2016 NFL mock draft: A quarterback surprise

We are a little over two weeks away from the start of the 2016 NFL Draft and it seems like there is starting to be a consensus on just about all 31 of the players who will be selected in the first round. There are a handful of teams, though, that could really shake things up.

We may know the players in the first round, but the order always comes as a surprise. This week's mock draft features several fits that just make sense, regardless of position rankings. Oh, and there's a bonus surprise team taking a quarterback in the first round.

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

There continues to be trade buzz and talk about Jalen Ramsey of Florida State with this pick, but Tunsil is still the smart move.

2. Cleveland Browns - Jared Goff, QB, Cal

It seems like Carson Wentz has become the more popular choice for the Browns, but I'm steadfast with Goff. The Cal star is the better quarterback right now, which is a good thing considering how rapidly the Browns churn through quarterbacks. It would be a shock if Robert Griffin III played a full 16 games next season. When he gets pulled or is injured, Goff is more situated to play as a rookie.

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3. San Diego Chargers - Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State

There's always talk about how Dallas could go any direction with the next pick, but why not San Diego? The choice here is Ramsey. He's the draft's No. 3 overall player and could star at corner or safety. But would it really be a surprise if the Chargers go with DeForest Buckner, Joey Bosa or even Ronnie Stanley?

4. Dallas Cowboys - Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

I still don't think the Cowboys should go with a quarterback with the fourth pick in the draft because it probably won't impact the team much in 2016. Bosa would. He would pair nicely with DeMarcus Lawrence as bookend edge players for the Cowboys.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

This might be dull because it's become a common pick, but with Ramsey and Bosa gone, taking Jack should be an easy choice. His health should be fine by the time the season starts. Jack has unique on-field athleticism at linebacker, which allows him to cover and chase down the ball carrier.

6. Baltimore Ravens - DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

Buckner's fit in Baltimore is hand in glove. He's a powerful 3-4 end who can handle multiple blockers and create havoc up front. He's not the sensational outside pass rusher the Ravens need to eventually replace Terrell Suggs, but he will make any rushing linebacker behind him better.

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

Forget whatever is happening with the never-ending Colin Kaepernick disaster. It has no bearing on this pick. I think this pick will be whichever of Goff or Wentz is available. The intrigue will be if a team trades in front of the 49ers and neither is available.

8. Philadelphia Eagles - Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

DeMarco Murray is long gone and Ryan Mathews may not be far behind him. Enter Elliott, a true building block for new head coach Doug Pederson. Elliott has the ability to be a workhorse back, but he helps a lot in the passing game thanks to his skill as a blocker and pass catcher. Elliott warrants a top 10 pick because he's such a complete player with few flaws.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

It's true that current left tackle Donovan Smith showed flashes of talent as a rookie last season. But his projection coming out of Penn State was to be a right tackle. Stanley is arguably the draft's best pass blocker and could push Smith to the right side. Having Stanley and Smith uses the same principles as the Titans having Tunsil and Taylor Lewan up front to block for a star second-year quarterback.

10. New York Giants - Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

This is a hard choice to peg down. A strong argument can be made for a pass rusher, even with the signing of Olivier Vernon. Another cornerback, or possibly an offensive lineman, could be brought in. The choice for now, though, is Lawson. He's a natural 4-3 pass rusher who could start in a rotation with Vernon and Jason Pierre-Paul.

11. Chicago Bears - Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

Hargreaves may not have elite size for a cornerback, but he's so smooth and pro-ready as a prospect. He was better in 2014 than 2015, so it makes you wonder if he was looking forward to the NFL. But at this point it doesn't matter. His ability as an off man coverage corner is very good, and his technique is advanced.

12. New Orleans Saints - Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama

Reed may not be my top defensive tackle in the draft -- he's third behind teammate A'Shawn Robinson and Sheldon Rankins – but he fits what New Orleans needs the most. Reed is a supreme run stopper and would open things up for the all the new Saints linebackers.

