http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-dr...ock-draft-carson-wentz-jared-goff-noah-spence
2016 NFL mock draft: The rise of Carson Wentz
By
Dan Kadar
@MockingTheDraft on Feb 1, 2016, 4:35a
24 24
Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Hot off the Senior Bowl, how high could the North Dakota State quarterback go in the draft?
TWEET :
Fresh off last week's Senior Bowl, a few players in the 2016 NFL Draft have their draft stock rising. This week's mock draft includes six participants, including two picks inside the top 10.
One of them is North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz. Although I thought he had an uneven week of practices, the opinions of those in NFL front offices are quite high on Wentz. When you see Wentz's 6'5 frame, his athleticism and a strong arm, it's easy to see why teams love him.
With Wentz and other Senior Bowl players on the rise, that will cause some highly rated players to slide. At least for now. Things are going to continue being fluid throughout the entire draft process.
1. Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
Tennessee doesn't have to complicate things too much with this pick. Tunsil will likely be rated among the best players in this year's draft, and he fills a need protecting
Marcus Mariota.
2. Cleveland Browns: Jared Goff, QB, California
Count me in the people who still view Goff as being a better quarterback than Carson Wentz of North Dakota State. He's more pro-ready, which is needed in Cleveland, and has much better pocket presence. Goff's hand measurement at the NFL Scouting Combine will be important, and will help quiet any concerns about his ability to zip the ball through the cold weather.
3. San Diego Chargers: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
The same principle that applies to the Titans applies to the Chargers. They need to make sure
Philip Rivers is protected for what looks like the last couple years of his career. Stanley is a very good offensive tackle with good athleticism and foot quickness to handle speed rushers.
4. Dallas Cowboys: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
It can be hard to sell a quarterback being the pick for Dallas, even though he'd back upTony Romo for at least a season. But connect the dots. Dallas didn't mind going with a smaller school quarterback in Romo and letting him sit to start his career. Obviously it was a much different situation, but the outcome could be the same.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
In a scenario where Stanley goes that high in the first round, Bosa could slip. If he does, Jacksonville will have to decide between him and Florida State's Jalen Ramsey. Bosa holds a slightly higher grade and is the pick, despite the Jaguars getting Dante Fowler back next season.
6. Baltimore Ravens: Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State
The rise of Wentz means a team like Baltimore will benefit from a highly rated player sliding some in the draft. Ramsey is arguably a top-three talent who can star at cornerback or safety.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
San Francisco's wide receiver group can't rely on
Torrey Smith as a No. 1 option. Treadwell is the draft's top wideout and profiles to be more of a No. 1 than anyone else in this year's draft.
8. Miami Dolphins: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
The level of talent in Miami's secondary is extremely low. Alexander could be drafted at No. 8 and slide right into the starting lineup as a rookie.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky
There is maybe no hotter draft prospect following the Senior Bowl than Spence. During a week of practice, he showed he can line up at end and win with his speed and quickness to the edge.
10. New York Giants: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
New York's pass rush needs upgrading, and Buckner is a great choice on the edge. He has unique length and athleticism, and finished last season with 83 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.
11. Chicago Bears: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
Jack slipping to the No. 11 pick would be an exciting development for Chicago. He's a superstar athlete for a linebacker, who can cover an incredible amount of ground on defense.
12. New Orleans Saints: Robert Nkemdiche, DE/DT, Ole Miss
This offseason, the Saints have to figure out how to both generate a pass rush and stop the run. Nkemdiche is the type of defensive lineman who can do both, more so than others available.
13. Philadelphia Eagles: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
With the signings of offensive tackle
Lane Johnson and tight end
Zach Ertz to new contracts, and close to one with defensive lineman
Fletcher Cox, the Eagles are more so in win-now mode than build. Because of that, the Eagles might not want to use a first-round pick on a quarterback that needs developing. If not, a top-flight cornerback would be a good pickup.
Byron Maxwell didn't have a good start to his Eagles career, and Hargreaves is a much better prospect than former second-round pick
Eric Rowe.
14. Oakland Raiders: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
The Raiders need linebacker talent and some think Ragland is the best linebacker talent in the 2016 NFL Draft. At the Senior Bowl, Ragland worked at outside linebacker and held up fairly well. He's still much more of an inside linebacker at this point. Regardless, he could help the Raiders next season.
15. Los Angeles Rams: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
A new beginning for the Rams in Los Angeles could get off to a fresh start by drafting a quarterback in the first round. That would give the Rams Lynch and running back Todd Gurley as key pieces on a rebuilding offense for years to come.