A first round with no trades? Unlikely, as most of the 32 teams are looking to move up or down to get the maximum value from their drafting position. Here’s how deputy sports editor Curtis Murayama sees the selections playing out, mentioning possible trade scenarios. (Players are listed with height, weight, 40 time, bench press/vertical jump,).
1. HOUSTON
Needs: QB, OT, OLB, DE
Jadeveon Clowney, DE, So. Carolina, 6-5, 266, 4.53, 21/37.5
He’s a once-in-a-decade DE who’s the most gifted player in the draft. Still, the Texans aren’t all in on him, whether it’s because of his work ethic or scheme fit. They would prefer a QB, but not at No. 1. Look for the Texans to pick Clowney. But don’t count out a trade with Atlanta or Minnesota, even after the card gets turned in.
2. ST. LOUIS
Needs: CB, S, OL, WR
Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn, 6-5, 332, 4.92, 32/28.5
Either Robinson or WR Sammy Watkins would make sense here. Watkins would team with Tavon Austin to make a dangerous duo. It’s a win-win for the Rams either way.
3. JACKSONVILLE
Needs: QB, DE, WR, OT, OG
Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson, 6-1, 211, 4.43, 16/34.0
Maybe the Jags should swap spots with the Rams, give up a pick — they have 11 — to guarantee Watkins, a definite need since 2012 first-round pick WR Justin Blackmon might be out of the picture, and the NFL.
4. CLEVELAND
Needs: QB, CB, WR, G, RB
Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo, 6-3, 252, 4.55, 23/40
This could be Johnny Manziel’s landing spot, but the Browns have another No. 1 pick (26th) to use for a QB and shouldn’t pass on a talent like Mack, who can play inside or outside LB and is a three-down player.
5. OAKLAND
Needs: QB, WR, OLB, CB, OT
Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M, 6-5, 308, 5.07, 24/30.5
The Raiders went from Terrelle Pryor to Matt Schaub, which means they still need a QB. Of course, they have so many needs, so the best move will be to build a foundation.
6. ATLANTA
Needs: DE, OT, TE, S
Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan, 6-7, 309, 4.87, 29/30.5
Would love to get Clowney, but that still might happen. If they plan to keep their pick, they’ll go tackle and Lewan is among the top three tackles and the top seven in talent.
7. TAMPA BAY
Needs: WR, G, OLB, DE, TE, QB
Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh, 6-1, 285, 4.68, 35/32.0
Donald is the tackle version of Clowney with his first-step quickness and ability to disrupt plays with his penetration. Plus, he’s perfect for Lovie Smith’s 3-technique defense.
8. MINNESOTA
Needs: QB, LB, DB, WR, DE, G
Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida, 6-5, 232, 4.93, na/32.5
With first-round failure Christian Ponder on the outs, the Vikes need a QB. They also need a DE with the loss of Jared Allen to the Bears, and a linebacker. The Vikes have been busy traders the past two years and it could happen again.
9. BUFFALO
Needs: OT, WR, S, TE, LB
Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M, 6-5, 231, 4.53, 12/37
Where have all the linemen gone? The Bills miss out on the top three, so plan B might be safety (too high), TE or WR, which isn’t a bad backup plan.
10. DETROIT
Needs: S, CB, WR, OLB
Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State, 6-0, 202, 4.37, 20/35.5
The Lions will have many choices: best available corner, safety or WR, such as Odell Beckham Jr. or even a trade up for Watkins. If they can’t decide, there might be a Manziel taker willing to deal. If they pick, the Lions should help their defense because their offense is plenty enough.
11. TENNESSEE
Needs: OLB, QB, CB, RB, S, DE
Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M, 5-11, 207, 4.68, na/31.5
With the Titans transitioning to a 3-4, Anthony Barr would fit. But with the days of Jake Locker (8th overall in 2011) numbered, the Titans might prefer Manziel mania. The playmaking QB brings excitement, fun-to-watch improvisation, as well as a media circus. Who else besides Clowney would teams need to specifically game-plan for?
12. NEW YORK GIANTS
Needs: TE, WR, G, DL, LB, CB
Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina, 6-4, 250, 4.60, 24/32.0
Eli Manning would be happy to see this top TE fall to No. 12. Ebron is a deep threat with good hands at 250 pounds.
13. ST. LOUIS RAMS
Needs: CB, S, OL, WR
Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville, 5-11, 211, 4.58, 18/34.5
The Rams need to shore up the back line of an already rugged defense. A CB or S would be a must. Pryor has deep patrol skills and is a hitter — he knocked players out of games in three consecutive games last season.
14. CHICAGO
Needs: S, CB, DT, WR, OL
Darqueze Dennard, CB, Mich. St., 5-11, 199, 4.51, 15/36.0
The Bears need secondary help in the worst way. A corner or safeties such as Pryor or Ha Ha Clinton-Dix would fit nicely. Dennard is a physical, press-cover corner.
15. PITTSBURGH
Needs: CB, WR, NT/DL, OT
Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech, 6-0, 190, 4.49, 12/38.5
The Steelers defense is showing its age and reinforcements are needed. Fuller is a competitive, tough corner who fits the mold.
16. DALLAS
Needs: DT, S, G, WR
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama, 6-1, 208, 4.58, 11/33.0
An offensive lineman like fast-rising and versatile Zack Martin would help the interior and allow Tony Romo to stay upright and the running game to flourish. But helping a defense that ranked last in the NFL in yards allowed makes the most sense. Clinton-Dix or Pryor would be a good get.
