The 2016 NFL draft is a couple months away and players like Joey Bosa, Jared Goff, Carson Wentz, Jalen Ramsey and Laremy Tunsil are getting buzz as potential top five picks.
The draft opens up with the Tennessee Titans picking at number one, while the Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars round out the top five. The Titans likely will not be targeting the quarterback position this year, as the team just drafted Marcus Mariota in the 2015 draft. Some teams could look at trading up with the Titans, but as things stand now, the team looks like they will hang on to the pick.
Mel Kiper at ESPN has the team going after Joey Bosa with the first overall pick, while CBS Sports has Laremy Tunsil going number one. The Titans have needs all over the roster and could use an upgrade on the offensive and defensive lines. Kiper writes that the "best defensive lineman in any draft really transcends need" and that thought process could lead to Bosa being the top overall pick.
The Browns are almost certain to draft a quarterback, as the team is reportedly set to move on from Johnny Manziel this offseason. ESPN reports that the Browns will release Manziel in March, as the team has decided to move on after the latest off the field incident by the quarterback. Even before the incident the Browns were likely to take a quarterback, as new head coach Hue Jackson said that the team needed to address the position this offseason.
The Browns could be the first team to get a shot at a quarterback as long as no one trades up with the Titans and that gives them the chance to get one of the top prospects. Most scouts see Jared Goff and Carson Wentz as the top quarterbacks in the draft class, but pre-draft workouts, interviews and the combine could shake things up. Paxton Lynch has been getting attention as an option past those two names, while players like Connor Cook, Christian Hackenberg and Kevin Hogan could be options in the later rounds.
Goff put up huge numbers during his time at Cal, including last season with over 4700 passing yards and 43 touchdowns, but Wentz is generating buzz and could sneak into the top five. Wentz has great size and a strong arm and after his performance at the Senior Bowl, the Browns could consider making that pick. The Chargers pick at number three and Kiper has the team going after Tunsil, as the team had a number of injuries on the offensive line last season. Expect the team to consider Bosa if he is on the board at three.
The Cowboys pick at number four and while many expect the team to go after a quarterback, Dallas could also consider someone like Laquon Treadwell or Jalen Ramsey with the pick. Treadwell could help the team after Dez Bryant dealt with injuries last season, while Ramsey could be an option with the team likely letting Morris Claiborne walk this offseason.
Mock picks:
Titans: Laremy Tunsil
Browns: Jared Goff
Chargers: Joey Bosa
Cowboys: Laquon Treadwell
Jaguars: Ronnie Stanley
Check here for more on the NFL draft.
