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Marvel Mock Draft 2016
The 2016 NFL Draft is right around the corner. And so is the release of "Captain America: Civil War" in theaters. Combining these two elements, we decided to look at how Marvel heroes and villains would fare if they were entered into the 2016 NFL Draft. The Los Angeles Rams are on the clock!
Text by: Eric Montgomery, James Wright, TD St. Matthew-Daniel, Attique Iqbal, Amar Shah

The Los Angeles Rams made a splash trading up for the #1 pick. Now is the time for the Rams to fill their need for a star quarterback. Enter Tony Stark. While there are some concerns about his noted heart condition, there's no denying Tony's tactical acumen, accuracy, or that he will always be the smartest person on the field and perhaps the biggest star in the City of Angels.

Philly might be tailor-made for Asgard's god of thunder Thor. The son of Odin's strength, speed and endurance will be vital to an offense that gave up 53 sacks. Thor has shown incredible accuracy in the passing game with his mythical hammer Mjolnir. But can that skill translate to a football?

Every team is searching for the next pass-rushing supreme to stifle super-powered NFL offenses. The Incredible Hulk's size, strength and relentless motor makes him a perfect fit for a Chargers defense that managed only 32 sacks in 2015. While some pass rushers can be neutralized with multiple blockers attacking them, Hulk wreaks even more havoc the more opponents get in his face. This pick definitely gives the Chargers a mean streak on the defensive side to match quarterback Philip Rivers.

America's team needs America's Super Solider to fill the hole in their secondary, which means Captain America is the fourth pick in the draft. The legendary Stars & Stripes wearing hero can thank the super soldier serum for blessing him with incredible speed, strength, agility, reaction ability and endurance. He's a lockdown defender, a natural leader and armed with his iconic shield plays the bump-n-run better than any player we've ever seen.

If there's one sure way for the Jaguars to shore up their struggling defense it's with an athletic, acrobatic cornerback like Wade Wilson. Known as an assassin on the field, he's got hands like none other. But what sets him apart is his trash talking abilities -- they don't call him "The Merc with a Mouth" for nothing -- letting him get inside the heads of the most elite receivers.

Given Odell Beckham's rise to stardom the last two seasons, the Ravens will be astonished to have a spectacular talent like Spider-Man fall to them at the sixth pick. Using his Spidey sense, Spider-Man does most of his damage after the catch evading would-be tacklers on his way to the end zone. What Spidey lacks in top-end speed, he makes up for with superior leaping ability and show-stopping ball skills. Yes, one-handed catches with either hand are part of his repertoire, but rumor has it that Spider-Man is capable of making completions with his feet, too.

With their quarterback situation currently in flux, the 49ers would be wise to draft a signal caller for the future. Enter Peter Quill aka Star-Lord: a QB prospect armed with strong playmaking ability and improvisation skills, though he can also be a little bit of a loose cannon. As founder of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Star-Lord is a natural charismatic leader that can galvanize teammates into battle no matter how daunting the task at hand.

Meet Pietro Maximoff, aka Quicksilver, the speedster who is halfway to the end zone a second after the ball is snapped. And he's not just fast on the field, he can pick up the offense and opposing defenses quicker than anyone around. Plus, he's got a mean streak that'll make him a fan favorite.

The Buccaneers secured franchise quarterback Jameis Winston in 2015. Now it's time to protect him by selecting Apocalypse with their 2016 first round pick. As history's first recorded mutant, Apocalypse is a natural at initiating every snap on the football field and makes smart use of his Four Horsemen on the rest of the offensive line. With the added bonus of immortality, Apocalypse's longevity will definitely keep him around for the rest of Jameis Winston's career and that of many more franchise quarterbacks.

"I'm the best there is at what I do," Wolverine told scouts at the NFL Combine. "But what I do isn't very nice." At 5'3" the Canadian born mutant is undersized for a linebacker, but he makes up for it with acute senses, an unbreakable adamantium skeleton and superhuman healing factor. The Giants love Wolverine's work ethic, decades of experience and are very high on his adamantium-laced claws. Wolverine will be carving up opposing offenses for years.

One might think it counterproductive to bring an established supervillain into the locker room, but the robot menace Ultron is guaranteed to put the Monster back in "Monsters of the Midway." He's fast, intelligent, and he's almost unbreakable -- three things the Bears would love to have coming off the edge. The opportunity to put Aaron Rodgers flat on his back twice a year is just a bonus.

