I just happened to uncover this going through some old drafts on the site. I figured it was worth a post to see how I thought the draft should go. It’s even better now with a year to see how the players actually performed. More draft coverage coming this week. Enjoy!
- Cleveland Browns
2016 Record: 1-15
Selection: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
The Browns don’t overthink things and get the best player in the draft. This defense was one of the worst in the NFL a season ago. Garrett doesn’t fix all of that, but he certainly will make a dent for a pass rush that only tallied 26 sacks last season, good for 30th in the league. - San Francisco 49ers
2016 Record: 2-14
Selection: Solomon Thomas, DL, Stanford
Most likely, San Francisco will look to trade down. I think they want to continue to stockpile picks. If they have to pick, finishing a rebuild on the defense line will make this a scary group. Thomas would join 2015 first rounder Erik Armstead and 2016 first rounder DeForrest Buckner up front. - Chicago Bears
2016 Record: 4-12
Selection: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
Even though it seems like quarterback is a need, so is corner. Lattimore could become a shutdown corner in the Windy City. Pairing him with Kyle Fuller and newly signed Prine Amukamara makes the Bears secondary a strength. - Jacksonville Jaguars
2016 Record: 4-12
Selection: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Ever since Maurice Jones-Drew left town, Jacksonville has been trying to fill the void in the backfield. Dallas had a ton of success picking a Pro Bowl caliber runner in the first round. The Jags won’t be that good, but this is a good step in the right direction. - Tennessee Titans
2016 Record: 7-9
Selection: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Marcus Mariota is becoming one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. That’s without a true number one receiver. Williams has the chance to become that. He has an absurd catch radius and should keep the safety from crowding the box. - New York Jets
2016 Record: 5-11
Selection: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Similar to 2015 when Leonard Williams fell to them, the Jets take Adams as the best player available. A trade with Cleveland is very possible and probably smarter, but staying here, Adams is the player New York should tab to start the rebuild. - Los Angeles Chargers
2016 Record: 5-11
Selection: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
A move to LA does not change the fact that the Chargers are still looking for a replacement to Eric Weddle two years later. Hooker is not the same player, but has the potential to have a similar impact for the Bolts. - Carolina Panthers
2016 Record: 6-10
Selection: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
Resisting the urge to take a corner like White or Humphrey in such a deep secondary draft, Carolina instead goes after a difference maker on offense who should take some pressure off of Cam Newton to make every play. - Cincinnati Bengals
2016 Record: 6-9-1
Selection: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
Cincinnati takes the best player available in Allen. Right away he can rotate in with Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap or he can start along Geno Atkins on the inside, especially on passing downs. - Buffalo Bills
2016 Record: 6-10
Selection: Deshon Watson, QB, Clemson
What? Not Trubistky? In the long run, I think Watson will be the better quarterback. Even with Tyrod Taylor on the roster, Buffalo cannot resist taking the former Tigers signal caller. - New Orleans Saints
2016 Record: 7-9
Selection: Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama
Character concerns aside, Foster can flat out play. The top-10 pass on him due to the red flags, but the Saints have needed to upgrade at linebacker for a while now. This is the best chance to do just that. - Cleveland Browns
2016 Record: 1-15
Selection: Mitch Trubitsky, QB, UNC
Courtesy of the trade with Philly, the Browns are back on the clock on their prized quarterback is still available. I expect for them to trade up from this spot to land him before Buffalo picks, but in the end, the Browns get who they want. - Arizona Cardinals
2016 Record: 7-8-1
Selection: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
This team might seem set at receiver, but with Larry Fitzgerald entering the final stages of his career and with David Johnson being the team’s second leading receiver behind him, this move makes sense. Davis is hailed as an elite route runner who can block in the running game. His concern is drops. He can learn from the future Hall of Famer before he takes over. - Philadelphia Eagles
2016 Record: 8-8
Selection: Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
The Eagles opt for secondary help here with very few options on the current roster. White can slide both inside to the slot or lineup wide across from a receiver, doing both in college. LSU defensive backs have done pretty well in the NFL too (Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, Eric Reid). - Indianapolis Colts
2016 Record: 8-8
Selection: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Indy adds some corner help as well taking the best player left on the board in Humphrey. Makes sense considering they had a bottom five pass defense last season. He is a physical player with a big body. He can line up across from Vontae Davis day one. - Baltimore Ravens
2016 Record: 9-7
Selection: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Come on, it’s Ozzie Newsome we are talking about here. It makes too much sense. Landing Howard will give Joe Flacco a top-tier tight end for the first time since Todd Heap left town. - Washington
