Day 2 Winner and Losers plus Best Available

Through 2 days of the 2016 NFL Draft, there has been a lot of drama and a lot of reaches. Here are your winners, losers and riskiest drafts thus far:

Best Drafts so far:

Jacksonville Jaguars - 1st S Jalen Ramsey, 2nd LB Myles Jack, 3rd LB Yannick Ngakoue
GRADE: A-

Minnesota Vikings - 1st WR Laquon Treadwell, 2nd CB Mackenzie Alexander
GRADE: A-

Seattle Seahawks - 1st OT Germain Ifedi, 2nd DT Jarran Reed, 3rd RB CJ Prosise TE Nick Vannett
GRADE: B+

Detroit Lions - 1st OT Taylor Decker, 2nd DT A'Shawn Robinson, 3rd C Graham Glasgow
GRADE: B+

Indianapolis Colts - 1st C Ryan Kelly, 2nd S TJ Greene, 3rd OT LeRaven Clark
GRADE: B+

Buffalo Bills - 1st DE Shaq Lawson, 2nd LB Reggie Ragland, 3rd DT Adolphus Washington
GRADE: B+


Worst Drafts so far:

New York Jets - 1st LB Darron Lee, 2nd QB Christian Hackenburg, 3rd LB Jordan Jenkins
GRADE: C-

New England Patriots - 2nd CB Cyrus Jones, 3rd G/T Joe Thuney QB Jacoby Brissett DT Vincent Valentine
GRADE: C

Atlanta Falcons - 1st S Keanu Neal, 2nd LB Deion Jones, 3rd TE Austin Hooper
GRADE: C

Carolina Panthers - 1st DT Victor Butler, 2nd CB James Bradbury, 3rd S Daryl Worley
GRADE: C

Pittsburgh Steelers - 1st CB Artie Burns, 2nd S Sean Davis, 3rd DT Javon Hargreave
GRADE: C


Riskiest Drafts so far:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 1st CB Vernon Hargeaves, 2nd DE Noah Spence K Robert Aguayo

Miami Dolphins - 1st OT Laremy Tunsil, 2nd CB Xavien Howard, 3rd RB Kenyan Drake WR Leonte Caroo

Dallas Cowboys - 1st RB Ezekial Elliott, 2nd LB Jaylon Smith, 3rd DT Maliek Collins


Best Players still available:

QBs - Connor Cook, Dak Prescott, Cardale Jones, Jeff Driskell
RBs - Kenneth Dixon, Devonte Booker, Kenneth Dixon, Alex Collins, Paul Perkins, Jordan Howard
WR - Pharoah Cooper, Rashard Higgins, Kenny Lawler, Kolby Listenbee, Charone Peake
TEs - Jerrell Adams, Tyler Higbee, Thomas Duarte
OTs - Jerald Hawkins, Fahn Cooper, Willie Beavers, Joe Haeg
G/CST - Christian Westerman, Joe Dahl, Connor McGovern, Vadal Alexander
Edge - Charles Tappper, Mattt Judon, Jason Fanaika, Dadi Nicholas
DTs - Andrew Billings, Matt Ioannidis, DJ Reader, Willie Henry, Greg Millhouse
LBs - Josh Perry, Kentrell Brothers, Joe Schobert, Scooby Wright, Tyler Matakevich
CBs - Ryan Smith, Harlan Miller, Eric Murray, Maurice Canady
Ss - Jeremy Cash, DeAndre Houston-Carson, KJ Dillon, Miles Killebrew, Tyvis Powell

For all the latest draft info follow me @sportsnarrative

Round 2 Mock Draft

Here's another exercise in futility!

