Five teams could shake up Round 1
Five teams that could make surprise moves that would reverberate through the first round of the NFL draft:
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Even if Texas A& M defensive end Myles Garrett is selected with the No. 1 pick as expected, Cleveland could have a surprise or two in store. With five of the first 65 selections, the Browns have the arsenal to move around in a draft that the organization has targeted as integral to the rebuilding process. At No. 12, passing on a quarterback would cause quite a stir. But with the first pick in the second round, Cleveland could jump up into a late first- round pick for a quarterback, which would be more appealing given the fifth- year option it would have on a potentially successful signal- caller.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
The 49ers have been linked to Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas. Yet new general manager John Lynch could continue the organization’s outside- the- box thinking by looking in a different direction, as the 49ers’ needs are widespread. Going with a quarterback or trading the pick would be the most dramatic moves, but even selecting a different defender — such as LSU’s Jamal Adams or Ohio State’s Malik Hooker — would have a ripple effect on the rest of the first round.
TENNESSEE TITANS
Finding another weapon for Marcus Ma-
riota in the aerial attack is perhaps Tennessee’s most important task in the draft, yet few pass catchers in this class seem like a natural fit at No. 5. But what if the Titans see corresponding value in any of the players — perhaps wide receivers John Ross, Mike Williams or Corey Davis, as well as tight end O. J. Howard — and don’t want to risk a run on those players before they pick again at No. 18? Defensive players are expected to dominate the top of the draft, but Tennessee could alter that outlook.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
GM Dave Gettleman has taken a frontseven player with his top pick in three of his four drafts in Carolina. But the Panthers have to find a way to reconfigure their offense after Ron Rivera said quar- terback Cam Newton’s contributions in the running game would be scaled back. LSU running back Leonard Fournette would be appealing at No. 8, but Carolina still could surprise by taking Florida State’s Dalvin Cook or Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey in a slot higher than most expect.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
With Carson Palmer back in the fold, Ar- izona has to decide whether it wants to pull the trigger on a successor at No. 13 ( or do it later in the draft). Making the pick earlier could raise concern for teams in the back half of the first round that would be hoping for a quarterback to slide to them. Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer or Texas Tech’s Pat Mahomes coming off the board at this stage would serve as a potential pivot point for the rest of the draft.