Finding Perfect Homes for NFL Draft's Most Interesting Remaining Players

After months of speculation and anticipation, the mega-event that was the opening round of the 2016 NFL draft has come and gone. Between blockbuster trades, shocking slides and unexpected reaches, the first round Thursday was full of excitement and intrigue.

However, this doesn't mean there aren't still interesting stories to follow as we move into Day 2 of the draft. On the contrary, some of the most interesting players in this year's draft class are still waiting to hear their names called—and some of the most interesting stories have yet to unfold.

Just how far will injury concerns cause former UCLA linebacker Myles Jack to fall? Will Michigan State product Connor Cook be the next quarterback off the board, or will questions about his leadership have teams looking elsewhere? How long before a team takes a flier on injured Notre Dame product Jaylon Smith? These are just a few of the big questions that won't have answers until Friday evening at the earliest.

Join us as we take a look at some of the most interesting players remaining in the 2016 draft. We'll examine what makes these players so interesting, the stories surrounding them and—most importantly—where the ideal landing spots are for each.

Our destination choices will be based on factors such as coaching fit, scheme fit, roster makeup and potential role. This isn't a prediction of where players will be drafted.

Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

Former UCLA linebacker Myles Jack was once considered one of the top players available in this year's draft class. In terms of talent, he still might be. Unfortunately, a serious knee injury suffered early last season—and lingering concerns that have come as a result—caused the potential defensive superstar to slide out of the first round.

Jack tore his meniscus during a September practice this past season. According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, teams are divided on whether his recovery has gone smoothly enough. A bigger concern, however, is that Jack could undergo microfracture surgery in the future and that the injury could shorten his career.

“Down the line, possibly I could have microfracture surgery—potentially. Who knows what will happen?" Jack said before the draft, per Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post. “Nobody knows how long anybody is going to play in this league. To play three years in this league would be above average.”

No team wants to spend a first-round pick on a guy who might only be around for three seasons, and Jack's potential career outlook caused him to slide. However, he should be a contributor from day one and a major asset as long as he does remain healthy. He provides a ton of value in Round 2.

To be honest, the 6'1", 245-pound Jack has the skill set to fit into virtually any defense. However, it would feel almost like destiny for him to land with the Baltimore Ravens, who currently hold the fifth pick in Round 2. Baltimore has a history of employing top-tier linebackers, and it has a need after losing Courtney Upshaw in free agency this past offseason.

Opposing quarterbacks would have to be concerned with Jack and offseason acquisition Eric Weddle both roaming the field for the Ravens.

It's also fun to think about Jack joining the San Diego Chargers, who added Joey Bosa in Round 1 with the third pick. Ideally, though, Jack would become the perfect centerpiece for Baltimore's new-look defense.

Perfect Home: Baltimore Ravens

Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama

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Alabama's Derrick Henry could be a bulldozer of a back at the NFL level.

Alabama's Derrick Henry is a behemoth of a running back at 6'3" and 247 pounds. However, he also has some impressive quickness for a man his size—he ran a 4.54-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. 

These skills allowed Henry to rush for 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns this past season while securing both a national title and the Heisman Trophy.

However, Henry is somewhat limited as a player. He doesn't have the natural ability to make sharp cuts or change direction quickly. Henry isn't an accomplished pass-catcher either, having logged just 16 receptions over the past two seasons.

"Henry is a top-tier athlete who has been successful at every level of football, but for him to succeed in the NFL, he will have to break modern ideas of what a running back is," Bleacher Report NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller wrote of Henry. "He's not quick, and he doesn't have a creative runner's ability to find creases and cutback lanes."

Henry is interesting because he was dominant at the college level but may be facing a limited role in the NFL.

In order to thrive, Henry needs to go to a team where he can be a true two-down runner. This is why he seems like a perfect fit for the Chicago Bears, who hold the 10th pick in Round 2. The Bears have Jeremy Langford, who showed flashes as a runner as a rookie in 2015 but appears better suited as a third-down back.

Langford only averaged 3.6 yards per carry in 2015. He did, however, haul in 22 passes for 279 yards—and average 12.7 yards per reception.

Henry and Langford could combine to give the Bears a young one-two punch in the backfield. This could be a major asset during cold NFC North winters. In turn, the Bears would give Henry a home where he would rarely be asked to operate outside of his comfort zone.

Perfect Home: Chicago Bears

Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky

Perhaps the biggest reason why someone didn't draft pass-rusher Noah Spence in the first round is his off-field history. The Big Ten ruled Spence permanently ineligible for repeatedly failing two drug tests for MDMA before he landed with Eastern Kentucky University. Once at EKU, he was cited for public intoxication.

However, Spence has taken steps to show teams his partying ways are behind him. He has presumably stayed clean of illegal drugs while at EKU and, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, sent copies of his last 20 drug tests to all 32 teams.

"[I'm] still being drug tested to this day," Spence said during combine week, per NFL Media's Chase Goodbread. "[I'm drug tested] every week now. I was on every drug-test list at Eastern Kentucky. After I failed at Ohio State I was drug tested twice a week until I left there."

