Jackson Free Press

Day one of the NFL Draft begins tonight with the first round and continues Friday and finishes on Sunday. This could be one of the wildest in recent memory, with the first two picks having already been traded.

In the remaining few hours before the draft, pass the time by reading as many mock drafts as you can if you don’t have a feel for the players. The best teams are able to build through and add free agents to become a title contender.

All the first-round action begins at 7 p.m. CST on ESPN and the NFL Network. Here’s what to watch for mainly tonight but a couple things throughout the draft.

Which quarterback do the Los Angeles Rams select?

It is hard to remember that the Rams are back in L.A. again. But they are, and they traded with the Tennessee Titans to get the top pick.

L.A. is going to draft a quarterback, but the question is, will it be Carson Wentz or Jared Goff? Whichever quarterback the Rams choose leaves the other for the Philadelphia Eagles, who traded with the Cleveland Browns for the second pick.

What will San Diego and Dallas do with picks at three and four?

The real intrigue of this draft begins with the Chargers and Cowboys. Both teams could make a pick on offense or defense. San Diego and Dallas could also start a run on defensive linemen since both teams need help in the trenches on the defensive side.

If the right deal comes along, either team could be enticed into a trade. Both could in fact move back in the draft if the teams that need a quarterback decide to move up.

Will the Browns and 49ers draft a quarterback?

After nearly two decades, Cleveland is still trying to find who will be the man under center. San Francisco might be ready to move from Colin Kaepernick and start fresh at quarterback.

The 49ers have the seventh pick, and the Browns follow with the eighth pick. Both teams have plenty of holes to fill, so they could pass on a quarterback in this round to pick one up later.

If both the Browns and 49ers take a quarterback, it could cause a run on the other ones in the draft.

Will the Saints take a quarterback or defensive player?

There is some thought that the Saints could go after a quarterback in the first round. New Orleans really needs defensive help like a pass rusher or in the secondary if they want to make a run at a title with Drew Brees.

On the other hand, Brees won’t play forever, so when do you get his replacement if you don’t think you already have him on the roster? This would be a classic build for the future or a play--for-right-now spot for the Saints.

More quarterbacks late in round one?

Two other teams who might be interested in a quarterback are the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills. Like the other teams after the first two picks, it is not a given that these two will take a quarterback.

Current Jets starter Ryan Fitzpatrick is holding out for a better deal. You have to wonder if Tyrod Taylor is the permanent answer in Buffalo. These question marks could force the hand of both teams.

Don’t expect to see the Patriots in round one.

New England doesn’t have a first-round pick after #deflategate, which seems to never end. The Patriots won’t make a pick until the second round and 60th pick overall.

That doesn’t mean that New England couldn’t get into the first round. The Patriots have two second-round picks and a third-round pick if they want to trade. New England does have two third-round picks, but one is a compensatory pick, and those can’t be traded.

After the third round, New England doesn’t pick again until the sixth round. The Patriots have four compensatory picks in the draft.

How far will Robert Nkemdiche fall?

This might be the most discussed topic as the night gets late. Nkemdiche has plenty of talent but plenty of questions about his motor and off-the-field issues.

A team from the end of round one might take a chance on the former University of Mississippi defensive tackle. But it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him still around on day two of the draft.

Do the Broncos move up for a quarterback?

The defending Super Bowl champions pick last but won’t have either quarterback that started last season on their roster. Peyton Manning walked off into the sunset, and Brock Osweiler signed with the Houston Texans during free agency.

Denver could make a trade to move up or hope the teams in front of them chose to take care of other needs instead of a quarterback. If Denver really wants a quarterback, it is going to have to make some sort of move up the board.

Here is a list of players from universities in our state who might hear their name called during the next three days. They are listed in the order I think they will be drafted and the highest round they might be selected.

University of Mississippi

Laremy Tunsil, offensive tackle, first round

Laquon Treadwell, wide receiver, first round

Robert Nkemdiche, defensive tackle, first round

Cody Core, wide receiver, fourth round

Fann Cooper, offensive tackle, sixth round

C.J. Johnson, linebacker, sixth round

Trae Elston, safety, seventh round

Mike Hilton, cornerback, seventh round

Mississippi State University

Chris Jones, defensive tackle, first round

Dak Prescott, quarterback, third round

Will Redmond, cornerback, third round

Beniquez Brown, linebacker, fifth round

De’Runnya Wilson, wide receiver, sixth round

Taveze Calhoun, cornerback, seventh round

Ryan Brown, defensive end, seventh round

University of Southern Mississippi

Mike Thomas, wide receiver, fifth round