:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48585093/usa-today-8795701.0.jpg)
The theme for this week's mock draft is to extend things out to two rounds. In doing so, it really shows off some of the strengths in this year's draft. Chiefly, that includes the defensive line, linebackers and cornerbacks. Several offensive tackles come off the board in the first 63 picks, but that's more out of need than talent.
Much of the top of this week's mock draft is similar to last week's, with a few things changing. It only takes one change, however, to force several dominoes to drop throughout the rest of the first round. For this week at least, here's where things stand.
1. Tennessee Titans: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
If you subscribe to the best player philosophy, Bosa is my top player in the draft, so he's the pick. The holdup is that he'd be more effective on a team that predominantly uses three-man fronts on defense. There have been reports back and forth about Titans defensive coordinator Ray Horton, and what happens there could change this pick.
2. Cleveland Browns: Jared Goff, QB, Cal
New Browns head coach Hue Jackson has already been open about his need for a quarterback. He may as well start his regime in Cleveland with the most pro-ready one in this year's draft.
SB Nation presents: 2016 NFL Draft early studs and sleepers
3. San Diego Chargers: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
San Diego's pick will only be interesting if both Tunsil and Bosa are gone. If that's the case, Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner would be a good choice.
4. Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Ramsey, S/CB, Florida State
This top four is starting to settle in. Ramsey turned in a really good season at corner for Florida State last season, but is a much better player at safety. Wherever a team like Dallas chooses to put him, he'll star.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
Let's assume based on this Big Cat Country post that cornerback isn't the top need for Jacksonville, and it's a pass rusher instead. If that's the case, go with Buckner. He's a dangerous athlete with spectacular length.
6. Baltimore Ravens: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Everyone, including me, seems to be giving the Ravens Notre Dame left tackle Ronnie Stanley. What if the Ravens don't want a tackle this high because of some of the flops from the position? If that's the case, and the board falls like this, the obvious move is to trade. Since that's not an option here, the choice is a cornerback. Alexander could get drafted higher than Florida's Vernon Hargreaves because he's bigger and arguably better.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
One of the sudden opinions following the Chip Kelly hire by San Francisco is that he'll save Colin Kaepernick's career. If that's the case, that opens things up considerably for the 49ers. In previous mocks, Stanley hasn't been available. The assumption is that Anthony Davis will be welcomed back, but should he be after abruptly retiring after the 2014 season? If he's not, Stanley would be a stellar pick.
8. Miami Dolphins: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Some of what happens with this pick will be determined by Olivier Vernon, who is a free agent. Still, it's hard to pass on Hargreaves here. Miami needs cornerbacks now, regardless of who is currently on the roster. He's a legit shutdown outside corner and a player that would improve the entire secondary because he doesn't need safety help often.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
With the best corners and Bosa and Buckner off the board in this scenario, this sort of feels like settling with Lawson. He's not a bad player to settle on, however. For Clemson he was a good all-around end who can get after the passer and can hold up against the run.
10. New York Giants: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
This is a callback to last week's mock draft. Jack is just too good of a talent to let fall out of the top 10 picks.
11. Chicago Bears: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
There was mild outrage in the comments last week when I gave Chicago linebacker Jaylon Smith. I give in. A linebacker like Alabama's Reggie Ragland would be a consideration here, but Treadwell would be a great pickup. Alshon Jeffery isn't guaranteed to be back next season, so at worst Treadwell could be a high-end No. 2 receiver.
12. New Orleans Saints: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Robinson is just what the Saints need. They ranked 31st in the league last season in run defense, and veteran Kevin Williams is a free agent who will turn 36 in August. Robinson is a brute up front, but he's more athletic than he got to show in Alabama's system.
13. Philadelphia Eagles: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
New head coach Doug Pederson may like to start his run as the man in charge with a quarterback of his choosing. Before the offseason process really gets going, Lynch looks like the draft's second-best quarterback. He could remind Pederson of a much larger version of Alex Smith.
14. Oakland Raiders: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
The Raiders could be in trouble if starting left tackle Donald Penn departs via free agency. If he does, the Raiders have options that include Decker and Michigan State's Jack Conklin. Decker grades out higher for me right now.
