Mock Draft 2016: Quarterback’s drop in post-free agency mock draft

The Seattle Seahawks get a player who once was considered a candidate to be the first overall selection. Robert Nkemdiche has the look of someone who is that type of prospect, but his tape never consistently matched his measurables. Coupled with his off-the-field concerns this is why a top-five talent drops to the bottom of the first. The Seahawks can afford to gamble on a high-risk, high-reward type of player.

The Green Bay Packers didn’t get the type of production they needed from the interior defensive line last year so defensive tackle was already a priority for the team. But after the sudden retirement ofB.J. Raji, the Packers can’t pass up a tackle here, even in a tackle-rich draft. Andrew Billings can step right in and produce at a higher level than Raji.

The Kansas City Chiefs lost Sean Smith in free agency and Phillip Gaines is coming off an injury so they take Houston Cougars cornerback William Jackson III who tore up the Combine and is one of the fastest rising players in the draft. He could be a nickel initially as a rookie before earning a starting corner spot.

The Arizona Cardinals filled their biggest need with the trade for Chandler Jones from New England for former top-10 pick Jon Cooper and a second round pick. The Cardinals can double up and take Kevin Dodd or Emmanuel Ogbah here but I think Bruce Arians will want to find his quarterback of the future and takes Paxton Lynch who can sit for a year or two behind Carson Palmer.

The Carolina Panthers lost Jared Allen to retirement and Charles Johnson isn’t getting any younger, so adding a pass rusher with Emmanuel Ogbah’s upside is a solid move. He put up nice numbers at Oklahoma State even though his play was spotty at times. He didn’t always play like a first rounder but he tested like a top-15 pick at the Combine by running a 4.63 40 and having a 35.5 inch vertical and a 10′ broad jump.

There will be plenty of talk about the Denver Broncos taking a quarterback like Connor Cook after losing Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler this offseason, but I think that’s too much of a reach and simply, Reggie Ragland is one of the top 15 prospects in this draft.

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Inside linebackers like Ragland don’t get drafted high anymore but after the loss of Danny Trevathan in free agency, the Broncos can plug in Ragland who was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year last year and has experience in a 3-4 scheme.