Spence is an interesting prospect because he could prove to be one of the draft's biggest steals if his off-field issues are behind him.

Bleacher Report NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller rated Spence as his top edge-rusher in this year's draft class and recently explained why he is so intriguing:

"

Focusing on what he does as a player and athlete, Spence is special. He has a nose for the ball and goes hunting with great success. Playing both in a two-point and three-point stance at right defensive end for EKU and Ohio State, Spence showed he's a comfortable athlete in space. He has elite edge bend, follows through with zip in his feet and consistently wins off the snap. Spence exposed the top senior offensive tackles in the draft class during Senior Bowl practices with his speed and bend skills.

"

At 6'2" and 251 pounds, Spence has the look of a true edge-rusher who could fit in multiple systems. For our perfect fit, we're going with the Dallas Cowboys, who need a versatile edge-rusher to replace the departed Greg Hardy.

The Cowboys, of course, would have to be convinced that Spence's drug use is behind him. Defensive ends Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence are both facing suspensions for violations of the league's substance-abuse policy. Spence would fill a need, though, and the Cowboys would give him a competitive home and a stage in the spotlight similar to the one he left behind at Ohio State.

Perfect Home: Dallas Cowboys

Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State

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Michigan State's Connor Cook could be the next quarterback off the board.

We saw three quarterbacks—Jared Goff, Carson Wentz and Paxton Lynch—come off the board in Round 1. However, we didn't see a favorite of a certain colorful broadcast analyst.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, NFL analyst and former coach Jon Gruden said that Michigan State's Connor Cook "is gonna be perhaps the best QB in this draft."

Cook is still on the board as we head into Day 2.

There are reasons Cook is available, of course. Though he put up some impressive numbers this past season—3,131 yards passing, 24 touchdowns, seven interceptions, a passer rating of 136.6—Cook floundered in a couple of games and continues to show a lack of accuracy on short and intermediate routes.

For the season, he completed 56.1 percent of his passes.

There are also questions about Cook's leadership qualities and attitude, as he was never named a team captain while playing for the Spartans. Cook, to his credit, battled back against critics on PFT Live (h/t Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio):

"

So I think the crazy thing is they just want to knock my character and my personality. They’re saying things that are just basically the complete opposite of what they are. Someone wants to say, ‘Oh he’s cocky,’ and ‘Oh he doesn’t get along with his teammates,’ and ‘In the locker room his teammates don’t like him. Have they even been in the locker room? No.

"

At 6'4" and 217 pounds, Cook has the size for the position, and he seems to have the intangibles. He just needs to put everything together.

In all, Cook feels like a good match for the Cleveland Browns. As a four-year starter at Michigan State, he is used to playing in north-country winters, and he won't be asked to be a starter from day one. The Browns have Josh McCown and Robert Griffin III as position-holders.

Browns head coach Hue Jackson spent the past two seasons helping mold former second-round pick Andy Dalton into an upper-echelon starter as the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive coordinator. Perhaps he can do the same for Cook. 

Perfect Home: Cleveland Browns

Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame

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Notre Dame's Jaylon Smith would have likely been a first-round pick if not for a serious late-season injury.

If he were 100 percent healthy, Notre Dame product Jaylon Smith would arguably be the top linebacker in this draft class and would be one of the top defensive prospects overall. Unfortunately, Smith isn't healthy, having suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Notre Dame's bowl game against Ohio State.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Smith is not expected to play at all in 2016, and teams don't have a set timetable for when he might suit up again.

This is obviously a huge deterrent for teams looking to add instant impact to their rosters. However, some team will inevitably pull the trigger on Smith, knowing he will basically redshirt a year and then potentially become a star in 2017.

"A true sideline-to-sideline linebacker, Smith’s range and tackling radius are tops in the class," Bleacher Report NFL Draft Lead Analyst Matt Miller wrote of Smith. "When unleashed as a coverage man or pass-rusher, he made a similar impact. A healthy Smith would have been the top player in the class."

At what point a team is willing to take a flier on Smith will depend on how the team's medical staff views the situation. We assume someone will draft him on Day 2 or Day 3.

Smith should be a solid fit for almost any NFL defense, and he provides  great value to two types of teams—those who won't expect to compete for at least another season and those who expect to remain competitive for several more years.

For a perfect fit, we're going to go with the New England Patriots. Adding Smith feels like the type of forward-thinking plan head coach Bill Belichick and Co. would execute. New England should be looking to rebuild its linebacker corps, especially after the retirement of Jerod Mayo. The Patriots could provide Smith with a competitive and versatile defense in which to shine, and Smith could provide New England with a first-round talent.

Getting that first-round talent in a year the league took away a first-round pick would be icing on the proverbial cake for the Patriots.

Perfect Home: New England Patriots

Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama

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Alabama's Reggie Ragland could be a top-tier run defender in the NFL.

Alabama's Reggie Ragland was one of the nation's top linebackers in 2015. He finished the season with 102 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for a loss. Of course, Ragland also finished the year with a national title.

