The NFL regular season is over and the final draft order for the 20 teams that failed to make the playoffs is set. This gives a little bit more clarity to the draft process, which already has begun for all 32 teams.
Let’s take a look at updated first-round draft predictions entering Wild Card Weekend.
1. Tennessee Titans (3-13): Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
The Titans might look to trade this pick and acquire more assets, mostly because they don’t need a quarterback after Marcus Mariota’s rookie campaign. If Tennessee keeps this selection, a game-changing defensive end to rush the opposing quarterback is a smart choice.
2. Cleveland Browns (3-13): Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
The Browns will continue to be a last-place team until they find a quarterback. Lynch’s strong arm, accurate passes and ability to escape the pocket and throw on the run make him a logical choice.
3. San Diego Chargers (4-12): Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame
A knee injury suffered in the Fiesta Bowl might scare some teams interested in drafting Smith, but there’s no denying he’s easily one of the top five players in this draft class when healthy. The Chargers defense struggled all season and needs an impact player such as Smith.
4. Dallas Cowboys (4-12): Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
Jerry Jones could make a bold move and draft one of the two quarterbacks expected to go in the top 10 (Goff or Lynch), but the best choice is upgrading a secondary that’s been ravaged by injuries and underperforming veterans over the last few seasons.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
The Jaguars ranked 28th in pass yards allowed per game and lack a shutdown cornerback. Hargreaves is the best cornerback prospect to come out of Florida since Joe Haden.
6. Baltimore Ravens (5-11): Lareny Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
The Ravens have many needs, but the best player on the board is Tunsil. He projects to be an excellent pass protector as a left tackle, which is difficult to pass up even if it’s not the team’s No. 1 need.
7. San Francisco 49ers (5-11): Jared Goff, QB, California
The 49ers need a franchise quarterback after Colin Kaepernicks’ struggles in 2015 and Goff (or Lynch if he’s available) makes the most sense. San Francisco should’ve been able to scout him often given the fact he played at Cal.
8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been sacked more than anyone over the last three seasons. He needs better protection up front and Stanley fits the bill.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10): DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
The Buccaneers made strides defensively in 2015, and they should build on that success by drafting an edge rusher. Buckner has 10 1/2 sacks for Clemson entering the National Championship Game.
10. New York Giants (6-10): Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
The Giants’ secondary played a huge part in them giving up the most passing yards per game. Drafting a top cornerback prospect should help address this concern.
11. Chicago Bears (6-10): Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
Jack’s versatility in the pass and run games makes him a nice fit in Chicago’s scheme.
12. New Orleans Saints (7-9): Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
The Saints allowed the second-most rushing yards per game and the most rushing yards per attempt. Drafting a run-stuffing defensive tackle makes a ton of sense.
13. Philadelphia Eagles (7-9): Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
Ragland’s ability to rush the passer and cover tight ends has made him a valuable part of Alabama’s run to the College Football Playoff. He’s a no-brainer pick for the Eagles.
14. Oakland Raiders (7-9): Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
The Raiders drafted a star in Khalil Mack in 2014, and they must continue to upgrade their defense. Ogbah arguably was the best defensive player in the Big 12 conference this season and excels at rushing the passer.
15. St. Louis Rams (7-9):Â Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
The Rams could opt for a quarterback, maybe Michigan State’s Connor Cook, but passing on the best receiver in the draft, one that has good size, hands and speed would be a mistake. Tavon Austin is not a typical No. 1 receiver.
16. Detroit Lions (7-9): Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
There were plenty of games this season — the London game against the Kansas City Chiefs, for example — in which Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked and hit way too often. Upgrading the offensive line is a must for the Lions.
17. Atlanta Falcons (8-8): Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
Julio Jones is under too much pressure as the only wide receiver defenses have to game plan for. Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan needs another dependable wideout with good hands and route running ability, and Thomas fits the bill.
18. Indianapolis Colts (8-8): Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
Andrew Luck, the Colts’ franchise quarterback, missed most of the season because of injuries. Keeping him upright and healthy will be Indy’s primary goal in 2016.
19. Buffalo Bills (8-8): Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State
We all know how talented Buffalo’s front seven can be, and it showed in its excellent run defense this season. Adding a safety to go alongside emerging cornerback star Stephon Gilmore makes a lot of sense.
20. New York Jets (10-6): Kendell Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
The Jets need to get younger at this position, even if veteran cornerback Darrelle Revis was a Pro Bowler this season. Fuller is excellent in coverage and an above-average tackler.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6): Vadal Alexander, G, LSU
Alexander is a very good pass protector, and he has excellent size and strength at 6-foot-6, 366 pounds.
22. Seattle Seahawks (10-6): A’Shaw Robinson, DT, Alabama
Defensive tackle is not a huge need for the Seahawks, but they did rank tied for 17th in sacks and could use more depth in the interior of the defensive line. Robinson also might be the best defensive player available at this stage of the draft.
23. Green Bay Packers (10-6): Su’a Cravens, OLB, USC
Cravens, one of the best defensive players in the Pac-12 Conference, would be a nice compliment to Clay Matthews in the Packers defense.
24. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5): Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska
Collins would add size and run-stopping ability to an already scary Chiefs defense.
25. Washington Redskins (9-7): Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
Reed commands double teams and shows decent athleticism for a man his size. The Redskins could use a defensive tackle with those skills after giving up the second-most rushing yards per game and per attempt.
26. Houston Texans (9-7): Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
The Texans could look at a quarterback here, maybe Cardale Jones of Ohio State or Carson Wentz of North Dakota State. The truth is, neither of those players is worth a first-round pick, and the Texans could use another quality receiver opposite breakout star DeAndre Hopkins.
27. Minnesota Vikings (11-5): Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
The Vikings had a middle-of-the-road rush defense this season, and a defensive end with speed and versatility would help improve that area.
28. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4): Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
Floyd’s coverage skills and very good tackling make him a solid late-first round value pick.
29. Denver Broncos (12-4): Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson both have proven to be inconsistent players not capable of being a full-time starter for Denver. Elliott clearly is the best running back in this draft class and would be a nice fit in the Broncos offense.
30. Arizona Cardinals (13-3): Kenny Clark, DL, UCLA
Clark would add much-needed size and strength to the Cardinals’ defensive line, which would help against the rush.
31. Carolina Panthers (15-1): Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
Fuller had a fantastic season for Notre Dame and proved to be a valuable red-zone target with 14 touchdown receptions, tied for the fifth-most in the nation. Carolina needs another reliable pass-catcher to go along with elite tight end Greg Olsen.
The New England Patriots don’t own their 2016 first-round pick because of the NFL’s punishment handed down for Deflategate.
Thumbnail photo via Marvin Gentry/USA TODAY Sports Images
