NFL Draft News & Analysis

Jalen Ramsey selected No. 1 in PFF's first 3-round Mock Draft

Florida State's Jalen Ramsey eyes a South Florida receiver during a play in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015 in Tallahassee, Fla. Florida State won the game 34-14. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)

With the scouting combine, pro days, and free agency in the rearview mirror, we’ve finally turned the page to draft month. The PFF Draft Board is taking shape and we’ve expanded our look at the nation’s top prospects. Offseason moves will dictate what happens on draft night, so we now have a clearer picture of what teams may be looking for when they’re on the clock.

The most important part of the draft for any team is finding the right fit — not necessarily drafting the right positions. This mock draft is all about pairing good players with the proper scheme fit, and as always, this is based on what I would do as the GM of each team, not a prediction for the future.

[Editor's note: Looking for more on the NFL draft? Check out our 2016 NFL draft guide, loaded with scouting reports, signature stats and much more.] 

Here’s Mock Draft 5.0:

Round 1

  1. Tennessee Titans – Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State

Back in Mock Draft 4.0, Ramsey grabbed the top spot and he remains the pick for the Titans. He’s an excellent all-around player, capable of playing underneath zone coverage while providing the best run support in the draft of any cornerback. The upside is what separates Ramsey. He has the size and athleticism to develop into a top man-coverage corner, but he’s not there yet, and at worst, he’s a versatile zone/man corner that’s also capable of playing free safety. Ramsey gives the Titans a lot of options on defense.

More: Ramsey's versatility makes him a top NFL prospect | 3 potential NFL landing spots for Jalen Ramsey 

  1. Cleveland Browns – Jared Goff, QB, Cal

The further we get into the draft process and the more we slice and dice the numbers, the better Goff looks. From pocket presence to quick decision making to his accuracy, Goff is the top quarterback in the class and he’s the best option for Cleveland to start the rebuilding process.

More: Why Jared Goff is the best QB prospect in the country | How Jared Goff dominated at every route depth in 2015

  1. San Diego Chargers – DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

Not much has changed with this pick either as perhaps the draft’s most perfect marriage remains the same. San Diego is weak on the defensive line and Buckner is an ideal fit for their 3-4 as he can rush the passer (best in the nation among interior defensive linemen in 2015) and play the run (ninth in the nation).

More: Why PFF is obsessed with DeForest Buckner | Chargers among 3 best NFL fits for DeForest Buckner 

  1. Dallas Cowboys – Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

Bosa may very well be the best player in the draft, but scheme fit and quarterback needs drop him to fourth. The best edge defender against the run the last two years, Bosa also posted first and second place finishes in our pass rushing grades. He will be an every-down force at the next level.

More: Why Dallas shouldn't draft a QB at No. 4 | Best NFL team fits for top prospect Joey Bosa 

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

The draft continues its theme of playmaking options on the defense with our top coverage linebacker from 2014. Before his injury early in 2015, Jack showed improvement against the run as he was jacking up blockers and disrupting opposing running attacks. His coverage versatility, athleticism and willingness against the run make him a future superstar candidate.

More: Myles Jack isn't a perfect NFL prospect — but he's pretty close 

  1. Baltimore Ravens – Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss

The draft thins out after Tunsil, so the Ravens have to pounce on the top offensive tackle prospect. In limited time in 2015, Tunsil turned away an impressive slate of top edge rushers while run blocking as well as any offensive tackle in the country.

More: 3 best NFL team fits for Laremy Tunsil

  1. San Francisco 49ers – Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

There’s a lot to like about Wentz, yet so many question marks. He’s intriguing enough to take in the first, given the big arm that can stretch the field vertically. Timing and downfield accuracy on certain throws are reasons for concern, but Wentz’s upside is immense after a strong grading effort in 2015 and so little experience.

More: 3 potential NFL landing spots for Carson Wentz

  1. Philadelphia Eagles – Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

Building through the defensive line is never a bad idea, and Rankins adds more depth up front for the Eagles to pair with Fletcher Cox and Bennie Logan. Rankins can play head up on blockers or penetrate gaps while his two-year grading is as good as any defensive lineman in the class (second overall in the nation in 2014, 16th in 2015).

