2016 NFL Draft: Latest Buzz Surrounding Every Team
With the 2016 NFL draft just a little more than two weeks away, fans of each and every team are starting to feel that same feeling they experienced as children when Christmas was just around the corner.
They can only hope their teams give them gifted players who bring them joy, rather than busts who leave them doubting their belief in the entire process.
This is the time of year when the buzz really begins to swirl around every teams' headquarters, as rumors fly and smoke screens abound. With visits and workouts in full swing and trades still happening by the day, there's plenty of action left to go down before April 28.
Let's take a look at what's happening in war rooms across the league.
Arizona Cardinals
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General manager Steve Keim has found some stellar value picks in the middle rounds recently—defensive back Tyrann Mathieu, receiver John Brown and running back David Johnson—and it looks like he might be looking to hit another home run in that range, this time at quarterback.
Per Walter Football (h/t Jess Root at SB Nation's Revenge of the Birds), the Cardinals have met with at least four quarterbacks during the predraft process, three of which are projected in the mid to late rounds.
Of those three, Mississippi State's Dak Prescott and Ohio State's Cardale Jones could be potential targets for the Cards on Day 2, while Louisiana Tech's Jeff Driskel could be a Day 3 option. All three have the combination of arm strength and athleticism to fit well in head coach Bruce Arians' offense.
This draft doesn't have a surefire home run when it comes to franchise quarterbacks, but there are plenty of intriguing project-type prospects at the position. It looks like the Cards could end up plucking one to stash for the future after veteran Carson Palmer hangs up his cleats.
Atlanta Falcons
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Last year, the Falcons spent a top-10 pick on Clemson's Vic Beasley, giving head coach Dan Quinn the dynamic edge-rusher he covets for his defensive scheme.
This year, it looks like Quinn could be looking for a bookend to pair with Beasley at the other defensive end spot, and he may not have to look far. The two names seemingly linked to the Dirty Birds with the 17th overall pick are Georgia's Leonard Floyd, as ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure reported that they sent 16 staff members to his pro day. And NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah has them taking Clemson's Shaq Lawson.
Lawson's talent could get him drafted in the top 10, but concerns over a shoulder injury could make him slide down the board a bit, where the Falcons could snag him. Floyd seems more likely to be available at that slot, but both have the explosiveness and production to get the attention of Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
Beasley showed some flashes of brilliance as a rookie and could be primed for a breakout sophomore campaign. The best way to ensure that happens could be to give him a running mate with top-level talent to keep teams from putting all their attention on him. Either Lawson or Floyd could do just that.
Baltimore Ravens
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The Ravens have their franchise quarterback in Joe Flacco, but there are plenty of NFL teams still searching for a long-term solution at the game's most important position.
Those teams could be giving Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome a call if one of this year's top quarterbacks—Cal's Jared Goff or North Dakota State's Carson Wentz—falls to the Ravens at the sixth overall pick.
Per WBAL Radio (h/t Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com), Ravens director of college scouting Joe Hortiz anticipates plenty of interest should that scenario play out on draft day. The most logical trade partner would be the Los Angeles Rams, who have a huge need at quarterback and have an additional second-round pick to use as ammunition to jump up from the 15th overall slot in the first round.
If Newsome and his staff aren't enamored with any particular prospect when they go on the clock, they could get opt to go for better value later in the round while adding additional picks.
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Buffalo Bills
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It's still unclear what the Bills plan to do with quarterback Tyrod Taylor moving forward, but they might be tipping their hand by showing plenty of predraft interest in multiple prospects at the position.
According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport (h/t Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News), the team has met or plans to meet with at least three quarterbacks prior to the draft—Michigan State's Connor Cook, Prescott and Jones.
Prescott and Jones are projected as mid-round picks and could be viewed as developmental types, but Cook could be in play at the team's first-round pick at No. 19 overall. With plenty of successful experience under his belt and a prototypical NFL skill set, he could make sense if the Bills want to go with a more traditional passer than the athletic Taylor.
