Âé¶¹¹ú²ú

Skip to main content
Advertising

Four-round mock draft 3.0: Hackenberg-O'Brien reunion

The 2016 is in the books. The order of things is getting clearer, not just because of the performances in Indianapolis, but also due to public (and not so public) comments made about this year's draft class by NFL general managers, coaches and scouts.

Obviously, free agency will change the needs of teams over the course of the next few weeks. In fact, the release of veterans like defensive ends Mario Williams (Buffalo Bills) and Charles Johnson (Carolina Panthers) are already creating roster holes that will need to be filled via the draft, if no veteran is brought in. But with the combine behind us, it's worth a look to see where players' value lay at this point in the process.

Note that I've projected third- and fourth-round compensatory picks in this mock draft.

» |

It's quite possible the Titans will consider defensive back Jalen Ramsey at this pick. But for now, I'll go with Tunsil, who would team with Taylor Lewan to form a nice pair of bookends in front of second-year quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Head coach Hue Jackson made no bones about the importance of hand size in a quarterback. Playing in Cleveland, and against and Joe Flacco in the AFC North, it makes sense to have a big-bodied quarterback at the helm. Wentz did nothing to hurt himself at the combine.

Whether the Chargers play Ramsey in Eric Weddle's old spot or move of one their smaller starters to the slot, this is a win-win pick.

Bosa showed at the combine that he's capable of standing up or playing with his hand on the turf. If Greg Hardy's no longer in the picture in Big D, Bosa should slide right in.

This Jack of all trades will be utilized to his fullest in the Jags' scheme.

Goodbye Chris Canty, hello Buckner.

Chip Kelly is pleased as punch that a player of Goff's talent is still available -- if his old team or the Rams don't make a trade with the Chargers to go get him.

Even after putting the transition tag on Olivier Vernon, Miami could use help rushing the passer especially if 34-year-old Cameron Wake isn't full strength coming off the Achilles injury.

It doesn't appear that Doug Martin will re-sign, and Elliott's all-around skill set is very much appreciated in league circles.

Rankins brings quickness to the middle of the Giants' defensive line.

Stanley plugs into the left tackle spot for the Bears as a rookie.

New Orleans instantly gets better against the run, and Billings is also able to provide pressure if quarterbacks hold the ball in the pocket.

Conklin's better-than-anticipated combine checked the boxes for a tackle able to excel in every situation -- even playing some guard to start his career, if Jason Peters returns healthy. If Peters can't go, then Conklin can step in.

Hargreaves' average height might be an issue for some teams, but the Raiders know he's a playmaker, pure and simple.

The Rams can't get rid of Nick Foles due to his contract, so they can let Lynch learn the game and improve as a redshirt in 2016.

Treadwell might not be Calvin Johnson, but he's a darn good find at this spot.

Teams typically don't draft pass rushers in back-to-back years. Bell's combination of hard hits and coverage skills give him great value.

Andrew Luck needs to be better protected, and Decker will get after his man in the run game, as well -- something the Colts need from their offensive line to be more effective on the ground.

Lee can play on the weak or strong side for the Bills without an issue because of his combination of size and athleticism.

With Calvin Pace a free agent, the Jets get another tall, long pass rusher to join a stout front line in confounding offensive lines across the league.

Washington struggled in coverage last season, giving up 30 touchdowns through the air. Apple gives them size on the outside, which they sorely need.

I don't know if head coach Bill O'Brien will use this pick to get his former protege, or maybe move up into the late first or early second round ... but either way, I'll be surprised if they don't reunite.

Doctson's combine workout made teams forget about his injured wrist. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is looking for a receiver in whom he can trust to win 50-50 balls.

Free agency could decimate the Bengals' receiving corps, and Coleman's the perfect foil to A.J. Green.

How about putting two tough-minded Stanford players on the offensive line? Ramon Foster's on his way out, and Garnett's able to keep healthy and plow a hole for Le'Veon Bell.

This is becoming a popular prediction due to the Seahawks' need for a defensive tackle and their willingness to take a chance on talent despite off-field question marks.

General manager Ted Thompson has a knack for patiently waiting until a good value falls into his lap. Ragland might go earlier, but Clay Matthews would be extremely happy to see this pick so he can do his thing outside.

