NFL Draft Rumors: Last-Minute Draft Whispers Around All 32 Teams

After months of agonizing waiting, it's finally here—the 2015 NFL draft kicks off tonight in Chicago, and Bleacher Report will have you covered from start to finish.

But before the festivities get underway, there's still a ton of scuttlebutt concerning the first round of the draft. There are trades to be made, players to be dealt and landscapes to be altered. As always, the prattle is coming hot and heavy, and we're here to sort through it and get to the truth of the matter.

In this column, we'll examine the latest rumors surrounding every NFL team and try to determine the veracity behind each one.

Here are the last-minute draft whispers around all 32 NFL teams.

Arizona Cardinals: Looking to Trade for Vikings RB Adrian Peterson?

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

An argument can easily be constructed that the 2014 Arizona Cardinals were a big-time running back away from being a true Super Bowl contender (and yes, a healthy quarterback would have helped, too).

With the NFL draft drawing nigh, rumors of a potential trade for Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson are intensifying—and the Cardinals have been a bandied-about destination, which makes sense, given Peterson would add a new dimension to coach Bruce Arian's offense.

As Jay Dieffenbach of AZCentral.com recently reported, Arizona "still has a chance" at Peterson, which should bring a smile to the face of any ardent Cardinals supporter. While the price would surely be steep, logic and reason dictates Peterson would elevate the Cardinals into the NFC elite, alongside Green Bay and Seattle.

It's tough to imagine this trade materializing, mainly because the smart money is on the Vikings keeping Peterson, who is under contract. But dealing for Peterson would be a bold move from general manager Steve Keim, and one that would surely improve the fortunes of his team.

Atlanta Falcons: Trade Up for a Pass-Rusher?

David Goldman/Associated Press

Back in 2011, Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff made a seismic draft-day trade with the Browns in order to select Alabama receiver Julio Jones. 

And now—four years later—Dimitroff might be ready to move up the board once again, albeit on a more muted scale.

The Falcons hold the eighth overall pick in the draft, but per NFL Media's Albert Breer, they're looking to move up for an "impact defender," and one can only surmise the "impact defender" in question is a pass-rusher, as that's a major area of need.

It's tough to imagine this materializing. The draft is ripe with pass-rushing talent, and the Falcons should be able to acquire a potential impact player with the eighth pick.

Baltimore Ravens: Looking at Top CBs?

GAIL BURTON/Associated Press

Last season, the Baltimore Ravens suffered myriad injuries in their secondary and finished the year ranked 23rd in pass defense.

So it stands to reason general manager Ozzie Newsome would target that position in the first round of the draft—and per Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun, that could very well be the case, with the Ravens having hosted a number of top cornerbacks for visits.

Marcus Peters (Washington), Jalen Collins (LSU), Kevin Johnson (Wake Forest) and P.J. Williams (Florida State) all visited the team, and Ravens assistant general manager Eric DeCosta said this of Johnson to Wilson: "He's extremely athletic. Very, very good feet; sudden; great man-to-man skills; can play zone. I think he's a tough kid. He's played at a high level of football. He's a good prospect."

The Ravens aren't far away from competing for a Super Bowl title, and adding an impact cornerback would definitely help them in their quest for a third Lombardi Trophy.

Buffalo Bills: Interested in Baylor QB Bryce Petty?

LM Otoro/Associated Press

A favorite saying in NFL circles goes something like this: If you have two quarterbacks (meaning no established starter), you have no quarterback.

Well, the Buffalo Bills have four quarterbacks (EJ Manuel, Matt Cassel, Tyrod Taylor and Jeff Tuel), and that almost definitely means they don't have a quarterback. Not yet, at least.

While it's possible one of those four passers will distinguish himself between now and Week 1, it's also possible new coach Rex Ryan and general manager Doug Whaley will seek to add a signal-caller in the early rounds of the draft. And since the Bills don't possess a first-round pick (thanks to last year's trade for Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins), the second round could be their sweet spot.

Enter Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty, who revealed earlier this week on 1660 ESPN Central Texas (via Bryan Fischer of NFL.com) he would be meeting and dining with Bills officials. 

