Vincent Bonsignore NFL Mock Draft: Laremy Tunsil is top pick for Titans

With the scouting combine complete, the first phase of free agency in the books and various Pro Days come and gone, it’s time to predict how the first round of the NFL Draft unfolds.

1. Titans

LAREMY TUNSIL

OT, Ole Miss

The Titans have spread the word they are open to trading the top pick in the draft, but are equally clear they have zeroed in on an elite group of players and it will take a significant offer for them to trade down and risk missing out on their top targets. The Titans will continue to listen to offers, but with no trade partner willing to meet their demands, the overall No. 1 pick will come down to Florida State CB Jalen Ramsey or Tunsil. The deciding factor is protecting franchise QB Marcus Mariota.

2. Browns

CARSON WENTZ

QB, North Dakota State

It’s tempting to think Browns head coach, and noted quarterback whisperer, Hue Jackson is convinced he’ll tu around Robert Griffin III, whom the Browns recently signed to a two-year deal. The Browns will tu attention to the boatload of holes with the second overall pick as a result. But that would mean Jackson walking a high wire. The danger being, if RG3 bombs and the Browns miss out on a franchise QB, the fall for Jackson will be sudden and far. Best-case scenario is RG3 re-establishing himself under Jackson, Wentz developing behind him for a year, and the Browns flipping RG3 after the 2016 season to anoint Wentz as the starter in 2017.

3. Chargers

JALEN RAMSEY

CB/S, Florida State

The QB-starved Browns creates the perfect situation for the Chargers, who benefit by landing arguably the best overall player in the draft.

4. Cowboys

MYLES JACK

LB, UCLA

The Cowboys are tempted to find the heir apparent to Tony Romo in Cal’s Jared Goff, but ultimately pull the trigger on the best linebacker in the draft in the Bruins versatile Jack.

5. Jaguars

JOEY BOSA

DE, Ohio State

The Jaguars are poised to be aggressive in this draft, so don’t rule out a trade up to get a crack at Myles Jack. But with the Chargers and Cowboys staying put, Jacksonville will gladly pull the trigger on the most complete defensive lineman in the draft.

6. Rams (via Ravens)

JARED GOFF

QB, CAL

The Rams believe Wentz and Goff can be day one starters in the NFL, but while the asking price to get in position to draft Wentz is too steep, they have the nerve and ammunition to give up the 15th pick in the first round, the 43rd pick in the second and next year’s No. 1 to grab their quarterback of the future.

7. 49ers

DEFOREST BUCKNER

DE, Oregon

The 49ers had their eye on Goff, but the Rams beat them to the punch. New San Francisco coach Chip Kelly gets the chance to fix Colin Kaepeick, and also add an elite defensive end in Buckner.

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8. Eagles

EZEKIEL ELLIOTT

RB, Ohio State

The Eagles take a long look at Notre Dame offensive tackle Roie Stanley here, but ultimately decide on Elliott, who can run, block and be a weapon in the pass game.

9. Buccaneers

SHAQ LAWSON

DE, Clemson

The Bucs need plenty of help defensively, and Lawson gives them an immediate shot in the arm as a playmaking defensive end.

10. Giants

SHELDON RANKINS

DT, Louisville

The G-Men’s defensive transformation continues with the draft’s best interior defensive lineman. And just like that, an area of weakness tus into one of strength.

11. Bears

REGGIE RAGLAND

LB, Alabama

The Bears long history of elite middle linebackers continues with Ragland, a fierce, versatile playmaker who adds speed, toughness and instincts to the Bears defense.

12. Saints

VERNON HARGREAVES

CB, Florida

The Saints will give the three first-round caliber wide receivers consideration here, and Drew Brees will be in their ear asking for one of them. But the bigger need is on defense, and adding a coerback the likes of this Florida standout is too prudent to pass up.

13. Dolphins

MACKENSIE ALEXANDER

CB, Clemson

The Dolphins can go a number of directions here, they failed to fill their glaring hole at coerback through free agency and happily scoop one of the best in the draft up in Alexander.

