APC Mock Draft 2016: Rams get a project at QB, Lions take a pro-ready offensive tackle

Acme Packing Company's 2016 mock draft continues on with picks five and six in round one, as we release the first-round picks over the course of this week. The rules were simple: seven authors were assigned four or five teams apiece, and made the picks for each of those teams whenever they came up. We will pick the first three rounds of the draft.

After focusing the last several picks on defense, the offense gets some attention in the middle of round one, and the third quarterback comes off the board. Here are picks 15 and 16 in our 2016 mock.

Round 1, Pick 15: Los Angeles Rams select Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

Tex Western got to represent the Rams for this year's mock draft, and he sees the quarterback pick happening because of the following reasons:

Does anybody really believe that Rams GM Les Snead and Jeff Fisher are sold on Case Keenum as a starting NFL quarterback? Unless they were watching a different player than I was last year, there is little to no reason to think he can succeed long-term as a starter, and that's where Lynch comes in. The Rams have build up their defense nicely, and added a potentially game-changing running back in last year's first round, but now they need somebody to lead the offense.

Lynch's size is very impressive, and his arm strength is equally so. He will certainly need some new weapons to throw to, but that will come on day two of the draft. Like the Browns at #2, the Rams need to invest highly in a QB, and knowing that they will not be contenders in 2016, they can afford to let him sit for a year behind Keenum (or Nick Foles, or whoever) before he takes over as the starter in 2017.

Bonus for Lynch: if the football thing doesn't work out, he could try acting - after all, he'd make a great 20-something Tony Stark.

Round 1, Pick 16: Detroit Lions select Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

Here's APC's Zach Roethlisberger with his explanation:

When analyzing the draft the best thing to follow is the trend that each position is taking as we approach April 28th. The Detroit Lions have a glaring need at both offensive and defensive tackle, and really couldn't go wrong in selecting either position here. There are a plethora of defensive tackle studs in this year's draft, and I have seen more ideal defensive tackle players now being mocked in round 2 than I have offensive tackles.

That makes new general manager, Bob Quinn's job quite easy here in selecting either Jack Conklin or Taylor Decker at the offensive tackle position. After working with the New England Patriots the last 16 years, I think you see Quinn take the more conservative approach here in selecting Conklin from Michigan State. Decker has a bit bigger frame and may have the higher ceiling, but I think you get more of a steady ability from Conklin, especially from a guy that can step in right away, being more NFL ready.

Mock Draft Summary