The NFL Draft should have started last night but Roger Goodell's minions decided another two weeks was needed to build hype and for allowing the reporting of baseless rumors so it won't start until May 8.
To keep you busy, here is my first (and maybe only) stab at predicting the future homes of the top college football stars.
1. Houston Texans - Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
I believe the Texans will trade this pick and use the extra picks they will add to draft a quarterback but for now the safe bet is Clowney.
2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins) - Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
The Rams need to build their offense and taking Watkins here and looking for an offensive tackle with the 13th pick is the best way to do so.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo
The Jaguars need a quarterback but the sting from taking Blaine Gabbert at the top of the first round a few years ago should be enough of a reminder to wait on the QB and go with a premium defensive player.
4. Cleveland Browns - Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
The Browns could also wait on the quarterback but they've been holding their breath since Vinny Testaverde led them to a playoff victory in 1994 so I doubt they'll pass on Johnny Football.
5. Oakland Raiders - Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
I'm sure the Raiders will end up honoring the memory of Al Davis and take a quarterback who can throw the deep ball or a receiver who runs a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash but if not, a tackle with the skill and athleticism of Robinson should be too hard to pass up.
6. Atlanta Falcons - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Protecting Matt Ryan will be paramount for the Falcons if they're to bounce back from a disappointing 2013 season and get back into contention in the NFC in 2014.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
The Buccaneers have a lot of holes and adding a talent like Evans helps solve a big one in the passing game.
8. Minnesota Vikings - Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA
Many mock drafts seem to think the Vikings will take a quarterback but unless Manziel is still available, I believe the Vikings will look to bolster their defense.
9. Buffalo Bills - Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
The Bills have done a nice job of rebuilding and could be on the verge of crashing the AFC playoffs as a Wild Card team in 2014. Matthews would be an excellent addition to the offensive line and protecting EJ Manuel will be a key to their success.
10. Detroit Lions - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
The Lions secondary was a joke in 2013. Adding the top safety prospect makes sense to fix that issue. Drafting a cornerback also would be a smart move.
11. Tennessee Titans - Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
The Titans have a major need at cornerback and having Gilbert drop to them at the 11th pick works well for them in this mock.
12. New York Giants - CJ Mosley, LB, Alabama
The G-Men are rebuilding the core of their defense that won them Super Bowls in 2007 and 2011 and a play maker like Mosley is a nice piece of that puzzle.
13. St. Louis Rams - Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame
In this mock, the Rams land potential starters at receiver and tackle. Sam Bradford just became my biggets fan.
14. Chicago Bears - Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
The Bears have always been built on defense and Donald, a play maker on the interior, will help a defense that has already been bolstered by free agent signings Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
Dennard is a physical cover cornerback and the Steelers need some toughness in their secondary. I wouldn't be shocked if the Steelers went with a quarterback here either as they prepare for life after Roethlisberger.
16. Dallas Cowboys - Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
The Cowboys will be a favorite to trade up for Manziel - imagine the circus that their training camp would be if they did so - but if they stay here, a pass rushing defensive tackle would be a nice addition to their defense.
17. Baltimore Ravens - Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Louisiana State
The Ravens invested their future in Joe Flacco so it only makes sense to put talented skill players around him.
18. New York Jets - Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
Having addressed some offensive needs with free agent signings Eric Decker and Chris Johnson, Rex Ryan can add a talented cover cornerback in his never ending quest to wrest control of the AFC East away from the Patriots.
19. Miami Dolphins - Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
With fierce defenses in New England, New Jersey, and Buffalo, adding a player to help keep Ryan Tannehill standing all season is of major importance to the Dolphins.
20. Arizona Cardinals - Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
There is buzz about Bortles going first overall but if he does drop this far, the Cardinals will scoop him up as the heir apparent to Carson Palmer.
21. Green Bay Packers - Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
Ebron is the top rated tight end and he'd be a nice addition for Aaron Rodgers passing attack.
22. Philadelphia Eagles - Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
It almost seems unfair to give Chip Kelly such a big, fast, and talented weapon at this point of the first round.
23. Kansas City Chiefs - Marqise Lee, WR, Southern California
The Chiefs would be wise to add another receiver for Alex Smith.
24. Cincinnati Bengals - Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
Would the Bengals dare take a quarterback - I still have Teddy Bridgewater on the board - or will they take a "safe" pick like Roby to address a need at cornerback?
25. San Diego Chargers - Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
The Chargers play in a division that features Peyton Manning so adding a talented safety like Pryor makes a lot of sense.
26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis Colts) - Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
Having drafted Manziel with the 4th pick in this mock, adding a big receiver makes sense to give their franchise QB as much help as possible.
27. New Orleans Saints - Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
Cooks is a prototypical slot receiver and after losing running back Darren Sproles and receiver Lance Moore, he can make a contribution in Drew Brees' offense from day one.
28. Carolina Panthers - Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina
The Panthers lost Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell in free agency so adding a receiver for Cam Newton is a top priority.
29. New England Patriots - Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
No one ever knows what Bill Belichick will do on draft day. My guess is if he stays at this pick (and he's likely to trade out to add more picks later), he'll draft Bridgewater and give him time to develop under the tutelage of Tom Brady while preparing to take over for Brady sometime around 2017.
30. San Francisco 49ers - Dee Ford, DE, Auburn
The odd tale of Aldon Smith could leave the 49ers with a gaping hole at pass rusher and Ford could help fix that issue.
31. Denver Broncos - Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG, UCLA
Adding protection for Peyton Manning is a must if the Broncos are to get back to the Super Bowl.
32. Seattle Seahawks - Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
The Super Bowl champs have a deep roster so they can afford to add a luxury item in the big and athletic Amaro, who should become a favorite of Russell Wilson quickly.
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