A Mock Draft with some twists; Could Cleveland take the Best Player Available?

Our writer Richard Gerber of NFL Draft Diamonds put together a nice piece on the 2016 NFL Draft, and it has a surprise that no one is really talking about. Make sure you follow Richard on Twitter. This is a very interesting Mock Draft, that has several players falling in the draft, and several other players entering the draft’s first round. 

With free agency opening up March 7th I wanted to take the time to set my picks for the upcoming draft. By the middle of March some of these picks will make no sense at all for obvious reasons but like many others I will adjust accordingly with a follow up mock later this month. The picks below show who I believe the teams will choose and not who I think they should pick. Enjoy!

Richard Gerber’s First NFL Mock Draft of the Year!

Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss

To me this is a no brainer, Marcus Mariota showed that his future in Nashville is a strong one and to ensure that he will need to stay upright. Tunsil has the ability to lock down that backside for the next 10-12 years.

Cleveland Browns: Jalen Ramsey, S/CB, Florida State

I know, I know everyone has a QB slated to go here but I have a feeling Hue Jackson has something up his sleeve. Josh McCown isn’t a terrible QB and there are a few he can get later. To me he chooses the leagues next great ball hawking safety to replace Tashaun Gipson.

San Diego Chargers: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

For some reason there is always a player who falls a little in the draft and for really no good reason other than he’s boring…insert Joey Bosa who has done nothing but give QB’s nightmares for the last 3 years in college. I feel bad for those that do pass on him but I feel the Chargers wont make that mistake

Dallas Cowboys: Myles Jack, LB/RB, UCLA

Myles Jack is the best player in the draft and there is no question about it. His football IQ is ridiculous and his ability to seemingly play any position is a great asset to any team, the cowboys need this type of player.

Jacksonville Jaguars: DeForest Buckner, DE/DT, Oregon

Head coach Gus Bradley is going to concentrate on his front 7 to recreate what he coached in Seattle. Getting Dante Fowler Jr. back this year to pair with Buckner will give him exactly that.

Baltimore Ravens: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

Ozzie is looking to upgrade his secondary and pronto. Even if he gets someone like a Janoris Jenkins I think he will still grab a top flight CB.

San Francisco 49ers: Jared Goff, QB, California

I personally like Carson Wentz better but Chip Kelly loves him some PAC 12 players and for that reason I think they don’t hesitate to take Goff considering the dumpster fire that is currently occurring in that area of the depth chart.

Miami Dolphins: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

Miami plays in a division that boasts Tom Brady as a QB and an up and coming Tyrod Taylor…Miami needs help on the back end and already are set to lose their 2 starting CB’s via free agency.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

Same logic applies here for the Titans selection…a promising young QB can’t succeed without a good line. New head coach Dirk Koetter knows this and will help Jameis out.

New York Giants: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

I don’t care if there is proof or not, the giants regret not taking Todd Gurley at 9 last year, Jerry Reese will not pass this opportunity up to draft a workhorse RB.

Chicago Bears: A’Shawn Robinson, DE/DT, Alabama

The bears need help up front and Robinson can play inside and out and everyone knows he is coached very well. GM Ryan Pace plays is safe with his first selection as a GM.

New Orleans Saints: : Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

New Orleans is a team on the decline in my opinion and to avoid that they need to get A LOT better on defense. Rankins is quick off the ball and can help that secondary out big time.

Philadelphia Eagles: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

Philly needs improvement all across the line but Conklin is the safest bet at this point and can step in for Jason Peters should he go down again.

Oakland Raiders: Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida

Bullard is one of my favorite pass rushers in this draft and GM Reggie McKenzie has done an excellent job picking out talent during his tenure…something tells me he is keeping a close eye on Bullard.

Los Angeles Rams: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

I don’t care who the QB is, if they don’t get a WR to take pressure off of Gurley and Austin they will be staring down another mediocre season…again. Treadwell is physical and isn’t afraid to go over the middle.

Detroit Lions: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA

The Lions still haven’t recovered from losing Suh but I think Kenny Clark will start the healing process if he is on the board.

Atlanta Falcons: Leonard Floyd, DE/OLB, Georgia

Cam Newton, Jameis Winston, Drew Brees. Dan Quinn knows what he needs to do to compete in this division and picking a local kid will add some PR in the mix as well.

Indianapolis Colts: Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State

This version of the Colts cannot do to Andrew Luck what they did to Peyton and ignore the defense. Darron Lee is an elite athlete who can chase just about anyone down.

Buffalo Bills: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State

You simply cannot have enough pass rushers and I think Ogbah can play in Ryans 34 defense whether he stands up or puts his hand in the ground.

New York Jets: Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama

David Harris isn’t getting any younger and Ragland comes from a linebacker factory. Todd Bowles will be happy to take him and get him on the field ASAP.

Washington Redskins: Kevin Dodd, DE/DT/OLB, Clemson

Kevin Dodd can give DC a lot of versatility along the front line where they need the most help besides CB but I believe they will answer that in free agency.

Houston Texans: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

Surprised to wait this long to see the 2nd QB come off the board? Don’t be, I think a lot of teams aren’t really impressed with this years 1st rd QB’s…BUT! That works out in Bill O’Briens case.

Minnesota Vikings: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

Minnesota struck gold it appears with the 5th rd selection of Stefon Diggs and if Doctson is on the board come pick 23 they will do it again thanks to an injury suffered this past season to Doctson. He will compliment Diggs perfectly and Teddy wont mind either.

Cincinnati Bengals: Sheldon Day, DE/DT, Notre Dame

Cincinnati needs to get younger on the line, Sheldon Days’ versatility will help that out and fulfill a huge need.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

Eli Apple showed off his athleticism at the combine and guess who needs CB’s? yup Mike Tomlin’s Steelers and they have already proven they like Ohio State players.

Seattle Seahawks: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

Seattle has a need for a tackle for the departed Russell Okung. Taylor Decker is a Monster on the field and he would fit right into that power run offense.

Green Bay Packers: Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky

GB needs pass rushers and there couldn’t be a better location and organization for the “character issues” that Noah may have.

Kansas City Chiefs: Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State

Andy Reid like versatility and they need WR’s. Braxton Miller could give KC a dimensions they have never had and utilize Alex Smiths Athleticism even more.

Arizona Cardinals: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

Bruce Arians doesn’t hesitate to draft his cannon armed QB of the future.

Carolina Panthers: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State

Kelvin Benjamin will be returning from injury this offseason but they cannot go into next season with Ted Ginn Jr as their second option. If they want Cam to match this past seasons success they have to bring in another young WR.

Denver Broncos: Robert Nkemdiche, DE/DT, Ole Miss

Malik Jackson probably isn’t coming back and the defense was clearly the difference maker this season. There are some real professionals on this defense starting with DeMarcus Ware who could lead by example for a young man with maturity issues.