The NFL draft is a couple months away and at the quarterback position, players like Jared Goff, Carson Wentz, Paxton Lynch and Connor Cook could be the top targets for teams. The Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, LA Rams, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers all could be interested in taking quarterbacks in the first couple rounds this year.
The quarterback class for the 2016 draft is considered to be a deep one, but it is also top heavy and that could mean some drama over the first 10 picks. The Titans pick first overall and after taking Marcus Mariota last year, the team is likely going to avoid the quarterback position. That leaves the Browns as the first team to potentially take a quarterback and the way things stand now, it's looking likely that Cleveland will go that route.
NFL Media draft expert Mike Mayock spoke about the upcoming draft and said that Jared Goff and Carson Wentz are coming into the draft evaluation process as the top quarterback prospects. Goff went through the season as the presumptive number one, while Wentz has started to generate some buzz as a potential top five pick. Wentz looked good at the Senior Bowl and the FCS quarterback has the size to be a starting NFL quarterback.
Goff and Wentz lead the group with Paxton Lynch of Memphis considered to be the third-best prospect among many scouts. Early mock drafts have Goff going to the Browns at number two, but Mayock says that Wentz could end up in that pick if he performs well at the NFL combine. Goff has the stats after passing for 4714 yards and 43 touchdowns last season with Cal, while Wentz comes in with the measurables after missing time with an injury for North Dakota State last season.
The Browns reportedly are preparing to move on from Johnny Manziel this offseason and that could put Goff or Wentz in position to get drafted by Cleveland. Hue Jackson said to NFL.com that the team came away impressed with Wentz after meeting him at the Senior Bowl, while Mel Kiper has the team taking Goff in his first mock draft. The Cowboys are expected to address the quarterback position this offseason to put some depth behind Tony Romo and they could use the number four pick for that.
The 49ers, Eagles, Rams and Texans also could take a look at quarterbacks in the first round. Chip Kelly is taking over in San Francisco and if the team wants to move on from Colin Kaepernick, drafting someone like Lynch or Wentz could be the move. The Rams are expected to add some competition for Nick Foles and Case Keenum and Kiper has the team looking at Lynch as an option if he lasts in the first round.
Mock picks (skips some picks):
Titans: Joey Bosa
Browns: Jared Goff
Chargers: Laremy Tunsil
Cowboys: Carson Wentz
49ers: Laquon Treadwell
Eagles: Paxton Lynch
Rams: Connor Cook