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2016 NFL mock draft: Where do teams stand on the eve of the combine?

With the NFL Scouting Combine starting this week, we're about to get overloaded with information on where players stand in the draft. How will that change where players fall?

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Scouting Combine begins in Indianapolis begins this week, and it's always one of the big pivot points of the offseason. What happens during the week of testing, medical checks and interviews at Lucas Oil Stadium will shift the complexion of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Because of that, next week's mock draft could look vastly different from the one below. With more information coming out, players will rise and they will fall. For now, here's how they stand.

1. Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss

The best way for Tennessee's offensive line to improve this offseason: take Tunsil at No. 1 and kick current left tackle Taylor Lewan to the right side. That would give the Titans a stellar bookend. If the rest of the offensive line smartly gets handled in free agency, that would accelerate the development of second-year quarterback Marcus Mariota.

2. Cleveland Browns: Jared Goff, QB, California

Much of new Browns associate head coach Pep Hamilton's history has been with Andrew Luck. First at Stanford and then with the Indianapolis Colts, Hamilton has been closely tied to Luck. Of the three top quarterbacks in the draft -- Goff, Carson Went of North Dakota State and Paxton Lynch of Memphis -- which is the most similar to Luck? That would be Goff, who may not be as big as Luck but he matches his football IQ and athleticism more than Wentz or Lynch.

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3. San Diego Chargers: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

After going with this pick a couple weeks ago, I'm back on it. Buckner is just such a natural fit into San Diego's defense. At Oregon he had good production with 30 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks in the last two seasons. Buckner's best asset is a powerful bull rush that utilizes his strength and arm length.

4. Dallas Cowboys: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

Jack has the pure talent to be a special player in the NFL for a long time and a difference maker early in his career. He has unique range for a linebacker, and he moves effortlessly around the field. It's hard to find an NFL linebacker who has the range Jack possesses.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

Choosing between Bosa and Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey will be a tough decision for Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell. Ramsey would obviously bolster a defensive backfield that is low on skill. Bosa is a high-end all-around defensive end who excels versus the run and the pass. For the Jaguars, this debate could simply come down whomever they grade higher. For me, that's Bosa.

6. Baltimore Ravens: Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State

Getting a player of Ramsey's caliber would be a coup for the Ravens. He's one of the true elite talents in this year's draft. Ramsey can play outside or in the slot, and can handle man or zone duties. He has optimal size for the position and knows how to use his length.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

If you truly believe that Wentz is a franchise quarterback in the NFL, he's worth taking regardless of the system he lands in. San Francisco is expected to take a quarterback in this year's draft, so they may as well try and get one of the franchise players. That can be Wentz, a big-armed and athletic signal caller.

8. Miami Dolphins: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

Miami is low on talent in the defensive backfield, with few reliable options after Brent Grimes. But do the Dolphins need a cornerback more than a linebacker? Maybe not, but there's arguably more certain value with a cornerback. The best linebackers here are Jaylon Smith and Reggie Ragland. There could still be some concerns with Smith's health and Ragland's style of play doesn't lend itself to being a top-10 pick. Alexander has the talent to be a shutdown cornerback as long as he continues honing his technique. The natural physical gifts are apparent.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky

Spence can fill Tampa's need for a top-line pass rusher. Whether he's lined up at end or linebacker, he can get after the quarterback. Jacquies Smith is a solid player at end, but the Buccaneers don't have much beyond him. Spence can be brought in and utilized the same way the Raiders have utilized Khalil Mack the past two seasons.

10. New York Giants: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame

This is where the draft could get interesting. If teams are comfortable with where Smith is at in his rehabilitation from a knee injury at the combine, he may not be around at the No. 10 pick. If teams don't like what they hear about his rehab, his value could be much later in the first round. For the Giants, Smith can fill the hole left by Jon Beason's retirement. He has good instincts and a good first step, both keys for a good middle linebacker.

11. Chicago Bears: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

Although the Bears would probably prefer getting a starter on defense with this pick, Stanley is too good to ignore. He's an athletic left tackle with quick feet. He's a capable blocker against speed rushers, but needs to improve his hand technique.

12. New Orleans Saints: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama

The Saints have one of the NFL's absolute worst run defenses, and few players on the roster who can help them improve in that area. Robinson may be a little bit of a one-dimensional player, but what he can do versus the run is exactly what the Saints need. Robinson is capable of occupying multiple blockers, which opens gaps for linebackers to get into the backfield.

13. Philadelphia Eagles: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

The same theory that applies to the 49ers applies to the Eagles -- well, at least assuming Sam Bradford isn't back in Philadelphia. Lynch is the final quarterback in the obvious top tier of signal callers. He's a good athlete with size and excels in the short-to-medium range.

14. Oakland Raiders: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

The Raiders missed on cornerback DJ Hayden in the 2013 draft. They can make up for it this year with Hargreaves. The Florida junior has excellent instincts and can really read a receiver's route. He can get beat on deep throws, and his size may knock him some, so that's why he could land this deep in the first round.

