NFL Draft 2016 – our early round predictions/opinions

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Rees LaBree and Jake Reed

With the NFL Combine behind us and the Draft looming, teams are in crunch time to analyze the best fit for their team. Here are our top 10 overall picks for the 2016 NFL Draft:

  1. Tennessee Titans (3-13) – Laremy Tunsil, Offensive Tackle – This one is basically undisputed. With talented QB Marcus Mariota already proving to not be a bust in his freshman year, the Titans need to build up their strength on the O-Line and will profit greatly from the hulking strength of Laremy Tunsil.
  2. Cleveland Browns (3-13) – Jared Goff, Quarterback – It is hard to tell what the Browns need most, with their only glimmer of hope turning into a washed up party animal. The star QB out of California could prove a far more talented (and moral) character to spearhead the Brown’s rebuilding.
  3. San Diego Chargers (4-12) – Joey Bosa, Defensive End – Although his NFL Combine showing was not the most impressive, the proof of Bosa’s undisputed talent is in his NFL-ready frame with 26 sacks at the collegiate level and a national championship in his sophomore year. If he does not get picked up by the Chargers, he will most likely land a spot on the Cowboys or the Raiders.
  4. Dallas Cowboys (4-12) – Jalen Ramsey, Cornerback – After Tony Romo led the team to 2-0 and got hurt, pretty much everyone on the Cowboys starting playing like it was Powderpuff. What they need is an all-around athlete who can play multiple areas of the field. With a 4.41 second 40 yard dash, 41.5” high jump, and 135” broad jump, Ramsey may be the all-around athlete the Cowboys need.
  5. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) – DeForest Buckner, Defensive End – Many people argue that Jacksonville could do to take an additional offensive lineman to help improve their offensive game with their top thrower, Blake Bortles. Here at Spear HQ, we would argue that they would look to take a defensive player, which was a significant weakness this past season. By taking a defensive player they could do to avoid building an offense around a quarterback, and instead create a well rounded team with strengths on both sides of the ball.
  6. Baltimore Ravens (5-11) – Laquon Treadwell, Wide Receiver – The 2015/16 season did not yield much for the Baltimore Ravens. After losing both Justin Forsett and Joe Flacco to injuries, the majority of their season was a downhill spiral. Now, after Forsett and Flacco are healed back and ready to play again, they are most likely looking to take a younger receiver capable of strengthening their passing game; they relied too heavily on their running game and could be blamed for some losses.
  7. San Francisco 49ers (5-11) – Carson Wentz, Quarterback – After Colin Kaepernick’s career took a downward spiral, the Niners need to look to a new prospect to help rebuild their squad. The Niners seem to be in a situation akin to the Browns; the have a bad quarterback, a new coach, and a lot to prove with their draft prospects. Look for the young North Dakota State QB to make huge waves in the Bay Area.
  8. Miami Dolphins (6-10) – Vernon Hargreaves, Cornerback – Although he’s slightly aggressive and reckless, the cornerback out of Florida proved to attack the throw very readily and showed his explosiveness at the combine. With the Dolphins struggling to maintain a steady defense, Hargreaves would be an upgrade to pretty much anyone on the roster.
  9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10) – Shaq Lawson, Defensive End – Looking back at the past season for the Bucs, it went better than it probably should have. Last year’s acquisition of Jameis Winston lead the Buccaneers to have an incredible passing game. Now, they are looking into taking a strong defensive player to improve the quality of their team all around. Shaq Lawson, weighing in at 270lb and running an impressive (for a DE) 4.8 40, would be an excellent pick for the Buccaneers.
  10. 10. New York Giants (6-10) – Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back – Zeke very well may be the premier running back of the 2016 draft. His credentials are enormous; he took the ball on almost every snap at Ohio State, and when he wasn’t taking the ball, he was usually blocking and opening up a space for JT Barrett to rush the ball. In an offense that is run by Manning/Beckham Jr, Elliott could prove to be a surprise weapon when facing defenses with strong safeties and cornerbacks.