2016 NFL Draft: RantSports' Official First-Round Mock

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The wheeling and dealing of the first two picks in the 2016 NFL Draft has brought some serious intrigue to Round 1. More trades are sure to be on tap, and the displeasure of some fans is a near certainty. Here’s how RantSports sees the entire first round playing out on Thursday night.

1. Rams - Jared Goff, QB, Cal

Rams - Jared Goff, QB, Cal Getty Images
It’s a foregone conclusion that the Rams are going QB here, but which one is still a mystery. Jared Goff just makes more sense with his ability to step in as starter in Week 1.

It’s a foregone conclusion that the Rams are going QB here, but which one is still a mystery. Jared Goff just makes more sense with his ability to step in as starter in Week 1.

2. Eagles - Carson Wentz, QB, ND State

Eagles - Carson Wentz, QB, ND State Getty Images
The upside of Carson Wentz is undeniable, and new head coach Doug Pederson clearly loves the kid. This is a pick that will make or break his tenure in Philly.

The upside of Carson Wentz is undeniable, and new head coach Doug Pederson clearly loves the kid. This is a pick that will make or break his tenure in Philly.

3. Chargers - Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State

Chargers - Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State Getty Images
Sure, the potential franchise left tackle is available, but the hole left by Eric Weddle in the secondary should make Jalen Ramsey a higher priority.

Sure, the potential franchise left tackle is available, but the hole left by Eric Weddle in the secondary should make Jalen Ramsey a higher priority.

4. Cowboys - Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

Cowboys - Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State Getty Images
Leave it to Jerry Jones to whip the draft into a frenzy. Ezekiel Elliott would give the Cowboys a workhorse running back to help prolong the ailing Tony Romo’s career.

Leave it to Jerry Jones to whip the draft into a frenzy. Ezekiel Elliott would give the Cowboys a workhorse running back to help prolong the ailing Tony Romo’s career.

5. Jaguars - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss

Jaguars - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss Getty Images
There are a number of possibilities here, but protecting Blake Bortles should be top priority for the Jags. Laremy Tunsil will step in as an immediate starter and put Luke Joeckel on notice.

There are a number of possibilities here, but protecting Blake Bortles should be top priority for the Jags. Laremy Tunsil will step in as an immediate starter and put Luke Joeckel on notice.

6. Ravens - Joey Bosa, LB/DE, Ohio State

Ravens - Joey Bosa, LB/DE, Ohio State Getty Images
This is a tough spot for the Ravens, but Joey Bosa would be a great addition to an improving defense. Adding a guy once thought to be the top player in the draft is a win at No. 6.

This is a tough spot for the Ravens, but Joey Bosa would be a great addition to an improving defense. Adding a guy once thought to be the top player in the draft is a win at No. 6.

7. 49ers - DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

49ers - DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon Getty Images
At 6-foot-7, 291 pounds, DeForest Buckner brings the type of upside the Niners need to rejuvenate a once promising, young defense.

At 6-foot-7, 291 pounds, DeForest Buckner brings the type of upside the Niners need to rejuvenate a once promising, young defense.

8. *TRADE* Titans (from Browns) - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

*TRADE* Titans (from Browns) - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame Getty Images
Adding all those picks by trading the No. 1 selection comes in handy with Ronnie Stanley still available at No. 8. The Titans get Marcus Mariota some protection and are still loaded for the future.

Adding all those picks by trading the No. 1 selection comes in handy with Ronnie Stanley still available at No. 8. The Titans get Marcus Mariota some protection and are still loaded for the future.

9. Buccaneers - Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

Buccaneers - Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida Getty Images
Secondary help is the Bucs’ biggest need, and Vernon Hargreaves is the draft’s best cornerback. This one is a match made in roster-building heaven.

Secondary help is the Bucs’ biggest need, and Vernon Hargreaves is the draft’s best cornerback. This one is a match made in roster-building heaven.

10. Giants - Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

Giants - Myles Jack, LB, UCLA Getty Images
Potential microfracture surgery or not, the Giants get a defensive player who will have an immediate impact in Myles Jack and fill a big need at linebacker.

