Welcome to the E.W. Scripps inaugural NFL mock draft.
The E.W. Scripps Company is filled with experienced sports anchors and reporters in NFL cities across the country.
Representatives from Scripps' TV stations joined a few friends to select players for the 31 NFL teams with first-round picks (Sorry, New England). The first round of the NFL draft is slated to begin Thursday night in Chicago.
This mock draft does not allow for trades beyond those already completed by NFL teams. See what happens with your favorite team.
PICK: JARED GOFF, QB, University of California
THE TAKE: Most mock drafts have the Rams taking Carson Wentz with the first pick, so I'm throwing an early monkey wrench into the machinery. Wentz may look good at the combine and on paper, but I've seen Goff make all the throws for the Golden Bears against top NCAA competition. There's no doubt in my mind he'll be a good NFL quarterback. The Rams don't want to gamble on an FCS player here. Jared Goff is the guy. — Ben Higgins, San Diego-based KGTV
* Acquired in trade with Tennessee Titans
PICK: CARSON WENTZ, QB, North Dakota State University
THE TAKE: Wentz reminds me of a young Joe Flacco. But he'd better be a superstar because the Eagles mortgaged the future to acquire this pick. — "Philly Billy" Werndl, guest picker
* Acquired in trade with Cleveland Browns
PICK: JALEN RAMSEY, DB, Florida State University
THE TAKE: It's hard for the Chargers to pass on Laremy Tunsil. Keeping Philip Rivers in one piece is crucial. But the Chargers are in desperate need of defensive playmakers like Ramsey, who can help offset the loss of Eric Weddle — Higgins, KGTV
PICK: EZEKIEL ELLIOTT, RB, Ohio State University
THE TAKE: The Cowboys have multiple needs, but running back is near the top of the list. Every scouting report says Elliott has the goods. — Al Jerkens, Tulsa-based KJRH
PICK: JOEY BOSA, DE, Ohio State University
THE TAKE: The Jaguars run a 3-4 defense and the Ohio State star fits perfectly, especially in a division which should be dramatically better offensively. — Dave Furst, Indianapolis-based WRTV
PICK: LAREMY TUNSIL, OT, Ole Miss
THE TAKE: The Ravens haven’t had this luxury of picking so high, and this guy will protect Joe Flacco until he retires. — Jamie Costello, Baltimore-based WMAR
PICK: RONNIE STANLEY, OT, University of Notre Dame
THE TAKE: The 49ers have too many gaps to name. With Chip Kelly coming in, a solid offensive line is a must and Stanley is a good first step. — Stephen Hicks, Bakersfield-based KERO
8. CLEVELAND BROWNS*
PICK: DEFOREST BUCKNER, DE, University of Oregon
THE TAKE: The Browns could very well make another trade, but Buckner is the selection if they keep this pick. — Andy Baskin, Cleveland-based WEWS * Acquired in trade with Philadelphia Eagles
PICK: JACK CONKLIN, OT, Michigan State University
THE TAKE: Conklin is a perfect bookend on the right side of the offensive line to "protect the franchise" QB Jameis Winston. The Bucs forego a defensive pick to fortify offensive line. — Tom Korun, Tampa-based WFTS
10. NEW YORK GIANTS
PICK: LEONARD FLOYD, OLB, University of Georgia
THE TAKE: In need of some additional heat on the quarterback, the Giants opt for a versatile linebacker that has experience doing a little bit of everything in his time at Georgia. Floyd is a super athletic player with the ability to turn and run with tight ends in coverage as well. — Joe Buscaglia, Buffalo-based WKBW
11. CHICAGO BEARS
PICK: SHAQ LAWSON, DE Clemson University
THE TAKE: The Bears are in desperate need of a dominant pass rusher after finishing tied for 22nd in the league in sacks last season. Lawson could be the answer for the Bears front seven. — Tyler Martin, Omaha-based KMTV
12. NEW ORLEANS
PICK: MYLES JACK, OLB, UCLA
THE TAKE: The Saints would love to beef up the defensive line, but Jack can cover a lot of territory. Concerns about his knee are the only reason Jack lasted this long. — Eric Pfahler, Scripps National Desk
13. MIAMI DOLPHINS*
PICK: VERNON HARGREAVES III, CB, University of Florida
THE TAKE: The Dolphins would love to get Ezekiel Elliott, but the running back does not fall far enough in this mock draft. Instead, the Fins solve a hole at cornerback with a homegrown talent. — Pfahler, Scripps National Desk
* Acquired in trade with Philadelphia Eagles
14. OAKLAND RAIDERS
PICK: WILLIAM JACKSON III, CB, University of Houston
THE TAKE: Raiders crossing their fingers Jackson stays on the board this long but he would greatly improve a secondary that was torched last season. — Hicks, KERO
15. TENNESSEE TITANS*
PICK: TAYLOR DECKER, OT, Ohio State University
THE TAKE: The Titans have won just five games the past two years, so there are a lot of holes to fill making it difficult to project their selection. I also think its possible, if not likely, new GM Jon Robinson will leverage his six picks in the first three rounds to move back into the Top 10. If the Titans stick and pick at 15, I think Taylor Decker is the selection. The Titans need help protecting Marcus Mariota and Decker provides a good value pick in the middle of the first round. — Steve Layman, Nashville-based WTVF
* Acquired in trade with Los Angeles Rams
16. DETROIT LIONS
PICK: DARRON LEE, OLB, Ohio State University
THE TAKE: The Lions haven't had a franchise-defining linebacker in a long time. Despite DeAndre Levy's emergence in 2014, his hip injury in 2015 and Stephen Tulloch's assumed departure leaves the Lions with an opportunity to define a position group with a linebacker. — Brad Galli, Detroit-based WXYZ
