We’ve finally made it to draft week.
Time is running out for teams to make their plans for the big weekend, and prospects must now play the waiting game after the longest, strangest job interview in sports.
As we hit the homestretch, here’s an updated look at how one scenario could play out Thursday night, with big trades having a seismic impact on the first round:
1. Oakland Raiders (from ARI)* | Kyler Murray | QB | Oklahoma
Before you say this is crazy, remember we’re dealing with Jon Gruden here. Most new regimes want to hand-pick their own quarterback, and the Raiders have the ammo to make this move.
2. San Francisco 49ers | Nick Bosa | EDGE | Ohio State
This is the ideal scenario for the 49ers, who desperately need an impact edge rusher. Bosa is the perfect blend of need and value.
3. New York Jets | Josh Allen | EDGE | Kentucky
This is a tough call between Allen and Alabama’s Quinnen Williams, but the Jets have a bigger need on the edge. Allen’s 17 sacks while playing in the SEC are remarkable.
4. Arizona Cardinals (from OAK)* | Quinnen Williams | DL | Alabama
What a score for the Cards. Moving down just three spots, collecting a pair of premium picks, and still landing arguably the best overall player in the draft.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Ed Oliver | DL | Houston
Trading down would be ideal here, but if the Bucs can’t find a partner, Oliver should be the pick. His rare athleticism and versatility will be a perfect fit for new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
6. New York Giants | Daniel Jones | QB | Duke
This just feels like a Dave Gettleman pick. Dwayne Haskins is the better quarterback, but I get the feeling Jones is New York’s man to replace Eli Manning down the road.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars | Jonah Williams | OT | Alabama
Iowa’ T.J. Hockenson is tempting here, but I think Tom Coughlin and company want to rebuild the offensive line before worrying about the luxury of a tight end. Williams is an instant starter at either tackle spot.
8. Detroit Lions | T.J. Hockenson | TE | Iowa
For the Lions fans having Eric Ebron nightmares, don’t worry. Hockenson is a much more complete prospect, with the blocking ability to play in-line, and the playmaking ability to stretch the field as a pass-catcher.
9. Cincinnati Bengals (from BUF)* | Dwayne Haskins | QB | Ohio State
Andy Dalton has been serviceable, but the Bengals need a difference-maker at the game’s most important position. If Haskins is still on the board, they should make the short move to make sure they get him.
10. Denver Broncos | Devin White | LB | LSU
A perfect blend of need and value. Denver needs that heart-and-soul linebacker at the heart of their defense, and White has all the physical tools and leadership ability to be the perfect fit.
11. Buffalo Bills (from CIN)* | Christian Wilkins | DL | Clemson
Ole Miss wide receiver D.K. Metcalf would be tempting here, but I’m betting Sean McDermott wants a defensive playmaker here. Wilkins has a rare blend of athleticism and explosiveness for his size.
12. Green Bay Packers | Devin Bush | LB | Michigan
Iowa tight end Noah Fant could makes sense here, but the Packers desperately need a presence in the middle of their defense. Bush’s impact as both a three-down defender and a vocal leader is what fits best.
13. Carolina Panthers (from MIA)* | Rashan Gary | DL | Michigan
Carolina just lost a versatile defensive lineman with rare athleticism, so why not trade up to make sure they get another one. Gary’s still more potential than production, but all the talent is there.
14. Atlanta Falcons | Montez Sweat | EDGE | Mississippi State
This pick needs to be a pass rusher of some sort, whether edge or interior. In this scenario, the best fit could be Sweat, who aced the combine after putting up consistent numbers against SEC competition.
15. Washington Redskins | Drew Lock | QB | Missouri
Washington will likely have to move up if they want a quarterback, but if Lock falls to them at 15, their tumultuous depth chart should make him an easy choice this late in the first round.
16. Miami Dolphins (from CAR)* | Brian Burns | EDGE | Florida State
This is fantastic for the Dolphins, who move back a few spots and still land an instant-impact player at a position of need. Burns isn’t the most complete edge defender in the draft, but he is the most polished pass rusher of the group.
