One thing about the 2016 NFL draft, and all previous drafts that fans have come to know? Every year there is always one team that makes a pick in the 1st round that stuns everybody. It’s why “expect the unexpected” is such a popular phrase surrounding this event. So looking towards 2016, we asked the Mocks crew on which team would make a shocker selection and who it might be.
Rodney Stokes:
If the Dolphins lose Lamar Miller to free agency and they don’t have the faith in Jay Ajayi to be the lead back, then Ezekiel Elliott could become an option. Lamar Miller was inconsistent and seemingly “needed” 20 carries before his value showed. Elliott can come in right away and make an impact for a young offensive team.
Shawn Spencer:
Chiefs drafting Paxton Lynch would be unexpected but makes a lot of sense. Lynch won’t be ready to play for a year or two, which allows Alex Smith to start for the next two seasons. If Smith is unable to lead Kansas City deep into the playoffs, he can be cut without much of a cap hit. At that point, the team can turn to a developed Lynch to take over.
David Holmes:
In what would be seen as a long shot to most, a shocking move would be the Bears moving up in the draft. That in itself wouldn’t be too surprising considering the amount of picks they own in the 2016 draft. However, if they were to move up into the Top-3 to position themselves for a quarterback, that would certainly turn some heads. Despite coaches and the front office singing Cutler’s praises for his performance in 2015, GM Ryan Pace has said in the past they will go BPA even if that means quarterback.
Eric Robinson:
Why do I get this weird, tingly feeling that Oakland will do something crazy? It’s borderline expected. Part of me feels that if Vernon Hargreaves III sees a fall, Oakland will make a move. Eli Apple, Mackensie Alexander, and Kendall Fuller are solid corners with plenty of potential but Oakland needs a “right now” CB. If VH3 somehow falls out of the top ten, I can see Oakland going to get their immediate starter.
Erik Lambert:
Most of the time I try to find different answers from my colleagues, but I’m in agreement with David. The Chicago Bears will be the source of the stunner this year, and it’s because they’re going to take a quarterback at #11. Word was rampant that GM Ryan Pace wanted Marcus Mariota last year, but he didn’t have the ammunition to go up and get him. Now there is a significant possibility that one of the top two quarterbacks in Jared Goff and Carson Wentz might still be there when the Bears pick.
Chances are they’ll have used free agency to correct some of their problems on defense, and Pace made sure they have plenty of options outside the 1st round with eight additional picks. So chances are he can take whomever he wants. Jay Cutler turns 33 this year, hasn’t played a full season since 2009 and has made the playoffs once in his career.
He may be safe for 2016, but there is no reason for Chicago to not start thinking about life after him.