The 2016 NFL Draft will be the 81^st annual meeting of the National Football League franchises. Here is an early preview of some of the top prospects up to this point who will walk across the stage to meet Commissioner Roger Goodell. Next years draft will remain in Chicago for the second straight year and begin on Thursday, April 28.

1. Detroit Lions – Current Record, 1-5 

Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State: The Lions currently rank 28^th overall in defense after six weeks of action and have failed to deliver the stifling defensive front reminiscent from previous years.  That is largely due to the absence of Ndamukong Suh who left via free agency to the Miami Dolphins earlier this spring. Bosa possesses athleticism that makes NFL personnel blush. With a good, young offensive line and an investment already at quarterback, the logical selection appears to be Detroit focusing on fortifying their defensive front.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Current Record, 1-5

Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss: Nkemdiche has the talent to leapfrog Bosa for the top-overall spot as he is a rare specimen, athletically. The Jaguars defense is missing their 2015 first-round pick, defensive end Dante Fowler who suffered a torn ACL in May and defensive tackle Ziggy Hood with a foot injury. It would be a robust boost to their line up to have all three healthy and ready to roll next season.

3. Kansas City Chiefs, Current Record, 1-5

Jalen Ramsey, Florida State, CB: Ramsey is arguably the most talented defensive back available since the Arizona Cardinals Patrick Peterson was selected fifth-overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. The current Chiefs’ defense ranks 21^st, 24^th against the pass, and 25^th in points allowed. He also has experience at safety and provides a tempo setting leadership quality that will remind you of Ed Reed.

4. Baltimore Ravens, Current Record, 1-5

Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame: Baltimore is 1-5 for the first time in franchise history and they have been one of the models of consistency and success over the last few decades. One of the key pieces to their success, OLB Terrell Suggs is out for the year with a torn Achilles and will enter the 2016 NFL season at 33 years old. Smith provides an explosive first step to help rebuild the once prominent linebacker unit in Baltimore.

5. Tennessee Titans, Current Record, 1-4

Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame: The Titans drafted Marcus Mariota with the second-overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and protecting him and allowing him to flourish should be their primary focus. Stanley could play either right or left tackle for the Titans.

6. San Diego Chargers, Current Record, 2-4

Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor: The sky is the limit for Oakman, who also has the size to possibly touch the sky (6-foot-9, 280 pounds). San Diego lacks play-makers up front and while Melvin Ingram has shown flashes, he remains an injury-prone commodity.  More players like Ingram are needed to legitimize the front seven of the Charger defense.

7. Cleveland Browns, Current Record, 2-4

Jared Goff, QB, California: The latest setback even if minor is a ‘major’ for Johnny Manziel, who found himself on a Monday afternoon on the side of the road arguing with his female companion after some early cockails. Not a ringing endorsement for the rehab facility he invested in earlier this year as he tries to reestablish himself in the organization. Josh McCown is doing his best impersonation of former Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson, who in 2007 had one of the best statistical seasons in franchise history.  The M&M’s at quarterback are not the future in Cleveland.

8. Houston Texans, Current Record, 2-4

Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State: Cook is a perfect fit for head coach Bill O’Brien who is desperate for a franchise quarterback. O’Brien has made himself look inadequate in decision making with the flip-flopping back and fourth between quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett.  Cook and Jared Goff could easily jump up in the top five depending what quarterback needy teams continue to lose and increase their draft stock heading into next season.

9. New Orleans Saints, Current Record, 2-4

Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss: Tunsil could find himself in the Top Five after the dust settles at the conclusion of the 2016 NFL Draft. He possesses terrific ability to be a natural fit at either tackle position. The Saints have issues across the board both offensively and defensively. Tunsil is just too good to pass up with the ninth pick.

10. Chicago Bears, Current Record, 2-4

Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA: The Bears need many upgrades at many different positions on both sides of the football. Jack has drawn attention since leaving UCLA after tearing his ACL so he could focus on the upcoming NFL Draft. The real attention should be aimed at his ability on the field and how he could help give the Bears an edge rusher in their 3-4 defensive system.

11. Washington Redskins, Current Record, 2-4

Tre ‘Davious White, CB, LSU: In a perfect would White would actually be a franchise quarterback, but picking 11^th overall places the Redskins outside the realm (unless they move up again). White, however, is a fantastic college prospect at the cornerback position who displays true cover-corner ability.

12. San Francisco 49ers, Current Record, 2-4

Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh: Boyd is everything the 49ers’ offense needs at the receiver position. Young, fast and incredibly talented, Boyd will bring a new dimension to what is a relatively slow and aging offense at the skill positions. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick is under constant scrutiny and the possible selection of Boyd may help secure his future employment in San Francisco.

13. Seattle Seahawks, Current Record, 2-4

Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M: Strange to see the Seahawks this high in the pecking order and it is mainly due to the inability of their offensive line to protect quarterback Russell Wilson and provide running lanes for Marshawn Lynch. Ifedi will be welcomed with open arms by general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll.

14. Miami Dolphins, Current Record, 2-3

Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA: The Bruins second, first-round pick of the draft would play alongside Ndamukong Suh for the foreseeable future. Clark is active for his size (6-foot-3, 308 pounds) and shows great get off speed and production for an interior lineman.

