2016 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

16. Lions: Laquon Treadwell WR Ole Miss

This 2016 mock draft continues. Calvin Johnson retired and the Eric Ebron experiment did not work. Detroit has to do something fast about this lack of top pass catchers. Also, if Detroit passes on him there is a good chance he pops up in the division.

17. Falcons: Shaq Lawson DE Clemson

Vice Beasley’s rookie campaign was beyond forgettable. This team still cannot figure out how to generate sacks. Atlanta pairs him up with his former Clemson teammate here.

18. Colts: Andrew Billings DT Baylor

The Colts would like to grab a quality player in the trenches. Good thing that Billings falls right to them. He even generates a nice pass rush which will really help this defense as a whole if he pans out.

19. Bills: Darron Lee OLB Ohio State

Someone is going to gamble on Darron Lee in round one. I normally wouldn’t put him in the first round but with Rex Ryan letting Mario Williams walk it’s obvious he is going to build another NYJ style defense full of hybrid pass rushers.

20. Jets: Taylor Decker OT Ohio State

Ferguson is getting up there in years and the Jets actually have a playoff caliber team if they can get a little more production from the running backs.

**UPDATE** The Jets have signed Ryan Clady after D’Brickashaw Ferguson decided to retire. Clady’s coming off an ACL and cannot be counted on for the longterm, the pick stays.

21. Redskins: Reggie Ragland ILB Alabama

The Redskins need a linebacker badly and one of the better ones in this draft falls right in their laps. Don’t rule out Jaylon Smith here either. Jaylon is the better player if he checks out medically and may be worth a wait…

22. Texans: Will Fuller WR Notre Dame

Who is going to catch the ball in Houston other than Deandre Hopkins? Will Fuller adds a deep threat with legit speed that can soften up coverage away from Hopkins.

23. Vikings: Cody Whitehair OG Kansas State

The Vikings opt to strengthen the line in round one with one of the top guards. Later in the draft is where wide receiver can be addressed, there will be some good ones available later.

24. Bengals: Josh Doctson WR TCU

The loss of Mohammed Sanu will be felt, even if for nothing beyond the attention his ability to throw the ball garnered. With that said, the Bengals are pretty stocked on the OL and the defense is the strength of this team for now. A “luxury pick” like the speedy Doctson (4.5 40 but looks faster in game) makes sense especially with defenses ready to make Andy Dalton target anyone not named AJ Green.

25. Steelers: William Jackson CB Houston

The Steelers just resigned William Gay but that doesn’t mean they don’t need an upgrade here. Jackson is flying up draft boards after testing well at the combine.

26. Seahawks: Robert Nkemdiche DT Ole Miss

Nkemdiche has been among the very best talents in this entire class since high school but he just cannot get it together off the field. It will take the right locker room to bring him in but someone is going to call his name on day one. Seattle feels like they fit the bill with the current leaders on this team. Don’t forget this is the same team that took a gamble on Brian Banks among other troubled players over the last few years.

27. Packers: Corey Coleman WR Baylor

I have been convinced to change this selection. After Aaron Rodgers lost Jordy Nelson last season, the lack of talent at the skills positions was exposed on this offense. Richard Rodgers can catch but he cannot be your offense’s emergency plan. No, just, no.

28. Chiefs: Kenny Clark DT UCLA

Andy Reid brought in his guy Jeremy Maclin to fix the receiving woes, now he turns his attention to the trenches. Its obvious they have the players they need on offense in place to compete, but there are holes on the defensive line. There are character concerns here but nothing Andy Reid can’t handle. This is the same guy who signed Vick straight out of the penitentiary.

29. Cardinals: Darian Thompson S Boise State

The Cardinals DBs let them down in a big way during last year’s playoffs. They’re current safeties aren’t scrubs, but without a healthy Tyrann Mathieu they struggle mightily. Why not Karl Joseph? Simple. Thompson has 19 career interceptions and two healthy ACLs. This team is dealing with Mathieu, they are not drafting another injury plagued safety. Not to mention San Franciso and Los Angeles won’t exactly have the NFL’s best QBs… a lot more INTs could be coming.

30. Panthers: Mackensie Alexander CB Clemson

Carolina has the best defense in sports. This is undeniable but at the end of the day, can they really keep all of these guys together? Someone is going to have to be financially sacrificed and I think its Josh Norman. Carolina’s defense has never relied heavy on a “shut down” CB before this season and even then at times Norman showed a vulnerability to speedy WRs. Someone will pay him though, I just do not believe it will be the Panthers.

**UPDATE** Carolina rescinded Josh Norman’s tag and let him become a free agent. He is now a Washington Redskin.

31. Broncos: Paxton Lynch QB Memphis

John Elway failed to complete the Colin Kaepernick trade over money. He won’t sign Ryan Fitzpatrick over money. He let Brock Osweiler sign with Houston over money. So what does that tell me? They are going to find a QB on the cheap and the best way to do that is through the draft. I wouldn’t even be surprised if they lured this pick to LA in some kind of pick swap for the Rams’ second rounder and QB Nick Foles. But if Denver is forced to make a selection, it almost has to be a quarterback at this point.

60. Patriots: Noah Spence DE WKU

#DEFLATEGATE PUNISHMENT – No first round selection.

The internet is high on Spence but admittedly I don’t really see it. The potential is there and he certainly checks off the measurables. Chandler Jones was traded away so New England does need to take a chance to try to find another stud at the end position. Spence is a solid investment at the end of round two.