Who Should Teams Take After Jared Goff and Carson Wentz? A 2016 NFL Mock Draft

The internet has proved a few things over the years: people like free porn and music, they like to get angry about Donald Trump, and they like mock drafts, which have become one of the most important staples of the NFL offseason.

I'm not about to write about Donald Trump, so here we are. The people have spoken, and this is a mock draft.

More specifically, this is a mock centered on what I believe is the right fit between player talent and team needs. I do not claim to have any inside information on which organization is in love with which player, nor will I try to anticipate a team's broader draft strategy—i.e. this team would never pick a tackle this early, they're looking for linebackers with a specific haircut that fits the GM's vision of the team's culture, or whatever. I will, however, take injuries into account. So you won't see me picking Jaylon Smith in the first round despite him being talented enough to be there.

The draft starts at No. 3, because everybody knows the first two picks are going to be Jared Goff and Carson Wentz (or vice versa).

3. San Diego Chargers: OT Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss

Ohio State's Joey Bosa is the best college player available at this point in the draft. That said, his sub-par athleticism worries some teams and the Chargers already have an emerging edge rusher in Melvin Ingram. Which brings us to Tunsil. I've seen Chargers writers decry this pick as unlikely, and I've seen many analysts mark down Tunsil because recent history has not been kind to highly drafted tackles. But Joe Barksdale and King Dunlap are not franchise cornerstones, and Tunsil probably isn't Robert Gallery 2.0. And, after Bosa, he is the closest thing to an elite talent in a draft that doesn't have much of it.

4. Dallas Cowboys: RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State

The Cowboys probably wanted to see a quarterback here, but with all the trade-ups, that's not happening. The dots have seemed to connect them to Bosa lately, especially given that some of their defensive linemen will be suspended early in the season. I'll leave Bosa on the board again here, because I think the Cowboys need to get back to 2014's formula: good back behind a great offensive line. Not only does it put less pressure on Tony Romo's health, it also gives Dallas a trump card few other teams have.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State

He's waited long enough. Jacksonville added a lot in free agency, but they didn't get a true 4-3 edge rusher. Adding Bosa to Malik Jackson, Dante Fowler, and Jared Odrick would give the Jags an enviable pass-rush core while they figure out just what Blake Bortles' ceiling is.

6. Baltimore Ravens: CB Jalen Ramsey, Florida State

The last blue chip guy on the board, and somehow he winds up in Baltimore. Go figure. I think it makes a lot of sense to hand Baltimore a tackle, but this is a deep draft at that position. Meanwhile, Baltimore's secondary has had all sorts of upheaval, with Lardarius Webb moving to safety to help cover for the release of Will Hill. For a few years now, Baltimore's cornerback depth chart has been the province of random journeymen like Kyle Arrington. Ramsey is a major step in the right direction, there.

7. San Francisco 49ers: QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis

I am not sold on Lynch as a top-10 pick, but there's enough smoke about Cleveland wanting him at No. 8 that some NFL teams might disagree—and I wouldn't be surprised if San Francisco were one of them. The major criticism about Lynch is that he's yet to play in a pro-style offense. If there's one NFL system you'd forecast a guy like that to thrive in, it's probably with Chip Kelly. This would also clear the way for a long-overdue Colin Kaepernick trade.

8. Cleveland Browns: T Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame

Stanley fills one of the (many) gaping wounds the Browns suffered in free agency, replacing Mitchell Schwartz at right tackle—at least until Joe Thomas is traded. Or maybe this pick gets traded. Everything's negotiable with analytics!

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson

The one edge player in this draft that every analytic source can agree is good. The Bucs already added Robert Ayers this offseason, but Lawson gives them the promise of even more pass pressure. I don't think the Bucs are willing to admit defeat on drafting Donovan Smith high yet, so this is their next-best move.