32. Cleveland Browns - Su'a Cravens, LB/SS, USC
33. Tennessee Titans - Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
34. Dallas Cowboys - Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
35. San Diego Chargers - Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi St
36. Baltimore Ravens - A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
37. Kansas City Chiefs - Mackenzie Alexander, CB, Clemson
38. Jacksonville Jaguars - Noah Spence, OLB/DE, E Kentucky
39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Vonn Bell, S, Houston
40. New York Giants - Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
41. Chicago Bears - Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
42. Miami Dolphins - Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
43. Tennessee Titans - Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio St
44. Oakland Raiders - Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
45. Tennessee Titans - Xavien Howard, CB/S, Baylor
46. Detroit Lions - Jonathan Bullard, DE/DT, Florida
47. New Orleans Saints - Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas City
48. Indianapolis Colts - Jihad Ward, DE, Illinois
49. Buffalo Bills - Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio St
50. Atlanta Falcons - Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas
51. New York Jets - Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
52. Houston Texans - Anthony Johnson, DT, Penn St
53. Washington Redskins - Ronald Blair, DE, Appalachian St
54. Minnesota Vikings - Jeremy Cash, S, Duke
55. Cincinnati Bengals - Sterling Sheppard, WR, Oklahhoma
56. Seattle Seahawks - Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame
57. Green Bay Packers - Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah St
58. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise St
59. Kansas City Chiefs - Connor Cook, QB, Michigan St
60. New England Patriots - Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan St
61. New England Patriots - Hasean Ridgeway, DT, Texas
62. Carolina Panthers - Jalen Mills, CB/S, LSU
63. Denver Broncos - Deion Jones, LB, LSU

For all the latest from the draft floor, follow me @sportsnarrative

Day 1 Draft Grades and Best Players Available

As is always the case, Day 1 of the NFL Draft turned into more of a spectacle than anyone anticipated. From gas mask bongs and crazy stepfathers to half-shirt suits and spiky gold shoes, it is hard to remember at times that this is about building a championship roster, And, alas, it seems as though many of the team's forgot that as well. Here is a look at the first round and my grade for each pick:

1. Los Angeles Rams - Jared Goff, QB, California

Grade: B
While the Rams paid a king's ransom for the #1 pick, at least they got the guy they coveted. Though I didn't think they needed to take all 10 mins to figure that out.


2. Philadelphia Eagles - Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

Grade: B
Again, the Eagles traded up and got their guy. That gets them a solid B.


3. San Diego Chargers - Joey Bosa, OLB/DE, Ohio St

Grade: B+
The Chargers get a B+ not for the pick of Bosa (though I do like the fit replacing the oft injured Melvin Gordon) but more for the fake out they gave Mike Mayock and the rest of the draft media. Well played.


4. Dallas Cowboys - Ezekial Elliott, RB, Ohio St

Grade: C+
This pick came down between Ramsey and Elliott and Jerry broke the tie. Going for sizzle over substance, the Cowboys made their fans happy (especially the ones who only play Daily Fantasy) but failed to address any of the actual needs of this team. Don't get me wrong, I think Elliott will be phenomenal behind the offensive line. But if I was a scout for the Cowboys today, I might be putting my resume in with some other teams. Time will tell if this pick was the right one, but as of today I am strongly leaning toward no.


5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jalen Ramsey, S, Florida St

Grade: A+
For the 2nd year in a row, the best player in the draft falls out of the Top 4. The Jags are thrilled to get Ramsey for their defense. Too bad their fans will have to fly to London soon to watch him play in person.


6. Baltimore Ravens - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

Grade: B
The Ravens took Tunsil completely off their board after the infamous hack, which works out as they likely preferred Stanley over him anyway. If he remains interested in playing football, this is a solid choice.


7. San Francisco 49ers - DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

Grade: B+
The Niners coveted Buckner to pair with fellow Duck Armstead at DE and were measured as he fell right to them. Doesn't make up for their later move, but we will get to that.


8. TRADE! Tennessee Titans - Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan St

Grade: B+
With Tunsil off many boards, the Titans needed to find a way to get Conkin ahead of the Giants and did so with the Browns at 8. Giving up a 3 this year and a 2 in 2017, the Titans preserved their three 2nd round picks. Very well done.