Potential microfracture surgery or not, the Giants get a defensive player who will have an immediate impact in Myles Jack and fill a big need at linebacker.

11. Bears - Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia

Bears - Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia Getty Images
The potential is off the charts for Leonard Floyd, and the Bears could use a player with some serious upside after several defensive misses in the draft.

The potential is off the charts for Leonard Floyd, and the Bears could use a player with some serious upside after several defensive misses in the draft.

12. Saints - Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

Saints - Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State Getty Images
This pick just screams one last hurrah for Drew Brees, as protecting the QB with a versatile guy like Jack Conklin would immediately upgrade the Saints up front.

This pick just screams one last hurrah for Drew Brees, as protecting the QB with a versatile guy like Jack Conklin would immediately upgrade the Saints up front.

13. Dolphins - Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

Dolphins - Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson Getty Images
Shaq Lawson has slipped a bit on big boards, but the Dolphins won’t complain about getting the perfect replacement for Olivier Vernon at No. 13.

Shaq Lawson has slipped a bit on big boards, but the Dolphins won’t complain about getting the perfect replacement for Olivier Vernon at No. 13.

14. Raiders - Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

Raiders - Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville Getty Images
The Raiders found a gem in Khalil Mack at defensive end, and they hope Sheldon Rankins can provide some push inside to make him even more effective.

The Raiders found a gem in Khalil Mack at defensive end, and they hope Sheldon Rankins can provide some push inside to make him even more effective.

15. *TRADE* Browns (from Titans) - Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

*TRADE* Browns (from Titans) - Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis Getty Images
Trading down twice in Round 1 would be a very new age, analytical thing to do, and the Browns are rumored to love Paxton Lynch. This one just makes sense given the fit.

Trading down twice in Round 1 would be a very new age, analytical thing to do, and the Browns are rumored to love Paxton Lynch. This one just makes sense given the fit.

16. Lions - A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama

Lions - A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama Getty Images
Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley aren’t around any longer, and the Lions’ interior defense showed it. A’Shawn Robinson would immediately revitalize that unit.

Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley aren’t around any longer, and the Lions’ interior defense showed it. A’Shawn Robinson would immediately revitalize that unit.

17. Falcons - Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State

Falcons - Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State Getty Images
Dan Quinn likes versatile players, and Darron Lee is the embodiment of versatility. His speed (4.47) makes Lee the perfect NFL linebacker for this pass-happy era.

Dan Quinn likes versatile players, and Darron Lee is the embodiment of versatility. His speed (4.47) makes Lee the perfect NFL linebacker for this pass-happy era.

18. Colts - Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

Colts - Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State Getty Images
Priorities of the teams ahead of the Colts let Taylor Decker slide right into their laps, and the happiest man in Indy has to be Andrew Luck.

Priorities of the teams ahead of the Colts let Taylor Decker slide right into their laps, and the happiest man in Indy has to be Andrew Luck.

19. Bills - Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss

Bills - Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss Getty Images
Rolling the dice on talent is just the Rex Ryan way, and he hitches his defensive wagon to the most worrisome prospect in this draft class with insane upside in Robert Nkemdiche.

Rolling the dice on talent is just the Rex Ryan way, and he hitches his defensive wagon to the most worrisome prospect in this draft class with insane upside in Robert Nkemdiche.

20. Jets - Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M

Jets - Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Is this a reach? Maybe, but if the franchise left tackle unexpectedly retires, you gotta do what you gotta do. Germain Ifedi looks like the Cedric Ogbuehi of this Texas A&M draft class.

Is this a reach? Maybe, but if the franchise left tackle unexpectedly retires, you gotta do what you gotta do. Germain Ifedi looks like the Cedric Ogbuehi of this Texas A&M draft class.

21. Redskins - Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama

Redskins - Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama Getty Images
More depth on the defensive front is always welcomed, and Jarran Reed is the perfect run-stuffer to help the Redskins repeat as NFC East champs.

