2016 NFL Mock Draft: 7 Rounds

Round 3

Mark Sciubba Last Updated: April 22, 2016.

64. Tennessee Titans: Vadal Alexander, RG, LSU
    
    
    The Tennessee Titans get another guard for depth. Alexander can push Chance Warmack for the right guard job. Adding Jack Conklin along with the top 2 guards Garnett and Alexander gives Marcus Mariota more insurance from pass protection than GEICO.
    
    
    
65. Cleveland Browns: Kenny Lawler, WR, California
    
    
    The Browns finally stop ignoring the receiver position by doubling down and getting the Big Cal Receiver.
    
    
    
66. San Diego Chargers: Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
    
    
    San Diego has Brandon Flowers and Jason Verrett at cornerback. Howard is a great depth pick with potential to become a full time starter.
    
    
    
67. Dallas Cowboys: Devontae Booker, RB, Utah
    
    
    Dallas has Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden. Booker is better at catching out of the backfield then both when healthy. Dallas could start him out as a third down back and give him limited action until Morris or McFadden gets injured, giving Booker the confidence to ease in without rushing him into the lineup.
    
    
    
    
    
68. San Francisco 49ers: Charles Tapper, 3-4 ROLB, Oklahoma
    
    
    San Francisco gets a pass rusher. Charles Tapper can play 4-3 DE on either side, play in the 5 technique, or be utilized as a 3-4 rush linebacker. Tapper goes to Bay Area to compliment Aaron Lynch forming a lethal pass rush.
    
    
    
69. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jaylon Smith, MLB, Notre Dame
    
    
    Jacksonville can start Jaylon Smith at MLB in 2017 or 2018 after he recovers from his injury. Middle linebacker Paul Posluszney will be a 33-year-old Free Agent by 2018, and if Smith recovers, proving himself at LOLB, he could easily take Posluszney's place when his contract runs out at MLB.
    
    
    
70. Baltimore Ravens: Kenyan Drake, RB, Alabama
    
    
    Kenyan Drake is a sleeper despite being the #2 RB at Bama behind Henry. One team that can take a flyer on him is the Ravens because they have Forsett coming back from an injury as well as Buck Allen. Drake can start out as a reserve learning the Ravens' plays and come in as a third down back when Forsett is fatigued.
    
    
    
71. New York Giants: Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas
    
    
    The New York Giants have Damon Harrison and Jonathan Hankins starting at defensive tackle. Another defensive tackle for depth behind those two is needed.
    
    
    
    
    
72. Chicago Bears: Adolphus Washington, 3-4 RE, Ohio State
    
    
    Chicago needs another 5 technique player. Adolphus Washington might be a solid addition here.
    
    
    
73. Miami Dolphins: Sterling Shephard, WR, Oklahoma
    
    
    The Miami Dolphins have Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker. The team moved on from Risard Matthews and Kenny Stills so adding Shephard to this promising receiving core as a slot receiver in South Beach has to make Ryan Tannehill grin with optimism.
    
    
    
74. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame
    
    
    Tampa Bay needs a new center. Evan Dietrich-Smith now known as Evan Smith since arriving in Tampa Bay peaked after leaving the Packers. Nick Martin, the younger brother of Zack Martin could start out as a reserve interior offensive lineman since he can play guard or center, and would be capable of replacing Smith at center with Sweezy and Marpet complimenting him at guard.
    
    
    
75. Oakland Raiders: C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame
    
    
    Oakland gets a #2 RB to Latavis Murray. Prosise would provide the spark to compliment Murray giving Oakland a top 10 backfield, that could possibly develop into a top 5 backfield with the additions the Raiders made on the OL this off-season.
    
    
    
    
    
76. Tennessee Titans: Zack Sanchez, CB, Oklahoma
    
    
    The Tennessee Titans need to take a CB by now. Zack Sanchez is a great value pick at this point in the third round because he can start at nickel CB if McCourty and Cox are healthy, and if either gets injured again, he'll get his chance to win a starting CB job.
    
    
    
77. Cleveland Browns: Maleik Collins, 3-4 RE, Nebraska
    
    
    The Browns get a player at five technique for depth. Maleik Collins can be a 4-3 DT or a 3-4 DE.
    
    
    
78. New Orleans Saints: Deion Jones, LOLB, LSU
    
    
    New Orleans gets another linebacker for depth. Can you really blame the Saints for adding another guy with very similar ability that Joshua Perry has.
    
    
    
79. Philadelphia Eagles: Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina
    
    
    The Eagles need to replenish the talent at WR, they do so with this offensive playmaker from South Carolina.
    
    
    
    
    
80. Buffalo Bills: Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State
    
    
    Adding Higgins frees Woods up to go to the slot. Watkins and Higgins both 22 and 21 could dominate on the outside for the next decade in Buffalo.
    
    
    
81. Atlanta Falcons: Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford
    
    
    Tony Moeaki and Levine Toilolo are not starting tight ends. The Falcons have needed a starting tight end since Tony Gonzalez. Adding Hooper finally allows the Falcons to address a dire need they've had since 2013.
    
