Four-round mock draft 3.0: Hackenberg-O'Brien reunion

Published: Mar 07, 2016 at 08:38 AM

Chad Reuter

Draft Analyst

The 2016 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books. The order of things is getting clearer, not just because of the performances in Indianapolis, but also due to public (and not so public) comments made about this year's draft class by NFL general managers, coaches and scouts.

Obviously, free agency will change the needs of teams over the course of the next few weeks. In fact, the release of veterans like defensive ends Mario Williams (Buffalo Bills) and Charles Johnson (Carolina Panthers) are already creating roster holes that will need to be filled via the draft, if no veteran is brought in. But with the combine behind us, it's worth a look to see where players' value lay at this point in the process.

Note that I've projected third- and fourth-round compensatory picks in this mock draft.

Laremy Tunsil - OT, Ole Miss: It's quite possible the Titans will consider defensive back Jalen Ramsey at this pick. But for now, I'll go with Tunsil, who would team with Taylor Lewan to form a nice pair of bookends in front of second-year quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Carson Wentz - QB, North Dakota State: Head coach Hue Jackson made no bones about the importance of hand size in a quarterback. Playing in Cleveland, and against Big Ben and Joe Flacco in the AFC North, it makes sense to have a big-bodied quarterback at the helm. Wentz did nothing to hurt himself at the combine.

Jalen Ramsey - CB, Florida State: Whether the Chargers play Ramsey in Eric Weddle's old spot or move of one their smaller starters to the slot, this is a win-win pick.

Joey Bosa - DE, Ohio State: Bosa showed at the combine that he's capable of standing up or playing with his hand on the turf. If Greg Hardy's no longer in the picture in Big D, Bosa should slide right in.

Myles Jack - LB, UCLA: This Jack of all trades will be utilized to his fullest in the Jags' scheme.

DeForest Buckner - DE, Oregon: Goodbye Chris Canty, hello Buckner.

Jared Goff - QB, Cal: Chip Kelly is pleased as punch that a player of Goff's talent is still available -- if his old team or the Rams don't make a trade with the Chargers to go get him.

Shaq Lawson - DE, Clemson: Even after putting the transition tag on Olivier Vernon, Miami could use help rushing the passer especially if 34-year-old Cameron Wake isn't full strength coming off the Achilles injury.

Ezekiel Elliott - RB, Ohio State: It doesn't appear that Doug Martin will re-sign, and Elliott's all-around skill set is very much appreciated in league circles.

Sheldon Rankins - DT, Louisville: Rankins brings quickness to the middle of the Giants' defensive line.

Ronnie Stanley - OT, Notre Dame: Stanley plugs into the left tackle spot for the Bears as a rookie.

Andrew Billings - DT, Baylor: New Orleans instantly gets better against the run, and Billings is also able to provide pressure if quarterbacks hold the ball in the pocket.

Jack Conklin - OT, Michigan State: Conklin's better-than-anticipated combine checked the boxes for a tackle able to excel in every situation -- even playing some guard to start his career, if Jason Peters returns healthy. If Peters can't go, then Conklin can step in.

Vernon Hargreaves - CB, Florida: Hargreaves' average height might be an issue for some teams, but the Raiders know he's a playmaker, pure and simple.

Paxton Lynch - QB, Memphis: The Rams can't get rid of Nick Foles due to his contract, so they can let Lynch learn the game and improve as a redshirt in 2016.

Laquon Treadwell - WR, Ole Miss: Treadwell might not be Calvin Johnson, but he's a darn good find at this spot.

Vonn Bell - S, Ohio State: Teams typically don't draft pass rushers in back-to-back years. Bell's combination of hard hits and coverage skills give him great value.

Taylor Decker - OT, Ohio State: Andrew Luck needs to be better protected, and Decker will get after his man in the run game, as well -- something the Colts need from their offensive line to be more effective on the ground.

Darron Lee - LB, Ohio State: Lee can play on the weak or strong side for the Bills without an issue because of his combination of size and athleticism.