17. BALTIMORE
Needs: RT, FS, LB, CB, OT, RB, WR
C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama, 6-2, 234, 4.62, na/35.0
While Zack Martin might be tempting to replace Michael Oher, defense comes first in this rock ’em, sock ’em division. Don’t be surprised if the 49ers come calling to deal.
18. NEW YORK JETS
Needs: TE, WR, CB, S
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU, 5-11, 198, 4.43, 7/38.5
The Jets have 12 picks, so they could be players in this draft. They also should be happy where they stand because of all the WR talent (Beckham, Marqise Lee, Brandin Cooks) available to them. Beckham can be any team’s go-to guy.
19. MIAMI
Needs: RT, OG, RB, FS, DT
Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame, 6-4, 308, 40 na, 29/28.0
Even with the signing of OT Branden Albert, the Dolphins need to rebuild a line that was ravaged by Bullygate.
20. ARIZONA
Needs: OLB, OT, CB
Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA, 6-4, 247, 4.41, 19/34.5
A Carson Palmer replacement needs to be found. But a corner or OLB with rush skills is a more likely scenario. Barr can tantalize a team with his edge-rush ability and confound them with his lack of physicality and diagnostic skills.
21. GREEN BAY
Needs: S, TE, LB
Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State, 6-1, 237, 4.38, 25/42.0
A defensive upgrade and another dependable offensive weapon will make the Packers one of the Super Bowl favorites. Both are doable in this draft. Shazier might be the best athlete in the draft.
22. PHILADELPHIA
Needs: CB, OLB, S
Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State, 5-11, 195, 4.39, 17/38.5
Doesn’t Chip Kelly prefer Pac-12 guys? If so, then Anthony Barr, Marqise Lee, Brandin Cooks or Deone Bucannon should be his top pick and Colt Lyerla or D’Anthony Thomas should come later. With Kelly’s offense trending up, a better defense will make the Eagles a team with serious playoff aspirations. Roby has all the skills to excel.
23. KANSAS CITY
Needs: FS, WR, DL, ILB
Marqise Lee, WR, USC, 6-0, 192, 4.52, 11/38.0
Chiefs need a WR to pair with Dwayne Bowe. There’ll be many good ones to choose from. Lee is a game-breaker because of his ankle-breaking skills.
24. CINCINATTI
Needs: C, G, CB, OLB, S
Jason Verrett, CB, TCU, 5-95/8, 186, 4.38, 19/39.5
With injuries at corner, the Bengals need to shore up this area to remain among the AFC elite teams. Verrett is small but a super competitive dynamo.
25. SAN DIEGO
Needs: CB, OG, OLB, WR, NT
Louis Nix III, NT, Notre Dame, 6-2, 331, 5.34, 24/25.5
A space-eater will only enhance the play of a young and improving linebacker corps. Nix not only can take up space but has good short-area quickness.
26. CLEVELAND
Needs: QB, RB, OG
Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State, 6-2, 214, 4.69, na/34.5
The Browns went down this road just two years ago when they had two first-round picks and used them on Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden. FAIL! Time to go for another QB in the first round, so Carr, Teddy Bridgewater or Jimmy Garoppolo could receive a call.
27. NEW ORLEANS
Needs: C, OT, OLB, CB
Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn, 6-2, 244, 4.59, 29/35.5
The Saints need to find another Darren Sproles. Such a player — Dri Archer or D’Anthony Thomas — will be available later. Defense is what’s needed to push this team over the top. Ford is an edge rusher with drop-back ability.
28. CAROLINA
Needs: WR, CB, OL, DE
Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St., 5-10, 189, 4.33, 16/36.0
The Panthers lost four receivers, along with OT Jordan Gross. So a tackle such as Cyrus Kouandjio or Morgan Moses or even a DE such as Kony Ealy wouldn’t be a total surprise. But Cooks would be tough to pass up if he’s there.
29. NEW ENGLAND
Needs: DL, OL, CB
Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota, 6-6, 310, 5.02, 32/35.5
The Patriots are traders in the first round. Don’t be surprised if that happens again. Should they keep the pick, Hageman has Richard Seymour potential.
30. SAN FRANCISCO
Needs: CB, WR, DL, S, TE, LB, NT
Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana, 6-2, 215, 4.39, 23/39.0
Quick trade the pick, either go up or down. Just don’t stay here. The 49ers have been first-round failers when drafting 24th or lower in the first round. Eight of their past 10 first-round picks that were this low were busts, some so bad that they hardly played a down in the NFL. If there is no trade, the 49ers will go with the best available CB or WR.
31. DENVER
Needs: MLB, OT, CB, DL
Xavier Su’a-Filo, G, UCLA, 6-4, 305, 4.97, 26/26.0
Free agency — DE DeMarcus Ware, S T.J. Ward, CB Aqib Talib, WR Emmanuel Sanders — has already made this team stronger. An ILB such as Chris Borland will help, as will an athletic, quick guard such as Su’a-Filo.
32. SEATTLE
Needs: G, WR, TE, OL
Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri, 6-4, 265, 4.69, 22/32.0
There’s been talk of Ealy putting on 15 pounds to play 3-4 end or 4-3 tackle and becoming another Aaron Donald. If so the Seahawks will have scored — again.
