It’s that time. Every team is undefeated. Everybody is looking for the next star. And everybody is looking for the next hidden gem. It’s time for the NFL Draft 2016. Coming April 28th, we kick off the 1st round of this year’s NFL Draft. This is a time that every team can attempt to reload form free agency losses, missed opportunities, or fill in holes that have existed for a while. Some teams, such as the Titans or the Browns, are looking to get a lot of bodies for their teams whereas other teams, like the Green Bay Packers have some needs but are looking more for depth and a playmaker or two. Every team has something they need. Every team has players they are interested in. And every team has a player they should take, but that doesn’t mean they will. I’m no expert, but I do love football and I try to follow the NFL pretty closely. So between my own knowledge and some of what others think as well, I’ve made my own picks for first round choices and a general idea of what each team needs in the draft in general. Of course, any of these picks could change with some draft day crazy trades. With that, let’s take a look at each team’s needs as well as who they could/should take in the opening round:
- Los Angeles Rams – Jarod Goff, QB, Cal
This spot was originally held by the league-worst Tennessee Titans. They traded the pick to the L.A. Rams for a king’s ransom and now L.A. is primed to take a potential franchise quarterback at this spot. This has long been their biggest position of need and many believe it is the quarterback position that has held them back in recent years. So the question is: Jared Goff or Carson Wentz? Goff seems to be the safer bet, having played in a system that is more like what he will face in the pros and looking just a bit more NFL ready. Wentz could easily still be the pick as well and we will just have to see. Other needs for the Rams are a true #1 Wide Receiver for this yet-to-be-named franchise QB to throw to and help at defensive back since McLeod and Jenkins left in free agency.
2. Philadelphia Eagles – Carson Wentz, QB, NDSU
Philadelphia had talked about trading up in the draft since January. Most people expected this to be a move for some other position that wasn’t quarterback, not with Bradford signing a two-year deal worth $22 million and Chase Daniel signing a deal for $12 million. Howie Roseman clearly has his heart set on either one of these 2 QB prospects and used picks acquired in other trades to make this one happen. The Browns were wise to take this deal, adding more picks to help fill a roster of holes. More on that later. Philadelphia now has an unhappy Bradford demanding a trade, meaning it will likely be Goff/Wentz or Daniel at QB come week 1. Some other needs: a solid-RB to go with Ryan Mathews, help on the offensive line to protect their new QB, and another WR to push Matthews and Agholor to break out.
3. San Diego Chargers – Laremy Tunsil, OL, Ole Miss
Here’s a team that has several needs. Weddle is gone, Gates is getting old, and Green bolted (no pun intended). The lines on both sides of the ball need some attention too. The question is: where to first? Can you pass on Jalen Ramsey? OR do you look at Laremy Tunsil, possibly the best player in the draft, to help fix your offensive line and stagnant running game? I’m sure Melvin Gordon would love that attention. A move like that would solidify the offense in several ways, boosting Rivers’ protection and allowing Gordon to run more freely. This would allow the Chargers to fill in those other needs like defensive line, safety, and another impact tight end.
4. Dallas Cowboys – Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio St.
Oh what might have been, if Tony Romo had been there all season. This is a team that has solid pieces in place all over, but lacks in star power on the defensive side of the ball. That being said, this is a team that needs to run the ball whoever is at running back. The offensive line is made for pounding defenses and the Cowboys need a back to punish the opposition. Elliott is a talent that cannot be ignored. Give the Cowboys that offensive piece and this offense becomes dangerous even if Romo is forced to miss again. On that note, the Cowboys must find their next quarterback. Maybe Romo has a few years left but that clock is ticking and you do not want to be looking for a QB in the offseason. Find someone to do as Romo did and be a student of the game. While you are at, look for an impact cornerback and someone to rush the passer consistently and confidently.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida St.
Here is a team that is much closer to greatness than their 5-11 record in 2015 shows. The offense looks great with a hot young QB in Bortles, potentially the best group of wide receivers on any team, and solid, young running game. Thus the focus shifts to defense. This team needs some secondary help and an electric cover guy like Jalen Ramsey is just the ticket. The Jaguars need someone to keep up with the best receivers in the game and be able to fly to the ball. Lock down the back of the field and then draft some help at linebacker to lock down the middle. A little help on the offensive line is also needed, give Bortles the protection he needs to continue to progress and allow the young running game to evolve.
