The run-up to Thursdays NFL draft has been one of the most intriguing in years, with the first and second picks having already been traded. Players have seen their draft stock plummet, a number for concerns off the field, as teams prepare their boards and fine tune their plans for the big night in Chicago.Ill be live blogging the event into the early hours of Friday morning, with help from Alex Ferguson (@viewfromamerica) so I thought I would put together my prediction of how things will go. So here goes with my first round mock draft - all of this assuming no more trades are made:1 Los Angeles Rams - Jared Goff (QB - California)The Rams return to Los Angeles this season and make the Cal quarterback the face of their franchise for the future. Who cares if his hands are a little small and hes not actually the best player in the draft?2 Philadelphia Eagles - Carson Wentz (QB - North Dakota)Wentz might be a better professional prospect than Goff, but its tight between the two. The Eagles have given up plenty for this pick and they have to pray the small-school man works out for them.In whatever order, it appears Goff and Wentz will go one and two…then things get interesting and somewhat less predictable.3. San Diego Chargers - Laremy Tunsil (OT - Mississippi)The quarterback hype-train enables San Diego to get the best, but least sexy, player in the draft. Philip Rivers will love this pick as will whoever eventually takes over from him. Offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil of Ole Miss participates in a drill during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine 4. Dallas Cowboys - Jalen Ramsey (CB - Florida State)Possibly the best defensive player in the draft and one the Cowboys probably cant avoid taking. Their choice likely comes down to Ramsey and Joey Bosa, who would help them cover a couple of possible suspensions.5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Joey Bosa (DE - Ohio State)Bosa was dominant in college and the Jaguars, who have improved in most areas through free agency, do still need a big pass rusher. The Buckeye ticks most of the boxes.6. Baltimore Ravens - Myles Jack (LB - UCLA) Not many elite middle linebackers in this draft, but Jack fits the bill. The big concern for teams drafting him are his knee issues, but Jack pairing up with CJ Mosley would make the Ravens defence one to fear again. Linebacker Myles Jack of the UCLA Bruins 7. San Francisco 49ers - Ronnie Stanley (OT - Notre Dame)The 49ers have plenty of needs, but pass protection could be No 1 after a dreadful 2015 season for supposed star QB Colin Kaepernick. He might not even start this season, but whoever does will need a player like Stanley looking after them. Richard Graves Mock Draft Richard Graves is in Chicago for Sky Sports, running the rule over the 2016 NFL Draft class and wher 8. Cleveland Browns - Ezekiel Elliott (RB - Ohio State) Many expect the Browns to trade further down the draft but should they stand pat, adding a potential franchise running back would have to be the call. They would have a triple threat from their backfield with him, pass catching threat Duke Johnson and quarterback Robert Griffin III (if he can still run).9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Vernon Hargreaves (CB - Florida) There seems to be consensus that the Bucs will target secondary help with this pick and the Gators prospect is not rated too far behind Jalen Ramsey in a decent cornerback class. Defensive back Vernon Hargreaves of Florida 10. New York Giants - Leonard Floyd (OLB - Georgia) The Giants will look for pass rushing help and Floyd fits the bill as a hybrid, who could play downs on the front line or as an outside linebacker. He bulked up ahead of the scouting combines after criticism of a lack of power at times.11. Chicago Bears - DeForest Buckner (DE - Oregon)An elite edge rusher dropping to 11 would be ideal for the Bears, who could also look at Floyd if Buckner has already gone, even though their need at linebacker decreased through free agency signings of Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman. NFL Draft: Beginners guide From crucial quarterbacks, to blockbuster trades and tears on the telephone, heres our essential gu 12. New Orleans Saints - Sheldon Rankins (DT - Louisville)The Saints were a hot mess on defence last season and have to rebuild there. Rankins is absolutely huge and should immediately be an every down player helping them against the pass and run.13. Miami Dolphins - Eli Apple (CB - Ohio State)The Dolphins will hope that Elliott drops in their lap, but it seems unlikely unless they can move up a few slots. Their secondary was distinctly second-rate last season so this kind of pick