Here’s one view of how things could unfold Thursday night, with a reminder that the New England Patriots are without a first-round pick due to their Deflategate penalties.
1. Los Angeles—Jared Goff, QB, Cal
The Rams choose Goff over Carson Wentz and cross their fingers they picked the right quarterback.
2. Philadelphia—Carson Wentz, QB, N.D. St.
Sam Bradford isn’t exactly pleased about Philadelphia’s trade up, but the Eagles seem to believe that Wentz will be a standout eventually.
3. San Diego—Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida St.
Ramsey or Laremy Tunsil? The Chargers go with the versatile defensive back who appears capable of being an NFL star at either cornerback or safety.
4. Dallas—Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio St.
Dallas needs a pass-rusher more than it needs a centerpiece runner or a future replacement for Tony Romo at quarterback.
5. Jacksonville—DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
This draft is so deep with defensive linemen, and Jacksonville gets one of the best ones available.
6. Baltimore—Laremy Tunsil, T, Mississippi
Tunsil likely would have been the No. 1 overall selection in this draft if the Titans hadn’t traded the pick. Now he drops a bit and the Ravens benefit from that.
7. San Francisco—Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
Is this too early for Lynch? Some talent evaluators would say so. But the 49ers need a quarterback of the future. And with Goff and Wentz coming off the board immediately, the chances of Lynch being selected very early have increased.
8. Cleveland—Ronnie Stanley, T, Notre Dame
Some teams seem convinced that Stanley is on equal footing with Tunsil or is an even better prospect. He could begin his NFL career at right tackle in Cleveland before eventually succeeding Joe Thomas at left tackle.
9. Tampa Bay—Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Tampa makes it two cornerbacks in the top 10.
10. N.Y. Giants—Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
He falls out of the top five because of concerns over the durability of his knee but he doesn’t drop out of the top 10.
11. Chicago—Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
Ezekiel Elliott is an option here but Chicago chooses to address its defense.
12. New Orleans—Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
There has been speculation about the Saints considering Paxton Lynch as a potential future successor to Drew Brees. But New Orleans probably would be well served to focus on upgrading its defense.
13. Miami—Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio St.
If the draft’s top running back gets past Dallas and Chicago, he makes sense for Miami.
14. Oakland—Eli Apple, CB, Ohio St.
Oakland improves its secondary with a very good cornerback.
15. Tennessee—Jack Conklin, T, Michigan St.
Tennessee probably would have taken Tunsil if it had kept the No. 1 pick. The Titans still get an offensive tackle after their move down to 15th and added picks in the process.
16. Detroit—Taylor Decker, T, Ohio St.
Detroit makes it four offensive tackles in the first half of the opening round.
17. Atlanta—Darron Lee, LB, Ohio St.
Atlanta needs to get better on defense, and Lee is a versatile player who could fill a variety of roles.
18. Indianapolis—Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
He’s a defensive playmaker who would give the Colts a pass-rushing presence they will need as Robert Mathis gets older.
19. Buffalo—Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi
There are major questions about Nkemdiche’s off-field issues following his hotel-room incident that led to him being suspended from the Sugar Bowl. But there is plenty of talent there, and the Bills have shown a propensity to take such risks.
20. N.Y. Jets—Kevin Dodd, DE/LB, Clemson
The Jets make it two Clemson defenders in a span of three picks. It’s possible this choice could be a quarterback. But could the Jets get someone at this point in the draft more ready to play for them than the Geno Smith or Bryce Petty?
21. Washington—Jarran Reed, DT/DE, Alabama
The Redskins get a run-stopping presence for their defensive front.
22. Houston—Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi
The wide receivers begin coming off the board.
23. Minnesota—Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
The Vikings provide some help for their quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater.
24. Cincinnati—Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Cincinnati bolsters the position after the free-agent losses of wideouts Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu.
25. Pittsburgh—Will Jackson, CB, Houston
Pittsburgh gets a speedy cornerback capable of being a significant immediate contributor.
26. Seattle—A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Seattle re-establishes some of the depth along its defensive front.
27. Green Bay—Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
Green Bay gets an excellent interior linebacker and can put Clay Matthews back on the perimeter of the defense.
28. Kansas City—Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
The wide receivers are popular in the second half of the opening round.
29. Arizona—Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
There are questions about Spence after his exit from Ohio State following two failed drug tests. But he potentially would provide another productive pass-rusher for an Arizona defense that already added Chandler Jones this offseason.
30. Carolina—Mackensie Alexander, CB Clemson
Carolina, after removing the franchise tag from Josh Norman and watching him sign with the Redskins, gets a cornerback of considerable promise.
31. Denver—Connor Cook, QB, Michigan St.
Denver gets its quarterback of the future, and perhaps of the present.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