15. Oakland Raiders, Current Record, 2-3

Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida: The Raiders ironically have two underachieving 2013 cornerbacks as their current starters. One (D.J. Hayden) they drafted in the first-round, and the other (David Amerson) was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second-round of the same draft. Hargreaves gives hope to a team aiming to turn the corner and heading back to being one of the more prominent franchises in the league.

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Current Record, 2-3

DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon: The Buccaneers defense ranks fifth-overall in yards per game, but is 22^nd in the NFL in points allowed. Maximizing production up front could be the key to helping the defense improve in both categories next season. Buckner has exceptional length (6-foot-7, 290 pounds) along with a high-motor.

17. St. Louis Rams, Current Record, 2-3

Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss: It feels like this team has been searching for a legit No. 1 receiver ever since Torry Holt left back in 2008. Treadwell is a big, massive target with the ability to stretch the field and make the tough acrobatic catches.

18. Dallas Cowboys, Current Record, 2-3

Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State: Everyone knows the Cowboys offense is not as potent without DeMarco Murray and since they built one of the best offensive lines in football, it’s a shame that there is not a great running back on the roster to maximize their effort. Elliott gets handed the torch to be one of the next great Dallas running backs.

19. New York Giants, Current Record 3-3

Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida: No one knows how effective Jason Pierre-Paul will be when (or if) he returns to the field after his fireworks accident on July 4^th.  In addition to the uncertainty surrounding Pierre-Paul, the defensive front in New York needs a jolt of talent. Bullard is a physical guy that head coach Tom Coughlin will find easy to love.

20. Buffalo Bills, Current Record, 3-3

Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State: Rex Ryan craves the day when he can run LeSean McCoy over and over and over again. McCoy has been dealing with hamstring issues, but when he returns to full strength the real identity of the Bills offense will reveal itself. Decker brings a hardnosed, vintage tough guy image to the left tackle spot and immediately becomes a guy Ryan can relate to.

21. Minnesota Vikings, Current Record, 3-2

Vadal Alexander, OG, LSU: The Vikings could go in several different directions, but Alexander may be one of the best values in terms of team needs on the draft board. Joe Berger was a projected guard for the Vikings heading into the season and now is serving as the team’s center.  Alexander gives the team a good young guard to work into their run heavy offense.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers, Current Record, 4-2

KeiVarae Russell, CB, Notre Dame: One of the biggest areas of concern heading into the season was the secondary in Pittsburgh. The players and coaches have worked together to play above and beyond expectations, but don’t think for one minute they will not welcome a big time talent like Russell. He is a long, athletic defensive back who can help fill the shoes of Ike Taylor.

23. New York Jets, Current Record, 4-1

Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama: David Harris is still the man in the middle for the Jets, but he is getting long in the tooth and Ragland is the perfect pupil for Harris to teach. Ragland anticipates and diagnoses plays very quickly and explodes into the ball carrier.

24. Atlanta Falcons, Current Record, 5-1

Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State: The Falcons added Vic Beasley with their first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Beasley is a hybrid DE/LB who brings exceptional speed off the edge. Adding another key contributor like Calhoun into the mix helps both players feed off each other as  they look to devour opposing quarterbacks.

25. Philadelphia Eagles, Current Record 3-3

Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State: It would be hard to imagine the team passing on any top end offensive linemen available on the board.  Left tackle Taylor Decker from Ohio State could also serve as a real candidate for the Eagles current selection. Whitehair excels in the running game and for all the money spent on running backs this off-season by the Eagles, it appears they want to run the football.

26. Indianapolis Colts, Current Record, 3-3

Derek Henry, RB, Alabama: Henry might be the perfect fit for a Colts offense that relies too heavily on the passing attack providing by quarterback Andrew Luck. Henry is a big, physical back who could be the LeGarrette Blount of the Colts rushing attack.

27. Arizona Cardinals, Current Record, 4-2

Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor: The Cardinals are so balanced on both sides of the football that there is not an alarming need to fill. Coleman is one of the fastest players who will be entering the NFL next year and pairing him alongside of John Brown will give Arizona one of the fastest duos at receiver.

28. New England Patriots, Current Record, 5-0

Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State: The Patriots have not had much luck drafting receivers in the early rounds, but that doesn’t stop them from trying to add to the arsenal at Tom Brady’s disposal. Thomas can stretch the field and provides a large target in the red zone.

29. Carolina Panthers, Current Record, 5-0

Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State: The Panthers defense could use an influx of edge talent and Ogbah is their man. He leads the Cowboys with 6.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and is fourth on the Oklahoma State defense with 33 tackles (22 solo).

30. Cincinnati Bengals, Current Record, 6-0

Darian Thompson, FS, Boise State: Current free safety Reggie Nelson is in his ninth NFL season and grabbing Thompson sures up the future of the back end of the secondary. Thompson is a rangy safety who currently leads the Broncos in tackles (42) and is tied for the team lead with four interceptions.

31. Denver Broncos, Current Record, 6-0

Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana: Denver has faced adversity with injuries to their offensive line unit. Adding young depth that can be turned into a future starter is in the cards for Spriggs. The senior tackle is the anchor of the Hoosiers offensive line.

32. Green Bay Packers, Current Record, 6-0

A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama: The Packers prefer their defensive linemen tip well over 300-plus pounds and Robinson (6-foot-4, 312 pounds) definitely gets a passing grade in that part of the scouting report. Robinson is a very disruptive and smart player on the field. He could turn into one of the top defenders once he nails down the nuances of the pro game.