2016 NFL Draft First Round Recap
1. Los Angeles Rams (via Titans): Jared Goff, Quarterback (California)
The LA Rams traded the farm in order to acquire the first overall draft picks for the rights to California signal caller Jared Goff. The motive for the general manager Les Snead was simple, get a franchise quarterback or be out of a job the following season. I don’t knock the move up but rather the choice itself. Is Goff a similar version of Matt Ryan or is he the next Joey Harrington. Goff actually rates 4th on my list of quarterbacks from the combine rankings and doesn’t possess a strong enough arm to warrant a first overall selection. Even if Goff proves me wrong and is better than anticipated there likely isn’t a Super Bowl ring in his future.
Draft Grade: C
2. Philadelphia Eagles (via Browns): Carson Wentz, Quarterback (North Dakota State)
The Philadelphia Eagles get my number one rated quarterback who has the highest ceiling of any signal caller. Then again Wentz could wind up being the ultimate bust considering he is from the FCS school of North Dakota State. Philly also traded a boatload of picks in order to draft Wentz. Anyone that tells you they have a clear image for how Carson Wentz’s career will turn out is lying because in reality no one can truly predict the jump for D1AA to the NFL. I applaud the aggressive nature of Howie Roseman’s attempt to secure a franchise quarterback but the harsh reality here is this pick will wind up as a franchise altering move. For Philadelphia’s sake let’s hope Wentz pans out.
Draft Grade: B –
3. San Diego Chargers – Joey Bosa, DE (Ohio St.)
The Chargers shocked a lot of people taking Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa. Passing on a player like Jalen Ramsey will prove to be a costly mistake. As for taking Bosa this pick has bust potential written all over it. A slow defensive end who doesn’t play with a nasty streak and lacks athletic twitchiness. For a top 5 pick, no thanks I’ll pass
Draft Grade: D
4. Dallas Cowboys -Ezekiel Elliot, RB (Ohio St.)
While I probably would have taken Ramsey I love the Elliot selection. The Cowboys were predicated on the running game when they went 12-4 in 2014. This is a perfect fit for both the Cowboys and Elliot.
Draft Grade: B +
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jalen Ramsey, CB (Florida St.)
Jalen Ramsey was the best player on the board and they snagged him with the 5th pick. Ramsey is going to be a playmaker whether its at safety or corner in Jacksonville. I worry about the limited interceptions in college but make no mistake this guy could be a sort of Patrick Peterson.
Draft Grade: A +
6. Baltimore Ravens – Ronnie Stanley, OT (Notre Dame)
One word describes this pick, safe. With the recent troubles of recent troubles of Laremy Tunsil there was no way Baltimore was taking him. As for Stanley the hope is that he can turn into a Tyron Smith as he is a superior run blocker but needs to polish his pass protection.
Draft Grade: B
7. San Francisco 49ers – DeForest Buckner, DE (Oregon)
If there is one player I’m convinced is going to be a bust it is DeForest Buckner. How many first round defenders from Oregon are we going to take before we learn our lesson. Dion Jordan stinks, Terron Armstead stink, therefore it’s likely Buckner stinks to playing in a pass happy Pac 12 with inflated stats.
Draft Grade: F
8. Tennessee Titans (via Browns through Eagles through Dolphins) – Jack Conklin, OT (Michigan St.)
Jack Conklin? Really? I loved the trade down with LA but to get Jack Conklin is a disappointment. The harsh reality is that he probably kicks inside to guard because his footwork is not up to par.
Draft Grade: D
9. Chicago Bears (via Buccaneers) – Leonard Floyd, OLB (Georgia)
Floyd can either be the next Chandler Jones or Dion Jordan. The Bears could be a great spot for him to succeed with great defensive coaches and a scheme that fits him perfectly. It’s a boom or bust prospect but I like the fit.
Draft Grade: B –
10. New York Giants – Eli Apple, CB (Ohio St)
Another head scratcher. To pass on Vernon Hargreaves made absolutely zero sense. Sure Apple has talent but he is very grabby and will garner a ton of pass interference calls.
Draft Grade: C +
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (From Bears) – Vernon Hargreaves, CB (Florida)
Hargreaves is going to be a number one corner from day one just as he was as a freshman at Florida. Hargreaves is undersized but he is a heck of a competitor and had battles with Amari Cooper in college to prepare him for this stage.
Draft Grade: B +
12. New Orleans Saints – Sheldon Rankins, DT (Louisville)
Rankins is a great pick here who creates a ton of interior line pressure. Rankins was also the MVP of the Senior Bowl Practices. It’s possible the Saints snagged an Aaron Donald.
Draft Grade: B +
13. Miami Dolphins (via Eagles) – Laremy Tunsil, OT (Ole Miss)
Tunsil had one of the worst draft nights, possibly ever. Yet he still only slipped to 13 and found a home in Miami. Then again pairing a troubled athlete in the city of Miami could be a disaster. Tunsil has talent but he is filled with bust potential and can become lazy at times. He also has problems staying on the field with injury concerns and suspension. Miami is the last team to get a benefit of the doubt.