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

Movement skills and scheme versatility make Hargreaves an attractive option. He took a step back in 2015 after posting the second-best coverage grade in the country in 2014, but few corners can play multiple coverages and mirror receivers, and he adds a much-needed playmaker to the Tampa Bay secondary.

  1. New York Giants – Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

A powerful edge player, Lawson had the second-best grade against the run behind Bosa while getting after the quarterback with the 17th-best pass rush grade in the nation. Even with the signing of Olivier Vernon, there is always room for quality edge rushers, especially with Jason Pierre-Paul on a one-year contract.

  1. Chicago Bears – Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State

Few interior defensive linemen possess the size and burst of Jones, who posted our second-best pass rushing grade while producing at an incredible level in just over 1,000 snaps the last two years. He adds even more depth to the defensive overhaul in Chicago.

More: Why we should all pay more attention to DT prospect Chris Jones 

  1. New Orleans Saints – William Jackson III, CB, Houston

Any defensive help will please the Saints, and Jackson may be the best pure cornerback in the draft. The nation’s second-best coverage grade paired with size, speed, and movement skills make Jackson a well-rounded corner with great upside.

  1. Miami Dolphins – Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

With Lamar Miller moving on, the Dolphins add Elliott to their backfield mix to join last year’s fifth-rounder, Jay Ajayi. Elliott is a three-down player that can run in any scheme, pass protect and catch the ball out of the backfield.

More: Ezekiel Elliott is best, most complete RB prospect since Adrian PetersonPFF Debate: Is Elliott a top-10 pick? | 3 NFL team fits

  1. Oakland Raiders – Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

Coleman brings so much explosiveness to an offense, it’s been tempting to take him since around pick No. 8. The Raiders added Amari Cooper in the first round last year and they had a rejuvenated Michael Crabtree, but adding another big-play threat with separation skills could make them one of the most dangerous offenses in the league. Coleman was averaging an other-worldly 5.41 yards per route before injuries at the quarterback position slowed him down.

  1. Los Angeles Rams – Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

The Rams are in need of a quarterback, but there are no viable options at this point in the draft. Instead they add one of the best playmakers in Doctson, who may be the draft’s best deep threats (third in nation in deep passing yards with 553) due to his outstanding body control and ball skills.

  1. Detroit Lions – Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

Need and value match up here as Stanley is one of the best pass protectors in the draft and Detroit is thin at offensive tackle. He has some question marks in the run game, but Stanley can step right in and play right tackle initially before a possible move to the left after Riley Reiff’s contract is up at the end of the year.

  1. Atlanta Falcons – Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia

Pass rushing has been an issue for the Falcons for a few years and Floyd will pair with last year’s first-round pick, Vic Beasley, to provide juice off the edge. Floyd adds even more versatility with his experience playing an off-the-ball linebacker role last year at Georgia where he showed competent in coverage while grading well against the run and as a pass rusher.

  1. Indianapolis Colts – Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State

Next in line as a tackle to guard conversion, Whitehair has posted back-to-back monster grades as Kansas State’s left tackle, and he’ll kick inside to bring a strong run blocking presence to the Colts’ offensive line.

  1. Buffalo Bills – Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

One of the best fits in the draft, Conklin is a powerful run blocker best used in a power scheme and that’s exactly how Buffalo wants to play offensively. Conklin is no slouch in pass protection either, allowing only 25 pressures on 849 snaps the last two years.

  1. New York Jets – Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

Alexander excels in man coverage — exactly what the Jets love to play behind their blitz-heavy scheme. His movement skills make him a perfect corner to match up with the shifty receivers from their division rival, the New England Patriots.

  1. Washington Redskins – Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama

Another strong fit in this draft, Washington is weak in the middle and Ragland brings a sound run-stopping presence with the added bonus of pass rushing ability. He’s solid, yet limited in coverage.

  1. Houston Texans – Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma

With Brock Osweiler taking over at quarterback, it’s time to load up on playmakers. Shepard is one of the class’ best route runners and he posted the second-best receiving grade in the nation while dominating from the slot. He can also do some damage on the outside with his shiftiness and strong ball skills.

