2016 NFL Mock Draft

Last update: Wednesday, March 16, 2016. Major changes.
Next update: Next week. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2016 NFL Mock Draft based on the current NFL Draft Order.

NFL Draft Recent Links:
2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 3/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5
Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/25)
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/23)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)


    *** 2016 NFL MOCK DRAFT (5 rounds) updated Mar. 16. This mock draft will be updated each week. Check out old versions of this 2016 NFL Mock Draft in the archived mock section. Follow @walterfootball for NFL Draft updates. ***
  1. Tennessee Titans: Jalen Ramsey, S/CB, Florida State
    For the first time in quite a while, there’s a change atop this 2016 NFL Mock Draft. Laremy Tunsil has been a very logical pick for Tennessee, as the team needs to bolster its pass protection for Marcus Mariota. However, as Charlie Campbell reported in the NFL Draft Rumor Mill, Jalen Ramsey has emerged as the favorite to be the Titans’ choice at No. 1 overall.

    What the Titans have wanted all along is to trade down so they can take Ramsey, as he is the top prospect in this class in their eyes. He also fills a huge need in a poor secondary, regardless of where they ask him to play. Tunsil offers more positional value, but when considering that Ramsey is the superior player, they probably have determined that everything cancels out, so why not take the prospect they covet most? Nothing has been decided yet, and things could change again, but if the draft were today, Ramsey would be the pick.

    Pick change; previously Laremy Tunsil, OT

  2. Cleveland Browns: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
    Toward the end of the season, I thought the Browns would draft Joey Bosa. Things change quickly, however, and as we all learned, Johnny Manziel is having major personal issues, pretending to be someone named Billy in Vegas while drinking his life away. The Browns have realized that they can’t go forward with a self-destructive alcoholic, and they’ve stated that he will be released come March. New regimes mean new quarterbacks, anyhow, so Cleveland’s front office will want to obtain its own guy.

    Charlie Campbell was the first to report that the Browns really like Carson Wentz, back in our Senior Bowl Coverage. Wentz was a big winner at the Combine, blowing Jared Goff away in nearly every aspect. It’s looking like the only way he’s not the No. 2 pick at this point is if someone trades ahead of the Browns.

  3. San Diego Chargers: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
    The only way the Chargers aren’t sprinting to the podium to hand in their envelope is if owner Dean Spanos is still on the phone, trying to find a city that will take his football team. This is a dream come true for the Chargers, as obtaining Laremy Tunsil might have once seemed like a pipe dream, a “dream with pipes” as described by one Hall of Fame running back. That, however, seems like a realistic possibility now with the Titans coveting Jalen Ramsey.

    It’s pretty obvious what Tunsil would do for San Diego. The offensive line has been a disaster area the past several seasons, but that probably would no longer be the case with Tunsil stationed on the blind side to protect Philip Rivers from all of the ferocious pass-rushers in the AFC West.

    Pick change; previously Jalen Ramsey, DB



  4. Dallas Cowboys: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
    I could see Joey Bosa slide to the Dolphins or Buccaneers because of his character concerns, but Dallas is a strong possibility as well. Jerry Jones has shown that he’s not afraid to take a chance on a talented player with some off-the-field questions. With Greg Hardy on his way out, and Randy Gregory now one strike away from a year-long suspension, Bosa makes a ton of sense for the Cowboys.

    For more on Bosa, check out the new entry in the NFL Draft Rumor Mill, which talks about how some teams are worried about Bosa’s night life, pertaining to party drugs.

  5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack, LB/RB, UCLA
    The Jaguars are going to focus on upgrading their defense this offseason. I had them drafting Jalen Ramsey in a previous mock, but as you can see in the NFL Draft Rumors page, Jacksonville will be focusing on its front seven over its secondary.

    With Joey Bosa off the board, the top front-seven prospect is probably Myles Jack (possibly DeForest Buckner), who would provide an upgrade over the declining Paul Posluszny. And yes, Jack is still a first-rounder and a likely top-10 prospect. Jack injured his knee, yet he’s still in play to go this high. Todd Gurley was chosen No. 10 overall despite his knee injury, and Jack got hurt so early that he’ll be ready for the 2016 NFL season opener.

  6. Baltimore Ravens: DeForest Buckner, DE/DT, Oregon
    The Ravens are in a good spot. There appear to be six consensus top prospects in this underwhelming class: Laremy Tunsil, Carson Wentz, Jalen Ramsey, Joey Bosa, Myles Jack and DeForest Buckner. Baltimore will be able to take whichever of the six falls to them, and all but one fill a need. The lone exception is Wentz, and he, along with Tunsil won’t drop to this spot.