A pick that would make their NFC South rivals in Atlanta jealous, Falcon at #12 helps the Saints fill a wide receiver gap vacated by Marques Colston this offseason. A 6'2" high-flying athlete, Falcon brings an aerial dynamic to the Saints' offense that has lacked such explosiveness since the departure of Jimmy Graham. Falcon is also an Air Force veteran and a team-first player who will have no problem following orders or playing wingman to quarterback and Captain Drew Brees.

The Miami Dolphins have a record of 4-12 in games colder than 56 degrees since 2011, which is why they'll take a chance on Storm with the 13th pick. Storm has the ability to control weather and will use her abilities to make sure the Dolphins can play in warm conditions all season. Storm also has the ability to fly, freeze the air in her immediate vicinity and will shock cornerbacks with electrical blasts.

Doctor Doom, proud ruler of Latveria, brings that same pride to the Raiders' offensive line. While his predilection for magic and dark sciences is a little unorthodox, Oakland is nothing if not an unorthodox squad. He's defended his homeland from countless outside threats, so it should be no problem for him to protect Derek Carr for seasons to come.

With franchise quarterback Marcus Mariota at the helm for the foreseeable future, the Titans need an elite offensive tackle to protect him. At 6'7" 985 lbs. the aptly named "Mad Titan" Thanos is an immortal possessing the superhuman strength, reflexes and agility to be an elite bell-cow offensive tackle. If the Titans are willing to deal with his brooding mentality and obsession with the Infinity Gauntlet, they'll have an All-Pro for years to come.

The man they call the Destroyer is one of the best defensive lineman in the draft, possessing a variety of super human powers originating from cosmic energy. His strength, durability and endurance are amongst the best, but he often has trouble understanding the nuances of the game. When Drax sets his eyes on a target, he rarely deviates. Drax stock has fallen because of a well publicized off-the-field issue with fellow prospect Thanos. The Lions are hoping that Drax can set aside his feud and use his relentlessness against opposing offenses.

Atlanta struggled mightily in 2015, amassing a league-worst 19 sacks on the season. The solution to their woes? Cain Marko, aka the Juggernaut, a literal unstoppable force of power and rage, capable of stampeding any O-line in his way. So long as he keeps his helmet on, there's nothing stopping him from leading the Falcons to a Hall of Fame defense.

Set at quarterback with Andrew Luck, the Colts would do well to select the one player in this draft that's equipped to play every other skill position on the field. Mystique's ability to suit up on both sides of the ball mimics that of Deion Sanders, however just like Primetime did during his career, some teams are worried about Mystique's reported tendency to periodically switch teams.

Rex Ryan continues to build on his bread and butter, and that is his ability to put together stellar defenses, and with the 19th pick will draft Venom, at linebacker. Venom superhuman athleticism and killer instinct reminds scouts of another gifted linebacker that played in the Meadowlands. His tremendous speed, agility and spider-senses will make him one of the most dangerous defenders on the field. However Venom's inability to perform in loud hostile environments like Seattle's CenturyLink Field have probably contributed to him falling this far in the draft.

The Jets have pressing needs at quarterback and the offensive line, but the need for a pass rusher is vital. And you're not going to get a better specimen built for getting to the quarterback than Natasha Romanova. Trained by the Russians, she's got a dossier that would make coaches and coordinators blush over. Her ability to heal and her amazing agility will give the Jets one of the most imposing defenses in the league.

At 6'0" and 200 lbs., Daredevil strikes a frame very similar to the 5'11" and 198 lbs. Darrelle Revis. But it's Daredevil's instincts that have scouts raving about his potential to become a shutdown corner. Although visually blind, Daredevil brings hell to opposing offenses by using his heightened "radar" sense to read plays before they happen and make plays on the ball. While he lacks great size and leaping ability, Daredevil is a fearless cornerback with grit, elite agility and a super-powered feel for the game. Quarterbacks dare not test the Devil of Hell's Kitchen often.

The Texans can use a wide receiver or tight end to stretch the field with an offense that's been upgraded with a new quarterback and running back. Captain Marvel may be this year's sleeper pick. A versatile receiver blessed with enhanced strength, flight, durability and power absorption. She can also produce energy blasts from her from her hands giving her a tremendous advantage against press coverage. Captain Marvel has had her share of off-field issues but has shown a tremendous resiliency that will be a valuable asset with the Texans.