6. Baltimore Ravens – Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA
This is a hard team to evaluate. There are obviously holes that need filled. The defense needs help in the secondary. Flacco needs a couple more reliable weapons. The offensive line could use help. This is also a team that had more Week 1 starters on injured reserve than active by week 5 (this is an exaggeration). It will be intriguing to see this team play this year with some of those guys. One such player is Breshad Perriman, the WR drafted last year that never saw the field. Even with his debut on the horizon, another weapon for Flacco is a must as is protection for Flacco. Baltimore has always been about defense though and defense needs to be the focus here. Look for Baltimore to beef up their linebacker unit and their cornerback position early.
7. San Francisco 49ers – Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
Do the 49ers need a quarterback? That is a big question headed into the NFL draft. Kap is still sticking around but clearly has mixed feelings about it and Blaine Gabbert looked a little better than his former self at the end of the 2015 season. Do they need to draft someone early to take the reins this year? OR do they address the other problems they have on offense, namely the offensive line and wide receiver positon. You know Chip Kelly already has someone picked out that he thinks fits his ideal receiver mold. The 49ers also have need for some new blood at linebacker. I look for the 49ers to aim big on defense first and then build depth on the offensive side of the ball.
8. Cleveland Browns – DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
Oh Cleveland, predicting their first round pick seems a bit impossible and will largely come down to who the best player available is. They clearly need a quarterback but it can’t be too huge a priority if they traded out of the top 2. That said, the trade was brilliant for them since they need to replace Alex Mack at center and Travis Benjamin at WR. They also need more offensive line help beyond Mack, their defensive like can’t stop any run game, and their linebackers don’t help with that problem. Look for Cleveland to bolster all those positions with the large amount of picks they now have.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Even with a 6-10 finish, the Bucs showed that they largely have the weapons on offense they need to win. The offensive line needs a little bolstering but the main thing that need attention is the defense. The secondary needs immediate attention with holes at cornerback and safety that need playmakers. Expect the Bucs to also look at the defensive end position early on as well to pair up with new arrival Robert Ayers.
10. New York Giants – Ronnie Stanley, OL, Notre Dame
OBJ is the biggest playmaker possibly in the league right now and the Giants are thankful to have him. They need to look at someone to go on the other side that will take a little pressure off of him and open up the field for Eli Manning a little more, not to mention upgrading Eli’s protection. Some help at running back is also a good bet but not too early here. The Giants have places on defense that are solid, especially on the D-Line now with JPP coming back and Olivier Vernon newly signed, but still need help in the middle at the linebacker position.
11. Chicago Bears – Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio St.
The cornerstone of Chicago football, the defense, has not been the cornerstone recently. Coming into this draft, the Bears have needs at almost every position except for linebacker which they took care of in free agency. An impact pass rusher is a must as is a good cornerback and more depth on the defensive line. On the opposite side of the ball, give Cutler and the running game some updated protection and this a dangerous offense.
12. New Orleans Saints – Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
Here is another interesting case of best player available vs. need vs. long-term planning. We have a team with a stellar but aging quarterback. His backup is a 2nd year player with no real snaps. The coach just signed a long-term extension and has to look to the future of the position. On top of that, the Saints need help in several big spots on defense, including cornerback, outside linebacker, and defensive line as a whole. You also have to realize the offense is more run focused and need lineman who can run block effectively. How do you balance these needs now vs. long-term planning? This is a case where almost no pick would surprise me.
13. Miami Dolphins – Eli Apple, CB, Ohio St.
The Dolphins are not a team with glaring gaps at any position but still seem to be a few players away from being very competitive. It’s easy to see a lot of picks on the defensive side of the ball, specifically at cornerback and defensive end. The offensive line needs some upgrades and a running back to replace Lamar Miller is also something to look for.
14. Oakland Raiders – Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
This team is a favorite of mine going into 2016 to be a playoff team. This past season showed a good, young nucleus on the offense and solid unit on defense. That being said, there are some needs to fill here. The secondary needs some help, cornerback is still an issue and the venerable Charles Woodson is no longer running the secondary from his safety spot. The offensive line need some fortification to keep Derek Carr standing and progressing. Another solid running back is a good idea too. Expect a linebacker to be added as well somewhere along the way.