More depth on the defensive front is always welcomed, and Jarran Reed is the perfect run-stuffer to help the Redskins repeat as NFC East champs.

22. Texans - Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

Texans - Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss Getty Images
Slow 40 time or not, Laquon Treadwell plays fast on tape and that’s what matters most. Pairing him with DeAndre Hopkins would make opponents pick their poison.

Slow 40 time or not, Laquon Treadwell plays fast on tape and that’s what matters most. Pairing him with DeAndre Hopkins would make opponents pick their poison.

23. Vikings - Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

Vikings - Josh Doctson, WR, TCU Getty Images
With speed to blow the top off of a defense and hands to make the tough catches, Teddy Bridgewater will be thrilled to welcome Josh Doctson to Minnesota.

With speed to blow the top off of a defense and hands to make the tough catches, Teddy Bridgewater will be thrilled to welcome Josh Doctson to Minnesota.

24. Bengals - Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

Bengals - Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor Getty Images
Want to make A.J. Green even more unstoppable? Just add a guy like Corey Coleman then sit back and watch. Losing both Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu is free agency makes wideout a must.

Want to make A.J. Green even more unstoppable? Just add a guy like Corey Coleman then sit back and watch. Losing both Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu is free agency makes wideout a must.

25. Steelers - Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

Steelers - Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State Getty Images
Talk about stealing, the Steelers adding Eli Apple is highway robbery. Pittsburgh always seems to land the guy who unexpectedly falls, and this kid just happens to fit a glaring need.

Talk about stealing, the Steelers adding Eli Apple is highway robbery. Pittsburgh always seems to land the guy who unexpectedly falls, and this kid just happens to fit a glaring need.

26. Seahawks - Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

Seahawks - Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama Getty Images
Did you see Russell Wilson fleeing from pressure right up the middle against the Vikings in the playoffs? Yeah, so did GM John Schneider, and he remedies the issue with the draft’s top center in Ryan Kelly.

Did you see Russell Wilson fleeing from pressure right up the middle against the Vikings in the playoffs? Yeah, so did GM John Schneider, and he remedies the issue with the draft’s top center in Ryan Kelly.

27. Packers - Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama

Packers - Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama Getty Images
Adding Reggie Ragland inside will free up Clay Matthews to return to his old role on defense as a sack artist. This is a big win for Dom Capers and company.

Adding Reggie Ragland inside will free up Clay Matthews to return to his old role on defense as a sack artist. This is a big win for Dom Capers and company.

28. Chiefs - Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame

Chiefs - Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame Getty Images
Though he has the dropsies too often, Will Fuller has the speed to make a defense rethink its coverage. Adding him to Jeremy Maclin in Andy Reid’s offense is a scary thought for opponents.

Though he has the dropsies too often, Will Fuller has the speed to make a defense rethink its coverage. Adding him to Jeremy Maclin in Andy Reid’s offense is a scary thought for opponents.

29. Cardinals - Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky

Cardinals - Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky Getty Images
An ideal 3-4 rush linebacker, Noah Spence has top-10 talent and undrafted baggage. The Cardinals hope to keep his demons in check and watch their defense reap the benefits.

An ideal 3-4 rush linebacker, Noah Spence has top-10 talent and undrafted baggage. The Cardinals hope to keep his demons in check and watch their defense reap the benefits.

30. Panthers - William Jackson III, CB, Houston

Panthers - William Jackson III, CB, Houston Getty Images
Josh Norman may be gone, but the Panthers luck out with William Jackson III still on the board. His 4.37 speed and decent length will be a great addition to Carolina’s secondary.

Josh Norman may be gone, but the Panthers luck out with William Jackson III still on the board. His 4.37 speed and decent length will be a great addition to Carolina’s secondary.

31. Broncos - Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State

Broncos - Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State Getty Images
Though much maligned, many still believe Connor Cook is the only QB in this class not named Jared Goff who could start in his first year. Sounds like the ideal option for John Elway.

Though much maligned, many still believe Connor Cook is the only QB in this class not named Jared Goff who could start in his first year. Sounds like the ideal option for John Elway.

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