Welcome to 2017 NFL Draft day. One of the most uncertain drafts in NFL history should make for an exciting evening in Philadelphia.
If you’re looking for the biggest news and rumors throughout Thursday, bookmark this page — I’ll be updating it with everything I hear, until and after the Browns go on the clock with the No. 1 pick in the draft.
Here are the latest 2017 NFL Draft rumors and news updates leading up to Round 1.
MORE: Final mock draft | Top 50 prospects
NFL Draft rumors: Live news updates before Round 1
— Like those in the media, NFL teams make their own internal mock drafts to predict who may be available before their pick and who may be drafted afterwards. In every internal mock I was made aware of, both Myles Garrett and Mitchell Trubisky were considered for the Browns' No. 1 pick.
— If the Browns don’t take Trubisky first overall, everyone I’ve spoken to has mentioned a different QB for them later in the draft. Deshaun Watson seems to make the most sense and, from those on the outside, is the player who checks the most analytics boxes. Others point to the two quarterbacks Browns coach Hue Jackson advocated for at the Senior Bowl: Davis Webb and Josh Dobbs.
— If Trubisky does not go first overall, he likely will end up being drafted by the Buffalo Bills. I’ve reported their substantial interest since February. Those in the building in Buffalo have believed he’d be their pick. Even people who’ve spoken with Trubisky himself believed he’d be a Buffalo Bill. The one caveat: Jets GM Mike Maccagnan doesn’t want to take Trubisky but might feel he has to if he’s still on the board.
— Last note on Trubisky: The Washington Redskins have him graded as a top-10 talent in this class, one of just a few top-10 grades they have on prospects, and teams don’t throw those out often. If Washington has Trubisky graded so high and he’s available when San Francisco is on the clock, would the Redskins trade Kirk Cousins for the No. 2 pick?
— Only a few picks were considered at or near “consensus” around the league. NFL teams are expecting a highly unpredictable first round.
— The Tennessee Titans want to move down from No. 5, but they certainly don’t need to. Marshon Lattimore, O.J. Howard and Mike Williams are the options I’ve reported previously. They want to add a safety, receiver and cornerback early in this draft, but they’re in no rush to do so.
— The Redskins will take Charles Harris is he’s available at No. 17 ... if they stick to their draft board. If he’s gone (as they expect), Jabrill Peppers and Dalvin Cook are both highly ranked and could be the options. I landed on Derek Barnett in my final mock draft, a player that have graded very similarly, fits their prototype at the position and can fill the starting spot Trent Murphy vacates for the first four games this year (before replacing him fully).
— Teams that want to move up in the top 10 want to do so for Christian McCaffrey. I slotted him to the Philadelphia Eagles at 14, with the idea that they might need to move up. He’s the player they want and have wanted for much of the draft process. I think there's a greater than 50/50 chance McCaffrey goes to the Eagles, despite his recent buzz.
— Cam Robinson feels like the near unanimous top offensive tackle in the draft. His range goes from fourth overall to the Jaguars to a team like the Giants or Texans moving up above the Bucs at No. 19 to get him. That said, if he’s not taken by the Bengals at No. 9, most expect him to go to the Ravens at No. 16.
— From asking around the last 48 hours, I’d be very surprised if any team spent a first-rounder on Gareon Conley, but almost everyone I spoke with believes he’ll be picked on Friday. The Cowboys, Eagles, and Packers are his most likely destinations.
— Among picks in my final mock draft, I’m most confident in Solomon Thomas to the Bears at No. 3, Malik Hooker to the Chargers at No. 7 (though the Jets like him, as well), Marlon Humphrey to the Saints at No. 11, Cam Robinson to the Ravens at No. 16, Derek Barnett to the Redskins at No. 17 (unless Charles Harris is there), Dalvin Cook to the Bucs at No. 19 (or if they move down a few spots), and Adoree' Jackson to the Cowboys at No. 28.
— The Buccaneers have been looking to trade out because they know Dalvin Cook has no suitors between No. 19 and No. 28. The Packers at No. 29 may be in play if he’s there. Cook also has interest from the Eagles, and he’s the No. 1-rated running back for the Redskins. If the Bucs do trade down, the Giants want to insure themselves of a top three offensive tackle, and the Seahawks want to go offensive line in Round 1. The Broncos almost surely will go offensive line at No. 20 unless none of the top four are there.
— The Seahawks want to go offensive line, and Garett Bolles or Forrest Lamp is their target. If they can’t get a top offensive lineman, pass rusher may be their ideal position. They want to add a top-end defensive end in Round 1. They’re also a darkhorse option for a safety, and Obi Melifonwu/Marcus Maye could be their options at the position.
— Multiple teams picking in the backend of Round 1 believe Reuben Foster will be on the board for them. The Chiefs, Packers or Saints could stop his fall, which would be more related to his injury history than his character concerns.
— Jonathan Allen’s range is No. 7 (Chargers) to No. 12 (Saints), with every team besides the Panthers and Bills ready to consider him. The Chargers are in play, but the Bengals are the team most often mocked for Allen around the league.
— Michigan’s Taco Charlton likely will be a top-25 pick. The Lions and Dolphins are his most likely destinations. The Lions are where I slotted him in my final mock draft. (UPDATE: Multiple sources expect Charlton to be the Lions' pick if he's available.)
— Could Budda Baker go in Round 1? One team’s internal mock had the Texans expected to take him. I’ve been told it’s unlikely they go quarterback first no matter who is on the board, and that safety and offensive tackle are their targets. Baker and Marcus Maye are two they seem to like at safety.
— Unless he goes to the Bucs or Seahawks, it seems doubtful that draft riser Obi Melifonwu goes in Round 1. I also couldn’t find a first-round home for one of my favorite prospects, Houston’s Tyus Bowser, but plenty of teams still have high interest.
— One team has the following tight end rankings: 1. David Njoku ... 2. Adam Sheehan ... 3. O.J. Howard. Another team has Forrest Lamp as a fourth-round prospect. Just a reminder that NFL draft boards can be wildly different than the groupthink outside.
— Players who may not have first-round slots but should be guys teams consider moving up for: quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and DeShone Kizer (NOT Davis Webb), receivers John Ross and Corey Davis, linebacker Tyus Bowser and cornerback Tre’Davious White.