Now that Eric Fisher is starting to round into shape a bit on the left side, the Chiefs might look to get an athletic pass protector across the way to keep upright more regularly in 2016.

Depth was a problem down the stretch for the Cardinals, and Alexander's potential as a long-time starter is too strong to ignore.

The strong and hard-working Ogbah would be a nice complement to Kony Ealy on the Panthers' defensive line, and the need for help on the line increased with the release of Charles Johnson.

Owen Daniels was a good find for Denver, but getting younger at that spot will help Brock Osweiler, or whomever might take snaps for the defending champs.

Round 2

  1. Cleveland Browns: , OT, Texas Tech
  2. Tennessee Titans: , S, Florida
  3. Dallas Cowboys: , RB, Alabama
  4. San Diego Chargers: , DT, Louisiana Tech
  5. Baltimore Ravens: , OLB, Notre Dame
  6. San Francisco 49ers: , WR, Notre Dame
  7. Jacksonville Jaguars: , C, Alabama
  8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: , DE, Clemson
  9. New York Giants: , DE, Eastern Kentucky
  10. Chicago Bears: , DE, Mississippi State
  11. Miami Dolphins: , CB, Houston
  12. Los Angeles Rams: , CB, Virginia Tech
  13. Oakland Raiders: , DE, Maryland
  14. Los Angeles Rams: , S, West Virginia
  15. Detroit Lions: , DT, Alabama
  16. New Orleans Saints: , OLB, LSU
  17. Indianapolis Colts: , OLB, Boise State
  18. Buffalo Bills: , OG, Kansas State
  19. Atlanta Falcons: , WR, Oklahoma
  20. New York Jets: , DT, Alabama
  21. Houston Texans: , S, Maryland
  22. Washington Redskins: , DT, UCLA
  23. Minnesota Vikings: , S, Boise State
  24. Cincinnati Bengals: , CB, Miami (FL)
  25. Seattle Seahawks: , RB, Arkansas
  26. Green Bay Packers: , TE, Stanford
  27. Pittsburgh Steelers: , S, USC
  28. Kansas City Chiefs: , WR, Rutgers
  29. New England Patriots: , WR, Ohio State
  30. Arizona Cardinals: , DE, Illinois
  31. Carolina Panthers: , OT, Auburn
  32. Denver Broncos: , DE, Florida

Round 3

  1. Tennessee Titans: , RB, Indiana
  2. Cleveland Browns: , DE, Michigan
  3. San Diego Chargers: , WR, Pittsburgh
  4. Dallas Cowboys: , QB, Michigan State
  5. San Francisco 49ers: , DT, Penn State
  6. Jacksonville Jaguars: , DE, Oklahoma
  7. Baltimore Ravens: , CB/S, LSU
  8. New York Giants: , OT, Texas A&M
  9. Chicago Bears: , CB, Notre Dame
  10. Miami Dolphins: , ILB, Arizona
  11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: , S, Duke
  12. Oakland Raiders: , S, Clemson
  13. Los Angeles Rams: , C, Notre Dame
  14. Philadelphia Eagles: , QB, Arkansas
  15. New Orleans Saints: , DE, Michigan State
  16. Philadelphia Eagles: , OG, Arkansas
  17. Buffalo Bills: , DE, BYU
  18. Atlanta Falcons: , DE, Grand Valley State
  19. Indianapolis Colts: , RB, Utah
  20. New York Jets: , QB, North Carolina State
  21. Washington Redskins: , OG/OT, UCLA
  22. Houston Texans: , WR, Clemson
  23. Minnesota Vikings: , OLB, Ohio State
  24. Cincinnati Bengals: , S/OLB, Southern Utah
  25. Green Bay Packers: , OLB, Utah State
  26. Pittsburgh Steelers: , DT, Nebraska
  27. Seattle Seahawks: , WR, Stanford
  28. Kansas City Chiefs: , DE, Ohio State
  29. New England Patriots: , DE, Penn State
  30. Arizona Cardinals: , OG/OT, LSU
  31. Carolina Panthers: , CB, Baylor
  32. Denver Broncos: , ILB, Missouri
  33. Detroit Lions (compensatory selection - DT Ndamukong Suh): , CB, Mississippi State
  34. New England Patriots (compensatory selection - CB Darrelle Revis): , TE, Ohio State
  35. Seattle Seahawks (compensatory selection - CB Byron Maxwell): , OG, San Diego State
  36. Denver Broncos (compensatory selection - TE Julius Thomas): , RB, Louisiana Tech

