Today, we will conclude our three part mock draft series for the 2016 NFL Draft. After breaking down the picks 1-10 last week and picks 11-20 Monday, we will break down the first round for the 11 playoff teams. Without further ado, let’s get it rolling.
21. Washington – Andrew Billings – Defensive Line, Baylor
Washington lost all the games it played against teams that ended 2015 with a winning record, and the defense shouldered the majority of the blame. Billings’ age of 21 is one that provided a lot of upside, and his swat move is considered one of the most violent in the college game. If he can work on his other techniques, he will be a major force on the defensive line
22. Houston Texans – Josh Doctson, Wide Receiver, TCU
In terms of pass catchers for the Texans, it’s essentially Deandre Hopkins and then everybody else. Drafting Doctson, who has a 41-inch vertical leap, will have a two pronged effect. First, it will take much needed pressure off of Hopkins, who is constantly getting double teamed. It will also provide new Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler a target who’s comfortable in the no. 2 role.
23. Minnesota Vikings – Corey Coleman, Wide Receiver, Baylor
Teddy Bridgewater benefited greatly from the emergence of Stefon Diggs last season, but he needs a No. 2 guy who can play outside the numbers after Mike Wallace struggled. Coleman is considered the best route runner in the draft, and has the vertical needed to outjump tall corners for the ball, which will benefit Bridgewater greatly in his third season.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Will Fuller, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame
With Mohamed Sanu in Atlanta and Marvin Jones in Detroit, the Bengals have become surprisingly thin at the wide receiver position. With a 4.32 40-yard dash and 25 percent of his receptions going for 25 yards or more, the speed of the former Irish wideout will open things up underneath for Tyler Eifert and A.J. Green.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers – William Jackson III, Cornerback, Houston
The Steelers have perpetual problem stopping the passing attack of other teams, which will factor into the Steelers choice of Jackson. While he may struggle in the running game, tall corners are in demand in the NFL, and his 6 foot frame and 4.3 40 time may be too hard to pass up.
26. Seattle Seahawks – Jason Spriggs, Offensive Tackle, Indiana
Had the Seahawks not reunited the “Legion of Boom” by signing Brandon Browner, we’d be more inclined to go with corner here. Spriggs has the long arms needed to play the left tackle position and was a durable four year starter for the Hoosiers. If he can work on his play strength, he may prove to be a valuable starter on the offensive line.
27. Green Bay Packers – Darron Lee, Linebacker, Ohio State
One of the best linebackers in the draft, the Packers benefit from his tumble to the bottom of the first round. The Packers need to find an inside linebacker to pair with Clay Matthews, but outside linebacker is also a need and Lee provides way too much value at the bottom of round one to pass up. The freakishly athletic Lee will need a little time to develop, but can eventually become a playmaker in the NFL.
28. Kansas City Chiefs – Kevin Dodd, Defensive End, Clemson
The less prominent defensive end product from Clemson, Dodd amassed 23.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in his junior season. The Clemson defensive line has been nasty in the past couple years, leading Dodd to bide his time before emerging onto the scene as a starter this season. A talented yet raw pass rusher, Dodd will join an already stacked defense.
29. Arizona Cardinals – Hunter Henry, Tight End, Arkansas
An athletic receiving tight end who played in a pro-style offense in college, Henry offers Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer with another weapon to bolster the team’s dangerous passing attack. Henry isn’t a great blocker, but the Cardinals won’t ask him to do that immediately, giving Henry time to develop.
30. Carolina Panthers – Mackenzie Alexander, Cornerback, Clemson
With the departure of star cornerback Josh Norman, the Panthers decide to grab another talented corner through the draft. The Panthers need depth on defense, especially an outside corner to pair with Bene Benwikere. Alexander is potentially the best cover corner in the draft and the Panthers grab him over other needs like offensive line and defensive end.
31. Denver Broncos – Jarran Reed, Defensive Tackle, Alabama
The losses of Danny Trevathan and Malik Jackson leave a hole in the middle of the formidable Broncos defense. Wade Phillips gets some reinforcements with the drafting of Reed, a second-team All-SEC defensive lineman who had 55 tackles in 2015. He’s versatile enough to play anywhere along Phillips D-Line and is a good value pick at the end of round one.
