Krystle Bittner

Staff Writer

It’s been a long almost two months with no football. During the free agency football fans cling to every last second of coverage awaiting news of their favorite players whose contracts are up, what their teams are going to do with all of the potential in the free agency, and hope nobody pulls a 2015-Chip Kelly move. Once that’s over, it’s another couple weeks until the draft. However, we’re almost there, one month away. There’s plenty of talent going into this years draft, and it’s all about who’s going to take who first. The top ten projected players to be selected are going to go early, and it’s projected to have a quarterback go within the first two picks.

The Tennessee Titans have the number one draft pick this year with their top need being an offensive tackle. Ideally, Tennessee should grab Laremy Tunsil(OT) from Ole Miss. He is the best overall player up for grabs, and would fit perfectly in the Titans offensive line to protect Marcus Mariota.

Robert Griffin III was signed by the Cleveland Browns.
Robert Griffin III was signed by the Cleveland Browns.

The Cleveland Browns pick second, needing a quarterback, and the number one prospect is Jared Goff from the University of California or Paxton Lynch from Memphis. RGlll is still desperate to make it work with the Browns, however, they should still make it a priority to draft Goff at number two.

The first defensive end to be drafted, will probably go to the San Diego Chargers with the third pick. It would be effective of them to select DeForest Buckner from Oregon because he will go early, regardless.

Fourth pick belongs to the Dallas Cowboys who are in dire need of a reliable quarterback to cover Tony Romo when he gets injured again, a running back, and a defensive tackle, and a cornerback. If Goff isn’t selected by the Browns, this would be exemplary, but they could also select Lynch if he’s still available, as well. Ezekiel Elliot from Ohio State or Derrick Henry from Alabama are two elite running backs that are going to be grabbed as soon as the opportunity arises. It would be wise for Dallas to select one of these two but what’s more important for them? An elite quarterback that will be needed because Romo is injury prone, or a running back because their running game isn’t very superb. Even if it’s not a RB or a QB, they are in desperate need of a cornerback also, and number one prospect in that position is Jalen Ramsey from Florida State.

Number five pick belongs to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who need to work on their offensive line. If for some bizarre reason Tunsil(OT) is still available, this would be an ideal grab. However, Vernon Hargreaves from Florida and Mackensie Alexander from Clemson are elite in this position.

Baltimore Ravens have the sixth pick and they also need an offensive line. Chances are Tunsil will be long gone by this pick, so available would be Ronnie Stanley from Notre Dame, Cody Whitehair from Kansas State, and Jack Conklin from Michigan State. The Ravens could also use a cornerback, outside linebacker and a wide receiver as well.

Chip Kelly is the new head coach of the 49ers.
Chip Kelly is the new head coach of the 49ers.

San Fransisco 49ers are up to select at seventh pick, and they could potentially use someone in every position after they cleaned house and are still in a fight to keep Colin Kaepernick because Chip Kelly stated you “don’t cut talent” which was humorous all in itself. Still, their top priority should remain a quarterback search. While Goff and Lynch will probably be off limits, there’s plenty available. For example, Cardale Jones, who is unfortunately listed pretty late in most mock drafts because he has a lot of work to do to prove he’s NFL worthy.

Eighth pick now belongs to the Phildadelphia Eagles after they traded up from 13 with the Miami Dolphins. After losing almost everybody elite from the Chip Kelly shenanigans, and more recently, losing DeMarco Murray they are in dire need of a running back. Depending on if Henry or Elliot are still up for grabs, that pick would be the best move. If not, there is running back Jordan Howard from Indiana. They are also on the hunt for an offensive line, a pass rusher, and a wide receiver. Not sure what they’re going to do about the quarterback position with Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel, but they seem to have a plan because they’re not looking for a quarterback necessarily.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the ninth pick, and they are in search of cornerback which would be the top prospects Ramsey, Hargreaves, and Alexander. Other needs are offensive tackle, safety, and a defensive end. One thing they need to focus on is replacing OT Gosder Cherilus within at least the first three rounds. The 10th pick belongs to the New York Giants, and while they have plenty of positions to work on and fill, their top priority is a linebacker. Top prospect for this position is Myles Jack from UCLA. If they choose not to fulfill this position, they can also focus on wide receiver, offensive line, running back, and a safety. If they focus on one end more than the other, it needs to be the defensive end.