9. TRADE! Chicago Bears - Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia

Grade: B
The Bears get ahead of the Giants to draft the pass rushing Bulldog they wanted. With the departure of Shea McClellin, Floyd fills that role. Bears fans just hope that he has more impact than McClellin ever did.


10. New York Giants - Eli Apple, CB, Ohio St

Grade: D
The Giants bore the brunt of the Tunsil slide, as their 2 targets (Conklin and Floyd) were scooped up ahead of them. Panicked the Giants take the 3rd or 4th best corner in the draft at 10. Shame on their front office not being fully prepared, even for the gas mask bong.


11. Tampa Bay Bucccaneers - Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida

Grade: A-
The Bucs did everything right: they traded down, got extra picks and still got their man. Hargreaves is the best man cover corner in this draft.


12. New Orleans Saints - Sheldon Rankings, DT/DE, Louisville

Grade: B
The Saints stayed steady in amongst the chaos, taking the best pass rushing tackle in the draft and not getting tempted by sliders or QBs.


13. Miami Dolphins - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss

Grade: A or F-
On the one hand, the Dolphins may have potentially landed a Top 3 talent in this draft at 13. On the other hand, there is no possible way they had time to vet this guy so it is more like buying a lottery ticket than investing in your future. If he stays out of the commissioner's office or worse, the Fish got their LT for the next 10 years. If not, it will be another failed Dolphin first round pick.


14. Oakland Raiders - Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia

Grade: B-
Now things are just getting silly. Now I really like Joseph as a player and with the Raiders. Just not at 14 given that knee issue. However, given what the Falcons did at 17 I guess I understand.


15. Cleveland Browns - Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

Grade: C
Love the trade down. Knew they were targeting a WR. But Coleman? WIth Treadwell on the board? When was the last time a Baylor WR worked out in the NFL? When your analysis is full of rhetorical questions, your grade will reflect that.


16. Detroit Lions - Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio St

Grade: B-
I am not the biggest fan of Decker, but only because I see him as a RT only in the NFL and that is not a premium position. However, it was a need for the Lions and a solid choice.


17. Atlanta Falcons - Keanu Neal, S, Florida

Grade: D
So the Falcons take a mid second round player at 17. I understand Dan Quinn is looking for his next Kam Chancellor, but Chancellor was a 5th round pick. Biggest reach of round 1.


18. Indianapolis Colts - Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

Grade: B
Nice strong pick to begin the effort to keep Luck upright. Well done.


19. Buffalo Bills - Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

Grade: B+
Predictable, the Bills grab a Clemson kid as his Rex's son just went to school there. Lawson will be a nice compliment to Hughes on the other side and much better that Mario Williams in the effort department.


20. New York Jets - Darron Lee, LB, Ohio St

Grade: B-
While I think Jets fans are relieved they didn't chase Lynch or a WR, the pick of Lee is a bit under whelming. Lee does add speed to a need in desperate need of it.


21. TRADE! Houston Texans - Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame

Grade: B-
The Texans jump up 1 spot to grab the very speedy Irish receiver ahead of the Bengals. Fuller's speed is outstanding and his clutch seems very appropriate in Clutch City. However, His tiny hands and drop percentage (9.1%) make me wonder if this isn't another Tavon Austin.


22. Washington Redskins - Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

Grade: B+
Nice maneuvering and selection for the Skins. Doctson gives them a great sompliment to Jackson, Garçon and Crowder as a jump ball winner and red zone guy.


23. Minnesota Vikings - Laquon Teadwell, WR, Ole Miss

Grade: A
The Vikings just sat back and took the player they needed and wanted at 23. They get Bridgewater the #1 WR he needs.


24. Cincinnati Bengals - William Jackson III, CB, Houston

Grade: B-
Not sure if a grade can improve by keeping a player away from a division rival, because that is about the best thing I can say for this pick. Like the SF Giants winning the World Series, the Bengals select a 1st round corner every other year now (Kirkpatrick 2012, Denard 2014 and Jackson III 2016).