15. Tennessee Titans – Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan St.
Look, another roster full of holes! There are few teams that can finish 3-13 and can still have a bright outlook. That outlook is thanks to the immensely talented Marcus Mariota and what he showed as a rookie. When he had time (not often enough), he had great touch on his throws. He also showed how well he can improvise and still make good decisions, a tough adjustment to make for mobile quarterbacks in the NFL. For the Titans to ensure his continued growth and health, they must invest heavily in the offensive line. The first choice for them should be at the tackle position. Then the defense needs to be addressed. Casey is a great player on the defensive line but he needs help on the ends of the line and the secondary needs a lot of new pieces. The Titans have quite a few selectins in the first four rounds, expect them to fill in several of those holes.
16. Detroit Lions – Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio St.
The Lions have almost every piece they need for that offense to move up and down the field at will. With an investment on a solid offensive lineman, the offense goes from potentially deadly to very scary indeed. On defense, the secondary, specifically cornerback, needs to be heavily focused on as well. A playmaker to force turnovers would be a huge find. A good inside linebacker and some interior linemen on defense are important here too.
17. Atlanta Falcons – Leonard Floyd, OLB, UGA
Let the search for a pass rush continue in Atlanta. Dan Quinn is a great defensive mind and did some good things with this team, but this is a team still needs pass rushers to push the defense to the next level. Part of that push also needs to include an inside linebacker and a safety. The offense looks to be in good shape, but more depth on the offensive line is always desired.
18. Indianapolis Colts – Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
Andrew Luck is tired of running for his life. Unfortunately, that is going to be a reality until the Colts get their offensive line figured out, giving Luck more protection and letting the running game open up the field. Look for a big investment here. The Colts also have to find a pass rush. It might be more important than the offensive line simply for the principle of taking pressure off of the offense to score every time. Some depth at cornerback and linebacker is also a good idea to address.
19. Buffalo Bills – Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
Let’s see what Rex Ryan brings to this draft. Expect investment in the defensive line here to up the toughness in Buffalo. Linebackers will be big this draft as well. On the offensive side, the line needs an upgrade at tackle and a couple more weapons for the surprising Tyrod Taylor to throw to. This is an offense that is already dangerous and raising it a level will make Buffalo go from just missing the playoffs to being primed to make a run deep into them.
20. New York Jets – Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio St.
The Jets will be an interesting team to watch. Their quarterback question hasn’t been answered yet. They had a stalwart lineman retire. And they were so close to the playoffs the year before that expectations are high headed into this new season. The Jets clearly believe the quarterback position will be worked out and I don’t expect to see them make a move on one here, at least not early. The Jets do need a solid pass rusher to help solidify that defense. Cornerback is a need, especially a speedy one. On offense, the line needs several holes filled and a tight end for the quarterback yet to be named to throw to.
21. Washington Redskins – A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Well, one need the Redskins had, cornerback, has been filled in a big way very recently with Josh Norman now saying HTTR. The Redskins currently don’t have to worry about the quarterback position either with Cousins and McCoy back for another year as 1,2. The focus for this team needs to be the lines, offense and defense. The offense has the weapons it needs overall if the protection can be better, though another receiver would be nice. The defensive line is now the biggest liability on the defense and should be upgraded quickly and immediately.
22. Houston Texans – Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
A team that ended the season with big question on offense answered with big signings of Brock Osweiler and Lamar Miller. You can argue that Osweiler is overpaid but such is the market for even a serviceable starter in this league. The Texans can shift their focus now to the rest of the offense: a receiver to go with Hopkins, an impact tight end, and offensive lineman all around. The defensive line could also use some depth.
