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

The 2016 NFL draft is almost upon us. With the frenzy of free agency, the NFL Scouting Combine and pro days all in the past, it's far easier to project what teams might do with their first-round picks on April 28.

Because of the punishment incurred as a result of Deflategate, the New England Patriots are the only team without a first-round selection. Every other team in the league can be speculated about, beginning with the Tennessee Titans at No. 1 overall.

Below is a mock of the opening round, followed by a deeper dive into the most notable prospects based on their prospective NFL destinations.

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

Analysis of Marquee Picks

2. Cleveland Browns: Joey Bosa, DE/OLB, Ohio State

The move to sign Robert Griffin III and the presence of Josh McCown gives the Cleveland Browns a chance to fill other numerous holes on the roster.

It's easy to say Cleveland hasn't had a viable long-term solution under center since 1999, but its depth chart isn't awful. McCown had a 93.3 passer rating last year and brings plenty of experience to the table, while Griffin is a former Offensive Rookie of the Year whose talent is undeniable.

If new Browns coach Hue Jackson is indeed a quarterback guru, Cleveland could use a later draft pick on a signal-caller—or even trade back into the first round for one.

Instead of creating a potential circus with a No. 2 overall pick fans will clamor for all year because of the heavy investment in the position, the Browns could please Ohio State Buckeyes fans by drafting Bosa.

He showed his confidence by declaring himself the top player in the 2016 draft at the combine, per ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky:

"

I do believe I'm the best player in the draft. There's, of course, a lot of amazing players in the draft, and it's going to be up to Tennessee to make that decision. But I think as a top player, if you don't believe that, then there is something wrong. I think I bring the best pass-rusher, the best defensive lineman in the country.

"

That's the type of fiery young leader the Browns need—and Bosa is good enough to back up his bold words.

Paul Kruger hasn't produced as much as he should as a pass-rusher. Nor has former first-round pick Barkevious Mingo. PFF College posted a stat to suggest Bosa would upgrade that critical face of the team:

Cleveland's run defense ranked 30th in 2015, which is an area Bosa could help as well.

Bosa is versatile enough to play with his hand in the dirt at defensive end or line up as an edge linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Defensive coordinator Ray Horton deploys hybrid fronts, so Bosa could fit in anywhere in the equation.

There's a glaring need at receiver for the Browns, but they could address that with a later pick. With a decent free safety in Rahim Moore entering the fold in free agency, Cleveland ought to pass on Jalen Ramsey in favor of Bosa in this mock scenario.

4. Dallas Cowboys: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

America's Team crashed and burned last season with face of the franchise, Tony Romo, sidelined through injury.

It's no secret the Dallas Cowboys have lacked a viable backup QB for the vast majority of Romo's tenure. The Cowboys could not only change that major shortcoming but also nab a legitimate, long-term successor in Wentz at the top of their 2016 draft class.

Provided Romo is healthy this year, his presence alone would make a huge difference for Dallas, which boasts arguably the league's best offensive line and added former Washington running back Alfred Morris to the backfield.

The defense also stands to benefit from the evolution of 2015 first-round pick Byron Jones, the comeback of versatile cornerback Orlando Scandrick and whichever other additions the Cowboys make later in the draft. There is plenty of depth to the defensive linemen prospect pool, meaning Dallas could grab a premium player with its early second-round pick.

Now the circumstances for justifying Wentz's selection are established, let's talk about what he brings to the table. He played in a pro-style offense at a perennial powerhouse in North Dakota State. His blend of size (6'5", 237 lbs.), athleticism and arm talent compensates for the lesser level of competition he faced.

Bleacher Report draft expert Matt Miller isn't quite as high on Wentz as some:

But with a mentor such as Romo to help him along and plenty of protection up front, Wentz would be in an ideal position to sit and learn for a year or two.

Wentz's lack of experience as a college starter (23 starts) means he's more of a developmental player. Learning from Romo, who came from a non-Division I school, Eastern Illinois, and thrived in the NFL, would only help Wentz even more in a bid to become the Cowboys' future at the game's most important position.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Jared Goff, QB, California

Regardless of what happens with Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers could use a contingency plan in the event their dual-threat QB doesn't dig his confidence out of the gutter.

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reported on Monday that a trade with the Denver Broncos for Kaepernick seems unlikely:

One could've argued a coach and celebrated offensive mind such as Chip Kelly would be the answer to revive Kaepernick's career—if he hadn't flamed out with the Philadelphia Eagles last season.

So there's a lot of uncertainty at a position that boasts franchise legacy members such as Joe Montana and Steve Young. The 49ers would be wise not to let an elite option from their own backyard in Goff pass without choosing him.

Cole also reported Monday that San Francisco has spoken with Tennessee about trading for the top overall pick as it seeks a QB, which would either be Goff or Wentz.

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Goff is the type of leader and stable presence San Francisco could use as it continues a rough transition in the aftermath of the Jim Harbaugh era. Only time will tell whether Kelly is the type of personality to lead the proud organization into a new, flourishing era.

The future of the coaching staff aside, at least the front office would be able to hang its hat on a franchise passer if Goff does indeed fall to No. 7 overall—or the 49ers execute a trade.

An NFC executive provided a glowing evaluation of Goff that he shared with NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: "I wish somebody would start some rumor to get Goff to fall in the draft. Let's get that small-hand talk going! We would take him tomorrow. He's the best quarterback in this draft and it's not as close as the media is making it sound."

Goff ended his college career on a hot streak, throwing 19 touchdowns to one interception in his final four games. With superior experience to Wentz and the intangibles that were required to help rescue a Golden Bears football program from obscurity, Goff would be a gift for San Francisco.

The Niners lack talent in their receiving corps with Anquan Boldin still in free agency. They have a deep threat in Torrey Smith and few other weapons to count on.

Goff could elevate the supporting cast around him and lean on a dynamic back in Carlos Hyde to instantly improve a San Francisco offense that ranked dead last in points scored last year at 14.9 per game.