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15. Los Angeles Rams: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

The Rams have clear issues at quarterback, but there just isn't one worth a pick remaining in the first round. If Treadwell is available with the 15th pick, he would be a wise target for Los Angeles. The Rams have lacked a true No. 1 wide out for years, and Treadwell can fill that need. He's basically Dez Bryant lite. He's capable of going up and making tough catches and is physical after the catch.

16. Detroit Lions: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

In the 2014 draft, the Lions decided not to take Aaron Donald and picked tight end Eric Ebron. Whoops. They can make up for it in the draft this year by targeting Rankins. Similar to Donald, Rankins is at his best when he can shoot gaps and cause disruption. He has one of the best first steps of any defensive lineman in this year's draft and good enough strength to go with it.

17. Atlanta Falcons: Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State

After the combine, we'll see some players rise considerably in the draft. One of those players could be Lee, a high-end athlete with speed and athleticism. Compare Lee to someone like Myles Jack, for instance. What are the real differences? There not as vast as you'd expect. For the Falcons, Lee could star in the middle of the defense that has some incredible talents.

18. Indianapolis Colts: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

You know the drill. The Colts have a special player in quarterback Andrew Luck, but he could be a much better player with a good offensive line. Conklin is a talented player with NFL strength coming out of Michigan State. He's a skilled blocker coming out of a pro-style offense and could slot into either tackle spot for the Colts.

19. Buffalo Bills: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

With Mario Williams likely to be cut to save salary cap money, the Bills will need to add a pass rusher this offseason. Lawson has enough size to play with his hand down in Buffalo's scheme, and could work in space if needed. His teammate Kevin Dodd could also be in consideration for this choice.

20. New York Jets: Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia

Floyd is another player who could be a star at the combine this week. He's a highly athletic pass rusher, and those players always come at a premium in the draft. The Jets' best pass rusher is Muhammad Wilkerson, but they don't generate many sacks from the linebacker level. Floyd can provide that and take some of the attention off Wilkerson up front.

21. Washington: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss

Washington could go a few directions with the 21st pick. You could argue for a guard like Cody Whitehair of Kansas State or a middle linebacker like Alabama's Reggie Ragland. A player like Nkemdiche, though, has much greater upside than those two and could fill Jason Hatcher's spot on the defensive line. Nkemdiche can be inconsistent, but when he's on it's hard to find a player with his level of talent.

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22. Houston Texans: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

Arian Foster's time in Houston may be through, and the players behind him at running back do little to excite. In Elliott, the Texans could add a workhorse back an offense can be built around. Elliott averaged more than 7 yards per carry during his career at Ohio State thanks to his speed, quick cutting and power.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State

The Vikings have a good receiver in Stefon Diggs, but need a big target to complement him. Listed at 6'3 and 209 pounds, Thomas can be that player for Minnesota. Thomas is a physical wideout who knows how to use his size to box out defenders. He can create all over the field and would give Teddy Bridgewater a good No. 1 target.

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

With Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones potentially leaving Cincinnati in free agency, it's clear the Bengals need a partner opposite A.J. Green. Coleman is a dynamic playmaker who specializes in big plays. Coleman can work deep and make defenders miss in the open field. He can even work on special teams as a kick returner.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

Apple is a good all-around cornerback who is merely scratching the surface of how good he can be. Apple has size, athleticism and speed, a dangerous combination for a corner. He supports the run better than most corners, which is an added bonus.

26. Seattle Seahawks: Jonathan Bullard, DT/DE, Florida

Michael Bennett could be in search of a new deal with the Seahawks, despite having two years left on his contract. If Seattle happens to move on from Bennett, they could be in search of a replacement. Bullard is a disruptive lineman who can line up at end or tackle.

27. Green Bay Packers: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama

If Ragland doesn't time well at the combine, it's possible that he'll slide this far in the draft. We've seen it with middle linebackers before. That's not to say he won't be a good player. He should start from Day 1 in his NFL career and produce. But he plays at a position where the draft process is unkind.

28. Kansas City Chiefs: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama

Kansas City faces an offseason where Jaye Howard and Mike DeVito are free agents. If they depart, the Chiefs need to replace nearly 1,000 snaps on defense. Reed is the type of player who will fit nicely in a three-man front. Reed is an expert run stopper, but he can do more as a pass rusher than the Alabama schemed asked of him.

29. Arizona Cardinals: Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson

Arizona may have bigger needs than a defensive end -- namely an outside linebacker or potentially a cornerback -- but an upgrade on the defensive line would be smart. Dodd can move into Frostee Rucker's starting spot on the Cardinals defensive line. The big issue for Dodd is that he was a one-year star with 24 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. But he carries a high grade and may not be around with this pick by the time the draft comes around.

30. Carolina Panthers: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

Carolina's need at right tackle is obvious. Decker can play on either side of the offensive line, so he could start straight away on the right side for Carolina and eventually take over on the right.

31. Denver Broncos: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana

Denver could use an offensive tackle, as well, and Spriggs is the next-best one available. He's properly suited for the zone blocking scheme because of his high level of athleticism and movement skills. He would be a perfect fit in Denver's offense.