2016 NFL Mock Draft: Breaking Down Best Possible Fits for Every 1st-Round Team

The NFL draft is a chance for every team to find that perfect prospect who will help it, assuming he is still available.

With the exception of the Los Angeles Rams drafting No. 1 overall, no team knows which players will be available when it is on the clock. All each one can do is make its list and hope its top target falls to it. Despite the uncertainty, though, there are quality fits for every team drafting in the first round.

Here is a look at one final mock draft heading into Round 1 on Thursday night with a breakdown of some of the best fits on the board.

No.	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	Ezekiel Elliott	RB	Ohio State
5	Jacksonville Jaguars	Jalen Ramsey	CB	Florida State
6	Baltimore Ravens	Joey Bosa	DE	Ohio State
7	San Francisco 49ers	DeForest Buckner	DE	Oregon
8	Cleveland Browns	Ronnie Stanley	OT	Notre Dame
9	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Vernon Hargreaves	CB	Florida
10	New York Giants	Leonard Floyd	OLB	Georgia
11	Chicago Bears	Myles Jack	OLB	UCLA
12	New Orleans Saints	Sheldon Rankins	DT	Louisville
13	Miami Dolphins	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio State
14	Oakland Raiders	William Jackson III	CB	Houston
15	Tennessee Titans	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan State
16	Detroit Lions	A'Shawn Robinson	DT	Alabama
17	Atlanta Falcons	Darron Lee	OLB	Ohio State
18	Indianapolis Colts	Taylor Decker	OT	Ohio State
19	Buffalo Bills	Shaq Lawson	DE	Clemson
20	New York Jets	Paxton Lynch	QB	Memphis
21	Washington Redskins	Reggie Ragland	ILB	Alabama
22	Houston Texans	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss
23	Minnesota Vikings	Josh Doctson	WR	TCU
24	Cincinnati Bengals	Corey Coleman	WR	Baylor
25	Pittsburgh Steelers	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
26	Seattle Seahawks	Cody Whitehair	OG	Kansas State
27	Green Bay Packers	Andrew Billings	DT	Baylor
28	Kansas City Chiefs	Artie Burns	CB	Miami (Fla.)
29	Arizona Cardinals	Ryan Kelly	C	Alabama
30	Carolina Panthers	Kevin Dodd	DE	Clemson
31	Denver Broncos	Germain Ifedi	OT	Texas A&M

San Francisco 49ers: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers still need a quarterback they can trust going forward, but they won't be able to pass on DeForest Buckner if he is still on the board at No. 7.

Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (h/t David Fucillo of SB Nation's Niners Nation) reported the 49ers "desperately covet" Buckner. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller tweeted, "If I had to bet my house on a pick for the 49ers, it'd be DeForest Buckner." Rumors aside, it is understandable to see why the defensive end is such a highly prized prospect.

Buckner (6'7", 291 lbs) is a physically imposing player who could fit perfectly into the 3-4 as a defensive end, excelling in all facets of the game. Stanford head coach David Shaw provided perhaps the best description of the rival player, saying to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune:

"

He’s one of those guys that, your entire game plan is around where he is. Running game, passing game, everything. Pass protection -- it’s all about where he is. Because he’s that disruptive. To be over 6-7, to be over 300 pounds and be that athletic and physical, you have to account for him. I think he’s going to be very, very good at the next level as well.

"

When the 49ers were Super Bowl contenders, it was the defensive front seven that led the way. However, key losses to retirement and free agency have left this group without many playmakers. Last season, the squad ranked 29th in the NFL with just 28 sacks on the year.

Buckner will rack up sacks himself while also clearing up space for others, improving the entire defense with just one pick.

Chicago Bears: Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Although Myles Jack has been considered a top-five player based on talent, knee injuries could lead to a slide on draft day. Bob Glauber of Newsday quoted NFL Network's Mike Mayock on the linebacker's expected drop:

Teams have reportedly either taken Jack off their boards or moved him down, per NJ Advance Media's Jordan Raanan. Jack's recent quote about his knee probably doesn't make too many people feel good about his future, per Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post:

"

This quote to me from Myles Jack today about his knee can hardly be comforting to teams. pic.twitter.com/A6BwGYb6lu

— Bart Hubbuch (@BartHubbuch) April 27, 2016"

Despite the issues, this is a talented player who could be a legitimate star in the NFL. Jack was athletic enough to be a running back at times for UCLA, but his future will be on the defensive side of the ball, where his versatility will be a real asset. He has the speed to rush the passer from the outside as well as the agility to cover tight ends and even receivers down the field. 

The Bears made things too easy for opposing quarterbacks last season, allowing an opposing passer rating of 99.3, good for 26th in the NFL. As long as he is healthy, Jack could help turn things around in a hurry.

While the health risk is still great, there is too much value to pass up at No. 11.

New York Jets: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

California's Jared Goff and North Dakota State's Carson Wentz are expected to go No. 1 and No. 2 overall, but there is much more uncertainty surrounding the projected third quarterback in the draft, Paxton Lynch. Heavy demand could lead to a team trading up to grab the Memphis player, but without any deals, the New York Jets appear to be the best fit at No. 20.

The Jets always seem to be looking for a long-term solution at quarterback, and Lynch could finally be the answer to their prayers. The 6'7" player has a strong arm and plenty of athleticism, giving him the potential to be a star in the NFL. Meanwhile, his decision-making has also passed the test of a first-round prospect.

Pro Football Focus noted how well he handled pressure last season:

While many draft busts struggle to handle the mental aspect of the NFL, it appears Lynch has what it takes to succeed.

It might take some time for Lynch to reach his potential at the next level. He will need to adjust to a pro-style offense and respond to a major step up in competition. Still, the future is bright, and he could have a good career in New York.

Green Bay Packers: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers are in need of a nose tackle, and few are better in this class than Andrew Billings.

Billings has good size at 6'1", 311 pounds, and he is one of the strongest players in the draft, as evidenced by his 31 reps on the bench press at the NFL Scouting Combine. He uses this size and strength to clog the middle of the field on runs as well as take on blockers, freeing things up for his teammates to make plays in space.

The Baylor player also has impressive explosiveness for his size and can penetrate into the backfield to blow up whatever the offense is trying to do.

For a team that allowed 4.5 yards per rushing attempt last season, fourth-worst in the league, Billings would be an instant upgrade who helps the Packers once again contend for a Super Bowl title. 

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