The 2016 NFL Draft is next week and as expected, analysts have submitted their final mock drafts for the first round.
Draft insiders Todd McShay and Mel Kiper, Jr. combined their notes Thursday to release a final projection big board for the first round. Four ex-Crimson Tide players made the cut—Jarran Reed, A’Shawn Robinson, Reggie Ragland and Ryan Kelly—with Reed being taken the highest at No. 16.
The final results of the #MelToddMock. pic.twitter.com/HWUIYptOIV
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 22, 2016
Reed, who is listed as the 21st best overall prospect and third-best defensive tackle, is projected to go to the Detroit Lions.
He would join a roster that has an established pass rusher in Ezekiel Ansah with another one in the making (Devin Taylor).
The Lions also acquired defensive end Wallace Gilberry from the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency. Reed totaled 57 tackles in 2015 for an Alabama defense that led the nation against the run (75.7 ypg).
McShay and Kiper have Robinson heading to the Denver Broncos at pick No. 31. Coach Gary Kubiak and company will look to revamp its defensive front, after losing Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan in the offseason. Robinson stands as the 17th-best prospect and No. 2 defensive tackle in this class. He had 46 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks a year ago.
Ragland, who projects as the 15th-best prospect and top-ranked inside linebacker, is predicted to be taken by Green Bay at the 27th pick. Inside linebacker is a top need on the Packers draft board and with Clay Matthews getting older, it cannot afford to run him into the ground. Ragland led Alabama in tackles (102), while adding 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, six quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles last season. He was a finalist for the Dick Butkus Award.
The Seattle Seahawks appear to the team that will draft Kelly.
McShay and Kiper have the three-year starter at center going to Seattle with the 26th overall pick. Kelly blocked for Derrick Henry’s Heisman-winning year in 2015, as he totaled 2,219 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on 395 carries.
The 2015 Remington Trophy winner and Jacobs Blocking Trophy recipient did not allow a sack during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Kelly gave three quarterbacks—AJ McCarron, Blake Sims and Jacob Coker—to toss for 3,000 passing yards during his tenure with the Crimson Tide.
Fans will be lining up at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, as the first round of the NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 28.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