Leonard Floyd - LB, Georgia: With Calvin Pace a free agent, the Jets get another tall, long pass rusher to join a stout front line in confounding offensive lines across the league.

Eli Apple - CB, Ohio State: Washington struggled in coverage last season, giving up 30 touchdowns through the air. Apple gives them size on the outside, which they sorely need.

,b>Christian Hackenberg - QB, Penn State: I don't know if head coach Bill O'Brien will use this pick to get his former protege, or maybe move up into the late first or early second round ... but either way, I'll be surprised if they don't reunite.

Josh Doctson - WR, TCU: Doctson's combine workout made teams forget about his injured wrist. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is looking for a receiver in whom he can trust to win 50-50 balls.

Corey Coleman - WR, Baylor: Free agency could decimate the Bengals' receiving corps, and Coleman's the perfect foil to A.J. Green.

Joshua Garnett - OG, Stanford: How about putting two tough-minded Stanford players on the offensive line? Ramon Foster's on his way out, and Garnett's able to keep Big Ben healthy and plow a hole for Le'Veon Bell.

Robert Nkemdiche - DT, Ole Miss: This is becoming a popular prediction due to the Seahawks' need for a defensive tackle and their willingness to take a chance on talent despite off-field question marks.

Reggie Ragland - LB, Alabama: General manager Ted Thompson has a knack for patiently waiting until a good value falls into his lap. Ragland might go earlier, but Clay Matthews would be extremely happy to see this pick so he can do his thing outside.

Jason Spriggs - OT, Indiana: Now that Eric Fisher is starting to round into shape a bit on the left side, the Chiefs might look to get an athletic pass protector across the way to keep Alex Smith upright more regularly in 2016.

Mackensie Alexander - CB, Clemson: Depth was a problem down the stretch for the Cardinals, and Alexander's potential as a long-time starter is too strong to ignore.

Emmanuel Ogbah - DE, Oklahoma State: The strong and hard-working Ogbah would be a nice complement to Kony Ealy on the Panthers' defensive line, and the need for help on the line increased with the release of Charles Johnson.

Hunter Henry - TE, Arkansas: Owen Daniels was a good find for Denver, but getting younger at that spot will help Brock Osweiler, or whomever might take snaps for the defending Super Bowl champs.

Prospects worthy of selection in Rounds 1-4

Max Tuerk, C, USC
Jack Allen, C, Michigan State
Jonathan Jones, CB, Auburn
Cre'von LeBlanc, CB, Florida Atlantic
Harlan Miller, CB, Southeast Louisiana
Jimmy Pruitt, CB, San Jose State
Deiondre' Hall, DB, Northern Iowa
Ronald Blair, DE, Appalachian State
Alex McCalister, DE, Florida
Matt Ioannidis, DE, Temple
Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
Quinton Jefferson, DT, Maryland
D.J. Reader, DT, Clemson
Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas
Antwaun Woods, DT, USC
Nile Lawrence-Stample, DT, Florida State
Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State
Nick Kwiatkoski, ILB, West Virginia
B.J. Goodson, ILB, Clemson
Beniquez Brown, OLB, Mississippi State
De'Vondre Campbell, OLB, Minnesota
Nick Vigil, OLB, Utah State
Landon Turner, OG, North Carolina
Jeff Driskel, QB, Louisiana Tech
Joe Dahl, OG, Washington State
Joe Haeg, OT, North Dakota State
Jerald Hawkins, OT, LSU
John Theus, OT, Georgia
Vernon Adams, Jr., QB, Oregon
Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas
Marshaun Coprich, RB, Illinois State
Kenyan Drake, RB, Alabama
Tyler Ervin, RB, San Jose State
Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA
Kevin Byard, S, Middle Tennessee State
Deon Bush, S, Miami (Fla.)
Jayron Kearse, S, Clemson
Darion Griswold, TE, Arkansas State
Bryce Williams, TE, East Carolina
Kayarris Garrett, WR, Tulsa
Kenny Lawler, WR, California
Hunter Sharp, WR, Utah State

Follow Chad Reuter on Twitter _@chadreuter_.

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