Taylor showed plenty of promise last season, but the team might not be sold enough to make a long-term commitment. It certainly looks like they're vetting potential replacements heading into the draft.
Carolina Panthers
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Cam Newton propelled the Panthers to their second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history last season, and it looks like the team could be trying to find him yet another weapon in the passing game in an effort to repeat as NFC champs.
Per David Newton of ESPN.com, the Panthers have visits or workouts scheduled with at least eight different receiver prospects.
Some of the potential targets are late-round prospects, but there are a handful of names who could come of the board early. A pair of them—Mississippi's Laquon Treadwell and Baylor's Corey Coleman—could be in play for Carolina at the end of the first round.
Treadwell is the least likely to last until the No. 30 overall pick, but Coleman could be the better fit for Carolina. With two talented young receivers who have size and physicality—Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess—the undersized but explosive Coleman would fit perfectly as a deep threat and slot target to eventually take over for Ted Ginn Jr.
Chicago Bears
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There are more immediate needs on the defensive side of the ball, but if the Bears decide to make a surprise pick, it could be Ohio State offensive tackle Taylor Decker.
According to Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Decker has caught the eye of a pair of Bears linemen—Kyle Long and Bobby Massie—while working out with them and other pros at former NFL star LeCharles Bentley's training facility.
Long is no stranger to recruiting players to Chicago, but this could end up being a case of him recruiting the team to the prospect. It might surprise some to see Decker go as high as the 11th overall pick, but he'd be an instant upgrade with a higher ceiling at let tackle than Charles Leno. If they want to keep quarterback Jay Cutler safe, taking Decker wouldn't be a bad solution.
Cincinnati Bengals
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After losing both Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu in free agency, it doesn't take Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys to figure out why many are projecting the Bengals to spend an early draft pick on a wide receiver.
In his most recent mock draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper had Cincy taking Notre Dame's Will Fuller, the thin but explosive playmaker who was one one of the most dangerous deep threats in the country last season.
Fuller can certainly take the top off the defense, but his lack of consistency when actually catching the football is a concern. Still, speed kills in the NFL, which should put both Fuller and Baylor's Corey Coleman firmly on the Bengals' radar with the 24th overall pick. Either would be a solid fit as a No. 2 target to line up opposite A.J. Green.
Cleveland Browns
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With the addition of Robert Griffin III, some might think the Browns could be moving away from settling on a new franchise quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick.
But Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com believes the team is still more than likely going to draft a new signal-caller with that selection, either Goff or Wentz.
A former second overall pick himself, Griffin could certainly get the fresh start and new beginning he's been hoping for, but that shouldn't stop the Browns from doing everything they can to finally address a dire need that has gone unaddressed for far too long.
Whether they take Goff or Wentz in the first round or target Memphis' Paxton Lynch or Cook at the top of the second round, the Browns aren't likely to stop at simply signing Griffin and expecting their quarterback woes to be over.
Dallas Cowboys
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There's been plenty of talk about the Cowboys possibly taking Tony Romo's eventual replacement with the fourth overall pick, but could they end up moving up just to secure their future franchise quarterback?
Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.com recently reported Dallas to be one of four teams that had inquired about the possibility of swapping spots with the Tennessee Titans and trading up for the top overall pick.
Taking a quarterback early makes plenty of sense for Dallas, but they shouldn't have to trade up beyond their current selection to make that happen. Unless they truly covet either Wentz or Goff so much that they want to make sure another team doesn't leapfrog them, they should sit at their current slot and see how the board falls.
Denver Broncos
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With Peyton Manning's retirement and Brock Osweiler leaving in free agency, the Broncos have found themselves in dire need of a starting quarterback. They acquired veteran Mark Sanchez in a trade, but he's best suited as a backup.
The last chance for Denver to upgrade the position could be on draft day, and Cook could be their target. CBS Sports' Dane Brugler has Cook heading to Denver in his latest mock draft, citing Cook's NFL-ready skill set and Denver's inability to swing a trade for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
He's somewhat of a forgotten man in this draft class, but Cook is arguably the most polished signal-caller in the draft and could handle stepping in right away as a starter and succeed.
