No. 1 Cleveland Browns- Sam Darnold (Quarterback-USC)

After this year’s NFL Combine, many, including myself, believed the Browns would go with the best athlete in the draft: Saquon Barkley out of Penn State. But, after signing former 49ers running back, Carlos Hyde, in free agency, that projection became invalid. There’s no question, Browns definitely go with a quarterback this pick; that being Sam Darnold out of USC, even with a big history of turnover problems.

No. 2 New York Giants- Josh Rosen (Quarterback-UCLA)

There’s been plenty of speculation of who New York takes here. In his NFL history, newly acquired General Manager, Dave Gettlemen, has repetitively shown interest in investing through the offensive and defensive lines in the draft. But, the whole benching situation of Eli Manning last year proved that his career in New York is soon to be up, and the Giants need to pass the torch on to someone else quickly.

No. 3 New York Jets- Baker Mayfield (Quarterback-Oklahoma)

After falling oh-so close in landing former Redskins quarterback, Kirk Cousins, in free agency, the Jets traded their 6th, 37th, and 49th pick in the draft, along with a 2019 second-rounder, to the Colts for their 3rd overall pick. The trend is obvious, Jets go with a quarterback. We’ve seen the picks of Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty blow up in New York’s face, but it’s now time for Gang Green to get their future “Broadway Joe”, or “Broadway Baker” as they call him.

No. 4 Cleveland Browns- Saquon Barkley (Running Back-Penn State)

This pick makes sense, and symbolizes the draft strategy that could-of-been. The Browns have had quite the recent history of drafting the wrong players in the first round (Quarterback Brandon Weeden in 2012, Linebacker Barkevious Mingo in 2013, Cornerback Justin Gilbert in 2014, Quarterback Johnny Manziel in 2014, Center Cameron Erving in 2015, for example), so why skip on this “generational talent”? The backfield will be crowded however with Hyde, and Duke Johnson Jr., but getting a player like Barkley, who can make an immediate impact for the Browns, is something that’ll get them over the hump.

No. 5 Denver Broncos- Josh Allen (Quarterback-Wyoming)

Ever since the “Peyton Manning Era” (2012-2015), the Broncos have yet to find their franchise quarterback. It’s been a quarterback carousel consisting Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, and Chad Kelly. Although the Broncos landed former Vikings quarterback Case Keenum this off-season, there’s no way Allen isn’t on General Manager John Elway’s radar. Out of the top-five quarterback prospects in this upcoming draft (Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, Josh Rosen), Allen posted combine best numbers in the broad-jump, vertical-jump, 40-yard dash, and 3-cone drill, while carrying the tallest stature of 6’5”. Allen’s physical traits alone could shoot him up draft boards; potentially to the No. 1 overall pick.

No. 6 Indianapolis Colts- Quenton Nelson (Guard-Notre Dame)

The first lineman is off the board at pick No. 6. Nelson will quickly fit into a starting role for a Colts offensive line who gave up a league-worse 3.5 sacks per game last season; starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett was sacked a total of 52 times. Brissett started in every game since Week 2 last year, as franchise quarterback Andrew Luck nursed his shoulder after labrum surgery. No one is quite sure when Luck will return, but the Colts sure know they don’t want their million-dollar man to injure himself once again behind that disastrous mess.

No. 7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Bradley Chubb (Defensive End-NC State)

Chubb has No.1 overall talent, but the need for offensive players will drop him down draft boards. The Bucs will certainly fall into “draft the best player available” mode, as they ignore their need for a defensive back such as Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick or Ohio State’s Denzel Ward, and draft Chubb 7th overall. Tampa Bay finished dead-last in the NFL last year in total sacks with 22, but the off-season acquisition of former All-Pro defensive end, Jason Pierre-Paul, paired with Chubb coming off the edge is definitely a scary sight for offensive lines and quarterbacks across the league.

No. 8 Chicago Bears- Denzel Ward (Cornerback-Ohio State)

After landing four offensive players this off-season (Wide Receiver Allen Robinson, Wide Receiver Taylor Gabriel, Tight End Trey Burton, Quarterback Chase Daniel), a Bears offense already with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, the running back duo of Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen, and returning receivers of Cameron Meredith and Kevin White, certainly looks promising. The defense didn’t need much help although, after a 2017 campaign which placed Chicago top-10 in points allowed per game (20), yards allowed per game (319.1), and passing yards allowed per game (211). But, Bears fans, along with the NFL community, hear all this talk about the best cornerback-duos in the league; the Rams with Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, and the Jaguars with Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. The tandem of Kyle Fuller and Denzel Ward would be quite interesting.