Four-round mock draft 2.0: Browns, Bolts snag QBs

Published: Feb 18, 2016 at 03:51 AM

Chad Reuter

Draft Analyst

The Super Bowl is over, and the 2016 NFL Draft order is set. Well ... sort of.

In addition to the selections determined by record, the league announces the awarding of 32 compensatory selections during its annual spring meeting.

The league awards compensatory picks based on whether a club loses more free agents that are determined to be compensatory than it acquires, with a maximum of four for one team.

I've projected the third- and fourth-round compensatory picks using those general criteria in order to include a baker's dozen more players deserving of a spot in the top four rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft.

In the deepest draft in recent memory, late third- and fourth-round selections are bound to make an early contribution to their new teams.

Laremy Tunsil - OT, Ole Miss: Adding Tunsil will allow former first-round pick Taylor Lewan to man the right side, giving Marcus Mariota two excellent tackles to keep defensive ends off his back.

Jared Goff - QB, Cal: The Browns' new front office brings in Goff to jump-start a moribund franchise with just three winning seasons since returning to Cleveland in 1999.

Carson Wentz - QB, North Dakota State: The last time the Chargers picked this early in the draft, they drafted the malcontented Eli Manning in 2005 and later that day traded him to the New York Giants for Philip Rivers. The eventual Pro Bowler learned from Drew Brees for two years holding taking the reins, which could be a similar story for Wentz if he were selected here.

Joey Bosa - DE, Ohio State: If the Cowboys decide not to re-sign free agent Greg Hardy, they would love to find Bosa and his stellar all-around game awaiting their call.

Jalen Ramsey - CB, Florida State: Play him at corner, play him at safety ... he will make an impact in either spot.

Myles Jack - LB, UCLA: With Courtney Upshaw a free agent and Terrell Suggs turning 34 years old this fall, the Ravens select Jack, a difference-maker waiting for their call.

Laquon Treadwell - WR, Ole Miss: Chip Kelly finds a superstar in Treadwell to help out Colin Kaepernick return to his early career form -- or, maybe aid Blaine Gabbert in revitalizing his career, as Kelly planned to do with Sam Bradford in Philadelphia.

DeForest Buckner - DE, Oregon: Whether or not Cameron Wake returns in 2016, Olivier Vernon and Derrick Shelby are free agents, so the Dolphins will need another pass rusher.

Mackensie Alexander - CB, Clemson: Alexander immediately bolsters a Buccaneers' secondary bereft of playmakers.

Andrew Billings - DT, Baylor: The Giants are always looking for difference-makers on the defensive line, and Billings is just that.

Jaylon Smith - LB, Notre Dame: The Bears need a second-level playmaker, and Smith's injury should not be a career-stopper.

Noah Spence - DE, Eastern Kentucky: Spence is a top-10 talent, and could wind up there if he convinces general managers (and team owners) that he is dealing with the addiction that caused him to leave Ohio State. For now, we'll say the Saints take a chance on his talent here.

Paxton Lynch - QB, Memphis: Even if the Eagles decide to bring back Sam Bradford for one year on a franchise tag, new head coach (and former NFL quarterback) Doug Pederson might want to bring in a young passer such as Lynch to groom.

Ronnie Stanley - OT, Notre Dame: Derek Carr breathes a sigh of relief now that the team has Stanley to hold off defenders.

Vernon Hargreaves - CB, Florida: The Rams might end up replacing free agent and former Gator Janoris Jenkins (who finished his career at North Alabama) with a similar player in Hargreaves.

Taylor Decker - OT, Ohio State: Decker joins fellow former Big Ten star lineman Riley Reiff, with the hopes that it helps in pass protection (44 sacks allowed in 2015) and the consistency of the bottom-ranked rush offense in the league.

Kevin Dodd - DE, Clemson: The Falcons take a pass rusher in the first round for the second straight year, though Dodd's strength is a good complement to Vic Beasley's speed on the edge.

Ezekiel Elliott - RB, Ohio State: It's time to give Andrew Luck a strong-minded back to carry the load - and Zeke can also pass protect and catch the ball out of the backfield.

Cody Whitehair - OG, Kansas State : Improving the offensive line should be one of the Bills' top priorities this off-season, and adding the tough, versatile, and technically-sound Whitehair would be a good first step.

Reggie Ragland - LB, Alabama: - Demario Davis is a free agent, so if he doesn't return, the Jets would love to plug in Ragland next to David Harris in the middle of their defense.

Eli Apple - CB, Ohio State: Washington's secondary was among the most porous in the league in 2015, and Apple is just scratching the surface of his potential.

Vernon Butler - DT, Louisiana Tech: Vince Wilfork can't last too much longer, so adding more bulk in the middle of the defense is a must for the Texans.

Josh Doctson - WR, TCU: Docton's wrist probably won't keep him out of the first round, allowing the Vikings grab him as a legit deep threat for blossoming passer Teddy Bridgewater.

Corey Coleman - WR, Baylor: Free agency could decimate the Bengals' receiving corps, and Coleman's the perfect foil to A.J. Green.

Jack Conklin - OT, Michigan State: The Steelers used their last three first round picks on linebackers, and before that, they spent three straight firsts on prospects on the line of scrimmage ( Maurkice Pouncey, Cameron Heyward, David DeCastro). This time around, I'll project the team using this pick on an offensive lineman.

Sheldon Rankins - DT, Louisville: The Seahawks will be looking for active interior defenders in his draft, and that description fits Rankins' game to a tee.

Darron Lee - LB, Ohio State: The Packers improve their defense instantly Lee's athleticism is still available at this point in the first round.

A'Shawn Robinson - DE, Alabama: The Chiefs might have some holes to fill in the defensive line as Jaye Howard and Mike Devito are free agents. Robinson can play multiple spots, especially if he learns to play with a lower pad level.

Leonard Floyd - LB, Georgia: Re-building the pass rush with young talent is crucial for the Cardinals to stay ahead of the Seahawks in the NFC West.

Shon Coleman - OT, Auburn: The Super Bowl loss to the Broncos put a bullseye on the offensive line of the Panthers, and Coleman has the nasty attitude, athleticism, and length to be a long-time starter at tackle.

Chris Jones - DT, Mississippi State: Let's say the Broncos can't (or won't) re-sign Malik Jackson at a free agent market price, especially after giving Derek Wolfe a four-year extension in January. Jones' similar size and athleticism might prove to be a good long-term alternative.

Prospects worthy of selection in Rounds 1-4

Deiondre' Hall, DB, Northern Iowa
Bryce Williams, TE, East Carolina
Max Tuerk, C, USC
Landon Turner, OG, North Carolina
Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU
Tyler Matakevich, ILB, Temple
Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas
Connor McGovern, OG, Missouri
Juston Burris, CB, North Carolina State
Jonathan Jones, CB, Auburn
Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State
Adam Gotsis, DE, Georgia Tech
Nile Lawrence-Stample, DT, Florida State
Spencer Drango, OT, Baylor
Nick Kwiatkoski, ILB, West Virginia
Blake Martinez, ILB, Stanford
Joe Schobert, OLB, Wisconsin
Beniquez Brown, OLB, Mississippi State
Eric Striker, OLB, Oklahoma
Terrance Smith, OLB, Florida State
Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State
Tyler Ervin, RB, San Jose State
Marshaun Coprich, RB, Illinois State
Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA
T.J. Green, S, Clemson
Jayron Kearse, S, Clemson
Darion Griswold, TE, Arkansas State
Jalin Marshall, WR, Ohio State

Follow Chad Reuter on Twitter _@chadreuter_.

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