for the Houston Texans, the Denver Broncos are stuck without a quarterback.
General manager John Elway has already traded for former Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback Mark Sanchez, but that's likely an insurance policy rather than a long-term plan.
The Broncos own the 31st pick in the first round and could target a young quarterback to groom for the future or compete with Sanchez for the starting job in 2016.
The top signal-callers on the board, North Dakota State's Carson Wentz and California's Jared Goff, will be long gone, but Memphis' Paxton Lynch could still be available for Denver.
Lynch is still developing his decision-making skills from the pocket, but he passes all of the physical tests and would be a nice developmental prospect for the Broncos to groom.
Houston Texans: Nick Martin
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Replacing: center Ben Jones
The Texans attracted a lot of positive attention for adding Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller, but they also suffered two brutal blows on the offensive line.
Starting guard Brandon Brooks signed with the Eagles while center Ben Jones bolted for the Tennessee Titans.
Xavier Su'a-Filo, 2014 second-round pick, is potentially an internal replacement for Brooks, but the center position is currently unfilled.
Notre Dame center Nick Martin—brother of Dallas Cowboys lineman Zack Martin—could be an option for the Texans in the second or third round.
Cleveland Browns: Darian Thompson
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Replacing: free safety Tashaun Gipson
The Browns suffered a lot of blows in the opening week of free agency, but losing the 25-year-old Gipson may have been the most frustrating given his potential long-term value to the franchise as one of their few young stars.
Gipson had emerged as one of the league's premier ball hawks in recent years.
Without a strong in-house option, the Browns will likely address the free safety position on the second day of the draft, where Boise State's Darian Thompson could be a viable target.
Thompson hauled in a remarkable 19 interceptions during his career with the Broncos.
While Thompson has some flaws, especially in man coverage, he appears to have the skills to help fill the specific void left by Gipson.
Kansas City Chiefs: Eli Apple
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Replacing: cornerback Sean Smith
The Chiefs can't expect to fully replace Smith, who emerged as one of the most dominant cornerbacks in the league in recent years.
Phillip Gaines, a 2014 third-round pick, has the talent to take Smith's job, but is coming off a season-ending ACL injury which may make the Chiefs nervous about entering the season without adding another corner to compete for the position.
In the late first round, Ohio State's Eli Apple could be an option for the Chiefs.
The 6'1" Apple has impressive length and does an excellent job competing with bigger receivers, a trait which likely interests the Chiefs as they try to replace the 6'3" Smith.
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