This isn’t your grandfather’s mock draft (for that scroll down further), this is a mock done in futility, as we try to predict the craziness that will unfold in the draft’s first-round.

There’s bound to be surprises and this could be one of the most trade heavy drafts we’ve seen in years, few are likely to go down as I’m predicting here, but what’s the point in playing it safe?

The worst thing you can do in the draft is not stick to your guns, or go by someone else’s opinion. If there’s one thing that’s certain with the draft it’s that you’re bound to get calls right and wrong, it’s a pure numbers game no one is perfect, so why bother worrying, stick to what you know and be confident, people at least will respect that you’re making your decisions based on educated information.

Also, it’s easy to make fun of mock drafts and their inaccuracies, but it’s really an impossible task. Much like filling out a bracket every single pick you make impacts the next and one incorrect call can snowball into many. So bare with me and have some fun imagining some of the crazier trades and scenarios that could go down on Thursday night.

Note: all trades here are aligned with the trade value chart, some variation of which is used by most if not all NFL front offices.

First Round:

1. Los Angeles Rams (from TEN) – Jared Goff, QB, Cal

The worst kept secret in the entire draft is that the Rams traded up for Goff. The best quarterback in the class (and most NFL ready) is an easy pick to start things anew in California.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (from CLE) – Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

Philly will take the top quarterback who’s left after the Rams selection. Wentz is far from a sure thing but has the upside to eventually be developed into a good (and potentially great) signal-caller.

3. San Diego Chargers – Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State

This is where the draft really begins. The Chargers are in a perfect position to take the best non-quarterback in the class. It’s a four-horse race, with Ramsey, Tunsil (not to mention Stanley), Buckner and Bosa in the running. Bosa isn’t a great system fit in San Diego’s 3-4 and Buckner would be a slight reach in the top three. The Tunsil – Ramsey debate is interesting. Ramsey is the more coveted of the two (at least if you look at who would be picked by the teams picking next) and the Chargers have restructured or re-signed both their starting tackles this offseason. The best player available and the most pressing need is at safety with Weddle gone, and Ramsey is the rare player who could play safety in base and be moved to the outside as a corner in nickel, allowing Jason Verrett to move from the outside to the slot corner in these situations (much like Chris Harris Jr. does).

4. Dallas Cowboys – Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

With Ramsey taken, the Cowboys have the choice between Bosa, the edge rusher they desperately need and Ezekiel Elliott, Jerry Jones’ supposed favorite. Jones has done a good job in the last few years of not making the rumored pick but rather making smart decisions. While Elliott would be a fun pick, Bosa just makes too much sense with the Gregory and Lawrence suspensions. Bosa would also compliment the two troubled but talented pass rushers already on the roster as he could play left defensive end and let the smaller Gregory or Lawrence play on the right. Bosa was suspended week one of the regular season for some off-field trouble (almost certainly drug related), this would be the only thing that could scare Dallas off this selection.

5. Tennessee Titans (from JAX for pick 15 and 33 ) – Laremy Tunsil, LT, Ole Miss.

I’ve penciled in Myles Jack here or at the Dallas pick for months now, but the latest differing medical reports make this pick tricky. If the Chargers go with Tunsil, the Jags stay at five and take either Ramsey or Bosa, if things go as prognosticated here, things get much trickier. Jack could still be the pick but that all depends on Jacksonville’s medical staff signing off on his knee, which we have no way of knowing. Given the circumstances, we have our first trade and could have several more according to recent rumors. The Titans trade up here and sacrifice their top pick in the second round. Jacksonville drops ten spots and should still find the corner or coverage linebacker they covet. Hard to imagine Tunsil dropping much further than this, the Titans move down five spots, get their man and still have two second-rounders this year, in addition to added first and third round picks in 2017, the price is affordable.

6. Baltimore Ravens – Ronnie Stanley, LT, Notre Dame

The Ravens are a slam-dunk to take Tunsil here if he slips, as a perfect Osemele substitute (though recent rumors also indicate that they might prefer Stanley to Tunsil), which is part of the Titans motivation to move up to five. With Tunsil gone this pick comes down to Jack (with the same medical uncertainties that we have with the Jags pick), DeForest Buckner and the aforementioned Stanley. Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome is no dummy and you can bet he’ll make this rare top ten pick count. The offense took a major step back with Kubiak’s departure and the injuries last season. Stanley would help raise the offensive line play in Baltimore and should help give Flacco more time to unleash the deep ball.