could well bear fruit (sorry, couldnt resist!). Eli Apple (L) of the Ohio State Buckeyes breaks up a pass intended for Amara Darboh #82 of the Michigan Wolverines 14. Oakland Raiders - William Jackson III (CB - Houston) Jackson has been a draft bolter in recent months and could find a nice home in Oakland, where much is expected of an improved team. They added Reggie Nelson and Sean Smith in free agency and Jackson would provide further quality in an area they struggled last year.15. Tennessee Titans - Jack Conklin (OT - Michigan State)The Titans started to rebuild with QB Marcus Mariota last year, and they have traded down from the No 1 slot to land a number of picks in this draft. With this pick they could add someone, in Conklin, who can help protect their star asset.16. Detroit Lions - Shaq Lawson (DE - Clemson)The Lions have offensive line needs as well, but if Lawson drops he will be tough to pass on. Would form an excellent double punch with the under-rated Ziggy Ansah. Lawson out to seize NFL chance In the first of our series of interviews ahead of the 2016 NFL Draft, Shaq Lawson tells us about his 17. Atlanta Falcons - Darron Lee (OLB - Ohio State)Yet another Buckeye could come off the board here with the Falcons in desperate need at linebacker. Hes very quick and athletic, and would be a good complement to last years early pick Vic Beasley.18. Indianapolis Colts - Taylor Decker (OT - Ohio State) Five first-round Buckeyes and counting. Decker is a very good run-blocker, a great pile-pusher and would really give a boost to the all-new Titans running game, of course now featuring DeMarco Murray.19. Buffalo Bills - Paxton Lynch (QB - Memphis) This is my pick should there be no trades but a few teams really like Lynch, some more so than the likely top two selections, and could easily trade up to snag him before now. If not the Bills get a fine quarterback to take over from Tyrod Taylor, perhaps as early as opening day. Paxton Lynch of the Memphis Tigers 20. New York Jets - Reggie Ragland (ILB - Alabama) The Jets are probably #1 candidate to trade up for Lynch, making this pick something of a lottery. Should they get stuck without their new franchise QB, then Ragland would make up for the loss of Demario Davis to Cleveland.21. Washington Redskins - Laquon Treadwell (WR - Mississippi) The Redskins could easily go front-line defence here (AShawn Robinson or Jarran Reed) but Treadwell would give them a huge receiver for the future, which will likely start without one of DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon in 2017. Both veterans are free agents next year.22. Houston Texans - Corey Coleman (WR - Baylor)Expect a rush on wide receivers in this part of the first round, with the Texans adding the perfect complement for DeAndre Hopkins. Tight end a possible here as well, but top-rated Hunter Henry could be something of a reach, and Colemans speed is a real asset. Corey Coleman of the Baylor Bears 23. Minnesota Vikings - Josh Doctson (WR - TCU) Another wideout comes off the board, and this one might have most impact in season one. Hes got great hands, but would probably prefer to land somewhere with a better quarterback situation than Minneapolis, where there is also a new stadium effect to throw in.24. Cincinnati Bengals - Will Fuller (WR - Notre Dame)You guessed it, wide receiver again. These last four picks could easily be inter-changeable. Fuller is a similar player to Coleman, with speed a huge asset, and that would probably help open up some space for AJ Green and Tyler Eifert.25. Pittsburgh Steelers - Artie Burns (CB - Miami)The Steelers need help in the secondary more than anywhere else. They would love for Jackson or Apple to fall this far, and it is possible, but if not Burns would be a handy addition. Artie Burns of the Miami Hurricanes rushes during a game against the Florida Atlantic Owls 26. Seattle Seahawks - Robert Nkemdiche (DT - Mississippi)On pure talent Nkemdiche belongs much higher in the draft, but hes had…lets just call them issues away from football and carries risk with him. But whats not to like about a guy who wants to buy a panther if he is drafted in the first round?27. Green Bay Packers - Andrew Billings (NT - Baylor)Billings is a big body and size up front is something the Packers really need. Jarran Reed would also be a target here, although Billings projects as a better fit. NFL Draft: Top pick QBs A quarterback is set to be selected No 1 in the 2016 Draft, so we take a closer look at some previou 28. Kansas City Chiefs - Kevin Dodd (DE - Clemson)The Chiefs improved a great deal last year and another pass rusher could just push them over the edge in terms of a Super Bowl run. Dodds stock has risen all year, and