ARLINGTON, Tex. - This most intriguing of NFL drafts is finally upon us, and the unknowns still abound. Here's my final attempt at mocking out what will unfold Thursday night at AT&T Stadium.
Expect some trades, but I'm only predicting one for the purposes of this exercise, a swap between No. 10 Oakland and No. 12 Buffalo.
Here we go. As always a reminder: Your results may vary.
1. Cleveland Browns
Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma -It could be Josh Allen here. It could be Sam Darnold. The draft is hours away and still there's no consensus. But the buzz for Baker to the Browns is deafening, and I'm trusting it.
2. New York Giants
Sam Darnold, QB, USC -With Darnold still on the board, the Giants opt for their quarterback of the future rather than their running back (Saquon Barkley) of the present. Otherwise they'd watch him play for the Jets in MetLife for the next 10 years.
3. New York Jets (via Indianapolis)
Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA -Rosen might have been the Jets' third-rated quarterback, but he's their future No. 1 now, and what do you bet they claim he was first in their hearts all along?
4. Cleveland Browns (via Houston)
Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State -The Browns could trade out of this slot with a QB-hungry team like the Bills, Dolphins or Cardinals. But why not take the supremely-gifted Barkley and remake your offense in one night?
5. Denver Broncos
Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State -The Broncos pass rush gets the draft's best abuser of the quarterback. Again, Denver is said to be looking to trade down.
6. Indianapolis Colts (via Jets)
Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame -Colts need to come away from this draft with as many quality players as possible, and Nelson is a rock-solid first step in that process.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Derwin James, S, Florida State -The Bucs' needy secondary gets a prospect who was said to be a top 10 lock in recent weeks.
8. Chicago Bears
Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia -He's a relentless tackling machine and should fit in nicely with the Bears great tradition at linebacker.
9. San Francisco 49ers
Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State -The 49ers might be getting the next Marshon Lattimore. Good thing they won that coin flip with No. 10 Oakland.
10. Buffalo Bills (trade with Oakland)
Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming -The Bills swing a deal for their future starter at quarterback and don't have to give up their second first-round pick (No. 22) to move up just two slots.
11. Miami Dolphins
Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech - A defensive play-maker for the Dolphins.
12. Oakland Raiders (trade with Buffalo)
Vita Vea, DT, Washington -The Raiders find a cornerstone cog for the middle of their defensive line.
13. Washington Redskins
Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama -He can play two or three different roles for Washington and arrives pro-ready as a rookie.
14. Green Bay Packers
Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville -Mike Pettine's defense gets one of the draft's top cover men to upgrade the secondary.
15. Arizona Cardinals
Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville -Arizona turns in the card for the draft's most electrifying weapon, and we already know he likes the sound of being a Cardinal.
16. Baltimore Ravens
Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame -The Ravens might not see McGlinchey last this long, but if he does, they'll jump on him enthusiastically.
17. Los Angeles Chargers
Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama -And the Chargers already-formidable defensive line gets even better.
18. Seattle Seahawks
Marcus Davenport, DE, UT-San Antonio -A quality pass-rusher is always a smart way to start a defensive re-tooling.
19. Dallas Cowboys
Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State -It's a bit of a reach at No. 19, but the Cowboys tap one of the draft's most intriguing defensive prospects and hope for greatness.
20. Detroit Lions
Harold Landry, DE, Boston College -Matt Patricia gets a Boston College pass rusher who can bring some heat off the edge.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Frank Ragnow, C/G, Arkansas -A need pick for the Bengals, who believe Ragnow is pro-ready from day one.
22. Buffalo Bills
Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA -The Bills' depeleted offensive line gets an infusion of talent, plus Buffalo keeps Miller away from New England.
23. New England Patriots
Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama -If Lamar Jackson should fall, the Patriots could pounce. But if not, Evans is a sideline-to-sideline defender who would have come in handy in the Super Bowl.
24. Carolina Panthers
Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama -First-round receivers have been dicey propositions in recent years, but Ridley is too talented and the need is too great in Charlotte to pass him up.
25. Tennessee Titans
Will Hernandez, G, UTEP -A tough, hard-nosed brawler gets added to the offensive line mix in Mike Vrabel's lineup.
26. Atlanta Falcons
Taven Bryan, DT, Florida -The Falcons find the wide-body who will help offset the loss of Dontari Poe in free agency.
27. New Orleans Saints
D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland -Had to find a spot in the first round for the versatile and talented Moore, and the Saints love their offensive weapons.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sony Michel, RB, Georgia -Insurance for the problematic Le'Veon Bell contract stand-off, Michel is a runner who earned a first-round grade from many teams and triggered all those Alvin Kamara comparisons.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars
Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia -This is Tom Coughlin's team after all, and T.C. always believes in your strength starts up front.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado -The Vikings find a cornerback at the bottom of the round who has NFL size, speed and cover instincts.
31. New England Patriots
James Daniels, C/G, Iowa -Daniels gives New England's offensive line more versatility and pedigree, and underlines the Patriots' focus on blue-chip prospects in this year's pivotal draft.
32. Philadelphia Eagles
Derrius Guice, RB, LSU -The Eagles are probably trading down to acquire more picks, but if they stick Guice is a talent who can move the chains and earn the tough yards.