Draft Grade: C +
14. Oakland Raiders – Karl Joseph, S (WVU)
Love the pick for Oakland. Joseph is a nasty hitter and a ball hawking safety. Him and Reggie Nelson in the secondary could make the Raiders playoff bound.
Draft Grade: A –
15. Cleveland Browns (via Titans through Rams) – Corey Coleman, WR (Baylor)
Did the Browns really just take Josh Gordon’s Baylor understudy with Corey Coleman? Some teams fail to amaze me. If receiver was the direction why pass on Will Fuller and Laquon Treadwell? If Coleman starts to party with his buddy Josh Gordon I will have no words.
Draft Grade: D +
16. Detroit Lions – Taylor Decker, OT (Ohio St)
My view of Decker is drastically different from most people. Decker is probably a third round prospect who ends up being an average right tackle. I still can’t get the imagine of Khalil Mack beating him on every play when Ohio State played Buffalo a few years ago.
Draft Grade: C –
17. Atlanta Falcons – Keanu Neal, SS (Florida)
It’s a bit of a reach to me but Neal could end up being a good player. Neal maybe fits the mold of William Moore that use to play for Atlanta. There’s also a chance he ends up being Matt Elam. Ask Raven fans how they feel about him.
Draft Grade: C –
18. Indianapolis Colts – Ryan Kelly, C (Alabama)
Kelly likely ends up being an all pro center for years to come. The problem is do you really take a center with the 18th pick. For Indy’s sake I hope he is a better version of Jeff Saturday for this to be worth it.
Draft Grade: B –
19. Buffalo Bills – Shaq Lawson, DE (Clemson)
The Shaq attack heads to Buffalo. Rex Ryan’s son is on the Clemson football team so he had a first hand look. Lawson is a complete pass rusher who should have gone about 5 picks sooner. Terrell Suggs is a good comp to me.
Draft Grade: B +
20. New York Jets – Darron Lee, OLB (Ohio St)
Darron Lee flies around the football with his 4.43 speed. The Jets needed a linebacker to go along with that solid defensive line.
Draft Grade: B
21. Houston Texans (via Redskins) – Will Fuller, WR (Notre Dame)
The combines fastest player lands in Houston. Fuller will take the top off the defense making life easier for DeAndre Hopkins. Solid Pick.
Draft Grade: B
22. Washington Redskins (via Texans) – Josh Doctson, WR (TCU)
Some like Doctson more than than I do. More of a middle of round two guy to me. Passing on Treadwell proves to be a crucial mistake. Nevertheless Doctson is a good redzone piece.
Draft Grade: C +
23. Minnesota Vikings – Laquon Treadwell, WR (Ole Miss)
The Vikings pick the 4th receiver and wind up getting the best one. Sure he is slow but there are more ways to creating separation than just pure line speed. Mike Zimmer comes from the Parcells tree and knows how to pick them.
Draft Grade: B +
24. Cincinnati Bengals – William Jackson III, CB (Houston)
Well Jackson’s meteoric rise is a bit of a shock to me from the combine but he could be a good slot corner. The last cornerback from Houston to be taken in round one was D.J. Hayden who has failed to live up to expectations in Oakland.
Draft Grade: C –
25. Pittsburgh Steelers – Artie Burns, CB (Miami)
Boom or bust corner here. Burns has to tools yet lacks the discipline. Pitt likely a great landing spot here.
Draft Grade: C +
26. Denver Broncos (via Seahawks) – Paxton Lynch, QB (Memphis)
Some teams are just smarter than others. Boy do I love the Lynch pick here who could realistically be the best quarterback of this entire draft class. Don’t agree? Ask Ole Miss how good he is who pulled an upset victory over the SEC powerhouse. Don’t forget Ole Miss beat Alabama this year. In a year or two Lynch becomes a more athletic Joe Flacco leading Denver to playoff numerous appearances.
Draft Grade: A
27. Green Bay Packers – Kenny Clark, DT (UCLA)
In a draft with so many defensive line prospects why take Clark here. I like him as a prospect but a question the risk vs reward here.
Draft Grade: C +
28. San Francisco 49ers (via Chiefs) – Joshua Garnett, OG (Stanford)
The 49ers traded up for the best guard in the draft. I can’t necessarily blame them for trying to beef up the offensive line. The extra 5th year option makes the trade up worth it.
Draft Grade: B –
29. New England Patriots – Forfeited pick
30. Arizona Cardinals – Robert Nkemdiche, DT (Ole Miss)
The best player in this entire draft may be Robert Nkemdiche. Arizona struck gold with troubled Tyrann Mathieu and are about to do the same with Nkemdiche. At his best no defensive lineman in college football was more dominant.
Draft Grade: A +
31. Carolina Panthers – Vernon Butler, DT (Louisiana Tech)
Butler at 30th overall is a bit rich for my blood. The scheme fit also makes little sense considering he is a one technique nose tackle. The need factor also doesn’t make sene considering they have two pro bowl defensive tackles.
Draft Grade: C +
32. Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos) – Germain Ifedi, OG (Texas A&M)
Ifedi has talent and boy did Seattle need a lineman. I would have went Jason Spriggs but it was a close call. Solid yet could have had a better player but there is a big time need here.
Draft Grade: C
