Instead of a traditional 2016 NFL mock draft, let’s look at the top three picks for each club as if the author was the GM for each team. Today: the NFC West One last note before we begin: players can be picked more than once but only outside of the division. So, look at this as a mock draft in and of each division.
Arizona Cardinals
1. Carson Wentz, QB North Dakota State
2. Jordan Jenkins, LB UGA
3. Adam Gotsis, DL Georgia
Tech Cardinals are in the enviable spot to not need anything other than depth and looking to the future. This draft falls into line with that strategy.Wentz is very raw, but he has the arm and tools. With Palmer having a good 2-3 years left in him, Wentz can sit for now and pick up any starts where Palmer is hurt or garbage time snaps.Jenkins and Gotsis are solely about adding penetrators to a defense that always needs more of them. With a number of older players in their front 7, it’s time to start thinking about tomorrow with them.
San Francisco 49ers
1. Paxton Lynch, QB Memphis
2. John Theus, OL UGA
3. Jordan Leggett, TE Clemson
The 49ers are a wreck. Their defense is the worst defense in the league on the road but good at home so they’re going to focus on the horrid offense with me in charge. Lynch might have flaws, but he has a big arm and is better than Gabbert or Kaepernick is right now. I would look to deal Kaepernick for something and use that to reinforce the offense. Theus has swing tackle written all over him and Leggett is a legitimate receiving threat from an offense that also needs him to run block well.