By Donny Chedrick
1. Cleveland (0-16) – Sam Darnold, QB (USC)
It appears at this point that Darnold is the clear-cut top quarterback in the draft and as always, the Browns need one after trading DeShone Kizer, who they drafted last season. Darnold seems to be the fit. Big, athletic, can make big throws. He goes No. 1.
2. New York Giants (3-13) – Saquon Barkley, RB (Penn State)
And at pick No. 2 we already start the guessing game. The Giants need to revamp the offensive backfield after a dismal season. Eli Manning still has at least a year left so the Giants could take a chance with taking a QB later in the draft. Saquon Barkley has a chance to change a whole team, and he could do that in New York if the Giants take him at No. 2
3. New York Jets, from Ind. (4-12) – Josh Rosen, QB (UCLA)
This pick will probably be one of the Josh’s in the draft that play quarterback. Josh Rosen out of UCLA seems to be more likely to the Jets than Josh Allen from Wyoming. The Jets traded up from pick No. 6, I think QB is the obvious choice here unless they throw a major curveball.
4. Cleveland, from Hou. (4-12) – Bradley Chubb, DE (N.C. State)
If Saquon Barkley gets selected by the Giants, expect the Browns to continue working on that defensive line. Last season Cleveland selected the top defensive end in the form of Myles Garrett. This year Cleveland could do the same thing at No. 4
5. Denver (5-11) – Quenton Nelson, OG (Notre Dame)
The first offensive linemen in the draft could go in the top five picks if the Broncos don't fall in love with taking a quarterback. There is also a shot that this isn’t Denver picking at No. 5 after John Elway explained that the pick was for sale. If the Broncos want to be safe, Nelson could be the selection.
6. Indianapolis, from NYJ (5-11) – Tremaine Edmunds, LB (Virginia Tech)
The Colts need help defensively, which is why they could go in plenty of different directions with the sixth pick. The Colts pretty much need everything besides a starting quarterback so this pick is somewhat a shot in the dark.
7. Tampa Bay (5-11) – Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB (Alabama)
The Bucs need secondary help and drafting Fitzpatrick would create some stability and versatility in that area as Fitzpatrick would join a unit containing Vernon Hargreaves.
8. Chicago (5-11) – Denzel Ward, CB (Ohio State)
This could be a “best player available” type of pick because right off the bat Ward wouldn’t step into a starting position. The Bears have Prince Amukamara and Kyle Fuller at both corner spots, but Ward could see time as a slot corner or find himself in a starting role if an injury occurs.
9. San Francisco (6-10) – Marcus Davenport, DE (UT-San Antonio)
Out of a small school, there is no denying Marcus Davenport’s dominance in the conference, but it is a big question mark if he can do it in the pros. Having John Lynch as GM in San Francisco, the 49ers can spot defensive talent. Davenport might be a risk worth taking.
10. Oakland/Las Vegas (6-10) – Derwin James, S (Florida State)
If Denzel Ward isn’t selected a few picks before, the Raiders could grab him. If that option isn’t there, however, Oakland could be looking at Roquan Smith out of Georgia or Derwin James out of Florida State. The Raiders have Karl Joseph and Reggie Nelson, but a guy like James can sit behind for a year or two before taking over if the team feels it can fill the linebacker void later in the draft.
11. Miami (6-10) – Roquan Smith, ILB (Georgia)
The Dolphins would love to add a stud linebacker to join Kiko Alonso and that guy could be Roquan Smith from Georgia. He was the Bulldogs defensive leader last season in one that got them to the National Championship game. Smith can be a player to change a defense as a whole.
12. *Buffalo, from Cin. (7-9) – Josh Allen, QB (Wyoming)
Don’t be shocked if Buffalo uses its leverage to move up into the top ten or top five picks if the intention is to select Allen. If Allen is still available with the Bills staying at No. 12, he will be gone after that because there isn’t much sense in Buffalo passing on him.
13. Washington (7-9) – Vita Vea, DT (Washington)
With Ziggy Hood slated as the starting nose tackle for the Redskins, Vea could be the first round selection. Comparable to a guy like Haloti Ngata, Vea can really bolster a defensive line that needs him.
14. Green Bay (7-9) – Calvin Ridley, WR (Alabama)
With the departure of Jordy Nelson, the Packers could get Aaron Rodgers another target by taking the wide receiver out of Alabama.
15. Arizona (8-8) – Baker Mayfield, QB (Oklahoma)
I like this fit for Mayfield because this could be the ideal mix of sitting back and learning as well as stepping up and playing. Weather-wise, Arizona and the NFC West would fit right into what Mayfield was used to at Oklahoma.