While Petty should go in the second round, the Bills still need to address the offensive line, and Ryan always loves adding to the defense. The smart money is on the Bills taking a quarterback later on in the draft, likely after Petty is long off the board.

Carolina Panthers: Draft a WR to Help QB Cam Newton?

Chuck Burton/Associated Press

Last season, the Carolina Panthers trotted out a wide receiving corps of Kelvin Benjamin, Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant, Philly Brown and Brenton Bersin.

That's essentially Benjamin and four members of the witness protection program.

In order for the two-time defending NFC South champion Panthers to take the next step, general manager Dave Gettleman simply must surround quarterback Cam Newton with more weapons in the passing game. And the good news for Newton is Gettlemen recently said (per Kevin Patra of NFL.com) there is more "depth" in this year's receiver class than last year's, which has been heralded as one of the best ever.

Gettleman could just be posturing and trying to throw teams off the scent of his true target, but it'd be wise if Gettleman did pull the trigger and select a receiver with the team's first-round pick (No. 25 overall).

Chicago Bears: Looking for a WR to Replace Brandon Marshall?

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Earlier this offseason, new Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox dealt away receiver Brandon Marshall to the Jets, leaving a hole at the position opposite No. 1 target Alshon Jeffery.

But per Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun Times, it seems "likely" the Bears will draft a receiver—think Alabama's Amari Cooper or West Virginia's Kevin White—with the seventh overall pick.

With Chicago seemingly stuck with mercurial quarterback Jay Cutler for 2015, it makes sense to surround him with as much weaponry as possible on offense. And the Bears did a nice job acquiring defensive talent in last year's draft, including cornerback Kyle Fuller and safety Brock Vereen, which lessens the need to take someone on that side of the ball this year.

Taking either White or Cooper would add a jolt to the offense and could help the Bears win games in 2015.

Cincinnati Bengals: Need to Upgrade the Pass-Catching Corps?

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

The Cincinnati Bengals possess one of the league's most talented 53-man rosters and have made the playoffs in four straight seasons (albeit losing in the Wild Card Round each time). 

But there's one clear area of weakness on the depth chart, and it's at the receiver position behind the dazzling A.J. Green. Mohamed Sanu is a decent No. 2 option, but the rest of the depth chart—Marvin Jones, Brandon Tate and free-agent acquisition Denarius Moore—leaves a lot to be desired. 

In ESPN's NFL Nation mock draft, Coley Harvey tabbed USC receiver Nelson Agholor with the 21st overall pick, and he'd be a fantastic fit in coordinator Hue Jackson's offense. With the team locked into quarterback Andy Dalton, it makes sense to surround him with talent, and Agholor would fit the bill.

Cleveland Browns: Will They Trade Up for Oregon QB Marcus Mariota?

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

During last year's draft, the Cleveland Browns selected Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel with the 22nd overall pick—and it appeared he would be their quarterback of the future.

But Manziel suffered through a disastrous neophyte campaign and recently completed a (voluntary) trip to a rehab facility. His long-term future with the club appears to be nebulous, especially with the team having signed free-agent quarterback Josh McCown earlier in the offseason.

The Browns hold the No. 12 and 19 overall picks in the first round and have the theoretical firepower to trade up if they so desire. And per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, they've had trade discussions with the Redskins about a potential move to fifth overall.

The obvious target would be Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, but he could be long gone by the time the fifth pick rolls around. Is it possible the Browns are preparing a larger move to go up and get Mariota? Certainly. In fact, ESPN's Pat McManamon (via SportsCenter) reported the Browns offered the Tennessee Titans their first-round picks in exchange for the No. 2 overall pick. That report has since been disputed, but as long as volatile owner Jimmy Haslam is in charge, anything is possible for the Browns.

Dallas Cowboys: Will They Take a First-Round RB to Replace DeMarco Murray?

Scott Roth/Associated Press

Last season, Dallas running back DeMarco Murray won NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors, rushing for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns in helping the Cowboys to a 12-4 record and the NFC East title.