10. New York Giants: LB Myles Jack, UCLA

There's bound to be one team here who thinks Jack's knee injury hasn't drastically reduced his chances of having a long career. It probably won't be the Giants, because they're very conservative and don't actually value middle linebackers, but man, the combination of elite talent and roster hole make this a very appealing match.

11. Chicago Bears: DL DeForest Buckner, Oregon

Rumored to be in the mix for the third overall pick, Buckner instead tumbles all the way to 11 with a case of Leonard Williams-itis. He would be a perfect fit for the Bears, who need interior defensive line help in the worst way.

12. New Orleans Saints: CB Vernon Hargreaves, Florida

Brandon Browner was mercifully released. With Keenan Lewis oft-injured and Delvin Breaux oft-penalized, the Saints need someone who can play corner long-term. Hargreaves had a down 2015 season for the Gators, but the Saints would be pretty fortunate to see him fall this far. I'd like to draft them some edge rush help, but nobody is left on the board who really fits the criteria in my book.

13. Miami Dolphins: CB William Jackson III, Houston

Miami's current non-Byron Maxwell corners are second-round bust Jamar Taylor, 2015 fifth-rounder Tony Lippett, and a cadre of undrafted free agents. Jackson III was a huge reason that the Cougars hit the national scene in 2015, winning the Peach Bowl. I'd say Jackson needs a little time to cool on the windowsill before he gets in a NFL lineup, but need may force him in early.

14. Oakland Raiders: DL Sheldon Rankins, Louisville

What do you get the franchise that suddenly seems to have it all? How about a real interior pass rush presence? Rankins dominated the Senior Bowl practices and would pair with Khalil Mack and Mario Edwards to give the Raiders an impressive young defensive line.

15. Tennessee Titans: OL Jack Conklin, Michigan State

The Titans trade down and still get their offensive line an upgrade. Conklin isn't as great a prospect as Tunsil, but he should be a solid starter at left tackle in the pros. In Tennessee, where he might get cast at right tackle, he could give the Titans a leg up on the rest of the NFL at the position.

16. Detroit Lions: WR LaQuon Treadwell, Ole Miss

Treadwell isn't Calvin Johnson, but he does have the dimensions teams look for in a No. 1 receiver. He's tall, physically imposing, and should be a good surrogate for the slightly slower Johnson that the Lions relied on for the past three years. With Marvin Jones and Golden Tate also in the mix, the Lions could create a skill position group to rival Cincinnati, and perhaps make Matthew Stafford's life as easy as Andy Dalton's was last year.

17. Atlanta Falcons: WR Josh Doctson, TCU

Leonard Floyd is still on the board and highly regarded by scouts, but I don't believe in him as an edge rusher. He had only 6.5 sacks in his final season at Georgia, and while his workout numbers were great, they weren't "true force player" great. I see him more as a situational rusher—the Brooks Reed of the late 2010s. With no star defenders left on the board who fit into the Crazy Measurables bucket, Atlanta turns to another receiver to replace Roddy White. Doctson can win the ball in tight spaces, which is something Atlanta was lacking last season. With Mohamed Sanu also joining Julio Jones, Matt Ryan should have enough options to keep the ball moving next season.

18. Indianapolis Colts: C Ryan Kelly, Alabama

Time for the annual "draft an offensive lineman to the Colts" pick, a tradition unlike any other, other than Jim Nantz's burnt toast. Indianapolis has a lot of holes to fill. They clearly need to go with the best player available, but the way this board has fallen, there's no impact defender here in my estimation. Instead, Kelly ends years of experimenting with Khaled Holmes and Jonotthan Harrison inside.

19. Buffalo Bills: LB Leonard Floyd, Georgia

Nobody actually knows what a Rex Ryan outside linebacker is supposed to look like, but given how much Floyd dropped into coverage at Georgia, he may be a nice fit in Buffalo. With the release of Mario Williams, the Bills need someone, and Floyd isn't entirely hopeless off the edge.

