Kiper NFL Mock Draft 2016: Steelers choose CB Kendall Fuller

Mel Kiper NFL Mock Draft 2016: Notable Picks from ESPN Guru's 1st Mock

By Mike Chiari
Jan 14, 2016

Mel Kiper Jr. is perhaps the most respected NFL draft analyst in the business, which is why the release of his first 2016 mock draft Thursday on ESPN.com feels very much like the official start of draft season.

While the latter portion of the draft order has yet to be determined due to the ongoing NFL playoffs, much of the order is already set in stone, which means most organizations are starting to focus on preparations ahead of April's draft.

A lot will change between now and draft night as players improve or hurt their stock at the NFL Scouting Combine, but the tape generally doesn't lie when it comes to top prospects.

With several months of evaluation still in the offing, here is a rundown of Kiper's first 2016 first-round mock draft, along with a closer look at some of the most intriguing picks.

Mel Kiper's 1st 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1

Pick Team Player
1 Tennessee Titans Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
2 Cleveland Browns Jared Goff, QB, California
3 San Diego Chargers Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
4 Dallas Cowboys DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
5 Jacksonville Jaguars Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
6 Baltimore Ravens Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
7 San Francisco 49ers Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
8 Miami Dolphins Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
10 New York Giants Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
11 Chicago Bears Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
12 New Orleans Saints A'Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama
13 Philadelphia Eagles Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss
14 Oakland Raiders Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
15 Los Angeles Rams Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
16 Detroit Lions Jarran Reed, DL, Alabama
17 Atlanta Falcons Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
18 Indianapolis Colts Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
19 Buffalo Bills Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
20 New York Jets Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
21 Washington Redskins Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
22 Houston Texans Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
23 Minnesota Vikings Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
24 Cincinnati Bengals Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
25 Pittsburgh Steelers Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
26 Seattle Seahawks Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
27 Green Bay Packers Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State
28 Kansas City Chiefs Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
29 Denver Broncos Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
30 Arizona Cardinals Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
31 Carolina Panthers Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
ESPN.com

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2607801-mel-kiper-nfl-mock-draft-2016-notable-picks-from-espn-gurus-1st-mock

why does he have the Steelers trading up? And what is a CB in the 1st round even look like?

I remember when we were projected to take Kyle Fuller....

CB or S just select the BPA out of these two groups.

I can only get so erect

I'd be OK with Fuller at 32. Still waiting for confirmation that Tre Davious White is staying in school or not.

I HATE the BPA approach, draft DBs not another LB the team already has 10 LB....enough is enough

WCSteeler wrote:

I HATE the BPA approach, draft DBs not another LB the team already has 10 LB....enough is enough

when you don't follow the BPA philosophy and draft for need instead, you end up with Jarvis Jones and Troy Edwards...

Hawaii 5-0 wrote:

WCSteeler wrote:

I HATE the BPA approach, draft DBs not another LB the team already has 10 LB....enough is enough

when you don't follow the BPA philosophy and draft for need instead, you end up with Jarvis Jones and Troy Edwards...

If your not willing to move up if needed then you may have a point. I realize the Steelers lost a draft pick on a guy they don't use but DB the most needed position by far

Will he be there at #32?

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. Mock Draft has the Pittsburgh Steelers taking a CB with their first pick

By Jeff.Hartman  on Jan 14, 2016

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has produced his first mock draft of the season, and he has the Pittsburgh Steelers doing something they never do -- draft a cornerback in the first round.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers preparing for their AFC Divisional Round game against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Playoffs, the majority of NFL teams have begun their offseason preparations. Other than free agency, the draft process is certainly paramount with teams looking add quality talent to their team at specific positions.

It is no mystery the Steelers need help in the secondary, and one of the biggest reasons for this concern is the fact the majority of their secondary will be free agents at the end of the season. William Gay, Antwon Blake and Brandon Boykin will all hit free agency, if the Steelers don't lock them up, and if they all leave for greener pastures, the team will be looking at Ross Cockrell, Senquez Golson and Doran Grant as the only returning defensive backs with experience in the Steelers' system.

With all that said, it should come as no surprise that many are projecting the Steelers to address the cornerback position in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft. I know what you are thinking, "But the Steelers NEVER draft a cornerback in the first round." This is true, but it didn't stop ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. from having the Steelers do the unthinkable with their first pick in the draft.

See who Kiper had going to the Steelers, and his analysis:

25. Pittsburgh Steelers

*Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech

The Steelers have been a mess on the back end for much of the season, and could add multiple cornerbacks in the draft. (Remember they will get back Senquez Golson, however.) Fuller comes from a line of NFL players (his brother is a cornerback for the Bears) and has tremendous talent. He missed much of 2015 after trying to play through a cartilage injury in his knee, but should be in great shape for the draft process.

(The asterisks by Fuller's name signifies he has one year of eligibility remaining.)

Could the Steelers break their growing trend of delaying drafting defensive backs until the early-to-mid rounds of the draft? There are other areas of need which certainly could trump the secondary, as difficult as that may be to read for most fans. Nonetheless, regardless of how you view the Steelers' potential draft needs, the team will likely follow the "Best Player Available" philosophy which has helped them land some tremendous players in recent draft classes.

