The 2016 NFL Draft is over. We are 3 days away from the annual CRFL Rookie/Free Agent Draft. Below is my final mock draft.
I've made several changes. This is my best guess at what I think each team does in this first round. We'll find out this weekend if I'm close, or if the typical chaos is too crazy to predict.
Without any further delay, this is what I think should happen in the 1st round of the 2016 CRFL Draft.
1st Round
1.01. Gem State Bruins selects...RB Ezekiel Elliott DAL (Ohio State)
Just when I thought the trade frenzy was over with, the #1 overall pick gets traded again. Le'Veon Bell is back in Hawaii and Gem State is now on the clock. This is a very easy decision, Zeke will play for the Bruins. A young RB trio of Gurley (21), Elliott (20), and David Johnson (24) should ensure the Bruins are a factor in the title race for years to come.
1.02. Huskerfan selects...WR Josh Doctson WAS (TCU)
Huskers will have a dilemma with this pick. I've been told Husker wants to move back after Derrick Henry was drafted into a RBBC in Tennessee. I'll edit this pick if the Huskers are successful in doing so. For now, the Huskers will opt for the best talent available.
1.03. Brucey's crew selects...WR Laquon Treadwell MIN (Ole Miss)
Bruce made a huge trade in the 2015 off-season for three 2016 1st round picks. Going into Saturday they now have FIVE total for the 1st round. He'll take a potential stud WR here. I'm guessing that, as a Redskins fan, he'll be a little disappointed that Doctson went 1.02. Treadwell however, is a great consolation prize.
1.04. Badgerhawks select...WR Eric Decker NYJ (Free Agent)
The Hawks have several needs and have made a few questionable 1st round decisions in the past. I'm projecting an autopicking of the top free agent available.
1.05. Brucey's crew selects...RB Derrick Henry TEN (Alabama)
Brucey's boys are already back on the clock. Logic suggests he would like to balance WR/RB selections. While Derrick Henry isn't the option most would hope for, he's still the right move here.
1.06. Wind River Bison select...WR Will Fuller HOU (Houston)
The Bison are back in the 1st round after a last minute trade. Wind River has depth across the roster, but could stand to add another RB or WR option. As stated earlier, this rookie RB class is weak so he'll side with a rookie WR.
1.07. Juice Box Heroes select...RB Latavius Murray OAK (Free Agent)
Outside of the dominant Cam Newton, JBH is still seeking top-end talent. They have next to no RB talent at all after the keeper deadline. RB seems like an obvious move here. Unfortunately, no rookies fit the need. They'll take Latavius Murray here, who unexpectedly avoided any real added competition from the draft.
1.08. Gem State Bruins select...WR Corey Coleman CLE (Baylor)
The Bruins sold off a 2017 1st rounder to get back into the fold with this draft. Gem State could stand to add another WR option with Josh Gordon no sure thing to return. Coleman makes perfect sense in that case.
1.09. Brucey's crew selects...WR Michael Thomas NO (Ohio State)
The talent haul continues for the crew. Michael Thomas is expected to replace longtime possession WR Marques Colston in New Orleans. Great value at 1.09.
1.10. The Valley Bulls selects...WR Sterling Shepard NYG (Free Agent)
In a late surprise, the Bulls gave up a 2017 1st round pick to sneak into the end of the 1st in this draft. The best rookie available at this point is Sterling Shepard. Time will tell if he is a worthy investment.
1.11. Brucey's crew selects...RB Ryan Mathews PHI (Free Agent)
The crew have a ton of early round selections, giving them the luxury of taking a high-end free agent for depth purposes. Philadelphia neglected to select a RB in the early rounds after weeks of being projected to land Zeke Elliott. Suddenly free agent Ryan Mathews will be in demand.
1.12. Brucey's crew selects...QB Carson Wentz PHI (North Dakota State)
The 1st round raid is over. Time to take a flier on a high-upside QB? Philip Rivers and Drew Brees aren't getting any younger.
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