15. Los Angeles Rams: Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
With Lynch gone, do you go after North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz or a wide receiver here? If not, don't be shocked if the Rams lean toward yet another defensive lineman. Chris Long could be a cap casualty this offseason and William Hayes is a free agent. Spence is a sensational athlete for a pass rusher and can rush the passer standing up or with his hand on the ground.
16. Detroit Lions: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
The Lions could go a number of directions here, including cornerback, safety, linebacker or even wide receiver if Calvin Johnson retires. Clearly talent is a need for Detroit. Clark is a talented lineman who could rise throughout the offseason process. The thought on picking him could be that he'd help improve all those other areas of need.
17. Atlanta Falcons: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
In the NFL, Ragland may not be a sexy player making a ton of highlight reel plays. But there is a commodity on consistency at middle linebacker, and Ragland offers it.
18. Indianapolis Colts: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
I keep going back and forth on whether an offensive lineman or a player like Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott would be a better choice for the Colts. The lean again is a lineman, and Conklin is the best one on the board. He's a powerful blocker who could fit into multiple spots along the Colts line.
SB Nation presents: How to deal with a draft night free fall
19. Buffalo Bills: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
Mock drafts always assume every free agent is going to leave their team. Let's do the opposite here and assume Cordy Glenn is back with the Bills. Nkemdiche could be a fun player on Buffalo's defense. He can line up inside and outside and has special athleticism for a player his size.
20. New York Jets: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
The Jets have very little in the way of running backs guaranteed to return next season. Chris Ivory is a free agent, and even if he's back, Elliott is an upgrade.
21. Washington: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
Last week's pick for Washington – Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen – announced he's returning for his senior season. With Allen no longer an option, there would be nothing wrong with picking up Ogbah. He's a high-effort end who uses aggression and foot quickness to beat tackles and get to the quarterback.
22. Houston Texans: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
Wentz to Houston is already getting a bit dull, but it just makes sense. It may not even be a surprise if he's gone by the time Houston picks.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
Expect to see a wide receiver for the Vikings often in the first round of mock drafts. Whether it's Thomas or someone like Josh Doctson of TCU, the Vikings need a bigger wideout who can go up and get the ball. Either would be a fine choice.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
With Clark and Nkemdiche off the board, there's nothing wrong with falling back on Billings. He's probably the strongest prospect in this year's draft and hard to move off his spot on the defensive line.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
The Steelers have needed a true No. 1 cornerback for some time, and Apple can be that player. Although he entered the draft after just his redshirt sophomore season, Apple's physical traits have him ready for the NFL.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
Russell Okung's future in Seattle is uncertain. If he's brought back, Spriggs doesn't make a lot of sense because he probably wouldn't hold up very well inside. A player like Baylor's Spencer Drango may be a better option in that regard. But if Okung is gone, the athletic Spriggs could slide into the left tackle spot.
27. Green Bay Packers: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
Smith's draft stock is wholly dependent on how his health checks out as the draft approaches. If teams are afraid of his knee injury, we could see a slide like this one take place. If that happens, a team like Green Bay could scoop him up and get top-10 value in the back half of the first round.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Jarran Reed, DT/DE, Alabama
With the Chiefs potentially paying big money to keep players like Sean Smith and Eric Berry in the secondary, defensive linemen like Mike DeVito and Jaye Howard may get priced out of town. If so, that could force the Chiefs into bringing in a lineman who can contribute straight away. Coming out of Alabama's vaunted 3-4 defense, Reed is that type of player.
29. Denver Broncos: Spencer Drango, OT, Baylor
Denver wisely signed Derek Wolfe to a contract extension last week, so that eliminates one of their biggest offseason needs. Drango is a player I love because he's capable of playing four different spots along the offensive line, and that versatility could be good for the Broncos.
30. Arizona Cardinals: Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
Floyd's pure talent is just too great to pass up this late in the first round. If he can get his weight up, watch for him to rise rapidly throughout the offseason process.
31. Carolina Panthers: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Calhoun could teeter on the edge of the first round, but is seen by many as a likely second-round pick. Interestingly, the Senior Bowl lists him as a linebacker. I think he has enough strength to stick at end though, and could be a nice edge rusher for the Panthers.
*Remember, there are only 31 picks in the first round this year after New England lost its pick as part of the DeflateGate punishment. In the second round, teams with the same record slide up a pick.