2016 NFL Draft: Live Analysis

I'll post my thoughts as the picks are made. Stay here and refresh.

1. Los Angeles Rams
Projected Pick: QB Jared Goff, California
Actual Pick:QB Jared Goff, California

The Rams tried to keep the suspense up, but there was little drama as to who the pick is going to be. Jared Goff might not ever be a Jamies Winston or Marcus Mariota, but he has the chance to be a serviceable NFL quarterback. He has a quick release, a ton of experience, and should do just fine handing the ball off to Todd Gurley. It will be up to the Rams to develop him and ensure that they build an offensive line to block for him.

2. Philadelphia Eagles
Projected Pick: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
Actual Pick: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State

I hate the Eagles trading all of those picks to move up six spots in the draft, but they felt strongly about Carson Wentz and the trade is in the past. On the field, Wentz has the look and arm of a prototypical NFL quarterback. The worry is his level of competition and the fact that he did not even start two full seasons. The plan is for Wentz to sit as a rookie, but he is already 23. He will eventually start, and sink or swim with the new look Eagles.

3. San Diego Chargers
Projected Pick: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon
Actual Pick: DE/OLB Joey Bosa, Ohio State

During the past two days I mocked Laremy Tunsil, DeForest Buckner and Jalen Ramsey to the Chargers. Of course, they go with Joey Bosa. I do not like Bosa much as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but Bosa has the frame to bulk up and have a Justin Smith-like impact as a 3-4 end. He is a productive defender, and the Chargers desperately need pass rushing help.

4. Dallas Cowboys
Projected Pick: RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
Actual Pick: RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State

Once Joey Bosa came off the board, Ezekiel Elliott was the guy. I like the pick. Dallas was so good in 2014 because they controlled the clock so well. With Elliott, Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden and the NFL's most talented offensive line, this team will run the ball and control the line of scrimmage.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Projected Pick: CB/S Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
Actual Pick: CB/S Jalen Ramsey, Florida State

Jalen Ramsey is a tremendous athlete, but I think the bust factor is high. He was not extremely productive in college, with only 3 career interceptions. Still, he has the size and ability to be a lock down cornerback. Secondary players drafted in the top five often turn into superstars.

6. Baltimore Ravens
Projected Pick: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
Actual Pick: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame

In recent days, rumor had Ronnie Stanley passing Laremy Tunsil on most teams boards. Stanley does not have the upside of Tunsil, but could be the safer selection. As far as the fit, Eugene Monroe has been a disappointment. He will likely remain on the roster through the 2016 season while Stanley learns the nuances of the position.

7. San Francisco 49ers
Projected Pick: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon
Actual Pick: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon

DeForest Buckner is a perfect fit for San Francisco's 3-4 defense. He reminds me a lot of former Duck Haloti Ngata. He has rare pass rushing ability for a man his size. He might not ever be a superstar, but you can plug him in at end and no longer worry about that position.

8. Tennessee Titans
Projected Pick: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole' Miss
Actual Pick: OG/OT Jack Conklin, Michigan State

The Laremy Tunsil tumble continues. Tennessee was rumored to trade back up into the top ten to land a tackle. I do not think Jack Conklin has a future at left tackle, but he could beast at either guard or right tackle. The Titans need to protect Marcus Mariota, and Conklin could do just that.

9. Chicago Bears
Projected Pick: OLB Leonard Floyd, Georgia
Actual Pick:OLB Leonard Floyd, Georgia

The Giants were rumored to be interested in Leonard Floyd, so the Bears had to jump ahead to secure his services. Floyd is an athletic monster, who could be a strong overall 3-4 outside linebacker. No longer just a pass rusher, Floyd has learned to drop back into coverage as well. His lanky frame remind some scouts of Barkevious Mingo, but hopefully for Bears fans he can become more.

10. New York Giants
Projected Pick: OT Laremy Tunsil. Ole' Miss
Actual Pick: CB Eli Apple, Ohio State

This is a curious pick for me, but GM Jerry Reese has always drafted the top player on his board, regardless of team need. Eli Apple will be a large, press nickel back during his rookie year, with the chance to take over for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in 2017. I do not see Apple making much of an impact year one.