  1. Minnesota Vikings – Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State

Few receivers in this class can create separation as well as Thomas and he immediately adds a much-needed intermediate threat to the Vikings offense. He suffered through inconsistent quarterback play at Ohio State but his route running will help QB Teddy Bridgewater immediately.

  1. Cincinnati Bengals – Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama

Perhaps the most technically sound interior defensive lineman in the draft, Reed is stout at the point of attack and he can disrupt blockers and make plays. He posted the second-best grade against the run in 2015 while leading the nation with a run stop percentage of 13.4 percent.

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers – Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia

One of the most intriguing defensive backs in the draft, Joseph was limited to only 240 snaps last season, but he was outstanding, making plays from a variety of coverage looks and dropping the hammer in the run game. That versatility makes him a viable option to play free or strong safety at the next level.

  1. Seattle Seahawks – Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State

Seattle rarely turns down top pass rushing options and with Bruce Irvin moving on to the Oakland Raiders, they re-load with Calhoun, who posted the nation’s best pass rushing grade in 2014 and second-best mark last season. He has his struggles in the run game, but they can ease him into the mix as a pass-rush specialist.

  1. Green Bay Packers – Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor

Green Bay adds some bulk up front in Billings, who is fantastic when asked to play straight ahead and beat up the man right in front of him. There’s some work to be done to polish up his game, but Billings can push the pocket and clog the middle in the run game (No. 10 run grade in the nation in 2015).

  1. Kansas City Chiefs – Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

No team played more man coverage than the Chiefs last season, and with Sean Smith moving on to the Oakland Raiders, Apple is a natural replacement. He struggles with zone concepts, but he can match receivers extremely well in press man coverage –now he just needs to do a better job of finding the ball and making plays to maximize his potential. His size and speed make for a good fit in Kansas City.

  1. Arizona Cardinals – Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky

Spence is one of the draft’s wild cards as his off-field issues could drop him quite a bit, but with a thin edge class, his value soars from an on-the-field standpoint. He dominated the Senior Bowl week off the edge and despite concerns about his work in the run game, he should contribute immediately as a pass-rush specialist.

  1. Carolina Panthers – Jonathan Bullard, DE/DT, Florida

Last year’s top-graded interior run defender has some position versatility at the next level, as Bullard could play base defensive end while kicking inside to rush the passer. He’s excellent at recognizing and defeating blocks and while his pass rushing has been merely good, he has the athleticism and power to make a jump in the next few years.

  1. Denver Broncos – Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas

The sure-handed Henry didn’t drop a pass in 2015 and he has the size and speed to stretch the seam in Denver’s offense. He posted the top receiving grade among the nation’s tight ends last season and he immediately becomes Denver’s top receiving option at the position.

*No first-round pick for the New England Patriots

Round 2

  1. Cleveland Browns – Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

A surprising fall for Treadwell, who we like as a late first-round prospect but simply failed to find a good fit. Instead, he’ll pair with Goff as a red-zone threat that creates good separation on slants but struggles to separate on most other routes.

More: Monson: Why Treadwell isn't a top WR prospect

  1. Tennessee Titans – Vernon Butler, DE, Louisiana Tech

Butler fits Tennessee’s 3-4 defense as a defensive end, as he’s strong in the run game (fifth in the nation in 2015) while showing the ability to push the pocket from the interior.

  1. Dallas Cowboys – Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers

Few receivers matched Carroo’s second half when he dominated multiple games with nifty vertical route running and strong hands (4.11 yards per route led the nation). He’s a good complementary piece to Dez Bryant on the other side.

  1. San Diego Chargers – Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

Center has been a problem spot for the Chargers, so Kelly steps in and provides stability. He graded well, and offensive line coaches around the league are raving about the Alabama product. He could sneak into the first round come April 28th.

  1. Baltimore Ravens – Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame

Baltimore has had center issues of their own, and Martin fits their zone blocking scheme extremely well. He posted the fifth-best run blocking grade in the nation while surrendering only five pressures on the year.

