NFL Mock Draft: Predicting the first three rounds

Were it not for Roger Goodell and the NFL’s Random Punishment Generator stripping the Patriots (first round) and Chiefs (third round) of early picks, this year's draft would have an even 100 selections over its opening two days.

Alas, the number of players to be picked in Rounds 1–3 stands at 98. And all we know for sure about how the proceedings will play out is that the Rams will take a quarterback at No. 1. Which quarterback that is remains something of a mystery, as does just about everything from there on down.

With just over a week to go until the draft begins, here’s a projection of how the first three rounds will go.

1. Carson Wentz

QB, North Dakota State

• JACOBS: A conversation with Rams RB Todd Gurley

2. Jared Goff

QB, Cal

• The great draft QB debate: Carson Wentz or Jared Goff?

3. DeForest Buckner

DE, Oregon

• BEDARD: Why so many college stars slip through cracks

4. Ezekiel Elliott

RB, Ohio State

Two quarterbacks and either Buckner or Tunsil landing at 1-2-3 is the ideal scenario for the Cowboys, who then could choose between Elliott, Ramsey, Myles Jack, Joey Bosa or a trade down. Nabbing Elliott would give their offense a shot to reach another level, with the likely Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite. • KING: How Rams' trade for top pick got done

5. Jalen Ramsey

CB/S, Florida State

There’s no reason to overthink this one. For the Jaguars to show meaningful improvement in 2016, and for Gus Bradley to stay out of the hot seat, the defense absolutely has to be better. Ramsey is the top defender in this draft. Jacksonville could envision him as its No. 1 cornerback or as a partner at safety for newcomer Tashuan Gipson. Either would move Bradley closer to his vision on that side of the ball.

6. Laremy Tunsil

OT, Mississippi

There arguably are more problematic spots on Baltimore’s roster than the O-line. But with Tunsil sliding from his previous post at No. 1 to No.6, this is too good to pass up. Tunsil would allow the Ravens to stop worrying about Eugene Monroe’s injury issues and underwhelming play. Here’s your new franchise left tackle.

7. Myles Jack

LB, UCLA

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8. Ronnie Stanley

OT, Notre Dame

If the Browns’ new front office really is committed to tearing this thing down and building it back up, it has to start in the trenches. With Mitchell Schwartz in Kansas City and Joe Thomas planted on the trade block (with a contract that includes no more guaranteed money), the Browns land their 2016 right tackle and ’17 left tackle.

9. Joey Bosa

DE, Ohio State

It’s borderline stunning that Bosa could land in Tampa Bay without the Bucs moving up, but here we are. Unless the Bucs’ brass, for whatever reason, has Shaq Lawson as the higher-rated defensive end, this should be one of those race-to-the-podium type picks.

10. Vernon Hargreaves

CB, Florida

11. Sheldon Rankins

DT, Louisville

Among the main reasons Rankins keeps surfacing as a top-12 option is that teams don’t have to play the "Does he fit the scheme?" game with him. He does, no matter what said scheme happens to be. For the Bears, it would be as a defensive end in their 3–4 with the ability to drop inside on four-man looks.

12. Laquon Treadwell

WR, Ole Miss

In the process of doing mock after mock, a few matches that are tough to ignore always emerge. This is one. Without question, the Saints must add defensive help in this draft. But they also still could use a true No. 1 receiver and, more importantly, a physical red-zone threat for QB Drew Brees.

13. Shaq Lawson

DE, Clemson

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14. William Jackson III

CB, Houston

In signing Sean Smith and then drafting Jackson, the Raiders would have flipped their cornerback depth chart from an Achilles heel to a strength. Jackson has the size, length and wherewithal to be a shutdown outside defender.

15. Taylor Decker

OT, Ohio State

The Titans have too many needs to automatically assume that they will just take an offensive tackle here…and yet, with that said, this pick is a combo of fit and value. They’d be landing Decker at the start of his realistic draft range and could slot his ferocious run-blocking presence in on the right side so Taylor Lewan can take another crack on the left.

16. A’Shawn Robinson

DT, Alabama

Circling back here on a match made long ago, then deserted. A bevy of possibilities still exist for the Lions here, including Jack Conklin, Noah Spence and Reggie Ragland. Robinson, though, at worst is a help vs. the run and at best develops into a dominant, one-gapping monster in Teryl Austin’s scheme.

17. Leonard Floyd

LB, Georgia

• BURKE: NFL draft needs for all 32 teams

18. Jack Conklin

OT, Michigan State

A fairly quiet off-season means that the Colts could head into training camp with Denzelle Good penciled in at right tackle. They’re high on Good, but this would be a clear upgrade.

19. Noah Spence

DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky

Having one prolific edge rusher rarely cuts it in the NFL these days. It takes two for a defense to really wreak havoc. Pairing Spence with Jerry Hughes would give Rex Ryan’s Bills a chance to do just that.

20. Paxton Lynch

QB, Memphis

What will the next week bring for the Jets, as it pertains to their QB spot? Ryan Fitzpatrick’s return? Brian Hoyer’s arrival? No matter the outcome, they’re scrambling for 2016 and in limbo for 2017.

21. Reggie Ragland

LB, Alabama

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22. Andrew Billings

DT, Baylor

Can the Texans really bypass Josh Doctson for a D-lineman? They can for a player like Billings (or Vernon Butler)—a prospect with good feet, versatility and enough heft to spell Vince Wilfork at nose.

