Now that the NFL season is a quarter of the way finished, we're starting to see some obvious trends in regards to the 2016 NFL Draft. The most immediate takeaway is that a lot of NFL teams need a quarterback, and it doesn't look like they'll be available in the draft.
Because of that, we could see another draft where quarterbacks go too high, like in 2011 where Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder were all taken too high instead of more highly rated players at other positions. Like Cam Newton in 2011, there appears to be a lone standout quarterback in California's Jared Goff.
The rest of the draft appears fairly strong with the talent evenly distributed. The strongest position is offensive tackle. Six players at that position landed in the draft, but that's due just as much to necessity as it is talent. Much of the same can be said for defensive tackle, which had the second most players in this mock with five.
Of course, all of this will change by the time the draft starts in April. Here's what it looks like right now:
1. Chicago Bears: Jared Goff, QB, California
If the Bears end up having the first pick in the draft, it should signal a roster reset starting with quarterback. As things look right now, Goff is the only surefire first-round quarterback in the 2016 draft. He might not have a classic cannon arm or huge frame, but Goff's ball placement is very good and he makes few mistakes.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Luke Joeckel hasn't been Eric Fisher bad, but he hasn't played quite like you'd expect from the No. 2 pick in the draft. Stanley is a supreme athlete for an offensive tackle and he handles speed rushers well.
3. Cleveland Browns: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
If the Browns are taking a wide receiver this high in the draft, chances are they've made a change at general manager. Cleveland's offense needs playmakers, and Treadwell, for now, is the draft's top wideout.
4. San Francisco 49ers: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Plainly stated, the 49ers need to add talent, mostly regardless of position. For me right now, Bosa is the best player in the draft. He can come in and boost the team's run defense and has shown at OSU that he can get into the backfield.
5. New Orleans Saints: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
As evidenced by getting rid of Akiem Hicks, the Saints like defensive linemen John Jenkins and Bobby Richardson. But they shouldn't like them so much to pass on a player like Nkemdiche. He's a difference maker up front who gets good penetration and disrupts the pocket.
6. Washington: Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State
Washington dumped David Amerson and the Bashaud Breeland experiment hasn't yielded great results. Ramsey has played corner and safety at Florida State, excelling at both.
7. Detroit Lions: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
The Lions have used high draft picks on interior offensive linemen but still need a good offensive tackle. Tunsil would pair nicely next to either Larry Warford or Laken Tomlinson.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
Although the Buccaneers just used a second-round pick on Donovan Smith, Gosder Cherilus is still starting at the other tackle position. Ohio State's offensive line has underwhelmed this season, but Decker is the exception.
9. St. Louis Rams: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
The Rams have used a lot of high draft picks on defense, but still don't have that true shutdown cornerback. Hargreaves could be that player. He's the top cornerback in the draft but could slip a little because he doesn't have the most impressive size.
10. Tennessee Titans: Su'a Cravens, S, Southern California
Tennessee needs to rebuild its defense, and a strong case can be made for a number of positions here. So why not take a player in Cravens who can play both safety and linebacker?
11. Houston Texans: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
If Todd Gurley can go No. 10 overall, it's reasonable to expect Elliott to also get drafted highly. A big-play back with power and size, Elliott can easily take over for Arian Foster in Houston's backfield.
12. San Diego Chargers: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
With Malcom Floyd being 35 at the start of next season and little else beyond Keenan Allen, the Chargers would be smart to pick up Thomas. He's a potential No. 1 wideout who has size and good speed.
13. Miami Dolphins: Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
Offensive line would be a strong choice here, but Miami's secondary needs young talent. Fuller is a potential top-10 pick because of his size and ability to play tight man coverage.
14. New York Jets: Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
The Jets would be fortunate to have the draft play out in this fashion and have whoever is the second-best quarterback prospect still on the board. For now, it's a Cook, a dependable but not very flashy signal caller.
15. Oakland Raiders: Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA
Malcolm Smith is a decent enough player at weak-side linebacker, but Jack would be an incredible upgrade. Jack has as much range as any linebacker in the draft next year and has special athleticism.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia
With Terrell Suggs' career likely winding down, the Ravens could look to bolster their pass rush. Jenkins is arguably the best pure pass rusher in this spot because of his relentless play and rush variety.
