2016 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Browns, 49ers come away with top QBs
A busy few weeks to start the offseason has seen teams around the league make a number of free-agent signings to bolster their respective rosters.
With the big-money moves now out of the way, aside from some relatively minor transactions to be made going forward, areas of need within each organization should remain unchanged over the next month.
Here's a look at the latest first-round projections for the 2016 NFL Draft, including an impressive six Ohio State players coming off the board on opening night.
1. Tennessee Titans - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
If Marcus Mariota is to reach his full potential, the Titans must find a way to better protect him when playing from within the pocket. Picking Tunsil upgrades two spots on the offensive line, as Taylor Lewan could slide over to to the right side. Tunsil might be the best left tackle prospect since Joe Thomas.
2. Cleveland Browns - Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
Signing Robert Griffin III shouldn't stop the Browns from taking a quarterback at the top of this draft. Wentz has all the ability to become a long-term starter at the next level, and Griffin's presence can allow Cleveland to remain patient as he transitions to the next level.
3. San Diego Chargers - Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida state
Ramsey is the consensus No. 1 defensive player in this draft. Whether the Chargers envision him as a cornerback or as a replacement for Eric Weddle at safety, it would be a massive upset if he were to get past the No. 3 pick.
4. Dallas Cowboys - DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
Buckner now appears to have surpassed Joey Bosa in the race to become the first defensive lineman selected. In the Cowboys' base 4-3 system, he'd have value as both a strong side end and as an interior pass-rusher.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
There shouldn't be any sort of hesitation with this pick if Jack is still on the board at No. 5 overall. Jacksonville desperately needs playmakers on the defensive side, and he'd slide in alongside Telvin Smith to give the unit an incredibly impressive tandem of young linebackers.
6. Baltimore Ravens - Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
The overhaul of the Ravens' secondary could yield some impressive results if a premium pick is used to address the cornerback position. With Ladarius Webb making the transition to safety, where he'll pair with free-agent acquisition Eric Weddle, Hargreaves would be a day-one starter opposite Jimmy Smith.
7. San Francisco 49ers - Jared Goff, QB, California
It appears to be a matter of time before a Colin Kaepernick trade is finalized, and the 49ers certainly won't be going into the 2016 season with Blaine Gabbert as the only possible starter under center. Goff may be the best fit of any quarterback prospect for Chip Kelly's offensive system.
8. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA) - Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
Let's save the conversation about running back value for another year. Elliott isn't the type of player that should be passed over when a team doesn't have a long-term starter already in place. He really shouldn't drop any further than this spot, as the Eagles' offense would take a significant step forward with an every-down back of his caliber.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
The draft board couldn't have fallen much more favorably for the Buccaneers in this situation. Capitalizing on Bosa's minor slide, Tampa Bay gets a top-tier defensive end who still deserves consideration as the best player in this class overall.
10. New York Giants - Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
New York dished out plenty of money in addressing the defensive line this offseason. But with the top two defensive backs already off the board, and Jason Pierre-Paul only having returned to the team on a one-year deal, adding Lawson would be a sensible move in ensuring the unit remains a strength long-term.