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projected Pick: DT Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
Actual Pick: CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida

Hargreaves had long been connected to the Buccaneers. Not an athletic freak, Hargreaves has worked very hard to develop into one of the best defensive players in the nation. He is a real ball hawk who can really tackle as well. Hargreaves may never be a Pro Bowler, but should immediately start in a weak Bucs secondary.

12. New Orleans Saints
Projected Pick: DT Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
Actual Pick: DT Sheldon Rankins, Louisville

Rankins is an interior pass rushing presence. The Saints announced him as an end, meaning they will continue to sprinkle in some 3-4 looks. He is a bit undersized to hold up as a full time run defender, but plays very hard and should give a terrible Saints defense some character.

13. Miami Dolphins
Projected Pick: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole' Miss
Actual Pick: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole' Miss

It was unfortunate that Laremy Tunsil slipped, but as a Dolphins fan, I will gladly take it. The Dolphins offensive line has been a mess for years. Tunsil would be a monster upgrade at either tackle position. He will likely start his career at right tackle, and take over for Brendan Albert in a year or two.

14. Oakland Raiders
Projected Pick: CB William Jackson, Houston
Actual Pick: S Karl Joseph, West Virginia

Karl Joseph went from second rounder to a mid first rounder during the week leading up to the draft. Joseph is a one man bowling ball, who reminds of a young Bob Sanders. He still needs to improve his coverage, but, along with Khalil Mack, will really give the Raiders defense some swagger.

15. Cleveland Browns
Projected Pick: OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State
Actual Pick: WR Corey Coleman, Baylor

The Browns still do not have the quarterback of the future on the roster, but will hope to surround their future signal caller with talent first. Coleman is a burner who was the NCAA's best receiver. He gets to catch passes from fellow Baylor Bear Robert Griffin III in Cleveland.

16. Detroit Lions
Projected Pick: OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State
Actual Pick: OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State

Offensive line was a clear area need. Riley Rieff has masqueraded as an over matched left tackle for years. Unfortunately, Taylor Decker's home will probably be at right tackle, but this improves the offensive line as a whole. More of a run blocker at this stage, he has a ton of experience and should be able to start right away.

17. Atlanta Falcons
Projected Pick: DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson
Actual Pick: S Keanu Neal, Florida

Dan Quinn wins out in the war room. Keanu Neal is a physical presence who could provide Kam Chancellor like power for Quinn's defense. A bit of a reach here and a pretty big project, he might not start right away. The NFL is gravitating towards power safeties who can play linebacker in a punch.

18. Indianapolis Colts
Projected Pick: OG/C Ryan Kelly, Alabama
Actual Pick: OG/C Ryan Kelly, Alabama

I have mocked Ryan Kelly to the Colts for weeks. It makes way too much sense. The Colts need to protect Andrew Luck, and run the football. Kelly is a great pass protector for an interior lineman. Kelly can play either guard spot or center, and will start right away.

19. Buffalo Bills
Projected Pick: DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson
Actual Pick: DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson

The Bills defensive line went from a major strength to a weakness in a year's time. Mario Williams quit on his teammates, and the Bills missed his pass rush desperately. Shaq Lawson's shoulder has some teams worried, but he should step in and provide quality pass rushing ability right away across from Jerry Hughes.

20. New York Jets
Projected Pick: WR Josh Doctson, TCU
Actual Pick: OLB Darron Lee, Ohio State

I always struggled to mock a player to the Jets. Their needs did not coincide with the board. New York takes the best player available. Darron Lee should move to middle linebacker ala Ryan Shazier for the Steelers. He is slight of build, but can cover the entire field.

21. Houston Texans
Projected Pick: WR Josh Doctson, TCU
Actual Pick: WR Will Fuller, Notre Dame

Right position, wrong player. Will Fuller is not as well rounded as Josh Doctson or Laquon Treadwell, but he is a blazer. Brock Oswieler has a big arm, and Fuller will be a complimentary deep threat to all-everything DeAndre Hopkins.