Detroit Lions
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The Lions' biggest need is at left tackle, and their predraft visit schedule certainly reflects that, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports the team has scheduled meetings with at least four prospects at the position in advance of the draft.
Indiana's Jason Spriggs, Auburn's Shon Coleman, LSU's Jerald Hawkins and UCLA's Caleb Benenoch will all spend private time with the Lions, according to Birkett.
Spriggs and Hawkins could be second-round targets for the Lions, while Coleman and Benenoch are projected in the mid-round range.
Riley Reiff is best suited to slide inside and play guard, and spending a top pick in this year's draft on a true left tackle would allow him to make that switch. Spriggs especially has the skills to start from Day 1 at left tackle and could possibly end up warranting first-round consideration.
Green Bay Packers
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After a typically quiet free-agency period, the Packers head into this year's draft with a couple of glaring needs, particularly at inside linebacker.
When asked if he envisions the team moving up or down in the draft, Vic Ketchman of the Packers' official website opined that general manager Ted Thompson might be inclined to make those moves in the middle rounds, rather than early in the draft:
"Given their extra picks, I’d be surprised if the Packers didn’t package a couple of picks and move up in a round to pick a guy they’ve targeted. The cost for doing that in the first round is greater than it is in the middle rounds. That’s where I would expect Ted Thompson to move up. All teams are trying to move to fit themselves to a player they’ve targeted, without paying a big price.
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Houston Texans
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With their new quarterback and running back in place—free agents Osweiler and Lamar Miller, respectively—the Texans' draft focus turns now to finding a mate for dynamic receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Drew Dougherty of the Texans' official website compiled a recent roundup of different mock drafts, and the consensus appears to be in clear favor of taking a receiver with the No. 22 overall pick. Of the 33 mock drafts included, 29 of them projected a pass-catcher to the Texans in the first round.
Whether it's an explosive playmaker like Coleman or a physical red-zone threat like Treadwell, Houston should have plenty of options if they want to address that position with their top selection. Nose tackle and center are also a possibility, but finding a dynamic receiver to take some attention away from Hopkins should be the team's top priority.
Indianapolis Colts
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It's no secret the Colts need some serious help along the offensive line—particularly the interior—but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll address it in the first round.
Indy also needs a dynamic pass-rusher on the edge, which is where they could go early in the draft. Based on what he's hearing from scouts around the league, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller believes the Colts would take Eastern Kentucky edge defender Noah Spence with their top pick at No. 18.
Spence was a promising player at Ohio State before the Big Ten declared him permanently ineligible due to multiple failed drug tests. He transferred to Eastern Kentucky and has been impressive both on and off the field, and he would give the Colts that edge pressure they've desperately needed since losing Dwight Freeney.
Jacksonville Jaguars
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Sitting at the No. 5 overall pick and without a need for a franchise quarterback, the Jaguars seem content to let the draft come to them, showing plenty of interest in top prospects at nearly every other position.
The team recently held in-house visits for nearly every top player, from offensive tackles Laremy Tunsil and Ronnie Stanley to defenders like Spence, DeForest Buckner and Robert Nkemdiche.
The Jags could go in a million different directions with their first-rounder, which gives them the flexibility to pick the best player available. They're clearly doing their homework on every conceivable option in that range, which should have them prepared for every scenario when draft day rolls around.
Kansas City Chiefs
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It may be nothing more than a smoke screen or just due diligence, but one of the Chiefs' predraft visits could have fans raising an eyebrow.
According to Chris Boyle of the Daytona Beach News-Journal, the team met with Lynch late last month, getting a closer look at the big, athletic passer.
Alex Smith still has three years left on his current contract, and it's a whopper of a deal. If Lynch falls to them at the 28th overall pick, it will be interesting to see if the Chiefs consider stashing him away for later, letting him develop for a couple of years behind Smith before taking over as the starter.