23. Josh Doctson

WR, TCU

Houston’s decision opens a door for Minnesota, which finds a much-needed receiver now in its lap. A Doctson-Stefon Diggs combo would set up Teddy Bridgewater to blow past his previous career bests.

24. Jarran Reed

DT, Alabama

• FARRAR: Top 50 draft scouting reports | Wentz | Goff

25. Mackensie Alexander

CB, Clemson

• FARRAR: Watching tape with CB Alexander

26. Ryan Kelly

C, Alabama

Seattle gets its replacement for Max Unger, who was dealt away as part of the Jimmy Graham trade a year ago. Kelly is a high-IQ center with the movement to excel in Seattle's offensive attack.

27. Vernon Butler

DT, Louisiana Tech

The Packers do not necessarily have to replace B.J. Raji in a one-for-one way. They do need to find more assistance for Mike Daniels up front. Butler can plug the middle or slide out to three- or five-techs.

28. Eli Apple

CB, Ohio State

29. Connor Cook

QB, Michigan State

Planning for the future when you’re still one of the Super Bowl favorites is a tricky proposition, but this type of move has to be on Bruce Arians’s mind. Cook’s game is ideal for Arians’ downfield, big-play goals, and he could keep Arizona afloat should Carson Palmer falter or fall to injury.

30. Corey Coleman

WR, Baylor

The Panthers should (and will) look for O-line help during draft weekend. One way to combat a pass rush, though, is by getting the ball out quickly into the hands of your playmakers. Coleman can be explosive after the catch and deadly deep.

31. Darron Lee

LB, Ohio State

32. Su’a Cravens

LB/S, USC

33. Chris Jones

DT, Mississippi State

34. Kevin Dodd

DE, Clemson

35. Michael Thomas

WR, Ohio State

36. Shilique Calhoun

DE, Michigan State

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37. Cody Whitehair

G/T, Kansas State

38. Kenny Clark

DT, UCLA

39. Karl Joseph

S, West Virginia

40. Sterling Shepard

WR, Oklahoma

41. Derrick Henry

RB, Alabama

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42. Artie Burns

CB, Miami

43. Will Fuller

WR, Notre Dame

44. Robert Nkemdiche

DT, Ole Miss

45. Xavien Howard

CB, Baylor

46. Jason Spriggs

OT, Indiana

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47. Emmanuel Ogbah

DE, Oklahoma State

48. Hunter Henry

TE, Arkansas

49. T.J. Green

CB/S, Clemson

50. Vonn Bell

S, Ohio State

51. Jonathan Bullard

DT, Florida

52. Austin Hooper

TE, Stanford

53. Christian Westerman

C/G, Arizona State

54. Darian Thompson

S, Boise State

55. Kendall Fuller

CB, Virginia Tech

56. Javon Hargrave

DT, South Carolina State

57. Jeremy Cash

S/LB, Duke

58. Kamalei Correa

DE/OLB, Boise State

59. Joshua Garnett

G, Stanford

60. Kenneth Dixon

RB, Louisiana Tech

61. Jihad Ward

DT, Illinois

62. keanu neal

S, Florida

63. Dak Prescott

QB, Mississippi State

Maybe this is the spot where the Panthers nab a tackle, should they look elsewhere in Round 1. As this mock happens to fall, however, Neal—drawing speculation as a Round 1 option—steps in as an enforcer on a Carolina defense that can help cover his flaws.

John Elway remains on the hunt for a 2016 starting quarterback. Prescott does not provide much help there, but should the Broncos wind up with a “bridge” option—Mark Sanchez, Brian Hoyer or Ryan Fitzpatrick—Prescott has a chance to become something special.

64. Kyler Fackrell

OLB, Utah State

65. Rashard Higgins

WR, Colorado State

66. Germain Ifedi

OT, Texas A&M

67. Braxton Miller

WR, Ohio State

68. Austin Johnson

DT, Penn State

69. Deion Jones

LB, LSU

70. Hassan Ridgeway

DT, Texas

71. Jalen Mills

CB/S, LSU

72. Nick Vannett

TE, Ohio State

73. Paul Perkins

RB, UCLA

74. Leonte Carroo

WR, Rutgers

75. Le'Raven Clark

OT, Texas Tech

76. Connor McGovern

G/C, Missouri

77. Christian Hackenberg

QB, Penn State

78. Will Redmond

CB, Mississippi State

79. C.J. Prosise

RB, Notre Dame

80. Blake Martinez

LB, Stanford

81. Joe Dahl

G/T, Washington State

82. Jordan jenkins

OLB, Georgia

83. Joe Schobert

LB, Wisconsin

84. Bronson Kaufusi

DE, BYU

85. Tyler Boyd

WR, Pittsburgh

86. Kentrell brothers

LB, Missouri

87. Malcolm Mitchell

WR, Georgia

88. Jerell Adams

TE, South Carolina

89. Cardale Jones

QB, Ohio State

90. Jordan howard

RB, Indiana

91. Cyrus Jones

CB, Alabama

92. Sean davis

CB/S, Maryland

93. Ronald Blair

DE, Appalachian State

94. alex collins

RB, Arkansas

95. Nick Martin

C, Notre Dame

96. Joe Thuney

OL, N.C. State

97. DeAndre Houston-Carson

CB/S, William & Mary

98. Sheldon Day

DT, Notre Dame