it could even see him taken earlier than this, but if hes available Id expect the Chiefs to pounce.29. Arizona Cardinals - AShawn Robinson (DT - Alabama) Predictions for Robinson have been all over the board, from just outside the top 10 to not being picked in the first round at all. But I could see Arizona taking a chance on him if he drops, and run stuffing was one of their few issues last season. AShawn Robinson (R) of the Alabama Crimson Tide 30. Carolina Panthers - Jason Spriggs (OT - Indiana) Spriggs proved an excellent pass protector in college, and keeping Cam Newton safe should be one of Carolinas chief concerns this season. Hes still got a bit to learn on the technical side of the game, which is fair since he came through high school playing tight end.31. Denver Broncos - Connor Cook (QB - Michigan State)Predictions for the Broncos are all over the board, but the Super Bowl champions desperately need a quarterback to mould for the future, assuming they dont think Trevor Siemian is it. Cook is a winner, and he can run as well, and its doubtful he would last to the end of the second - a reach, but probably worth it. Quarterback Connor Cook of Michigan State speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine Also See: Richard Graves Mock Draft Shaq Lawson exclusive interview NFL Draft: Beginners guide NFL Draft: Previous No1 QB picks Phil Garner Jersey . Halak did not get the start in the Washington Capitals Tuesday night game against the St. Rube Waddell Jersey . -- Victor Bernardez tied the game with his second goal in the 95th minute and the San Jose Earthquakes drew 3-3 with Real Salt Lake on Saturday night. https://www.cheappiratesjerseys.us/582e-...ey-pirates.html. Pedroia reached the milestone with a little panache, hitting a grand slam in the sixth inning and propelling the Boston Red Sox to a 7-1 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. Rennie Stennett Jersey .C. - The Panthers will be without starting defensive tackle Star Lotulelei for Saturday nights NFC divisional playoff game against Seattle after undergoing surgery Wednesday to repair a broken bone in his foot. Bobby Bonilla Jersey . The Canucks figured to be active prior to Wednesdays trade deadline, getting a jump on things the previous day when they dealt goaltender Roberto Luongo to the Florida Panthers for netminder Jacob Markstrom and forward Shawn Matthias.Cincinnati, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - LeVeon Bell ran for the go-ahead touchdown and Ben Roethlisberger hit Martavis Bryant for a 94-yard score during Pittsburghs big fourth quarter in a 42-21 victory over the AFC North- leading Cincinnati Bengals. Bell finished with 26 carries for 185 yards and two TDs, both in the final quarter, when the Steelers (8-5) outscored the Bengals, 25-0. Bell also had a touchdown reception, and Roethlisberger completed 25-of-39 passes for 350 yards and three scores to guide the Steelers to their fifth win in the last seven games. Andy Dalton finished 21-of-29 for 302 yards and a pair of scores for the Bengals (8-4-1), who had a three-game winning streak broken. A.J. Green caught 11 passes for a career- best 224 yards and a score. With Baltimore (8-5) winning at Miami and Cleveland (7-6) losing at home to Indianapolis Sunday, there is a crush in the division standings. The schedule is tough for both teams over the final three games. The Bengals play at Cleveland before hosting Denver on a Monday night, then conclude the season in Pittsburgh. The Steelers play at Atlanta then host Kansas City before what could be a giant encounter against the Bengals. Final Score: Indianapolis 25, Cleveland 24 Cleveland, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Andrew Lucks 1-yard touchdown pass to T.Y. Hilton with 32 seconds left in the fourth quarter rallied the Indianapolis Colts to a 25-24 victory over the Cleveland Browns. The Colts (9-4) won their third straight game to inch closer to the AFC South title, while dealing the Browns (7-6) a heart-breaking defeat after they blew a two- touchdown lead. Luck connected on 24-of-53 throws for 294 yards with two scores and a pair of interceptions, both to Hilton, who had 10 catches for 150 yards. The Colts hold a two-game lead on Houston and can win the division with a home victory against the Texans next Sunday. The Browns had a pair of defensive TDs, but lost their second straight for the first time this season. It was a perfect opportunity for Cleveland to gain ground in the AFC North, especially with Cincinnati (8-4-1) falling at home to Pittsburgh (8-5) Sunday. The Ravens (8-5) won in Miami. Brian Hoyer finished 14-of-31 for 140 yards with two interceptions for the Browns. Final Score: Detroit 