13. Miami Dolphins - Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

There is arguably no cornerback in the draft who has Alexander's football intelligence. He's a true student of the game and it shows in his ability on the field. Alexander can lock down smaller and quick receivers and knows how to neutralize bigger receivers as well.

14. Oakland Raiders - Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State

Lee can be another athletic playmaker for Oakland's defense. He can be used at either weak-side or middle linebacker and give the Raiders a player who can work sideline to sideline. A cornerback will be in consideration here but Lee brings a special level of athleticism to the field.

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

Passing up a quarterback with this pick was a difficult choice. I assume the Rams will draft a quarterback at some point this year and it wouldn't be a surprise if it was Paxton Lynch of Memphis here. But Treadwell has a higher grade and is the best player at his position.

16. Detroit Lions - Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

It seems like the target for Detroit will be one of three positions in the first round: offensive tackle, wide receiver or defensive tackle. In the last few years the Lions have used a lot of resources building up the interior of the offensive line with guards Larry Warford and Laken Tomlinson. They could still use a tackle, though. Conklin is a player who could start his NFL career on the right side before shifting to the left.

17. Atlanta Falcons - Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson

With second-year player Vic Beasley expected to line up more as a linebacker this season, the Falcons could use another player who can pressure the pocket up front. Dodd -- Beasley's former teammate at Clemson -- is a bigger end who can set the edge and still get into the backfield.

18. Indianapolis Colts - Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia

There really isn't a guard who has value with the No. 18 overall pick for the Colts, so they could look to fill that considerable hole in the second round. In the first, they would be smart to go with Floyd. He's a fleet of foot pass rusher who has versatility.

19. Buffalo Bills - Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

Surprised? Maybe you shouldn't be. The Bills have really gone through the paces on quarterbacks leading up to the draft. Add in Buffalo's tenuous contract negotiations with current starter Tyrod Taylor and you have a team that's likely to draft a quarterback. Lynch probably isn't suited to step into the starting lineup in Week 1, but he showed at his pro day that his footwork is more advanced than many assumed.

20. New York Jets - Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky

With Lynch off the board, the Jets turn to improving a subpar pass rush. Spence can pressure the pocket with either his hand in the dirt or standing up near the line of scrimmage. His play implies that he's worth a higher pick than No. 20 overall, but his off-field issues may ding him in the draft.

21. Washington - A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama

The consideration here was an Alabama player, either Robinson or linebacker Reggie Ragland. Robinson is the choice, though, simply because he's the better player. He can pack a wallop playing end in Washington's defense because of his power and underrated athleticism.

22. Houston Texans - Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

It seems like the Texans can't go wrong regardless of whichever wide receiver they take with this pick (unless of course they really go off the board and take a late-round receiver, which won't happen). Doctson is a big play waiting to happen thanks to his ability to go up and win jump balls and stretch the field. Having him opposite DeAndre Hopkins would give teams nightmares.

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

Even with Doctson and Treadwell gone, the Vikings still have some good wide receiver options in the first round. I give Thomas the nod because he's a bigger receiver than Corey Coleman of Baylor and gives the Vikings a good possession-type receiver who can go up and make difficult catches.

24. Cincinnati Bengals - Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

For the Bengals, there's nothing wrong with settling on the fourth-best wide receiver in the draft. Coleman is another big play wideout in this draft who will stretch the field. He can get open over the top with his speed or use it to gain separation on short, quick throws. Don't be surprised if Will Fuller from Notre Dame is in play here, too.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers - William Jackson, CB, Houston

Forget the notion that the Steelers would never take a first-round cornerback. Given the lack of top-level talent in their secondary, it's time to change the mindset about the position in Pittsburgh. Jackson can play man and off man coverage exceptionally well, and has long arms and quickness to break up passes.

26. Seattle Seahawks - Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

There are a bunch of defensive linemen the Seahawks could go with here and likely find success. Rankins is the choice for me because he grades out as a top 15 talent with quickness and power. Louisville played a hybrid scheme and Rankins has experience at end and inside. With 18 career sacks, he can get after the quarterback.

