This is where the draft really gets interesting. The first two picks have gone as expected in the SB Nation NFL writers mock draft, but here is the first moderate curveball. The San Diego Chargers are picking third overall because they have holes on the roster. The direction they go with this choice will go a long way in determining whether San Diego stays in the top five next year.
John Gennaro of Bolts from the Blue is back this year, making the pick for the Chargers at No. 3 overall pick in our 2016 NFL mock draft, and with it, he selects:
3. Chargers: Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State
More from our team site
Gennaro: I can’t remember the last time I liked a prospect this much. I don’t know what position he plays and I don’t really care, either. It doesn’t matter. Ramsey can replace Eric Weddle, or eventually be the team’s starting nickel cornerback, or upgrade the strong safety spot over Jahleel Addae. All that matters is that Ramsey is a playmaker with attitude, both things that have been sorely missing from the San Diego Chargers defense since Shawne Merriman’s release in 2010. This pick is a no brainer. If the Chargers pass on Ramsey, they deserve whatever hell awaits them.
Analysis: All of that about Ramsey in San Diego is true, and he rates out as my third-best player in the draft, so the value is an obvious match. But a better value fit would have been Ohio State's Joey Bosa. He could fit on San Diego's defensive line along with Corey Liuget and free agent addition Brandon Mebane. There would be nothing wrong with either Ramsey or Bosa – both are needed impact players.
Dan's Top 5 players remaining
- 1. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
- 4. Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
- 6. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
- 7. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
- 8. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
All picks from this mock draft
Chargers picks
- 1-3: Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State
- 2-35: (coming April 11)
That does it for the first day of the 2016 SB Nation NFL writers mock draft. Coming up at 9 a.m. ET on Monday is the Dallas Cowboys, followed by picks from our sites covering the the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens.
Complete draft results:
1. Tennessee Titans - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss (Link)
2. Cleveland Browns - Jared Goff, QB, Cal (Link)
3. San Diego Chargers - Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State (Link)