34, Tampa Bay 17 Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Matthew Stafford had three touchdown passes, and Joique Bell scored twice as the Detroit Lions pounded the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 34-17, at Ford Field on Sunday. Stafford went 26-for-34 for 311 yards with touchdown passes to Bell, Calvin Johnson and Joseph Fauria for the Lions (9-4), who have won two straight after consecutive road losses. Johnson finished the game with eight catches for 158 yards, while Bell had 18 carries for 83 yards and a rushing touchdown while adding five catches for 50 yards for Detroit. The Lions are still in the hunt for the top spot in the NFC North, as the team sits a half-game back of the Packers for first place. Green Bay hosts Atlanta on Monday night. Josh McCown was under pressure all day as he was sacked six times and took several hard hits. He completed 20-for-39 passes for 250 yards with two touchdown passes, but he was picked off twice and also lost a fumble. Vincent Jackson caught 10 passes for 159 yards, and Mike Evans caught both touchdown passes for the Buccaneers (2-11), who have lost their last three games. Final Score: Houston 27, Jacksonville 13 Jacksonville, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Arian Foster ran for 127 yards and a touchdown and helped the Houston Texans stay in the playoff hunt with a 27-13 victory over the Jaguars on a rainy Sunday in Jacksonville. The Texans (7-6), who earned consecutive wins for the first time since starting the season 2-0, still sit two games behind the AFC South-leading Colts but can make up ground with a visit to Indianapolis next week. They trailed 13-10 at halftime but scored 17 unanswered points as their defense -- led by J.J. Watts three sacks -- limited Jacksonville to 73 yards after the break. Ryan Fitzpatrick only threw 19 times and finished with 135 yards through the air but did run for a touchdown. One of his favorite targets, Andre Johnson, exited early in the second quarter with a concussion. Blake Bortles and the Jaguars (2-11) failed to build off last weeks 25-24 come-from-behind victory over the Giants. Bortles completed only 20-of-39 passes for 205 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Final Score: Baltimore 28, Miami 13 Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Joe Flacco threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score as the visiting Baltimore Ravens overcame a sluggish start to post a 28-13 victory over the Miami Dolphins in a crucial AFC matchup. Flacco was 25-of-33 for 269 yards and Justin Forsett added a rushing touchdown for the Ravens (8-5), who kept pace in the AFC North race. They are tied with Pittsburgh behind division-leading Cincinnati, which stands at 8-4-1. Ryan Tannehill finished 23-of-33 for 227 yards and a touchdown for a Miami (7-6) team that entered the game owning the AFCs second wild-card spot due to tiebreakers. Final Score: Minnesota 30, NY Jets 24 (OT) Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Jarius Wright turned a screen pass into a winning 87-yard touchdown in overtime, lifting the Minnesota Vikings over the New York Jets 30-24 on Sunday. Facing a 3rd-and-5 on his teams first possession of overtime, Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater threw a pass to Wright behind the line of scrimmage. Wright got the first down and proceeded to beat the Jets defense down the sideline to win the game. Bridgewater completed 19-of-27 passes for 309 yards and a pair of touchdowns with an interception to lead the Vikings (6-7) to their second straight win.dddddddddddd Wright finished with 123 yards on four catches, and Charles Johnson also scored with four catches for 103 yards. Matt Asiata led Minnesota with 54 rushing yards and linebacker Gerald Hodges returned an interception for a touchdown for the first score of the game. Geno Smith threw for 254 yards, a touchdown and an interception for the Jets (2-11), who have lost three in a row. Percy Harvin caught six passes for 124 yards and a touchdown against his former team and Eric Decker added 89 yards on six catches for the Jets. Chris Ivory ran for 73 yards on 16 carries, and Chris Johnson finished the day with 16 carries for 53 yards. Final Score: Carolina 41, New Orleans 10 New Orleans, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - Cam Newton had a hand in four of Carolinas five touchdowns, as the Panthers walked into the Superdome and embarrassed the New Orleans Saints by a 41-10 count on Sunday. Newton passed for 226 yards and three touchdowns on 21-of-33 efficiency and rushed for 83 yards and another score on 12 carries for the Panthers (4-8-1), who suddenly find themselves back in the race for