  1. San Francisco 49ers – Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana

An athletic tackle feels like a perfect fit for Chip Kelly’s zone scheme. Spriggs showed well on the field in 2015 but even better at the scouting combine where his movement skills were on display. He can make the necessary blocks in Kelly’s system, likely at right tackle to play opposite Joe Staley.

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss

Another wild card in the draft, Nkemdiche struggles against power in the running game, but may be effective playing as an early-down defensive end. He’s explosive off the ball as a pass rusher and he adds yet another movable chess piece on the revamped Jacksonville defensive front.

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame

A perfect backup to DT Gerald McCoy, Day is an upfield penetrator capable of blowing up plays in the backfield. He also showed well rushing off the edge at the Senior Bowl. Day’s +60.0 overall grade ranked second in the nation in 2015.

  1. New York Giants – Michael Thomas, WR, Southern Miss

One of the draft’s sleeper WR prospects, Thomas plays much bigger than his listed 6-foot-1, making acrobatic catches and winning at the catch point more than any top receiver in this draft. His +19.5 receiving grade ranked 11th in the class in 2015.

  1. Chicago Bears – Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech

With Matt Forte moving on, Dixon adds a shifty backfield presence while also doubling as the draft’s best receiving running back. He had the highest receiving grade in the draft class while doing damage in the backfield and out of the slot.

  1. Miami Dolphins – Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State

Even with Mario Williams coming to town, the Dolphins have questions on the edge and Ogbah posted the nation’s third-best pass rush grade in the draft class last season at +38.4. Like many of the other top rushers in the class, his work in the run game is questionable (71st in the class).

  1. Los Angeles Rams – Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

While we don’t like Lynch until around the third round, this is an optimum spot for the Rams to take a chance. They have a pick coming up and Lynch comes from a limited offense that didn’t give us a good look at his potential. From a size, arm and touch standpoint, there’s a lot to like, so it’s a viable risk for the QB-needy Rams. Lynch’s +25.0 passing grade ranked seventh in the class last year.

More: What to make of Paxton Lynch's NFL potential 

  1. Oakland Raiders – Scooby Wright III, LB, Arizona

Wright battled injury in 2015, but he was a force in the run game in 2014, posting the nation’s second-best grade. His play recognition skills are excellent, and they make up for his subpar athleticism. He should be a strong run defender and viable zone coverage defender at the next level.

  1. Los Angeles Rams – Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State

Johnson has the build of a nose tackle, but he’s excellent at using his hands and creating penetration in the backfield. He can step into the defensive line rotation to spell starting nose tackle, Michael Brockers, after posting the third-best run stopping grade in the country in 2015.

  1. Detroit Lions – Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State

It’s a loaded interior defensive line class, and Washington doesn’t stand out in any one area, but his solid all-around game make him a good fit in Detroit. He got after the passer (third in the nation) while playing stout against the run in multiple roles each of the last two seasons.

  1. New Orleans Saints – Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame

Another major storyline in the draft, we’re going on the basis that Smith has serious knee injury concerns and may miss the majority of the 2015 season. The challenge has been finding a team that might be willing to take a chance on his talent, despite a “redshirt” season and given the Saints’ defensive woes, they go out on a limb here and add one of the draft’s best athletes. When healthy, Smith can be a special coverage linebacker, attacking the screen game and matching up with tight ends, while developing as a run defender.

  1. Indianapolis Colts – A’Shawn Robinson, DE, Alabama

Many analysts have Robinson in the first round, but middle of the second feels right for his value as a run-stopping defensive end in a 3-4. He’s never gotten after the quarterback effectively, but he’s powerful at the point of attack and rarely moved off the ball (ranked 13th in nation against the run each of the last two years).

  1. Buffalo Bills – Su’a Cravens, S/LB, USC

A tweener prospect, Cravens is more linebacker than safety and while there may not be a clean fit in Buffalo’s base defense, he projects as a nickel linebacker in their scheme. He’s strong against the run with sound instincts in coverage.

