The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
HERE’S HOW THE FIRST ROUND WILL SHAKE OUT:
1. BENGALS (2-14)
Joe Burrow, QB, LSU: He led the Tigers to the national championship with a spectacular season.
2. REDSKINS (3-13)
Chase Young, DE, Ohio State: He’s the top pass rusher in the draft. 3. LIONS (3-12-1)
Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State: Look for a trade here. The Lions could trade back with the Chargers and still get Okudah if the Chargers are looking to move up in front of Miami to get Tua Tagovailoa.
4. GIANTS (4-12)
Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama: The Giants have to address their offensive line and get some protection for quarterback Daniel Jones. Wills makes a big jump from the 15th spot.
5. DOLPHINS (5-11)
Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon: The Dolphins have enough ammunition to move up to No. 1 to get Joe Burrow, but the Bengals may not listen.
6. CHARGERS (5-11)
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama: Teams know Tagovailoa can play, but they must determine if he can stay healthy. The Miami Herald confirmed a report of hidden broken wrist injury.
7. PANTHERS (5-11)
Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn: He was a force at Lanier High and at Auburn. He can help anchor the Panthers’ defense.
8. CARDINALS (5-10-1)
Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa: The Cardinals need to get some protection for quarterback Kyler Murray.
9. JAGUARS (6-10)
Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson: The versatile defender can play all over the field for the Jaguars.
10. BROWNS (6-10)
Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville: The Browns signed Jack Conklin in free agency, but still need offensive line help. Becton was the talk of the combine with his 40-yard dash time. At 364 pounds, he ran it in a blazing 5.1 seconds.
11. JETS (7-9)
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama: He averaged 19 yards a reception over his career. The Jets start a run on wide receivers.
12. RAIDERS (7-9)
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Alabama: The Raiders pick this big play-making receiver.
13. 49ERS (FROM 7-9 COLTS)
Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama: The 49ers must replace Emmanuel Sanders, who was running the deep routes for them last season. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan will know how to use Ruggs’ speed.
14. BUCCANEERS (7-9)
Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia: He was the winner of the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy, UGA’s first recipient of the award in 21 years. He played at Pace Academy.
15. BRONCOS (7-9)
Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama: The former Roswell High standout was named secondteam All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, Sporting News and Walter Camp. He was selected as a third-team All-American at safety by The Associated Press and Pro Football Focus. He finished last season 10th in the SEC in tackles with 95 over 13 games. He was named the 2016 Georgia Class AAAAAAA defensive player of the year by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
16. FALCONS (7-9)
Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina: Kinlaw, who’s 6 feet 6 and 309 pounds, can play all spots along the defensive line.“He’s so versatile because he’s so big and athletic,” Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy said.“You can move him all over the place.” He’ll fit nicely next to Jarrett and keep guards off of middle linebacker Deion Jones.
17. COWBOYS (8-8)
CJ Henderson, DB, Florida: The Cowboys need help in the secondary.
18. DOLPHINS (FROM 8-8 STEELERS)
D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia: Swift became the fifth running back in UGA history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. He had 1,218 yards rushing and 216 receiving with a total of seven touchdowns last season. He ranks seventh on Georgia’s all-time rushing list, just behind Lars Tate (3,017) and just ahead of Knowshon Moreno (2,734).
19. RAIDERS (FROM 8-8 CHICAGO)
Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma: The
Raiders get some defensive help.
20. JAGUARS (FROM 9-7 RAMS)
K’Lavon Chaisson, LB/DE, LSU: Chaisson measured at 6-3 and weighed 253 pounds at the combine.“As you watched him through the season, you started to see him really pick it up and get better,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said.
21. EAGLES (9-7)
Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU: The Eagles are desperate at wide receiver. He caught 111 passes for the Tigers last season.
22. VIKINGS (FROM 10-6 BILLS)
Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson: The Vikings must replace Stefon Diggs. 23. PATRIOTS (12-4)
Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: With Love still on the board, the Patriots take a shot at getting Tom Brady’s replacement.
24. SAINTS (13-3)
Patrick Queen, LB, LSU: The Saints can add to their already-stout defense.
25. VIKINGS (10-6)
Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor: At 6-3 and 207 pounds, Mims ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38.
26. DOLPHINS (FROM 10-6 TEXANS)
Josh Jones, OT, Houston: After trading Laremy Tunsil last season, the Dolphins must restock the tackle position.
27. SEAHAWKS (11-5)
Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State: Like the Falcons, the Seahawks are looking for passrush help.
28. RAVENS (14-2)
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin: The highly productive running back ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds at the combine.
29. TITANS (9-7)
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State: After going to junior college, he played two seasons for the Sun Devils and finished with 98 catches for 1,666 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s excellent at getting yards after the catch and turning short passes into long-gainers.
30. PACKERS (13-3)
Grant Delpit, S, LSU: He was the ninth player in LSU history to be named a unanimous first-team All-American and first-team All-SEC selection with 74 tackles (9.5 for loss, five sacks), a conference-high five interceptions and nine pass breakups.
31. 49ERS (13-3)
Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU: The 6-3, 290-pounder helps the 49ers fill a need on the defensive line after trading DeForest Buckner. Blacklock ran the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds at the scouting combine.
32. CHIEFS (12-4)
A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson: In two years as a starter, he helped Clemson to a 29-1 record. The Westlake High grad finished with 107 career tackles, 20 pass breakups, six interceptions and forced two fumbles over 1,827 snaps in 44 games (30 starts).