NFL Mock Draft 2016: Projections for Round 1, Analysis for Underrated Prospects

While much of the focus entering the 2016 NFL draft is on the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks following bold trades involving the Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns, this year's class appears to have plenty of depth, which could lead to some major steals.

Teams selecting in the middle and latter parts of the first round have a golden opportunity to land some potential superstars and perennial Pro Bowlers, especially if teams near the top of the draft reach for positional needs such as quarterback.

With the highly anticipated 2016 NFL draft quickly approaching, here is a full, first-round mock draft along with a closer look at some of the biggest possible steals in the opening round.

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

A'Shawn Robinson

Despite being a key part of perhaps the most dominant defensive line in college football last season, Alabama defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson hasn't received a ton of hype ahead of the upcoming NFL draft.

Most mock drafts have Robinson landing somewhere in the late first round, but the 6'4", 307-pounder undoubtedly has the size, strength and talent level needed to be a difference-maker as a pro.

Robinson racked up 46 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last season. One of the biggest knocks against the 2015 Consensus All-American is the notion that he isn't a particularly productive pass-rusher.

Although Robinson registered just nine sacks in three seasons with the Crimson Tide, he believes he is capable of doing more in that regard at the NFL level, according to Julie Bacanskas of the Philadelphia Eagles' official website:

"

Well Alabama, we played 4-3, 3-4. So, we do a little bit of both but we just don't shoot up-field. Most of the time we're just gapping and pushing the pocket. But I feel like going to a team I have the ability to actually penetrate the gap and show my athleticism how I can get to the quarterback much (more) efficiently than I did at Alabama. I feel that I can show that off when a team picks me up.

"

In addition to some untapped potential as a pass-rusher, Robinson seems to have a certain comfort level entering the NFL that most prospects don't necessarily boast.

Per SiriusXM NFL Radio, Robinson believes that playing at Alabama was great in terms of preparing him for what he'll face as a professional:

While Robinson would likely provide a boost to any defense, the New York Jets make a lot of sense at No. 20 overall.

With nose tackle Damon Harrison out of the picture and Muhammad Wilkerson's future with the team up in the air, Robinson would be an ideal complement to the likes of Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams.

While an outside pass-rusher may be New York's biggest need, Robinson would provide too much value to pass up if available with the 20th pick.

Corey Coleman

The wide receiver position has been stacked in recent drafts, and while it can be argued that the 2016 class represents a drop-off of sorts, Baylor wideout Corey Coleman could be a stud and a major steal in the late first round.

Coleman won the Fred Biletnikoff Award this past season as the top receiver in college football, and it was well-deserved, as he reeled in 74 receptions for 1,363 yards and 20 touchdowns in the Bears' uptempo offense.

The Dallas native averaged a ridiculous 18.4 yards per catch and was a more efficient and explosive receiver than current Oakland Raiders and former Alabama star Amari Cooper was the previous season, according to Pro Football Focus:

Coleman doesn't have a huge frame at 5'11" and 194 pounds, but his speed and quickness allow him to make big plays down the field on a regular basis.

Due largely to his game-changing ability, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah ranks him as the best wide receiver prospect in the 2016 draft and the fifth-best prospect at his position since 2013, per NFL.com's Chase Goodbread: "When I look grade-wise at where I have [Coleman], I've got to put him [below Miami Dolphins receiver] DeVante Parker and [above Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver] Mike Evans."

Coleman is in elite company as far as Jeremiah is concerned, and if he lives up to the hype, then he represents incredible value in the latter portion of the first round.

The Minnesota Vikings desperately need a top receiving option for young quarterback Teddy Bridgewater at No. 23, and Coleman could provide what veteran Mike Wallace was never able to as a true deep threat.

Coleman would open up Minnesota's offense in a big way and create additional running lanes for Adrian Peterson, which makes him the ideal option with the 23rd pick.

Vernon Butler

Louisiana Tech defensive lineman Vernon Butler is seemingly among the fastest risers in the 2016 NFL draft, and that could lead to the big man finding his way in to the first round.

Butler excelled this past season as a senior for the Bulldogs with 50 tackles, 10 stops for loss and three sacks, and his ability to penetrate and disrupt plays in the backfield makes him a valuable commodity entering the NFL.

While Louisville's Sheldon Rankins is receiving much of the hype in terms of defensive tackles, Justin Pawlowski of Scout.com is among those who believe Butler could turn out to be the better pro:

Butler is a load for opposing offensive linemen to handle at 6'4" and 323 pounds, and as pointed out by Louisiana Tech teammate Kenneth Dixon at their pro day, few were able to do so on their own at the collegiate level.

"Vernon is just a beast. I ain't see too many people blocking him one-on-one," Dixon said, according to Sean Isabella of the News Star. "He just came out here and showed those guys he is the real deal and it wasn't just about the conference he was playing in and that it's what's in the heart."

While Butler could be a strong fit in a number of different defensive systems, the Kansas City Chiefs and their 3-4 scheme make a lot of sense at No. 28.

KC is somewhat weak in terms of its defensive ends next to nose tackle Jaye Howard, but Butler would provide an explosive presence capable of blowing up running plays and pressuring the quarterback.

The Chiefs need some more playmakers in their front seven with linebacker Justin Houston's status up in the air, and Butler would help immensely in that regard.

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