Round 4

  1. Cleveland Browns: , WR, Ohio State
  2. Tennessee Titans: , CB, Oklahoma
  3. Dallas Cowboys: , ILB, Stanford
  4. San Diego Chargers: , OT, South Carolina
  5. Jacksonville Jaguars: , CB/S, William & Mary
  6. Baltimore Ravens: , WR, Colorado State
  7. San Francisco 49ers: , OG, UCLA
  8. Chicago Bears: , OG, Missouri
  9. Miami Dolphins: , S, West Virginia
  10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: , WR, South Carolina
  11. New York Giants: , CB, Minnesota
  12. Los Angeles Rams: , WR, Georgia
  13. Detroit Lions: , DE, Georgia
  14. New Orleans Saints: , TE, South Carolina
  15. Philadelphia Eagles: , CB, USC
  16. Oakland Raiders: , OT, West Georgia
  17. Atlanta Falcons: , ILB, Florida
  18. Indianapolis Colts: , CB, Temple
  19. Buffalo Bills: , WR, Auburn
  20. New York Jets: , RB, Georgia
  21. Houston Texans: , TE, UCLA
  22. Washington Redskins: , OG, Oregon State
  23. Minnesota Vikings: , OG, Arizona State
  24. Cincinnati Bengals: , DT, South Carolina State
  25. Pittsburgh Steelers: , CB, North Carolina Central
  26. Seattle Seahawks: , DE, Virginia Tech
  27. Green Bay Packers: , OT, Oregon
  28. Kansas City Chiefs: , CB, Colorado
  29. New England Patriots: , OG, North Carolina State
  30. Arizona Cardinals: , OLB, Wisconsin
  31. Carolina Panthers: , S, Utah
  32. Baltimore Ravens: , RB, Florida
  33. Baltimore Ravens (compensatory selection - WR Torrey Smith): , OG/OT, Boise State
  34. San Francisco 49ers (compensatory selection - CB Chris Culliver): , CB, Georgia Tech
  35. Baltimore Ravens (compensatory selection - OLB Pernell McPhee): , ILB, Oklahoma
  36. Denver Broncos (compensatory selection - OG Orlando Franklin): , OT, Western Michigan
  37. Green Bay Packers (compensatory selection - CB Tramon Williams): , RB, Cal
  38. Dallas Cowboys (compensatory selection - OT Jermey Parnell): , WR, Southern Miss
  39. Cleveland Browns (compensatory selection - CB Buster Skrine): , OLB, Southern Utah
  40. Green Bay Packers (compensatory selection - CB Davon House): , DT, Notre Dame
  41. Arizona Cardinals (compensatory selection - DT Dan Williams): , C, Michigan

Prospects worthy of selection in Rounds 1-4

, C, USC
, C, Michigan State
, CB, Auburn
, CB, Florida Atlantic
, CB, Southeast Louisiana
, CB, San Jose State
, DB, Northern Iowa
, DE, Appalachian State
, DE, Florida
, DE, Temple
, DE, Baylor
, DT, Maryland
, DT, Clemson
, DT, Texas
, DT, USC
, DT, Florida State
, K, Florida State
, ILB, West Virginia
, ILB, Clemson
, OLB, Mississippi State
, OLB, Minnesota
, OLB, Utah State
, OG, North Carolina
, QB, Louisiana Tech
, OG, Washington State
, OT, North Dakota State
, OT, LSU
, OT, Georgia
, QB, Oregon
, RB, Arkansas
, RB, Illinois State
, RB, Alabama
, RB, San Jose State
, RB, UCLA
, S, Middle Tennessee State
, S, Miami (Fla.)
, S, Clemson
, TE, Arkansas State
, TE, East Carolina
, WR, Tulsa
, WR, California
, WR, Utah State

Follow Chad Reuter on Twitter __.

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.

Related Content