2016 NFL Draft: Who Will Own The #1 Pick?

Nov 2, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine, owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Ray Farmer before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

There is still a long season ahead in 2015, so predicting which players will go where in the 2016 NFL draft is senseless. However, it’s not too soon to make a call on which team may own that 1st overall pick. The following is a breakdown of the top five contenders for it and why, without playing a down yet this year, they are being considered.

Cleveland Browns

Primary Reason: Turmoil at the top

Talent doesn’t always equal wins. The Cleveland Browns seem to have a solid roster in place, but it’s a team that just feels off. From the GM being suspended to the head coach almost jumping ship to a meddling owner to a rookie 1st round pick entering rehab. Nothing about this team says “stability.” Now they’re putting their money on Josh McCown at quarterback, who just got done piloting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the #1 pick this year. It’s not hard to have little faith in this team at the moment.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Primary Reason: Track record

Sometimes the signs line up before a season begins that just send bad vibes. Losing prized 1st round pick Dante Fowler Jr. to a freak knee injury in the first minicamp practice is a perfect example. Gus Bradley is already under a ton of pressure to win after two terrible seasons trying to rebuild the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s going to need a big second year from promising quarterback Blake Bortles, who struggled as a rookie if this team wants to avoid another tough year.

Tennessee Titans

Primary reason: Lack of offensive firepower

They held the #2 pick this past NFL draft, so that always puts a team in early contention for the #1 in the following year. Adding to that is the fact the Tennessee Titans are about to put an offense that, at least on the surface lacks notable playmakers on the shoulders of a rookie quarterback in Marcus Mariota considered not ready to start in the pros given his lack of pro offense experience. Their only other option is Zach Mettenberger who was 0-6 as a starter last season. Too many things have to go right for the Titans, and that usually spells more losing.

Washington Redskins

Primary Reason: Quarterback questions

Since when does a GM inheriting a coach honestly ever work? Very rarely. Yet the Washington Redskins are about to try that with Jay Gruden and Scot McCloughan. Never mind the fact questions persist for them at quarterback with Robert Griffin III. It’s no surprise the team made a serious effort to improve the offensive line and the defense. They can’t be sure what RGIII will do. Lack of cohesion at the top? Check. Quarterback questions? Check.. All markers that typically indicate a team selecting 1st overall the following year.

San Francisco 49ers

Primary reason: Leadership loss

This will be the big surprise of the teams on this list. The San Francisco 49ers were 8-8 last season and still have, by all accounts a roster with plenty of talent. That is not the problem. It’s the loss of leadership that is. Not only is head coach Jim Harbaugh, the man responsible for so much of their success gone, but so are his excellent coordinators. On top of that Patrick Willis has retired and Justin Smith is leaning that way as well. That is a lot to lose for a team that appears in the middle of a regression anyway. It could a bottoming out before they get back on their feet again.

Next: NFL Power Rankings: The Best Player From All 32 Teams

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