7. San Francisco 49ers – Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

Given how disastrous O-Line play was in 2015, the Niners should strongly consider the two tackles if either were to drop to this pick. San Francisco has also lost a staggering amount of defensive talent from their 2013 Super Bowl team (Justin Smith, Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis just to name a few) and need to badly renew that side of the ball with talent. DeForest Buckner is strongly in play, as could Myles Jack who would give the 9ers a linebacker capable of replicating Willis’ coverage ability. GM Trent Baalke has never shied away from players with injury questions (Marcus Latimore and Tank Carradine are the most notable recent picks) and goes with Jack, who could quickly give them that defensive identity they’ve been missing.

8. Miami Dolphins (from CLE via PHI, for 73rd pick and a 2017 5th rounder) – Ezekiel Elliott RB Ohio State

We have no idea what Cleveland’s front office will do with this pick as it’s an entirely new (and unconventional) group with no track record, so even an educated guess isn’t easy. We do know that the Browns feel they’re a few seasons away from competing and are statically inclined, which would suggest another trade is not just possible but likely. If they were to stay at this spot DeForest Buckner seems like a logical choice, while the two tackles and Jack might be the true apple of Cleveland’s eye. Don’t discount a Paxton Lynch surprise pick either, but none of those sound like what the Browns really want to do. Miami has always been a splashy team who’s not afraid to make a big move on draft day. They covet running backs and lost out on both Lamar Miller and C.J. Anderson. Elliott is the best back we’ve seen in a while (Gurley was more talented but had many more durability question marks), guarantees to be an early contributor and a reliable asset in all phases of the game, a slam-dunk pick for a fairly reasonable price. Elliott could help kick start Adam Gase’s offense and give Tannehill a reliable playmaker to take pressure off (both literally and figuratively) of him.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

Finally, a pick that’s lacking some craziness to it. Lawson is a controversial figure amongst draft experts with some labeling him as an average athlete and others seeing much more in him. Lawson’s testing was at close to elite NFL levels for his size and that’s all I need to know. Tampa is looking for defensive help and desperately need playmakers on the outside, both edge-rusher and corners. Lawson is the best player available at either position and would fit nicely in Tampa’s four-man front.

10. New York Giants – Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia

The Giants are an interesting team. They’ve spent big on defense in free agency and took an offensive tackle (Ereck Flowers) with a top ten draft pick only last year. Despite all that, the defense and O-Line could still use some help. The Giants have needed impact linebackers for years but have refused to address that need in the draft during  Jerry Reese’s tenure. Floyd could be that rare exception to the rule as a linebacker who could play on the strong side in their 4-3 but also impact the game as a pass-rusher, a skill the Giants clearly value. Floyd could be plugged in as an immediate starter at LB and be used in a Jamie Collins jack of all trades type role. He could also be groomed (and bulked up) to play DE and become JPP’s eventual heir. Floyd might be the hottest prospect in this draft at the moment and could go even higher than this due to his tantalizing potential, he’s rumored to go in the 10-12 range at the latest.

11. Chicago Bears – DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

Things don’t play out ideally for the Bears in this mock as help is needed on the offensive line and they’d love an edge rusher like Lawson or Floyd. In this scenario, the best tackle remaining is Jack Conklin (a very valid option) and Noah Spence remains as the best edge rusher. The Bears settle on Buckner who could instantly upgrade their run defense and be groomed into an impactful interior rusher. Vic Fangio seems like the perfect coordinator in the perfect scheme to get the best out of the Oregon standout.

12. New Orleans Saints – Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

New Orleans is another team that would pounce at the chance of taking an edge rusher like Lawson or Floyd but make no mistake this pick is no consolation pick. Rankins has shot up boards during the draft process and has the skill set to penetrate from the middle. He should be a lock to go in the top 15 to 20 picks despite his undersized frame because interior rushers are just so important nowadays.

13. Cleveland Browns (from the MIA via PHI) – Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

The Browns finally decide to make a pick here after having traded down twice and adding an insane amount of picks in the process. The Browns need playmakers on offense and could look to take the best receiver here. Cleveland could also be looking at offensive linemen like Conklin. Instead, they opt to get their quarterback here and the man coach Hue Jackson is rumored to like. With RGIII and McCown in place Lynch doesn’t have to be rushed and Cleveland will have plenty of time (and picks) to add talent around the high upside Memphis product.

14. Oakland Raiders – Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida

Raiders fans are mortified that their team will take another Houston cornerback after the failed D.J. Hayden experiment. That’s almost reason alone to make that the pick here. Instead, Oakland takes Hargraves who looks like a good value based on other analysts evaluations, but who I’m not as high on. With Sean Smith in place, Hargraves wouldn’t have to guard big No.1 NFL wideouts and that should significantly increase his chances of success.