  1. Atlanta Falcons – Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State

There’s little flash to Higgins’ game, but he’s one of the best route runners in the draft and he provides a perfect complement to Julio Jones’ big play ability on the other side. His +32.0 receiving grade in 2014 ranked third in the nation behind Amari Cooper and Tyler Lockett.

  1. New York Jets – Joe Thuney, OT/G, NC State

One of our favorite sleepers in the draft, Thuney brings versatility to the defensive line after grading as a top-20 guard in 2014 and top-5 offensive tackle in 2015. It’s not always pretty, but he rarely loses in the run or pass game (surrendered only seven pressures on 507 snaps in pass protection in 2015).

  1. Houston Texans – Tyler Higbee, TE, Western Kentucky

Even more weapons for Osweiler as Higbee is one of the best receiving threats in the draft. He averaged 14.8 yards per reception last year including 6.6 yards after the catch per reception.

  1. Washington Redskins – Kalan Reed, CB, Southern Miss

Reed showed well on the field and he’s recently complemented it with strong workouts as he establishes himself as a viable cornerback prospect in a class that is lacking after the top tier. His +13.7 coverage grade ranked third in the class, and he’ll add much-needed talent to a weak Washington secondary.

  1. Minnesota Vikings – Jeremy Cash, S, Duke

Another hybrid safety/linebacker prospect, Cash fits the same role as Cravens as a nickel linebacker, but teams are training him for a safety role down the road. His aggressive style fits in well in Minnesota’s scheme that will attack with their front-7 and if he develops into a pure strong safety, he’s a nice complement to Harrison Smith on the other side.

  1. Cincinnati Bengals – Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State

A monster senior season pushed Nassib up draft boards, and despite lacking the “look” of a great pass-rushing defensive end, he just wins at the point of attack. This was evidenced by a dominant Senior Bowl practice week that saw him win 93 percent of his one-on-one pass rushing reps.

  1. Seattle Seahawks – Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana

One of the best zone-running backs in the draft, Howard fits Seattle’s style and he pairs with Thomas Rawls as they look to replace Marshawn Lynch’s production.

  1. Green Bay Packers – Joe Schobert, OLB, Wisconsin

Schobert has been incredibly productive the last two years, leading the nation in pass-rush productivity despite an undersized frame. His fourth quarter against Iowa was one of the more dominant performances in college football in all of 2015.

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers – Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame

Fuller doesn’t provide the all-around game of some of the draft’s other receivers but his second gear and big-play potential is special. With Martavis Bryant suspended for the season, Fuller provides the big-play threat for the Pittsburgh offense after leading the nation with 708 receiving yards on deep passes in 2015.

  1. Kansas City Chiefs – Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina

More of a throwback tight end, Adams is strong on the edge in the running game and he’s a sneaky-good route runner up the seam. With Adams and TE Travis Kelce on the field, the Chiefs can create matchup problems for opposing defenses.

  1. New England Patriots – Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska

Despite taking defensive tackles in the first round each of the last two years, Collins is too much to pass up as he can penetrate from the interior and he wins with quick, violent hands. His +35.1 overall grade against Power-5 competition ranked seventh in the country in 2015.

  1. New England Patriots – Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA

The second New England pick matches need and value as Perkins is our top running back remaining on the board after leading the nation with an elusive rating of 114.7 last year (forced 85 missed tackles on 265 touches).

  1. Carolina Panthers – Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

We’re not as high on Decker as others as he’s struggled in pass protection (37th in draft class) but he’s a powerful run blocker that is a perfect fit for Carolina’s man-blocking system. They’ll be banking on fixing a few technique issues to get Decker’s pass blocking up to par.

  1. Denver Broncos – Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas

Yet another interior defensive lineman, Ridgeway is flying under the radar but his +34.6 overall grade on only 463 snaps is excellent down-to-down production. He steps into departed DT Malik Jackson’s interior pass-rushing role.

Round 3

  1. Tennessee Titans – De’Vante Harris, CB, Texas A&M

An unsung corner, Harris has strong movement skills that led to the sixth-best coverage grade in the class in 2015 at +11.5.

  1. Cleveland Browns – Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA

Clark’s 43.9 overall grade finished 12th in the draft class as he can push the pocket as a pass rusher (one bull rush pressure every 23.8 rushes, second-best in the class) while making plays up and down the line of scrimmage in the run game.

