NFL Draft 2016: Predictions for Day 2
With 31 picks in the books, the 2016 NFL draft has already brought a plethora of storylines and shockers.
From Mississippi offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil dropping out of the top 10, to a handful of on-the-clock trades, this year's selection meeting is already off to a compelling start.
But as the dust settles from the first round, teams, analysts and fans alike have already begun to look at who is still on the board, and who could take advantage of the current scenario. There's plenty of depth and value still at multiple positions, and the trade market for both picks and players should be increasing.
Here are a handful of predictions for Day 2 of the 2016 NFL draft.
Crimson Tide Will Flood Second Round
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Only one member of this year's national championship team heard his name called on Thursday night—center Ryan Kelly to the Indianapolis Colts with the 18th overall pick—but Alabama should see plenty more names called on Day 2.
With an incredibly deep class at defensive tackle and a few surprise picks in the first round, both A'Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed were pushed down the board. Both should hear their names called early on Friday, as should fellow Tide defender Reggie Ragland, who fell out of the first round due to reports of an enlarged aorta, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Another Alabama pair that should come off the board on Day 2 are running backs Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake. Henry won the Heisman Trophy after rushing for over 2,000 yards in 2015, while Drake is an explosive, versatile playmaker who can make an impact in many different ways.
If teams are looking for a stout, experienced nickel corner with great return skills, Cyrus Jones could even sneak into the latter portion of Day 2.
Connor Cook Kicks It off
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Cleveland traded down once before the draft, and then again when they were on the clock, finally selecting a dynamic receiver in Baylor's Corey Coleman with the 15th overall pick in the first round.
But don't be surprised if they kick off Day 2 by getting themselves a young quarterback in Michigan State's Connor Cook, who has all the physical tools to step in and start right away, if needed.
Robert Griffin III was a smart signing, but the Browns can't quite bank on him being the quarterback of the future just yet. They got themselves a much-needed weapon to stretch the field in Coleman, but now they need a consistent thrower who can get him the ball. Cook fits the bill, and he should be the first name called on Friday night.
Fall Finally Ends for Jack, Smith
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One of the most compelling storylines to follow on Day 2 will be the fall of injured linebackers Myles Jack of UCLA and Jaylon Smith of Notre Dame, both of whom were projected as top-10 talents in this year's draft.
Smith falling out of the first round wasn't much of a surprise, but Jack is another story. A knee issue that could potentially be degenerative clearly scared teams to the point where none felt comfortable spending a first-round pick on him, despite his rare athleticism and versatility.
But despite the concerns with regard to their respective injuries, both Jack and Smith should hear their names called on Day 2, as the potential reward begins to outweigh the risks.
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Bucs Trade QB Mike Glennon
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Three quarterbacks were selected in the first round, but there are still a few teams in need of an upgrade at the game's most important position.
One team that can help with that problem? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have one of the league's best backups in Mike Glennon. The former third-round pick has 18 NFL starts under his belt with 29 touchdown passes to just 15 interceptions, giving him more experience and better numbers than Brock Osweiler, who just got a lucrative contract in free agency.
Glennon's in the final year of his rookie deal, and if the Bucs let him walk after 2016, they'll have to wait until the 2018 NFL draft to cash in any compensatory pick they would get in return. He won't start in Tampa Bay anytime soon with Jameis Winston in town, and he's more than capable of being a successful starter in the NFL.
The team to keep an eye on for this move is the New York Jets, who seem to be at a standstill with Ryan Fitzpatrick's contract negotiations. If the Bucs could convince a team like the Jets to part with a Day 2 pick, they'd be wise to pull the trigger.
D-Line Depth Dominates
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Seven defensive linemen were drafted in the first round Thursday night, but there are at least that many still on the board who could have easily been taken off the board, as well.
The draft is deepest up front on defense this year, and with other position needs taking precedence in the first round, plenty of talented defenders have been pushed down the board to Day 2.
In addition to Alabama's A'Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed, some other names that should be called early on Day 2 include Eastern Kentucky's Noah Spence, Clemson's Kevin Dodd and Oklahoma State's Emmanuel Ogbah at defensive end, along with defensive tackles Jonathan Bullard of Florida, Andrew Billings of Baylor and Chris Jones of Mississippi State.
Kicker Makes a Surprise Appearance
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He may not have cracked the first round like fellow former Seminole Sebastian Janikowski, but Florida State's Roberto Aguayo will likely be the most highly drafted specialist since Bryan Anger went to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round back in 2012.
A three-time All-American—Deion Sanders is the only other player in Florida State history to manage that feat—Aguayo is a rare talent at the position that could easily warrant a Day 2 selection.
With the new NFL rules impacting kicking consistency, it could force teams to place a greater value on a player like Aguayo. Don't be surprised when he's taken off the board in the third round. Fans will likely decry the pick, but it could end up being the difference between a win and loss more than once down the road.
Buckeye Boom Continues
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Ohio State had five players selected in the first round Thursday night, but the run on Buckeyes is far from over, as plenty more will hear their names called on Friday.
Receivers Michael Thomas and Braxton Miller, safety Vonn Bell, defensive lineman Adolphus Washington, linebacker Joshua Perry and tight end Nick Vannett could all come off the board on the draft's second day.
It might not stop there, either. If a team is looking for a developmental QB prospect with a rare combination of athleticism and arm strength, Cardale Jones could end up jumping into Day 2. Safety Tyvis Powell could be another dark horse in that range after a solid performance at this year's Senior Bowl.
Cowboys Take a Hack at Future Quarterback
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According to ESPN.com's Todd Archer, the Cowboys made a strong push to trade back into the late-first round on Thursday night, in an effort to secure Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch. Instead, the Broncos made the move up for Lynch, leaving the Cowboys heading into Day 2 looking elsewhere.
Dallas executive vice-president Stephen Jones said the following, per Archer:
"We felt really good about this particular player, and it didn't work out. Of course after that happens we'll re-evaluate and look at where our situation is with the remaining quarterbacks. I wouldn't say we're out, but I wouldn't say we're all in either. It's something we'll evaluate as we go if the right quarterback is hanging in there again.
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The right quarterback could end up being Penn State's Christian Hackenberg, who struggled over the past two seasons under head coach James Franklin after a promising freshman campaign.
If Connor Cook is off the board, don't be shocked if Hackenberg gets the call to sit behind Tony Romo for a couple of years before taking over as the future of America's Team.
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