2016 NFL Mock Draft: Updated Projections For All 31 First-Round Picks

The excitement of NFL free agency has died down considerably, most pro days for top prospects already have happened and offseason workouts still are a few weeks away.

We’re in a bit of a lull for football news, but with the 2016 NFL Draft less than one month away, it’s time for some fresh first-round predictions.

Let’s take a look at our NFL Mock Draft version 7.0.

1. Tennessee Titans (3-13): Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
The Titans have so many needs, and even though Laremy Tunsil is the consensus choice at No. 1, Ramsey has the potential to be an elite cornerback for a long time in Tennessee. It’s a position the Titans must bolster, too, especially with the NFL becoming a pass-first league.

Ramsey’s athleticism and coverage skills would allow him to step in and be a starter as a rookie.

2. Cleveland Browns (3-13): Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
3. San Diego Chargers (4-12): Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
4. Dallas Cowboys (4-12): Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
6. Baltimore Ravens (5-11): Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
7. San Francisco 49ers (5-11): Jared Goff, QB, California
8. Philadelphia Eagles (7-9): Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
The Eagles traded DeMarco Murray to the Titans, leaving just Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles on the depth chart at running back. Philly was one of 13 teams to average less than four yards per carry last season, and when you combine that with inconsistent and mediocre quarterback play, you don’t have the recipe for a powerful offense.

Elliott is an explosive running back with good speed and lateral quickness and above-average strength. He ran for more than 1,800 yards and at least 18 touchdowns in each of his last two seasons at Ohio State.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10): Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
10. New York Giants (6-10): DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
11. Chicago Bears (6-10): Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
12. New Orleans Saints (7-9): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
The Saints need a lot of help on defense, but Treadwell is the best wide receiver in this draft and could be the best player available at this stage of Round 1. He would make an excellent 1-2 punch alongside rising star wideout Brandin Cooks as a solid route runner with good hands and enough speed to stretch the field. Treadwell caught 82 passes for 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns for Ole Miss last season.

13. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
The Dolphins didn’t have much of a pass rush last season. Twenty-four of the league’s 32 teams had more sacks, and Miami gave up the fifth-most yards per pass attempt at 7.8 yards. Selecting a player of Lawson’s caliber would give the Dolphins’ defensive line some much-needed speed and quickness off the edge, as well as another player disciplined enough to stop the run. Lawson had 11 sacks for the Tigers last season and was a key reason why they advanced to the BCS national championship game.

14. Oakland Raiders (7-9): Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
15. Los Angeles Rams (7-9): Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
16. Detroit Lions (7-9): Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
17. Atlanta Falcons (8-8): A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
18. Indianapolis Colts (8-8): Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
19. Buffalo Bills (8-8): Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
20. New York Jets (10-6): Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State
21. Washington Redskins (9-7): Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
22. Houston Texans (9-7): Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
23. Minnesota Vikings (11-5): Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
24. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4): Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
25. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6): Vadal Alexander, G, LSU
26. Seattle Seahawks (10-6): Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
27. Green Bay Packers (10-6): Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas
28. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5): Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
29. Arizona Cardinals (13-3): Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska
30. Carolina Panthers (15-1): William Jackson III, CB, Houston
31. Denver Broncos (12-4): Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
Trading for Colin Kaepernick is proving difficult, and with just Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian on the roster at quarterback, the Broncos might as well take a chance on Lynch.

Lynch has most of the physical tools to be a successful pro quarterback, including a powerful arm and a strong frame at 6-foot-7 and 244 pounds. His athleticism is impressive, too. It helps him escape the rush and throw on the run.

Lynch’s accuracy is not outstanding, but playing in a Denver offense with two top-tier receivers in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders would help alleviate that concern.

The New England Patriots lost their first-round pick as the NFL’s punishment over Deflategate.

Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images