2016 NFL mock draft: Leonard Floyd to Jets

With pick No. 24 in the 2016 Buffalo Rumblings Community Mock Draft, the New York Jets, and general manager ismileback13, have selected Leonard Floyd, outside linebacker from Georgia. Here's what he had to say about the pick:

Sitting at 20, I began to look through my big board and hypothesize who may be available at 20. I circled names like Conklin, Ragland, Hargreaves, and Leonard Floyd. Unfortunately, they most of them were selected before 20. When the Rams surprised me and selected Conklin. I began to work the phones, seeing who would be willing to move up and allow me to accumulate more picks while still selecting one of the apples of my eye at a discount. I had a feeling Ragland would go to Buffalo, so I did not put too many eggs in that basket, and I knew Hargreaves was a pipe dream. So, after calling the Bengals, they opted to accept my offer in order to select the WR they coveted before the group of WR-needy teams.

Sitting at 24, I again began to ponder pushing my luck and trading back again, but rather than risk losing the 1 remaining player I truly wanted, I opted to turn my card in with the name "Leonard Floyd: OLB, Georgia".

Calvin Pace is rapidly approaching his 100th birthday, and is technically a free agent at this moment. We have a stud-filled D-line (at least for one more year), and they need some help on the edge. Lorenzo Mauldin showed promise, but he cannot do it on his own, so finding a versatile bookend seemed to be the way to go. I really like Floyd's game. He bends better than anyone in this draft class, and can play upright or with his hand in the dirt. His athleticism also cannot be denied, and covering simple zones should not be a problem for him. I understand the worry about his weight, but I am sure our nutrition and training team will turn this slender man into the animal he can become. We have been lacking a true 3-4 OLB for some time, and after failing to fit a square peg in a round hole (cough cough Coples cough cough), we finally get the potential sack artist we so desperately needed back when Rex was at the helm.

I also contemplated CB at this position because Skrine has had limited exposure on the outside, even dating back to his time in Cleveland, and Revis is on the wrong side of 30. After watching him struggle a bit to defend the better WRs in the game (like Watkins TWICE), I know it is time to think about life after Revis. However, I did not think Eli Apple or William Jackson III were ready to step in day 1 and play, something I look for in a first round selection. I am also a fan of Kendall Fuller, Xavien Howard, and Artie Burns, so I can aim for one of those CB day 2, especially after accumulating a second third-round pick from Cincy (which can be used in place or as ammunition to move up in the second, or even back in the first........).

So did I just turn a fourth round pick into a third round pick, add a 3rd day pick, and still get our guy? Yes, yes I did. Welcome to the Jets Leonard Floyd. Todd Bowles, your welcome.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are now on the clock. Remember, when it's your turn to submit a draft choice, email it to dan.r.lavoie+sbnation@gmail.com.

Draft Results

1. Titans: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi
2. Browns: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
3. Chargers: Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
4. Cowboys: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
5. Jaguars: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
6. Ravens: DeForest Buckner, DL, Oregon
7. 49ers: Jared Goff, QB, Cal
8. Vikings: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
   
9. Buccaneers: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
10. Giants: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
11. Bears: Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
12. Saints: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
13. Dolphins: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
    
14. Raiders: Vernon Butler, DT, LA Tech
15. Rams: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
    
16. Lions: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
17. Falcons: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
18. Colts: Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State
19. Bills: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
    
20. Bengals: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
21. Eagles: Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky
22. Texans: Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State
23. Redskins: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
24. Jets: Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia

Dan's top five remaining

1. Kenny Clark
2. Jaylon Smith
3. Robert Nkemdiche
4. Laquon Treadwell
5. Jonathan Bullard

What do you think of this pick? Cast your vote in the poll below!