But Murray is no longer on the team, having signed a lucrative free-agent deal with the rival Eagles, leaving a gaping hole in Dallas' backfield. And with all due respect to the pupu platter of Darren McFadden, Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams, they aren't replacing Murray—no matter how good the offensive line is.

With Murray's defection in mind, it would make sense for the Cowboys to consider spending the 27th overall pick in the first round on a running back. But owner Jerry Jones recently said (via Kevin Patra of NFL.com) that drafting a running back is not "urgent" for the Cowboys, and NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported they could potentially wait until the third or fourth round to select one.

To paraphrase Public Enemy: Don't believe the hype. The Cowboys desperately need a bell cow back to take the pressure off of quarterback Tony Romo and the defense, and will likely do so in the early rounds of the draft.

Denver Broncos: Could They Take Missouri Pass-Rusher Shane Ray?

Wade Payne/Associated Press

For the Denver Broncos, 2015 will represent another "Super Bowl or bust" campaign, with the future of quarterback Peyton Manning uncertain beyond this season. General manager John Elway is surely looking to add impact players in the draft that can help the team win this year.

Thanks to both a lingering foot injury and a recent arrest for possession of marijuana, Missouri pass-rusher Shane Ray could now very well drop to the end of the first round—and could even drop out of the first round altogether. The Broncos hold the 28th overall selection.

ESPN's NFL Nation mock draft projected Ray to the Broncos, and per ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold, the likelihood of Ray being available spiked considerably as a result of the arrest, which means he could fall directly in Denver's lap. 

Ray would add pass-rushing oomph alongside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller, and could represent a best-case scenario for the Broncos in the first round—assuming he can stay out of further trouble.

Detroit Lions: Looking to Trade Down?

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

When the Detroit Lions lost star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in free agency to Miami—and to a lesser extent, Suh's battery mate Nick Fairley to St. Louis—the need to add a big body at the position became pressing. And general manager Martin Mayhew got his man, dealing fourth- and fifth-round picks to the Ravens for Haloti Ngata.

While the trade was a shrewd one, it left the Lions with only six draft picks, the first being 23rd overall in the first round. And per Jason La Canfora of CBS, Mayhew has fielded calls about trading down in the draft to acquire more selections.

With a number of talented prospects set to go in that range, it's feasible the Lions could receive a nice haul for moving back a few slots. This is a rumor that could easily become reality.

Green Bay Packers: Targeting LSU CB Jalen Collins?

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson is among the best in the league at his job, and rumors very rarely leak out of Lambeau Field concerning the draft.

But it's not difficult to tell cornerback is a position of need for the team, especially after losing Tramon Williams in free agency to the Browns. Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com believes the Packers would have a hard time passing on LSU cornerback Jalen Collins, who is long (6'1"), rangy and would presumably fit in coordinator Dom Capers' defense.

When it comes to Thompson and the draft, anything is possible—after all, he's the same man who selected Aaron Rodgers in the first round when the team still employed Brett Favre (although that one turned out just fine). But Demovsky seems to be accurate in his assessment, and it's hard to imagine the selection being anything other than either a cornerback or inside linebacker.

Houston Texans: Looking for a WR to Replace Andre Johnson?

Patric Schneider/Associated Press

Earlier this offseason, the Houston Texans cut ties with the best player in franchise history, receiver Andre Johnson, and because of that, the team has a hole to fill at the position.

And yes, the team did sign Jaguars receiver Cecil Shorts in free agency—but if you believe Shorts is the answer, we'd love to know the question.

Kristie Rieken of The Associated Press recently wrote the Texans could be looking to add help at the position, which makes a ton of sense. DeAndre Hopkins, the team's first-round pick in 2013, is a fine player, but he needs help around him.

The Texans hold the 16th pick, and it should surprise no one if coach Bill O'Brien and general manager Rick Smith opt to take a pass-catcher in that spot (think Arizona State's Jaelen Strong or USC's Nelson Agholor).

Indianapolis Colts: Looking to Add Defensive Linemen?

