NFL Mock Draft 2016: Forecasting the First Round

Alabama. Jarran Reed . 26. player. 36. Slotting Reed here seems cruel to the rest of the NFC West. Just when one of the nastiest defenses in the NFL loses a key contributor in <a href=. DT

27. player. 49. BJ Raji’s NFL Hiatus creates a big hole in the middle of Green Bay’s defense. Luckily for them, Vernon Butler should be able to slide in nicely. The Lousiana Tech product has made major waves ever since the Senior Bowl and is an impressive physical specimen. Don’t rule out Alabama Tight End Hunter Henry here either. The Packers love multiple TE sets and could use someone alongside Richard Rogers.. DT. Louisiana Tech. Vernon Butler

Clemson. Mackensie Alexander . 28. player. 124. It’s very tempting to slot a receiver like Sterling Shepard in here as a complement to <a href=. CB

32. Karl Joseph is just a Cardinals type player. He plays with a complete lack of respect for his own body, which has caused him to suffer a few injuries, but hits like a feight train. The former Mountaineer resembles current Cardinal Deone Buchanon in size and his ability to play safety and even flirt with some linebacker and nowhere would his incredible skill set be used better than in Arizona. Consider him high upside Tyrann Matheiu insurance.. SS. West Virginia. Karl Joseph . 29. player

player. 87. Make it three Clemson Tigers in the first round. Dodd had a breakout campaign last season with a whopping 23.5 TFL’s and 12 sacks. The concern is that he may be a one year wonder and not a true star. If there’s one team that can make him the latter, it’s Carolina. The Panthers have <a href=. DE. Clemson. Kevin Dodd . 30

player. 45. Finally we get to the reigning champs. Denver is in the midst of the annual purge that befalls all champions, most notably losing QB Brock Osweiler and major contributor Malik Jackson. While QB would appear to be the more pressing need, Denver shouldn’t pass up a chance to add Robert Nkemdiche, who was once thought of as a potential top overall choice. Behavioral issues and lack of huge performances have driven his stock down but he still brims with potential and could realize it in Denver surrounded by mentors like Demarcus Ware and <a href=. DT. Ole Miss. Robert Nkemdiche . 31