On The Clock: 2016 RCF NFL Mock Draft

Bah God that's not Laremy Tunsil's music!!!!!!

Swerve...holy hell...

Wanted to run it by you guys before I published it, let me know if I should add more (the scouting report, maybe?). I added the center 'quotes' for a kind of "analyst reaction" type thing, let me know what you guys think.

Hello, and welcome to the 2016 RealCavsFans NFL Mock Draft, an annual tradition here at RCF. You can follow along and add to the conversation in this thread. While there, feel free to browse and find our past drafts.

With the 1st pick of the 2016 RCF Mock Draft, Spectre and the Tennessee Titans select:

Jalen Ramsey, S/CB, Florida State University

WHOA!

WOW, AND RIGHT OFF THE BAT, WE HAVE A SWERVE!

I'LL TELL YA WHAT THOUGH, I LIKE IT. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT WANTING TO PROTECT MARIOTA, BUT THIS KID IS GOING TO BE A STAR ON THIS TENNESSEE DEFENSE FOR YEARS TO COME​

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL4MplOj2IU


After trying to trade down and hearing crickets, the Tennessee Titans turn in the card for the player they believe is the best in the draft. While it was incredibly hard to pass on Laremy Tunsil and take a DB, the Titans believe Taylor Lewan leaves them in a place where they'll be able to address the line later and give Marcus Mariota the protection he needs. You're welcome San Diego. Ramsey is a do it all playmaker, leader and local Tennessee kid who should be to the defense what Mariota is to the offense. He's an absolute stud.

Soda and the Cleveland Browns are now on the clock...

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My Take:
The Browns had a very touch decision to make here. Take the larger project with the higher ceiling in Wentz, or take the smaller-framed Goff, who has feet that remind me of Chubby Checker in his prime...? I see the Browns being enamored with the strength & stability of the larger prospect (Wentz) in a tough AFC North. Even though he played indoors at NDSU.

While I am in agreement with the masses in thinking the signing of Robert Griffin III should not affect the team's draft plans, I have a different spin. I think the Browns had Wentz in mind while considering their options at this spot in the draft. By all accounts, Wentz is going to take some time to adjust to the speed of the NFL game. Having a bridge quarterback lends credence to the thought that the Browns do not want to rush a rookie into the game. My opinion is that the Browns are well aware that a ready-to-play Goff brings an unwelcome controversy, so they take Wentz being fully aware that there are things Goff has that Wentz does not, at this point.

Strengths:

• Powerful arm

• Pocket presence

• Accurate

• Experience in a pro-style system

• Has the makings of good feet

• Decision-making

• Field vision

• Worked under center

• Throws into tight windows

• Stands tall, steps into hits

• Thrives despite a lack of talent around him

• Worked under center

• Potential for field vision

• Good feel for the game

• Throws well on the run

• Mobile with running ability

• Bails out blockers with ability to avoid sacks

• Intelligent

• Leadership

• Football I.Q.

• Winner; championship pedigree

• Good character

• Work ethic

• Humble, eager to learn

Weaknesses:

• Small sample size

• Durability?

• Big jump in speed of the game

• Should fill out his frame

Summary: In the quarterback-hungry NFL, teams are willing to go far and wide to find their franchise quarterbacks. In recent years, some quarterbacks from smaller schools have had their names called in the first round of drafts. That group includes Joe Flacco (Delaware) and Blake Bortles (Central Florida), while this year's draft could feature two similar level programs producing first-rounders in Wentz and Memphis' Paxton Lynch. While other prospects like Lynch, Jared Goff, Cardale Jones and Christian Hackenberg have gotten a lot more attention, Wentz could easily be the first quarterback off the board.

Wentz was a backup in his first two seasons as North Dakota State won National Championships both seasons. Wentz kept the tradition going helping the program to win the title in the following two seasons after he became the starting quarterback. As a junior, Wentz completed 64 percent of his passes for 3,111 yard with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. He had six touchdowns on the ground. In 2015, Wentz completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,669 yards with 16 touchdowns and two interceptions while missing six games with a broken wrist. He also had four rushing touchdowns.

From a skill-set perspective, Wentz is a legitimate "top half of the draft" prospect. He is an accurate passer who has the field vision to scan the field and distribute the ball. North Dakota State runs a pro-style system that saw Wentz making calls in the huddle and working under center.

There is no doubt that Wentz has an NFL arm that is strong and can really spin the football. He can make all the throws for the pro game. Wentz can load up and fire some fastballs into tight windows when he needs to. He also can put air underneath it and drop in touch passes. Wentz shows the pocket skill to stand tall, work through his progressions, and beat good coverage with well-placed passes into tight windows. Wentz's mechanics are solid and impressive for his lack of experience against top opponents given the lesser level of competition.

Wentz has good athleticism to scramble in the pocket, avoid sacks, pick up yards on the feet, and throw on the run. Mobility is a nice cherry on top for Wentz's game.

Sources from multiple teams have said they gave Wentz a first-round grade and think that he is the real deal. They say that Wentz has a good arm, size and athleticism, plus they love him off the field. They like his pocket presence, field vision, experience under center, ability to make play calls in the huddle, and his potential to grow in the NFL. One area scout also said that Wentz will fill out his frame in a NFL strength and conditioning program. That source said the big challenge for Wentz will be the drastic change in the speed of the game coming from North Dakota State's opponents compared to the NFL. Wentz also has a small size of starts to be evaluated from, but overall sources felt those concerns were minor.

