It's finally here!
The first round of the 2016 NFL Draft will kick off Thursday evening and extend through the weekend. Prospects have spent the past four months flying from visit to visit, training with elite agencies and showing off for scouts at the NFL Combine, pro day workouts and individual meetings -- and it all comes down to this.
The Tennessee Titans traded the first overall pick in a shocking deal with the Los Angeles Rams, who in addition to a new city are looking for a new quarterback to lead their franchise. The No. 2 pick was also traded, with Cleveland giving the selection to the Eagles for a bounty of picks in 2016 and 2017. With Jared Goff and Carson Wentz the assumed Nos. 1 and 2, the Eagles have resigned to take whichever one the Rams don't. Unlike last year, both of the top quarterbacks will be in attendance.
Other players could snag one of these first couple of spots, like offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil or defensive back Jalen Ramsey, but it seems unlikely that either of the teams at the top are interested in anything other than a new franchise quarterback.
From there, running back Ezekiel Elliott is one of the biggest question marks for the first round. Will the Cowboys take him at No. 4 -- breaking the "rule" that you don't take a back in the top 10? Or will Elliott fall to the Raiders at No. 14? Will he even be the first Buckeye off the board?
Speaking of, with 14 players attending the Combine and 22 working out at pro day, Ohio State is looking to tie the record for number of first-round picks. Miami currently holds the record with six first-rounders taken in 2014. They have a chance with prospects like Joey Bosa, Taylor Decker, Darron Lee and Eli Apple all getting first-round consideration and invites to Chicago.
Players have slid all over the draft boards in the past few months, with some former first-round assumptions now expected to go in Rounds 3 or 4. But this is the NFL Draft, and anything can happen.
How to Watch
When: 8 p.m. ET
Where: Auditorium Theatre, Chicago
TV: NFL Network, ESPN
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