17. New York Giants (from CLE) | Jawaan Taylor | OT | Florida
After landing their quarterback of the future at No. 6, the Giants need to improve his protection with this pick. Taylor has the size, athleticism and physicality to be an instant starter at either tackle spot.
18. Baltimore Ravens (from MIN)* | D.K. Metcalf | WR | Ole Miss
Lamar Jackson desperately needs a true No. 1 receiver, and if Metcalf continues to slide down the board, the Ravens need to pull the trigger when he gets close enough to move up.
19. Tennessee Titans | Garrett Bradbury | OL | North Carolina State
This won’t grab the headlines as first-round picks go, but Bradbury is a plug-and-play starter who can anchor the interior of this offensive line for the next decade or more.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers | Greedy Williams | CB | LSU
This defense still needs a true shutdown corner, and this scenario provides them a promising one. With no corners off the board yet, the Steelers land a long, athletic cover man with tons of upside.
21. New England Patriots (from SEA)* | Noah Fant | TE | Iowa
The Pats have to plan for life without Gronk, and they have the extra picks to make this kind of move up the board. With his size, athleticism and playmaking ability, Fant is absolutely worth it.
22. Minnesota Vikings (from BAL)* | Dalton Risner | OT | Kansas State
Minnesota moves back a few slots here, picks up an extra selection, and still lands a versatile offensive lineman. Risner is a high-floor player who can be a long-term starter at either tackle or center.
23. Houston Texans | Andre Dillard | OT | Washington State
Deshaun Watson and his stable of talented playmakers can’t live up to their potential if this offensive line doesn’t get fixed immediately. Dillard’s athleticism and agility would make him an immediate upgrade at left tackle.
24. Oakland Raiders (from CHI) | Clelin Ferrell | EDGE | Clemson
After trading two of their top four picks to move up for Murray, the Raiders have to land an edge rusher here. Lucky for them, they still get one of the most complete defenders in this year’s class.
25. Philadelphia Eagles | Cody Ford | OT | Oklahoma
Jason Peters needs an eventual successor, and the Eagles don’t have too many other huge needs. If a physical blocker like Ford is still on the board here, he’d be the perfect understudy to the savvy veteran.
26. Indianapolis Colts | Jerry Tillery | DL | Notre Dame
This may be my favorite fit in the entire first round. Tillery is a top-20 player in this class, and his rare blend of size, power and versatility would be a perfect fit in Indy’s defense.
27. Arizona Cardinals (from OAK)* | N’Keal Harry | WR | Arizona State
With the additional first-rounder they get from Oakland for moving down from No. 1, they make Josh Rosen’s life easier with a big, physical pass-catcher who won’t have to move far.
28. Los Angeles Chargers | Byron Murphy | CB | Washington
There are bigger needs elsewhere on the roster, but the Bolts need to pounce on the value here. Murphy is the most complete corner in this year’s class, despite concerns about his lack of size or speed.
29. Kansas City Chiefs | Marquise Brown | WR | Oklahoma
This doesn’t seem fair, I know. The Chiefs have bigger needs on both sides of the ball, but the idea of pairing Brown’s big-play ability and explosiveness with Patrick Mahomes’ rocket of a right arm is too much to pass up.
30. Green Bay Packers (from NO) | Chris Lindstrom | OL | Boston College
There’s not another first-round tight end on the board, so the Packers play it safe by landing an immediate starter at guard. Lindstrom is tough, experienced, and technically sound.
31. Los Angeles Rams | Dexter Lawrence | DL | Clemson
Aaron Donald is arguably the best defender in the league, but he’ll need a running-mate replacement for Ndamukong Suh. Lawrence is a rare athlete for his size, and would be the perfect match of need and value here.
32. Seattle Seahawks (from NE)* | Nasir Adderley | DB | Delaware
Seattle needs extra picks, so this scenario is perfect. They drop back 11 spots, add a couple Day 2 selections, and still land a versatile defensive back with the size and skills to play either corner or safety.
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