25. Pittsburgh Steelers - Artie Burns, CB, Miami

Grade: C
The Steelers got squeezed as the run on secondary earlier in the round hurt them. Burns is alright, but very raw and more athlete than corner.


26. TRADE! Denver Broncos - Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

Grade: B+
The Broncos get their QB of the future (they hope) and don't give up everything to get him. Outbidding several other teams including the Browns, Chiefs, Cowboys and Cardinals is a job well done for Elway.


27. Green Bay Packers - Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA

Grade: B-
The Packers addressed a portion of need with a player that fits the bill. But given the options still remaining of the board, not sure if I would have gone Clark over Billings, Jones or Reed.


28. TRADE! San Fancisco 49ers - Josh Garnett, G/C, Stanford

Grade: F
Let me begin by saying I really like Garnett as a player and he was my #1 guard on the board. But he also carried a mid-2nd round grade. Why would the Niners think they need to trade up to land him? Seems foolish but that is Trent Baalke for you.


29. Arizona Cardinals - Robert Nkemdiche, DE, Ole Miss

Grade: A-
Great pick for Arizona landing the sliding Nkemdiche at 29. If they can always book him on the ground floor of hotels, this could be a steal.


30. Carolina Panthers - Vernon Butler, DT, LA Tech

Grade: B+
Love the value of this pick, even though DT was not really a need for the Panthers. But this does give them leverage for future contract negotiations with Short and Lotulelei and clearly we know they like to have the upper hand with veterans in contract talks (see Josh Norman).


31. Seattle Seahawks - Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M

Grade: B
The Seahawks drop down and still get the OL help they wanted. Ifedi is raw but has a mean streak in the run game that fits the 12th man (or 12) vibe.


Best Players Still Available:

LB Myles Jack, UCLA (pending medical check)
DT Jarran Reed, Alabama
LB Reggie Ragland, Alabama (medical question)
DT Andrew Billings, Baylor
DE Kevin Dodd, Clemson
DT A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
DE Noah Spence, E Kentucky (pending background check)
CB Mackenzie Alexander
WR Michael Thomas, Ohio St
LB Su'a Cravens, USC
DE Jonathan Bullard, Florida
WR Tyler Boyd, Pitt
CB Xavien Howard, Baylor
QB Connor Cook, Michigan St
RB Derrick Henry, Alabama
S Vonn Bell, Ohio St

Sent from my iPad

Final First Round Mock Draft

First Round Mock Draft

1. Los Angeles Rams - Jared Goff, QB, California
The Rams land their franchise QB and take Day 2 of the draft off!

2. Philadelphia Eagles - Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St
Wentz is an Eagle and Bradford gets dealt by tomorrow

3. San Diego Chargers - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
The first big shocker of the draft. This is the kind of pick that gets GMs fired.

4. Dallas Cowboys - Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida St
The Cowboys are thrilled to get the best player in this draft at 4, if they can keep Jerry from drafting Zeke!

5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio St
The Jags get their consolation prize in Bosa but maybe finally find a pass rusher

6. TRADE! Tennessee Titans - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
The first big trade of the day as Baltimore drops to 15 and pick up 2 2nds and the Titans get the player they wanted at #1 anyway

7. San Fransisco 49ers - DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
The Niners are salivating to pair up fellow Ducks at their DE spots

8. TRADE! Miami Dolphins - Ezekial Elliott, RB, Ohio St
The Browns trade down again and the Dolphins land a bellcow back

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
There is a chance the Bucs trade down with the Bears and let Chicago draft Floyd, but I think their own need outweighs it

10. New York Giants - Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
The Giants continue to bolster their D with the pass rushing Floyd

11. Chicago Bears - Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
The Bears really want Floyd but will settle for Lawson. Conklin is a possibility here also.

