Wednesday 26 April 2017 13:07, UK
Thursday night marks the start of the 2017 NFL draft, where the futures of 256 college players are changed forever.
Some will go on to win the Super Bowl, while others might not even make the team roster come week one of the regular season, but every player's hope is that their name will be called.
There might still be trades, and the stock of a player can rise and fall, as scouts and coaches assess all the information right up until they are called to make their pick. The draft always delivers twists and turns and, in a draft as unpredictable as any, 2017 is sure to be no different.
1. Cleveland Browns - DE Myles Garrett
This is a no brainer. Cleveland have made it clear they are not trading the No 1 pick this year and so they'll take the best player in this draft. They need a franchise QB, but they have another first round pick in their pocket, and so they'll take DE Myles Garrett.
He's publicly warned them, he'll punish their QB for a decade if they pass on him. Inste, d he'll put fear into Cleveland's opponents and give teeth to the "dawg pound"!
2. San Francisco 49ers - DE Solomon Thomas
Who envies GM John Lynch in trying to rebuild the 49ers? They have plenty of holes to fill and they've already indicated a willingness to trade out of this pick. If they can't find a trade partner, John Lynch will look to the defensive side of the ball.
The NFC West is a division full of teams built on strong defences and that's where San Francisco start.
3. Chicago Bears - SS Jamal Adams
Chicago need help on the offensive line and at wide receiver but in this draft class, neither position can be filled with the No 3 pick. When head coach John Fox has had success, it's been on the back of a strong defence and that's where the Bears go here.
Jamal Adams is the best safety in the draft. He brings leadership to the secondary and a physicality in his play that will set the tone for this defence.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars - RB Leonard Fournette
The Jaguars want to get QB Blake Bortles back on track. What better way to do that than by relieving the pressure and handing the ball off to 240lb, high speed tank. Leonard Fournette is a straight up, north/south runner, who finishes every carry in a violent fashion, reminiscent of Adrian Peterson.
He's doesn't make many defenders miss in open field, preferring to run straight over them and he's got the speed to make him a formidable proposition when it comes to tackling him. Everyone saw the impact Ezekiel Elliott had on the Cowboys offence when they took him at four last year.
5. Tennessee Titans - CB Marshon Lattimore
Last year the Titans targeted their offensive line and added Derrick Henry to their backfield. Marcus Mariota would love to have a big time receiving threat as well but at this point in the draft, Tennessee may well bolster their secondary.
Marshon Lattimore is the most athletic CB in this draft. He's not afraid to press receivers and has tremendous closing speed. The one knock is his inexperience, plagued by hamstring issues throughout his college career. He finally appeared to resolve those before playing throughout 2016 and would be a great addition to the Titans defence.
6. New York Jets - FS Malik Hooker
Don't be surprised if the Jets are actively attempting to trade out of this spot. They desperately need to overhaul their offensive line but there simply isn't any offensive linemen you'd want to take this high in the draft. That being said, they need secondary help as well and so Malik Hooker is a good fit here.
He's a little raw - a former college basketball player - but has a nose for the ball. His seven interceptions for Ohio State in 2016 were tied for second nationwide. What he lacks in speed, he more than makes up for with his ability to diagnose plays, ensuring he's always around the ball.
7. LA Chargers - LB Reuben Foster
The Chargers would love to have one of the top two safeties fall to them here but if they're both already off the board, I think they look to bolster their linebacking corps. Reuben Foster is the obvious choice!
The hard hitting LB out of Alabama was the MVP in the SEC Championship and was named the nation's top LB, winning the Butkus award. He has sideline to sideline range and a tendency to deliver bone crunching hits to anyone in his vacinity.
8. Carolina Panthers - DL Jonathan Allen
Head coach Ron Rivera said quarterback Cam Newton's confidence was "shook" this past season and attributed that to the lack of protection from an injury depleted offensive line. The Panthers moved to bolster the line, signing Matt Kalil in free agency and will probably look to add a RB in this draft.
However, with a talent like Jonathan Allen available here, they may find it hard to pass. The Alabama standout is a leader and showed an ability to play anywhere along the defensive line and still get to the QB. There are some concerns about his size to play on the interior line in the NFL but his strength, agility and raw talent should be enough to overcome any such reservations.
9. Cincinnati Bengals - DE Derek Barnett
The Bengals need help on both sides of the ball. With two pass rushers already taken it would be easy to overlook Derek Barnett, but this is a player who made the SEC all conference squad in three straight years! He leaves Tennessee with 32 sacks over that period.
He has strong hands to get off blocks and sets the edge. He comes out of the same college as hall of famer, Reggie White. He hits hard and should step straight into a starting line up.
10. Buffalo Bills - WR Mike Williams
Mike Williams is my first receiver off the board in the 2017 NFL Draft. The Bills lost Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin in free agency, replacing them with several, middle of the road receivers. There is a glaring need to find a complement for top wideout Sammy Watkins, and Williams fits the bill.
While Watkins is quick, elusive and has great hands, Mike Williams brings size and physicality. He's a rangy receiver, not afraid to make plays over the middle of the field and provides a big target for QB Tyrod Taylor.
11. New Orleans Saints - TE OJ Howard
12. Cleveland Browns - QB Mitch Trubisky
13. Arizona Cardinals - QB DeShaun Watson
14. Philadelphia Eagles - RB Christian McCaffrey
15. Indianapolis Colts - LB Haason Reddick
16. Baltimore Ravens - WR Corey Davis
17. Washington Redskins - DT Malik McDowell
18. Tennessee Titans - WR John Ross
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - RB Dalvin Cook
20. Denver Broncos - OT Cam Robinson
21. Detroit Lions - SS Jabrill Peppers
22 Miami Dolphins - DE Taco Charlton
23. New York Giants - OT Ryan Ramczyk
24. Oakland Raiders - LB Jarrad Davis
25. Houston Texans - QB Patrick Mahomes II
26. Seattle Seahawks - OT Garett Bowles
27. Kansas City Chiefs - LB Zach Cunningham
28. Dallas Cowboys - CB Gareon Conley
29. Green Bay Packers - OG Forrest Lamp
30. Pittsburgh Steelers - SS Obi Melifonwu
31. Atlanta Falcons - DE Takkarist McKinley
32. New Orleans Saints - DE Charles Harris
You can follow all the action, reaction and news from the 2017 NFL Draft with Sky Sports. Watch every pick and follow our live blog as every franchise makes their move.
