It’s never an easy task to put out a mock draft at this time of year.
Teams are still setting their draft boards, going through pro days, doing official visits with prospects, and there’s still medicals to be done, leaving so much up in the air with three weeks to go before the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft kicks off on April 28.
So rather than predicting who each team will pick, which is a rather pointless exercise given the sheer unpredictability of the event, my first mock draft of the year focuses on what I personally think each team should do—based on value, previous history, and team need.
Closer to draft day, I’ll post an updated edition that will focus on what teams are most likely to do. But for now, let’s focus on my picks (since I’m your favourite GM) for each team.
1) Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil (OT, Ole Miss) 
The Titans allowed the most sacks in the NFL last season and now land the top player in the draft in order to protect franchise QB Marcus Mariota.
2) Cleveland Browns: Carson Wentz (QB, North Dakota State) 
It’s the Browns so you know they might do something crazy. However, if clear heads prevail, expect new head coach Hue Jackson to target a long-term answer at quarterback, despite signing Robert Griffin III in free agency.
3) San Diego Chargers: Jalen Ramsey (CB/S, Florida State) 
The Chargers lost starting safety Eric Weddle in free agency and quickly replace him with a versatile defensive back who can play either safety or cornerback at the next level.
4) Dallas Cowboys: Joey Bosa (DE, Ohio State) 
It would’ve been fun to give Dallas a quarterback here, but Jerry Jones is in win-now mode and opts to go with the pass rusher. The Cowboys need depth at defensive end with Randy Gregory receiving a four-game suspension to start the season.
5) Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack (LB, UCLA) 
The Jaguars have gotten better up front in free agency and now need to add speed and playmakers to the middle of their defence. Jack, who some view as the top player in the draft class, is the ideal fit.
6) Baltimore Ravens: DeForest Buckner (DE, Oregon) 
The Ravens would be thrilled in this scenario as GM Ozzie Newsome places a huge emphasis on play in the trenches. With Terrell Suggs coming off an injury, the Ravens add an athletic player with rare size to create havoc on the defensive line.
7) San Francisco 49ers: Jared Goff (QB, California) 
The Colin Kaepernick situation is a total mess and the 49ers can’t be comfortable with Blaine Gabbert at quarterback, can they? New head coach Chip Kelly values accuracy in his quarterbacks, making Goff a much more logical option than Kaepernick.
8) Philadelphia Eagles: Ezekiel Elliott (RB, Ohio State) 
The Eagles want to bring back a physical running game so the Ohio State product would fit perfectly in Doug Pederson’s offence. He’s the most versatile and complete back in this draft class.
9) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vernon Hargreaves (CB, Florida) 
The Bucs need help at defensive end and cornerback, despite a few veteran signings in free agency, so they stay in-state and land a natural playmaker who can play outside or in the slot.
10) New York Giants: Leonard Floyd (LB, Georgia) 
Just because the Giants spent big in free agency doesn’t mean they’re done adding to their defence. The addition of Floyd checks off a few boxes as it gives New York more speed at the linebacker level and provides another pass rusher alongside Olivier Vernon and Jason Pierre-Paul.
11) Chicago Bears: Ronnie Stanley (OT, Notre Dame) 
The Bears’ biggest needs are on defence, but there’s talent to be found later in the draft, so they turn to the reliable pass-protecting left tackle.
12) New Orleans Saints: Sheldon Rankins (DT, Louisville) 
Even after signing Nick Fairley in free agency, the Saints need more disruptive players up front and bring in one of the top interior rushers in the draft.
13) Miami Dolphins: Eli Apple (CB, Ohio State) 
The Dolphins could use another pass rusher even after bringing in Mario Williams. But in a division where you’re trying to beat Tom Brady, having depth and talent at cornerback is essential. Apple can be an immediate starter beside newcomer Byron Maxwell.
14) Oakland Raiders: Reggie Ragland (LB, Alabama) 
The Raiders got faster on defence, bringing in Bruce Irvin in free agency, and now upgrade the unit with the addition of a physical run stuffer at middle linebacker. Ragland can be a tone-setting tackler for Ken Norton’s defence.
15) Los Angeles Rams: Paxton Lynch (QB, Memphis) 
Los Angeles isn’t going to be down with Case Keenum long-term, are they? The Rams need a legit quarterback or this talented team might be destined for 7-9 for eternity.
16) Detroit Lions: Shaq Lawson (DE, Clemson) 
Detroit could use an offensive tackle but in a division where you play Aaron Rodgers twice a year having multiple pass rushers is critical. Lawson fits in perfectly as a complementary rusher to Ziggy Ansah.
