Arizona Cardinals: Even with restricted free agent Tony Jefferson signing his one-year tender, I'm told by a Cardinals scout that they will target a defensive back in Round 1. The center position is one the Cardinals could target early, and the scout also said the team fell in love with Alabama's Ryan Kelly (Alabama). The scout and another team source both said they wouldn't be surprised if wide receiver Michael Floyd is used as trade bait to move up or add extra picks. That was the case last year, too.
Atlanta Falcons: Defense, defense, defense. Front-office executives in Atlanta expect a defensive end or linebacker at pick No. 17. With only five picks in the draft, I'm told by the same sources that the Falcons would move down in Round 1 if Darron Lee is already off the board. As a scout in Atlanta told me, "Scott Pioli always goes OL." It would be reasonable to expect a guard to come off the board in the middle rounds.
Baltimore Ravens: At pick No. 6 the Ravens have options, and I'm told by a coach that general manager Ozzie Newsome will stick to a "best available player" philosophy after reaching for a need in wide receiver Breshad Perriman last year. The Ravens have done their homework on Eastern Kentucky edge-rusher Noah Spence. If he's on the board in Round 2, a position coach in Baltimore says he'd be the pick.
Buffalo Bills: A scout in Buffalo opted not to answer when asked about the Bills' interest in Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg, who has been linked to them by many around the league, including Sports Illustrated's Peter King. One thing is certain, according to the scout: The Bills are intent on adding at least competition for Pro Bowl quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Kevin Hogan (Stanford) is another name a front-office source with knowledge of the Bills' draft plans mentioned as a mid-round option. If the Bills go defense in Round 1, I'm told by the same front-office source that the scouting staff praised Alabama's Jarran Reed and consider him a fit there.
Carolina Panthers: The Panthers have been linked to pass-rushers throughout the draft process, but sources in the scouting room expect a defensive back to get the most attention in Round 1. I'm told by coaching staff sources in Carolina that the team has done heavy work on Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas; he may be a surprise Round 1 pick.
Chicago Bears: The Bears are said to love DeForest Buckner, according to a source on the coaching staff, but the Oregon defensive lineman won't be available at pick No. 11. Leonard Floyd is the player highest on the board who is likely to be available, but the same coaching source said left tackle and cornerback will be priorities.
Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals have a reputation in scouting circles of drafting for need, and a coach on the staff expects a wide receiver to be the first-round need filled. Other areas that will get attention are defensive line and defensive back, likely in the top four rounds, according to the same coach.
Cleveland Browns: League sources expect the Browns to consider Jack Conklin from Michigan State at pick No. 8 as they try to replace Mitchell Schwartz. The Browns were "in love" with Myles Jack, according to a scout employed with the team this past season, but that may have changed with new information regarding his knee. A scout still employed with the team believes the Browns will be active moving up and down the board, but the scout says the priority will be on defense.
Dallas Cowboys: Everything I hear out of Dallas' front office is that the team is locked in on Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey. If he is gone, a current Dallas player I spoke with who has knowledge of the draft board said Ezekiel Elliott is "100 percent in play."
Denver Broncos: Many expect Denver to select a quarterback, but a scout in the front office says that general manager John Elway will draft the best player, not the biggest need. The scout mentioned safety Karl Joseph as someone the Broncos were high on.
Detroit Lions: Ryan Kelly is the top want from new general manager Bob Quinn, according to scouts who have worked with him in the past. Don't rule out a left tackle if Taylor Decker falls to pick No. 16. A coach I spoke to in Detroit said, Riley Reiff isn't expected to return after his contract runs out next season.
Green Bay Packers: General manager Ted Thompson doesn't always stay on script, but everything coming out of the draft room in Green Bay points to defensive line and linebacker in the first two rounds. One name heating up from scouts with the Packers is Clemson safety T.J. Green. He's viewed as a hot candidate in Round 2 if he's on the board. The Packers love Alabama players, and according to the scouting source there, Reggie Ragland is viewed as a late first-round option.
Houston Texans: Sources in Houston on the coaching staff and in the front office have said all along that wide receiver is likely to be the first-round pick. Keep an eye on Laquon Treadwell if he falls, as I'm told the Texans love him. As for the most likely selection, the scout I spoke to said Will Fuller got his top grade at wide receiver.
Indianapolis Colts: The love for Alabama center Ryan Kelly is real, according to decision-makers I've talked to in Indianapolis. Sources on the coaching staff tell me they're not set on drafting an offensive tackle at any point in this draft and instead expect to go center and edge-rusher in some order with the first two picks.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack is the name everyone mentions when you ask around the league. If he passes his medicals, he'll be the pick, according to a front-office source. Joey Bosa is the top player on the board without a health risk, according to the same front-office source. There was a debate between Bosa and Jalen Ramsey among scouts.
Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs stick to a strict "draft ahead" philosophy, and looking at future free agents, a coach there says a nose tackle in Round 1 wouldn't be a surprise. Other areas of consideration, per the coach, are wide receiver and cornerback. The team would like to add a quarterback but may not be able to without a third-round pick, according to a scouting contact.
Los Angeles Rams: This may seem a formality, but I'm told by a source in the Rams' front office that they are taking Jared Goff at No. 1 overall. With just four other selections, the same source said the Rams will focus on an interior lineman and a big wide receiver.
Miami Dolphins: The team is enamored with Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott, and my front-office source says a trade up to get in front of Chicago at No. 11 is possible. The Dolphins are also expected to make a run at a cornerback early in this draft, per the same source.
Minnesota Vikings: It's no secret that the Vikings need a starting wide receiver, and I'm told by a scout in the front office that they prefer TCU's Josh Doctson in Round 1. Running back is not considered by scouts in Minnesota to be a priority in this draft class.
New England Patriots: The Patriots are a hard team to get solid info on, but one scout said strong safety could be targeted with one of their two Round 2 selections. Scouts familiar with New England's draft plans said the team will target a stand-up pass-rusher to replace Chandler Jones with one of the Day 2 picks.
New Orleans Saints: In talking to sources on the coaching staff in New Orleans, it's apparent the team wants to get bigger at defensive tackle and beef up against the run. Sheldon Rankins in Round 1 and a wide receiver in Round 2 is the current "best guess" from coaches. I was told by a Saints scout that there was a big debate on Robert Nkemdiche and to not rule him out in Round 1.
New York Giants: General manager Jerry Reese has avoided the linebacker position in years past, but a front-office source said that could change this year. Darron Lee and Leonard Floyd are the names to watch. Offensive tackle is another area the Giants' source said could be a first-round pick; Jack Conklin is the player my contact mentioned. The Giants would love for Myles Jack to be available, according to a coach I spoke with on staff.
New York Jets: The Jets are a true "best player available" team now, so don't expect a reach for a quarterback at No. 20 if they don't have that player atop the board. The Jets were an anonymous-source dream under the last regime, but good luck getting anyone in this building to talk now. Since Mike Maccagnan put together a mix of young and veteran scouts to assist in his rebuilding efforts, led by his top lieutenant Brian Heimerdinger, they have locked down the rebuilding effort. All is quiet coming out of Florham Park.
Oakland Raiders: A coaching source in Oakland said the Raiders would love Ezekiel Elliott to fall to them, but a realistic option is a big defensive tackle or left tackle of the future, per the same source. Two names to remember, according to the coach I talked to, are Chris Jones and Robert Nkemdiche.
Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz will be the pick at No. 2 overall (no surprise), but my sources in Philadelphia's front office said the team wants to add at least one receiver and running back with its remaining selections. Speaking of running backs, I'm told it wouldn't be a surprise to Eagles scouts if they went quarterback and then running back with the team's first two picks. Kenneth Dixon (Louisiana Tech) was mentioned as a possibility.
Pittsburgh Steelers: A contact on staff in Pittsburgh said the team is not set on a cornerback in Round 1 and that the team could draft Karl Joseph depending on his medicals. The Steelers will not be moving Landry Jones for draft picks, according to my source. They value him more than ever after his play last season.
San Diego Chargers: I'm told by a decision-maker in the front office that Laremy Tunsil, DeForest Buckner and Jalen Ramsey are the favorites to be picked at No. 3 overall. The same source said the Chargers view tackle, defensive end and free safety as their biggest needs.
San Francisco 49ers: At pick No. 7, expect the 49ers to go toward the trenches unless they can move up to get cornerback Jalen Ramsey, according to my front-office source. Names to consider for the 49ers are Tunsil, Buckner and Ronnie Stanley. I'm told by the same source that linebacker Myles Jack has been moved to the team's "sub-board," which means he wouldn't play in 2016. In other words, he's basically off their radar. General manager Trent Baalke needs to win now, and that's why my contact believes the 49ers are a candidate to move back up into Round 1 and may try to send Colin Kaepernick as trade capital to do so.
Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks are being oddly quiet this season after talking fairly openly last year. Information isn't flowing from the Pacific Northwest. One scout I met on the road did say they viewed Ryan Kelly as a Round 1 player but that he's not expected to be there for them.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The word around the league is that Tampa likes tackle Ronnie Stanley but the team fears he won't be there. A source on the team said pass-rusher and wide receiver were considered the top needs on the roster.
Tennessee Titans: After Tennessee traded back from the No. 1 overall pick, the current buzz from scouts with the Titans is that they're eyeing a move back into the top 10 to get a right tackle. League sources expect the Cleveland Browns to consider Jack Conklin from Michigan State at pick No. 8, so the Titans could be trying to get ahead of them.
Washington: At pick No. 21, I've been told by scouts that general manager Scot McCloughan would love to land Alabama center Ryan Kelly. Scouts I've spoken with from the team believe defensive line is a high priority but said to not rule out a big wide receiver in Round 1.