15. Jacksonville Jaguars (from TEN, via LAR) – William Jackson III, CB, Houston

The Jaguars had to wait for ten picks but they’re finally up. Lots of options remain for the Jags who need to continue to add defensive talent. They’re particularly needy at corner where there isn’t a single player who fits Gus Bradley’s big physical press-corner mold and at linebacker where they could use some more cover skills. Darron Lee is raw but could be that weak-side talent the Jags D requires. At the same time, smaller athletic cover linebackers can be found in the later rounds and the Jaguars just added some picks. The value at corner is better and Jackson is a perfect fit for what Bradley is looking for at the position.

16. Detroit Lions – Jack Conklin, OL, Michigan State

Detroit will have a tough decision between finding a new stud at defensive tackle or adding some help on the other side of the trenches to better protect Matthew Stafford. There’s remaining talent at both spots and you can’t really go wrong either way, but considering how deep the DT class is, the Lions go with help on offense. Conklin would stay at home, he brings versatility and a nasty workmanlike attitude that should help instantly in Detroit.

17. Atlanta Falcons – Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky

This might be a bit high for Spence who carries some important red flags with him. Atlanta is also rumored to be interested in trading up and might have another edge rusher they lust for, but they lack the picks to truly make a big move upwards. Coming from the Seahawks, coach Dan Quinn understands that sometimes gambling on character can pay off. Spence is a perfect system fit and could play right end (or the famous LEO position) in the Falcons defense, which would, in turn, allow Vic Beasly to be moved to strong-side linebacker, his natural position.

18. Indianapolis Colts – Taylor Decker OT Ohio State

Word on the street is that Conklin is the pick if he’s still around at this point. In this mock, that isn’t the case, so the Colts have to decide whether to prioritize protecting the Franchise (aka Andrew Luck) or adding talent to a defense who’s thin in playmakers. The Colts prioritize protecting Luck and take Decker who should be an immediate starter at right tackle and could eventually be groomed into the franchise blindside protector.

19. Buffalo Bills – Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss.*

Buffalo is an interesting team, they had a terrific defense in 2014 and most figured Rex Ryan would simply continue that trend, but that was not the case in 2015 with the ‘D’ taking major steps back. Above all, the pass rush, which had been a strength the previous year, was one of the league’s worst. There are lots of indications that the Bills aren’t sold on Tyrod Taylor being the long term starter and could pick a quarterback, with the juiciest rumors saying they’ll take Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg, even in a crazy mock that seems too crazy to predict. The Bills decide on the mercurial Nkemdiche a Rex Ryan-type player, who’s big and explosive and a bit of a head case. Paired next to Marcell Dareus he could create one of the most devastating pairs of interior linemen in the league, as long as the Mississippi talent can stay trouble free off the field and be more consistent on it.

20. New York Jets – Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

The Jets are a tough team to predict and most likely want a quarterback if possible. Connor Cook could be an option, but just seems too high and your also not hearing much buzz about him with the Jets (take that with a grain of salt). The Jets have other needs that get ignored here as they decide to go with the young man-corner with great upside. This might not seem like a need now but, consider the Jets cut Antonio Cromartie and haven’t picked up the 5th year option on Dee Milliner. Add the fact that Darrelle Revis lost a step last year and is still receiving elite money (the Jets would love to get out from under that contract before it runs out) and how important having good cover corners is to Todd Bowles defense and it all makes sense. Alexander is a perfect fit in this scheme and actually reminds of Revis in his ability to cover on an island.

21. Washington Redskins – Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor

Washington has quietly added some nice talent on the outside of their defensive front-seven, especially with Junior Galette fully healthy this season. The same cannot be said about the interior of their defense which just lost Terrance Knighton and was the NFL’s 26th-ranked run defense (allowing 124 rushing yards per game). With that in mind, the two Alabama players, Jarran Reed and Reggie Ragland would make a lot of sense at this spot, as would the 20-year-old Billings. Billings is a stout nose guard who can stuff the run and lead Baylor in both sacks and tackles for a loss (5.5 and 15 respectively), despite weighing 311 pounds. He isn’t a fit in every system, but his age, production and athleticism (he ran an insane 5.05 40 yard dash same time as the 15 pound lighter Buckner) make him the rare run stopping nose tackle with potential for more, a worthy first-rounder.

