clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2016 NFL mock draft: Who was helped at the Senior Bowl?

The Senior Bowl is behind us and while some draft prospects were helped by the game in Mobile, that also means some were hurt by it.

By Ryan Day
Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

The 2016 Senior Bowl is over and while some draft prospects helped their stock going forward, some were hurt by bad performances or just not being there.

Of the standouts, Eastern Kentucky's Noah Spence and Ohio State's Braxton Miller probably did the most for their draft causes going forward and Oregon's DeForest Buckner will probably fall a few spots... not because teams don't understand why a top prospect would want to miss the Senior Bowl, but because some players did so well that they may have leap-frogged him.

So, how did the Senior Bowl -- and all the rumors flying around last week -- change our mock drafts?

1. Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss

Albert Breer of NFL.com is the latest to add to the rumors that the Titans are interested in trading out of the top overall pick, but said he's heard it's predicated on the fact they can get an elite prospect in the first round. That means they won't be trading far. If they do trade, it's to someone like the Browns, 49ers, Eagles or Rams -- teams that need quarterbacks. If a deal isn't reached and the Titans stay here, I think Tunsil is the pick.

2. Cleveland Browns: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

What we saw was a less-than-stellar Senior Bowl outing for Wentz. What NFL scouts and coaches saw was a strong practice week. Jared Goff is the more polished quarterback. Wentz is a raw prospect with a strong arm and higher upside. I vote chaos.

3. San Diego Chargers: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

Noah Spence improved his stock probably more than anyone else at the Senior Bowl, but Bosa is such a disruptive force along the defensive line.

4. Dallas Cowboys: Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky

The Cowboys need someone to help in both run defense and getting to the quarterback and Spence is a gifted pass rusher who is balanced against the run. He'll help them immediately. The guy played his ass off at the Senior Bowl.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen Ramsey, FS, Florida State

Myles Jack and Noah Spence are getting some buzz at the No. 5 spot (and I wouldn't hate either pick) but if Ramsey is on the board, he's the perfect marriage of value and need. You have to get him, Dave.

6. Baltimore Ravens: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

The futures of Kelechi Osemele and Eugene Monroe are less than certain. They need a guy to replace whoever needs replacing in 2016.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Jared Goff, QB, California

If the Cowboys can get their quarterback in free agency, it'll free up one less team who needs to draft one. Goff, the most pro-ready quarterback, falls into Chip Kelly's lap.

8. Miami Dolphins: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

According to The Phinsider, cornerback is the top priority for the Dolphins. (I think they'll change their tune to defensive line once free agency hits, but that's neither here nor there.) I could see Shaq Lawson as the pick to beef up their line, but a cornerback like Alexander also makes sense.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

The Buccaneers desperately need to improve their defensive line and secondary. With the top cornerback gone, they take their top defensive lineman left on the board.

10. New York Giants: Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Ohio State

Yes, they need to upgrade their pass rush, but there's only one running back worth taking in the first round and if that's what you need, then that's what you need. This draft is heavy on defensive linemen. Go get one in the second round.

11. Chicago Bears: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

The Bears desperately need to get better on the defensive side of the ball and Myles is going to be fun to watch. Too bad he can't play somewhere warmer.

12. New Orleans Saints: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama

They'll go defense, but it'll depend on who's left. If Alexander is here, I think they get him at cornerback. They could also get a lineman, but Ragland has too much talent and potential to leave sitting on the board.

13. Philadelphia Eagles: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

They'll try to make a move for either Wentz or Goff, but Lynch isn't a bad prospect here. Teams will try and trade up to get him, but if he's here at No. 13, I think he'll be a member of the Eagles.

14. Oakland Raiders: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame

Jack Del Rio wanted Myles Jack, but he'll settle for a better linebacker that will need some time to rehab.

15. Los Angeles Rams: DeForest Buckner, DL, Oregon

I don't see them rebuilding with a guy like Connor Cook, so they'll wait it out with Nick Foles for one more year and get someone to immediately upgrade their defensive line.

16. Detroit Lions: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

Calvin Johnson's future is less in doubt. If and when Johnson retires, Treadwell becomes a priority for the Lions.

17. Atlanta Falcons: Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State

Fast, does well in coverage, disciplined in stopping the run. He'll instantly upgrade the Falcons defense at a position of need.

18. Indianapolis Colts: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana

With Elliot going to the Giants, the Colts need someone to help Andrew Luck out. The best running back and receiver are gone, so they go with a guy who showed at the Senior Bowl he can hold his own against a fantastic crop of defensive linemen

19. Buffalo Bills: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss

I don't have a clue where Nkemdiche goes in this draft, but I have a feeling that if he's here for Rex Ryan to pick he'll go fast.

20. New York Jets: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State

The Jets have stability in their head coach with Todd Bowles and he can coach up a defense. Give him a pass rusher and let him go after Tom Brady & Co.

21. Washington: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State

I go back and forth between Thomas and Will Fuller from Notre Dame. Whoever it is, he'll give Kirk Cousins a reliable threat at wide receiver.

22. Houston Texans: Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State

They, like so many before them, will try to make a run at one of the top spots to grab Goff or Wentz (or hell, even Lynch) but if they don't connect, they'll get the last quarterback worth a first-round look. Bill O'Brien has overstayed his welcome without getting a first round quarterback.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame

The NFC North needs big-play receivers outside of Calvin. With Treadwell going to the Lions, Jordy Nelson getting healthy for the Packers, and now Fuller going to the Vikings, this could be an exciting conference again.

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

There's a run on receivers and if they're going to help out Andy Dalton they need to do it now.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

The AFC North has Joe Flacco, Andy Dalton, Ben Roethlisberger, and (now) Carson Wentz. You need cornerbacks to compete.

26. Seattle Seahawks: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

Russell Okung is a question mark for Seattle, and if they need a tackle there will be options.

27. Green Bay Packers: A'Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama

The Packers need to shore up that defensive line and I can also see Sheldon Rankins here.

28. Kansas City Chiefs: Sheldon Rankins, DL, Louisville

Another Senior Bowl success story. Rankins was a beast in practice and coaches were still buzzing about him even though he didn't play in the game itself. That's how good his week was.

29. Arizona Cardinals: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

They need to rebuild that secondary and I think Hargreaves slips farther than people think.

More From Big Cat Country