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

The Indianapolis Colts have ended back-to-back seasons with playoff losses on the road against the Patriots—and in both games, they have been absolutely gashed on the ground.

If the Colts are to take the next step and qualify for the Super Bowl, general manager Ryan Grigson surely knows the run defense must improve. And he could use the 29th overall pick in the draft to make it happen.

Per Stephen Holder of The Indianapolis Star, defensive line is a major area of need for the team, and Grigson is bullish on this year's class, telling Holder:

"

There are some quality defensive linemen in this class. There are some long, athletic ones. There are some very stout ones. There are some that have pretty good versatility along the front what we do. I feel as much as since I've been here (in) 2012, if there were more of these players … that would have been ideal.

"

Three players referenced by Holder in the report are Oklahoma's Jordan Phillips, Texas' Malcolm Brown and Florida State's Eddie Goldman. All would be fine options as the Colts seek to buttress the roster around star quarterback Andrew Luck.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Targeting Alabama WR Amari Cooper at Third Overall?

Jonathan Bachman/Associated Press

Last year, the Jacksonville Jaguars used the third overall pick in the draft to select UCF quarterback Blake Bortles—and here they are once again, on the clock with the third overall pick in the 2015 draft.

And that's not a total indictment of Bortles, who suffered behind a horrendous offensive line, but there's no question Bortles must play better in 2015 if the Jaguars are to take the next step—and coach Gus Bradley and general manager David Caldwell are to keep their jobs.

We give you that to give you this—as Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports recently reported, the Jaguars could be set on taking Alabama receiver Amari Cooper at No. 3 overall.

Cooper is a fine prospect and would certainly help in the passing attack, but it'd be more prudent to select an impact defender for Bradley's defense. Just last year, the Jaguars spent two second-round picks at the receiver position (Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee), and earlier this offseason, they signed tight end Julius Thomas to a big-money free-agent deal.

USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams or Florida edge-rusher Dante Fowler would fit the bill for the Jaguars.

Kansas City Chiefs: Targeting Louisville WR DeVante Parker?

Ed Zurga/Associated Press

As you may or may not have heard, the Kansas City Chiefs' wide receiving corps tallied a grand total of zero touchdown receptions in 2014. That's right: If you were to multiply their number of touchdown grabs by 100, it would still be zero.

In an effort to fix the group, coach Andy Reid and general manager John Dorsey signed Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin to a big-money free-agent deal, but the work clearly isn't done, especially given the release of longtime No. 1 option Dwayne Bowe. 

Peter King of TheMMQB.com recently wrote the Chiefs "love" Louisville receiver DeVante Parker, who would provide quarterback Alex Smith with another explosive weapon in the passing attack. It's currently unclear if Parker will last all the way to 18 where the Chiefs pick, but as King notes, it's feasible Reid could trade up to make it happen.

The Chiefs have recently been stubborn about improving their passing attack, but after last year's debacle, they can no longer afford to ignore that area of need. Attempting to nab Parker—or a receiver of his ilk—makes a ton of sense.

Miami Dolphins: Trade Up for Georgia RB Todd Gurley?

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

The Miami Dolphins have a new executive vice president of football operations in Mike Tannenbaum, and he hasn't wasted time in revamping the team's offense.

Gone is receiver Mike Wallace (traded to Minnesota), and in are receivers Kenny Stills (acquired from New Orleans) and Greg Jennings (signed as a free agent). And according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport (via Chase Goodbread of NFL.com), Tannenbaum has his eye on Georgia running back Todd Gurley.

The Dolphins own the 14th overall pick in the draft, and it's currently unclear if Gurley will last that long. But if he does, Gurley would represent a fantastic selection by Tannenbaum and the team's front office. Gurley would help take pressure off of quarterback Ryan Tannehill and add a bruising, physical presence to an offense sorely in need of it.

Minnesota Vikings: What Will They Do with RB Adrian Peterson?

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

The Minnesota Vikings could very well end up playing a large role in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft—and it's because they could potentially trade away star running back Adrian Peterson.

Peterson, who only played in one game last year as part of the league's response to the child abuse charges he faced, is clearly trying to force his way out of Minnesota. His agent, Ben Dogra, has said the Vikings aren't "in Adrian's best interest," per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. While coach Mike Zimmer recently insisted Peterson isn't available for trade, that doesn't mean Peterson won't be dealt.

Peterson is due $12.75 million next year, and with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in tow, it stands to reason the Vikings are on the up-and-up. In theory, Peterson should help expedite the development of Bridgewater and help the Vikings win games in 2015.

But it's certainly within the realm of possibility the Vikings could ship Peterson out of town for a king's ransom. The most likely scenario sees Peterson remaining in the Twin Cities, but don't count out a blockbuster trade that could dramatically alter the landscape of both the NFL and the 2015 draft.

New England Patriots: Looking at USC WR Nelson Agholor?

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

The defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots hold the 32nd and final pick in the first round of the 2015 draft—and the smart money is on them trading out of the pick, given the past history of coach Bill Belichick.

But assuming the Patriots hold on to the pick, there will be a number of options in play. Peter King of TheMMQB.com recently noted New England "likes" USC receiver Nelson Agholor, and the fit makes sense. Despite the emergence of Julian Edelman, the Patriots receiving corps could use a jolt of youth and playmaking ability.

If the Patriots are going to gear up for another Super Bowl run, adding weapons for quarterback Tom Brady would be a smart move. Agholor would be a fine pick—assuming, of course, the Patriots hold on to the pick.

New Orleans Saints: Trade Up for USC DL Leonard Williams?

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

The New Orleans Saints enter the 2015 NFL draft in a precarious financial situation—one that saw them have to deal away star tight end Jimmy Graham to NFC rival Seattle earlier in the offseason.

Thanks to that trade, the Saints possess the 13th and 31st overall picks in the first round, and they absolutely must exit Day 1 with a talented player (or players). In his mock draft, Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com projected Saints general manager Mickey Loomis trading up with Oakland to the fourth overall spot in order to draft USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams.

Williams is widely viewed as one of the safest and best players in the draft and would represent a fine selection for New Orleans. But the bottom line is the Saints need to add as many young playmakers as possible to the roster, so exhausting a number of selections in order to draft one player doesn't make a ton of sense. The Saints should stand pat and select the best player available at both No. 13 and 31st overall.

New York Giants: Looking to Trade Down?

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

During last year's first round, New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese hit a grand-slam home run with the selection of LSU receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

But per a report from Bleacher Report's Matt Miller, Reese could now be looking to trade down with his first-round selection (ninth overall), with the Browns looking to nab the pick.

Presumably, the Browns would want the ninth overall pick as part of a package to move up for Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Giants would likely move back to 12th overall, where they would still be able to draft a high-ceiling offensive lineman—think Miami's Ereck Flowers—and add more picks later on.

The Giants aren't far off from once again being a Super Bowl contender, and adding a few more playmakers could be just what the roster needs to get over the hump.

New York Jets: Will They Trade Up?

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

The New York Jets have a new coach (Todd Bowles) and general manager (Mike Maccagnan), and they have already added a number of exciting new (or, in the case of cornerback Darrelle Revis, old) faces to the roster.

And they might not be done making headlines just yet. Speaking at his pre-draft press conference (via Conor Orr of NFL.com), Maccagnan had this to say about the prospect of trading up:

"

We're going to reach out to every team ahead of us and gauge the value of what they're looking for in compensation to move up in the draft. That doesn't mean we're actually trying to go up necessarily and get a player but you hear what the market value is basically, and then what you do is see what unfolds with the first few picks and who is available. We'll have that discussion when we get to the draft -- if we want to move up in the draft.

"

There's really only one player who makes sense in this particular scenario—Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. Drafting Mariota would add pop and sizzle to a team sorely in need of it, and if Mariota played well as a rookie, it stands to reason the Jets could compete for a playoff berth.

The most likely scenario sees the Jets staying put at sixth overall and taking the best available player, but the possibility of trading up for Mariota shouldn't be discounted.

Oakland Raiders: Will They Trade Down?

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Following a stellar 2014 draft that netted franchise cornerstones Derek Carr (quarterback) and Khalil Mack (pass-rusher), the Oakland Raiders are on the up-and-up.

The team holds the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft, so it stands to reason general manager Reggie McKenzie will have his pick of one of a number of talented prospects.

But McKenzie recently told Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com he has fielded calls from teams looking to trade up to fourth overall, and said, "My phone line is always open. You hear everybody out. If it makes sense and it's going to help the Raiders, we'll do a deal."

In past years, the idea of trading down would have made a lot more sense. But at this point, the Raiders roster isn't far away from being ready to compete for a postseason berth. McKenzie should stand pat and take the best player available—preferably Alabama receiver Amari Cooper.

Philadelphia Eagles: Will They Make a Play for Oregon QB Marcus Mariota?

Ross Franklin/Associated Press

No team has become more unpredictable than the Philadelphia Eagles, fronted by head coach (and de facto general manager) Chip Kelly. Trying to predict what Kelly will do in the draft is like trying to predict the weather five years in advance.

Even though Kelly traded for Rams quarterback Sam Bradford earlier in the offseason, the possibility still looms he will make a major play for Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, whom he coached at the collegiate level. While it's crazy to think Bradford could be dealt just a month after being acquired, this is Kelly we're talking about, so all bets are off.

Per Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns would "still like" to acquire Bradford. Cleveland holds the 12th and 19th overall selections in Round 1, and the Eagles have the 20th pick. It's possible Kelly—with the help of a Bradford trade—could acquire enough theoretical ammunition to move up to the top of the draft to get Mariota.

At this point, your guess is as good as ours. Is it possible Mariota could be an Eagle? Sure. Is it also possible the Eagles could bring Ron Jaworski out of retirement? Anything is possible.

After all, Tim Tebow currently resides on their roster.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Targeting Pass-Rushing Linebackers?

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Last season, Pittsburgh finished 26th in the league in sack total with only 33—a total unbefitting a Steelers franchise that has become accustomed to getting after the opposing quarterback with aplomb.

The good news for Steelers fans is general manager Kevin Colbert recently said (via Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) the group of pass-rushing outside linebackers in the 2015 draft is "exceptional."

The Steelers absolutely need to add oomph to their pass rush, and they could be looking to do so with the 22nd overall pick. While Colbert's comments could indicate a smokescreen and interest elsewhere, don't be shocked if the Steelers do add a talented edge-rusher to the roster.

St. Louis Rams: Will They Draft an Offensive Lineman?

Jordan Strauss/Associated Press

Earlier this offseason, the St. Louis Rams added a starting quarterback by trading for Eagles passer Nick Foles—and they could now be looking to add protection for him with the 10th overall pick in the first round.

Per ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner, Rams coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead will spend "plenty of time" looking at offensive linemen as the draft rolls on, particularly as tackles Jake Long and Joe Barksdale and center Scott Wells were not re-signed in free agency.

Wagoner's reasoning makes a ton of sense, and it would be a stunner if the Rams opted to go anywhere except offensive line in the first round with the 10th overall pick.

San Diego Chargers: Will They Trade QB Philip Rivers?

Reed Hoffmann/Associated Press

The San Diego Chargers have been one of the most hotly discussed teams heading into the draft, and with good reason—the rumors surrounding a potential trade of quarterback Philip Rivers have been well documented.

Unless Rivers threatens to retire, it makes no sense for the Chargers to trade him. While he's entering the final year of his contract, the team could simply franchise him next offseason and rule the AFC West for years—assuming, of course, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning retires.

And indeed, Alex Flanagan of NFL Media reported earlier in the week the Chargers have had no conversations with any team about trading Rivers. That remains the most likely scenario—the Chargers hold on to Rivers and select the best available player at 17th overall. Anything else would be outright insanity.

San Francisco 49ers: Targeting Defensive Lineman And/Or Wide Receivers?

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

While the San Francisco 49ers are entering the first draft of the Jim Tomsula era, this isn't the first rodeo for general manager Trent Baalke, who has earned a reputation for being a draft-day wheeler-and-dealer.

In that vein, Peter King of TheMMQB.com recently posited the 49ers could be a candidate to trade down in the first round, with Oregon defensive tackle Arik Armstead being the primary target. But as Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee writes, it might not be the best idea for the 49ers to pass on a stud receiver—think Louisville's DeVante Parker—if he fell to 15th overall where the 49ers are slated to select.

Either player would be a fine option, but the best bet is on the 49ers standing pat at 15th overall and taking the best player. Armstead remains a real possibility in that slot.

Seattle Seahawks: Looking to Trade DE Bruce Irvin?

Doug McSchooler/Associated Press

Back in the 2012 draft, the Seattle Seahawks selected pass-rusher Bruce Irvin in the first round, and he's helped them to a Super Bowl championship and back-to-back appearances in the big game.

But his time in the Pacific Northwest could be reaching a conclusion, with ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio reporting Irvin could be dealt to the Falcons to reunite with new Atlanta coach Dan Quinn, who previously served as Seattle's defensive coordinator. The deal would presumably net the Seahawks a draft pick (or picks).

This makes sense, especially considering the Seahawks aren't planning on picking up Irvin's fifth-year option, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. And with Seattle not holding a first-round pick in the draft—traded away as part of the deal that brought star tight end Jimmy Graham to town—it could stand to accumulate more picks in an effort to reload a roster that has been pilfered in recent years by clubs looking to mirror the team's success.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Will They Select Florida State QB Jameis Winston?

Mark Wallheiser/Associated Press

It's difficult to remember an NFL draft with as much intrigue as this one, but as it concerns the No. 1 overall pick, there isn't a whole ton of drama, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear set to select Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston.

But last week, Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman wrote the Bucs could be "wavering" on Winston, who certainly acted in an immature fashion over multiple instances in his collegiate career.

It would be tough to fault the Bucs for having second thoughts about Winston, who has proven to be a bit of a nincompoop at times, but at the end of the day, if the selection is anyone except Winston, general manager Jason Licht and coach Lovie Smith should be fired on the spot.

The Bucs need a quarterback. Winston is the best quarterback available. Ergo, the Bucs should take Winston.

It's as easy as that.

Tennessee Titans: Will They Keep or Trade the Second Overall Pick?

Ryan Kang/Associated Press

The Tennessee Titans still hold the unfortunate moniker of the NFL's most nondescript team, but after tonight, that could very well be no more. The team holds the No. 2 overall pick, and with it, the keys to the first round of the draft.

With the Bucs all but certain to take Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston at No. 1 overall, there's seemingly been a mad scramble for teams attempting to move up to No. 2 to select Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. The question has been: Does Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt want to move on from Zach Mettenberger, the team's sixth-round pick last year who gained valuable starting experience as a neophyte?

Per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport (via NFL.com's Conor Orr), the Browns have the best chance at moving up to No. 2, given their ammunition—the 12th and 19th overall picks in the first round. The Chargers have also been bandied about, with quarterback Philip Rivers being dealt in any potential scenario.

But when the smoke clears, the smart money is on Whisenhunt and general manager Ruston Webster doing the right thing and selecting Mariota at second overall. The Titans need a reboot, and a franchise quarterback like Mariota provides it. The team should have no shortage of suitors, but acquiring a passer of Mariota's ilk should be the top priority.

Washington Redskins: Will They Trade Down?

Nick Wass/Associated Press

The Washington Redskins have a new general manager in Scot McCloughan, and he's been charged with vastly improving the team's substandard 53-man roster.

McCloughan and the Redskins hold the fifth overall pick in the draft, and while it's possible the team will stand pat and add the best player available, McCloughan also recently noted (via Dan Hanzus of NFL.com) the club could look to trade back if coveted USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams falls to their spot.

If that happens, Williams would surely have no shortage of suitors, and the Redskins would be able to accumulate picks, in turn allowing the excellent McCloughan to add quality players to the roster. While it's not likely that Williams falls to fifth overall, the likelihood of the Redskins trading back is a strong one, given the various holes on the depth chart.