2016 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 21-31
By jonfox
27. Arizona Cardinals: Carson Wentz, QB North Dakota State.
If you’re saying “who?” you’re not following the draft close enough. Wentz is seen as a potential major NFL talent who just has been playing in a tiny program.
He seems to have every tool you would want from a pro QB except great mobility. He’s also going to miss the rest of the regular season with a broken wrist.
But since he played at such a small program he’s going to need time to develop his skills. Thankfully with Carson Palmer, they have that time to give him.
The appeal of Wentz over someone Hackenberg, Gunner Kiel or Cardale Jones is arm talent: Wentz’s arm talent is clearly head and shoulders above the rest.
26. New York Giants: Emmanuel Ogbah, DL Oklahoma State.
This fills Jerry Reese’s need to take the most talented player left on his board and fills a need.
Who knows what the Giants will get from Jason Pierre-Paul moving forward. But even if he’s 100% after his accident, they need another penetrator on the line. Ogbah can play both line spots and should provide energy and quickness to a moribund defensive line.
He also is a very raw player, only playing football beginning in high school but his athleticism makes him an attractive prospect, especially through the 2015 season when he’s shown a lot of skill development.
25. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Johnstone, OL Oregon.
The Colts should listen to Chuck Pagano, whether or not they end up firing him. Their offensive line just isn’t good enough.
The depressing part for Colts fans, is it’s not like they have committed a lot of resources to new offensive linemen. They just aren’t making good picks.
And they need it better because the entire franchise rises or falls on Andrew Luck’s play. Johnston has good athleticism and quickness for an tackle so he should slot right in at left tackle for them.
Since he played in the Oregon option attack, you know he has good quickness and athleticism or he wouldn’t have been able to keep up.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Jeremy Cash, DB Duke.
The Vikings under Mike Zimmer have a pretty simple building plan: put together a killer defense at all levels and let Adrian Peterson carry Bridgewater and the offense.
They need another safety to go with one of the best in the game, Harrison Smith. Cash might be too aggressive but without the need of having him cover up for so-so defensive backs around him, this could be an asset.
23. Atlanta Falcons: Carl Nassib, DL Penn State.
The Falcons’ defensive line just isn’t good enough. Vic Beasley is now dropping into coverage way too often because he’s struggling to generate a pass rush.
They’re current 31st in the league in sacks. But they’re stuck with Beasley whether they like it or not. They’re going to need another defensive end or a tweener to put on the line to get penetration.
Nassib could be that guy, but his size and quickness should make him an asset regardless.
22. New York Jets: Taylor Decker, OL Ohio State.
Decker probably fills the right tackle need more than the left one. He’s a powerful run blocking OT in the Jack Mewhort mold. He’s a decent pass blocker, but he doesn’t get many chance for that playing in the zone read offense.
Since the Jets play in cold weather on a regular basis it puts a premium on power linemen on both sides of the ball, Decker has his flaws but he should thrive when asked to block downhill.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Shaq Lawson, OLB/DE Clemson.
The Steelers’ biggest issue headed into this upcoming offseason isn’t getting back all their offensive players healthy. It’s admitting to themselves that Jarvis Jones was a major bust.
This isn’t to say that he can’t be good elsewhere, but his lack of a pass rush is killing their defense which is predicated on constant pressure on the backfield.
Lawson is a guy who can slot in at OLB and attack. He has the strength to play against the run and pass, so he shouldn’t be so easy to pass block as Jones has become.
Lawson is more in the mold of Bud Dupree, their 1st round pick from a year ago. And that has been a good pick for them so far.