With free-agency frenzy firmly in the rear view mirror, I figured it was time for a mock draft. I put together two-rounds of how I feel the 2016 NFL Draft with shake out. Keep in mind that I did not project any trades or anything along those lines. My colleague, Greg Valerio, will drop his two-round mock tomorrow, so be sure to tune back in. Enjoy!
For now, it seems that Colin Kaepernick will be staying in Santa Clara for the 2016 season. Blaine Gabbert will also be competing for the starting job. However, I will tell you right now that neither of these two guys are the long-term answer. Regardless of how perfect a fit Kaepernick is in Chip Kelly's system, he will still be required to nail throws he was missing by a 10-yard radius the past two years. As for Gabbert, despite showing flashes of becoming a promising quarterback, he's a solid backup at best. The 49ers needs an accurate passer and someone with the ability to win right away as well as win over the locker room. California's Jared Goff is that man. Goff, a three-year starter at Cal, showcases quick decision-making, sound fundamentals, good situational awareness and excellent pocket presence. He moves safeties with his eyes well, displays active feet, first-rate ability to diagnose coverages and the brains to command an intricate offense.
With Daniel Kilgore coming back to play center, it results in the left and right guard and tackle positions needing to be filled. Anthony Davis's status with the 49ers is uncertain, so a tackle would bode well for the team's chances to win. Jordan Devey and Andrew Tiller cannot get the job done - and are not the solution going forward. There is a chance Trent Brown would be able to kick in side and play guard. All in all, the 49ers offensive line needs serious refinement, hence the selection of Indiana's OT, Jason Spriggs. He is a snug fit in Kelly's zone-based blocking scheme, possessing quick feet, explosion and athleticism. Spriggs could enter the scene and play right tackle instantly.
| Pick | Team | Player |
| 1 | Titans | Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss |
| 2 | Browns | Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St |
| 3 | Chargers | Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State |
| 4 | Cowboys | Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State |
| 5 | Jaguars | Myles Jack, LB, UCLA |
| 6 | Ravens | DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon |
| 7 | 49ers | Jared Goff, QB, California |
| 8 | Eagles | Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Ohio State |
| 9 | Buccaneers | Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida |
| 10 | Giants | Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State |
| 11 | Bears | Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame |
| 12 | Saints | Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville |
| 13 | Dolphins | Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State |
| 14 | Raiders | Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama |
| 15 | Rams | Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis |
| 16 | Lions | Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss |
| 17 | Falcons | Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson |
| 18 | Colts | Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State |
| 19 | Bills | A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama |
| 20 | Jets | Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia |
| 21 | Washington | Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama |
| 22 | Texans | Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame |
| 23 | Vikings | Josh Doctson, WR, TCU |
| 24 | Bengals | Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor |
| 25 | Steelers | Karl Joesph, S, West Virginia |
| 26 | Seahawks | Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State |
| 27 | Packers | Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA |
| 28 | Chiefs | Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson |
| 29 | Cardinals | Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama |
| 30 | Panthers | Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M |
| 31 | Broncos | Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson |
| RD 2 | ||
| 32 | Browns | Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State |
| 33 | Titans | Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky |
| 34 | Cowboys | Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama |
| 35 | Chargers | Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State |
| 36 | Ravens | Christian Westerman, OG, Arizona St |
| 37 | 49ers | Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana |
| 38 | Jaguars | William Jackson III, CB, Houston |
| 39 | Buccaneers | Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma St |
| 40 | Giants | Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh |
| 41 | Bears | Shilique Calhoun, OLB, Michigan St |
| 42 | Dolphins | Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State |
| 43 | Rams | Nick Martin OC/OG, Notre Dame |
| 44 | Raiders | Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma |
| 45 | Rams | Artie Burns, CB, Miami |
| 46 | Lions | Le'Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech |
| 47 | Saints | Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State |
| 48 | Colts | Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State |
| 49 | Bills | Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame |
| 50 | Falcons | Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas |
| 51 | Jets | Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn |
| 52 | Texans | Veron Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech |
| 53 | Washington | Evan Boehm, OC/OG, Missouri |
| 54 | Vikings | S'ua Cravens, S/LB, USC |
| 55 | Bengals | Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss |
| 56 | Seahawks | Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State |
| 57 | Packers | Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State |
| 58 | Steelers | Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State |
| 59 | Chiefs | Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia |
| 60 | Patriots | Jihad Ward, DE, Illinois |
| 61 | Patriots | Devontae Booker, RB, Utah |
| 62 | Panthers | Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech |
| 63 | Broncos | Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State |