2016 NFL Mock Draft Part 3: Picks #1-10
By jonfox
Oct 17, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; USC Trojans running back Justin Davis (22) is tackled by Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Sheldon Day (91) and linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 41-31. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
10. Houston Texans: Jaylon Smith, LB Notre Dame
If there’s not a top end QB available here (and they’ll settle for Connor Cook if he’s here), then it looks likely that Houston will address a defense that has a galaxy of names but isn’t stopping the run enough.
Brian Cushing has been a stalwart for them in the middle of their 4 LB set, but his salary and declining play means that he could be a prime candidate to be dealt to a team that chases big names. Smith has few holes in his game, and if he were more natural as a 3-4 OLB or pass rusher he’d be a top 5 pick. He’s so talented that he may still yet become a top 5 pick.
Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Evan Spencer (6) and running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) react following Elliot
9. Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliot, RB Ohio State
Jerry loves him some big names and he loves physical freaks who you can throw in there immediately. Elliot is both of these and fill a major need. Dallas has stuck with the one back sets that Bill Callahan encouraged so they need a runner who doesn’t need the FB to thrive.
Elliot plays in Meyer’s spread and thrives best when he can pick his hole and go at full speed towards it. In this way, he’ll remind you of Doug Martin. This also means that having a FB, unless he’s blocking high on the play can be an impediment to the RB’s success.
The Cowboys have been seeing good production from the backs that they signed to replace DeMarco Murray, but they just can’t dominate a game like Murray did for them. Elliot has the skill set to do that for them.
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) throws off his back foot against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
8. Chicago Bears: Connor Cook, QB Michigan State
An unexciting pick for a team that wants unexciting at QB. Cook, in any halfway decent draft class, would be a 3rd round pick and he still might be. In this draft, he’s a pocket passer with some skills that will get overdrafted because you’re not going to have to teach him to be a pocket passer.
The appealing thing about Cook to the Bears is that he doesn’t throw a lot of INTs in college. He’s no gunslinger, he’s a high talent game manager. And that might be good enough if they can keep Alshon Jeffery and Matt Forte from leaving.
Oct 17, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) reaches for a pass intended for LSU Tigers wide receiver Travin Dural (83) during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Florida 35-28.Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Vernon Hargreaves III, DB Florida
The Jags love them some best player available and they don’t see an OT worthy of replacing Joeckel with yet. Hargreaves is an amazing prospect. He’s played at a level equal of a top 10 draft pick since his freshman year. He’s a lockdown corner who only gave up 1 TD in 2014 and it was to Amari Cooper.
He doesn’t have abnormal size, but just that indescribable “it.” He’s a smaller CB who can press well, a physical CB who can cover with the best of them. The thought behind this pick is that the Jags get two local college stars into the defense at the same time since Dante Fowler will be returning from injury.
Thats not a bad plan, especially with Bortles developing.
Oct 31, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) during the first half against the Tulane Green Wave at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
6. San Francisco 49ers: Paxton Lynch, QB Memphis
Lynch is what this author would call fool’s gold. He has great arm talent, passing power and is productive against good defenses. He also plays in a motion spread offense designed to create havoc in CFB secondaries who don’t get much time to learn all the tricks before thrown into the fire.
Most concerning is best shown with this play in 2014. His mechanics aren’t very good. He throws with his body and not his legs. This is something that shows up in the tape of Lynch: he doesn’t step into his throws. This is something that can be taught but that doesn’t make him worthy of a top 10 pick.
If you want to see why this is a problem, watch tape of Matt Ryan from 2012. Then watch tape of him this season.
Next: Picks #1-5