12. New Orleans Saints - Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
Rumors about Paxton Lynch here make little sense so I'm sticking with the best DT left on the board

13. Cleveland Browns - Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
The Browns get their WR in Treadwell and will seek to get a QB later in round 1.

14. Oakland Raiders - Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
The Raiders seem the place for the Myles Jack slide to end. If not he could get all the way out of round 1.

15. Baltimore Ravens - Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan St
Baltimore drops 9 spots and take a player they have equally rated at OT

16. Detroit Lions - Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
The Lionns are still trying to replace the departed Suh and begin with the run-stuffing Reed

17. Atlanta Falcons - Darron Lee, LB, Ohio St
The Falcons need some play-making in their LB core and hope they get that from Lee.

18. Indianapolis Colts - Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
The Colts must protect Luck and that begins with the guy snapping the ball to him

19. Buffalo Bills - Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
Rex Ryan loves his big hitting LBs and Ragland is a perfect fit

20. New York Jets - Noah Spence, OLB, E Kentucky
The Jets take a chance on the troubled DE to bolster their pass rush

21. TRADE! Cincinnati Bengals - Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
The Bengals trade up ahead of the Texans to get the WR they covet is the very speedy Fuller

22. Houston Texans - Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
Houston settles for another explosive WR in Coleman from Baylor

23. Minnesota Vikings - Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
Though most are mocking a WR here, the Vikings take the best player available in the DT from Ole Miss

24. Washington Redkins - Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia
Trading down with Cincy gets the Skins an extra 3rd or 4th and the big hitting safety from WVA

25. Pittsburgh Steelers - William Jackson III, CB, Houston
Secondary was the Achilles heel for the Steelers last year and gets addressed here

26. Seattle Seahawks - Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
The Seahawks will try to trade down but if they can't they take the run-blocking Agggie OT

27. TRADE! Cleveland Browns - Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
The competition between Cleveland and Denver for Lynch should net the Packers a king's ransom and the Browns have for gold in their chests

28. Kansas City Chiefs - Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Though also interested in Lynch, the Chiefs are happy to sit at 28 and take a Maclin clone in Doctson

29. Arizona Cardinals - Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
The Crads pair their big CB Peterson with another big CB in Apple

30. Carolina Panthers - Artie Burns, CB, Miami
A run on corners as round 1 ends as the Panthers replace Norman with the rangy CB from Miami

31. Denver Broncos - Connor Cook, QB, Michigan St
The Broncos close out round 1 with the 4th QB taken in Connor Cook

For all the latest from the draft floor, follow me @sportsnarrative and on periscope

Positional Breakdowns: WRs

Positional Look: Wide Receivers

With a week to the NFL Draft (brought to you live wall-to-wall right here on The Ticket starting Thursday April 28^th at 6pm) it is time to put up my final rankings for each position. This will include a thumbnail scouting report and my projected round grade.