22. Washington Redskins
Projected Pick: DT Jarran Reed, Alabama
Actual Pick: WR Josh Doctson, TCU

A bit of forward thinking here. With both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon entering contract seasons, the Redskins draft the most NFL ready reeiver. Doctson might be a bit like Jordan Matthews. He may never be a star, but will be ready to step in for the 2017 season.

23. Minnesota Vikings
Projected Pick: WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole' Miss
Actual Pick: WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole' Miss

It is strange that Laquon Treadwell is the fourth receiver taken, but a 4.6 40 is a 4.6 40. That's not good for a wideout. He lands in a great position in Norv Turner's offense, and could put up solid numbers as Teddy Bridgewater's security blanket.

24. Cincinnati Bengals
Projected Pick: OLB Myles Jack, UCLA
Actual Pick: CB William Jackson, Houston

Cincinnati takes yet another cornerback in the first round. Dre Kirkpatrick and Darqueze Dennard have not developed as hoped, so the Bengals go to the well once again. Jackson has good height, but needs to gain some bulk. A pass breakup extraordinare, he will compete for snaps with several other defensive backs.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers
Projected Pick: CB/S TJ Green, Clemson
Actual Pick: CB Artie Burns, Miami

The Steelers were likely blindsided by Cincinnati's selection of William Jackson. Pittsburgh was focused on secondary, and I think Artie Burns is a pretty big reach. He is  a strong ball hawk, but has sloppy technique. Pittsburgh's secondary is so weak, that they had to reach. It will take a while for Burns to develop.

26. Denver Broncos
Projected Pick: QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis
Actual Pick: QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis

It is not often that the defending Super Bowl champions have to draft a quarterback in the first round. Paxton Lynch is set to succeed in a run first offense that prioritizes quick releases. Lynch is a bit of another Brock Osweiler. Time will tell if he is successful, but Denver had to come out of the weekend with a quarterback, and they have.

27. Green Bay Packers
Projected Pick: DT Jarran Reed, Alabama
Actual Pick: DE/DT Kenny Clark, UCLA

There are a plethora of defensive lineman available around this spot. I am a big fan of Kenny Clark. He is not the quickest, but he really got after the quarterback as a junior. He should fill in quite well for BJ Raji at end in the Packers scheme.

28. San Francisco 49ers
Projected Pick: MLB Reggie Ragland, Alabama
Actual Pick: OG Joshua Garnett, Stanford

I had no idea who the 49ers were looking for with this trade up. I don't see the need to trade up to land Joshua Garnett, who could have been available with their second round pick. The 49ers have a ton of picks, so if they did not give up much to land their man, then okay.

29. Arizona Cardinals
Projected Pick: DE/OLB Noah Spence, Western Kentucky
Actual Pick: DE/DT Robert Nkemdiche, Ole' Miss

I have been projecting the high risk Noah Spence to the Cardinals for a while. The Super Bowl or bust Cardinals still swung for the fences, but with Robert Nkemdiche. Arizona struck it gold with Tyrann Mathieu, and will hope to do the same with Nkemdiche. The Cardinals run a first rate organization, and Nkemdiche could not have landed in a better situation.

30. Carolina Panthers
Projected Pick: CB/S TJ Green, Clemson
Actual Pick: DT Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech

The Panthers usually go best player available, but with so many needs, this is a questionable selection. I like Vernon Butler, but the Panthers have a superstar tackle duo of Kawaan Short and Star Lotulelei. Short might move to end, but you do not draft first round players unless you expect them to be quick contributors.

31. Seattle Seahawks
Projected Pick: DT Jarran Reed, Alabama
Actual Pick: OT Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M

The Seahawks have perhaps the worst offensive line in the league. Germain Ifedi is a big time project, and will need a year or two to develop, but could be a solid starter at either guard or tackle in the NFL.

Jonathan Carrano

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