With the draft approaching on Thursday, it is time to get our final predictions for what happens in what is one of the most unpredictable sporting spectacles out there. Although this may be said every year, as it feels like it is, but this is the most highly anticipated draft in a very long time. We’ve got Solid quarterbacks (no real Andrew Luck type talent), projected hall of famers like Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson, and young, athletic defensive players across the board. Not to mention a running back class where you could pick any of the top five guys and I don’t think you’d be losing.

#1 Cleveland Browns- Sam Darnold, USC (QB). Browns get their franchise quarterback. Darnold has all the tools to be great, just needs his mechanics to be refined at the next level and he’ll be a stud.

#2 New York Giants- Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma (QB). The Giants need a successor for Eli Manning’s dwindling career. Mayfield is a competitor, proven winner, and has all that it takes to be a great quarterback for New York.

#3 New York Jets- Josh Rosen, UCLA (QB). The third quarterback in a row to start the year goes to New York. Again, I don’t think there is all too much separation between any of these quarterbacks, but Rosen probably has the highest floor of them all.

#4 Cleveland Browns- Bradley Chubb, NC State (DE). Although many have Saquon Barkley going here, and there really is no wrong pick between the two, I think there is value at the running back position elsewhere in the draft, as to where at pass rusher, Chubb is by far the best.

#5 Denver Broncos- Lamar Jackson, LSU (QB). This is a pick that many have the Broncos trading down with, but why not get a once in a generation type athlete at quarterback to be the face of your franchise? Yes, Josh Allen is projected much higher than Jackson, but Jackson is the far better passer, and is more proven at the college level against tougher competition.

#6 Indianapolis Colts- Quentin Nelson, Notre Dame (OG). The only sure thing in this draft in my eyes is the guard out of Notre Dame. Draft scouts have continued to try to find something he is bad at, and the fact of the matter is there isn’t really anything. He will be able to contribute right away to a Colts team that continuously struggles to protect their quarterbacks.
#7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Derwin James, Florida State (SS). A lot of people have Alabama Minkah Fitzpatrick higher on their draft boards, but I think Derwin is the slightly better player strictly due to versatility. He is such an intriguing pick in the NFL today, where safeties lineup all over the field and are asked to do a lot more than just be a safety. The Buccaneers desperately need a player like this

#8 Chicago Bears- Saquon Barkley, Penn State (RB). Barkley is not likely to fall this far, but if he does, the Bears should get him. Despite already having two solid running backs in Howard and Cohen, Barkley is a generational talent at the position. He can lineup anywhere, and will be really useful in the Bears new offense.

#9 San Francisco 49ers- Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame (OT). 49ers need to bolster the talent around Garoppolo, and another solid, physical Notre Dame offensive lineman is going to be able to contribute right away.

#10 Oakland Raiders- Tremaine Edmonds, Virginia Tech (ILB). This is an intriguing pick due to the youth of Tremaine Edmonds. Edmonds would be a great addition to a Raiders defense that needs help everywhere. Edmonds’ instincts and athleticism jump out on film, but he has a lot of work to do on his technique if he wants to contribute right away. Nonetheless, a 19 year old at the linebacker position is very attractive and valuable.
.
#11 Miami Dolphins- Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama (SS). Dolphins have been rumored to get a quarterback at this spot, but you can’t pass up this type of defensive talent if he falls to you. Minkah is a sure thing, and his versatility, like James, is a need for every good defense.

#12 Buffalo Bills- Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State (QB). The Bills did sign AJ McCarron this offseason, but he is just a placeholder for a franchise quarterback. Rudolph is a steal and I think he has the tools to be as good as any of the quarterbacks in this draft. His accuracy to all levels of the field and his pocket awareness stick out on film. The Bills are getting a good one here.

#13 Washington Redskins- Vita Vea, Washington (DT). Redskins get a freak athlete at 13, and at a position they definitely need help at. If Jonathan Allen can get healthy and perform to his potential, along with Kerrigan, and now Vea, the Skins Dline could be a solid, athletic unit in a tough NFC East.

#14 Green Bay Packers- Denzel Ward, Ohio State (CB). The Packers need help at pretty much every position defensively. Ward will improve their defense, and will be a starter immediately. Ward is probably the best cover guy in this draft, and his speed and coverage skills are top notch.

