2016 NFL Draft: 5 Biggest First Round Questions

Every year is different. Each off-season comes with its share of new questions that need answering. Often answers won’t come until the preeminent event of the spring and summer comes around. The 2016 NFL draft figures to do the same.

There are plenty of questions teams, experts and fans are asking. Too many to count. However, here are five of the most noteworthy and what they could mean when the clock starts this April.

Will Cleveland still go QB at #2?

While Tennessee may hold the top pick, most feel the real action won’t start until the Cleveland Browns decide what to do with their 2nd overall choice. Most expected them to take a quarterback given their obvious need at the position. That was before they signed former Pro Bowler and Rookie of the Year, Robert Griffin III. He is only 25-years old and may yet still be able to resurrect his career. Could the Browns being using him as an excuse to avoid drafting a quarterback that high? It’s a hot debate topic.

What will Dallas and San Francisco do?

The quarterback picture is made all the fuzzier by who picks after the Browns. Put simply, nobody knows for sure when the next one will come off the board. As it stands the next two logical spots are the Dallas Cowboys at #4 and the San Francisco 49ers at #7. Yet each has excuses for not going that route. Historically Dallas doesn’t like taking QBs in the 1st round. San Francisco seems intent on keeping Colin Kaepernick, hoping to return him to the form that almost won them a Super Bowl.

Should the Rams make an aggressive move up?

All the talk of late has been about teams trading down in the 1st round. Well in order for that to happen, they need a team that wants to trade up. If there is any one that seems poised to do just that, it’s the Los Angeles Rams. In addition to their 15th overall pick, they also hold two 2nd round choices (#43 and #45). Given the belief that moving up this year could be cheaper than normal, it stands to reason that L.A. may seize the opportunity to go get a player they covet (including a quarterback).

How far will Robert Nkemdiche fall?

One of the most polarizing players in the entire draft, defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche has the talent of somebody who should go in the top 10. However, due to lacking production at Ole Miss and now considerable concerns surrounding his off-the-field trouble and maturity, some wonder if he’ll go in the top 32. After seeing what happened to Randy Gregory last year, it’s not crazy to think Nkemdiche could be in store for a similar plummet.

Who comes out of nowhere to crack the 1st round?

Every year it seems like a player that was projected to go much later in the draft climbs up boards to reach the top 32. A year ago it was Miami receiver Phillip Dorsett going to Indianapolis. In 2014 in was Northern Illinois safety Jimmie Ward to San Francisco. Or what about Travis Frederick, a Wisconsin center and projected 3rd rounder, going to Dallas at #31 in 2013? It stands to reason that some team will see something in a certain player others don’t.

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