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2016 NFL Mock Draft

By Will Osgood

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) runs past Oregon Ducks linebacker Tyson Coleman (33) in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Ohio State won 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) runs past Oregon Ducks linebacker Tyson Coleman (33) in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Ohio State won 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Pittsburgh Steelers–Su’a Cravens, S, Southern California

It’s hard to imagine the Pittsburgh Steelers falling this far to the bottom of the league, but they simply lack talent on the defensive side of the ball. The truth is they could go a number of directions, but they take Southern California’s Su’a Cravens at safety hoping he can become something akin to the next Troy Polamalu, also from USC.

6. New York Giants–Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida

The New York Giants are falling down the line of quality NFL teams in a hurry. Like the Steelers, they simply lack the talent across the roster to compete for a division crown, especially on defense.

With Prince Amukamura not living up to the hype and a myriad of other questions in the secondary, the Giants must take the No. 1 rated corner going into the 2015 college football season from Florida, who handled Alabama’s Amari Cooper as well as anyone this past season.

7. Atlanta Falcons–Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

No matter what the Atlanta Falcons did in this draft, they were still going to need a running back next season. Taking Ezekiel Elliott–the current No. 1 back in the 2016 class gives them the opportunity to shore up the position and gets them on pace to again have one of the league’s top offenses in 2016.

Elliott owned the Oregon Ducks in the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship Game, and will likely do the same all season in the Big 10.

8. San Diego Chargers–Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame

The San Diego Chargers may not play in San Diego in 2016, but in 2015 they’re going to have a hard time keeping up in the AFC West, despite possessing a lot of talent on both sides of the football. Sheldon Day could go much higher in the 2016 draft if the teams picking slots out differently.

You could probably even flip Shawn Oakman at four with Day here, and it would make total sense. But we’ll stick with this, and say the Chargers get a steal at No. 8.

Next: Picks 9 through 12

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