22. Houston Texans – Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

The Texans are in the market for a receiver but also have lost some members of the offensive line and retained some aging starters, so don’t underestimate that need. With the top four linemen gone and no receivers taken at this point the value is just too good at the wideout position. The national media is pushing the narrative that Osweiler has a big arm and needs deep threats. Broncos fans who paid attention, know that Brock lives off of short to intermediate passing and needs options down the middle of the field (think of how much more comfortable he was with Sanders than DT). Corey Coleman as an undersized receiver, could be a big play option without the quarterback having to throw it deep, as he’s a beast with the ball in his hands. Coleman’s speed and ability to make a play out of nothing would compliment DeAndre Hopkins nicely as well.

23. Minnesota Vikings – Laquan Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss.

This is the part of the draft where the run on receivers should start, with Houston, Minnesota and Cincinnati all in the market for added targets. Minnesota has been one of the better drafting teams over the last few years and it’s starting to show in the win column. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Vikes went with an unexpected pick, word on the street is that Nkemdiche is the top player on their board, so keep that in mind. With a young speedy receiver already in place in Stefon Diggs, Treadwell would be a great high-end possession receiver who could be a security blanket on third downs and in the end-zone.

24. Cincinnati Bengals – Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

So far, in the last two picks, I’ve given teams receivers that compliment who they already have at the position. Which is why you’ll see some giving Cincinnati Will Fuller, who I’m admittedly not a fan of. The Bengals are an unconventional team in this way and seem to prefer a receiver group that’s made up of similarly tall players. Doctson is an immediate upgrade on the freshly departed Mohammed Sanu and Marvin Jones. A Doctson and A.J. Green duo would be a nightmare for AFC North secondaries to cover.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers – Karl Joseph, SS, West Virginia

The obvious pick here for Pittsburgh would be a corner, that’s their biggest need and Eli Apple is still around and the clear best player remaining at the position. Pittsburgh historically hasn’t drafted corner very high which tells me they don’t see it as an important position in their defense. A playmaking Safety on the other hand is and there isn’t a position in their defensive backfield that’s consolidated. Joseph has lots of hype lately and for good reason. He’s a devastating player on tape and plays with a recklessness that instantly makes you a fan. Von Bell would also make sense at this pick, as would the aforementioned Apple if the Steelers decided to buck the trend.

26. Seattle Seahawks – Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana

The next few picks are rumored to be prime trade territory with both Seattle and Green Bay more than willing sellers. With Lynch gone, I’m not sure there’s the same desire to move up ahead of KC and Arizona, so Seattle is forced to stay put. The Seahawks are desperate for offensive line help, especially after the loss of Okung. They have two great options remaining in Spriggs and Cody Whitehair. They opt for Spriggs who has the more natural traits to play left tackle and higher upside. He isn’t as polished or NFL ready as Whitehair but Seattle has Tom Cable who’s one of the best in the business at coaching the o-line, they gamble on his ability to develop Spriggs.

27. Green Bay Packers – Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State

The Packers are regularly one of the best drafting teams in the league in large part because they don’t mess around, they simply take the best player available. Lee is a true slam dunk pick, he’s the best player available and this would also allow the Packers to put Lee inside and move Clay Matthews back to his outside linebacker spot. Lee could really go any which way, we’ve seen undersized linebackers go higher than expected in recent years and we’ve also some slip.

28. Kansas City Chiefs – Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

This is really the best scenario for Chiefs fans, who can move on and renew a promising defense without wasting picks on developmental quarterbacks. Apple would be a steal at this point as his potential could warrant going much higher. The Chiefs losing Sean Smith was huge, without him they were 1-4 last season, with him they transformed into the league’s hottest team. KC can double up in back to back years and have two long, athletic, press corners who allow them to play their style of defense.

29. Arizona Cardinals – Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State

The rumors of Arizona targeting Lynch have always puzzled me. With the age of offensive stars like Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald and the trade they made with New England for Chandler Jones (on an expiring contract) all seem to suggest the Cards are in win-now mode more than any other team in the league. This pick follows that line of thinking and gives them an upgrade in one of the few weak spots on the roster. Whitehair is versatile and just all-around solid. His technique is impeccable and he rarely gets beat. He should be perfect on the inside of their offensive line. Whitehair didn’t do well on the bench press at the Combine and some question his upper body strength, if the Cardinals fall in this camp they could take Alabama center, Ryan Kelly, instead.

30. Carolina Panthers – Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson

The Panthers are an odd team when it comes to their drafting and clearly value some positions much more than others. With Josh Norman’s recent exit corner seems to be their biggest need, but so did offensive tackle last draft and they ignored that completely and faired quite well (Super Bowl aside, that is). I expect them to do the same here, some interesting rumors have them taking linebacker/safety hybrid Su’a Cravens which would be a shocker. Karl Joseph could also make sense for them at this point as help is needed at safety. Dodd also falls in line with the Panthers philosophies, he’s a big pass rusher with some raw skills. He could be groomed as a Charles Johnson replacement much like Kony Ealy was a Hardy heir a few years ago.