Los Angeles Rams
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It's painfully obvious the Rams need a true franchise quarterback, but they might have to move up if they want one of the top prospects in this year's class.
They've been a popular pick to trade up in recent mock drafts, and the target always seems to be a passer. But as ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner points out in this well-reasoned piece, making such a move might make little sense when the Rams could easily wait out the draft and have a quality option fall to them at the 15th overall pick.
It's possible the Rams could panic and try to move up if quarterbacks start coming off the board earlier than expected, but that seems more unlikely as the draft draws closer.
Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins let Miller walk in free agency, choosing not to break the bank for a running back as the league trends toward devaluing the position.
But that doesn't mean Miami won't be using their first-round pick on Miller's replacement. Alain Poupart of the Dolphins' official website rounded up mock drafts from 17 different experts, and Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott was the most popular pick.
The tough part for Miami is, had they remained at their original pick instead of trading down to No. 13 overall, they could end up missing out on Elliott, who could sneak into the top 10 and even go as high as No. 4 overall. Could they trade back up?
Minnesota Vikings
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With Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback, Adrian Peterson and Jerick McKinnon in the backfield and Stefon Diggs at one receiver spot, the Vikings have the makings of a promising offense heading into 2016.
But they lack a true No. 1 target in the passing game with the size and physicality to match up with the league's bigger corners. Minnesota's decision-makers seem to be set on fixing that, as both general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer have been visiting pro-day workouts for TCU's Josh Doctson, Treadwell and Ohio State's Michael Thomas, per Ted Glover of the Daily Norseman.
All three of those prospects have what the Vikings need at receiver: size, athleticism and ball skills. Any of the three would be a perfect addition to an already talented offensive unit.
New England Patriots
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They may not have a first-round pick, but the Pats are still generating plenty of predraft buzz with their visits and private workouts.
Per ESPN.com's Mike Reiss (h/t Doug Kyed of NESN.com), the team has apparently taken a particular liking to former Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds, the all-time leader in rushing touchdowns in college football history.
Reynolds is a bit of a "tweener" who could have trouble finding a designated position at the next level, but he's a versatile runner who could allow the Pats to get creative and find unique ways to maximize his skills. He has the presence and leadership qualities that head coach Bill Belichick loves, and it shouldn't shock anyone if Reynolds becomes a Patriot sometime on Day 3.
New Orleans Saints
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With needs throughout the roster, the Saints could go in many different directions in the first round. Former New Orleans running back Deuce McAllister thinks his former team would be wise to target Mississippi defensive lineman Nkemdiche, per Christopher Dabe of NOLA.com:
"There's been question marks as far as how hard he plays. Is he off the field going to be an issue? I don't think so. Just in the time I've been around him and just how talented he is, if he's motivated to go out and play each week, which I think he will be, he can definitely be a disruptive player.
I think if you've got a veteran presence around him to show him the ropes, as far as the NFL is concerned, I don't think the off-the-field is as big of an issue or concern as some made it. Just what I've known of him in the last couple years, if the value is there, and they have the right pick, you pick him.
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It's understandable for McAllister to talk up someone from his alma mater, but his take is solid on this one. If given the right situation and environment, Nkemdiche could grow and develop into the talented defender he's shown he can be.
With a need for a young 3-technique to eventually replace veteran Kevin Williams, the Saints could grab Nkemdiche at the 12th overall pick.
New York Giants
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Last year, the Giants surprised many by spending a top-10 pick on tackle Ereck Flowers. If ESPN's Mel Kiper is correct in his latest projections, the G-Men could make a similar move again this year, as he has them taking Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin at No. 10 overall.
Conklin has the flexibility to play either tackle spot but would probably be a better fit on the right side, which fits what the Giants depth chart needs.
He shows flashes as a mauling run-blocker and athletic pass protector, but Conklin still needs plenty of work on his technique if he wants to be worthy of a top-10 pick.
