NFL Mock Draft 2016: S&BP staff mock draft

It's Thursday which means the 2016 NFL Draft is exactly a week away. This year we're doing something a little different with our mock draft. This time the whole Silver & Black Pride staff will alternate picks throughout the first round in a live mock, so readers can follow along just as they would the real draft next week.

With the Rams executing a trade with the Titans to move up to the number one overall pick. And with a couple weeks to decide who they are picking, that card should come right at noon when the live mock draft begins.

After each pick, teams will have five minutes to make their selections, so follow along as each member of the staff cycles though, playing GM for each team.

Just as the real draft, we will be doing just the first round which is 31 picks this year due to the Patriots having their first round pick stripped from them.

Here we go.

Welcome to the 2016 NFL Draft. The Los Angeles Rams are on the clock.

The first pick is in...

1. LA Rams: Jared Goff, QB, Cal

The Rams completed a mammoth trade with the Titans to acquire the number one overall pick in hopes of finding a franchise quarterback. Jared Goff is the top quarterback in this class and the number one overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. -- Tyler Green

2. Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

The Eagles traded a boat load of picks to the Browns to move up to this spot so they could get their quarterback. They apparently don't care which of them they get and in this case, it's Wentz. This pick makes sense because Wentz is a gifted quarterback who may need some seasoning and he will get that behind Sam Bradford allowing the Eagles to start Wentz whenever they think he's ready -- Levi Damien

3. San Diego Chargers: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss

Tunsil is the most ready offensive tackle in years and a well rounded player at one of the most important positions in football. Before the Rams traded up, he was in the mix for the #1 pick. With two quarterbacks off the board, the Chargers get a plug-and-play tackle to protect QB Philip Rivers. -- Asher Mathews

4. Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State

The Cowboys think long and hard about Joey Bosa here, but in the end Jalen Ramsey is the best overall prospect in the draft. Dallas has been searching for defensive back talent for a long time and cannot pass on Ramsey at this point. DE can be had later, but the Cowboys have to do something to defend guys like Jordan Matthews and Odell Beckham Jr. -- RDreamer

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

Tough decision for the Jaguars with DeForest Buckner still on the board as well, but Bosa offers a better scheme fit for Jacksonville and will complete the rebuilding of the defensive front with Dante Fowler Jr., Malik Jackson and Jared Odrick. If quarterbacks go 1-2 in the draft, the Jaguars would be one of the draft's greatest beneficiaries. -- Jeff Spiegel

6. Baltimore Ravens: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

The Ravens found out how bad their pass rush was without Terrell Suggs. They won't want to be in that position again and with Joey Bosa heading to the Jaguars that leaves Buckner for the taking. Ozzie Newsome has always attacked team weaknesses as quickly as possible and DeForest Buckner solves one of their team's greatest needs. -- Marcus Krause

7. San Francisco 49ers: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

With the loss of Colin Kaepernick, Paxton Lynch is in consideration here. But even with his knee inury, Myles Jack is just too great of value to pass. The 49ers draft Jack to pair with veteran linebacker NaVarro Bowman. -- Tyler Green

8. Cleveland Browns: Ezekial Elliott, RB, Ohio State

What's interesting is I picked for the Browns and the Eagles in this mock because it was those two teams that swapped picks. More interesting is the picks in these two spots would have been the same regardless, Hue Jackson gets the number one back he needs here and Elliott doesn't have to go far from Columbus to Cleveland. The Browns still have a need at quarterback, but with Robert Griffin III in place, I suspect they either wait until the top of round two, or trade up into the mid-late first round to get their guy. -- Levi Damien

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida

The Bucs need help at cornerback and defensive end and I'm going with Hargreaves as the best fit. Hargreaves lacks the size that NFL teams covet but he's very strong technically and will dramatically upgrade the Tampa secondary as a starter from day 1.  -- Asher Mathews

10. New York Giants: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

The Giants' offensive line was a mess last season and they have little to no young talent besides OT Ereck Flowers. Too bad for the Giants you need two offensive tackles. Stanley and Flowers could prove to be excellent bookend tackles for Eli Manning in the years to come. -- RDreamer

11. Chicago Bears: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

I think if things play out as they have, the Bears could go any number of directions. In fact, if any of the previous three selections were still on the board, they would have been my pick here. As it is, I think Lawson's versatility as a linebacker and edge rusher is a good fit in Chicago - especially alongside newcomers Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman. He'll defend the run and rush the passer, so while not the perfect pick, it's one they won't hate either. -- Jeff Spiegel

12. New Orleans Saints: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

The Saints need somebody to lighten the load on Cameron Jordan and few players would help more than Sheldon Rankins. He has 14 sacks from the inside in the last two years and would immediately provide another weapon alongside Jordan. The Saints were 27th in sacks last season and have to figure out a way to get after divisional rival Cam Newton. -- Marcus Krause

13. Miami Dolphins: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

The Dolphins loss of Brent Grimes added to an already large hole at the cornerback position. With Vernon Hargreaves off the board, the Dolphins select who I believe to be the top cornerback in the 2016 NFL draft in Mackensie Alexander. - Tyler Green

14. Oakland Raiders: Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State

I went round and round with this one, much like I'm sure the Raiders will when this pick comes up. Jack Conklin is tempting here, but I went with Jones for a couple reasons. First of all, Conklin may not start immediately, making him a pick for the future. Jones would be an instant starter. Second of all, the more I see from Jones the more I think he would be absolutely perfect for what the Raiders need. I have been saying that one position they don't have an ideal player to fill is 3-tech defensive tackle. That's what this 6-5, 310-pounder is. He would line up next to Dan Williams which would allow Williams to move back to nose tackle where he belongs. -- Levi Damien

