Apr 24, 2017 6 min read

It’s almost here.

The long-awaited NFL Draft is nearly here and perhaps not a moment too soon. With nearly two months in the books since the NFL Scouting Combine, we’ve talked about and hashed about this draft and its prospects ad nauseam.

Without any further ado, here’s the way I think this year’s draft will go.

Pick 1, Cleveland, Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M – The Browns have floated rumors that they’re considering other people, but Garrett will be the pick.

Pick 2, San Francisco, Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU – I know the 49ers have Carlos Hyde, but he can’t stay healthy. Fournette is a game changer on a team badly needing them.

Pick 3, Chicago, Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford – The Bears need to get a pass rush. Thomas, who is just 20, could provide one for years to come.

Pick 4, Jacksonville, Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama – Allen can play anywhere on the defensive line. There are rumors of shoulder issues, but rumors are just that. He’s a player.

Pick 5, Tennessee, Jamal Adams, S, LSU – If anyone can figure out how to best utilize Adams’ talents immediately, it’s Dick LeBeau.

Pick 6, N.Y. Jets, Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State – Marcus Hooker would make sense here as well, but his recovery from injury could scare the Jets off.

Pick 7, Los Angeles Chargers, Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State – A free safety to replace Eric Weddle, a year too late.

Pick 8, Carolina, Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford – A complimentary back right away who will eventually take over as the lead back in Carolina. McCaffrey is an all-around threat who will make a Le’Veon Bell-like impact with the Panthers.

Pick 9, Cincinnati, Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee – Barnett fits what the Bengals like. A productive player from a big-time program. And he’s even got a clean record.

Pick 10, Buffalo, O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama – A dynamic playmaker for the Bills. Buffalo also could go for a QB, but Howard is too good to pass up.

Pick 11, New Orleans, Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan – The Saints need help at DE and CB. They grab the pass rusher here.

Pick 12, Cleveland, Mitchell Trubisky. QB, North Carolina – The Browns will sweat out Trubisky getting past the Jets and Bills and could trade up to make sure they get him.

Pick 13, Arizona, Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama – The Cardinals won’t care that Foster tested positive for marijuana at the combine. After all they’ve drafted Robert Nkemdiche and Tyrann Mathieu in recent years.

Pick 14, Philadelphia, Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State – The Eagles could go for a receiver here, but with the receivers they have to face in the NFC East, CB would be the better pick.

Pick 15, Indianapolis, Haasan Reddick, LB, Temple – Reddick’s speed on the fast track at Indianapolis will be scary to opposing offenses.

Pick 16, Baltimore, Mike Williams, WR, Clemson – The Steelers won’t like this pick one little bit. Williams is a beast downfield. Now, will Joe Flacco throw the ball more than 20 yards?

Pick 17, Washington, John Ross, WR, Washington – DeSean Jackson is gone, so they replace him with another speed receiver. They’ll have to go CB in the second round.

Pick 18, Tennessee, David Njoku, TE, Miami – The Titans get a downfield threat at the tight end position. Mike Mularkey has a history of taking tight ends at his other stops.

Pick 19, Tampa Bay, Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State – With Doug Martin’s suspension hanging over the team, Cook provides an instant insurance policy/replacement.

Pick 20, Denver, Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin – The Broncos have to address their offensive tackle issues.

Pick 21, Detroit, T.J. Watt, OLB, Wisconsin – The Lions are looking for a dynamic pass rusher to line up opposite Ziggy Ansah. They took Ansah as a project and that turned out fine. Watt’s kind of the same thing, a project who has all of the measurables.

Pick 22, Miami, Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky – The Dolphins need to solidify their interior line now that Laremy Tunsil is moving to LT.

Pick 23, N.Y. Giants, Jarrard Davis, LB, Florida – Davis has all of the intangibles and is the pick here over an offensive lineman.

Pick 24, Oakland, Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado – Awuzie is a physical corner who can play inside or outside.

Pick 25, Houston, Pat Mahomes, QB, Texas – The Texans absolutely have to address their quarterback position.

Pick 26, Seattle, Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama – The Seahawks have to protect Russell Wilson better.

Pick 27, Kansas City, Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan – The Chiefs toy with the idea of taking a QB here. But Davis is too good to pass up.

Pick 28, Dallas, Charles Harris, DE, Missouri – A defensive back also would make a lot of sense here, but the Cowboys also need to upgrade their pass rush.

Pick 29, Green Bay, Kevin King, CB, Washington – The Packers need defensive back help and King can play all over the defensive backfield.

Pick 30, Pittsburgh, Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama – Supposedly Humphrey’s stock has fallen behind some of the other top corners. But he’s very solid. The Steelers would be fortunate to get him. Budda Baker would make some sense here, as well, as he can play the slot and eventually replace Mike Mitchell. Jabrill Peppers has the mentality and leadership qualities that Mike Tomlin likes, but had just one career interception. But I’ve got a feeling Humphrey will be the pick if he’s available. A trade back is also an option for a team looking to move up for a QB. And the Steelers can target a pass rusher in the second round, with Derek Rivers being their favorite.

Pick 31, Atlanta, Jordan Willis, OLB, Kansas State – The Falcons couldn’t sustain their pass rush on Tom Brady in the Super Bowl.

Pick 32, New Orleans, Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU – The Saints got their pass rusher earlier. Now they get a cover corner who they get to keep in the Bayou.