RANK	PLAYER	SCHOOL	HT.	WT.	PROJ. RD	Evaluation
1	*Laquon Treadwell	Ole Miss	6-2	221	1	Big body possession receiver
2	Josh Doctson	TCU	6-2	202	1-2	Great skill with ball in the air. A plus #2 WR
3	*Corey Coleman	Baylor	5-11	194	1-2	Home run threat who needs polish in route running
4	*Tyler Boyd	Pittsburgh	6-1	197	2	#1-#2 WR potential
5	*Will Fuller	Notre Dame	6-0	186	2	Burner with small hands
6	*Michael Thomas	Ohio State	6-3	212	2	Possession WR
7	Sterling Shepard	Oklahoma	5-10	194	2	Big time competitor similar to Steve Smith SR.
8	Braxton Miller	Ohio State	6-1	201	2-3	Unfinished product but will contribute in run, pass and KR game
9	*Pharoh Cooper	South Carolina	5-11	203	2-3	Poor man's Randall Cobb
10	*Rashard Higgins	Colorado State	6-1	196	2-3	"Hollywood" Higgins similar to Stephon Diggs: makes spectacular catch but drops routine ones
11	Kolby Listenbee	TCU	6-0	197	3	#2-#3 burner
12	Jordan Payton	UCLA	6-1	207	3	Solid #2 WR
13	*Kenny Lawler	California	6-2	203	3	Great route runner
14	Leonte Carroo	Rutgers	6-0	211	3-4	Good with ball in his hands. Red flags in past
15	Keyarris Garrett	Tulsa	6-3	220	3-4	Red Zone and Deep threat
16	Moritz Boehringer	Schwabisch Hall	6-4	227	3-4	From Germany. Amazing size/speed guy that could be a star
17	Trevor Davis	California	6-1	188	4	Big hands and speed but raw
18	Malcolm Mitchell	Georgia	6-0	198	4	Plus kick returner
19	Devon Cajuste	Stanford	6-4	234	4-5	H-back type
20	Charone Peake	Clemson	6-2	209	4-5	Burner but drops and injury concerns
21	*Daniel Braverman	W Michigan	5-10	175	4-5	Crafty slot WR
22	Chris Moore	Cincinnati	6-1	206	5	#2 WR potential
23	Cody Core	Ole Miss	6-3	205	5	Big potential but big injury red flags
24	Aaron Burbridge	Michigan State	6-0	206	5-6	Solid but too many drops
25	Jay Lee	Baylor	6-2	215	5-6	Great skills but raw and stiff hands
26	Chris Brown	Notre Dame	6-2	194	5-6
27	Paul McRoberts	SE Missouri St	6-2	202	6	Small school possession WR
28	Tajae Sharpe	Massachusetts	6-2	194	6
29	*Roger Lewis	Bowling Green	6-0	201	6
30	Mike Thomas	So Mississippi	6-1	193	6-7
31	*De'Runnya Wilson	Mississippi St	6-5	224	6-7	H-back type
32	Mitch Mathews	Brigham Young	6-6	222	6-7	Overaged H-back
33	Ricardo Louis	Auburn	6-2	215	6-7
34	Robby Anderson	Temple	6-3	187	7
35	Geronimo Allison	Illinois	6-3	196	7
36	*Demarcus Robinson	Florida	6-1	203	7
37	Nelson Spruce	Colorado	6-1	206	7-UFA
38	*Jalin Marshall	Ohio State	5-10	200	7-UFA
39	Dom Williams	Washington State	6-3	198	7-UFA
40	*MarQuez North	Tennessee	6-2	223	7-UFA
41	Jaydon Mickens	Washington	5-10	174	7-UFA
42	Alex Erickson	Wisconsin	6-0	195	7-UFA
43	*Bralon Addison	Oregon	5-9	197	7-UFA
44	KJ Maye	Minnesota	5-8	191	UFA
45	Jakeem Grant	Texas Tech	5-6	165	UFA
46	Alonzo Russell	Toledo	6-4	206	UFA
47	Max McCaffrey	Duke	6-2	196	UFA
48	*Cayleb Jones	Arizona	6-3	209	UFA
49	Bryce Treggs	California	5-11	190	UFA
50	*Demarcus Ayers	Houston	5-9	182	UFA
51	Devin Fuller	UCLA	6-0	194	UFA
52	Hunter Sharp	Utah State	5-11	198	UFA
53	Jamaal Jones	Montana	6-1	189	UFA
54	Byron Marshall	Oregon	5-9	201	UFA
55	Wendall Williams	Cumberland (TN)	5-11	174	UFA
56	Marcus Johnson	Texas	6-1	204	UFA
57	Devin Lucien	Arizona State	6-0	201	UFA
58	Jordan Williams	Ball State	6-3	227	UFA
59	Mekale McKay	Cincinnati	6-4	207	UFA
60	Canaan Severin	Virginia	6-2	212	UFA