2016 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Rams-Titans trade shakes up 1st-round projections
Who says there's an offseason in the NFL?
Just two weeks before the 2016 draft, the Los Angeles Rams pulled off a monster trade Thursday in landing the No. 1 overall pick from the Tennessee Titans.
The swap virtually ensures a quarterback will be taken at the top spot, giving the Rams a potential solution to their longstanding quarterback issues in their debut season in Southern California.
The trade also changes the way in which the draft board will shake out thereafter.
Here's an updated look at some first-round projections following the blockbuster deal:
1. Los Angeles Rams (via TEN) - Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
Regardless of whether it was a pre-draft smokescreen, it appeared in recent weeks that a team would have to jump ahead of the Browns to get Wentz. Los Angeles did just that in surrendering a massive haul to the Titans, and could get a player who has the potential to emerge as the franchise quarterback down the road.
2. Cleveland Browns - Jared Goff, QB, Cal
Another trade will be in play if the Browns had their sights set on Wentz, but what if Hue Jackson and Co. actually preferred Goff all along? The new head coach should be able to get the most out of the former Golden Bears star's abilities, and Robert Griffin III stepping in as the presumptive starter means Goff can be brought along slowly.
3. San Diego Chargers - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
The Chargers are the first in a long line of teams benefiting from the Rams' big jump to the top of the draft. With the Titans dropping down, the best tackle prospect in the last seven years falls right into San Diego's lap. Tunsil steps in as an immediate starter on the blindside, shoring up a unit that's long kept this team from making good on its potential.
4. Dallas Cowboys - Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State
Sitting tight at No. 4, the Cowboys end up with arguably the best prospect in the draft. Whether he plays safety or cornerback, Ramsey has the ability to be a difference-maker at the next level. Making such an upgrade to a thin secondary should go a long way toward helping Dallas reemerge as a contender in 2016.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
If the Jaguars weren't already in position to land Jack, they certainly are now. Jacksonville gets a highly versatile linebacker to pair with Telvin Smith, further solidifying what's quickly becoming a solid front seven.
6. Baltimore Ravens - Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Adding a pass-rusher is imperative for Baltimore if the defense is to rebound from last year's disappointment. Bosa would slide into a rotation on the edge as a rookie, joining Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil to give opposing offensive tackles fits in protection.
7. San Francisco 49ers - Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
This can likely be considered the first real surprise of the opening round, but the 49ers must ensure they land a replacement for the soon-to-be-traded Colin Kaepernick. Lynch's athleticsm makes him an intriguing fit for Chip Kelly's offense, and it's possible he'd push Blaine Gabbert out of the starting lineup by Week 1.
8. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA) - Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
While there are likely a number of teams hoping that Elliott falls to them in the opening round, he shouldn't get past this spot. With the top quarterbacks all off the board, the Eagles opt for another player who can quickly become the centerpiece of Doug Pederson's new-look offense. Elliott can do it all.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
Tampa Bay quietly has the makings of a defense that could surprise in 2016. Adding Buckner as a strong-side defensive end and having him slide inside to get after the opposing quarterback on passing downs would immediately take that progress a step further.
10. New York Giants - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
The fact that the Giants drafted Ereck Flowers at the top of last year's draft shouldn't have any bearing on this pick. They still have holes on the offensive line, and Stanley is a potential top-tier pass-protector at the next level. His presence would allow New York to play Flowers on the right side, which may better suit his skill set.