2016 Record: 8-7-1
Selection: John Ross, WR, Washington
The combine 40 star ends up going from Washington to Washington. This team was decimated at receiver this offseason. Sure signing Terrelle Pyror was nice, but after losing Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, adding more talent is a must. Oh and Ross is basically a carbon copy of Jackson, so he would be a good fit. - Tennessee Titans
2016 Record: 9-7
Selection: Haasan Reddick, DE/OLB, Temple
Interior lineman is still a big need, but with an athlete like Reddick on the board, Tennessee adds a player with a ton of upside and that should make a solid pass rush even scarier. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2016 Record: 9-7
Selection: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
There are currently some allegations hanging over Conley’s head that could push him a little bit down draft boards. Early signs are that the allegations are untrue, but that remains to be confirmed. Conley is a player with great cover skills who would help improve a secondary that allowed 7.7 yards per attempt a season ago, 29th in the NFL. - Denver Broncos
2016 Record: 9-7
Selection: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
Denver has had a revolving door at left tackle since Ryan Clady suffered an injury in 2015. Russell Okung is now with the Chargers and after allowing 40 sacks last season, offensive line is clearly a need. Ramczyk should be able to start Day 1, even with some growing pains. - Detroit Lions
2016 Record: 9-7
Selection: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
The run on secondary players continues. Wilson is a ball hawk who will gamble occasionally to make a play. Detroit only had 10 interceptions last season and allowed an absurd 72.2 percent of passes to be completed by opposing teams. Wilson might give up a few big plays, but he will make his fair share as well. - Miami Dolphins
2016 Record: 10-6
Selection: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
With Mario Williams now long gone, Miami needs a replacement. Barnett could easily be the answer. He is a solid pass rusher and run defender who slots well into a 4-3 defensive front. Adding young talent to that defensive line is what will keep the Dolphins in the playoff picture. - New York Giants
2016 Record: 11-5
Selection: David Njoku, TE, Miami
Linebacker is obviously a huge need, but the Giants cannot afford to pass on a talent at tight end like Njoku. New York has been in desperate need of a pass catcher at the position since Kevin Boss left. Njoku would join Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall and Sterling Shepard to form a scary receiving core. - Oakland Raiders
2016 Record: 12-4
Selection: Jarrad Davis, ILB, Florida
The run on Florida players continues. Davis is a great option as a 4-3 linebacker. He is raw and will need to improve his mechanics when tackling, but with the Raiders looking to build their defense to a point that can match their offense, Davis will help in that progression. - Houston Texans
2016 Record: 9-7
Selection: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
Many project Mahomes to go earlier, but with questions surrounding his accuracy, he should probably be a late-first rounder at best. Houston had the worst yards per attempt average in the league a season ago. Mahomes’ rocket arm will likely prevent that from being a repeat performance. - Seattle Seahawks
2016 Record: 10-5-1
Selection: Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
Seattle’s defensive line has been decimated. It only makes sense to revamp with some new blood. McDowell can rush the passer as needed for this team on third down situations right away. - Kansas City Chiefs
2016 Record: 12-4
Selection: Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado
While it is true that Kansas City has Marcus Peters, that is only half the equation. It is tough to say that this secondary is set to go without another solid corner. I think Awuzie has the skills to help out right away and be a good number two corner behind Peters in years to come. - Dallas Cowboys
2016 Record: 13-3
Selection: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
This Cowboys team is going to be very good for years to come. The key now is getting the defense to catch up to the offense. It looked better this season than it had in a while, but that does not mean they should pass on Harris. - Green Bay Packers
2016 Record: 10-6
Selection: Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
It has been years since Aaron Rodgers had a good receiving tight end. Not that this offense really needs that much more fire power, but Engram is built like a tight end and runs like a receiver. He would be a matchup nightmare Rodgers could use to his advantage. - Pittsburgh Steelers
2016 Record: 11-5
Selection: Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
The Steelers could have used a bit of additional pass rush while trying to beat Tom Brady and the Patriots in the AFC Championship game. Enter McKinley who would immediately step in on third down scenarios to get after the quarterback. - Atlanta Falcons
2016 Record: 11-5
Selection: David Njoku, TE, Miami
Truly, there are not too many holes on this Falcons team, it’s just offensive play calling that seems to hold them back. However, I’m not buying Austin Hooper as a true long-term solution at tight end. Njoku could be something special in this Atlanta offense. - New Orleans Saints
2016 Record: 7-9
Selection: Budda Baker, S, Washington
Offense has never been the problem in New Orleans. It has been a pedestrian defense holding the Saints back. Adding the playmaking Baker to the defensive mix could give this team the boost needed to return to the playoffs.
The Aftermath 