The 2016 NFL draft is a couple months away and players like Paxton Lynch, Carson Wentz, Shaq Lawson, Myles Jack, Vernon Hargreaves, Laquon Treadwell, Reggie Ragland, Robert Nkemdiche and Jaylon Smith are potential first round options for teams.
The San Francisco 49ers pick just outside the top five and with Chip Kelly in town, the team could go a number of ways with their first selection in the draft. The team has a need at wide receiver with Anquan Boldin hitting free agency, but Kelly may consider adding a quarterback as he takes over his new team. Paxton Lynch and Carson Wentz could be available at the pick, while Laquon Treadwell could be the option at wide receiver if Kelly goes that route.
The Miami Dolphins pick after that, followed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Rams. The 2016 draft class is considered fairly deep and that means teams in the first round should be able to get their hands on some talented prospects. Mel Kiper at ESPN has the 49ers taking Laquon Treadwell at number seven and that pick could end up coming to fruition, as Treadwell has the potential to be a number one receiver in the NFL.
The Dolphins are in an interesting spot at number eight, as Adam Gase is taking over and is an offensive minded head coach, but the team has greater needs on defense. Olivier Vernon is likely leaving in free agency and with Cameron Wake potentially getting cut this offseason, adding to the defensive line could be a priority. Kiper has Shaq Lawson going to Miami at eight and that could be a nice fit after the way Lawson played for Clemson last season. Lawson put up 25 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks last season as the Tigers made it to the national title game.
Kiper has the Buccaneers taking Vernon Hargreaves with the number nine pick, while Myles Jack goes 10th to the Giants. The Giants are likely going to go defense with this pick after the way the unit performed last season and one of the group of Jack, Lawson or Reggie Ragland could be the option. The Eagles could go defense as well, but if Sam Bradford looks like he will be leaving in free agency, expect Doug Pederson to at least consider a QB at the pick.
The Rams likely will take a quarterback in the first round, as the team did not nearly get enough production from Case Keenum and Nick Foles last season. With Todd Gurley in as the franchise running back, the team should be eager to add a franchise quarterback to the mix. Paxton Lynch could be an option, while Carson Wentz could be on the board (although he is starting to get some buzz as a top 10 pick).
Mock picks:
49ers: Laquon Treadwell
Dolphins: Reggie Ragland
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vernon Hargreaves
New York Giants: Shaq Lawson
Chicago Bears: Myles Jack
New Orleans Saints: Robert Nkemdiche
Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz
Oakland Raiders: Ezekiel Elliott
Los Angeles Rams: Paxton Lynch