NFL Mock Draft 2016 (11-21)

My last post featured the top 10 picks which was relatively balanced between offense and defense. The top two QBs are off the board. The high profiled defensive pass rushers and top 3 secondary players are also gone. There is still some top 10 talent left on the board. This is where predicting the draft gets difficult because of trades and teams reaching on a player based on need rather than going best player available. The next post will feature the final third of the first round.

11. Chicago Bears: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama

The Bears need to get some defensive line help after addressing glaring needs at LB with the signing of Danny Trevathan from Denver and Jerrell Freeman from Indy. Robinson may be the best run-stuffer in this years draft class, and after switching to a 3-4 front in 2015, the Bears need to look to find another big bodied DT to hold down the front alongside 2015 second-round DT Eddie Goldman. At 307 pounds, he will anchor the Bears front line allowing their newly added LBs openings to attack downfield. 

12. New Orleans Saints: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

The Saint's biggest need is on the defensive line. The Saint's defense allowed 6.6 yards per play, 8.7 yards per pass attempt and 4.9 yards per a carry. All of those are worst in the league, and what eventually led to the firing of Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan. The Saints main focus should be like the Bears to anchor down their front 7 with a big body in the middle. At 299 pounds he will adjust to being in a 3-4 front just fine with his speed and explosiveness. 

13. Miami Dolphins: Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Ohio State

Many Dolphins fans will be off the walls if Elliot falls to them at #13. After whiffing to resign Lamar Miller (Texans) and losing out on CJ Anderson (Broncos), CJ2K (Cardinals), and James Starks (Packers), the running back position becomes their top priority. According to some reports, the Fins will make a "strong push" to drafting Elliot. That might require a trade up to do so. If he does fall, new head coach Adam Gase and Co. will get the high profiled cutback style running back he has been searching for since his time in Denver. 

14. Oakland Raiders: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

The Raiders were big winners in the first couple weeks of free agency. After signing Kelechi Osemele (OG), Bruce Irvin (OLB) and Sean Smith (CB), the Raiders addressed some major needs. After addressing some of the offensive line with Osemele and resigning Donald Penn, the Raiders will finish fortifying a front that will keep young signal caller Derek Carr upright. The big framed, 6'5" 312 pounds, Stanley can play either side of the line, and will eventually build himself into an OT that will grow up protecting Carr's blindside for years to come. 

15. Los Angeles Rams: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

The QB play has not been enough for the Jeff Fisher led Rams squad. After dumping some of their higher profiled players and moving cities, the Rams desperately need a young playmaker at the QB position. Paxton Lynch will bring the hype to LA and will develop quickly with the talented playmakers who are already on the Rams offense. Priority #1 Draft Lynch, Priority #2 sell tickets. Lynch helps sell tickets by being the young and promising QB the Rams need.

16. Detroit Lions: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

As many teams learn, building through free agency isn't the answer. The Lions signed former Bengals wideout Marvin Jones to replace the retired all pro Calvin Johnson. There's just one thing wrong with that fact... Marvin Jones is nowhere close to replacing Calvin Johnson. The Lions will learn quickly what life without #81 will be like unless they draft a young promising player like Coleman. The Baylor wideout doesn't have the Calvin height or built, but he has 4.37 speed and the hands to be a #1 wideout in this league. He's not Calvin Johnson, but he will give QB Matthew Stafford a smile on game days knowing he has a dynamic young wide receiver to play with.

17. Atlanta Falcons: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

Pairing Lawson with his former teammate Vic Beasley Jr. will be a nightmare for QBs in the NFC South. Finding another pass rusher is the top priority for the Falcons in this years draft. It makes the most sense to team up Lawson and Beasley to go after quarterbacks. The high-motored junior has great quickness of the edge, and has tremendous strength to play against the run.  Many analysis project him to go as high as into the top 10 so falling to the #17 to the Falcons is a sign to pair the former Tigers together. 

18. Indianapolis Colts: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

The third Buckeye comes off the board as the Colts look to finally address a glaring need on the offensive front. The lack of quality pass protector caught up with the Colts allowing 37 sacks and went through 5 quarterbacks last year because of injuries. Jim Irsay and Co. finally realize that keeping Andrew Luck healthy rather than giving him playmakers are more important. If Luck is as great as he is projected to be he will create playmakers, but to do so he needs to stay healthy. Decker, 6'7" 310lbs, has the flexibility to play at multiple spots on the line with a little coaching. With Anthony Castonzo on the left side, the Colts will batten down the right side by drafting Decker. 

19. Buffalo Bills: Leonard Floyd, DE, Georgia

The Bills let go of the majority of their pass rushers via free agency. They interior d-line is solidity, and their second and third level has playmakers across the board. Adding a superior specialized pass rusher to fill a hole left by Mario Williams (Dolphins) should be a priority. The Bills may consider other needs at OT or WR, but they won't reach and take the best player available with Floyd filling a lesser need. 

20. New York Jets: Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky

Noah Spence is a risky draft prospect with character issues after getting dismissed from Ohio State. It seems like the Junior out of Eastern Kentucky got his act together off the field. On the field, there is no question what kind of player the Jets would get out of him. He doesn't have flashy numbers from the combined, but his film shows he's worthy of a first round pick. I wouldn't be surprised if he slipped out of the first round based off the fact that teams are concerned with a troubled past.

21. Washington Redskins: Andrews Billings, DT, Baylor

The nose tackle position is a weak spot on the defending NFC East champs defense after allowing Terrance Knighton to explore the market. Billings is an incredible strong and versatile prospect who will come in an make an immediate impact in any scheme at any spot along the line. At 6'0 311 pounds, Billings has a good mix of speed, explosion, and power. The Redskins will quickly forget about Knighton after Billings comes in to play.