the NFC South crown. Jonathan Stewart racked up a game-best 155 yards on the ground with a TD on 20 attempts, while Greg Olsen was Newtons top target with 10 receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown. Drew Brees was contained for most of the contest, but threw for 235 yards and a score to Benjamin Watson for the Saints (5-8), who hadnt lost four in a row at home since 1999 -- Mike Ditkas final season as head coach. Marques Colston totaled 72 yards on five catches, while the rushing tandem of Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas was limited to 81 yards on 15 combined carries. Final Score: NY Giants 36, Tennessee 7 Nashville, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Rookie Andre Williams rushed for a career- high 131 yards, much of it on a 50-yard touchdown run that helped the New York Giants snap a seven-game losing streak with a 36-7 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Something had to give between the two teams, who came into the game with 13 consecutive losses between them. While the Giants (4-9) ended their skid, the Titans (2-11) remained winless since Oct. 12, losing seven in a row for the first time since an 11-game slide in 1994 when they were the Houston Oilers. Eli Manning threw for 260 yards with a 15-yard touchdown pass to rising star Odell Beckham Jr., who had had 11 catches for 130 yards. Much of New Yorks scoring came on five Josh Brown field goals and a defensive touchdown from Markus Kuhn, who returned a Zach Mettenberger fumble. Mettenberger re-injured his sprained right shoulder in the fourth quarter after going 14-of-24 for 125 yards. Jake Locker relieved him for the second week in a row and also threw a pick. Marqueston Huff scored the only Tennessee points on a 23-yard interception return in the third quarter. Final Score: St. Louis 24, Washington 0 Landover, MD (SportsNetwork.com) - Michael Brockers, Janoris Jenkins, Alec Ogletree and Greg Robinson were in the St. Louis Rams starting lineup. Robert Griffin III was still on the Washington Redskins bench, at least for the first 58 minutes. Shaun Hill tossed a pair of touchdown passes to Jared Cook and the Rams blanked the Redskins 24-0 on Sunday afternoon to record their second straight shutout win. After Tavon Austins 78-yard punt return staked the Rams to a 24-0 advantage late in the third quarter, chants of RGIII, RGIII, RGIII, reverberated throughout FedEx Field. Griffin, though, never got the call until two minutes remained after Colt McCoy departed with a neck strain. Brockers, Jenkins, Ogletree and Robinson were among the slew of players the Rams received from their 2012 blockbuster trade with Washington. Hill was 16-of-22 for 213 yards, while Cook hauled in four passes for 61 yards for St. Louis (6-7), which posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1945. The Rams blanked Oakland 52-0 last Sunday. The defense recorded seven sacks, two interceptions and eight tackles for loss in the triumph. Pierre Garcon tallied nine receptions for 95 yards for the Redskins (3-10), who have dropped five games in a row. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 Final Score: Dallas 41, Chicago 28 Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - The Dallas Cowboys stayed perfect on the road and ended a three-game losing streak to the Chicago Bears by getting the ball to DeMarco Murray every chance they could. Murray had 41 touches and gained 228 yards from scrimmage as the Cowboys shook off a demoralizing division loss on Thanksgiving to beat the Bears 41-28 on Thursday night. There was no relief for the Bears, who lost not only the game, but also star wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who was taken away from Soldier Field in an ambulance after suffering an injury to his ribs in the first half, though he tweeted later that he was OK. Murray, the NFLs leading rusher, followed last years 146-yard effort against the Bears with 179 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries and added 49 yards on nine catches. Tony Romo had three touchdown passes -- two to Cole Beasley -- and earned his eighth career win in Thursday games as he and the Cowboys bounced back from a 33-10 loss to NFC East rival Philadelphia by winning in Chicago for the first time since 2007. Their loss a week ago came at home, of course, giving the Eagles the division lead for at least a week. Its on the road where the Cowboys (9-4) have thrived this season, going 6-0. Matt Forte and Jay Cutler rushed for touchdowns in the fourth quarter -- Cutler after an onside kick, cutting a 25-point Dallas lead to 10. But the Bears (5-8) lost for the second week in a row after falling in Detroit on Thanksgiving. ' ' '