NFL Mock Draft 2016: SI.com releases two-round mock draft

SI.com released a 2016 NFL Mock Draft from Chris Burke on Wednesday, looking at the first two rounds of the NFL Draft and projecting picks for all 32 team. Burke points out in his introduction to the post that, as of Wednesday, there were 77 days until the NFL Draft starts. That means there are 77 days left in mock draft season.

Burke also acknowledges that the draft will be impacted by several things between now and its official start, not the least of which is free agency, which begins 27 days from Wednesday.

As for the projected picks themselves, Burke starts where a lot of people seem to be starting this year, with the Tennessee Titans selecting Ole Miss offensive tackle Larem Tunsil. Like most mock drafts right now, Burke sees the Cleveland Browns selecting a quarterback but he does not give them the same quarterback (Cal's Jared Goff) as most of those mocks, instead going with Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch.

The third pick, according to Burke, is Florida State safety Jalen Ramsey, going to the San Diego Chargers, followed by the Dallas Cowboys adding UCLA linebacker Myles Jack. The fifth pick then sees the Jacksonville Jaguars adding Ohio State defensive lineman Joey Bosa, the Baltimore Ravens pick up Eastern Kentuck outside linebacker Noah Spence, and the San Francisco 49ers selecting Cal quarterback Jared Goff with the seventh pick.

That brings us to the eighth overall pick, where the Miami Dolphins hold the next selection. Burke, like many mock drafts currently, sees Miami addressing the secondary with their pick, adding Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves. About the pick, Burke writes:

Hargreaves or Mackensie Alexander would be fine selections by Miami, which must find some help in the secondary. The Florida product can thrive in any coverage set and has the quickness to close on the ball - €”he intercepted 10 passes and broke up 27 over three seasons.

It is a pick that makes a lot of sense for Miami, and it is one that gives them one of the best players available, while also filling a need. The Dolphins have to upgrade the secondary, especially if they do not come to an agreement with Brent Grimes on a contract extension and choose to release the Pro Bowl cornerback. Hargreaves should come in and start immediately, either as a replacement to Grimes or as the corner opposite him.

In the second round, the Dolphins, according to Burke, then address the offensive line, picking up Kansas State guard/tackle Cody Whitehair. The K-State lineman has garnered comparisons to Dallas Cowboys lineman Zack Martin, which is never a bad thing. He plays tackle for the Wildcats, but he will likely move inside to guard in the NFL, which could be exactly what Miami is looking for on the offensive line. It is a little surprising that Burke has Whitehair falling his far in the Draft, but if he is available for the Dolphins in the second round, he should absolutely be a consideration for the pick.