    Buckner is the player who drops to the Ravens in this scenario. The defensive line needs to be addressed in the wake of Chris Canty’s release, and Buckner is a no-brainer as the top prospect available.



  7. San Francisco 49ers: Jared Goff, QB, California
    Bold prediction: If the 49ers don’t draft a quarterback in the first two rounds, Chip Kelly will start Blaine Gabbert next year, citing how his short-range accuracy makes him a great fit for his offense. This may sound crazy, but Kelly is completely incompetent and doesn’t understand NFL concepts. For more on this, check out my Top 10 Worst NFL Free Agent Signings from 2015.

    However, I think there’s a good chance Kelly will select Jared Goff if available (and yes, all head coaches have input on draft choices). Once again, new regimes mean new quarterbacks, and while the 49ers don’t have a different general manager, they are, in a sense, starting over with Kelly, whose affinity for Pac-12 prospects will once again be prevalent.

  8. Philadelphia Eagles: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
    The Eagles moved up to No. 8 because they believe that there are eight blue-chip prospects in this class. It’s unclear who some of the names are in that group, but the three logical possibilities are Ronnie Stanley, Vernon Hargreaves and Ezekiel Elliott. The Eagles have addressed both the offensive line and secondary this offseason, but they haven’t touched the running back position. That doesn’t mean Elliott is the pick for sure, but he definitely makes a ton of sense, as going into the season with Ryan Mathews, another player on the trading block, as the starting runner doesn’t sound too promising.

    For more on Elliott, check out the new entry in the NFL Draft Rumor Mill, which talks about how some teams are worried about Elliott’s night life, pertaining to party drugs.

    Pick change; previously Jack Conklin, OT (No. 13)

  9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Leonard Floyd, DE/OLB, Georgia
    Gerald McCoy and Jacquies Smith were considered the Buccaneers’ top two pass-rushers last season. McCoy is great, but Smith? It’s quite apparent that Tampa needed someone better to get to the quarterback, and while it already added Robert Ayers, a long-term option is needed. Fortunately for the front office, this class is loaded with talented edge rushers.

    The Buccaneers have been linked to Leonard Floyd, as Charlie Campbell mentioned on our podcast. Floyd would definitely help Tampa’s efforts of generating heavy pressure on Cam Newton, Drew Brees and Matt Ryan.



  10. New York Giants: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
    The Giants chose Ereck Flowers in the first round last year, but they’ve brought in a number of talented offensive tackles thus far in free agency, including Russell Okung and Donald Penn. They haven’t signed any, as of this writing, so if that continues to be the case, it could mean that they’ll spend yet another first-rounder on a blocking upgrade for Eli Manning.

    Pick change; previously Vernon Hargreaves, CB

  11. Chicago Bears: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
    The Bears entered the offseason needing to bolster their group of cornerbacks, yet the only thing they’ve really done thus far is re-sign Tracy Porter, who struggled down the stretch last season. I have to believe that if Vernon Hargreaves is available – a real possibility if the Eagles pass on him at No. 8 – that Chicago would pounce all over him. He would be the best player available and would also fill a huge need, making this pick a no-brainer.

    Pick change; previously Ronnie Stanley, OT

  12. New Orleans Saints: A’Shawn Robinson, DE/DT, Alabama
    We all know how bad New Orleans’ secondary is, but part of the problem is that the team hasn’t gotten any sort of push up front. It’s especially dire at defensive tackle, where 80-year-old Kevin Williams is the team’s best player. Something absolutely needs to be done about that.



  13. Miami Dolphins: Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
    I don’t understand what the Dolphins did this offseason, but they apparently think that the recipe to winning a Super Bowl is to acquire as many old, declining defensive ends as possible. OK, I’m sure they truly don’t believe that, but they do need lots of young blood at the position after allowing Olivier Vernon to walk.

    Pick change; previously Ezekiel Elliott, RB (No. 8)

  14. Oakland Raiders: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
    The Raiders signed Kelechi Osemele to a huge contract this offseason, so some believe that they might ask him to start at left tackle if Donald Penn moves on. That’s certainly a possibility, but it’s not ideal, as Osemele is better when starting in the interior. Another option is to use the 14th pick in the draft on someone like Jack Conklin, who could be Derek Carr’s new blind-side protector.

    Pick change; previously Emmanuel Ogbah, DE

  15. Los Angeles Rams: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
    Charlie Campbell recently reported that multiple teams have late first-round grades on Laquon Treadwell, but the Rams could definitely scoop him up at this juncture. Their need at receiver is extremely obvious, as they had no play-makers at the position outside of Tavon Austin. They didn’t do anything in free agency to fix this concern either. Treadwell would definitely change that, and he would also help open up running lanes for Todd Gurley.