16. Baltimore (9-7) – Mike McGlinchey, OT (Notre Dame)
The Ravens continue to spot issues up front, which means they could be taking what most consider to be the top tackle in the draft. Baltimore may try to find a guy that can play opposite of Ronnie Stanley on the offensive line, and that guy could be McGlinchey.
17. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) – Da’Ron Payne, DT (Alabama)
Not many are more brute up front than Payne. This was a guy with another power to bench press over 400 pounds in high school before going on to terrorize offensive linemen in the SEC. Payne could join a defensive line with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, and really solidify the middle of that line if the Chargers make the pick.
18. Seattle (9-7) – Josh Jackson, CB (Iowa)
The Seahawks let go of Richard Sherman this offseason so this pick makes sense to fill that void if the Seahawks want to target it early in the draft.
19. Dallas (9-7) – Christian Kirk, WR (Texas A&M)
This selection could be a few different guys, but it will likely be a wide receiver. After Dallas parted ways with Dez Bryant, the receiver position could be targeted for the Cowboys to a fill the open spot at WR unless they want to throw Allen Hurns into the fire.
20. Detroit (9-7) – Derrius Guice, RB (LSU)
Although the Lions have Ameer Abdullah and now LeGarrette Blount, selecting another young running back could help out that backfield, especially since Abdullah hasn’t quite developed into a homerun hitting RB.
21. Cincinnati, from Buf. (9-7) – Isaiah Wynn, OG/OT (Georgia)
There isn’t a lot of depth on the Bengals' offensive line, which is why Wynn's versatility Isaiah Wynn is so attractive to them. His ability to play guard, tackle or even center in a pinch could land him on a roster in the first round. A team like the Cincinnati would be a fit.
22. *Buffalo, from KC (9-7) – Maurice Hurst, DT (Michigan)
After the Bills collect their QB, they may target the defensive front by going with big block eater out of Michigan – Maurice Hurst. With Kyle Williams likely not having many years left for Buffalo, Hurst can find himself getting his feet wet for a few years before sliding into a starting spot.
23. *New England, from LAR (11-5) – Jaire Alexander, CB (Louisville)
Malcom Butler had an ugly exit from New England after not playing in the Super Bowl loss to Philadelphia. The Patriots could use this to fill the position gap Thursday night.
24. *Carolina (11-5) – Justin Reid, S (Stanford)
This pick may not seem like it makes a lot of sense, but the Panthers could make somewhat of a surprise pick by going with the safety out of Stanford. Reid could pretty much step right into a backup role with the potential to get starts in his rookie season.
25. *Tennessee (9-7) – Harold Landry, EDGE (Boston College)
Harold Landry could be a guy to set the edge for Tennessee if the pick is made in the first round to be a potential upgrade from DaQuan Jones. It would bolster a line that features Jurrell Casey in the middle.
26. *Atlanta (10-6) – Mike Gesicki, TE (Penn State)
Gesicki could find himself going anywhere from the middle of the opening round to not in the first round at all. One team that could find interest in the big target the Atlanta Falcons. With Austin Hooper as the team’s top tight end on the depth chart, Gesicki could end up going to Atlanta
27. *New Orleans (11-5) – Billy Price, C (Ohio State)
Although Max Unger is the center right now in New Orleans, Billy Price could get picked here to be a utility guy along the Saints offensive line. New Orleans went with an OL last year in the first round of the draft, and it could look to do it again. Drew Brees needs all the protection he can get.
28. *Pittsburgh (13-3) – Rashaan Evans, LB (Alabama)
After the injury to Ryan Shazier late last season, selecting a linebacker would help fill the major void left by the crushing injury. The only way the Steelers don’t go with Evans is if one of the top defensive backs are on the board is left that Pittsburgh feels it can't pass up.
29. *Jacksonville (10-6) – Leighton Vander Esch, LB (Boise State)
With how good the Jacksonville defense was last season, there isn’t much depth behind the current starters, which is how Vander Esch could fill into the rotation.
30. *Minnesota (13-3) – Will Hernandez, OG (UTEP)
The Vikings could really improve the offensive line if they go with the huge guard from UTEP. Hernandez at over 340 pounds would bring back the days of monster offensive linemen. Although he played both guard and tackle in college, expect a guy with his build to stay on the interior of the offensive line.
31. NYG, from NE (13-3) – Mason Rudolph, QB (Oklahoma State)
The only trade I have in the 1st round is a big one between the Giants and the Patriots that could potentially involve Odell Beckham Jr. This will also open the chance for New York to take the big QB they want to learn from Eli Manning for a few years – Mason Rudolph. That would allow the Giants to draft their future RB and QB in the opening round.
32. *Philadelphia (13-3) – Sony Michel, RB (Georgia)
The Eagles love having a plethora of running backs in the system, but also lost LaGarrette Blount. Jay Ajayi is the starting back at the moment, but Michel could join a backfield with already a good tandem of runners.
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