Kiper has the Steelers drafting No. 25, but I'm sure all would agree the hope is they draft with the No. 31 position and the serious draft talk doesn't start until Mid-February after the Steelers bring home their 7th Lombardi trophy.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2016/1/14/10707662/espns-mel-kiper-jr-mock-draft-has-the-pittsburgh-steelers-taking-a-cb

Every year they have us go CB in the first round. Like it or not, BPA is the philosophy that COlbert operates under and honestly it's served us well I think. I think though we will be looking at the secondary though. I think a SS is something to consider too since Thomas doesn't seem to be the answer and Will Allen while a solid pro isn't a young guy. I wouldn't also be surprised if there's a TE they really like they get one either since outside of James our TE's are all older too. I have liked what I've seen from Jesse so far. I'll have a better feel once the combine happens and we start bringing in guys for visits. I used to be really blah at getting a feel for who the Steelers like but I'm slowing catching on to how Colbert operates.

Direction Steelers take with Doran Grant could impact draft plans

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/01/direction-steelers-take-with-doran-grant-could-impact-draft-plans/

Virginia Tech DL Luther Maddy has played defense with both 2014 Chicago Bears first-round pick Kyle Fuller, and younger brother Kendall Fuller, an All-ACC cornerback like Kyle who barely played in 2015 before knee surgery ended his season early.

And Maddy isn't giving Kyle much of an edge over Kendall, who intends to enter the 2016 draft as a junior.

"I can't put one over another," Maddy said. "Kyle was a great tackler and a great cover guy, and Kendall is the same way. He's just as good. Kyle I guess is a little bigger, but they're both physical."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000624897/article/michigan-lb-harbaugh-slid-on-hotel-floor-in-khakis-for-qb-demo

I wouldn't mind Fuller if he is on the board at #25, or Jalen Ramsey.

Here's some reading material on Fuller.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=127111&draftyear=2017&genpos=CB

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/2071630/kendall-fuller

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/kendall-fuller?id=2555349

http://nflmocks.com/2016/01/18/kendall-fuller-cb-virginia-tech-2016-nfl-draft-scouting-report/

This next link to WalterFootball.com is not up to date. It's a preview of the 2015 season, but they will update this soon as the draft approaches. http://www.walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2016kfuller.php

This one is just a compilation of youtube clips of Fuller broken down by season. These are the plays he was involved with in individual games. They aren't highlight reels. The show how he did in coverage and give a better idea of his full game.http://draftbreakdown.com/video/kendall-fuller-vs-ohio-state-2015/

Just more info about him, with a more local perspective. http://www.roanoke.com/sports/columns_and_blogs/blogs/andy_bitter_virginia_tech_football/hokies-cornerback-kendall-fuller-signs-with-agent-will-enter-nfl/article_69560534-a368-11e5-8858-4f9f2aa13197.html

http://www.roanoke.com/sports/columns_and_blogs/blogs/andy_bitter_virginia_tech_football/espn-s-mcshay-kendall-fuller-still-has-a-good-chance/article_ba582dc6-a4db-11e5-aaa8-5b036262dc18.html

http://footballgameplan.com/2016-nfl-draft-prospect-preview-virginia-tech-cb-kendall-fuller/

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

I wouldn't mind Fuller if he is on the board at #25, or Jalen Ramsey.

Many have Jalen Ramsey going in the top 10. Might have to consider Mackensie Alexander at 25

WCSteeler wrote:

I HATE the BPA approach, draft DBs not another LB the team already has 10 LB....enough is enough

Looking at the OLB depth chart, OLB is definitely a need unless you're totally committed to Jarvis Jones, which is not a sound commitment.

Other than S and CB, I wouldn't mind if they spend the first round pick on TE or OG.

kan_t wrote:

Other than S and CB, I wouldn't mind if they spend the first round pick on TE or OG.

I agree, but I don't think this TE class is worthy of spending a 1st round on anybody. Also, the O line crop is pretty deep. Can get a quality guy in the 3rd or 4th IMO. Watch the Shrine game today and see Michigan center Graham Glasglow...the kid might be a 5th or 6th rounder who can play G or C.

El-Gonzo Jackson wrote:

kan_t wrote:

Other than S and CB, I wouldn't mind if they spend the first round pick on TE or OG.

I agree, but I don't think this TE class is worthy of spending a 1st round on anybody.  Also, the O line crop is pretty deep.  Can get a quality guy in the 3rd or 4th IMO.  Watch the Shrine game today and see Michigan center Graham Glasglow...the kid might be a 5th or 6th rounder who can play G or C.

I'd love to but TV is out, blizzard killed it

El-Gonzo Jackson wrote:

kan_t wrote:

Other than S and CB, I wouldn't mind if they spend the first round pick on TE or OG.

I agree, but I don't think this TE class is worthy of spending a 1st round on anybody.  Also, the O line crop is pretty deep.  Can get a quality guy in the 3rd or 4th IMO.  Watch the Shrine game today and see Michigan center Graham Glasglow...the kid might be a 5th or 6th rounder who can play G or C.

No love for Hunter Henry? He is the only TE who I consider a legit late first round pick in this year draft. He's a pass catcher with above average blocking. Looks like a great Heath Miller replacement.

Agreed that O line is definitely the strength in this year draft. Still I wouldn't mind if they address this need in the first round if the OG happens to be the BPA on the Steelers draft board. The only need which I don't think the Steelers should address in the first round is OLB. I just don't see any late first round worthy OLB in this year draft.

8 Cornerbacks in the Pro Bowl this year

5 x 1st Round Picks
3 x Undrafted

rellimie wrote:

8 Cornerbacks in the Pro Bowl this year

5 x 1st Round Picks
3 x Undrafted

Richard Sherman was drafted in the 5th round...