New York Jets
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With contract talks hitting a wall between the Jets and veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, the team appears to be looking at Plan B: finding a potential franchise quarterback in this year's draft.
NFL Network's Michael Silver (h/t Dom Cosentino of NJ.com) report that Goff is scheduled to visit the team this week, after having met with Goff, Wentz and Lynch at the combine back February.
It would likely take a huge offer from the Jets to move up from the 20th overall pick to the range in which Goff and Wentz are likely to go, but Lynch could be a more realistic target. Cook could be a dark-horse candidate as well.
Oakland Raiders
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One of the most active, big-spending teams in free agency, the Raiders added plenty of talent but paid a pretty penny to do so.
But after filling their biggest needs that way, general manager Reggie McKenzie now has the freedom to let the draft come to him, as Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com points out:
"Free agency had a direct impact on the upcoming amateur selection process, one that allows McKenzie to be truly free. Free agency filled the starting lineup’s most glaring needs, allowing him to draft the best player available.
If that happens to be an interior linebacker or a cornerback or a safety – areas still in need of talent -- in the higher rounds, then bully for the Raiders. There isn’t pressure to pick any particular position with the top selections. They can also afford to draft and develop freely after a series of smart drafts and acquisitions previously fleshed out the roster.
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Oakland should be able to take advantage of a deep defensive draft, particularly along the defensive line, but there are playmakers to be had in the back seven as well. Ragland would fill the biggest remaining need at inside linebacker, but their options will be open, especially in the first round.
Philadelphia Eagles
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Even after throwing plenty of money at veterans Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel, it looks like the Eagles are still planning on making a strong play for one of this year's top quarterbacks.
While speaking to 97.5 the Fanatic (via Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com), NFL.com's Lance Zierlein had this to say about Philly's draft plans:
"Make no mistake about it, I still think the Eagles first and foremost are trying to find a way to get Carson Wentz. I know Doug Pederson loves him. I know that from people behind the scenes, in the know. That's who he wants and that's who he likes. It's just going to be tough.
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The Eagles have already moved up once from the 13th overall pick to the No. 8 slot, but they'll still need to make another sizable jump if they want a shot at Wentz. With Wentz in play at the second overall pick to Cleveland, the Eagles might have to jump all the way to the top overall pick to secure him.
Pittsburgh Steelers
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There are needs all over the secondary, but it looks like the Steelers could be zeroing in on who they hope could be the next Troy Polamalu.
Among others, West Virginia safety Karl Joseph has visited the team, according to Jacob Klinger of PennLive.com. Klinger notes Joseph's production, while also weighed against his recovery from a knee injury that cost him most of his senior season:
"Joseph was an all-Big 12 free safety at West Virginia in 2014 before tearing his ACL four games into his senior year. Questions about his health make Joseph one of the most unpredictable players for Draft forecasters with the current consensus having him just outside the first round.
In four destructive years at WVU Joseph recorded 274 tackles, 16 for a loss, nine interceptions, five fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.
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If he gets a clean bill of health from team doctors, Joseph could easily sneak into the bottom of the first round. If that happens, don't be shocked if the Steelers make their move and take Joseph at No. 25 overall.
San Diego Chargers
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In the event of a trade for the top overall pick, it's possible that quarterbacks could come off the board with the first two selections of the draft.
That would likely be music to the Chargers' ears, as it would leave Tunsil on the board for them at No. 3 overall. Tunsil visited with the team Monday, per Rapoport (h/t Chase Goodbread of NFL.com).
A rare athlete for the tackle position, Tunsil is also meeting with the Titans, who hold the top pick. If he falls to No. 3, the Bolts would likely waste little time making him their pick and letting him protect veteran quarterback Philip Rivers.
San Francisco 49ers
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With Chip Kelly now at the helm as head coach, it shouldn't surprise anyone if 49ers fans see some fireworks when it comes to this year's NFL draft.
