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Ten Bold Predictions for the NFL Draft

A look at the major headlines you can expect to see on draft day.

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The NFL Draft is just a couple weeks away, which means you can’t believe anything you hear from “team sources.” So what can you believe? Start right here with this list of 10 predictions for the NFL Draft. There is no guaranteeing all of these things will happen, but in the spirit of the season, I definitely guarantee all of these things will happen.

1. Chip Kelly will trade up for Marcus Mariota

This prediction is not exactly bold, given how widespread it has become at this point, but it has to be on the list because I am extremely confident this deal will happen. Chip Kelly has lied about everything this offseason — from his front office takeover to his reasons for trading LeSean McCoy and Nick Foles — so there is no reason to believe him when he says he won’t move up for his former Oregon pupil. Kelly has been aggressive in reshaping the Eagles in his image; all that is left is to bring in the quarterback who was born to run his fast-paced, no-huddle offense.

2. The Chargers will protect Philip Rivers, not trade him 

Rivers is not going to the Titans, the Jets or anywhere else. Just as Chip Kelly’s offense is built for Mariota, Mike McCoy’s offense is built for Rivers. The Chargers are in win-now mode with a team full of veterans and an uncertain future beyond this season. The Bolts are competing for a new stadium, be it in San Diego or Los Angeles, and winning is crucial to gaining the support needed in either location. Look for San Diego to draft a player who can make Rivers even more successful, with LSU OT La’El Collins being the most likely candidate.

3. The Jets will pick Alabama WR Amari Cooper at No. 6

Most Jets fans actually supported Rex Ryan — blaming former GM John Idzik for the team’s downfall — but grew tired of Ryan focusing all of his attention on defense while neglecting the offense. Now New York has another defensive minded coach, Todd Bowles, and he must prove he will not follow Ryan’s footsteps. It starts with selecting the draft’s best offensive skill player, which is clearly Cooper. Adding him to a group that already includes Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker will help the Jets’ quarterback be successful, whether it’s Geno Smith or Ryan Fitzpatrick.

4. The Texans will trade up for a pass rusher

Houston will trade up into the top-10 to get one of the draft’s top pass rushers (Vic Beasley, Shane Ray or Alvin Dupree). The Texans spent last year’s No. 1 overall pick on edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, but he is coming off an injury-plagued season that forced him to undergo microfracture surgery, so any meaningful contributions he makes this season have to be considered a bonus. By adding another sack-master in this year’s draft, the Texans have insurance incase Clowney does not bounce back. And if Clowney returns at 100 percent, the Houston defense will be downright nasty.

5. The Panthers will get OT Andrus Peat without trading up

The Panthers have been killing it in the first round. Their last three first-round picks have all been home runs: Luke Kuechly, Star Lotulelei and Kelvin Benjamin. Each of those players represented the apex of value and need. The Panthers will look to keep the trend going this year, with their greatest need being offensive tackle. The offseason pickups of Michael Oher and Jonathan Martin help, but Carolina still lacks a stud at the position. That will all change on April 30, when the Panthers will select Peat with the No. 25 overall pick and give Cam Newton the improved protection he desperately needs.

6. Randy Gregory will fall out of the first round

Once considered a top-three pick, Gregory has seen his stock plummet over the last couple months. From a poor showing at the NFL Combine to a positive test for marijuana, he is now projected to go somewhere in the middle of the first round. I believe he will fall even farther than that, dropping all the way to the second day of the draft as teams become more and more cautious about taking chances on character risks. He has a chance to take a Da’Quan Bowers-like plummet, possibly even joining Bowers in the NFC South by going to the Falcons with the No. 42 overall pick.

7. The Vikings will trade back into the first round … again

The Vikings traded back into the first round last year to get Teddy Bridgewater (great move). They did the same thing the year prior for Cordarrelle Patterson (not so great). It says here they will make it three in a row, trading back in the first round to pick either Melvin Gordon or Todd Gurley. The Vikings will send Adrian Peterson to Arizona prior to draft weekend, creating the need to go after the draft’s top running back. Minnesota will then execute a trade — possibly with the Browns at No. 19 — to get back into the first round and select the runner of its choice.

8. The Jaguars will steal a running back at the top of the second round

Whichever runner the Vikings pass on will slide all the way to the Jaguars with the No. 36 overall pick. That will give Jacksonville one of the deepest and most versatile backfields in the league, teaming this new rookie with Denard Robinson and Toby Gerhart. It also adds another weapon to an offense that has added Julius Thomas and could get back Justin Blackmon, as well. These upgrades to the offense — plus the addition of Dante Fowler with the No. 3 overall pick — will provide a big step forward for a Jaguars franchise that enters the critical third year of its rebuilding process.

9. The Patriots will draft WR Dorial Green-Beckham in the second round

This fits on every level. The Patriots are known for taking chances on players with off-the-field issues. They also have a need at wide receiver and Green-Beckham is one of the most talented prospects in the draft. His history of alleged violence against women and drug use will cause him to fall at least until the second round, but if Bill Belichick can get him to keep his personal affairs in order he has a chance to be an immediate difference-maker. He has an almost unfair combination of size, speed and athleticism, allowing him to overpower cornerbacks and make acrobatic catches.

10. The Bengals will draft QB Brett Hundley in the third round

The Bengals insist they are not interested in adding a quarterback and are comfortable with A.J. McCarron as the top backup behind Andy Dalton. But remember, this is lying season. When Hundley falls to the third round, Cincinnati will not be able to hold off any longer. Hundley is clearly a developmental project, but perhaps he can contribute later in the season if Dalton wilts again when the stakes are raised. Also, if Dalton fails to get Marvin Lewis his first career playoff victory, perhaps Lewis can save his job by convincing owner Mike Brown that he can get the Bengals over the hump with Hundley under center.

Do you want to talk more about the latest draft news and rumors? Join Michael Lombardo for his weekly NFL Chat on Friday at 2pm EST. But you don’t have to wait until then … you can ask your question now!

Michael Lombardo has spent more than 10 years as a team expert at Scout.com, primarily covering the Chargers, Cardinals and Panthers. He has been published by the NFL Network, Fox Sports and other venues.

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