14. Raiders

RONNIE STANLEY

OT, Notre Dame

The Raiders can’t believe their good fortune when Stanley, a top-five caliber player, falls to them at 14 thanks to the Ravens trading down with the Rams.

15. Ravens

JACK CONKLIN

OT, Michigan State

The Ravens were close to their dream scenario: trading down with the Rams, picking up a second rounder this year and a first rounder next and having the guy they wanted all along in Stanley still on the board at 15. But alas, the Raiders threw a monkey wrench in things. But that’s OK, the Raven still end up with a coveted offensive tackle who will start on day one.

16. Lions

NOAH SPENCE

DE/OLB, Easte Kentucky

The Lions are rolling the dice a bit here on Spence, who has had some well publicized off-field issues. But the man can flat-out rush the passer, and that is just too much to pass up.

17. Falcons

DARRON LEE

LB, Ohio State

The Falcons give in-state linebacker Leonard Floyd a good look here, but Lee’s best football is ahead of him and his intelligence, instincts and playmaking making him an ideal pick for the present and the future.

18. Colts

TAYLOR DECKER

OT, Ohio State

Decker doesn’t get the hype of Stanley and Conklin, but he’ll start from the get-go, protect Andrew Luck and provide the type of run blocking that profiles perfectly at the next level.

19. Bills

A’SHAWN ROBINSON

DT, Alabama

Rex Ryan understands the foundation of any great defense is a great defensive line. Robinson is a beast, and Ryan is the perfect coach for him.

20. Jets

VERNON BUTLER

DT, Louisiana Tech

The Jets could go offense here — and who knows, Paxton Lynch and Coor Cook might be in play considering the lack of urgency getting Ryan Fitzpatrick re-signed. Butler has too much upside as a havoc creating interior lineman to pass up.

21. Redskins

LAQUON TREADWELL

WR, Ole Miss

Washington has their quarterback in place in Kirk Cousins, now it’s time to go get him some help. Treadwell isn’t a speed buer, but he runs great routes, catches everything and is the best overall wide receiver in the draft.

22. Texans

JOSH DOCTSON

WR, TCU

The Texans were hoping Treadwell would fall to them, but Doctson isn’t a bad fall back option by any means.

23. Vikings

COREY COLEMAN

WR, Baylor

The run on wide receivers continues with the Vikings providing Teddy Bridgewater with an elite weapon on the outside.

24. Bengals

ANDREW BILLINGS

DT, Baylor

A converted offensive lineman, Billings has shown steady improvement on the defensive side of the ball and that growth and development will only continue in the NFL.

25. Steelers

ELI APPLE

CB, Ohio State

The Steelers do what they do best, sit back pluck the best player left on the board. Apple fits a big area of need on the back end of the Pittsburgh defense.

26. Seahawks

EMMANUEL OGBAH

DE, Oklahoma St.

The Seahawks soften the blow of losing playmaking edge rusher Bruce Irvin by nabbing Ogbah, a defensive end with huge upside. In other words, right up Pete Carroll’s alley.

27. Packers

ROBERT NKEMDICHE

DT, Mississippi

With B.J. Raji retiring, the Packers have a huge need along the defensive line. Nkemdiche has some issues, but the rewards far outweigh the risk for such a promising player.

28. Chiefs

WILL FULLER

WR, Notre Dame

Fuller is the fastest of the top-rated wide receivers and he gives the Chiefs a perimeter weapon who can elevate their ability to put the ball in the end zone.

29. Cardinals

WILLIAM JACKSON

CB, Houston

Jackson is moving up draft boards, and it wouldn’t be a shock if he supplanted some of the higher ranked coerbacks come draft day, For now, the Cardinals happily bring him into the fold.

30. Panthers

LEONARD FLOYD

OLB, Georgia

The Panthers don’t have an obvious need at linebacker, but they remain true to their board and pick the best player available.

31. Broncos

PAXTON LYNCH

QB, Memphis

Coor Cook is probably the safer pick in terms of getting on the field quicker, but the marriage of Lynch and Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak is just too intriguing to let slip away. If anyone is capable of getting Lynch on the field sooner, it’s Kubiak.