The Promising Class of 2016

The 2016 NFL Draft, hosted in Chicago from April 28th to April 30th, was highly anticipated, particularly at the quarterback position. The Los Angeles Rams, holding the first overall pick after a trade with the Tennessee Titans, selected quarterback Jared Goff from the University of California, Berkeley. This move signaled the Rams' commitment to finding a franchise signal-caller as they returned to Los Angeles. The Philadelphia Eagles, also trading up, selected quarterback Carson Wentz from North Dakota State University with the second overall pick, hoping he would become their long-term solution under center.  

✦ 2016 NFL Draft Top Ten

April 28, 2016 - NFL Draft: Cal quarterback Jared Goff was the first pick by the Los Angeles Rams. The Pro Football Reference identifies the rest of the top ten players.

Pick    Tm    Player    Pos    College/Univ                 
• 1    LAR    Jared Goff    QB    California

✦ 2    PHI    Carson Wentz    QB    North Dakota St.

✦ 3    SDG    Joey Bosa    DE    Ohio St.

✦ 4    DAL    Ezekiel Elliott    RB    Ohio St.

✦ 5    JAX    Jalen Ramsey    CB    Florida St.

✦ 6    BAL    Ronnie Stanley    T    Notre Dame

✦ 7    SFO    DeForest Buckner    DE    Oregon

✦ 8    TEN    Jack Conklin    T    Michigan St.

✦ 9    CHI    Leonard Floyd    OLB    Georgia

✦ 10    NYG    Eli Apple    CB    Ohio State

✦ The 2016 NFL Draft Details

The top five continued with defensive talent. The San Diego Chargers chose defensive end Joey Bosa from Ohio State University at number three, adding a premier pass rusher to their defense. The Dallas Cowboys, at pick four, opted for running back Ezekiel Elliott, also from Ohio State, aiming to bolster their running game behind their strong offensive line. Rounding out the top five, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected cornerback Jalen Ramsey from Florida State University, adding a versatile and athletic playmaker to their secondary.  

The remainder of the top ten featured a mix of offensive and defensive prospects. The Baltimore Ravens selected offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley from Notre Dame at pick six, solidifying their offensive line. The San Francisco 49ers chose defensive end DeForest Buckner from the University of Oregon at number seven. The Tennessee Titans, after trading down and then up, selected offensive tackle Jack Conklin from Michigan State University at number eight. The Chicago Bears picked linebacker Leonard Floyd from the University of Georgia at number nine, and the New York Giants selected cornerback Eli Apple from Ohio State University at number ten, marking the third player from the Buckeyes in the top ten.  

Picks eleven through twenty saw further investment in both sides of the ball. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III from the University of Florida at number eleven. The New Orleans Saints chose defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins from the University of Louisville at number twelve. The Miami Dolphins selected offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil from the University of Mississippi at number thirteen. The Oakland Raiders picked safety Karl Joseph from West Virginia University at number fourteen. The Cleveland Browns, with their original pick, selected wide receiver Corey Coleman from Baylor University at number fifteen. The Detroit Lions chose offensive tackle Taylor Decker from Ohio State University at number sixteen, making him the fourth Buckeye selected in the first round. The Atlanta Falcons picked safety Keanu Neal from the University of Florida at number seventeen. The Indianapolis Colts selected center Ryan Kelly from the University of Alabama at number eighteen. The Buffalo Bills chose defensive end Shaq Lawson from Clemson University at number nineteen, and the New York Jets selected linebacker Darron Lee from Ohio State University at number twenty, which is, incredibly, the fifth player from Ohio State in the first twenty picks.  

The final ten selections of the first round continued to provide intriguing talent. The Houston Texans selected wide receiver Will Fuller V from Notre Dame at number twenty-one. The Washington Redskins chose wide receiver Josh Doctson from Texas Christian University at number twenty-two. The Minnesota Vikings selected wide receiver Laquon Treadwell from the University of Mississippi at number twenty-three. The Cincinnati Bengals picked cornerback William Jackson III from the University of Houston at number twenty-four. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected cornerback Artie Burns from the University of Miami at number twenty-five. The Denver Broncos, who would soon see their quarterback Peyton Manning retire, selected quarterback Paxton Lynch from the University of Memphis at number twenty-six. The Green Bay Packers chose defensive tackle Kenny Clark from the University of California, Los Angeles at number twenty-seven. The San Francisco 49ers, with their second pick of the first round, selected guard Joshua Garnett from Stanford University at number twenty-eight. The New England Patriots forfeited their first-round pick due to penalties stemming from "Deflategate" at number twenty-nine. Finally, the Arizona Cardinals rounded out the first round by selecting defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche from the University of Mississippi at number thirty.  

Looking back at the 2016 NFL Draft, several players selected in the first round have gone on to achieve significant professional success, with some even entering the conversation for potential Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement. While no players drafted in 2016 have yet been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a few have built strong cases.

Joey Bosa, selected third overall, has consistently been one of the league's premier pass rushers, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Ezekiel Elliott, the fourth pick, has twice led the league in rushing and has been a consistent offensive threat for the Cowboys. Jalen Ramsey, the fifth selection, has established himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, earning multiple All-Pro honors. DeForest Buckner, the seventh pick, has also become a highly respected and productive defensive lineman. Laremy Tunsil, the thirteenth pick, has developed into a Pro Bowl-caliber offensive tackle. Kenny Clark, selected at number twenty-seven, has become a cornerstone of the Packers' defensive line and a multiple-time Pro Bowler.  

Beyond the first round, the 2016 draft produced other potential Hall of Fame talents. Derrick Henry, a second-round pick (45th overall), has become one of the most dominant running backs in the league, breaking numerous records and joining the exclusive 2,000-yard rushing club. Chris Jones, a second-round pick (37th overall), has emerged as one of the most disruptive interior defensive linemen in the NFL, earning multiple All-Pro selections and Super Bowl rings. While it is still early in their careers, these players from the 2016 draft have demonstrated the potential to one day be enshrined in Canton, highlighting the lasting impact of this particular draft class. No players from the 2016 NFL Draft class have yet been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.  

Info courtesy of Newspapers.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com