Prospects don’t know how draft will play out, either

ARLINGTON, Texas — Anyone who thinks the NFL draft pundits and even some team general managers have no clue what will happen in Thursday’s first round should talk to the guys likely to get selected early.

You won’t get much clarity. You will get the same shrugs, the same “it’s not in my control” replies.

And you can get some perspective, too.

“It’s not where or when you get drafted,” said Wyoming’s Josh Allen, one of four quarterbacks expected to be chosen in the top six or so spots. “It’s what you do after it. I can see myself in seven different uniforms. I had seven visits.”

Said UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen: “My game is not where or when I go. It’s to go to the right team. If you don’t think I’m right for your team, don’t draft me. I want to go somewhere I think I’ll do well, and if that team feels I will do well, pick me.”

That team could be Cleveland at the top. It could be the New York clubs, the Giants at No. 2 or the Jets at No. 3. Maybe Denver at No. 5 or a team desperate to get in the QB derby that trades its way up.

There is more mystery to this draft than most, and the prospects recognize it.

After they tossed footballs Wednesday with youngsters and participated in some modified drills with the kids as part of the NFL’S

Play Football Clinic, many of the players projected as top 10 picks assessed what might happen at AT&T Stadium.

Well, they actually mostly laughed and joked about having no clue what will occur.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty going into tomorrow,” said Southern California’s Sam Darnold, another of the quartet of highly coveted passers. “So you have to be prepared for whatever happens. I’m looking to see who was right and who was wrong (among so-called draft experts). That’s fun.”

The fun begins at 5 p.m. Thursday with the Browns having the first and fourth choices. Not picking Allen, Rosen, Darnold or Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield to start things off would be a shock.