According to Geoffrey C. Arnold of the Oregonian, Kelly wants to make a move up to the top overall pick to secure his hand-picked franchise quarterback:
"The 49ers have reportedly engaged in talks with the Titans about acquiring the top pick of the draft. The 49ers don't know if they'll have Colin Kaepernick on the roster for training camp and Kelly may not be ready to turn the reins over to Blaine Gabbert, who is under contract for just the 2016 season. They do want a quarterback to groom for the future.
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It would take a hefty package to make the move from the seventh overall pick, but all bets are off when Kelly is calling the shots. If he falls in love with a quarterback prospect, Kelly could end up giving up whatever it takes to get his man.
Seattle Seahawks
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If you've paid much attention to the Seahawks at all in recent years, it should come as no surprise they're interested in versatile, athletic defenders to play in multiple spots along the front four.
They have two such prospects on their radar so far, having scheduled predraft visits with Florida's Jonathan Bullard, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, and more recently Louisiana Tech's Vernon Butler, per NFL.com (h/t Condotta).
Bullard played both end and tackle for the Gators, with the explosiveness and mean streak opposing linemen hate to face off against. Butler is a mountain of a man at 6'4", 323 pounds, but he moves like someone 100 pounds lighter, with powerful hands and incredible explosion off the ball.
Building the trenches on both sides of the ball should be a priority for Seattle in this year's draft, and either of those players would be well worth their first-round selection.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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There aren't enough top quarterback prospects to fill all the empty starting spots for teams looking to upgrade, which has led to speculation regarding Bucs backup Mike Glennon, who drew interest last year as well.
PewterReport.com's Mark Cook believes there's a 50 percent chance Glennon is dealt before or during the draft, with a pair of destinations in mind:
"I think the two most logical landing spots are Cleveland and the New York Jets. Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht won’t just give Glennon away and isn’t looking to unload him. I think he’ll pull the trigger if a high second-rounder is offered, or perhaps a low second-rounder and a fourth-round pick. If Glennon doesn’t get traded during the draft, there’s still a chance he gets dealt during the preseason or during the season if a team loses their starting quarterback.
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Glennon wasn't earth-shattering during his limited work in Tampa Bay, but he has 18 starts under his belt already, with 29 touchdown passes to just 15 interceptions. He'd be an instant upgrade in multiple places depending on how the chips fall.
Tennessee Titans
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The Titans haven't been shy about their willingness to move down from the No. 1 overall pick, and it looks like they might be close to doing just that.
Here's what Sports Illustrated's Peter King had to say on the matter in this week's MMQB:
"New GM Jon Robinson hosts Jalen Ramsey today in Nashville for a visit, and there’s definite interest there, with defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau thought to like the versatility of Ramsey for Tennessee’s barren secondary. One personnel man said over the weekend that the Titans have a definite solid offer for the pick and, if it’s sweetened, could be persuaded to go down a few spots.
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New general manager Jon Robinson could be perfectly content to sit at the top spot and take a rare talent like Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey or Tunsil, but if they get an acceptable offer, moving down would likely be their best option. The team has many needs and could use additional picks to continue building around quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Washington Redskins
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Washington has their starting quarterback for the moment in Kirk Cousins and a capable backup in Colt McCoy. But with Griffin released and landing in Cleveland, will they look for a developmental prospect to perhaps challenge McCoy down the road or even potentially replace Cousins if he leaves after 2016?
Head coach Jay Gruden could indeed be looking for one in this year's draft, per CSNMidAtlantic.com's Tarik El-Bashir (h/t Jamie Oakes of 247Sports):
"You have your starter. You got your quality backup. And you've got to have [another] one in the [quarterback meeting] room—whether it’s your third on the active roster or a practice squad guy—that you can develop.
You can never have too many good arms in the building and you want a young guy that can develop through the system. It can be a college free agent. It would be nice to draft a guy but you know, we’ll see.
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Cousins is returning but only on a one-year deal thanks to the franchise tag, which means the long-term status of the position is still up in the air. It sounds like Gruden wouldn't mind targeting a talented sleeper late in this year's draft as an insurance policy for the road ahead.
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