    Pick change; previously Kevin Dodd, DE

  16. Detroit Lions: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
    The Lions obviously need a big boost at defensive tackle after failing to properly replace Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley last offseason, and Sheldon Rankins is one of the better players available.


  17. Go to 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

    Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I’ve received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.

Go to 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2 | Go to 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3


Go to 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Round 4 | 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Round 5


Go to 2017 NFL Mock Draft | Go to Fantasy Football Rankings







2024 NFL Mock Draft - March 26


NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22


Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19


NFL Picks - Feb. 12






NFL Draft Links:

My 2003 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2003 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/8/08)
My 2004 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2004 NFL Draft Prospects/ 2004 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/6/08)
My 2005 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2005 NFL Draft Prospects
2005 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/4/08)
My 2006 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2006 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/28)
2006 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded on 7/3)
My 2007 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/ Round 4/ Round 5/ Round 6/ Round 7
Other 2007 Mock Drafts:April Fools
2007 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/24)/Kenny Ortiz's Top 40 Prospects
2007 NFL Combine and Pro Day Results
2007 NFL Draft Grades
2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/Round 4/Round 5/Round 6/Round 7
Alternative 2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/7): Round 1 /Round 2
2008 NFL Re-Draft - Round 3 (UPDATED 4/27)
2008 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 8/5)
Other 2008 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/25)/ Craig Smith (4/22)/ Emmitt Smith (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Shocker (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Backwards (4/19)/ Forum Mock (4/15)/ April Fools (4/1)
2009 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
Other 2009 Mock Drafts: Re-Draft (4/26) /Matt McGuire (4/25) /Reader Mock (4/25) /Hunter Ansley (4/24) /Backward Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Smith (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/9) /April Fools (4/1) /Experts (3/30) /KFFL (3/14)
2010 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/22): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 3 (4/24): Round 4 (Walt's) / Round 4 (Matt's)
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 2 (4/23): Round 2 (Walt's) / Round 3 (Walt's) / Round 2 (Matt's) / Round 3 (Matt's)
Other 2010 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Celebrity Mock (4/8) /Experts (3/17) /Reader (4/13) /Consensus (2/25)
2011 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2011 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 2 /Round 3
Other 2011 Mock Drafts: Free Agency (5/9) /Greg Cox (4/28) /Backward Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/21) /Team Big Boards (4/21) /Celebrity Mock (4/13) /Experts (4/7) /Not Mock (4/6) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Greg Cox's 2012 Mock (2/22) /Matt McGuire (1/8)
2012 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2012 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2012 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Pick History (4/23) /Emmitt Mock (4/19) /Not Mock (4/19) /Backward Mock (4/17) /Celebrity (4/15) /Goals (4/10) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Greg Cox (9/9)
2013 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2013 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2013 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /GM Mock (4/21) /Charlie's Trade Mock (4/20) /Goals (4/19) /Rapid Reader Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/14) /Not Mock (4/13) /Pick History (4/5) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Archived 2013 NFL Mock Drafts
2014 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATE 5/8): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2014 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/10): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2014 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/8) /Goals (5/3) /Not Mock (4/27) /Emmitt Mock (4/20) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Celebrity Mock (4/11) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2015 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2015 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/2): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2015 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/30) /Goals (4/25) /Not Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/3) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/5) /Overreaction Mock (12/29)
2016 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2016 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2016 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Combo (5/8) /Goals (4/23) /Not Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
2017 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2017 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2017 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Combo (5/7) /Goals (4/22) /Not Mock (4/21) /Emmitt Mock (4/16) /Backward Mock (4/9) /Celebrity Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Overreaction Mock (1/2)
2018 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2018 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2018 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Combo (5/6) /Goals (4/21) /Not Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Backward Mock (4/8) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/11) /Senior Bowl (1/27)
2019 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2019 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2019 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /Combo (5/5) /Goals (4/20) /Not Mock (4/18) /Witten Mock (4/14) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Emmitt Mock (4/7) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/10) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/26) /Video Mock (1/8) /Overreaction Mock (12/31)
2020 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2020 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2020 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/23) /Combo (5/3) /Goals (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/12) /Trades Mock (4/8) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/16) /Corey Long (3/13) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/27) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2021 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2021 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/1): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2021 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/17) /Goals (4/23) /Backward Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/11) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/30) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
2022 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2022 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2022 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Goals (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/5) /Overreaction Mock (1/10)
2023 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2023 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2023 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Backward Mock (4/19) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/4) /Overreaction Mock (1/9)
2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 3/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5
Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/25)
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/23)
2018 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2017 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2016 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2015 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2014 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2013 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2012 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2011 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2010 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2009 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2008 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2007 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2006 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2005 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2004 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2003 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2002 NFL Draft Re-Mock