17. ATLANTA FALCONS
PICK: CODY WHITEHAIR, OG, Kansas State University
THE TAKE: . — Whitehair would be a tackle-convert and hopefully fit in Atlanta's scheme. Whitehair was the nation's top graded offensive tackle last year. — Korun, WFTS
PICK: NOAH SPENCE, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky University
THE TAKE: The Colts are in desperate need of an offensive lineman, but given who has already been taken in this mock draft, their next need is to get pressure on the QB. Spence fits that role. His departure from Ohio State leaves some questions when it comes to off-the-field. If Ryan Grigson and, ultimately, Jim Irsay hear the right things, this team could fill a slot for the future. — Furst, WRTV
19. BUFFALO BILLS
PICK: SHELDON RANKINS, DL, University of Louisville
THE TAKE: This is a dream scenario for Rex Ryan and the Bills. Sheldon Rankins is one of the most explosive defensive linemen in the draft, fits a big need area for the team and can conceivably help the defense return back to form because he's such a disruptive force in the backfield. — Buscaglia, WKBW
20. NEW YORK JETS
PICK: PAXTON LYNCH, QB, University of Memphis
THE TAKE: With the quarterback craze up at the top of the draft, it's fairly unlikely that Lynch lasts all the way to this pick. In fact, the Jets might even trade up to go get the third-best quarterback in the draft because of their standoff with free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick. Lynch has the type of game that mirrors offensive coordinator Chan Gailey's scheme quite well and has the big arm to take the top off a defense. — Buscaglia, WKBW
PICK: A'SHAWN ROBINSON, DT, University of Alabama
THE TAKE: While I would have expected Robinson to have gone sooner, Robinson gives the Redskins a solid lineman to stop the run. While Robinson's weakness is getting to the quarterback, Washington could use a versatile run-focused defensive lineman. At his size and after being a two-year starter at Alabama, he should be NFL ready out of camp. — Justin Boggs, Scripps National Desk
22. HOUSTON TEXANS
PICK: WILL FULLER, WR, University of Notre Dame
THE TAKE: Did you see last season's playoff shutout? This team needs offensive playmakers. New quarterback Brock Osweiler has a big arm and he's going to love having the fastest wideout in the draft to try and stretch defenses. Fuller's hands are in question, but his ability to make big plays is not. — Cayden McFarland, KJRH
PICK: LAQUON TREADWELL, WR, Ole Miss
THE TAKE: The Vikings finally have a franchise quarterback to play alongside Adrian Peterson. Adding a dynamic weapon like Treadwell will give the offense another target, freeing up Peterson and tight end Kyle Randolph. — Galli, WXYZ
PICK: COREY COLEMAN, WR, Baylor University
THE TAKE: This is an obvious need for this team with the loss of Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu. I like the length of Josh Doctson of TCU, but I like the speed of Coleman, who will drive defenders deep and allow A.J. Green more room to maneuver. — John Popovich, Cincinnati-based WCPO
PICK: MACKENSIE ALEXANDER, CB, Clemson University
THE TAKE: The Steelers have had serious problems in defending the pass and cornerback has been tabbed as a priority need. Alexander is only 5-10, but has the speed and already possesses the Steeler swagger. — Popovich, WCPO
26. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
PICK: LE'RAVEN CLARK, OT, Texas Tech
THE TAKE: He might still be learning with his pass protection, but offensive line coach Tom Cable will be able to straighten out. Clark's size and physical ability on the line should help him step up early. It will be an added bonus for Russell Wilson for many years to come. Dan Hawk, Boise-based KIVI
PICK: VERNON BUTLER, DT, Louisiana Tech University
THE TAKE: Picking this late in the first round makes the Packers dependent on what other teams do ahead of them. If Alabama defenders Jarran Reed (DT) or Reggie Ragland (ILB) are still on the board than those are strong possibilities but I think both guys will be selected by the time the Packers are on the clock. With B.J. Raji stepping away from football the Packers need help on the defensive line and Vernon Butler can provide that. He can play over the nose or jump out and play DE in some 3 man fronts. — Charlie Sokaitis, Green Bay-based WGBA
PICK: ELI APPLE, CB, Ohio State University
THE TAKE: The Chiefs hit it big with CB Marcus Peters in 2015 draft, need another one here. — Frank Boal, Kansas City-based KSHB
PICK: CONNOR COOK, QB, Michigan State University
THE TAKE: The Cardinals are looking toward the future and Cook has the stature to be exactly what Coach Bruce Arians is looking for. He'll be groomed by some of the best in the NFL in Arians, Tom Moore and Carson Palmer. — Craig Fouhy, Phoenix-based KNXV
PICK: KEVIN DODD, DE Clemson University
THE TAKE: Carolina needs to fill a major void at defensive end. Kevin Dodd is the best available player to do so. — Korun, WFTS
31. DENVER BRONCOS
PICK: ROBERT NKEMDICHE, DT, OLE MISS
THE TAKE: The Broncos take a chance on a guy with off-field issues. But it worked with Shane Ray and Bradley Roby. The team needs a big DT to replace Malik Jackson. But watch for a QB here as well if Connor Cook is still on the board. It all depends what happens in front of them. — Lionel Bienvenu, Denver-based KMGH
