2016 NFL Mock Draft Part 2: Picks 11-20
By jonfox
Oct 10, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) catches a pass during the game New Mexico State Aggies at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi Rebels beats New Mexico State Aggies 52-3. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
20. St Louis Rams: Laquon Treadwell, WR Ole Miss
Tavon Austin might be the most underrated WR in the league. He knows how to run block, makes plays and does the small things. However, he’s just not enough. The Kenny Britt comeback has fizzled out, and that offense isn’t going to work if it’s just “Gurley and Austin.“
Treadwell is a big bodied WR with soft hands. In other words, he’s everything Austin isn’t. Having the contrast between him and Austin would be one that will give defensive coaches fits. Or rather it should.
September 5, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back Olamide Zaccheaus (33) runs the ball against the defense of UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack (30) during the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
19. Pittsburgh Steelers: Myles Jack, LB UCLA
Fair or not, the Steelers have dropped into the bizarro warp where they will struggle to judge the team properly after the season due to their amazing number of injuries. They will have had their 5 Bs(Beachem, Big Ben, Bell, Bryant and Brown) on offense together for 18 snaps on the season. So, it’s hard to say that they’ll invest much in that offense.
Also getting their 2nd round pick from 2015 back from injury in 2016 means that a DB seems unlikely. What they do need is to admit that they blew the Jarvis Jones pick. Myles Jack will be recovering from an ACL tear through the draft process. He could be a perfect fit for the Steelers’ Cover-3 defense. He can attack from the outside or cover inside.
In short, he’s what they’ve needed: athleticism at LB that Bud Dupree is partially giving them.
Oct 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Pete Robertson (10) and Baylor Bears offensive tackle Spencer Drango (58) during the game at AT&T Stadium. The Bears defeat the Red Raiders 63-35. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
18. Seattle Seahawks: Spencer Drango, OL Baylor
Seattle went into 2015 thinking that Jimmy Graham and some more talent at RB meant that they could short change the offensive line talent-wise. They found out how wrong that they could be. The Seahawks are running they ball well, but lead the league in sacks taken.
This is also why they’ve seen a big drop off from 2014 in their offensive stats. GM John Schneider isn’t afraid to take a prospect he likes 20 picks too high and Drango might be a high 2nd rounder in terms of talent.
Having Drango even at OG means that the entire line improves. You can remove one bad interior starter or play Drango at RT and they no longer have to have an OG (Bailey) as the backup LT.
Oct 18, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Justin Worley (14) advances the ball while being chased by Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) during the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
17. New Orleans Saints: Robert Nkemdiche, DL Ole Miss
This is a team that could have a lot of new faces in 2016. Sean Payton, Rob Ryan, Loomis, Brees and a number of others could be looking elsewhere if they have a disappointing season. No matter how the job carousel spins, they need defensive reinforcement. Losing Junior Galette, no matter how justified, has opened up big holes on their defense.
Nkemdiche isn’t an edge pass rusher, he’s a 4-3 1 gap DT or he’s a 34 5 Tech DE. What he is though is a massive defensive lineman with some great physical gifts. He should go higher, but he just never has been productive as a pass rusher mostly due to his lack of developed rush skills.
Next: Picks 14-16