In the 2016 NFL Draft, sources have said that Wentz could be the first quarterback off the board as high as No. 2 to the Browns. He looks very likely to go in the top 10.

Player Comparison: Blake Bortles. Wentz is a very unique player, so it is tough to find a comparison for him. In speaking with scouts, they feel the same way and think that his uniqueness sets him apart. Collectively, we felt that Wentz was an upgraded version of Bortles as a prospect. Wentz and Bortles have a similar skill set with size, arm strength and athleticism. However, Wentz has a bit more talent in every attribute. In terms of NFL effectiveness, I could see Wentz panning out and being a quarterback of a similar caliber to Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco.

@jlegg21 and the San Diego Chargers are on the clock.

Soda said:

tough AFC North. ​

.

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You bastard!

Whether the Browns go with Wentz or Goff, they will need to draft well in rounds 2 through 5 to step towards respectability by 2017. The mid-rounds killed them as much as the first pick since Farmer took over. Lots of mistakes to undo ahead.

Well, with this reaction, it looks like Carson Wentz and Hue Jackson already suck and need to go.

@Soda I'm not even a Browns fan and I know you were supposed to draft Goff. You had one job! I was actually hoping you wouldn't just to see the reactions.

Also, I don't think @jlegg21 got tagged properly so I'll do it now. You are on the clock.

And @MoFlo just to be clear, you want us to do our own write up and not post word for word what anyone else had said about the prospect. So we don't plagiarize if it is going on the website. And how much do you want us to write, like a paragraph? Just wondering if you care about any uniformity of the structure for the website.

With the 3rd Pick in the 2016 RCF Mock Draft, the San Diego Chargers select...

Laremy Tunsil, LT, Ole Miss

Justification:

The loud roar you heard after each of the first two picks was the San Diego Chargers' War Room, as the player they wanted all along falls right into their laps. Offensive line has been a constant position of flux for the Chargers, and Tunsil will step in from day one and fill their biggest need for years to come. Phil Rivers is crying tears of joy today, and the LT position is solidified for the next decade.

Measurables:

Height: 6'5
Weight: 310
Arm Length: 34 1/4th"
Hands: 10"
Vertical: 28 1/2"
Broad Jump: 9'3"
Bench: 34 reps of 225

NFL Comparison
Tyron Smith

Strengths
Came into Ole Miss as five-star prospect and lived up to every bit of the hype. Has the elite foot quickness of a high-end NFL tackle and his base remains balanced and uncompromised throughout his pass reps. Excellent bend and overall flexibility in his ankles, knees and hips and maintains good pad level throughout his pass sets. Plays with textbook hand usage. Possesses a boxer's jab in his left hand with measured accuracy, timing and force. Uses length to control the rep, but is willing to slide and mirror without even punching if defender continues to linger outside his reach. "Basketball defender" who understands importance of footwork and positioning in pass protection. Heady tackle with plus instincts and reads keys for hints of upcoming blitzes and twists. Heat-seeking missile in open field as screen blocker. Very good body control and balance. Makes climb to second level with good timing and gathers himself to make accurate strikes on linebackers. Got into LSU's linebackers and gave them the absolute blues in running game.

Weaknesses
Frame could use more mass. After initial punch in pass protection, will lose patience and reach at times while looking for second contact. Failed to start and play in every game in any of his three seasons. When bull rushers get to an edge, they can generate some push to the pocket. More of a finesse run blocker than drive blocker. Great feet don't come with powerful leg drive. Missed bowl game in 2013 due to knee injury, two games in 2014 due to partially torn bicep and seven games in 2015 due to receiving impermissible benefits.

Bottom Line
From a talent and technique standpoint, Tunsil is easily cleanest offensive lineman in the 2016 draft and might be the cleanest prospect period. Tunsil showed signs of rust against Texas A&M in his first game back from a seven-game suspension, and he still kept Myles Garrett in check. Tunsil lacks pure power, but has the body control to be a quality run blocker in space and on levels. Ultimately, his feet, technique and instincts could make him an all-pro and one of the top pass protectors in the NFL.



@AZ_ and the Dallas Cowboys are now on the clock...

You can feel free to post scouting reports, @Walter White , I've yet to decide if I'll include them going forward on rcfsports..

And just a paragraph is cool.. However much you feel like writing works fine.

I'll catch up on the picks when I'm home from work

So far our mock follows the latest update from walterfootball.com perfectly. Ramsey is getting a lot of buzz from Tennessee, and that head to head Combine throwing day between Goff and Wentz is still stuck in many heads.

But walterfootball.com is historically wrong on a lot of things until the day of the draft, so there's that...

Randolphkeys said:

So far our mock follows the latest update from walterfootball.com perfectly. Ramsey is getting a lot of buzz from Tennessee, and that head to head Combine throwing day between Goff and Wentz is still stuck in many heads.

But walterfootball.com is historically wrong on a lot of things until the day of the draft, so there's that...

Click to expand...

Bosa up next then