27. Green Bay Packers - Reggie Ragland, MLB, Alabama

We've seen several times in the past that middle linebackers can fall in the draft. That's a boon for the Packers, who still have a need at the position. If a defensive lineman isn't the choice at No. 27, Ragland would be a smart pickup. He's a plug-and-play linebacker who can improve the team's run defense.

28. Kansas City Chiefs - Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

After losing Sean Smith to division rival Oakland, cornerback is a need for the Chiefs. Although defensive line is, too, they could wait on the position thanks to its strength in this year's draft. Apple is a bigger cornerback who is a suitable replacement for Smith as long as he gets more consistent.

29. Arizona Cardinals - Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

I continue to think this pick will be moved so the Cardinals can try to get an extra pick after sending their second-rounder to New England for Chandler Jones. Arizona is in need of a center and Kelly is the best one on board. It would be smart to take him at No. 29. It would be smarter to drop into the early second round, get an extra pick and select him there.

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

Back to an offensive tackle for the Panthers. The way the first round fell in this scenario, there wasn't a pass rusher with value at No. 30. Enter Decker, a smashmouth blocker who can play the left or right side.

31. Denver Broncos - Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana

The Broncos brought veteran Russell Okung in this offseason, so they should be set at left tackle. On the right, Spriggs would be a upgrade over Donald Stephenson.

Second round:

32. Cleveland Browns - Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia
33. Tennessee Titans - Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
34. Dallas Cowboys - Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
35. San Diego Chargers - Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
36. Baltimore Ravens - Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State
37. San Francisco 49ers - Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
38. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jonathan Bullard, DT/DE, Florida
39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State
40. New York Giants - Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
41. Chicago Bears - Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
42. Miami Dolphins - Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
43. Los Angeles Rams - Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
44. Oakland Raiders - Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
45. Los Angeles Rams - Darian Thompson, S, Boise State
46. Detroit Lions - Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State
47. New Orleans Saints - Germain Ifedi, OT/G, Texas A&M
48. Indianapolis Colts - Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford
49. Buffalo Bills - Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
50. Atlanta Falcons - Su’a Cravens, LB, Southern California
51. New York Jets - Le’Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech
52. Houston Texans - Jihad Ward, DL, Illinois
53. Washington - Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma
54. Minnesota Vikings - Joshua Perry, OLB, Ohio State
55. Cincinnati Bengals - Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
56. Seattle Seahawks - Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State
57. Green Bay Packers - Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas
58. Pittsburgh Steelers Jeremy Cash, S, Duke
59. Kansas City Chiefs - Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska
60. New England Patriots - Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
61. New England Patriots - Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech
62. Carolina Panthers - Keanu Neal, S, Florida
63. Denver Broncos - Bronson Kaufusi, DE/DT, BYU

Third round:

64. Tennessee Titans - Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia
65. Cleveland Browns - Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State
66. San Diego Chargers - Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State
67. Dallas Cowboys - Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
68. San Francisco 49ers - Artie Burns, CB, Miami
69. Jacksonville Jaguars - Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame
70. Baltimore Ravens - Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas
71. New York Giants - Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
72. Chicago Bears - Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford
73. Miami Dolphins - Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State
74. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
75. Oakland Raiders - Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA
76. Los Angeles Rams - T.J. Green, S, Clemson
77. Philadelphia Eagles - Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn
78. New Orleans Saints - Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State
79. Philadelphia Eagles - Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers
80. Buffalo Bills - Kentrell Brothers, MLB, Missouri
81. Atlanta Falcons - Spencer Drango, G/OT, Baylor
82. Indianapolis Colts - Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas
83. New York Jets - Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State
84. Washington - Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State
85. Houston Texans - Jack Allen, C, Michigan State
86. Minnesota Vikings - Justin Simmons, S, Boston College
87. Cincinnati Bengals - Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State
88. Green Bay Packers - Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame
89. Pittsburgh Steelers - Charone Peake, WR, Clemson
90. Seattle Seahawks - Max Tuerk, C, Southern California
91. New England Patriots - Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State
92. Arizona Cardinals - Vadal Alexander, OT/G, LSU
93. Carolina Panthers - Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
94. Denver Broncos - Jalen Mills, S, LSU