17. Kansas City Chiefs: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
Eric Fisher has officially entered bust territory, so unfortunately the Chiefs could be once again faced with using a high draft pick on a left tackle. Conklin is a steady force at Michigan State, where he's just as comfortable beating speed rushers on the edge as he is getting downfield for a run block.
18. New York Giants: Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee
After Prince Amukamara, who is a pending free agent, the Giants don't have a lot of talent at cornerback. Sutton is a player who knows how to take advantage of his athleticism to stick with receivers.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tony Conner, S, Ole Miss
Cornerback is often a popular position of need for the Steelers, but don't forget they just drafted Senquez Golson and Doran Grant. At safety, Shamarko Thomas has been inconsistent and Will Allen is a free agent. Conner is a gifted safety who can play the run and the pass.
20. Dallas Cowboys: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
Why would Smith, regarded as a top-10 talent, drop this far in the draft? Linebackers who don't get after the quarterback or aren't a star inside player like Luke Kuechly don't get drafted that highly. A team like the Cowboys could sit back, take Smith and use him as the team's strong-side linebacker.
21. Buffalo Bills: Spencer Drango, OT, Baylor
Left tackle Cordy Glenn regressed somewhat last season and the Bills may not jump at the chance to give him big money in free agency this offseason. Drango, who has a lot of experience coming out of Baylor, can come in as his replacement.
22. Carolina Panthers: Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
Mocking a wide receiver to the Panthers: A tradition like no other. The Panthers have assembled some solid pieces at the position but don't have the type of true No. 1 receiver Boyd can be.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: DeForest Buckner, DE/DT, Oregon
Is it too gimmicky to give Chip Kelly and the Eagles yet another Oregon player? Maybe, but Buckner actually fits a need up front, especially since the best defensive backs in this mock are long gone.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
When Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was in Cincinnati, there was a mold for what he liked in a defensive end. The tall and rangy Oakman fits it perfectly. He could be Zimmer's version of Carlos Dunlap in Minnesota.
25. Atlanta Falcons: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
The Falcons haven't gotten that great of a return on taking Ra'Shede Hageman in the second round in 2014, so head coach Dan Quinn could look to upgrade the defensive line with Robinson. A big-body disruptor, Robinson is staunch against the run and quick enough to shoot gaps.
26. Indianapolis Colts: Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State
Although Lee plays on the outside for Ohio State, he projects nicely to inside linebacker for 3-4 teams. The Colts need a player who can move around fluidly and attack the ball. That fits Lee's description perfectly.
27. Cincinnati Bengals: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
Other than veteran Geno Atkins, the Bengals don't have a lot of difference makers on the interior of the defensive line. Billings is a powerful defensive tackle who can move multiple blockers and create havoc in the run game.
28. Arizona Cardinals: Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State
Washington might not fill the biggest need for the Cardinals, but he is a talented defensive tackle who has played a variety of roles on the line. He would be a pure talent upgrade over veteran Frostee Rucker.
29. Denver Broncos: Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
Ty Sambrailo was thrust into the starting lineup for Denver early this season, and the results have been mixed. A player like Ifedi could be brought in to either play tackle or guard, giving Denver nice flexibility up front.
30. Seattle Seahawks: Max Tuerk, C, Southern California
Seattle has a preference for athletic offensive linemen, and there is no more athletic interior blocker in next year's draft than Tuerk. It's clear the Seahawks need help up front and Tuerk, the draft's best center, is a perfect fit.
31. New England Patriots - Pick forfeited
32. Green Bay Packers: Kenny Clark, DT/DE, UCLA
After breaking off contract talks with Mike Daniels before the season, the Packers risk losing the underrated defensive lineman. Should they, a player like Clark would fit right into the roster with ease. He's not the projection Datone Jones was, either. Clark is a good run stuffer with experience in the 3-4.
The draft order is based on Bovada Super Bowl odds established before the start of Week 4 of the NFL season.
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