NFL Mock Draft 2016: Projections for Top Prospects in 1st-Round Discussion

The first round of the 2016 NFL draft is starting to come into focus. Perhaps not the exact order in which players will come off the board, but at least the prospects involved in the discussion and what positions teams are likely to target with most of the free-agent frenzy complete.

Of course, there's still enough time to shake things up a bit. The Tennessee Titans, who own the top overall selection, have openly talked about potentially trading the pick if the price is right, per Jim Wyatt's report on the team website. Even if they do, that would merely change the targets at the top and not completely overhaul the round.

So let's check out a mock draft of the opening round with less than a month until the draft gets underway in Chicago. That's followed by a breakdown of the quarterbacks currently projected to come off the board during Round 1.

1st-Round Mock Draft

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

Analyzing Round 1 Quarterbacks

2. Cleveland Browns: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

The Browns added Robert Griffin III, but this is still a spot where they should be focused on landing their quarterback of the future. The question is whether the front office prefers Wentz or Jared Goff after their extended battle for the top spot in the QB rankings.

Wentz didn't receive as much attention during the season while playing at North Dakota State, an FCS program, but he's steadily moved up the rankings due to his physical tools. Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ Advance Media passed along the rising star's comments about why he fits the mold of a franchise QB:

"

I think, first and foremost, you've got to win. Being in a winner in the NFL, that will cement your place for sure. Coming from North Dakota State, my track record speaks for itself as a winner. So when I think of franchise quarterback, not only do I think of the physical ability, but I think of being a winner, winning ballgames, taking command, being a leader—all of those things.

"

The debate comes down to whether Cleveland wants long-term upside or the most pro-ready option available. If the front office is content letting Wentz go through some growing pains, especially while working with a lackluster receiving corps, he'll be the pick.

Ultimately, the Browns have a lot of other voids to fill on the roster before they become title contenders, so taking their time to develop a quarterback shouldn't be an issue. That's why, though the situation isn't completely settled, Wentz seems to have the inside track right now.

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

The 49ers, like the Browns, are searching for a quarterback to become their starter for the next decade or more. They hoped Colin Kaepernick was the answer, but he hasn't been able to reach the position's upper echelon before his performance started to fade.

What stands out about Goff is his ability to make all the throws. If the offensive line gives him space and time, he can drop a throw in a bucket just about anywhere on the field. Ben Fennell of the NFL Network showcased one example of the Cal product beating tight coverage:

Questions arise when he's placed under pressure, though. When he's forced to make a snap decision due to the pass rush, he often makes the wrong one and it leads to mistakes. That's obviously not ideal for a team that rated 31st in pass protection last season, per Football Outsiders.

That doesn't change the bottom line, though. San Francisco needs a quarterback and should have a chance to select the one Cleveland passes on, unless another team trades up to do the same. Goff would be ready to roll on Day 1.

31. Denver Broncos: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

It's important to remember the Broncos won the Super Bowl last season with Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler combining for a 76.3 passer rating in the regular season and Manning accumulating a 75.4 mark during the playoff run. Those are lackluster numbers.

Denver needs a quarterback who can effectively navigate a handful of key plays during the game. It doesn't need one that puts up monster numbers, as was the case when Manning first arrived. That's one of the chief reasons NFL Philosophy thinks it would be a good fit for Lynch:

The biggest thing for Lynch is becoming more consistent. He makes some strong throws and follows it up with some head-scratchers without any real rhyme or reason. His struggles against Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl showed what happens when he starts trending in the wrong direction early.

If he's still on the board at No. 31, the Broncos should take a chance based on the solid value and just let the situation play out. If he doesn't win the starting job, working as a backup for a season would give him an opportunity to better grasp the offense.