23. Minnesota Vikings – Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
It’s surprising to see a team that the majority of its needs fall on one side of the ball. The Vikings had a very solid team in 2015, it really just needs a level boost all around. Bridgewater needs a receiver that he can go to on tough plays and that he trusts completely. Expect them to grab that first. The offensive line getting an upgrade can also raise the entire offensive a notch. It never hurts to add depth at linebacker, especially linebackers that can drop into coverage in a division that features Rodgers, Cutler, and Stafford.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame
The Bengals are in a position where no position is a must-have but several positions will be good to address. The center position could use attention. Keeping Andy Dalton supplied with targets is a good idea. The defense needs a safety to bring the unit all together and some young blood in the linebackers. Defensive line depth is never a bad thing either. Being in the position they are, the Bengals can even gamble on someone, like Jaylon Smith and his injury concerns.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers – Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
The biggest need for the Steelers is very obviously the secondary. The cornerback position needs an upgrade and safety could use some depth. Stopping the pass is a problem and this is a league that still values passing higher than running. Outside of that, Pittsburgh needs to look at some upgrades on its offensive line and maybe even a young QB to groom to be the future Big Ben/backup.
26. Seattle Seahawks – Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
Another overall solid team that has a couple positions of most need without any of them being must haves. The secondary needs to be restocked with guys who fit the Legion of Boom mold. The offensive line needs some upgrades as does the defensive line, especially on the edge. Look for Seattle to take the best player available here and fill in the other needs as they go.
27. Green Bay Packers – Chris Jones, DT, Miss. St.
Let’s just say the Packers still have an offense that works. Last season had some rough times with injuries and some issues at running back but the unit as a whole is good to go. A tight end to catch passes and block is still something that the Packers are looking for and some extra insurance on the O-Line is always good. The defensive side of the ball is where the Packers should focus. Clay Matthews can play anywhere and can do it well. The problem is he can’t play everywhere at once. Find a linebacker to go with Matthews and let him be dominate once again, whether he does it inside or out. The defensive line needs some help too, especially with Raji retiring.
28. Kansas City Chiefs – Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Here’s a team that had a lot of good things going for them in 2015 and it doesn’t look like another big year is far off. Alex Smith needs another receiver to throw too. He is set for tight ends and running backs. The Chiefs need a new backup/quarterback of the future as well. On defense, some linebacker help is a must as is some depth at the defensive line.
29. Vacated – New England Patriots
While New England won’t be making a first-round selection this year, they do have some needs to fill. What makes predictions so difficult is New England has this ability to make anyone work in their system. So it’s easy to say they need help at cornerback and wide receiver. They need help at running back. Those are things they seem to “always need” and yet they always find exactly what they need. The only sure need to be addressed is on the offensive line. Brady still has it, but he is aging and protecting him is even more of a priority now.
30. Arizona Cardinals – Vonn Bell, S, Ohio St.
It’s crazy to say the Arizona’s biggest needs are on defense and yet that seems to be the case. Aside from a need for a stronger tight end, the offense is in good shape with decent depth at quarterback, good receivers, and a good running game. Maybe a little depth at offensive line but that’s just insurance at this point. On defense, the Cardinals desperately need a pass rusher off the end, someone to be wholly disruptive and let the rest of the defense work like it does. A solid safety really opens that defense even more, with the playmakers at corner able to do even more than they already are.
31. Carolina Panthers – Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
What do you do when you made it to the Super Bowl the previous year and have to find those pieces that will push you over the hump from going to the super bowl to winning the super bowl? That’s what the Panthers have to do now. The offensive line needs to be addressed, with age and inconsistency becoming more of a problem. They now have to replace Josh Norman at cornerback and safety depth is also a good idea. And of course, a running back might be nice but Whittaker and Artis-Payne are good backups to Stewart. Receiver help seems more likely here early on.
32. Denver Broncos – Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn St.
Oh how the mighty (might) have fallen. While it’s no guarantee the Broncos won’t return to the Super Bowl, it certainly seems safe to say it is unlikely. The team was fortunate enough to have a veteran legend at quarterback and a young gun to fill in and lead Manning was injured/underperforming. Then Manning retires and Osweiler bolts. Now the Broncos are searching for a quarterback not name Sanchez to start. Kap is still possible but he doesn’t seem likely to budge on salary and I can’t say I blame him. The Broncos will draft a quarterback, but how early and whom? There is also the need to replace several big components of that stellar defense, including Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan. The offensive line also looked a little fragile and needs some depth to stabilize it. At least the running backs and receivers are good to go this year.
Photo Credit: Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports
