The NFL Draft takes place in New York City on Thursday as all 32 teams gather to select the best players from the college game.
General managers from nearly every NFL team believe that the 2014 Draft class is the most talented seen for the past few years, with many trades a distinct possibility in the first round.
The Houston Texans hold the first overall pick for the first time since 2006 and will get proceedings underway on Thursday, making a decision which could cause shockwaves across the league.
1. Houston Texans – DE Jadeveon Clowney – The Texans could look to trade the first pick as it is known they need a quarterback. However, that is unlikely and with no quarterback worthy of the first selection they have to take the best player in the Draft, which they have admitted is Clowney.
2. St Louis Rams – OT Greg Robinson - The Rams have backed quarterback Sam Bradford so they are unlikely to go after a quarterback. Their defense is already potent enough without Khalil Mack, so they will take the best tackle in the Draft from the Auburn Tigers. Robinson was a powerhouse for the Tigers in the run game and should provide good protection for Bradford in the pocket against the pass rushers of the NFC West.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – LB Khalil Mack – Gus Bradley is a defensive-minded coach and will surely not want to pass up the chance to draft a difference maker to his defense, who are in dire need of a player who can rush the quarterback. Mack notched 28.5 sacks in his four years in the college game.
4. Cleveland Browns – QB Johnny Manziel – The first quarterback comes off the board to the Browns. The 21-year-old has the talent to be outstanding prospect in the NFL, although he is viewed as a boom-or-bust type of player. Cleveland need a spark to re-ignite their franchise especially at the quarterback position, and Manziel could be the player to do this.
5. Oakland Raiders – WR Sammy Watkins – Oakland moved for Matt Schaub to be their quarterback in the off-season and they seem happy with him. However, he will need weapons to try to compete in the AFC West, so they will pick the best wideout in the Draft.
6. Atlanta Falcons - OT Jake Matthews – The Falcons are always a team to watch in the trade market and they could move up to get one of the top two defensive players. If they stick at six they could help keep Matt Ryan protected by taking offensive tackle Matthews.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – WR Mike Evans – The Buccaneers are another team in need of offensive weapons. Mike Williams was traded to the Buffalo Bills so they need to add another threat alongside Vincent Jackson. Evans has been likened to Jackson and the duo could create all sorts of problems for defenses like Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery do at the Chicago Bears.
8. Minnesota Vikings – QB Blake Bortles – Minnesota are in need of a quarterback to help them compete against some of the top offenses in the NFL in the NFC North. Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder have proven not to be the answer. Bortles is good prospect and if he has time to learn he could thrive for the Vikings alongside Adrian Peterson.
9. Buffalo Bills – TE Eric Ebron – Doug Marrone's side selected a quarterback last year and now they need to surround him with talent. Their wideout corps is quite talented and was boosted by the addition of Mike Williams. Adding the versatile tight end Ebron to their side could help them compete in the AFC East.
10. Detroit Lions – CB Justin Gilbert – The Lions could go in a lot of directions with this pick, but their most glaring need is in the secondary. Gilbert has been touted as the best cornerback available and will bring size and speed to match up with best wideouts in the NFC North.
11. Tennessee Titans – LB Anthony Barr – The Titans don't have a specific need for a linebacker in the Draft as they've added players to their defense during free agency. However, Barr is one of the most talented players available and is an excellent athlete, while Tennessee could also have a few extra players to go after Andrew Luck in the AFC South.
12. New York Giants – WR Odell Beckham Jr - Eli Manning and the Giants struggled on offense last season. Hakeem Nicks has left the club and Rueben Randle has been inconsistent, so Tom Coughlin's side could do with another quality option to pair with Victor Cruz. Beckham was a standout player in his three years with the LSU Tigers.
13. St Louis Rams – CB Kyle Fuller – With their second pick in the first round the Rams will look to strengthen their secondary. Courtland Finnegan was released by the club and they lack real depth in their secondary, so the defensive back out of Virginia Tech can become a day one starter.
14. Chicago Bears – DT Aaron Donald – The Bears are rebuilding their defensive line after losing Corey Wootton and Henry Melton during free agency. Donald is the best defensive tackle coming out of college after an impressive four-year career with the Pittsburgh Panthers.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers - CB Darqueze Dennard – Another cornerback comes off the board. The Steelers have a few requirements but need to get younger in their secondary. Dennard won the Jim Thorpe Award as the best corner in college and could oust long-time starter Ike Taylor.
16. Dallas Cowboys – FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix – Dallas could do with a defensive lineman or a pass rusher at 16, but there is no player at those positions that provides good value. Their secondary last season struggled, so they have a chance to address a need to put former Alabama Crimson Tide safety Clinton-Dix to shore up their pass defense. The 21-year-old showed talent tackling at the line of scrimmage and with his coverage skills in his four years with Nick Saban's side.
17. Baltimore Ravens – OT Taylor Lewan – The Ravens will be delighted to see the offensive tackle fall this far in the Draft. They are in need of a tackle after allowing starter Michael Oher to leave the club and they could be getting an upgrade in the form of the standout Michigan Wolverine.
18. New York Jets – WR Brandin Cooks - Rex Ryan's side are in need of offensive weapons and Cooks has been a fast riser since the Combine. The former Oregon State man has excellent speed and will look to stretch defenses down the field allowing space for the likes of Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley in the Jets' passing game.
19. Miami Dolphins – OL Zack Martin – The Dolphins allowed the most sacks in the NFL last season and were also embroiled in the bullying scandal involving Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin. They need replacements for both players, and Martin from Notre Dame will come in as day one starter and upgrade.
20. Arizona Cardinals – QB Teddy Bridgewater – Bruce Arians's side take a look to the future with their first pick in the Draft. Carson Palmer is getting older and has had injury concerns in the past. Bridgewater was a top-10 pick not so long ago, so getting him at this point is a bonus for the Cardinals, who add to their talented roster.
21. Green Bay Packers – TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins – The Packers could go in a lot of directions with this pick, but they could add the Washington State tight end Seferian-Jenkins to replace Jermichael Finley and bolster Aaron Rodgers's passing attack and also help them in the run game.
22. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Marqise Lee – Chip Kelly's side released DeSean Jackson in March and are short of options in their receiving corps. Lee was slated as a top 10 pick at the start of the 2013, but a below-par year has dropped him down slightly. He plays in a pro-ready system as USC and could be a plug-and-play starter for the Eagles.
23. Kansas City Chiefs – FS Calvin Pryor – The Chiefs get a steal as a talented player drops right to them in the early 20s. Pryor is an outstanding prospect out of Louisville and could make a good defense even better paired with All-Pro Eric Berry.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – CB Bradley Roby – The Bengals could be in the market for a quarterback if Bridgewater falls any further, but Roby is a player with plenty of talent who could fit right into their secondary. Marvin Lewis's side have a few ageing cornerbacks, so this pick is more for the future although that could come sooner due to Roby's ability.
25. San Diego Chargers – CB Jason Verrett – The run on defensive backs continues as the Chargers select Verrett out of TCU. The cornerback had an impressive season in the college game and put in a good performance at the Combine. His size could limit him on the outside, but Mike McCoy's side will get themselves a very good slot cornerback.
26. Cleveland Browns – LB CJ Mosley – The Browns use their second pick of the first round on a linebacker to replace D'Qwell Jackson, who was released by the club in the off-season. Mosley is a three-down linebacker out of Alabama and will not be fazed by the rigours of the NFL. He should have no problem slotting straight into Mike Pettine's side.
27. New Orleans Saints – DE Kony Ealy – A lot of the burden to get to the quarterback last season fell on Cameron Jordan and Junior Gallette. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan likes players who can get to the passer and as a result the Saints will add one of the best in the Draft in Ealy from Missouri.
28. Carolina Panthers – WR Kelvin Benjamin - The Panthers had a mass exodus from their receiving corps in free agency. Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell and Ted Ginn all left the club leaving them with a gaping hole at the wideout position. Benjamin was a standout player in the Florida State side that won the BCS Championship and will give Cam Newton a huge target to hit all over the pitch.
29. New England Patriots – DT Louis Nix – The Patriots had trouble stopping the run last season due to the absence of defensive tackles Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly. Both players are coming off major injuries and are over 30. Adding a solid player from Notre Dame will give them long-term security and great depth at the position.
30. San Francisco 49ers – DE Stephon Tuitt – The 49ers will be a team to watch in the first round as they have plenty of ammunition to move up in the Draft. However, if they stay put they may look at the future and select Tuitt as a long-term replacement for Justin Smith. The Notre Dame defensive end is stout against the run and can help push the pocket.
31. Denver Broncos – OG Xavier Su'a-Filo – Denver's defeat in the Super Bowl highlighted a weakness on their offensive line. They could also target a middle linebacker, but selecting a player of Su'a—Filo's talent can help the team's offense in the short and long-term, giving Peyton Manning a bit more time in the pocket.
32. Seattle Seahawks – OT Joel Bitonio – The Super Bowl champion Seahawks don't need many players to help them defend their crown next season, but their offensive line could do with some reinforcing. Breno Giacomini left the club during free agency so they could replace him with late riser Bitonio at right tackle, who also has the versatility to play across the line.
