The unusual trade that reshaped the 2016 NFL draft
In short: In 2016, the Tennessee Titans held the number one overall pick, but they didn't keep it. In a rare move, they traded the top selection to the Los Angeles Rams, marking the first time the league's premier pick was moved before the draft since 2001.
The 81st annual NFL draft, held from April 28 to April 30, 2016, in Chicago, was defined by significant roster maneuvering and collegiate dominance. While the Tennessee Titans entered the event with the league's worst record from the 2015 season, they opted to relinquish their first-round advantage. By trading the top pick to the Los Angeles Rams, the Titans participated in a rare pre-draft transaction; the last time the top selection had been traded prior to the draft's commencement was 15 years earlier, when the San Diego Chargers sent their pick to the Atlanta Falcons in 2001.
The draft also highlighted the immense talent emerging from major college programs. Ohio State achieved a rare feat, becoming only the second university to produce three players selected within the top ten picks, while also seeing five of its athletes taken during the first round. This influx of talent was bolstered by 96 underclassmen—primarily juniors and redshirt sophomores—who chose to forgo their remaining college years to enter the professional ranks, provided they met the requirement of being at least three years removed from high school.
Beyond the main event, the 2016 cycle included a supplemental draft on July 14, 2016. This secondary process allowed teams to select from a small pool of eligible players, such as running back Jalen Overstreet from Sam Houston State. However, such moves come with a high cost: any team selecting a player in the supplemental draft must forfeit a corresponding pick in the following year's draft, a mechanism designed to maintain competitive balance.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2016 NFL draft
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