2016 NFL Mock Draft Part 2: Picks 11-20
By jonfox
Sep 26, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats linebacker Scooby Wright III (33) during the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Arizona Stadium. UCLA won 56-30. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
16. Buffalo Bills: Scooby Wright, LB Arizona
With the decline and fall of Manny Lawson as a player and Nigel Bradham looking like he’s going to hit free agency, the Bills need talent at LB to take advantage of their amazing combo of Dareus-Kyle Williams-Mario Williams-Jerry Hughes up front.
Scooby Wright has had some injury issues and doesn’t have prototypical LB size, but he has amazing speed, instincts and quickness. Also, he looks tactically flexible enough to play multiple positions in the NFL. In a 4-3 he could be an Mike or Will LB. In the 3-4, he could easily be a Joker LB who roams around the formation looking for where he could best contribute.
He also could be an edge rusher in the 3-4 as long as he develops the skills needed to avoid being squashed by much larger OTs.
January 1, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) and linebacker Derrick Malone (22) against the Florida State Seminoles in the 2015 Rose Bowl college football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
15. Washington Redskins: DeForest Buckner, DL Oregon
This is another team that knows what offense or defense they’ll be running in 2016.
No matter what defense they run, they need line talent. Ryan Kerrigan has been a disappointment in Joe Barry’s 3-4 defense. Preston Smith looks lost at times (and good at times) but it’s hard to say what Trent Murphy has done positive outside of the last drive of the Eagles‘ game.
With Jason Hatcher getting old, Terrance Knighton headed for free agency and Stephen Paea looking like a free agent bust, they need a big body that can penetrate. Buckner has scouts more excited than 2015 1st round pick Arik Armstead did. He isn’t as big as Armstead, but is substantially large with amazing quickness and technique.
It’s hard to judge him off of the stats since Oregon’s defense uses their defensive line solely in the space clogging 2 gap role. After giving up an average of 200 yards per game rushing in their last three games, the Redskins pick has to be one that helps end the running backs shredding through their line.
14. Philadelphia Eagles: LaRaven Clark, OL Texas Tech
It’s been pretty simple to judge if a Chip Kelly’s team is likely to win on sunday: if he has a healthy offensive line, the odds are that his offense will shred you. They have had a number of offensive line injuries over the last 3 seasons and when they’re trotting out 4 backups and Jason Peters or 5 backups, it’s a good bet that his offense will be rather ineffective.
Clark is a fast guard or a slower OT. Lane Johnson has been very hit and miss so in this scenario one of them can move inside to LG. Even if Chip Kelly decides to go on the Steve Spurrier career path and return to college, the Eagles need line reinforcement.
Next: Picks 11-13