2016 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for Prospects Vaulting into Opening Round

This year's NFL draft will revolve around quarterbacks, as drafts often do. With North Dakota State's Carson Wentz and California's Jared Goff occupying the top two spots—in either order—they will gather the bulk of the headlines in the lead-up to Thursday.

But there are two quarterbacks who could move up into the latter stages of the first round, and both could have opportunities to win starting jobs in the NFL by no later than their second year. 

Michigan State's Connor Cook and Memphis' Paxton Lynch both have chances to move up to a position late in the first round, and there's a possibility one of those two could be the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos as the Super Bowl champions kick off their season against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 8.

Of course, that would require a stellar showing during offseason practice sessions and continuous improvement during training camp.

That would be a tremendous rise for two players who have been projected as second-round picks or later since the end of the college football season.

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

Cook and Lynch are not the only players who could find themselves selected in the first round. Some of the others who appear to be gaining steam include Cook's teammate Shilique Calhoun—an excellent pass-rusher for the Spartans—and wide receiver Michael Thomas of Ohio State.

Pick No. 31, Denver Broncos: QB Connor Cook, Michigan State

Cook was dogged throughout his senior season because he was not voted one of Michigan State's captains despite being a three-year starter.

That may lead scouts, coaches and general managers to ask why, but Cook has a tremendous record of success with the Spartans. He is a sharp leader who proved he could play on the biggest stages at the college level—he helped lead Michigan State to a College Football Playoff appearance last season—and he should be able to do the same in the NFL once he gets a starting assignment.

Cook was consistent with the Spartans, recording a 22-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2013 and following it up with ratios of 24-8 and 24-7, respectively, during the last two years. At 6'4" and 217 pounds, Cook has wonderful size for the position, but he will make some high-risk throws that could be difficult to accept.

Monday Night Football analyst and former Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden is among those who believe Cook will be successful in the NFL.

Pick No. 19, Buffalo Bills: QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis

Lynch has remarkable size at 6'7" and 244 pounds. He may be a big man, but he is also quick. And he can run the ball when he gets into trouble—he posted a 4.86-second 40-yard dash at the combine. He also has the size to shake off tacklers who don't register clean hits.

Lynch threw for 3,778 yards and had a 28-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio last season. He throws well on the move, according to Rob Rang and Dane Brugler of CBS Sports, but he needs to work on his timing and his footwork. He holds onto the ball too long at times and takes unnecessary sacks.

Lynch may be the next quarterback off the board after Goff and Wentz. He has been making himself available to multiple future employers in recent weeks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Pick No. 28, Kansas City Chiefs: DE Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State

Calhoun has been an impact pass-rusher throughout his career. He has a quick first step, and that allows him to get around the corner, flatten out and get to the quarterback. Calhoun reached double-digit sacks in 2015, and he had 27 sacks throughout his career.

The 6'4", 251-pound Calhoun needs to make some changes to his technique. He tends to get too tall, and that makes him a bigger target for blockers after the snap. He also needs to get stronger. 

NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter called Calhoun one of the safest picks among edge-rushers:

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I'm not sure if Calhoun will reach the quarterback on his initial rush very often at the next level, as veteran offensive tackles will likely carry him around the pocket. However, he's a very good all-around player who won't be pushed around and will give second or third efforts to bring down passers waiting too long to unload the ball.

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SI50: Michigan State defensive end Shilique Calhoun | 2016 NFL Draft | Sports Illustrated - https://t.co/NRqipve7gx pic.twitter.com/6U3NeVOcD8

— OMG Football News (@FootballNewsOMG) April 12, 2016"

Pick No. 24, Cincinnati Bengals: WR Michael Thomas, Ohio State

Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas is another player who has a chance to make it to the first round. At 6'3" and 212 pounds, Thomas has the kind of size that allows him to win the battle against most defensive backs. He also has reliable hands, and that will enable him to win his quarterback's confidence.

He has the ability to get his toes down inside the sidelines—another factor that should help him at the next level. He does not have eye-catching speed (4.57 40-yard dash), and that's one thing working against him.

Brugler compared him to Rueben Randle, but the draft expert gave the edge to Thomas, writing that he was "more refined" than the New York Giants receiver and had an excellent catching radius.