It was the miss heard 'round the world when Minnesota kicker Blair Walsh shanked the go-ahead field goal attempt in the NFC Wild Card. So who do the Vikings target in this year's draft but Kamala Khan, powerful inhuman shapeshifter capable of booting it from anywhere on the field. But what makes her uniquely qualified for the position is that she's already surviving adolescence, one of the most stressful, pressure-inducing times in life. Being called on to kick the game-winner is no sweat compared to that.

In need of a running mate opposite of A.J. Green, the Human Torch is a speed-first wide receiver who leaves a blazing trail of defensive backs and lights up the scoreboard. He hasn't had much success lately with the Fantastic Four and will be eager to change that with a new team. However, some scouts worry his fiery personality on and off the field might ruffle some feathers around the league.

Raised by Thanos, Gamora has the speed, hand-to-hand combat skills and durability to be the cornerback the Steelers so desperately need. Very few possess her arsenal of skills to go against the league's best wide receivers and dominate them. It'll be quite a surprise if Gamora slips past this pick.

The perfect addition to the Legion of Boom is a guy who knows a thing or two about the boom -- and how to lower it on opposing receivers. Frank Castle's punishing style of play draws a few more yellow flags than his coaches would like, but for a DB who sees the world in black and white -- me vs. them -- it's the price you're willing to pay for results.

Though not as experienced as Peter Parker, the Packers get a young and dynamic playmaker in the Miles Morales version of Spider-Man. Standing at only 5'2, this jitterbug running back is a touchdown threat whether the quarterback hands the ball off or slings it to him. Similar to all-purpose running back Darren Sproles, Morales also makes big contributions in the return game, possessing the strength to withstand big hits plus the ability to crawl out of a crowded pile. While Morales still has walls to climb before becoming the ultimate Spider-Man, this young Spidey has no fumbles or big drops in his career. Unlike Peter Parker (RIP Gwen Stacy).

Winter Soldier's murky past has been a deterrent to most teams, we know he was once Captain America's sidekick, but he has a few gaps in his profile. There is no doubt that Winter Solider has proven himself to be a hero, he once filled in for Captain America and has been consistently on the side of justice. The Chiefs can take a gamble on him at quarterback because of his Olympic-level athleticism and tremendous accuracy. The question is can the Winter Soldier be trusted in Andy Reid's offense.

When the Cardinals lost Tyrann Mathieu before the playoffs last year, it's safe to assume they lost their season along with him. Scott Lang, capable of altering his size at will using the Pym Particles, makes sure that won't happen again. In fact, he doesn't even need to shadow receivers. He can just shrink down and hitch a ride on their jerseys, then return to normal size at the last moment to make a play on the ball. That defense will be flying high again and into the playoffs in 2016.

Sporting a Kam Chancellor-like physique and instincts reminiscent of Troy Polamalu, Black Panther -- a king back in his homeland of Wakanda -- comes from strong safety royalty. Capable of matching strategic wits with Iron Man and other star quarterbacks, Black Panther will be an absolute steal for a Carolina team with a superhero QB of their own in Cam Newton. Christian Okoye, aka the Nigerian Nightmare, was the last time an African-born player made waves through the NFL -- now make way for the Wakanda Wonder that is Black Panther.

The Broncos may have won Super Bowl 50, but they lost a ton of talent in free agency. What made the Broncos run special was their elite defense which is why they'll draft Beast. The undersized linebacker posted incredible numbers at the combine, demonstrating uncanny agility, speed and strength. However it's his intelligence that the Broncos front office is so intrigued by. He passed the Wonderlic with one of the highest scores ever and is reported to have an understanding of genetics, human biology and biochemistry.

Don't let her Southern charm fool you, Rogue is one tough back when she wants to be. Super strong and nearly invulnerable to boot, she's exactly what Bill Belichick, even if he doesn't have an actual pick, wants in a running back. And where most of the league's rushers slow down upon contact, Rogue somehow gets stronger -- and faster -- the more defenders she hits on her way to pay dirt. She doesn't just drain their energy, she drains the hopes of the opposing team's fans right along with it.

Once a promising young prospect, injuries forced Phil Grayfield to retire from football before becoming the NFL and Marvel's joint superhero known as "NFL SuperPro". The series was created in 1991 and only lasted 12 issues. 25 years later, Grayfield and his indestructible NFL-inspired superhero costume suffer another setback as all 32 teams pass on the has-been.