Everyone is looking for that sure thing, especially in this city.
But this year, with the NFL draft taking place for the first time in Las Vegas, there’s no consensus on who the No. 1 choice should be.
Most likely, it will be someone who can drop a quarterback like a nut – a passing runner like Georgia’s Travon Walker, Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux, or Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson – someone who can help the Jacksonville Jaguars get back into the limelight.
“I’ve been playing football for a decade and now it’s like, bro, I don’t care where I get enlisted, I don’t care what happens,” Thibodeaux said. “It just has to happen.”
The only player from a Southern California school who could be selected in Thursday’s opening round is the former USC receiver Drake Londonpotentially one of the top 10 choices.
London isn’t too worried when she hears her name being called, only she finally hears it.
“I could be Mr. Irrelevant,” he said, referring to the nickname for the final selection in each draft. “At the end of the day, I know what my skill set is, I know what I can bring to the table. So I feel like I’m fine.”
The Times Final Draft:
1. JACKSONVILLE: Edge Travon Walker, Georgia – The Jaguars want a racing bookend for Josh Allen. It could also be Hutchinson.
2. DETROIT: Edge Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan – Lions would be delighted to land at this venue, as they too need to increase the run on passes.
3. HOUSTON: T Ikem Ekwonu, State of North Carolina – Unlikely Walker would be available here, but Texans would like it too. Both Ekwonu and Evan Neal are exceptional.
4. NEW YORK JETS: Edge Kay of Thibodeaux, Oregon – This guy would be a marketing machine in New York. Jets haven’t had much of an advantage since trading John Abraham in 2006.
5. NEW YORK GIANTS: T Evan Neal, Alabama – Many scouts have Neal as the best tackle in this draft. The Giants urgently need the position.
6. CAROLINA: T. Charles Cross, State of Mississippi – No safe quarterbacks in this draft, so the Panthers turn their attention to protecting what they have.
Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner could be headed for the Giants.
(Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)
7. NEW YORK GIANTS: CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cincinnati – Without. 1 corner James Bradbury as he exits, Giants picks up a guy who sees himself as the next Jalen Ramsey.
8. ATLANTA: WR Garrett Wilson, State of Ohio – Russell Gage and Calvin Ridley are gone, so the Falcons get a guy who’s good at picking up yards after catching them.
9. SEATTLE: Edge Jermaine Johnson II, State of Florida – The first-tier offensive tackles are gone, so the Seahawks turn their attention to the other side of the ball.
10. NEW YORK JETS: WR Drake London, USC – Good news for Zach Wilson. He gets a great physical receiver that can pick up those hopping passes.
11. WASHINGTON: S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame – Steal for the commanders if the versatile and ultra-athletic Hamilton is around at this point. He can replace Landon Collins.
12. MINNESOTA: CB Derek Stingley Jr., State of Louisiana – Patrick Peterson, another former LSU star, can take Stingley under his wing and help him move up to No. 1 corner.
13. HOUSTON: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama – Texans have the luxury of waiting for Williams to fully recover from their knee injury … because no one expects them to be good.
14. BALTIMORA: DT Jordan Davis, Georgia – Davis is an outstanding run stopper who can learn how to catch up with the quarterback as he develops as a pro.
15. PHILADELPHIA: LB Devin Lloyd, Utah – The Eagles haven’t picked a first-round linebacker since Jerry Robinson in 1979, but their need is great enough to break with tradition.
16. NEW ORLEANS: T Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa – Watch out for the Saints to try to move up, but if they stay put it could satisfy their need for a left tackle.
Chargers could use Ohio State Chris Olave receiver speed.
(Jay LaPrete / Associated Press)
17. LOADERS: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State – Olave could help the Chargers stretch the field in a way that Jalen Guyton hasn’t done in the past two seasons.
18. PHILADELPHIA: CB Trent McDuffie, Washington – Eagles might try to pull the lanyard and trade lower. If they stick to this choice, someone might be fortifying the secondary.
19. NEW ORLEANS: QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh – Forget that little hand stuff, Pickett is the most ready quarterback to enter a pro system. He can sit behind Jameis Winston.
20. PITTSBURGH: QB Malik Willis, Freedom – First no quarterback, now a crazy race for them. Well, two. Willis eventually could lead the next generation of the Steelers attack.
21. NEW ENGLAND: CB Kaiir Elam, Fla —Stephon Gilmore and JC Jackson are gone. The Patriots must respond to their needs on the corner as soon as possible.
22. GREEN BAY: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas – The Packers wouldn’t expect him to be Davante Adams, but Burks would be a welcome gift for Aaron Rodgers.
ARIZONA 23: CB Kyler Gordon, Washington – Is there room for another Kyler on this team? There is if he can help fortify the secondary cardinals.
24. DALLAS: G Zion Johnson, Boston College – The Cowboys need a left guard and Johnson could start right away. Lloyd would provide the linebacker good help if he were around.
25. BUFFALO: CB Roger McCreary, Auburn – With the All-Pro Tre’Davious White corner recovering from a devastating knee injury, there is an area of need for the mighty Bills.
26. TENNESSEE: G Kenyon Green, Texas A&M – The Titans have to replace two starters on their offensive line and Green would be an excellent choice to fill the need for the left guard.
27. TAMPA BAY: S Lewis Cine, Georgia – The Buccaneers may go with a defensive tackle, but Cine has turned many heads and could be a fixture in the sideline for years to come.
28. GREEN BAY: LB Quay Walker, Georgia – The Packers are looking for a linebacker to match All-Pro DeVondre Campbell and Walker could help strengthen the nickel defense.
29. CITY OF KANSAS: WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State – It might not be Tyreek Hill (who is he?), But Dotson is a burner that would make a nice addition to Patrick Mahomes’ arsenal.
30. KANSAS CITY: DE George Karlaftis, Purdue – Karlaftis could fall out of the first round. He’d be crazy, but Chiefs could become receiver-receiver. They need help on the line.
31. CINCINNATI: DT Devonte Wyatt, Georgia – Wyatt has had some legal troubles, although that sort of thing hasn’t frightened the Bengals in the past. Really tough pass rusher.
32. DETROIT: S Daxton Hill, Michigan – Lions could pair him with Tracy Walker and block the back of their defense. This would lead them to take the Michigan players with their top two picks.
