A simulated National Football League player selection process occurring before the actual event in 2016, these projections attempt to forecast which players each team will choose. They serve as speculative exercises, informed by player evaluations, team needs, and expected draft order. For example, projections prior to the 2016 NFL Draft commonly featured Jared Goff and Carson Wentz as top quarterback selections.
The value of these anticipatory exercises lies in their capacity to generate fan engagement and media coverage, providing a framework for analyzing team strategies and player potential. Historically, examining such forecasts offers insight into the shifting perceptions of player value and the evolving needs of individual franchises. The accuracy of these simulations varies, but they invariably spark debate and inform pre-draft discourse.