17) Atlanta Falcons: Darron Lee (LB, Ohio State) 
Dan Quinn helped build a Seattle defence that was loaded with speed so he would love Lee, a playmaking linebacker who excels in coverage and as a blitzer.
18) Indianapolis Colts: Jack Conklin (OT, Michigan State) 
The Colts have not done a good enough job protecting their franchise passer so they add a physical, nasty player on the right side of their offensive line to pair with tackle Anthony Castonzo.
19) Buffalo Bills: Kevin Dodd (DE, Clemson) 
Rex Ryan’s son played at Clemson last year so the Bills head coach has first-hand knowledge of Dodd’s potential as a pass rusher. The Bills need help getting after the QB after releasing Mario Williams.
20) New York Jets: Taylor Decker (OT, Ohio State) 
The Jets have yet to solve their quarterback situation but there isn’t a player that makes sense here so the GM takes the top player on the board at a position of need. Decker can play right tackle in the short-term and eventually shift over to the left side to replace veteran D’Brickashaw Ferguson.
21) Washington Redskins: Andrew Billings (DT, Baylor) 
Redskins GM Scott McCloughan covets big physical players in the trenches, as evidenced by his previous runs with San Francisco and Seattle. Billings fills a need too as the Redskins lost Terrance Knighton in free agency.
22) Houston Texans: Corey Coleman (WR, Baylor) 
This draft is all about putting playmakers around new quarterback Brock Osweiler so the Texans go with the explosive big-play weapon from Baylor who would be a solid complement to DeAndre Hopkins.
23) Minnesota Vikings: Josh Doctson (WR, TCU) 
Just like the Texans, the Vikings desperately need another weapon in the passing game. Teddy Bridgewater threw only 14 touchdown passes last season and the team released starter Mike Wallace. Doctson excels at making contested catches and is effective as a runner after the catch.
24) Cincinnati Bengals: LaQuon Treadwell (WR, Ole Miss) 
The run of receivers continue as the Bengals bring in a wideout following the losses of Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones in free agency. Treadwell doesn’t have explosive speed but resembles Anquan Boldin with physical play at the point of attack and excellent route running.
25) Pittsburgh Steelers: William Jackson (CB, Houston) 
The Steelers aren’t big or talented enough in the secondary so they look to pick up a physical corner who can excel in press coverage.
26) Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Kelly (C, Alabama) 
The Seahawks no longer have any of their offensive linemen from the 2013 team that won the Super Bowl. Luckily for them, they can bring in the three-year starter at centre to anchor the middle of their line for the next decade. Kelly would help protect Russell Wilson and get the ground game going with Thomas Rawls.
27) Green Bay Packers: Jarran Reed (DT, Alabama) 
B.J. Raji isn’t coming back so the Packers need another physical defensive lineman who will occupy blockers up front. Reed can line up at defensive end or nose tackle in Green Bay’s 3-4 front.
28) Kansas City Chiefs: Mackenzie Alexander (CB, Clemson) 
The Chiefs could use a cornerback opposite Marcus Peters after previous starter Sean Smith signed with Oakland. The Clemson product lacks the size and ball skills of Smith but offers smooth coverage ability and toughness.
29) Arizona Cardinals: Noah Spence (OLB, Eastern Kentucky) 
After bringing in Chandler Jones, the Cardinals don’t have many needs so they can afford to take a risk here and bring in the explosive edge rusher. Head coach Bruce Arians has done well dealing with players with off-field concerns.
30) Carolina Panthers: Keanu Neal (S, Florida) 
After the Super Bowl, many expect the Panthers to try and upgrade their offensive tackle position but instead Carolina boosts the back end of their defence and acquire a ferocious hitter with the versatility to cover tight ends.
31) Denver Broncos: Connor Cook (QB, Michigan State) 
The Broncos certainly have other needs, especially after losing a few key defensive starters in free agency, but until the QB/Colin Kaepernick situation gets resolved, the Broncos need a legitimate solution. No, that’s not Mark Sanchez.
Just missed: WR Will Fuller (Notre Dame), DT A’Shawn Robinson (Alabama), DT Chris Jones (Mississippi State), WR Michael Thomas (Ohio State), OT Germain Ifedi (Texas A&M), DE/OLB Anthony Spence (Eastern Kentucky), DT Robert Nkemdiche (Ole Miss)
Note: New England lost their first-round pick in the 2016 Draft as part of their Deflategate punishment meted out by the NFL.