31. San Francisco 49ers (from DEN for pick 37 and Colin Kaepernick, plus San Fransisco takes on part of Kaepernick’s base salary) – Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State

One last crazy trade to top it all off. So who says no to this? The Broncos move down 6 spots (the equivalent of 70 points on the trade value chart which is a mid 4th rounder, exactly what Elway said he valued Kaep at months ago) and would likely still have most of their DL, LB, RB and OL targets available, while San Francisco get’s their quarterback and gets rid of another all in one swoop. The Niners have plenty of cap room to take on some of the financial burden from Kaepernick’s contract and could be more incentivized to do so with this type of move than with a late-round pick in return. Even if this trade is in the works we’ll have to wait until the 31st pick to see it play out, as many factors affect it: if Lynch is around, do the Broncos just take him and forget Kaep? Do the Niners really like Cook and would they only do the trade if he’s around? These are just a few things worth wondering with this trade. Cook doesn’t seem like a natural fit in Chip Kelly’s offense honestly, but weirder things have happened in the draft and they are rumored to covet Cook in the early second-round.

Round Two:

Considering the trade it’s time for six bonus picks in this mock, as I’m not gonna leave my readers hanging. So here we go…I’m only explaining the Broncos pick, forgive me, but my editors have to sleep too and my in-laws are visiting today.

32. Cleveland Browns – Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame

33. Jacksonville Jaguars (from TEN) – Su’a Cravens OLB/S USC

34. Dallas Cowboys – Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama

35. San Diego Chargers – Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State

36. Baltimore Ravens – Vonn Bell, FS, Ohio State

37. Denver Broncos (from 49ers) – Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State

This might seem like a reach on paper, and if you’re truly bothered by the pick just insert Mississippi State’s Chris Jones or Louisiana Tech’s Vernon Butler and you’ll be happy. But realize this, Hargrave is a freak athlete who has immense potential as an interior penetrator and run-stopper. His potential could easily warrant a Malik Jackson type contract in five years and he should be a real consideration already, at pick 31. I’m admittedly higher on Hargrave than most, but it’s not the only one. In his most recent mock draft, NFL Networks Daniel Jeremiah had Hargrave going at pick number 27 to the Packers and had this to say:

“There is always a surprise in the first round. Hargrave is gaining steam because of his explosiveness and productivity.”

Your grandfather’s mock draft:

As promised here’s a more conventional mock draft which assumes things will go as expected.

1. Los Angeles Rams (from TEN) – Jared Goff, QB, Cal

2. Philadelphia Eagles (from CLE) – Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

3. San Diego Chargers – Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State

4. Dallas Cowboys – Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

6. Baltimore Ravens – Laremy Tunsil, LT, Ole Miss.

7. San Francisco 49ers – Ronnie Stanley, LT, Notre Dame

8. Cleveland Browns (from the PHI via MIA) – DeForest Buckner DE Oregon

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Shaq Lawson DE Clemson

10. New York Giants – Ezekiel Elliott RB Ohio St.

11. Chicago Bears – Leonard Floyd OLB Georgia

12. New Orleans Saints – Sheldon Rankins DT Louisville

13. Miami Dolphins (from PHI) – Vernon Hargreaves III CB Florida

14. Oakland Raiders – William Jackson III CB Houston

15. Tennessee Titans (from LAR) – Jack Conklin OL Michigan St.

16. Detroit Lions – A’Shawn Robinson DT Alabama

17. Atlanta Falcons – Darron Lee OLB Ohio St.

18. Indianapolis Colts – Taylor Decker OT Ohio St.

19. Buffalo Bills – Noah Spence DE Eastern Kentucky*

20. New York Jets – Paxton Lynch QB Memphis

21. Washington Redskins – Andrew Billings DT Baylor

22. Houston Texans – Corey Coleman WR Baylor

23. Minnesota Vikings – Josh Doctson WR TCU

24. Cincinnati Bengals – Laquan Treadwell WR Ole Miss.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers – Eli Apple CB Ohio St

26. Seattle Seahawks – Cody Whitehair OT/G KSU

27. Green Bay Packers – Reggie Ragland ILB Alabama

28. Kansas City Chiefs – Mackensie Alexander CB Clemson

29. Arizona Cardinals – Ryan Kelly OC Alabama

30. Carolina Panthers – Kevin Dodd DE Clemson

31. Denver Broncos – Robert Nkemdiche DT Ole Miss.*