#15 Arizona Cardinals- Josh Jackson, Iowa (CB). Cardinals already have a solid defense, but that opposing cornerback position across from star Patrick Peterson is still ready to be taken. Jackson is a little bigger than Ward, and has shown he has a knack for interceptions and making plays.

#16 Baltimore Ravens- Calvin Ridley, Alabama (WR). Ravens add another receiver here to help Joe Flacco. Ridley is a polished route runner and has great athletic ability as a wideout or in the slot. Let’s just hope the Ravens can find a better quarterback to get him the ball.

#17 San Diego Chargers- Brian O’Neil, Pitt (OT). The Chargers could have one of the best offensive lines next season if this pick is a hit. O’neil is not as big as the other top prospects, but he is an athlete (runs a 4.82 40-yard dash) and will get better as he works with an already strong unit.

#18 Carolina Panthers- D.J. Moore, Maryland (WR). Panthers are desperate to find more impact guys that can get open for Cam Newton. Right now, McCaffrey, Olson, and Funchess are the only proven guys, and Moore can fill that WR2 spot nicely. He is probably the best route runner in this draft, and what he did at Maryland with the quarterbacks he had should be admired.

#19 Dallas Cowboys- Da’Ron Payne, Alabama (DT). Payne is a freakishly large athlete who’s abilities will show up on the field right away, and the Cowboys desperately need impact players on defense.

#20 Detroit Lions- Darius Guise, LSU (RB). The Lions have had running back issues for some time now, and Guise can fix that. Injuries are a concern, but you won’t find a more physical, downhill runner anywhere in this draft. Guise has great vision and will run right through defenders. I think he’s a steal at any point.

#21 Cincinnati Bengals- Roquan Smith, Georgia (ILB). Smith is projected much higher than this, but his size and tackling ability worry me for the next level. Still, his speed and instincts are undeniable and needed at this position.

#22 Buffalo Bills- Isiah Wynn, Georgia (OG). The Bills traded their starting guard to move up in the draft, so this is a need for them. Wynn is a monster physically, and performed against tough SEC defensive lines consistently.

#23 New England Patriots- Harold Landry, Boston College (DE). Landry has top ten talent for his position, and is the second best pure pass rusher in the draft behind Chubb. The Patriots were bad defensively last year, and with the return of Hightower and the addition of Landry, they will improve immensely.

#24 Seattle Seahawks- Jaire Alexander, Florida State (CB). Seahawks let Richard Sherman go this offseason, so cornerback is an immediate need. Alexander is big, makes plays, and will fit well in Seattle’s zone scheme.

#25 Tennessee Titans- Rashaan Evans, Alabama (ILB). The Titans could use a few more impact players on defense, and Nick Saban coached defenders perform in the NFL more often than not.

#26 Atlanta Falcons- Will Hernandez, UTEP (OG). The Falcons take the best available offensive lineman with this pick. Protecting Matt Ryan is a need if the Falcons want to win the toughest division in football.

#27 New Orleans Saints- Marcus Davenport, UTSA (DE). The Saints loaded up on offensive talent this offseason, so it should be a defensive draft for them. The Saints are good in the secondary but pass rush can always be improved/a need for any defense.

#28 Pittsburgh Steelers- Isaiah Oliver, Colorado (CB). Oliver could be a steal for the Steeler, who season in and season out fail to stop teams from airing it out. Oliver is never in the wrong place and broke up a lot of balls at Colorado.

#29 Jacksonville Jaguars- Courtland Sutton, SMU (WR). Sutton can fill the void left by Allen Robinson as the big physical receiver for that offense.

#30 Minnesota Vikings- Sony Michel, Georgia (RB). Michel can be who Alvin Kamara was for the Saints last year. With Dalvin Cook coming off a torn ACL, Michel can either be a strong replacement or a versatile complement for Cook.

#31 New England Patriots- Mike Gesicki, Penn State (TE). Gronk has already said he is coming back, but it is not often he plays all 16 games in a season (injuries), and he could be on his way out soon no matte what. Gesicki has the athleticism and size to be Gronk 2.0.

#32 Philadelphia Eagles- Donte Jackson, LSU (CB). The Eagles snag a speedster to their secondary. Not only can Jackson contribute on defense but his special teams play can provide a lot of value.