NFL Mock Draft 2016: 1st-Round Projections for Nation's Top Prospects

Defense remains the name of the game when it comes to the 2016 NFL draft class, though one wouldn't know it based on the recent buzz surrounding the nation's top prospects.

No, this is the time of year offensive skill players take to friendly pro days and create waves with gaudy numbers, big throws and catches and climb the boards by boosting "stock."

Interestingly enough, it's hard to name a guy who had a bad pro day—even JaMarcus Russell impressed at his.

All kidding aside, folks might find themselves a bit rusty after getting lost in March Madness, so as a way to dig oneself out from underneath a pile of brackets, here's a look at a mock draft and some of the notable headlines making the rounds.

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

Latest Buzz on Top Prospects 

Laquon Treadwell's Speed

Let some tell it, Ole Miss wideout Laquon Treadwell is the first wideout in the history of history to tank a pro day.

After all, Treadwell showed up at the program's pro day and didn't blaze an impressive number in the 40-yard dash. While it's right to expect gaudy numbers from NFL-bound prospects on friendly turf, blazing-fast numbers simply isn't Treadwell's game.

As CBS Sports' Dane Brugler pointed out in a sea of overreactions, the numbers were right around what most should have expected:

Folks might find Treadwell on some "stock down" lists as a result, but this is a guy who stands at 6'2" and 221 pounds and wins at the point of attack by climbing the ladder to beat smaller defensive backs, not burning himself open down the field.

Few players this side of DeAndre Hopkins have entered the draft in recent years with better ability than Treadwell to go up and get the ball at its highest point. If the defensive back can keep up with his speed down the field but doesn't stand a chance of going up and contesting it, who cares?

Odds are Treadwell hasn't shifted much in the minds of the NFL. He's going to land somewhere like Cincinnati, a team in need of a legit No. 2 who can catch both underneath and deep shots at a consistent clip and keep the rest of the field honest for guys like A.J. Green and Tyler Eifert to run wild.

Prediction: No. 24, Cincinnati Bengals 

DeForest Buckner Hype Machine

Ryan Kang/Associated Press/Associated Press

Oregon's DeForest Buckner has hung around in the top-10 conversation for most of the draft process.

That's what happens when a prospect who looks like he's chiseled out of stone at 6'7" and 291 pounds not only terrorizes quarterbacks on film, but boasts a scheme-versatile set of skills as well.

But now the chatter hints at a top-three stock for Buckner.

The tidal wave of hype started in early March when ESPN.com's Todd McShay ranked Buckner as the third prospect in the class, heaping his versatility and production with praise:

"

Buckner isn't going to win many battles with speed, but he has good length and explosive upper-body power to push the pocket as a pass-rusher. Buckner, who's best suited to play 5-technique in a 3-4, also has the quickness and agility to play left defensive end in a 4-3. He posted 17.0 TFLs (including 10.5 sacks) in 2015, showing the versatility and motor befitting a top-five pick.

"

Coincidentally enough, Buckner just met with the San Diego Chargers, owners of the No. 3 pick.

NFL Network's Rand Getlin shared the note:

This could very well be the Chargers doing their due diligence, but it speaks volumes about how hard the process continues to underrate what Buckner can do on the field.

Buckner is an impressive anchor who can control the point of attack through athleticism and power, yet has enough quickness to provide pressure. Given the way he keeps getting glossed over by most, it wouldn't be much of a shock to see him fall to the Chicago Bears at No. 11.

There, the Bears will finally get a chance to officially put the Shea McClellin mistake behind them and slap Buckner on the same line as Eddie Goldman.

Prediction: No. 11, Chicago Bears

Michael Thomas Climbing the Boards

Treadwell is far from the only receiver making the rounds right now. 

That said, Ohio State's Michael Thomas doesn't fall into the unwarranted hype category either, as he's been consistently underrated as a pro prospect since the collegiate season ended. 

Folks overlooked Thomas in college. He led the team in receiving last year with 56 grabs for 781 yards and nine scores, but the hype machine gave most of the attention to Cardale Jones, J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller.

The recent draft process has finally given Thomas the attention he deserves. Coming in at 6'3" and 212 pounds with reliable hands, there's a seriously high ceiling in place if he lands in the right situation.

Athletically speaking, Thomas is about the same as Treadwell, too, as Bleacher Report's Matt Miller pointed out:

Thomas won't wind up pulling off the upset and being the first wideout off the board, but a team will fall in love with his upside.

Think of a locale such as Kansas City, where head coach Andy Reid finally got some production out of the position last year with Jeremy Maclin. Now he could mold a high-upside prospect and a potent offense, using Thomas to his strengths on slants and curls to let him do the work after the catch.

The two were made for each other.

Prediction: No. 28, Kansas City Chiefs

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