This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
After two huge trades at the top of the NFL Draft, the intrigue surrounding the league's selection show has never been higher. Which order will the top quarterbacks go? How will the rest of the top 10 shake out? Here's the Tribune's first NFL Mock Draft version from Brennan Smith and Eric Walden:
1. Los Angeles Rams • Cal QB Jared Goff (Brennan)
Goff has the tools as an accurate, quick decision maker to be a franchise NFL QB. Will pair with Todd Gurley to build a better offense in LA.
2. Cleveland Browns • NDSU QB Carson Wentz (Eric)
Critics will say Eagles gave up a lot for this pick. But when your alternative is Sam Bradford, can you blame them for rolling the dice?
3. San Diego Chargers • Florida State CB/Safety Jalen Ramsey (Brennan)
Ramsey is my favorite player in this draft. Can play corner or safety and pair with Jason Verrett as one of the best young NFL secondaries.
4. Dallas Cowboys • Ohio State DE Joey Bosa (Eric)
Sure, Jerry Jones is a wild card, but the 'Boys have a chance at a big-time impact-maker. Doesn't hurt either with Lawrence's suspension.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars • UCLA LB Myles Jack (Brennan)
Concerns on Jack's knee vary widely, but when he's healthy, he's a beast. Will boost unit that already has Malik Jackson and Dante Fowler.
6. Baltimore Ravens • Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil (Eric)
It's not sexy to take a tackle, but getting the guy who was the No. 1 prospect until a week ago is solid. As is replacing Eugene Monroe.
7. San Francisco 49ers • Michigan State OT Jack Conklin (Brennan)
Tunsil is the top prize, but Conklin is a nasty blocker that will improve a 49ers team that gave up 53 sacks last year.
8. Cleveland Browns • Oregon DE DeForest Buckner (Eric)
I honestly have no idea how the Browns will go. Maybe trade down again. But in this scenario, go for top guy on the board.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers • Clemson DE Shaq Lawson (Brennan)
Tough debate between Lawson and Vernon Hargreaves, but the Clemson product had 24.5 TFL's and 12.5 sacks as a menacing pass rusher last year.
10. New York Giants • Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott (Eric)
I really debated between Zeke and OT Ronnie Stanley. Ultimately, I decided that pairing the RB with Eli & Odell was too good to pass up.
11. Chicago Bears • Notre Dame OT Ronnie Stanley (Brennan)
Outside of Kyle Long, the Bears are devoid of offensive line talent. Have to protect Jay Cutler to make one more run with the QB.
12. New Orleans Saints • Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves III (Eric)
When your defense is as baaaaaad as New Orleans' was this past season, you take the best talent you can to fix it.
13. Miami Dolphins • Georgia OLB Leonard Floyd (Brennan)
Cameron Wake and Mario Williams aren't getting any younger. Floyd adds an explosive pass rush element to Miami's defense.
14. Oakland Raiders • Louisville DT Sheldon Rankins (Eric)
Raiders have done a good job building up the defense. Now they add a penetrating D-lineman to supplement Mack & Co.
15. Tennesee Titans • Ohio State OT Taylor Decker (Brennan)
The Titans gave up a league-high 54 sacks last season. 54! So Decker adds to Taylor Lewan to bookend protect former Oregon QB Marcus Mariota.
16. Detroit Lions • Houston CB William Jackson (Eric)
Detroit seems perpetually in need of help in the secondary, and he's got both the production and measurables that teams like there.
17. Atlanta Falcons • Ohio State LB Darron Lee (Brennan)
Lee fits the fluid LB prototype of the NFL right now, with the ability to flow sideline to sideline with lateral speed and play some safety.
18. Indianapolis Colts • Alabama Center Ryan Kelly (Eric)
Is it a stretch? The Tide's center is as solid as they come, and Indianapolis' offensive line has been woeful protecting Andrew Luck.
19. Buffalo Bills • Eastern Kentucky DE Noah Spence (Brennan)
Spence ran into trouble at Ohio State, ultimately ending up at Eastern Kentucky where he dominated. Bills need an edge rusher for Rex Ryan.
20. New York Jets • Memphis QB Paxton Lynch (Eric)
All may wind up working out with Ryan Fitzpatrick, but he's a 30-something journeyman. And Geno Smith and Bryce Petty are your backups.
21. Washington • Alabama LB Reggie Ragland (Brennan)
Ragland is a thumper and sure tackler in the mold of former Washington LB London Fletcher. He'll shore up the middle of Washington's defense.
22. Houston Texans • Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell (Eric)
Had to end the Rebel's inglorious slide. Texans need a WR to complement Hopkins, and Jaelen Strong is not terribly consistent yet.
23. Minnesota Vikings • TCU WR Josh Doctson (Brennan)
Teddy Bridgewater gets a new target in Doctson. He has the best body control in this draft at WR and will help the Vikings QB progress.
24. Cincinnati Bengals • Alabama DT A'Shawn Robinson (Eric)
Conventional wisdom says Cincinnati goes with a WR, but I like to be unconventional. I say Bengals further stack their talented D-line.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers • Ohio State CB Eli Apple (Brennan)
The Steelers need an almost total overhaul of their ancient secondary. Apple has an attitude and will play on an island in man coverage.
26. Seattle Seahawks • Ole Miss DE Robert Nkemdiche (Eric)
Doesn't this just seem like a Pete Carroll pick? "Weed? Wants to buy a Panther? He's troubled? He's a top-10 talent. I'll take that."
27. Green Bay Packers • Alabama DT Jarran Reed (Brennan)
B.J. Raji retired, leaving a literal and figurative void in the middle of GB's defensive line. Reed is a space eater and can rush the passer.
28. Kansas City Chiefs • Clemson CB Mackensie Alexander (Eric)
Personally, I'm not sold on him replacing the departed Sean Smith, on account of him being a corner with zero career picks. But whatever.
29. Arizona Cardinals • Clemson DE Kevin Dodd (Brennan)
Dodd was the other half of Clemson's beastly D-line in 2015, racking up 23.5 TFL's and 12 sacks. Fits at DE and OLB for the Cards.
30. Carolina Panthers • Indiana OT Jason Spriggs (Eric)
It was a nice story and all that Michael Oher had a rebound season, but he got abused in the Super Bowl. Carolina needs an upgrade.
31. Denver Broncos • Baylor DT Andrew Billings (Brennan)
Thought about taking QB Connor Cook here, but Billings is a better value at nose tackle for the Broncos.
• The Patriots forefeited their 2016 first-round pick as part of the "DeflateGate" punishment