ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. Releases Updated NFL Mock Draft 2016

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN’s chief NFL Draft analyst, has just released his latest mock draft for 2016.

Mel Kiper Jr. Releases Updated NFL Mock Draft 2016

Kiper’s first mock draft, in January, projected the New York Jets to select Notre Dame outside linebacker/edge rusher Jaylon Smith at No. 20 overall.

In Kiper’s second version of his mock draft, released Thursday, he predicts Smith going 11th to the Chicago Bears.

Where he formerly had Smith, Kiper now tentatively has Ohio State offensive tackle Taylor Decker and Georgia linebacker Leonard Floyd.

However, Kiper seems to believe the Jets will likely pass on both players. He predicts Decker will go 31st to the Broncos, and Floyd falling out of the first round. He also has Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott going 22nd to Houston, and does not believe Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch will go in the first round.

The only player Kiper does project the Jets will take is Alabama inside linebacker Reggie Ragland, and here’s why:

Last year, the Jets took the best player available in Round 1 when they nabbed Leonard Williams at No. 6 overall, and Ragland certainly qualifies as a BPA if he’s still around at No. 20. A monster against the run, Ragland plays faster than he’ll run at the combine because of great instincts. Draft him with the expectation you can start him in Week 1.

The Jets already have a middle linebacker, David Harris, and have started negotiations to re-sign Erin Henderson, back-up for weak-side linebacker Demario Davis, who is expected to become a free agent.

Ragland is the best inside linebacker prospect available this year. The Big Lead’s Jason McIntyre and NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein have also projected him to be drafted to the Jets.

For his second mock 2016 draft, Kiper has projected that the first three first-round picks will be Ole miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil going to the Tennessee Titans, North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz going to the Cleveland Browns, and Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner going to the San Diego Chargers.

Here’s a roundup of who various mock drafts have the Jets picking for No. 20:

• ESPN’s Todd McShay (December): Georgia OLB Leonard Floyd
• ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. (January): Notre Dame OLB Jaylon Smith
• SB Nation’s Dan Kadar (January): Eastern Kentucky OLB Noah Spence
• Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller (January): LSU OT Jerald Hawkins
• CBSSports.com’s Rob Rang (January): Memphis QB Paxton Lynch
• The Big Lead’s Jason McIntyre (January): Alabama ILB Reggie Ragland
• NFL Media’s Bucky Brooks (January): Ohio State OLB Darron Lee
• NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah (January): Ohio State OT Taylor Decker
• NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein (January): Alabama ILB Reggie Ragland
• Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager (January): Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott
• SB Nation’s Dan Kadar (February): Ohio State OT Taylor Decker
• Walter Football (February): Notre Dame OLB Jaylon Smith
• CBSSports.com’s Dane Brugler (February): Georgia OLB Leonard Floyd
• Pro Football Focus (February): North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz
• NJ.com’s Darryl Slater (February): Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott
• ESPN’s Todd McShay (February): Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott
• Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller (February): Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott
• USA Today’s Nate Davis (February): Georgia OLB Leonard Floyd
• DraftBreakdown.com’s Jeff Risdon (February): Ohio State OT Taylor Decker
• SI.com’s Chris Burke (February): Ohio State OLB Darron Lee
• CBSSports.com’s Rob Rang (February): Georgia OLB Leonard Floyd

Caption:NEW YORK – APRIL 28: Mel Kiper, Chris Mortensen and Keyshawn Johnson broadcast for ESPN during the 2007 NFL Draft on April 28, 2007 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, New York. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)