2016 Backward NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

This is our eighth-annual backward mock draft. It’s what it sounds like: What would the 2016 NFL Draft look like if the order were reversed? Who would the Broncos take with the first pick? My annual Backward NFL Mock Draft is listed below.

Go here for my 2016 NFL Mock Draft or here for my 2017 NFL Mock Draft.

Back to 2016 Backward NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-16.

  1. 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. They’ve shown lots of interest in Jarran Reed, but Sheldon Rankins, a superior prospect, is available in this backward order.

  2. Los Angeles Rams: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
    Defensive tackle may not seem like the Rams’ biggest need, but it’s a position they’ve been willing to draft with an early selection when that’s been the case. With Nick Fairley gone, there’s not much behind Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers. The latter will be entering free agency following the 2016 campaign, so Vernon Butler, who has drawn comparisons to Muhammad Wilkerson, could step in as a starter in 2017.

  3. Oakland Raiders: Jarran Reed, DE/DT, Alabama
    The Raiders took care of a bunch of their needs this offseason. One thing they still have to acquire is some help on the defensive line, especially in the wake of Mario Edwards’ potential career-threatening neck injury.



  4. Miami Dolphins: William Jackson, CB, Houston
    William Jackson is actually an option for the Dolphins at No. 13. It’s a bit too early to take him there, but the selection wouldn’t surprise me at all. It’s much more acceptable here, or if Miami actually trades down again in the real draft.

  5. New Orleans Saints: Kevin Dodd, DE/OLB, Clemson
    The Saints need help all over their defense. I have them selecting an edge rusher in the second round of my real 2016 NFL Mock Draft, but they could easily pull the trigger on one in the initial frame.

  6. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Bullard, DE/DT, Florida
    I have A’Shawn Robinson being chosen by the Bears in my real mock. Given Chicago’s issues on the defensive line, the team could certainly snatch up the Alabama prospect. Jonathan Bullard is an inferior option, so it’s a good thing the Bears are picking 11th in the real draft.



  7. New York Giants: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
    I’ve seen Laquon Treadwell mocked to the Giants in several other publications, but No. 10 is far too early for him to go off the board. Too many teams we’ve spoken to have Treadwell slated in the middle or late first round, as he’s a possession receiver instead of a No. 1 talent. However, if the Giants were to trade down – or enter an alternate universe in which the draft order is backward – Treadwell would make much more sense.

  8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
    I’ve never mocked Vernon Hargreaves to the Buccaneers for a reason, though I do acknowledge that the Buccaneers will likely spend an early-round selection on a cornerback. Eli Apple could be an option of theirs in the second round, so he makes sense in this unrealistic scenario.

  9. Philadelphia Eagles: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
    The poor Eagles traded up in the real draft, which means their pick is worse in the backward version. Oops! Vernon Hargreaves is an option for Philadelphia at No. 8, so perhaps another cornerback would suffice here.



  10. San Francisco 49ers: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
    Paxton Lynch is an option for the 49ers in this scenario, but he doesn’t seem like the type of quarterback Chip Kelly thinks he wants. Michael Thomas, on the other hand, fits perfectly into Kelly’s Looney Tunes offense, so he seems like the logical pick here.

  11. Baltimore Ravens: Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
    The Ravens have shown interest in Reggie Ragland as perhaps a replacement for Daryl Smith, but based on where Baltimore is drafting, it’ll be difficult to obtain the Alabama linebacker. Obtaining him would be much more realistic in this unrealistic draft order.

  12. Jacksonville Jaguars: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
    Another defender who can get to the quarterback could be used, as the Jaguars’ primary edge rusher is someone who hasn’t played a single game in the NFL. Jacksonville is expected to add a pass-rusher at some point in the 2016 NFL Draft, so it might as well be now.



  13. Dallas Cowboys: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
    The Cowboys would LOVE Josh Doctson to somehow slip to them in the second round, but I can’t really see that happening. Doctson is exactly what the front office is looking for in a receiver as a complement for Dez Bryant, but Doctson is drawing interest from too many teams.

  14. San Diego Chargers: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
    The Chargers made a nice signing when they brought in Brandon Mebane this offseason, but he’s not the long-term answer at nose tackle. Here’s someone who very well could be.

  15. Cleveland Browns: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
    The Browns miss out on Carson Wentz and Jared Goff in the Backward NFL Mock Draft, but they at least still land a signal-caller. Paxton Lynch is much more of a project, but the Browns have a new front office in place, which means plenty of time to rebuild.

  16. Tennessee Titans: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
    We end the Backward NFL Mock Draft on a boring note, as the Titans’ 31st-overall pick is the same as their No. 33 selection in my real 2016 NFL Mock Draft. My apologies for being so anticlimactic! For more, check out my five-round 2016 NFL Mock Draft.



  17. Back to 2016 Backward NFL Mock Draft – Picks 1-16 | Real 2016 NFL Mock Draft









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