  1. San Diego Chargers – Kevin Byard, S, Middle Tennessee State

Perhaps the best center field free safety in the draft, Byard adds depth to the San Diego secondary after posting the seventh-best coverage grade in the draft class last year.

  1. Dallas Cowboys – Isaac Seumalo, G, Oregon State

Seumalo is not a dominant blocker, but he sustains in the running game and he gave up only four pressures last season. With La’el Collins possibly moving to right tackle in the future, Seumalo can step into his role at guard.

  1. San Francisco 49ers – Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU

Kaufusi fits the 3-4 scheme well and his production was excellent (first in pass-rush productivity at 13.2 and third in run-stop percentage at 12.1 percent).

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama

Adding even more pieces to the defense, Jones can play outside or in the slot and his +7.0 coverage grade ranked 13th in the class.

  1. Baltimore Ravens –Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State

Fackrell is a good fit for Baltimore’s defense as he can get after the quarterback (seventh in pass rush productivity at 15.7) and he has the long frame to add weight to hold up on the edge.

  1. New York Giants – Darian Thompson, S, Boise State

Need and value match up well here as Thompson is a playmaker in the secondary and should pair with last year’s second-rounder, Landon Collins, to form a well-rounded duo.

  1. Chicago Bears – Kevin Dodd, OLB, Clemson

Dodd’s late-season surge may push him much higher in the draft, but he was a good, not great pass rusher. He uses his hands well on the edge in the run game and adds great depth to Chicago’s defensive front.

  1. Miami Dolphins – Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State

Lee’s explosiveness stands out, and even though he struggled at times in coverage and in the run game, he adds much-needed athleticism to the Miami linebacking corps.

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Daniel Braverman, WR, Western Michigan

One of the best slot receivers in the draft, Braverman gets open with shiftiness and savvy — a big part of his 3.14 yards per route that ranked sixth in the nation. He adds a short passing option to the big-bodied Tampa Bay receiving corps.

  1. Oakland Raiders – Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas

Collins has experience in a pro-style system where he maximized the yards given to him with sharp cuts and strong finishes to his runs. His 58 forced missed tackles ranked third in the class.

  1. Los Angeles Rams – Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor

There’s so much upside to Howard’s game given his size, speed and spurts of his game tape, but there’s plenty of ugly on there too. He’s a worthwhile risk in the third round for the Rams who just lost Janoris Jenkins to free agency.

  1. Philadelphia Eagles – Keyarris Garrett, WR, Tulsa

Garrett’s size and downfield ability make him very intriguing and he paired that with strong hands in 2015 (dropped only three of 99 catchable passes in 2015).

  1. New Orleans Saints – Christian Westerman, G, Arizona State

The Saints would be thrilled to land Westerman here as he may be the best pass protecting guard in the class though he struggles at the point of attack at times in the running game.

  1. Philadelphia Eagles – Nick VanHoose, CB, Northwestern

VanHoose is not on many radars, but he’s strong in zone coverage and breaks on the ball well. His 10 passes defensed tied for 10th in the nation last year.

  1. Buffalo Bills – Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford

Rex Ryan officially loves this draft as he now adds perhaps the best pulling guard in the class in Garnett. It’s a perfect fit for the Bills who love to pull their guards in the run game, and Garnett has plenty of experience in Stanford’s scheme where he posted the second-best run blocking grade in the nation last year.

  1. Atlanta Falcons – Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State

Atlanta adds even more pass rush ability up front as Hargrave tore up the all-star game process, grading at +3.3 between the East-West Shrine and Senior Bowl.

  1. Indianapolis Colts – Nick Kwiatkoski, LB, West Virginia

Kwiatkoski brings a thumping presence to the Colts’ defense, capable of blowing up blockers while playing sound coverage (No. 9 overall linebacker in the nation in 2015).

  1. New York Jets – Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State

The Jets take a chance on Cook who has the downfield aggressiveness to win games with a strong receiving corps, but also the short-area accuracy to lose games as well. It’s worth seeing if they can shore up the latter.