    
    
82. Indianapolis Colts: Austin Johnson, NT, Penn State
    
    
    Indianapolis needs a NT. David Parry is more of a rotational NT, and Austin Johnson could be a rock solid NT that clogs up running lanes.
    
    
    
83. New York Jets: Le'Raven Clark, LT, Texas Tech
    
    
    The New York Jets may not start Le'Raven Clark right away. That's okay though because Clark has a tremendous wingspan and provides depth at both offensive tackle and guard spots on either side making him someone the Jets need to consider after trading for an injury prone Ryan Clady at left tackle.
    
    
    
    
    
84. Washington Redskins: Willie Henry, 3-4 RE, Michigan
    
    
    Washington took Vernon Butler at NT. Henry can play 3-4 DE or NT so he'd be added as a 3-4 RE for depth since Jason Hatcher struggled last year, so having Henry at 3-4 RE could give Hatcher the competition he desperately needs.
    
    
    
85. Houston Texans: Yannick Ngakoue, 3-4 ROLB, Maryland
    
    
    The Texans have a solid pass rushing tandem of 3-4 OLBs in Clowney and Mercilus. Adding sack artist Ngakoue as a situational pass rusher for LB coach Mike Vrabel to experiment is just the rebound J.J. Watt needs in the pass rushing department after losing Jared Crick at 3-4 DE because Watt may see more double teams without Crick.
    
    
    
    
    
86. Minnesota Vikings: Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas
    
    
    Matt Asiata isn't terrible. Somebody with three years over 1,000 rushing yards like Alex Collins is more qualified to succeed Adrian Peterson as long as he can stay healthy.
    
    
    
87. Cincinnati Bengals: Darian Thompson, FS, Boise State
    
    
    The Raiders got former Bengal Reggie Nelson. Now the Bengals draft free safety Darian Thompson who will have great team chemistry next to SS George Iloka who also played on the Blue Smurf Turf at Boise State.
    
    
    
    
    
88. Green Bay Packers: Aaron Burbridge, WR, Michigan State
    
    
    The Jordy Nelson injury showed that Packers weren't set at reciever as everyone thought.
    
    
    
89. Pittsburgh Steelers: Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State
    
    
    Pittsburgh gets another CB on Day 2. Will Redmond, like Kendall Fuller dealt with injuries in 2015, but the odds are that either Fuller or Redmond will be at full health. If both are healthy, then this secondary will turn around pretty quickly in Pittsburgh.
    
    
    
90. Seattle Seahawks: Eric Murray, CB, Minnesota
    
    
    The Legion Of Boom may be back thanks to the bringing back Brandon Browner from the Saints while having Jeremy Lane in the nickel. Murray can start out as a backup who sees marginal action as a dime corner. Murray already has the tape of a future starter and adding him to Seattle only enhances his chances of being a starting corner in a year from now if Browner gets penalized as much as he did in New Orleans.
    
    
    
    
    
91. New England Patriots: Bronson Kaufusi, RE, BYU
    
    
    The Patriots get a defensive end for depth. Bronson Kaufusi is a great value pick here after adding Chris Long to compliment Jabaal Sheard and Rob Ninkovich. With those three in contract years, one more DE for insurance is needed.
    
    
    
92. Arizona Cardinals: Joe Dahl, RG, Washington State
    
    
    Joe Dahl was a left tackle at Washington State. He projects better as G in the NFL and can play guard on either side. With an imposing LG like Mike Iupati he'd probably start out at RG and move over to LG if Iupati missed any action like last year.
    
    
    
93. Carolina Panthers: Carl Nassib, LE, Penn State
    
    
    Carolina gets Carl Nassib as a LE that can succeed Charles Johnson. Johnson missed a ton of time with injuries, and while the team has Kony Ealy, some see him as a situational pass rusher so having Nassib push Ealy may be something Carolina should consider this late in the third round.
    
    
    
94. Denver Broncos: Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State
    
    
    The Denver Broncos should end up taking Dak Prescott after having multiple meetings with him. The Broncos scheduled an individual workout with him after meeting with him leading up to the NFL Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
95. Detroit Lions: James Bradberry, CB, Samford
    
    
    Detroit drafts a CB for depth here. James Bradberry had 11 deflections and could be someone for the Lions to consider as a developmental corner.
    
    
    
96. New England Patriots: Tajae Sharpe, WR, Massachusetts
    
    
    New England will take a local here. Tajae Sharpe from U Mass give New England more insurance at WR joining Edelman, Amendola, and Carroo. All of New England's top 3 receivers had injuries last season, so they may draft multiple receivers.
    
    
    
97. Seattle Seahawks: Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA
    
    
    Seattle gets a RB to compliment Thomas Rawls. Perkins can step in if Rawls gets injured again now that Marshawn Lynch's Skittles rituals are no longer on display at CenturyLink Field.
    
    
    
98. Denver Broncos: Shon Coleman, LT, Auburn
    
    
    Denver has Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson as offensive tackles. Okung is coming off an injury that will keep him out of OTA's and Stephenson has a history of getting suspended. Either way offensive tackle depth is needed in the Rocky Mountains.