As we have already seen this year, predicting the NFL Draft is virtually impossible. Still, mock drafts are always an entertaining exercise, so here’s a look at some of the potential outcomes for Thursday night’s first round.
Los Angeles Rams: QB Jared Goff, California
The Rams sacrificed a ton of draft picks in order to move up and draft their future franchise quarterback, and it appears that Goff is the guy that they are going to pin their hopes on.
Philadelphia Eagles: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
Wentz was relatively anonymous for most of his college career, but he appears to have all the physical attributes that NFL teams look for in quarterback prospects. The Eagles are taking a huge gamble, but it could pay off in the end.
San Diego Chargers: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon
Buckner is a prototypical defensive line prospect with size and athleticism, and there is increased buzz that he will be the first non-QB off the board. Laremy Tunsil and Jalen Ramsey are also possibilities here.
Dallas Cowboys: DB Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
Despite rumors that the Cowboys like Ezekiel Elliott, they will be unable to pass on Ramsey, a versatile prospect who can fit in anywhere in the secondary. Athletic and experienced, Ramsey is the rare defensive back worthy of a top-five pick.
Jacksonville Jaguars: LB Myles Jack, UCLA
Injury concerns notwithstanding, Jack is extremely highly regarded as an inside linebacker prospect. He has great speed and coverage ability and would cover a lot of ground in the middle of the Jacksonville defense.
Baltimore Ravens: OT Laremy Tunsil, Mississippi
The Ravens would be big winners if Tunsil is available here. Before the Rams and Eagles traded up, Tunsil was widely expected to be the first pick overall, but instead, the Ravens fill a big need with the best prospect available.
San Francisco 49ers: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
The 49ers have a big need on the offensive line, and Stanley is a highly regarded prospect who could start at right tackle before eventually moving over to left tackle to replace Joe Staley.
Cleveland Browns: RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
Elliott is a complete running back prospect with speed and power and the Browns could select him as the best player available here. He and QB Robert Griffin III could reignite the Browns’ ground game with their athleticism.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Vernon Hargreaves, Florida
The Buccaneers’ secondary was pitiful last season, and Hargreaves would go a long way toward alleviating that problem. He should be ready to play early in his career.
New York Giants: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State
Bosa’s slide finally ends here, as the Giants would be unable to pass him up at this stage in the draft. New York’s Super Bowl teams were built around explosive edge rushers, and Bosa could help them get back to that focus.
Chicago Bears: OLB Leonard Floyd, Georgia
The Bears need help generating pressure from the outside, and Floyd is a talented pass-rushing prospect who would represent good value at this stage in the draft. It should be noted that the Bears are expected to select Elliott if he falls this far.
New Orleans Saints: DT Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
New Orleans’ defense was porous against both the run and the past last season, and Rankins is the type of interior prospect who could help address both of those problems. Some have discussed the possibility that the Saints could draft Drew Brees’ eventual replacement, but I do not see that happening at this stage.
Miami Dolphins: CB Eli Apple, Ohio State
The Dolphins need help in the secondary, and Apple is one of several cornerback prospects that might make sense at this stage. He has good size and speed and could help Miami immediately.
Oakland Raiders: LB Reggie Ragland, Alabama
Ragland is an experienced linebacker who should immediately bring a solid presence to an NFL defense. The Raiders could use some help at linebacker, and Ragland could be worth the pick at this stage.
Tennessee Titans: OT Jack Conklin, Michigan State
The Titans acquired a small fortune of future draft picks in exchange for the first overall pick and they should still have the opportunity to add a solid offensive line prospect. Conklin is versatile and should fit in immediately on the Tennessee line.
Detroit Lions: DT Jarran Reed, Alabama
After losing Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, the Lions are still looking for help in the interior of their defensive line. Reed is a strong run defender and should provide size and strength to the Detroit defense.
Atlanta Falcons: LB Darron Lee, Ohio State
The Falcons are looking for linebackers, and Lee has all the tools to be a potentially outstanding three-down linebacker in time. He has good speed and instincts and is reliable against both the run and the pass.
Indianapolis Colts: OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State
Here, the Colts become the second straight team to pick a Buckeye, and this one is at a position of great need. Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson has neglected the offensive line for too long and Andrew Luck needs some protection. This is the first step toward improving the team’s blocking.
Buffalo Bills: DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson
Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan’s son plays for Clemson, so he knows more about the Tigers than any other college team. Lawson is an aggressive pass rushing prospect, and we all know that Ryan’s defenses like to attack the quarterback.
New York Jets: QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis
This is a risky pick, but the 6-foot-7-inch Lynch provides good value at this stage of the draft. He is a project for the future, but his size and arm strength give him the potential to finally give the Jets a long-term starting quarterback.
Washington Redskins: C Ryan Kelly, Alabama
Kelly is a big, strong player at the center position who can bolster the interior of any NFL team’s offensive line. He was part of an overpowering unit at Alabama and should be a safe bet to be a contributor immediately.
Houston Texans: WR Will Fuller, Notre Dame
Houston is still looking for a second reliable pass-catcher to pair with star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, and Fuller could be that player. He has great speed and was extremely productive at Notre Dame.
Minnesota Vikings: WR Laquon Treadwell, Mississippi
Treadwell’s draft stock has dropped recently, but he is still a big, strong, physical wide receiver prospect who was extremely productive in college. He does not have top-end speed for an NFL pass-catcher, but he can go up and get the ball in the air as well as any prospect in this draft.
Cincinnati Bengals: WR Corey Coleman, Baylor
The Bengals have lost Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones since last season, and Coleman could replace some of their production and bring a new element to their offense. The speedster torched defensive backs in the Big 12 last season.
Pittsburgh Steelers: CB William Jackson III, Houston
The Steelers have struggled to defend against the pass recently, and Jackson could help remedy that issue. He has good size and speed for the cornerback position and should be a solid fit in Pittsburgh’s defense.
Seattle Seahawks: DE Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi
After losing Bruce Irvin in free agency, the Seahawks could use another pass rusher. Nkemdiche, who was one of the most hyped college recruits in recent memory, has had some issues off the field, but his talent is undeniable.
Green Bay Packers: DT Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech
Longtime defensive tackle B.J. Raji suddenly retired this year, leaving a void in the middle of the Packers’ defensive line. Butler is big, strong and stout against the run, making him a solid selection late in the first round.
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Josh Doctson, TCU
Even after adding Jeremy Maclin last offseason, the Chiefs could still use more weapons in the passing game, and Doctson would be a nice fit alongside Maclin and tight end Travis Kelce. He does not have overwhelming physical tools, but he has good technique and great hands.
Arizona Cardinals: CB Mackensie Alexander, Clemson
Alexander does not have ideal size, but he’s fast and tough with good instincts at the cornerback position. With the Cardinals, he would not have to immediately deal with the pressure of covering No. 1 wide receivers, as superstar Patrick Peterson has that assignment for Arizona.
Carolina Panthers: CB Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech
After Josh Norman’s shocking departure, the Panthers should be in the market for new defensive backs. While Fuller will not be able to immediately fill Norman’s shoes, he is a solid prospect who should contribute to an already stout defense.
Denver Broncos: QB Connor Cook, Michigan State
The Broncos lost Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler and replaced them with … Mark Sanchez. Denver could opt to have Cook sit for a year and learn the offense, but whenever he steps into the lineup, he could assume a similar role from his time at Michigan State — run the offense, protect the ball, and rely on the strong defense.
Check out the following sites for further information on the NFL and the NFL Draft:
http://www.eatdrinkandsleepfootball.com/index.html
http://fanspeak.com/
http://walterfootball.com
Thanks for reading!