Kiper: MSU's Waynes going at No. 16 in NFL draft

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes going as the 16th pick overall -- the first cornerback taken -- to the Houston Texans in his first NFL mock draft.

Of the 6-foot-1, 182-pound cornerback, Kiper said: "Waynes will grade out as the best cover corner in the draft for many teams, and he also offers something pretty much everybody covets at the position, which is length. Waynes is also a good zone defender, and while he's lean, he is above average in run support. He has good ball skills and really does a good job of tracking the ball. He's a player who can help turn what should be a really good defensive line's pressure into more turnovers."

Kiper also has Michigan wide receiver Devin Funchess going in the first round as the 26th pick to the Baltimore Ravens.

Of Funchess, Kiper said: "It's not really fair to call Funchess a tight end based on where he typically lines up, but at more than 6-foot-4 and at about 235 pounds with the ability to simply overpower most cornerbacks, he's not exactly a flanker, either. What I'd call him is a perpetual matchup problem, a guy you can move around, with the quickness to run crisp routes and easily create space if linebackers try to cover him and enough size to make cornerbacks have to go through him for the ball. Joe Flacco can use a weapon like Funchess, as could Gary Kubiak, assuming he passes on any other overtures."

Kiper has Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston going first overall in the draft, which takes place April 30 through May 2 at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago.