COLUMN: NFL draft preview

   With the NFL draft just a little over a week away it’s time for my professional opinion on who goes where, whom my Packers should pick and what Hawkeyes will get selected this year.

     First off, who will be the consensus number one pick? The Cleveland Browns will be first on the clock, unless a draft day trade is made. Logic says the Browns pick the best available player, Myles Garrett, a DE out of Texas A&M.

     The shocker pick would be perhaps the best available QB, Mitchell Trubisky, a junior out of North Carolina. My prediction is the Browns trade the number one pick for multiple draft choices.

     It’s hard saying who I think the Packers will take with their first pick, #29. Look for their first pick to be on the defensive side of the ball, maybe an interior linemen or a defensive back. What they really need is a running back.

Personally I wouldn’t mind Green Bay drafting a wide receiver first. The last time they selected a WR with their first pick was in 2008 and that one happened to be Jordy Nelson. My guess is they go with CB Tre’Davious White out of LSU or DT Malik McDowell out of Michigan State. My sleeper pick is RB Dalvin Cook out of Florida State.

     A few Hawkeyes should see their names selected this year and the first to go should be FS Desmond King. King had a great career for the Hawks and after winning the Jim Thorpe award as a junior, stayed for his senior year in hopes of improving his draft status.

     Next up for Iowa should be DT Jaleel Johnson, projected to go in the third round. TE George Kittle, a former Iowa walk-on, who raised his stock with an excellent showing at the draft combine, should follow Johnson. Look for Kittle to go in the 3-4 round.

     Other potential draft prospects from Iowa include QB CJ Beathard and OL Cole Croston. This could be a lean year for a Cyclone to hear his name called. Their highest rated player is CB Nigel Tribune. UNI will also be hard pressed to see a player drafted this year.

     That’s my draft report for 2017 and I’m sticking to it!