20. New York Jets: LB Reggie Ragland, Alabama

Ragland can become the heir apparent to David Harris, replacing the departed Demario Davis as New York's other 3-4 linebacker. I don't think Ragland will ever become a true star cover linebacker, but he should be passable while he's young and he's the kind of heady player who studies enough reads to impact the game.

21. Washington: LB Darron Lee, Ohio State

Lee can help settle a position that's been in flux for Washington, who haven't really had a star inside player since London Fletcher retired. They will need Lee to bulk up and become more of a physical tackler, but worst case he gives Washington somebody on the inside who can actually cover.

22. Houston Texans: WR Corey Coleman, Baylor

The Texans have zero receiving talent outside of DeAndre Hopkins, so they grab a speedy deep threat who had a ridiculous amount of touchdowns last season for the Bears. I prefer Coleman to Will Fuller, who is another popular mock choice here.

23. Minnesota Vikings: WR Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma

Teddy Bridgewater wasted a lot of time working with a deep threat with no underneath ability in Mike Wallace; it was just never a fit. With the Vikings committed to their brand of ball-control offense, they might as well get a receiver who suits it. Shepard could be a big improvement over what they've played the last few seasons.

24. Cincinnati Bengals: NT Jarran Reed, Alabama

With the run on receivers coming right before their pick, the Bengals punt on replacing Marvin Jones and instead fix a long-time issue. Domata Peko hasn't been better than adequate at nose tackle in years, and Reed combines beef with light enough feet to be a difference-maker on passing downs.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Mackenzie Alexander, Clemson

Alexander would have come off the board in the first 15 picks had he been 6-foot-3 rather than 5-foot-10. The Steelers have had a need at the position for years, and the release of Cortez Allen only added fuel to that. Maybe Senquez Golson helps, but the Steelers still need more here. Alexander can be their very own Jason Verrett.

26. Seattle Seahawks: T Jason Spriggs, Indiana

You or I could be next man up on the Seahawks offensive line depth chart this year. After trading away center Max Unger, they lost tackle Russell Okung in free agency. Seattle is always enamored with physical talent, and no first-round tackle rates as highly by their athletic measurements than Spriggs.

27. Green Bay Packers: WR Will Fuller, Notre Dame

Not only do the Packers need to start thinking about the future; with 30-year-old Jordy Nelson coming off a torn ACL, they may need more help at receiver in the present than you'd think. Fuller has some flaws at the catch point, which might worry a fan base accustomed to Davante Adams, but the Packers are going to need somebody who threatens to take the top off the defense.

28. Kansas City Chiefs: G Cody Whitehair, Kansas State

With Jeff Allen moving on to the Texans and Donald Stephenson going to Denver, the Chiefs are thin on the offensive line. Enter Whitehair, a mauling guard who should be able to patch things up inside so the Chiefs aren't reliant on a step forward from Eric Fisher in 2016.

29. Arizona Cardinals: CB Eli Apple, Ohio State

With Jerraud Powers still lingering in free agency, Arizona drafts his replacement in the first round. Apple fits a lot of the Cardinals' preferred press-man principles, and he should be able to challenge for a starting role outside quickly.

30. Carolina Panthers: DE Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State

Replacing Josh Norman will have to be done from within. Charles Johnson is getting older and coming off a bad season, and Carolina just watched Denver beat them around the edge all Super Bowl long. Ogbah represents a credible stab at adding an edge rusher at this point in the draft.

31. Denver Broncos: OL Nick Martin, Notre Dame

Since I'm already projecting a Kaepernick trade, we might as well say it's to Denver, right? So no need for the Broncos to reach on a quarterback they don't believe in right away. Let's instead replace Evan Mathis, who went to Arizona, with a versatile inside lineman related to Cowboys All-Pro guard Zack Martin. I'd also think Ole Miss DL Robert Nkemdiche would be a consideration here if he weren't red-flagged for character reasons.