15. Tennessee Titans: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

The Titans need a tackle to help keep Mariota upright. I'm don't think that Conklin's film shows that he will be able to transition to the NFL well and Decker is my OT3 in this draft so the Titans get him. They now have a towering, physical presence on the line who can play at either tackle spot initially but who I project as a left tackle eventually. Decker is also a leader and a vocal presence on a team that needs more vocal leaders. -- Asher Mathews

16. Detroit Lions: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama

The Lions no longer have Nick Fairley or Ndamkong Suh. They do have Haloti Ngata, but his best days are behind him and he won't be around much longer. They need a mammoth presence in the middle to keep Ziggy Ansah from being double and triple teamed on every play. -- RDreamer

17. Atlanta Falcons: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

With so many needs, the Falcons could have gone with Darren Lee or Reggie Ragland here, but I think having their pick of play-making wide receivers makes this a good fit. Julio Jones needs some help on offense, and pairing Treadwell with Jones and running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman would make Matt Ryan a happy camper. -- Jeff Spiegel

18. Indianapolis Colts: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

The Indianapolis Colts were set to take Laquon Treadwell to pair with T.Y. Hilton but the Falcons just stole him at 17. However, they have to protect their Franchise QB Andrew Luck too and a talented lineman just fell into their laps instead. It's not a flashy pick but Jack Conklin likely starts from day 1 at RT for the Colts. They could also consider a pass rusher like Robert Nkimdeche here but they need to insure the health of Luck if they plan on a rebound season. -- Marcus Krause

19. Buffalo Bills: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss

Nkemdiche is a top-five talent in this draft and can replace Mario Williams on the Bills defensive line. Bills head coach and defensive mastermind Rex Ryan loves this pick. No Mario Williams, no problem. -Tyler Green

20. New York Jets: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

The Jets have balked at bringing back Ryan Fitzpatrick, leaving them in the position to desperately need a quarterback. Some believe with the trade(s) up for QB(s) in this draft, Lynch would be gone before this point. Perhaps the Jets would even look to move up to ensure they get him because otherwise they may have to worry about the Browns jump ahead of them to snag Lynch. Some believe he could end up being the best QB in this draft when all is said and done. He's a great find at 20th overall. -- Levi Damien

21. Washington: Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky

Noah Spence is perhaps the best pure pass-rusher in the draft and he's a good value for Washington, here. He would line up at OLB in Washington's 3-4 base defense but also can rotate into an end position on sub packages, especially 3rd downs. 2014 2nd-round pick Trent Murphy is moving from OLB to DE this year and Washington could use his pass-rush opposite Ryan Kerrigan. -- Asher Mathews

22. Houston Texans: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

The Texans have very little at WR outside of DeAndre Hopkins and desperately need to give expensive new QB Brock Osweiler weapons that he can look at before Khalil Mack sacks him. -- RDreamer

23. Minnesota Vikings: Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State

Wide receiver is the biggest need in Minny, but with Treadwell and Doctson gone, the Vikings will wait until Round 2 to grab one. That said, Lee falling to them is a great fit — a versatile linebacker who can help out the Viking pass rush. -- Jeff Spiegel

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame

The Bengals are desperate for a compliment to A.J. Green after losing both Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones in free agency. They did sign Brandon LaFell in FA but they still need another weapon. William Fuller's speed would be a perfect complement to Green and there wouldn't be a better spot for Fuller to land. -- Marcus Krause

25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

The Steelers can't stop the pass. They have needed cornerback depth for years and they finally address the position in 2016. Eli Apple is a big, physical corner that has the athleticism NFL coaches covet. -- Tyler Green

26. Seattle Seahawks: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana

After moving on from Russell Okung, the Seahawks need a new left tackle. Spriggs is the best on the board. As the most athletic lineman in the draft, his abilities will pair nicely in blocking for the mobile Russell Wilson. -- Levi Damien

27. Green Bay Packers: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama

Ragland is a tone-setting inside linebacker as a run-stopping option and while he lacks the speed to cover sideline to sideline, he isn't a total liability in space as he can be effective in a zone or against certain running backs or tight ends. Green Bay is a fantastic fit for him based off their defense and he can provide leadership and play-making ability to help the Packer defense regain some of their swagger. -- Asher Mathews

28. Kansas City Chiefs: William Jackson III, CB, Houston

The Chiefs re-signed most of their defensive free agents, but the loss of Sean Smith to the Raiders leaves a gaping hole at corner across from budding star Marcus Peters. Jackson is a physical corner who can provide quality depth there for Kansas City until he is ready to start. -- RDreamer

29. Arizona Cardinals: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

Do the Cardinals go BPA or position of need? While I don't think Kelly is the best guy left on the board, he is really good and does fill a position of need, so I think they go this direction. He'll continue their shoring-up of the offensive line by inserting himself into the starting lineup for years to come. -- Jeff Spiegel.

30. Carolina Panthers: Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson

The Panthers still need a player to take on the role that Greg Hardy left vacated and Kevin Dodd fits the bill. Dodd was overshadowed by Shaq Lawson but stood out with 3 sacks in the National Championship game. He is 6'5, 280lbs with cat-like quickness that make him a great fit with the Panthers. -- Marcus Krause.

31. Denver Broncos: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama

The Broncos lost Malik Jackson in free agency and could use an interior presence to replace him. Reed, who is widely viewed as a top-20 prospect is still on the board and is a steal for the reigning Super Bowl champions at 31 overall. --Tyler Green

And thus ends the first round of the draft.

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