The problem is that the 6'1", 247-pound Ragland is somewhat one-dimensional as a player and is likely seen by some teams as a run-defense specialist with limited pass-rushing or coverage ability. He has the potential to be an elite run defender, but the limitations hurt his value.

"The first complaint from every scout and coach about Ragland was a lack of play speed," Bleacher Report NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller wrote of Ragland prior to the draft. "That leads to questions about his ability to stay on the field as a three-down player in today’s NFL."

Complicating matters is the fact Ragland was flagged for a heart condition just before the start of the draft.

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Ragland was medically "flagged for an enlarged aorta, which requires yearly monitoring." However, Rapoport quickly added that at least seven teams don't believe the condition will affect Ragland's playing career.

Ragland has the potential to be an elite run defender. He provides a lot of value to a team looking to improve its run defense and willing to sign off on his medical condition.

The San Diego Chargers would be a nearly ideal fit for Ragland, assuming they feel comfortable. After using their first-round selection on Joey Bosa at No. 3, it appears the Chargers want to upgrade their defense. Ragland fits into the ideal makeover, as Pro Football Focus rated the Chargers dead last in run defense last season.

Adding Ragland along with Bosa to the defense would immediately transform the front seven for San Diego.

If Ragland slips to the middle of Round 2 because of his medical issue, he could be a good fit for the Atlanta Falcons or Indianapolis Colts. The Chargers, though, feel ideal. 

Perfect Home: San Diego Chargers

Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State

Wide receiver Braxton Miller is interesting because, well, a little over a year ago he was a quarterback for Ohio State and not a receiver at all.

Miller missed the entire 2014 season because of injury, and when he returned, he made the decision to switch positions. He played receiver and H-back for the Buckeyes in 2015 and finished the year with 26 receptions, 341 receiving yards, 260 rushing yards and four total touchdowns.

Obviously, there isn't a ton of game film or statistics to go by when it comes to Miller as a wideout. However, he appears to be a nearly elite prospect when it comes to measurables.

At 6'1" and 201 pounds, Miller has the size for the position. He has adequate speed—he ran a 4.50-second 40 at the combine—and even better short-area quickness. He logged an impressive 6.65-second three-cone drill and a 4.07-second short shuttle at the combine as well.

Bleacher Report NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller recently explained why Miller's traits could make him a true threat in the NFL:

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As Miller transitioned to wide receiver, he showed natural hands and a toughness at the position. On the year we counted just one dropped pass, and watching Miller attack the field with the ball in his hands showed his hunger for yards. Some will want to label Miller as a "gadget player," but he's more than that. His athleticism and speed make him a candidate to have a Randall Cobb or Hines Ward-like role in the NFL.

"

It could take a little time for Miller to develop into a full receiver, but he should be an asset out of the game in the slot and in multiple-receiver sets. If we're going to pick a perfect home for him, it's with the New England Patriots.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick regularly targets superior athletes in the draft and finds them roles later. He helped turn converted quarterback Julian Edelman into a star receiver. He can likely do the same with Miller.

The Patriots have two late second-round picks and could consider moving up for Miller if they fear he won't last. 

Perfect Home: New England Patriots

Christian Hackernberg, QB, Penn State

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Penn State's Christian Hackenberg has the physical tools to be an NFL QB, but accuracy remains an issue.

If quarterback Christian Hackenberg had been able to enter the NFL draft after his rookie season at Penn State, he might have been one of the top prospects in the league that year. He showed throughout his first college campaign that he had poise and command of an intricate offense by then-head coach Bill O'Brien.

Hackenberg also completed nearly 60 percent of his passes as a rookie, tossed 20 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and posted a passer rating of 134.0. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year for his efforts.

Unfortunately, Hackenberg was never able to replicate that success after O'Brien bolted for the NFL following the 2014 season. A big issue for Hackenberg was a drop in accuracy. He completed just 55.8 percent of his passes in 2014 and 53.5 percent in 2015.

What makes Hackenberg so interesting is his physical attributes and the game film he put on tape as a freshman. At 6'4" and 223 pounds, he has prototypical size for an NFL quarterback. He also has above-average athleticism for the position—he ran a 4.78-second 40 at the combine. His accuracy is still a major concern, but there will be at least one NFL coach out there who believes he can coax the Hackenberg seen in 2013 out of the shadows.

According to The MMQB's Peter King (h/t Andrew Porter of CBS Philadelphia), the Buffalo Bills were even considering the Penn State product in Round 1 at No. 19, heading into Thursday night. According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan "has an affinity" for Hackenberg as well.

Hackenberg to the Jets or the Bills on Day 2 would make sense. However, he would be best off with a team like the Dallas Cowboys, who have an established starter in place in Tony Romo. There's no scientific proof that sitting for two or three years makes anyone a better quarterback, but providing Hackenberg with time to work on accuracy and footwork issues couldn't hurt.

Plus, Hackenberg could have a top offensive line, a top-tier receiver in Dez Bryant and a top running back in Ezekiel Elliott once it is time for him to take the reins. Dallas would get both a succession plan and some injury insurance at quarterback.

Perfect Home: Dallas Cowboys