  1. Washington Redskins – Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama

Washington loves to run the ball downhill and that’s a great fit for Henry, who destroyed defenses late in games and led the nation with 1,339 yards after contact.

  1. Houston Texans – Darius Latham, DE, Indiana

Houston turns to the defensive side, where Latham is one of the best interior pass rushers in the class (eighth in 2015). He has the frame to develop into their class 3-4 defensive end and he already shows good hand use at times.

  1. Minnesota Vikings – C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame

Minnesota adds backfield depth in Prosise who can also provide a slot receiving option. He broke out with a strong season last year at Notre Dame, finishing with the seventh-best elusive rating in the class at 74.7.

  1. Cincinnati Bengals – Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Georgia

The Bengals need to replenish the receiving corps and Mitchell does a fine job separating on in-breaking routes while mixing in spectacular catches from time to time. Both of these attributes will be good fits for QB Andy Dalton.

  1. Green Bay Packers – Kyle Murphy, OT, Stanford

Murphy provides offensive tackle depth for the Packers as his solid, yet unspectacular style saw him grade at +23.9 last season, good for ninth in the country.

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State

A perfect fit as a 3-4 rush linebacker, Correa adds more edge rushing depth to the Pittsburgh defense after a solid +16.3 pass rushing effort last season (eight sacks, 12 hits, 16 hurries on only 250 rushes).

  1. Seattle Seahawks – Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn

The offensive line needs work in Seattle, and there’s some projection to Coleman’s game, but he graded well as a run blocker at +19.7 (10th in nation) and he has the frame to develop as a pass blocker.

  1. New England Patriots – Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh

Boyd is a worthwhile risk at this point in the draft. He’s an inconsistent route runner, but he’s strong with the ball in his hands and he’s been very productive in Pittsburgh’s offense (No. 15 receiving grade in 2015).

  1. Arizona Cardinals – Steven Daniels, LB, Boston College

One of the best run-stopping linebackers in the draft (top grade in the nation in 2015), Daniels works downhill and destroys blocks and he plays with great instincts to mitigate his athleticism issues. Even if just an early-down player, he provides the thumping presence the Cardinals have lacked in their 3-4 scheme.

  1. Carolina Panthers – Cre’Von LeBlanc, CB, Florida Atlantic

LeBlanc has been excellent in our two years of grading for Florida Atlantic and he excels in zone coverage, so he’ll add a nice depth piece for the Panthers’ secondary.

  1. Denver Broncos – Joe Dahl, OT, Washington State

The Air Raid system at Washington State certainly helped Dahl post the top pass-blocking grades in the nation the last two years, but he has excellent movement skills and if he can improve his strength against the bull rush, he could develop into a viable starting tackle.

  1. Detroit Lions (compensatory pick) – Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina

An explosive slot receiver, Cooper is best on vertical routes and he has the burst to do damage on manufactured touches in the screen game or in the backfield.

  1. New England Patriots (compensatory pick) – Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State

Perry doesn’t excel in any one area, but he has good size and he’s a very sure tackler (only nine misses on over 200 attempts the last two seasons). He’s outplayed teammate, Darron Lee, the last two seasons.

  1. Seattle Seahawks (compensatory pick) – Ronald Blair, DE/DT, Appalachian State

Another depth piece for the Settle defensive front, Blair could dabble outside or inside and his +42.7 overall grade ranked 14th in the nation.

  1. Denver Broncos (compensatory pick) – Kentrell Brothers, LB, Missouri

Brothers is yet another run-first linebacker as he can shed blocks and he’s one of the best in the class at sifting through the trash to find the ball carrier. He led the nation with a run stop percentage of 15.8 percent last year.

 

 

Safety worth way more than 2 points. Help protect your family with fast, free will.
Sponsor

NFL Draft Featured Tools

Subscriptions

Unlock the 2023 Fantasy Draft Kit, with League Sync, Live Draft Assistant, PFF Grades & Data Platform that powers all 32 Pro Teams

$31 Draft Kit Fee + $8.99/mo
OR
$89.88/yr + FREE Draft Kit